(Congratulatia Elhalyn y Ridenow: Marcello Bellavista; Elorie Aillard: Anna Gilmour; Diego Storn: Jim Caccamo; Regis di Asturien: Reijo Perlman; Eduin Alton: Ron ?)

She demanded to see Elorie and the manservant protested it was themiddle of the night.

"I do realise what time it is, but I will not be denied. Now go and announce Domna Elorie Aillard that Domna Congratulatia Elhalyn y Ridenow needs to confer with her on quite an urgent matter. Immediately!"

'Domna?' The hesitant voice dragged Elorie reluctantly from a deep sleep.

'What is it?' she mumbled crossly. Her maid looked apologetic.

'The Lady Congratulatia wishes to speak to you. At once.' Elorie rolled out of bed, wondering groggily what this was all about. Danvan? Or some news from Eduin about Amanda? She pulled on an old robe and went quickly out to meet Congratulatia.

Congra was stalking around Elorie's room. She wore all black except for her red and black fan, which she was waving furiously. She appeared to be talking to herself and every so often she trilled some words from a song which Elorie did not know.

'Congra? What's wrong?' Congra stopped short with her back to Elorie and snapped her fan together with a sound like a gunshot. Then she whirled in a dramatic cloud of back.

'I have been betrayed!!!' she announced.' My beloved Jorik - may he rot in Zandru's Hells - has gone off with that accursed She-Cat of Aldaran!'

Elorie opened her mouth to speak but Congra raised her voice until her words began to sound like some exotic song.

'I saw them, Elorie, I knew it at once! Oh, they tried to hide it from me but they reckoned without my Elhalyn gift! To try and deceive me, Congratulatia Elhalyn y Ridenow! Jorik should have known me better! But she - she - words fail me, my dear, truly they do! What was dear Grandaddy thinking of, to allow an Aldaran back? She must have been planning this for months! And my poor Jorik, he is so trusting, how could he know that she was digging her claws deeper into him with every helpless little look? But she underestimated me. ' Congra slowly opened her fan again. She began to smile. 'As if I would ever, ever, allow her to get away with this. The burning of Caer Donn will be nothing compared to what I will do.' She paused for a moment. 'Diego Storn,' she said thoughtfully. 'Perhaps he still has some influence with that insolent harpy...' Suddenly her eyes narrowed, cat-like, and her glance returned to Elorie. 'But weren't you there when they first met? Some tale of a Ghost Wind... Well, we know now that was no accident. That was the cunning vixen's first attempt.'

'As far I I remember, ' Elorie said soothingly, ' Jorik treated Mabry with perfect propriety. There was nothing between them - come on, he knows he is engaged to you!'

'That was before she bewitched him. Now he is a mere puppy in her hands!'

'If it is true, 'Elorie said quickly, checking Congra's outburst with a sharp gesture, 'then what can you do about it? You must know there would be all hell to pay if you injured the Head of Aldaran in any way. Besides, Mabry would never plot anything. Perhaps you misunderstood, or foresaw a future where you stayed on Terra, or something like that!'

At this Congra could keep quiet no longer. 'Don't presume to tell me what I saw or didn't see! I KNOW that little harpy planned everything, right down to this alleged attack on the Yellow Forest. ANYTHING to get her hands on my Jorik! And I'm not letting her. She will suffer for this!'

'What the hell can you do?! Think about it -'

'I've thought enough! Now I must act! Elorie dear, I know you Tower workers are not supposed to get involved, but think what injustice this is to me, your friend!' With a final angry glance Congra hurled her fan on the floor, snapping it and marched to the door. Poised in the doorway, she turned again. 'I am going to work on my revenge. Do, please, find some time to spare for me, if you are not too busy!' She swept out.

'Oh, Zandru's hells!' Elorie snapped. She picked up the fan, threw it out of the window and stomped back angrily to bed. No blame to Jorik at all if he's fallen in love with Mabry, she thought, Congra must drive him up the wall sometimes.

The fan, meanwhile, was rescued by Congra's many-named maid, who stored it with a heap of similarly broken things.

After her outburst, Congra was feeling more confident. She knew she could count on Elorie's help.

All that excitment, though, had left her needy.

As if her longing for Eduin weren't strong enough as it were normally, now it was much higher because there was the added motivation of revenge for Jorik's betrayal with a harlot.

She changed direction and, in stead of returning to her suite, she headed towards Eduin's.

