Forest Kingdom Trilogy 2 - Blood and Honor

making quiet encouraging noises. The dog looked at him for a moment with its head cocked slightly to one side, and then bounded forward to greet him, its tail wagging furiously.
    Jordan sat on the edge of the bed, and petted the dog happily. It pushed against his legs and showed every sign of intending to stay there for some time. Jordan told the dog it was a good boy, and it looked up at him, grinning in agreement. It was a good-looking dog, obviously pedigree, and apparently quite happy, though it was rather hard to tell with a bloodhound. The face wasn't really equipped to register happiness. And it had the saddest eyes Jordan had ever seen. The dog was obviously well trained as well as friendly, in that it hadn't tried to jump up on him the moment it met him, and Jordan's estimate of Viktor went up a little. Anyone who kept a fine animal like this as a pet couldn't be all bad. He just wished someone had mentioned it was there . . . He grinned down at the bloodhound, and it put its head into his lap for him to scratch behind its ears.
    Jordan looked about him, taking in the bedchamber. He hadn't seen anything this luxurious since he'd sung for his supper in a top-rank brothel in Web City. There was no denying it was comfortable, very comfortable, but it was also gauche, gaudy and almost terminally sensuous. His boots practically disappeared into the thick-pile carpet, and the bed was so soft it was like sitting on a cloud. In fact, he sank so deeply into it he wasn't sure if he could get up again without help. As usual, the fittings and furnishings clashed loudly, but Jordan was growing inured to that. His gaze fell on the huge blocky wardrobe that covered most of one wall, and a thought occurred to him. Sooner or later he was going to be meeting the important people at Court, and when he did he'd better not be wearing his present attire.
    After several days on the road, his clothes smelt strongly of sweat, dust and a few other things he didn't even want to think about. He was surprised flowers hadn't wilted in their vases when he walked past them. He stretched slowly, feeling his back muscles grate against each other.
    Presumably there was a bathroom somewhere in this suite, but he'd look for it later, when he had the time, and when he was fairly sure he wouldn't be interrupted. Roderik or the others could be back any time, and he hated being interrupted in the bath. Right now, he'd settle for a change of clothes.
    Jordan pushed the dog gently to one side, and struggled up off the bed. The wardrobe's doors slid smoothly back on their runners, and Jordan stared in amazement at more clothes than he'd ever seen in one place in his life. He'd worked in theatres that had smaller wardrobe stocks than this. There were robes and outfits for every conceivable occasion, and a few so outrageous they had to be either strictly traditional, or left over from some best-forgotten masquerade. Jordan stripped off his travel-stained clothes, and tossed them casually in the direction of the bed. He kept his shirt, even though it was no longer really a good fit for his new body. He'd have to adapt some of Viktor's shirts when he had the chance, but for now the hidden pockets in the sleeves, with their flare pellets and smoke bombs, were an advantage he didn't intend to give up. He chose an outfit pretty much at random, and dressed quickly.
    The clothes felt almost sinfully comfortable, and fitted perfectly. Jordan struck a pose in front of the wardrobe's full-length mirror, and sighed wistfully. It had been a long time since he could afford clothes like these. The rich scarlet colour really suited him, particularly when set off by the billowing burgundy cloak.
    There was a loud crash from the other room as the main door swung open, and Jordan frowned as he heard Roderik calling anxiously for him. Surely something couldn't have gone wrong already? He hurried out into the main room, and found Roderik and Gawaine waiting for him. Jordan's heart sank as he took in their worried expressions.
    'What is it?' he said quickly. 'What's happened?'
    'The Regent has summoned all three Princes to attend a special audience at Court,' said Roderik. 'The last time he did
    that, it was to inform them of their father's sudden death. I hate to think what he might have to say this time.'
    'Does he know about us?' said Jordan. 'About me?'
    'I don't see how,' said Gawaine, 'but that doesn't mean much where the Regent's concerned. The man has an uncanny