The Chancellor addressed the King and his council. “Majesty, my lords, this…oddly dressed gentleman is Pug, Duke of Stardock and cousin to King Ryan. I have asked him to repeat to you what he told me earlier today. Your Grace?”
Pug stood up, and said, “First I would like to make clear that the title of Duke is a courtesy only; I renounced my allegiance to the Isles back when Ryan’s father, Patrick, was Prince of Krondor. I am cousin to the King, but a very distant one.
“Second, I caution you that what I am about to say to you will stretch your belief to its limit. You will hear things that will leave you wondering if I am bereft of all reason, but I will tell you now, my lords, I am very sane, and what I tell you is not wild imagining.”
“In your archives, I am sure, will be certain reports gathered by your agents back during the reign of Rodric IV of the Isles. The fact of the Riftwar, the invasion of our world by the Tsurani, is not in question; it is historic fact, but behind that fact lies a tale far more incredible than what is known.
“The war was the result of a manipulation of incredible scale that pitted two worlds against each other, and toward only one end: the use of an ancient artifact hidden under the city of Sethanon, an artifact known as the Lifestone.” He looked at King Carol. “I would be very surprised if any of this is recorded in your archives, Majesty. Of those who survived the battle of Sethanon, when the armies of the Brotherhood of the Dark Path marched south under the banner of the false prophet, Murmandamus, the only living beings who knew the truth were myself, Tomas—consort to the Elf Queen Aglaranna—Prince Arutha, and later King Lyam, and two Tsurani magicians, now long dead.
“Twice more the Lifestone was threatened, first by Delekhan, another moredhel chieftain, and then by the armies of the Emerald Queen.”
“What is this Lifestone?” asked Rodoski. “Why is it so important that wars are fought over it?”
“It was an ancient thing, created by a race that lived on this world before the coming of man, the Valheru, and it was supposed to be a weapon to be used against the gods. Murmandamus, Delekhan, and the Emerald Queen all wished to use it to rule the world.”
“Are you claiming that Kaspar of Olasko is going to seize this Lifestone?” asked King Carol.
“No,” said Pug. “The stone was…destroyed years ago. It no longer poses a threat.” He thought better of trying to explain to them that the stone had been used by Tomas’s son Calis to free trapped life-essences, helping partially to restore an ancient balance between good and evil.
The Keshian Ambassador said, “I believe we have some mention of this in our archives, Your Grace.”
Pug smiled. “No doubt. There was a force of Dog Soldiers under the command of Lord Hazara-Khan involved in the first battle of Sethanon. I don’t imagine he neglected to report everything he saw.”
“I find it incredible to believe you were there and that you knew him,” said the Ambassador. “That was more than a century ago.”
“I age well,” said Pug dryly. “Now, to the point under discussion. Kaspar of Olasko has been wreaking havoc over the region for the last ten years now, including the murder of the Princess of Salmater and the Prince of Aranor, as well as a planned assassination of every member of the Royal House of Roldem.”
Rodoski could not restrain himself. His hand shot out, and he pointed an accusing finger at Tal. “And that man was instrumental in it. He killed Svetlana of Salmater and was going to be involved in my assassination.”
Pug shrugged. “An attempt you easily avoided, Your Grace, which brings me to this point. Kaspar’s ambitions are naked and without subtlety. He seems not to care that the world knows he wishes to sit upon the throne of Roldem. And perhaps the Isles as well someday.
“But Kaspar is not a stupid man, so you must ask yourself, why so blatant a series of moves? Why show such disregard for disguising his ambitions and contempt for your reaction to his moves?”
Rodoski sat back. Tal could tell that even the angry duke was intrigued by the question.