She knocked and knocked until a sleepy manservant came to open the door.

She pushed him aside and ordered: "Inform Dom Eduin Alton that Domna Congratulatia Elhalyn y Ridenow has urgent need of his services. *Now*." The manservant hurried.

As she was waiting, she was cursing her impulsiveness. She had need of her fan during her wait, but she had just broken hers in Elorie's suite. She moaned, excited. When was the last time she had had the chance to see Eduin in his night clothes? When they were together at Arilinn, if she was right (of course she was!). The idea was exciting her more and more with every passing second...

Sims came and woke Eduin saying that Lady Elhalyn was waiting ot see him in the study. Eduin answers, " Doesn't she know what time it is, Damn it, fine. Tell her that I will be right out." Sims hurried to tell lady Elhalyn his masters words. Eduin got up and put his robe on, then went to see what that dratted female wants. As he entered the study, she standed and moved gracefully over to Eduin and started to weep.

" Oh Eduin, I had the worst nightmare. I foresaw my beloved Jorik in the arms of that harlot of Aldaran.What ever will I do?", cryed Tuna as she started to seductively massage his arms. Eduin felt happy that Jorik had found happiness, but kinda sad for Tuna, for he still wanted her to be happy. Tuna looked up at Eduin and tried to kiss him, but he was sort of pinned by her and couldn't avoid it.

Then the door opened and Carena was standing there, a shocked look on her face. After about a minute, she said, "What in the ^%%#$^ is going on!"

"Well, my cancrenous Carena, is it not obvious?" Congratulatia replied in honey-imbued voice.

"We are giving in to our mutual, eternal passion, to our never-ending love, while you, dearie, can go committing hara-kiri. Farewell."

" Obvious my arse. Eduin told me about your advances, but I underestimated you. If you, one, don't get off him right now and two, if I ever catch you near him outside of a social gathering, I will make you rue the day you were born.", said Carena. She drew a dagger and twirled it in her hand, waiting to see what Tuna would do.

Eduin told Tuna, "I warned you about showing your affection and I told you it was over. But nooo, you would not listen to reason."

Tuna responded, " What about the bouquet of roses you sent? and the note apologizing for our fight?"

"Roses, ROSES. Why would I send you roses, are you daft woman?", answers Eduin. Carena says, " Are you leaving or do I have to escort you myself," said Carena with a smile.

"Brute force will not be necessary, cancrenously cantankerous Carena. I can prove the veracity of my earlier statement. Since I cannot have the touch of Eduin's sensually sensuous hands, I can have at least the touch of something previously touched by Eduin's sensually sensuous hands."

Congratulatia reached for something hidden between her breasts. "This is the accompanying note Eduin handwrote when he sent me the the roses. I *can* recognise his handwriting. And you?" She hands the note to Carena, then turns towards Eduin with sadness in her eyes. "I am truly sorry I had to show her your loving note, lover, but since she had caught us as we were about to embark in a passionate session of love-making there was not point in denying..."

"A passionate session of love-making?" full hearty laugh., by Eduin.

"Congratulatia, there is no way I would do that with you. You lost that chance back at Arilinn when you so wantonly dismissed me for that street trash of a male, Just because I was not at the tower when your desires arose. and As for that session you mentioned, I felt sorry for you, and since I thought I had made myself clear on my feelings for you, I let you cry on my shoulder. Apparently I was wrong and there is nothing I can do to make you see the truth."

Carena--"What about the note, it does look like our handwriting."

Eduin-" To be honest, I have yet to see it, If I may" Carena handed him the note.

Eduin--"Yes it does but if you remember Congratulatia, I never signed my letters to you as 'your lover', but as 'yours forever'."

Eduin was trying to keep his voice level, however Tuna's voice was slowly getting higher and more of a hysterical pitch.

Congratulatia approached the door.

"I feel insulted and offended, Eduin! I did NOT leave you for a commoner at Arilinn, I left you for _Jorik_, which is a completely different story. Oh, yes, I realise that I hurt you then and that now you still want me to pay, which makes me regret more and more my foolish decision. I likewise realise that you must put on this stoic façade in front of your wife in order to preserve that pathetic excuse for a marriage you have."

She put her hand on the knob. "It is not my custom to fight in a no-win situation, so I now leave you both with the inner certainty that your pathetic excuse for a marriage will never be the same again. But never fear, lover, I will be back soon and then my legs will be more than willing to open wide just for you..." She exited and headed towards her suites.

