“Very well, that should do it.”
“What then today, Magnificence?”
“Today I rest until called before the Prince’s Privy Council, at which time I can sit and watch the Princess run the nation. It should be entertaining, if predictable.” He moved to the door to his bedroom. “Wake me at an hour after noon, and have some food ready. I expect to be in with the council all afternoon. Then another banquet.”
“Then the Princess?” asked Amafi.
“Then the Princess, assuming a handsome young palace guard doesn’t take her fancy during supper.”
“Not to worry, Magnificence.”
“The Princess seems a woman of fickle appetites, and you seem sure of yourself.”
“I know women, Magnificence, or at least as well as any man might. You are a novelty, and from what I heard before taking your service, well regarded by the ladies. And even if he’s a very handsome young guard, he will be here next week, and you will not.”
Tal smiled. “You are probably right.” He took the blue vial and put it in his belt pouch, then entered his bedroom and closed the door. As he fell into bed, he could hear Amafi clearing up the accumulated items and was sound asleep by the time Amafi left to get rid of the evidence.
The meeting was proceeding exactly as Tal had anticipated. The Cabinet appeared unconvinced of Duke Kaspar’s resolve, and Tal had on several occasions to inform them that he had been given no latitude to negotiate.
First Minister Odeski tried more than once to beg more time of Tal, and each time Tal gave the same answer: any reply to Kaspar that wasn’t full acquiescence would be seen as defiance. Salmater would come to heel or be crushed. Tal managed to convey this choice in as diplomatic a fashion as possible, but he gave no hint of leeway.
As the meeting dragged on, Tal realized the truth of Kaspar’s observation. Princess Svetlana let Prince Janosh prattle on at length, but whenever it became time to move to the next item of discussion, it was the Princess who made that decision.
Tal used his training to stay calm and appear unconcerned, for he had his own orders, and no matter what the outcome—including a complete capitulation—his one task was clear: Princess Svetlana must die.
Finally the Prince said, “We shall prepare a response to Duke Kaspar’s demand, and I must tell you, young sir, it will not be to his liking. Not in any way! Then we shall see you off on the morning tide. I bid you good evening!” He rose, and all those in the chamber rose as well. The Prince left, and as she followed her husband, Princess Svetlana smiled at Tal in such a way that he knew she would send him an invitation after supper.
When the Prince and his wife had departed, First Minister Odeski said, “Squire, a moment of your time, please?”
Tal bowed. “I’m at your service, Minister.”
“Walk with me a ways,” said the older man. When they were out of earshot of the other ministers, Odeski said, “We have something of a mess here, don’t we?”
“If by we, you mean Salmater, sir, then yes, you do.”
“War profits no one, and Kaspar’s demands seem to me to be a rather extreme response to a relatively minor offense.”
“Mapping expeditions disguised as smugglers, in Olasko’s sovereign territory, in anticipation of military action is hardly ‘minor,’ Minister.”
“You’re from the Kingdom, Squire, so perhaps you’re ignorant of our history here in the east, but we spar, feign, threaten, and generally play rough with one another as a matter of course. I’ve been in the Prince’s court and his father’s before him for thirty years, and I’ve seen half a dozen border clashes with Olasko, an equal number with Miskalon, two naval conflicts with Roskalon, one with Roldem, another with the Isles, and the disputed lands are a constant battleground any time one of the local rulers gets ambitious.
“But never in that time has one ruler demanded of another an oath of fealty.”
Lowering his voice, Tal said, “My master seeks stability. He sees a time when this region will come under the scrutiny of either the Isles or Kesh. Roldem’s navy can protect the region from Kesh to a point, should they honor their treaties with Aranor and Olasko, but who can protect Roskalon, Miskalon, and Salmater from the Isles if they decide to march? Roldem might challenge a Keshian war fleet in the Sea of Kingdoms, but they will not land troops on the mainland to lend support against the Isles.”