The Vildecaz Talents: The complete set of Vildecaz Stories including Nimuar's Loss, The Deceptive Oracle and Agnith's Promise (47 page)

“Amejgon will see to your arrangements when you leave,” Chogrun declared. “If you have a message for me, Amejgon will carry it for you.”

“Very kind of you,” said Ninianee before Doms could return a mordant comment.

“You,” he said to Ninianee, “will not go anywhere in this Castle alone. You will have the Yaolaj with you at all times. Since he is your official suitor, see that he acts like one.”

Doms respected Chogrun again. “You may be certain I will.”

“Until the banquet, I will leave the two of you to fend for yourselves within the limits I have set, limits which my guards will enforce. Respect them and be sure of my hospitality. Ignore them, and you will be hunted out of the Castle and banned from all Bindomaj holdings in Cazboarth. Your meals will be brought to your quarters and nets will be hung over the doorway an hour before sundown and taken down an hour after dawn. I will not have a repetition of last night. Is that understood.” Without waiting for an answer, he swung around, his wings raised high enough that Ninianee and Doms had to duck to avoid being smote by them. He stomped out of the room, leaving four of his guards to keep watch on the visitors.

* * *

Erianthee hurried after the page who had summoned her from the edge of the pond of gorgeous, ancient Tsendae-fish, her curiosity increasing with every step. Nothing like this had happened to her before, not on this appearance or any of her previous visits to the Court. It was most unusual to be summoned to the Emperor so abruptly, for the Court demanded ceremonies for almost every aspect of life. Erianthee shook her head. She had hoped to have a little time to herself, but that seemed unlikely now. “Do you know what this is about?” she finally could not keep from asking.

“I know Riast II has sent for you, Duzeon, but that is the sum of my knowledge. I don’t know why, or what he wishes to know. The Emperor doesn’t confide in me.” The page was new to his post and still much impressed with his responsibilities. “We mustn’t dawdle. Follow me.” He rushed down a long, broad flight of stairs, glancing at the guards at the foot of the steps, motioning to Erianthee to come after him as he turned abruptly left, then right.

“Where are we going?”

“To the Imperial Study,” said the page, walking as quickly as he could and forcing Erianthee to keep up with him. “Don’t lag behind.”

“Can we go a little slower?” she asked, trying not to pant. “I don’t want to arrive in the Imperial Study panting.”

“I was told to bring you immediately,” the page informed her.

“I see,” said Erianthee, although she didn’t. This was more perplexing than all the rest. As everyone at Court was, she was aware that no one entered the Imperial Study without the specific and singular invitation of Riast himself, and found it mystifying why she should be invited there, and so urgently. In the past when Riast wanted to tell her something, it was done in the usual Court manner – he would send her a written message or would call on her while she was in the company of his mother.

“He is entertaining an unexpected arrival, and seeks your advice on what news his visitor brings.”

“Why does he need me for that purpose? Surely some of his advisors have talents for detecting truth and falsehood? What can I offer him that would be as useful as that talent?” She lifted the skirt of her gaunel high enough to let her lengthen her stride without tripping.

The page took a deep breath, his face set in concentration. “I think it isn’t good news.”

They turned into a broad corridor leading to the Imperial Study, and Erianthee noticed that an extra pair of guards stood at the door. Her sense of curiosity sharpened, whetted by dismay.

“What business do you have with the Emperor?” one of the guards challenged as they came up to the door.

The page respected him. “Therin Romonaj is escorting Duzeon Erianthee of Vildecaz, in answer to the Emperor’s invitation.”

The guard shook his head but stood aside and opened the door. “You may enter, the both of you.” He respected Erianthee in good form.

“I thank you,” she said as she passed into the study and paused just inside the door to allow Therin Romonaj to inform the Emperor of her arrival, giving her time to look about the Imperial Study.