Congratulatia had scanned the possible futures in order to know the connection between Jorik and Mabry. She was not at all satisfied with what she had found. In too high a number of futures there were romantic connotations in their relationship, putting seriously at risk her future as Jorik's wife.

Measures had to be taken. At once.

She had carefully gauged the options and had decided that her best course of action involved the infamous Diego (Aldaran-) Storn.

She sat to write him a letter.

She put the Elhalyn seal on the envelope and called her trusted speedy courier.

She had foreseen her presence at Diego's, but she was not sure whether he'd accept her there. She was aware that her letter sounded a bit like an imposition, but she didn't care: her feminine wiles would win her his forgiveness as soon he would see her in person.

Diego's Aldaran Gift gave him another strong vision. Congratulatia--here in his castle, by his fireside. Diego holding her hand, staring deeply into her eyes. A chaste kiss on the cheek. the scent of her perfume.

Diego sat down and wrote a letter to his friend Eduin Alton:

Diego was perplexed. Why did his messenger bird come back so soon? He had just sent a note to Eduin no more than a few minutes ago. Then he realized that this was not his bird. Someone had sent him a message! Anxiously, Diego took the piece of paper from the bird's leg. Holy Bearer of Burdens! It was from Congratulatia! Asking permission to visit him here! Diego felt as if his heart would burst. His traditionally weak stomach began to burn. He grabbed a pen and paper and wrote hastily:

Palms sweating, Diego attached the message to the bird's leg, and released the messenger into the air again.

Congra was reading Diego's answer to her message: "How impertinent of him to address me as 'My Dear Domna Congratulatia'! Well... it will be easier to seduce him if he is already so inclined..." An evil smile crossed her beautiful face.

Late in the morning, Congratulatia went once more to Elorie. She knew Elorie was Diego's friend and she needed some insightful information on him in order to charm him and make him think her way...

'What's Diego like?' Elorie looked surprised. 'Not what you may have heard. You know all the rumours about him trying to poison Marcello? It was all a plot by Marcello to discredit Diego and capture him.'

'Oh, I would never believe anything so uncouth of Diego, believe me dear!' Congra responded gaily. 'But what I really want to know is: what can I talk to him about? How can I put my oh-so-devastating charm to best effect?'

'Dogs?' Elorie suggested. 'Diego has a wonderful dog called Jasper, who goes everywhere with him and is more intelligent than some of the people I've met.'

Congra grimaced. 'Dogs get in the way so much, ' she complained, ' but I shall make an effort with this, um, Jasper? I shall even allow him to sit on my lap. What else?'

'Diego's a very kind person. He has a touch of the Aldaran madness - you probably heard about it - but luckily he realized in time.' Elorie was about to add that Diego and Mabry had managed to become friends again after the constitutional monarchy debacle, but she realized how tactless that would sound. 'He tries to help everyone,' she said instead, ' and I think he's on some kind of mission for the Priestesses of Avarra, but he couldn't say much about it.'

'Interesting.' Congratulatia examined her nails. 'And women? Is there anyone with him right now?'

'Not as far as I know.'

'Perfect. My blue dress I think, and some conservative make-up - only blue and green for a first meeting. Oh how romantic! Dinner at Castle Storn, overlooking the mountains... candlelight...music... The thought almost makes me forget my poor Jorik. Now Elorie dear, I simply must go. Gertrudina is packing and a friend of Auntie Emelda's is flying me straight there.' She embraced Elorie. 'If I see anything else about Jorik and that harpy with my laran I shall let you know right away.'

'Give Diego and Jasper my love!' Elorie called after her as she left.

She almost wished she was going too and could see Diego again, but Congra seemed to have other plans in mind. She waved out of the window as Congra crossed the courtyard below, her maid staggering behind her with armfuls of suitcases.

Congra called her multi-named made, ordered her to take her luggage and went to the Terran zone to meet mr. Barber.

"Mr. Barber?" She called when she arrived at the place they had indicated.

"My name is Congratulatia Elhalyn y Ridenow. I am Emelda's Lanart-Hastur's favorite niece. It is my understanding that you are a skilled pilot and that a flight has been booked for me in order to bring me to Castle Storn. Am I wrong? (Well, of course I am not, but it is polite to ask, is it not?)"

