A Crown Imperiled (43 page)

‘I swear by my life, Frannie, if we survive this, somehow, against the wishes of kings and gods, there will be an us.’

‘That’s all I wanted to hear,’ she said, tossing the bedsheets aside.

Hal sat up suddenly as a curtain in his room moved. He was reaching for his sword when a familiar voice said, ‘If you’re not safe here, Hal, you’re not safe anywhere on this world.’

Lord Jim Jamison came out from behind the curtain and bowed. ‘My lord,’ he said. Then he took a step forward and gave Hal a hug. ‘I’m so sorry to hear about your father.’

‘I didn’t know you knew him, Jim,’ said Hal.

‘I made it my business to meet every noble of consequence in my travels. When I was young I ventured to the Far Coast and met your father and mother, back when you were a baby. I encountered the Duke a few times when he visited Krondor. He was . . . old fashioned in a good way. Solid, reliable, with no hint of guile. What the conDoin line was at its pinnacle.’

‘Have we fallen that far, for you to phrase it so?’ asked Hal.

Jim smiled. ‘Not you, nor your brothers if the early reports of Martin’s actions against the Keshians is accurate. He and Brendan did your name proud.’

‘He lost Crydee.’

‘Delong the Great would have lost Crydee given what he had to work with and what he faced,’ answered Jim. ‘He saved lives and he’s held Ylith for now. The Kingdom will negotiate from a stronger position because of his actions.’

‘Negotiate,’ echoed Hal.

‘Leave that for the King and his ministers. I came to speak with you before the festivities begin tonight.’ He sat on Hal’s bed.

‘What do you wish to know?’ asked Hal.

‘Right now emissaries from the Isles and Kesh are probably arguing about which monarch enters first and who bows to who first. King Carol has an advantage: this is his island, so he gets to sit on his throne. My best guess is both Emperor Sezioti and King Gregory will enter together, bow to King Carol, who will bow back, then the two will bow to each other at the same time. Now, this will probably take an hour or two to decide, so we have time for a chat, because after that they’ll argue about who gets to sit to Carol’s right and who sits to his left. So, why don’t you just start by telling me what happened on your little adventure and don’t leave out anything, even if you think it’s unimportant. A seemingly insignificant detail might provide some information useful to our king.’

Hal said, ‘You’re not just some minor noble who happens to be the Duke of Rillanon’s grandson, are you?’

‘Let’s say I occasionally run special errands for my grandfather, and this is one of them.’

Hal smiled. ‘Very well,’ he said, and he began to narrate his story.

Nearly an hour later, Jim had heard the full tale. He sat back taking it in, then said, ‘I don’t want you to feel your time with the Princess was an unnecessary risk or waste of your time. I know you endured some uncomfortable days out there along the coast, and killing men, even pirates, is never easy, even if they deserve it. But I think had Stephané remained in Roldem, things today might be different.’

‘What do you mean?’ asked Hal.

Jim waved away the question. ‘I can only speculate at this point, but the rumours about Lord John’s son and the Princess were sudden and persistent. I note that even though the Princess is returned for this festival of peace orchestrated by Lord John, her three brothers are still absent.’

Hal fixed Jim with a narrow gaze. ‘Lady Franciezka’s doing, no doubt.’

Jim laughed. ‘You’re not quite the rustic you seem, are you Hal?’

‘I had the pleasure of the lady’s company on a few occasions while we were in hiding. She’s very adroit at being a step ahead of Lord John. Which leads me to believe she occupies much the same role here in Roldem as you do in Rillanon. Only she’s running the occasional errand for the King of Roldem.’

Jim merely spread his hands and said nothing.

Hal reflected for a moment on how deep and profound his feelings for Stephané had become and said, ‘Nothing involving the Princess’s safety is a waste of my time, Jim.’

Jim studied the young noble, then changed topics. ‘What do you think of our friend Tyrone?’

Hal laughed. ‘He’s a fine fellow. I’m happy to call him a friend.’

‘Good,’ said Jim. ‘It’s just the last time I looked you two were strutting like competing peacocks before Stephané, and I just wanted to make sure there was no rivalry. You may need friends and find few about.’

‘I think he’s turned his attention more towards the Lady Gabriella.’

‘Ha!’ laughed Jim. ‘That may prove . . . awkward.’

‘Why? Is she betrothed to another man?’

Jim chuckled. ‘Leave it that her interests lie elsewhere.’