It was a cozy chamber, given the scale of Tiumboj Castle – large enough to accommodate fifty or sixty guests easily, with high ceilings and a gallery at the far end. Two walls, the east and the north, taken up completely with bookcases that stretched twice the height of a man to the ceiling, with a rolling ladder hanging between them. A huge fireplace opened its maw toward the center of the room where a number of tall-backed saddle-chairs from Ymiljesai were clustered around a table cast of silver and inlaid with blue topazes and opals. Riast himself, in a simple hupslan of Adamine-velvet the color of Nard-needles, was sitting in the highest-backed chair, only a thin coronet to show his rank. Someone was with him, for Erianthee could see a hand on the armrest of the chair with its back to her.

“Ah, Duzeon,” said Riast as Erianthee completed her respect to him. “Thank you for coming so quickly.” He indicated his visitor, who rose to his feet as he turned to respect her. “There is someone here who needs no introduction from me.”

Erianthee stared in disbelief. “Kloveon! Dandolmaz!” She shook her head. “How can you be here?” She made an automatic respect, staring at him as if she expected him to vanish, as a diejinee would do.

“I come as one loyal to the Empire, and to keep to the oath I swore on behalf of my House. I am sorry to bear bad news, but it is my responsibility to report what I have learned as quickly as possible, and as reliably. I didn’t want to leave my information to spells that could be subverted, and so have come myself,” he said, as much for Riast’s benefit as hers. He went on with elegant formality, “As I have already informed the Emperor, I have very recently come across some information that I am convinced is crucial to the safety of the Empire. If Riast will grant me permission to speak of it to the Duzeon?”

“By all means,” said Riast. “That’s why I asked her to join us.”

“That’s a sobering statement – both of them,” said Erianthee, still baffled. “But I wonder what purpose you propose for me in this? Is Vildecaz in the same danger? Does the threat come from us?”

“No, as far as I understand the Mirkal, Vildecaz is safe. It may be that Tiumboj is not.” Riast stopped to rub his forehead, a sure sign of anxiety, and then went on, “He has told me that you will speak to his veracity, and his devotion to the alliances Fauthsku has formed with the Porzalk Empire. You have traveled in his company more than once and can address his character. I rely upon you to speak your mind, fearing no consequences. You know him through actual association, not by conjuring talents, and just now, I need that quality of evaluation. My Court magicians can determine his capacity for lies, but you, Duzeon Erianthee, can read him for his truthfulness, and it is that I seek – the truth.” The Emperor appeared more careworn than Erianthee thought possible. “I must impose upon you to that end, Duzeon. Your talent may not extend to recognizing truth, but you have experience of this Mirkal, and you will be able to counsel me.”

“I am honored that you hold my opinion in such high regard,” said Erianthee and rose to make a respect.

“The Mirkal himself suggested that you would provide reliable answers,” said Riast with a nod to Kloveon.

“I will strive to do as you request, Most Illustrious Emperor,” she said, choosing the least cumbersome of his many titles.

“Will you tell me even if it discredits Kloveon?” Riast asked with a canny look in his tired eyes.

“I will try to, Emperor,” said Erianthee, and risked an apologetic glance at Kloveon as she sat down once again. “But I have to tell you that I am disposed to think well of Kloveon.”

“You’re a capable woman, one of clear cogitation and an honest heart,” said Kloveon, standing and respecting her. “I can ask nothing more of you than what Emperor Riast requires.”

She returned the respect. “I am favored to be of service to you, Emperor.”

“Thank you, Duzeon,” said Kloveon.

They both sat down again, their gaze remaining locked for longer than was entirely proper. The Emperor didn’t seem to notice.

“I am pleased to assist,” said Erianthee.

The Emperor motioned to Kloveon. “Tell her what you told me, Mirkal. There is much we must discuss in the next half-hour. I have a meeting with the Council then, and I have to be prepared.” Riast adjusted himself in his chair and gestured for Kloveon to begin.

Kloveon closed his eyes for a moment, steadying himself. “It is as I told you upon my arrival: the League of Korzareon Cities has allied itself with certain ambitious foreigners, and a group of Fauthskyu men and women of rank – I was unable to find out which cities or which people on which of the Six Worlds were party to this treachery, thinking it better to alert you of what I had learned than to go chasing foreigners through Fauthsku in the hope of discovering who among them is party to this coming revolt.”

