Miranda said, We go to Darkmoor?
Pug nodded. Nakor?
Nakor nodded. Im done here. The Blue Riders are again ensconced among the students, to make sure magicians who train here dont get too stuffy. Besides, I need to spend some time with Dominic and some of the other Ishapians who have ended up next to the Prince. Let me fetch Sho Pi, and well all go together.
He left, and Kalari said, Pug, a question.
Pug turned to regard the Tsurani Great One.
Since coming to Stardock on behalf of the Emperor, Ive pieced together a view of how things stood here. Im curious as to why you, yourself, didnt come to the Assembly and seek our aid in dealing with the threats from this Emerald Queen. He lowered his voice. Im not sure what fully transpired here, but I get the strong impression that a great deal more was at stake than most people understand.
Miranda and Pug exchanged glances, and Pug said, Yes, but I am not free to share details.
As for why we didnt seek Tsurani aid, our relationships with the Empire have never been the same since Makala.
Kalari said, Ah, and nodded in understanding. A Tsurani Great One, Makala had come to the Prince of Krondors court years before, ostensibly to act as a liaison between the Assembly on Kelewan and the Prince, but in fact had come as a self-appointed spy determined to discover the secret of what truly happened at Sethanon at the end of the Riftwar.
He had been motivated by loyalty to the Empire and the fear of some Kingdom plot or weapon of great power, and had actually discovered the secret of the Lifestone. Through agents who chanced upon one another near Sethanon, he had become a party to a conspiracy involving the Brotherhood of the Dark Path. Only the intervention of a renegade moredhel chieftain had prevented a major catastrophe.
Makala and four of his allies from the Tsurani homeworld had ensorceled the great dragon oracle that lived below the city of Sethanon, and were on the verge of unlocking the Lifestone when Pug and his companions had arrived. That secret had died with Makala and his four companions, deep in the chamber below the city. His betrayal of the trust given him had strained relationships between the Kingdom and Empire for a decade. Only members of the Assembly on Kelewan and a few trusted advisors to the Prince of Krondor knew of the incident; it served as a cautionary tale on both sides of the rift. Since then, all business between the Empire of Tsuranuanni and the Kingdom of the Isles had been conducted in the most formal, cautious of fashions. More than once it had been suggested that the rift between the worlds be permanently closed, yet trading between them continued. But it was now limited to the one rift located on Stardock, hence the Empires presence at these negotiations. They were anxious that this one passage between the worlds be kept open.
Yet, said Kalari, it seemed prudent to you to request our help in that display of might we arranged for the Keshians?
Pug shook his head and shrugged. Nakor.
Kalari returned the smile. He is the most unusual fellow.
Pug agreed.
Miranda said, What will you tell Patrick?
Pug let out a long, tired sigh. Many things; none of which he will enjoy hearing.
Prince Patrick appeared on the verge of rage. His normally light complexion reddened and his voice rose. Autonomous? What is that supposed to mean? he shouted.
Pug sighed. Unlike his predecessor, Prince Arutha, Patrick lacked vision. Pug reminded himself that in most ways the Prince was a young man, and unlike Prince Arutha, who had leadership thrust upon him, a young man untempered in the cauldron of war. While his city had been destroyed, Patrick had been safe in the East, at the Kings insistence. Pug suspected much of Patricks ill humor came from frustration and his inability to do other than his fathers bidding.
With even tones, Pug said, The magicians at Stardock require
Require! shouted Patrick. They require? He stood up from his throne, formerly the state chair of the Baron of Darkmoor, and took a step down to stand directly before Pug. Let me tell you what their King requires. He requires their unswerving loyalty and obedience!
Pug looked at his grandson, the Duke Arutha, who gave his head a slight shake, indicating there was little use in talking to the Prince when he was in a rage. Pug didnt care. He was three times the Princes age and had seen more than most men did in a dozen lifetimes and he was tired. Patrick, he said evenly. Sometimes you lose.
These are our citizens! They live within the borders of the Kingdom.
Nakor, who had been silently standing to one side with his student, Sho Pi, said, Only if the old borders are still there, Highness.
Patricks head came around and he said, Who gave you leave to talk, Keshian?
Nakor returned an insolent grin. Your King, many years ago, if you remember? And I am Isalani.
Wearying of the scene, Pug said, Patrick, whats done is done. Its an unhappy solution, but at least its a solution. You cant deal with the invaders to the west, Kesh to the south, and the magicians at Stardock. You must start somewhere; Stardock is the easiest. With the community there guaranteed their autonomy, Kesh will have to remove itself back to the old border. Thats two problems solved. Then you can reclaim the West.
Patrick said nothing, forcing himself to calm down. I do not like it.
Nakor said, The King wont like it much either, but hell understand. Prince Erland spent time in Kesh. He saved the Emperor and knows the Empress well. Very well, he added with a grin. Erland will go down and visit again and soon things will be back to normal along this border.
Except Ill have lost Stardock.
Pug said, Youll lose a great deal more unless you agree. He looked the young prince squarely in the eyes. Sometimes ruling is hard choices, between bad and worse. Agree that Stardock can rule itself, and you defeat Kesh.
Pugs wording made the young Prince pause. After a moment he spoke. Very well. Prepare documents, my lord duke, he said, using Pugs formal rank as Duke of Stardock. It is your duchy were losing. Im sure Father will have another office or something for you. After all, he did explain you were some sort of royal cousin and need to be treated as such.
Pug glanced at his wife. She returned a slight shrug. He was young, she seemed to say in agreement with his own thoughts. Pug started to turn away, but Patrick continued to speak. I think, though, that youd best explain directly to the King what is at hand here.
Pug turned back to face Patrick. You wish me to prepare a report for the King.
Patricks expression showed his temper was still getting the better of him. No, I wish you to use whatever magic arts you have to take yourself to Rillanon. In fact, I command you to do so, my lord duke! Perhaps being wiser than I, the King can discern how this isnt some sort of treason. He glanced at Miranda. If your wife isnt an agent of the Empire, Ill be astounded.
Pugs eyes narrowed and he remained silent.
Youll need to demonstrate that loyalty I currently find lacking, magician, if youre to regain this courts favor.
Demonstrate? said Pug softly. I have labored to my utmost to prevent the destruction of all we hold dear.