“Your Grace,” said the Steward, “I think you had best talk to these men and consider if His Majesty should see them.”
The man turned to study the two other men in the office. “I am Duke Caldric, the Royal Chancellor. What reason do you have to see His Majesty?”
Kasumi said, “I bring a message from the Emperor of Tsuranuanni.”
The king sat in a pavilion on a balcony overlooking the harbour. Below, a mountain river passed directly before the palace, part of the original defense design though no longer needed as a moat. Graceful bridges could be seen arching above it, carrying people from one side of the river to the other.
King Rodric sat, seemingly attentive to what Kasumi was saying. He toyed absently with a golden ball in his right hand, while Kasumi outlined in detail the Emperor’s message of peace.
Rodric was silent for a while after Kasumi finished, as if weighing what he had heard. Kasumi handed a sheaf of documents to Duke Caldric, then waited for the King’s answer. After another moment of silence Kasumi added, “The Emperor’s proposals are outlined in these parchments in detail, Your Majesty, should you wish to study them at your leisure. I will wait upon your convenience to carry your reply.”
Still Rodric was silent, and the courtiers gathered nearby looked at one another nervously Kasumi was about to speak again when the King said, “I am always amused when watching my little subjects hurrying about the city, like so many ants. I often wonder what they think, living out their simple little lives.” He turned to look at the two emissaries. “You know, I could order any one of them put to death. Just pick one out, from this very balcony, should I choose I could just say to my guards, ‘See that fellow in the blue cap? Go hack his head off,’ and they would, you know. That’s because I’m King.”
Laurie felt a chill run up his back. This was worse than anything he had imagined. The King seemed not to have heard a single word spoken Kasumi said very quietly in the Tsurani language, “If we should fail, one of us must carry word back to my father.”
At this, the King’s head snapped up His eyes grew wide, and he spoke with a tremble in his voice “What is this?” His voice rose in pitch “I will have no one whispering!” His face took on a feral appearance “You know they are always whispering about me, the disloyal ones. But I know who they are, and I will see them on their knees before me, yes I will. That traitor Kerus was on his knees before I had him hanged. I would have hanged his family had they not fled to Kesh.” He then studied Kasumi. “You think to trick me with your strange story and these so-called documents. Any fool could see through your guise. You are spies!”
Duke Caldric looked pained and tried to calm the King. Several guards stood nearby, shifting their weight from foot to foot, uncomfortable at what they were hearing.
The King pushed the solicitous Duke away. His voice took on a near-hysterical tone “You are agents of that traitor Borric. He and my uncle were plotting to take my throne. But I stopped that. My uncle Erland is dead . . .” He paused for a moment, as if confused. “No, I mean he is ill. That is why my loyal Duke Guy was sent from Bas-Tyra to rule Krondor until my beloved uncle was well . . .” His eyes seemed to clear for a moment, then he said, “I am not feeling well Please excuse me I will speak to you again tomorrow.” He rose from his chair. After he had taken a step, he turned back to look at Laurie and Kasumi “What was it you wanted to see me about? Oh yes, peace. Yes, that is good. This war is a terrible thing. We must end it so that I can go back to my building. We must begin the building again.”
A page took the King’s arm and led him away. The Royal Chancellor said, “Follow me, and say nothing.”
He hurried them through the palace and led them to a room with two guards before the door. One guard opened the door for them, and they entered Inside they found a bedroom with two large beds and a table with chairs in the corner. The Chancellor said, “Your arrival is poorly timed. Our King is, as you no doubt can see, a sick man, and I fear that he will not recover. I hope he will be better able to understand your message tomorrow. Please stay here until you are sent for. A meal will be brought to you.”
He crossed over to the door, and before he left said, “Until tomorrow.”
A shout awoke them in the night. Laurie rose quickly and went to the window Peering through the curtains, he could see a figure on the balcony below. In his nightshirt, King Rodric stood sword in hand, poking into the bushes. Laurie opened the window as Kasumi joined him. From below they could hear the King’s cries: “Assassins! They have come!” Guards ran out and searched the bushes, while court pages led the shrieking monarch back to his room.