‘Oh?’ said Hal. This his eyes opened wide. ‘Oh!’ He couldn’t help but chuckle. ‘Poor Ty.’

‘Given our young friend’s reputation in Olasko and here in Roldem, there’s nothing poor about him when it comes to the ladies. Though he may make a fool of himself over Gabriella if he thinks she’s merely playing hard to get. You know how some men can be, wanting what they can’t have.’

‘All too well,’ said Hal, feeling his mood fall.

Jim stood up. ‘Should anyone ask, I shared quarters with you and Ty coming over from Rillanon, but was fighting a fever for most of the journey and stayed in my cabin. Understand?’

‘Yes, Jim,’ said the young duke. ‘What now?’

‘We enjoy the festivities and see how much bloodshed we can avoid, eat the King’s food, drink his wine, perhaps chase a maid or two, who knows? But above all else, listen and observe. There are men and women here who desire nothing more than to plunge this world into chaos.’

‘But why?’ asked Hal.

‘If I knew that,’ answered Jim. ‘I might have some idea who they were.’

Jim stood to Hal’s right, keeping Ty between himself and Sir William Alcorn. If the two twin nobles, Lord John and Sir William, had any issue with people recognizing their resemblance, they masked it well. Granted the fashions and hair styles were different enough it made more of a difference than had they dressed alike, and the Prince Harfum was deep enough in the Emperor’s entourage that between that and his Keshian court dress – a linen kilt, sandals, and a great deal of golden jewellery – no one noticed his resemblance to the other two.

Hal had told Ty what Jim had discussed with him, and the young noble from Olasko whispered, ‘I might have gone the entire night and not noticed, but you’re right. The three of them are as alike as three brothers.’

‘And that has me worried,’ said Jim.

‘Why?’ asked Hal.

‘Because either they’re getting careless – which I doubt – or they don’t care, which means they are at a point where they think there’s no risk of their plot being thwarted.’

As Jim had predicted the protocol of the event had been tedious, and the two monarchs entered simultaneously. Kesh’s Imperial Master of Ceremonies, bedecked in a traditional leopardskin head dress, struck the floor with a massive iron-shod staff topped by a golden hawk, and intoned the thousand titles, ranks, and heroic deeds a ruler of Kesh earned, accompanied by a steady tattoo of drums and clash of cymbals, almost deafening everyone in the hall. Jim had seen the imperial hall in the City of Kesh and it was at least three times the size of Roldem’s grand hall. He whispered to Hal and Ty, ‘Leave it to the Keshians to have no idea of scale.’

Emperor Sezioti, in his sixties but still a vigorous-looking man, endured it with good grace, displaying a quiet dignity that was in contrast to the pomp and ceremony.

King Gregory suffered it all with restraint, but the three could tell it was a struggle for him and his wife, who half-supported him as they slowly walked from the entrance to the throne. Every ten or so paces, the Kingdom of the Isles’ Master of Ceremonies felt obliged to have his trumpeters blow ruffles and flourishes in counter point to the Keshians, the effect of which was musical chaos and seemed to be putting the Roldemish Master of Ceremonies at risk of a stroke. He at least had the good sense to wave off any attempt by the Roldem heralds to blow their trumpets or play their drums. If Jim hadn’t been so worried about what was coming next, he would have been highly amused.

What wasn’t amusing was the number of armed men in the room. The traditional Royal Guard of Roldem stood eight men deep on either side of the royal dais, but the other two monarchs were conceded their own honour guards. The King of the Isles was accompanied by sixteen white-clad King’s Own, wearing the royal red tabard of the Isles. The Emperor had sixteen black-garbed warriors in his personal bodyguard, hand-picked from the best of the Inner Legion.

Hal noticed Jim eyeing the various soldiers bearing arms and said, ‘You’re worried.’ It wasn’t a question.

‘All it takes is one idiot and there’ll be a lot of blood shed in here.’ He looked at Hal and Ty, ‘How fast could you get up on that dais and protect the three rulers?’

Ty raised an eyebrow. They might arguably be the two best swordsmen in the room, but given the pedigree of those selected for the monarchs’ honour guards, probably not by much. Moreover, as Jim well knew, a brawl was a completely different matter.

But Hal was almost instantaneous in his answer, as he looked up at Stephané standing to the left of her father’s throne. ‘As long as it takes me to draw my sword, Jim.’