“Do you have any names of the Fauthskyu nobles?” the Emperor asked.

“I have a few, and I will write them down for you,” said Kloveon.

“You may use my desk,” said Riast, pointing to a tall-backed closed desk at the end of the bookcases. “As soon as you have done, bring me the paper. And after I read the names, I will burn the paper.”

Kloveon nodded. “A wise precaution.” He thought for a moment, then went on, “As you have said in the past, the League of Korzareon Cities chafes at being a client to the Porzalk Empire, but never before to the point of undertaking rebellion, which is bad for trade. It is only the promise of expanded commerce that has caused some in the League to support this latest resistance.” He saw Riast hold up his hand, and obediently paused.

“When did you acquire the information you speak of?”

“Eleven days since. I spent several hours with the man who gave me the information, as long as he was able to talk. Ten days ago I chose my strongest and swiftest horses and set out for Tiumboj. I rode for as long as the horses could hold up, and remounted where we could safely do so. I had two escorts with me. Your men are talking to them now.”

“And will report to me in due time,” said Riast.

“Sooner is better than later. The attack may come shortly, and you will want to be ready, Emperor.” Kloveon managed to convey urgency without losing any of his diplomatic deportment.

“When you say attack, what sort of army do they have?” Riast sounded boundlessly sad as he asked.

“I don’t know. I saw no increase in the numbers of armed men about, but I was at Fauthsku, not over the frontier into the League. They may be keeping their soldiers in remote fortresses, or hidden among the merchants’ servants who may be seen on most League roads.” Kloveon took a deep breath. “Had I gone into the League, I would have not been able to bring you this news promptly, or at all.”

“You might have dispatched a courier,” Riast advised.

“I might, and my searching among the League of Korzareon Cities for a whiff of treason would have delayed this notification still further, as well as possibly alerting the conspirators. Had I waited any longer to come to you, that might have been sufficient postponement to give your enemies the opportunity to make their first assault without providing you any warning at all.” He stretched his fingers. “And I might have been discovered, and through that discovery spurred the traitors to action.”

‘Then you’re confident about the report – you pledge to me that it is accurate?” The Emperor sat a little straighter in his saddle-chair.

“I pledge that it is an accurate account of the information I received, and the source who provided it has proved reliable in the past. The man who brought the intelligence paid dearly for . . . “ He fumbled for words, then rephrased his remarks. “I learned enough from the man who died bringing me information, to know that the Porzalk Empire is their first target. The plot he stumbled upon has plans for Haverartbow and Ymiljesai, and the men behind it have riches to spare, or so my informant believed. He intimated that some of this Court support the insurrection, and are prepared to aid the traitors. This is not a trivial threat, or one that is more magical than real. You need to be on guard.”

“That would seem to be apparent,” said Riast, and looked over at Erianthee, his expression showing little more than polite curiosity. “As far as you can discern, how am I to view this information, Duzeon?”

Erianthee tried to think of something to say that would not give Kloveon any discredit before Emperor Riast, but would allow for a genuine misapprehension about the material he had received. “Were he to bring me such a warning at Vildecaz, I would prepare to face my enemies.”

The gratitude in Kloveon’s eyes was eloquent. It took almost all her will not to rush to embrace him. “That is a most gracious – “

She interrupted Kloveon. “You are certain there is danger and that you have enough of the plot known to you to provide Riast with the information that will enable him to muster his armies and make his defenses ready.”

“If I knew more, I would recommend specific defenses, but since I didn’t learn the form of the attack, I thought it would be best to allow you to employ your Court magicians to determine how best to make ready for what is coming. Between them and your Council for War, you have an opportunity to prepare. I think you would be well-advised to do your utmost to mount all defenses at your command.” Kloveon looked from Riast to Erianthee. “It may allow time enough to send the Court to safety.”