As Lord Falasmir and his attendants moved down the reception line toward them, Airefalas stepped into place beside Mithadan, his gray-green eyes studying the face of the approaching Umbarian lord. Ordinarily people didn't carry duplicity upon their faces like a moustache or a beard, especially not those who were well-versed in deception, but as Lord Falasmir moved nearer, Airefalas found himself studying the man's face for just that...some hint of his true disposition. So far, aside from the threatening position of the two warships in the harbor and the palace's ever-present guards, Airefalas had seen nothing to support his strong feelings of discomfiture and foreboding. Glancing at Mithadan's cool confidence beside him, Airefalas began to doubt his own instincts.
Then, his eyes fell again on the woman who walked beside Lord Falasmir. Something about her eyes and the stern set of her jaw set all of his nerves on edge. This was a dangerous woman. But whether or not she proved dangerous to him and Mithadan remained to be seen. As far as Airefalas was concerned, he would just as soon stay out of her way. Bowing respectfully to her and Lord Falasmir as they reached him, he felt distinctly grateful once they had passed. Meeting them had done nothing to set him at ease. The sense of foreboding still raged in his heart, despite his doubts.
Turning away from the reception line once they had passed, Airefalas had every intention of returning to Korpulfr and his silks. Unfortunately, he was immediately taken in hand by a rather officious coffee merchant, who grabbed him tightly around the elbow and practically dragged him over to look at his selection of coffees. Casting a sardonic glance over his shoulder in the direction of his captain, Airefalas saw Mithadan in close conversation with the only other female in attendance aside from Lord Falasmir's companion. If ever, thought Airefalas, there was a difference between two women, this was it. It was like comparing a rose to a block of granite. He found it interesting that the only two women present should represent such a contrast to one another.
He had noticed the younger woman when she had entered the courtyard some minutes earlier, his eye having been caught by her unique beauty, but had instantly lost track of her. He had been at the height of his negotiations with Korpulfr over the saffron when she came in and had felt compelled to keep his focus on his business where it belonged. Now, listening patiently to the sales pitch of the coffee merchant, he found himself wondering what she and Mithadan had to discuss. She did not seem to have any wares to peddle like the rest of the vultures in attendance. In fact, she seemed somewhat troubled, almost angry, which stood out in sharp contrast to the annoyingly unctious demeanor of so many of the other merchants. She had the appearance of a desert dweller, too, which was also unusual for the evening. He decided to ask Mithadan about her later.
Airefalas startled and drew back sharply as the swarthy face of the coffee merchant suddenly filled his field of vision. Sensing that the Gondorian was not paying attention, the merchant had taken it upon himself to insert his face between Airefalas and whatever it was that did interest him. He held up a handful of coffee beans, which he thrust under Airefalas' nose.
"Smell the rich aroma, sir!"
Not having much choice to the contrary, Airefalas did as the merchant suggested.
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