Jim clapped him on the shoulder and said, ‘Son, I know you’d die for her, but if anything happens try to stay alive for as long as you can. It would be a happier outcome; besides, you’re no use to her dead.’

Ty smiled. ‘So war is difficult, but peace is more dangerous?’

‘Sometimes, my young friend, sometimes,’

Abruptly King Carol stood up and descended the seven steps of his dais and met the other two monarchs on the floor. He came between the two and embraced them both, one in each arm, and said loudly, ‘We welcome our brother rulers with love and gratitude for their attendance.’ He then allowed both of them to kiss him simultaneously on the cheeks, showing neither the Isles or Kesh favouritism.

‘This is well rehearsed,’ said Jim.

As if practised countless times, burly servants picked up the King’s throne and carried it down to the floor behind him. Two other identical thrones appeared from two side doors of the room and after they had been placed behind each monarch, Carol spoke loudly. ‘No one shall sit above another, for we are all brothers in love and harmony. We seek only peace and understanding, an end to enmity and a future of prosperity for all nations.’ He gestured to the others to sit and took the throne placed behind him.

The theatrics were superb; Jim was among the first to begin applause and soon the entire throne room joined in. To Ty and Hal he said, ‘Keep an eye on Alcorn, Worthington, and Harfum.’ They did, but the three influential nobles seemed content with the arrangements.

Servants appeared with refreshments and started with the monarchs, then moved through the room. All the guards retreated to positions close enough to their monarchs to be on hand should the need arise.

As the nobles from the three nations began to mingle, Jim said to Hal and Ty, ‘Be alert but if no one goes berserk and starts carving up the guests, have a little fun.’ He paused. ‘I fear no matter what we see tonight, fun will be in short supply in the days ahead.’

Hal immediately looked to locate Stephané and saw her looking in his direction while a sallow-faced young man was speaking to her. After a moment, she cut him off with a remark and moved straight towards Hal.

Ty chucked and said, ‘I think you are about to become the most hated young noble in three kingdoms.’ He glanced around, ‘Now, where is that tall wench?’ He spied Lady Gabriella and said, ‘Ah, there she is. Excuse me, gentlemen.’

As he left, Hal said, ‘You didn’t tell him?’

Jim said, ‘No, some things are best left to learn the hard way. In your case, just remember the fate of three nations is being determined, so don’t do anything stupid.’ He stepped away, nodding to the Princess as she approached, and left the two youngsters alone.

Stephané ignored Hal’s poor attempt at a bow and swept in to grab his arm. She pulled him close and Hal saw that already others in the room were taking note. ‘You look so handsome in those clothes!’ she said, almost breathless.

Hal felt colour rising in his cheeks. ‘I . . . thank you, Highness. You look . . . nice yourself.’ He winced to hear such words coming out of his mouth. She was bedecked in an indigo gown with seed pears sewn into the bodice and an ornate silver brocade strip at the hem. The gown was strapless and she looked far more voluptuous than she had in hunting togs. Hal stared at her and said, ‘I’m sorry, but you look more than “nice”. You look amazing.’

Her hair had been done up in a fancy gathering of curls behind her head, with ringlets falling behind. A tiara of diamonds and pearls set in white gold was on her head and her hair had been dusted with some sort of powder, rendering it almost white. The effect was stunning.

‘Thank you, sir,’ she said playfully. She looked around. ‘Do you think this will end the war?’

‘One can only hope.’ He stared about the room.

She reached up and grabbed him by the chin, forcing him to look at her. ‘Here. I’m here.’

Hal felt his cheeks turn crimson. ‘Are you trying to get me killed?’

‘No,’ she said with a laugh as she let go of his chin. ‘But you seem very distracted.’

He ushered her towards the side of the room lined by Roldem guards. ‘If your father doesn’t have me hanged, or beheaded, or drawn and quartered, or whatever it is you do to criminals in Roldem—’

‘We hang them,’ she interjected.

‘—then most of the unmarried nobles in this room are likely to challenge me to a duel, a few of the married ones, too, no doubt.’

‘I’m not worried.’

‘Why?’

‘Because you are second only to the Champion of the Masters’ Court and no man here can best you with a sword, save Ty, and he would never challenge you; he knows it would be too close.’

‘Thank you for your faith in me, but that still doesn’t deal with the consequences of my killing a dozen or so nobles. I suspect my king would be less than pleased with me.’ He couldn’t resist returning her infectious smile. ‘You’re not taking me seriously, are you?’