The Keshian Ambassador, Lord Hazara-Khan, bowed, and Arutha extended his hand. “Thank you, Abdur.” He introduced Anita to Hokanu and again repeated thanks. Dolgan was speaking with Galain, and Arutha congratulated the dwarf on his assumption of the crown of the western dwarves. Dolgan threw him a wink and a smile, then they all fell silent as Laurie began to play.
They listened closely while Laurie sang; it was a sad song, yet brave, a ballad he had composed in honour of his friend Roald. It spoke of Laurie’s sorrow at his passing, but it ended on a major chord, a note of triumph, then a silly little coda that made all who knew Roald laugh, for it somehow captured his raffish nature. Then Gardan and Volney came up and the Earl of Landreth said, “If we may have a brief word with you, Highness.”
Anita indicated she didn’t mind, and Arutha let the two men who had ruled in his absence lead him into the room next to the King’s chamber. A bulky figure lay upon the bed, breathing heavily, and Arutha raised his fingers to his lips, indicating quiet.
Gardan craned his neck and whispered, “Amos Trask?”
Arutha said softly, “It’s a very long story, and I’ll let him tell it. He’d never forgive me if I didn’t. Now, what is it?”
In a low voice, Volney said, “Highness, I want to return to Landreth. With your supposed death, the city’s been a rats’ warren to administer. I’ve done my best for the last three years, but this is enough. I want to go home.”
Arutha said, “I can’t spare you, Volney.” The stout Earl’s voice started to rise, and Arutha hushed him. “Look, there’s going to be a new Prince of Krondor soon, so we’ll need a Principate Regent.”
Volney said, “That’s impossible. That’s an eighteen year commitment. I refuse.”
Arutha looked at Gardan, who grinned and held up his hands. “Don’t look at me. Lyam promised me I could return to Crydee with Martin and his lady. With Charles the new Swordmaster, I can leave the soldiering to my son. I plan on spending my days fishing off the breakwater at Longpoint. You’re going to need a new Knight-Marshal soon.”
Arutha swore. “That means if I don’t find someone soon, Lyam’s going to name me Duke of Krondor and Knight-Marshal both. I am going to try to get him to give me some quiet Earldom, like Tuckshill, and never leave home again.” He thought hard and silently, then said, “I want ten more years, from both of you.”
“Absolutely not!” said Volney. The stout noble’s voice rose in indignation. “I’m willing to stay one year, to aid any transition in administration, but no more.”
Arutha’s eyes narrowed. “Six, six more years from each of you. If you agree, you can retire to Landreth, Volney, and you to Crydee, Gardan. If not, I’ll find some way to drag you off to nothing but trouble.”
Gardan laughed. “I have Lyam’s permission already, Arutha.” Seeing the Prince’s anger growing, he said, “But if Volney stays, I’ll also stay on a year - all right, two, but no more, until you get things under control.”
An almost evil light entered Arutha’s eyes. To Gardan he said, “We’re going to need a new ambassador to the Tsurani court, now that the rift is again opened,” and to Volney, “and we’ll need another ambassador to Great Kesh.”
Both men exchanged glances and Volney said, in a harsh whisper, “All right, blackmailer, three years. What are we going to do for three years?”
Arutha smiled his crooked smile. “I want you to take Jimmy and Locky’s training in hand, personally, Volney. You teach them everything about administration you can. Pile the work on until they’re ready to drop, then give them more. I want those overactive minds turned to good use. Make them the best administrators you can.
“Gardan, when they’re not in the office, learning how to govern, turn them into soldiers. That young bandit asked for a reward a year ago, and now he’s got to show me if he really is a match for that request. And his young partner in crime has too much talent to let him go back to Land’s End. Locky’s the youngest son, so he’d simply go to waste there. With you two gone, we’re going to need a new Duke and Knight-Marshal and, with me gone as well, he’s going to be acting as Principate Regent; he’ll need an able Chancellor to help him shoulder the burdens of office. So I don’t want either of them to have five loose minutes in the next four years.”
“Four years!” shouted Volney, “I said three!”
Then from the bed came a chuckle and a sigh as Amos said, “Arutha, you have an odd idea of reward. Whatever gave you such a nasty turn of mind?”
Arutha grinned openly as he said, “Get some rest, Admiral.”
Amos fell back heavily on the bunk. “Ah, Arutha, you still take all the fun out of life.”