Diego's anticipation of Congra's visit grew stronger by the minute. Everything had to be *perfect*. He called to his corridom: "Alonzo! The guest suite. It must be made ready. Those imported Terran silk sheets, use those on the bed. And yes, the matching curtains. The menu! Gods! Are we out of caviar? We will have duck of course, with a plum sauce. Hmmmmmm.....

Then Diego began planning what he would wear when she arrived. "Evening clothes for dinner, but something very tweady at first. Jasper would have to be brushed and groomed. Did she like Terranan music? I wonder if she's ever heard Glen Miller? And flowers! What kind of flowers does she like? Huge bouquets!" Truly Diego anticipated making this visit something Congratulatia would not want to forget.

Castle Storn was in turmoil, preparing for Diego's anticipated guest. "No, no! Imogene! Clean! I want this place to shine from top to bottom. Look! I found dust under this bookshelf! This won't do!" Exasperated, Imogene rolled her eyes. How she wished Dom Diego was back out on the road instead of telling her how to clean the castle. She had lived here for 20 years and he marches in after a few weeks and tells *her* how to do her job. And for whom? Some Elhalyn woman, a lowlander! If the Dom wants to marry, there are plenty of unmarried girls and women in the Hellers who would love to be lady of a castle as fine as Storn.

Diego could not stop his nervous pacing. Why hadn't he heard from Congratulatia about the time of her arrival. What in Aldones' name was holding her up? Didn't Eduin get his note about urging Congratulatia to come soon?

Jasper was restless. He had never seen Diego act like this, even when they were living with Marcello. It was almost enough to make Jasper go down to the dungeon and keep the Lap-Dog company.

Ah! Everything was almost perfect. The castle shone from all the scrubbing. The kitchen was fully stocked, the wine cellar filled full of the finest vintages. Diego fretted though, for it was common knowledge that Congratulatia Elhalyn y Ridenow was a perfectionist and Diego wanted nothing more than to please her. He was continually bothered by flashes from his Aldaran Gift. Dancing with her by starlight was his favorite vision. The other visions were unclear and often disturbing. Perhaps it would be wise to abandon...

No, damn it! This solitary life had to end soon and who better than his "dream girl" to inject something worthwhile into Diego's life? Diego sat in a chair in his study and waited for Congratulatia to arrive. What was keeping her?

Frank's vehicle had just landed. Congratulatia stood and appraoched him and spoke in a mixture of haughty and gentle tone.

"A most smooth flight, kind sir. May I plant a soft kiss on those highly skilled hands of yours as a sign of gratitude?"

"I had my share of flights these past few years, but I must say yours was one of the smoothest. May I count on you being the pilot also in my return flight, Mr. Barber? In a tenday, more or less..."

"If you are tired and would like to rest for a while before leaving, I guess dom Storn would be more than willing to extend his welcome to you..."

She then turned to her multi-named maid and ordered: "Gercuzia, take my luggage. Castle Storn is waiting for us."

"My name's Eumolfa, vai domna."

"Precisely, Cirpunda."

Diego could not contain his excitement. Dressed nattily in expensive imported Terran tweeds, Jasper by his side, Diego strode down to the site where the aircar had landed. His breath was taken away by the sight of the beautiful woman standed there amid luggage and maid.

A broad, warm smile crossed his face. He bowed in a courtly manner and said, "Domna, you lend me grace. I am Diego Storn. Thank you ever so much for coming; I understand there is a matter of great urgency regarding a member of my family. But business later. Come! Come! The servants have prepared a light repast for you but I'm sure you would like to stop by the guest chamber. Normally when people visit, I ask if they would like to freshen up, but you look so absolutely perfect and lovely, I'm sure it is not necessary."

Diego turned to Frank: "Sir, would you care to stay before returning to Thendara? No? Well, then good day and thank you for delivering such precious cargo safely."

Suddenly, Diego found himself speechless. A beam of ruddy light from the sun had struck Congratulatia's face at the moment he turned to her and he was overwhelmed by her beauty. He extended his hand, she took it (albeit reluctantly) and the two headed toward the castle door, maid, luggage, dog, and Storn servants trailing behind.

Congratulatia was thinking crabbily: "Stupid dog! Why do you not just drop dead?!?" However, she was all smiles towards Diego.

"Vai dom, you flatter me..." She giggled and added: "That silver tongue of yours is most seductive: I would better pay attention to not let myself be sweetly stampeded by them."

