He had eaten his midday meal apart from the others, for he had to decide in his own heart what to do before he could discuss it with anyone else. He knew that Creed would follow his orders, and should he order Quint’s arrest, the former captain would be in chains in minutes.
He had seen Pug only once, and Nakor twice, and both men seemed immensely disturbed by what they had found in Varen’s apartments. They did not talk about it, but made it clear that, for them, some matter of great importance was still unresolved.
Tal put aside speculation, knowing they would apprise him of the problem when the time was right. Currently, he had enough problems of his own deal with.
Visniya approached him as the afternoon session began. “I received a message from the representative of Roldem, Tal. They have a few demands and some suggestions, which are really just politely worded demands.”
“What?”
“They want recompense for their fleet being used by the Keshians, which is to say, they’re upset Kesh got to loot the city and they didn’t. We have ample gold in Kaspar’s treasury. The battle went so quickly even the men who were guarding it didn’t think to grab the gold and run.
“But we’ll also need that gold to rebuild.”
Tal said, “I will bow to your decision; it’s your city, not mine. But my inclination is to rebuild now and pay debts later.”
Visniya nodded. “I agree. If we pay Roldem their blood money, we’ll have to tax the people when they can least afford it.”
“What news from the Isles?”
“Nothing currently, but I expect a list of their demands to be delivered at any moment,” said Stolinko dryly.
Tal went to the table where the others on his ad hoc council waited. “What next?” he said.
Stolinko said, “Some of the men are asking, Tal. Are you to be the new Duke?”
Tal laughed. “Wouldn’t that put a bee in the ear of the King of Roldem? He’d turn that fleet around and bring those Keshian soldiers back to turn me out of here.” He shook his head. “No, I have other plans.”
“Then who will rule?”
Tal said, “Natalia is the logical choice.”
“But can she hold Olasko?” asked Visniya. “There are any number of nobles, here and among our neighbors, who would be on the march the moment our mercenaries left if she’s put on the throne alone.”
“I can’t very well force her to wed someone just to ensure regional stability,” said Tal.
“Why not?” asked Stolinko. “It’s been done before.”
Tal thought on it, and said, “Send for Captain Quint and the Lady Natalia.”
He waited in silence, framing what he would say, and then when they both were in his presence, he said, “I have a pair of problems that need to be addressed.”
Quint glanced at the Lady Natalia and bowed slightly. She ignored him.
“Quint,” began Tal, “I have a problem. First, I must confess that I have lied to you in the past.”
Quint shrugged and said, “In this court it would have been more remarkable if you hadn’t.”
“Do you remember the story you told me about the boy Raven killed?”
Quint nodded.
“Well, that boy didn’t die, Quint. I was that boy.”
Quint’s eyebrows raised as if he had difficulty believing his ears. “You?”
“To the best of my knowledge, I am the last Orosini male alive.”
Quint looked uncomfortable. “You were plotting Kaspar’s overthrow all along?”
Tal nodded, and saw Natalia’s eyes flash, though she said nothing. Still, Tal had a fair notion of what she thought, for they had been lovers, and she now must wonder how much of what he had said to her were lies, too.
Quint studied Tal’s face for a long moment, then he un-buckled his sword belt and let it fall. “Tal, you saved my life by getting me off that rock, and you kept us alive all the way from the Fortress of Despair through the wilderness to Bardac’s Holdfast. If my death is the price for the freedom I’ve had this last year, so be it. I won’t fight you.” Then he chuckled. “Not that I could beat you, anyway, with a sword.”
Tal said, “I have given something said to me last night a great deal of thought. I am at a crossroads, and I must decide what the rest of my life will be.
“I am going to spare your life, Quint. For you have only been a good servant, albeit to a bad master.” He looked at Natalia, and said, “And you had no choice in who your brother was. I know you well enough to realize that you had no part in his murderous schemes.”
She said nothing.
“Here is what must be done,” said Tal. “Natalia, you must rule in Opardum, as Duchess of Olasko. But the region must be stabilized. You must swear fealty to Aranor, from this day forward. Aranor and Olasko will be provinces of Roldem, and never again will either have any claim on Roldem’s throne.”