Studying Pug, Martin said, “You speak calmly enough of this. Doesn’t my claim to the throne disturb you at all?”
Pug shook his head. “You would have no way of knowing, but I was counted among the most powerful men in Tsuranuanni. My word was in some ways more important than any king’s command. I think I know what power can do, and what sort of men seek it. I doubt you have much personal ambition as such, unless you’ve changed a great deal since I lived in Crydee. If you take the crown, it will be for what you believe are good reasons. It may be the only way to prevent civil war, for should you choose the mantle of King, Lyam will be the first to swear fealty. Whatever the reason, you would do your best to act wisely. And if you take the purple, you will do your best to be a good ruler.”
Martin looked impressed. “You have changed much, Squire Pug, more than I would have expected. I thank you for your kind judgment of me, but I think you are the only man in the Kingdom who would believe such.”
“Whatever the truth may be, you are your father’s son and would not bring dishonor upon his house.”
Again Martin’s words were tinged with bitterness. “There are those who will judge my birth itself a dishonor.” He looked out over the city below, then turned to stare at Pug. “If only the choice were simple, but Lyam’s seen that it is not. If I take the crown, many will balk. If I renounce in Lyam’s favor, some may use me as an excuse to refuse Lyam their allegiance.
“Gods above, Pug. Were the issue between Arutha and myself, I would not hesitate for an instant to stand aside in his favor. But Lyam? I’ve not seen him for seven years, and those years have changed him. He seems a man beset with doubts. An able field commander, no question, but a king? I am faced with the fearful prospect I would prove a more able king.”
Pug spoke softly. “As I have said, should you claim the throne, you will do so for what you,judge good reasons, reasons of duty.”
Martin’s right hand closed into a fist, held before his face. “Where ends duty and begins personal ambition? Where ends justice and begins revenge? There is a part of me, an angry part of me, that says, ‘Wring all you can from this moment, Martin.’ Why not King Martin? And then another part of me wonders if Father may have placed this upon me knowing someday I must be King. Oh, Pug, what is my duty?”
“That is something each of us must judge for himself alone. I can offer you no counsel.”
Martin leaned forward upon the rail, hands covering his face. “I think I would like to be alone for a time, if you do not mind.”
Pug left, knowing a troubled man considered his fate. And the fate of the Kingdom.
Pug found Katala with Laurie and Kasumi, speaking with Duke Brucal and Earl Vandros. As he approached, he could hear the Duke saying, “So we’ll finally have a wedding, now that this young slow-wit”—he indicated Vandros—“has asked for my daughter’s hand. Maybe I’ll have some grandchildren before I die, after all. See what comes of waiting so many years to marry. You’re old before your children marry—” He inclined his head when he saw Pug. “Ah, magician, there you are.”
Katala smiled when she saw her husband. “Did you and the Princess have a nice reunion?”
“Very nice.”
Prodding him in the chest with her forefinger, she said, “And when we’re alone, you’ll repeat every single word.”
The others laughed at Pug’s embarrassment, though he could see she was only having fun with him.
Brucal said, “Ah, magician, your wife is so lovely, I wish I were sixty again.” He winked at Pug. “Then I’d steal her from you, and damn the scandal.” He took Pug by the arm and said to Katala, “If you’ll forgive me, lady, instead I’ll have to steal a moment of your husband’s time.”
He steered Pug away from the surprised group and when they were out of earshot said, “I have grave news.”
“I know.”
“Lyam is a fool, a noble fool.” He looked away for a moment, his eyes filming over with memory. “But he is his father’s son, and his grandfather’s grandson as well, and like both before him has a strong sense of honor.” The old eyes came into sharp focus again. “Still, I wish his sense of duty were as clear.” Lowering his voice even more, he said, “Keep your wife close about. The guards in the hall wear the purple and will die defending the King, whoever he may be. But it may get messy. Many of the eastern lords are impulsive men, overly used to having their petty demands instantly gratified. A few might open their mouths and find themselves chewing steel.