"Actually, I would like to accept your offer to freshen up a bit. Incredibly insisting rumors reached my ears about your very high ability as a cook, and it is my intention to look stunning in order to properly honour your carefully-prepared food."

She was crabbily thinking: "If I put on a single kilogram because of this cretin's insane passion for cuisine, I will tear off the few remaining hair he has left on his stupid head! And the I will tear off his pubic hair as well..."

Despite his joy at having precious Congratulatia at his castle, Diego was feeling great unease. Something wasn't quite right and he couldn't figure out the exact cause. He had some of those queasy, foggy visions that sometimes accompany the Aldaran Gift, and this one showed two sinister figures coming up to the castle. Fearing for Congratulatia's safety, Diego called to his corridom: "Alert the guards. Trouble is brewing. Let no one onto Storn lands without my permission. Tell the staff to trust no strangers."

He then turned back to Congratulatia, who was picking nervously at the elegant repast before her. "Domna, is something wrong? I hope dinner is satisfactory. Is something wrong with the breast of duck? And you have hardly touched the asparagus spears nor the endive salad. May I prepare something else more to milady's liking?" Normally, Diego does not tolerate insults to his cooking, but he was so infatuated with Congratulatia that he let the matter slide. And by the way, where was Jasper? He didn't come to the kitchen for his dinner this evening. Quite curious!

Congratulatia smiled at him. "I must beg for your pardon, vai dom. The breast of duck is *delicious* and the rest is also of my liking, thank you for your concern. I had planned on surprising you with one of my singing performances after dinner in order to repay you for your generous kindness hosting me here. Of course, if I eat too much, then I will have breathing problem and my performance would leave something to be desired. I had not realised that by eating this scarse quantity of food (which was a torture, I assure you) could offend your sensibility. Please, accept my apology..."

Congratulatia was sincere. She was also glad that that stupid dog of his was not present at least during a meal.

Diego smiled at Congra's words. "No apology necessary, domna. I am delighted to hear that you will sing for me tonight. I have heard that you have the finest voice on the planet, perhaps in this whole galaxy. Will you sing alone, or would you care to use the full orchestra that I hired for this evening?"

Yet despite his joy at having the object of his desire in his dining room, Diego was uneasy. Where was Jasper? Why was there no barking in the house? (after all, Jasper *is* a Sheltie and was born to bark) And that precognitive sending still disturbed him.

Well, the stars were out and perhaps this was the night that he forsaw months ago, of Congratulatia dancing with him under the stars...

Congratulatia gasped. She took her fan and started fanning herself.

"You... you hired a full orchestra for this evening?!?" She was stunned and delighted. She could manage to return to Thendara much more richer than she already was...

"We cannot allow to waste their collective artistic talent. I will be delighted to sing with them. I do not suppose they play jazz in their repertoir? I will have to content myself with traditional Darkovan ballads." And after the performance, they could dance... She was certain she could enthrall him.

Diego replied: "Domna, when I said "full orchestra" I meant it. They are fully trained in all types of music, including Terran swing, jazz, and soul. They have everything from marimbas to alto sax to a full grand piano. They are at your disposal."

Moved and flattered by Diego's attentions, Congratulatia insisted on changing her dress for her performance. She reappeared dressed in blue and silver, and was stunning.

After an inspired rendition of "Smooth Sailing", Congratulatia ended her concert (she had used her fan as microphone, of course), walked softly to Diego and whispered: "Shall we dance, vai dom?"

Diego signaled to the orchestra when Congratulatia said she wished to dance. Throwing open the doors to an elegantly appointed balcony, Diego extended his hand and led Congra out under the stars.

Diego had selected the music carefully, and the initial piece was Glen Miller's "String of Pearls". Congra recognized it and when she asked Diego why he selected it, he told her that her beauty was as delicate as a string of pearls.

When the next piece of music began to play, Diego smiled, for it was the ultimate piece of make-out music: Ravel's "Bolero". That ought to set the mood!

"You are a man of many talents, vai dom. I appreciate that in a man." Congratulatia smiled at Diego.

"I am afraid, however, that the time has come for my beauty sleep. Oh, I realise you could argue that a beauty as stunning as mine does not need any sleep, but it is my duty as future queen of Darkover to set the correct style to look up to, so I must leave now. You have been most courteous and I really am very grateful to you for all your gentle attentions. Tomorrow, we will have to discuss the most urgent matter which brought me here from Thendara and we both need to be well rested for that. So, until that moment, sweet dreams, vai dom."

Congratulatia stared intently at Diego in the eyes, smiled at him, then left as she was fanning herself.

After Congratulatia went to bed, Diego retreated to his study. Sipping a glass of firi, he pondered the evening. Certainly, Congratulatia confused his emotions. Never had he felt so attracted to someone yet at the same time, he perceived something amiss in the nuances of her voice. Well, time for bed.

He called to Jasper but there was no answer. Jasper *always* slept in Diego's bed. No barking either. Diego went downstairs to the kennel and found that Buster was gone and that there was no sign of Jasper. He went upstairs, told the corridom to find the dogs, and retired to his bedroom, where he spent a fitful night dreaming of scheming women and lost dogs while humming "bolero" to himself.

Congratulatia, dressed in black and silver, arrived for breakfast and already knew she'd eat royally.

"Vai dom, we need to talk. My precognitive abilities, although different from yours, warned me about a romantic involvment of my Jorik with the lady of Aldaran. Other sources which I cannot mention here confirmed that.

"I understand that you are a highly influential man, and that your influence extends on both Jorik and the lady Mabry, so I am here to ask for your help in this most delicate of situations.

"When Jorik departed for the Yellow Forest mission, I began organising our nuptials. Everything is ready by now. The only missing element is the groom.

"In the common parlance you would be defined as 'filthy rich'. Of course commoners know nothing about richness and the power and influence it entails. I would never ever use that term to define you. In my eyes you are splendidly rich, vai dom, and I do know you are a man of many talents. You are not going to disappoint me, are you?"

She covered her by now forming smirk with her fan and stared at him intently batting her long and sensual eyelashes.

Diego looked at Congra intently, then he realized what was going on. Two could play that game. "Domna, you besmirch yourself by chasing after someone who does not love you. Why does someone as lovely as you insist on being hurt by a man who loves another? No, I not only will not intercede, but I cannot. I fully support Mabry's love for Jorik and his for her. Furthermore, I resent your implication that I would use my money for the purpose of power. Anyone who had made the slightest effort to *know* me knows I don't work that way."

Despite his wrenching gut, Diego went on: "Please, don't patronize me. I know *exactly* why you came here. I am lonely and am attracted to you, so I let you come here hoping that after a romantic dinner and dancing, you would abandon trying to use me for your own gain. Obviously, I was wrong. Go on. Make a fool of yourself mooning over Jorik. Get jilted at the altar in front of all your friends and family. As sad as that makes me, I can't stop you. But when you are left alone and crying, I hope that you remember that an honorable man could have loved you if you gave him the chance instead of pursuing your Jorik daydream. Good day, Domna. I will tell the servants to pack your things. And Diego, tears streaming from his eyes, rose and retreated to his study.

Diego waited until after Congratulatia had left before he came out of his study. He knew that if he came out before, he would break down and beg her to stay. The corridom came rushing up and cried: "Dom Diego! Your guest! She has taken a set of your handcrafted copper and platinum dinnerware! There are linens missing, too, sir, as well as a rare bottle of Terran brandy, some jewels from the front display case, and I can't find some of your sound recordings of Terran music."

Diego replied: "Let her have it all. At least I wasn't enthralled enough to lose my heart to her. But I vow she will live to regret this moment. She has underestimated me. Congratulatia Elhalyn y Ridenow, who could have become Lady Storn and been a multi-billionaire, will be destroyed. First we buy up any recording studio that tries to sign her to a contract. We block nightclubs from featuring her and if they refuse, we buy them too. The same goes for film companies. Her career is over. I mean *over*. And as for being "Queen of Darkover", is isn't going to happen. Jorik is going to marry Mabry and Congra will sit on the sidelines weeping."

The frightened corridom had never seen Dom Diego this angry. As he went away, Diego sat down to plot his revenge. Enormous wealth sometimes has its benefits, especially when it comes to ruining someone. And Diego was convinced that Marcello Ridenow put Congratulatia up to no good. The time to sit at the sidelines was done. Those two would be punished so severely that neither would be able to live in decent society again.

Diego continued to seethe with rage. He thought back to when he was a boy and Amanda Montpelier had humiliated him sexually in front of most of Vainwal. He thought of how Marcello had betrayed his friendship back in Thendara. Now this...Congratulatia had played upon his tender feelings, trying to manipulate him into acting against Jorik and Mabry. And why? So that she could get Jorik for herself, all the while pretending to care about Diego.

Well, the steps of revenge would come swiftly and suddenly. First of all, Diego planned to find out who held Congra's singing contract and buy it out.

Then he planned to use his financial leverage to prevent her from singing in public. He was even considering declaring blood feud against the Ridenows, but his friendship with Marjo kept him from taking that step.

Well, at least it didn't go so far as to become physically involved with the little trollop. His friend Eduin told him once how dangerous that game could be. In any case, he hoped that Congra would be content being nothing more than a comynara, for from now on she would never sing professionally again. At least he was here at Storn, where he could seclude himself from intrusion until he got over the emotional hurt. May Aldones protect anyone who bothers him!

The entire staff at "High Windward" was in a buzz, for Dom Diego actually seemed to be in a good mood for the first time since "that woman" left. If they knew the reason why Diego's spirits were light, they would be *very* concerned.

Diego sat in his study, smiling at the piece of paper in front of him. It took quite a bit of detective work and lots and lots of money, but he finally had it in his possession: Congratulatia's management contract. For the next five years, he held exclusive rights to her professional performances. In essence, he was her career manager. If she wished to sing professionally again any time in the future, she would have to do it on his terms, and right now, the only way he would release her from the contract is if she agreed to marry him.

So she had a choice: as Lady Storn, she could sing anywhere she wished across the Empire. Otherwise, she was legally prohibited from performing professionally anywhere for five years. The contract was airtight and Diego fully intended to prosecute her legally if she tried to violate its terms. He smiled to himself, for sitting in the proverbial catbird seat was very, very satisfying.

On a cart directed to Thendara, Congratulatia was fanning herself furiously. The nerve of that man. Who did he think he was to talk to her like that?

What a most useless voyage that had been. She had not managed to seduce him, did not manage to get his help, did not manage to get his money.

Patronising boor! He would regret that the day she would be queen. Marcello had been right on Diego all along.

Congratulatia had had an idea. Since she was already in the area, relatively speaking, she would contact dom Regis Di Asturien. He would not betray her like that patronising boor had done. With him, she did not need to use her feminine wiles, as he was logic personified. He did know what politics is all about. Furthermore, they had exchanged thoughts on a number of matters at the Ball and they were almost always of the same mind. And he was a *true* gentleman. She would give Elorie shit for having given her misleading information about Diego.

Congratulatia (and her multi-named maid) arrived at dom Regis Di Asturien's current residence.

"Please, inform dom Di Asturien that domna Congratulatia Elhalyn y Ridenow is requesting an audience. We have delicate matters to discuss."

"I do wonder what SHE is doing here...I heard that Emelda was to come but her? Direct her to a guest room, and we can discuss over dinner."

Regis and Congra were dining together

"I do hope meeting with Dom Diego was satisfactory?" asked Regis.

'No, my dear Dom Regis, it most certainly was not.' Congra was looking dignified in black that evening. She intended to impress upon Regis how much she had been hurt by Jorik's betrayal and that madman Diego Storn. Even her make-up was restrained, while her hair was decorously pinned at the nape of her neck. She looked up under her eyelashes at Regis.

'You would not believe how very rude that man was to me.' She leant towards Regis. 'I am sure you, for example, would not turn a guest, even more, an invited guest, out of your house ?'

'Of course not, Domna,' Regis answered, wondering where this was leading.

'Oh, please call me Congra,' she smiled, and then remembering, restored her face to an appearance of gentle melancholy. 'What I wished to talk to you about, Dom Regis, was the behaviour of your ward, Mabry Aldaran'

Regis looked at her enquiringly but did not say anything.

'Perhaps you did not know,' Congra continued,' that she has entrapped my betrothed, dearest Jorik, into agreeing to a marriage with her? That they are even now arranging the nuptials?'

"I read something like that from that trash, DI, and couldn't really believe it at first. But I do believe it is other way around...Jorik, a well known womanizer, probably has seduced still young and innocent Mabry who does not know ways of men. I do not know if it was done because of mere challenge or because he wants Aldaran in his hands..."

Congra smiled at him, respecting him for his loyalty to his ward. Clearly he was a man with a sense of duty. A man like that would surely agree with her that keeping the balanace of power on Darkover meant utterly opposing this match and , hopefully, isolating Mabry in Aldaran for the rest of her life.

'I went to Diego Storn for help,' she began, 'because he knows Mabry well and I hoped he could convince her of the rashness of this act. I do not wish to dwell on what he said to me, and the terms in which he said it, but he categorically refused to assist me. The insolence of that man, the sheer nerve! - but I forget myself. Dear Dom Regis, do you not agree that such a match is foolish and ill-judged? Would you, as Mabry's guardian, permit it to go ahead?'

She opened her fan and began to gently wave it, at the same time fixing him with a look of encouragement.

"When I heard about this I already said that this certainly is folly of youth. Everybody can easily see that this marriage is simply too dangerous for well-being of Darkover. I will naturally do my best to speak reason to them, but of course I must first consult with Rafael. I do know well that Mabry is still a little girl with her head in clouds but she must understand she must think of benefit of Aldaran, and all of Darkover."

Diego's rage grew with each passing moment. He convinced himself that MarcelloRidenow had blackmailed Congratulatia into her outrageous behavior. "I will get him." Diego said. "I swear by the light of Aldones, that bre'suin will regret tampering with me and forcing Congratulatia to disgrace herself."

And Diego, not realizing that his madness was once again close to the surface, began plotting the sweetness of his revenge.

Congra beamed at him. 'I knew you would know what was right! Jorik and I, together, will make a perfect couple to rule Darkover and preserve the balance of power. An alliance with Aldaran is obviously out of the question. I do not wish to anger you, Dom Regis, but I must insist that it is your ward who is behind this ill-judged action. I know my Jorik. He may have had his little indiscretions - and let us admit, who has not? - but his heart has always belonged to me. It always will.'

Regis nodded. He wasn't so sure about that, but he did not plan to argue.

'Now,' she continued, closing her fan as if to close the subject, 'what about dear Rafael? Where is he? How soon can he be here? We must sort out this ridiculous mix-up as soon as possible. Mabry, I understand, is to go to a Tower and I will take Jorik back to Thendara with me.' Congra smiled at the thought. Once she saw Jorik again, she knew he forget this foolish infatuation and be hers again. And Rafe of course... a most attractive young man. Yes, she was truly looking forward to their meeting.

"I am afraid I do not know where Rafael is. He is probably wherever Mabry and maybe Jorik is, but where is that? Mabry will naturally go to Neskaya, but after that, I am quite anxious to meet them all and discuss these matters through. I wonder if new DI has come out? They seem to know everything."

"As for the dear regent, as joyous as I am to meet him again, I must also say that his behaviour with that disgusting and disrespectful Renunciate left a lot to be desired. Her malevolous presence tended to numb his otherwise brilliant judgment... I am glad you mentioned the DI. I have just read it and, as usual, am quite irritated at it. I guess you are as well, since they throw faeces on both our figures. What I cannot understand is how they manage to still go to print. When I was still in Thendara, there was a tremendous explosion which destroyed their main building. Still, they keep on as nothing happened. Have you not the authority to track them down and make them close, dear dom Di Asturien?"

"Well, Congra…If an explosion didn't stop them, how could I do anything, considering also that I couldn't avoid a trash biography to be published?" sighed Regis.

The following morning, Congratulatia was having breakfast with Regis at his castle. She was eating with good appetite. She had had a dream the last night and she knew Mabry was at Neskaya, at last, separated from Jorik. She told nothing about this to Regis, however.

"Well, the time has come for me to take my leave from you, dom Di Asturien. You have been the perfect host I expected you to be and I have no words to express my gratitude." She fanned gently herself.

"I would like to stay a little longer, however I do not want to impose my presence any longer. The real reason why I would like to stay a little longer is that I enjoy so much your company and your conversation. It is such a pleasant change from the usual chatter of Comyn Castle (even though, I must admit Elorie is so nice to chat and gossip with). I'll pay a short visit to Aidan at Tramontana, and then I'll be off to Thendara again…I miss my dear aunt Emelda and, above all, I must finalise the plans for the marriage with Jorik. So, may I count on you to keep Mabry and Jorik far away from each other?"

Regis pretend not to have heard Congra's last sentence, and answered: "If you wish, you can rest here for a couple of days before you leave again for Thendara, dear Congra".

Congra chirped something about Regis perfect politeness, and exited the room.

Continues in A co-regent's job

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