Pug said, ‘No. Prince Erland has been negotiating with the Emperor of Great Kesh for a long time on this matter. In exchange for Kesh’s protecting our southern flank from the enemy, and for observing our current treaty while we are engaged with a mighty foe, the Kingdom chooses to grant several claims for territory Kesh has held for almost a hundred years. Those of you who are uncomfortable with this change in governance may leave.
‘As it stands now, Stardock is still Kingdom territory; still my duchy.’ Pug glanced from face to face. ‘Shamata is now being handed over to the Keshians. The Kingdom forces are withdrawing across the Great Star Lake to Landreth. Any of you who wish may travel with them.’
Several more protests were heard, but Pug ignored them.
General Salamon spoke. ‘We will honor the Kingdom’s claim to sovereignty for Stardock Island. Stardock Town will be Keshian. Until you have arranged for a portage or dock on the north shore. Kingdom citizens will be granted the right of free passage through Stardock town.’
Someone in the crowd shouted, ‘When are you taking over?’
The General said, ‘We have taken over. My men are now occupying the small fortress at Port Shamata and the garrison in the city, and we will leave a small force across the water to ensure the peace.’ Looking at Pug, he said, ‘If there is nothing more, I need to return to my men, my lord.’
Pug nodded and said, ‘Thank you for coming.’
The General and the Kingdom Captain left together, heading down the hill toward the dock. Pug said, ‘That is the end of it. Now on to another matter.
‘This invader I spoke of is an enemy of the most dangerous sort, and I need those of you willing to serve. We need those of you able to heal, able to act as conduits for intelligence, and those of you who may in some way stem the invaders’ magic’ He paused and then added, ‘They are served by Pantathians.’
At mention of the hated serpent priests, several of those who had been quiet shouted, ‘I’ll help!’
Pug waited and said, ‘Those of you willing to travel to Krondor, see Robert d’Lyes. He is to be my aide in this matter.’
D’Lyes looked around, confusion on his face. ‘Aide?’ he said as young magicians started to talk to him.
Pug jumped down from the rock and Nakor said, ‘What do we do now?’
Pug said, ‘We? I’m going to Krondor with this band, to get them ready, then I travel to Sethanon. You wait here to make sure that this band of fools doesn’t start a war with Kesh in the next two weeks, then when you’re certain they won’t, I want you to get to Sethanon.’ He reached into his robe and pulled out a Tsurani transportation orb. ‘Don’t break it or lose it: it’s the last one I have. And it’s a long walk to Sethanon.’
Nakor didn’t look pleased. ‘Things are coming to a head, and you want me to stay here and wet-nurse this bunch?’
Pug grinned. ‘Who better?’
So saying, he moved through the milling magicians and went to talk to Robert d’Lyes.
Sho Pi said to Nakor, ‘Master?’
‘What?’
‘Have you given thought to what Pug said about thinking of a different plan for Stardock?’
Nakor was silent for a moment, then turned to his student with a wide grin. ‘Of course I have.’
FIFTEEN - Onslaught
Erik frowned.
He put the papers on Lord William’s desk and said, ‘That is what I’m to do?’
William and Calis nodded. ‘We’ve had a change of plans since my father appeared,’ said William, looking very tired. ‘He went into council with the Prince, James, and myself, and all I can tell you is he convinced us that Calis is needed elsewhere.’
Erik had been operating on the assumption that he would be up in the mountains to the north and east of the city, awaiting the fall of Krondor to launch raids against the invaders as they moved eastward. Now he was being told the roles were being shuffled, like so many cards in a deck.
William said, ‘I am in charge of the defense of the city. That hasn’t changed. Vykor’s flotilla is hidden down in Shadon Bay and will sally against the raiders as they pass by, to be joined, we hope, by what is left of Nicholas’s fleet after it’s refitted at the Sunsets.
‘Greylock will act as my second with the units up in the mountains.’ He pointed at Erik. ‘That means you will have to fill in for Greylock, where we had planned to use him.’
‘The retreat,’ said Erik flatly.
‘Yes,’ said Calis. ‘By the time we lose this city, we’re going to have a frantic population attempting to flee and a routed army trying to go with them. We can’t allow that.’
‘How are you going to prevent it?’ asked Erik.
William sighed. ‘This is what comes of making assumptions. If we had included you in our command meetings you’d know this already.’ He handed a large sheaf of papers to Erik. ‘Read these; the plan is outlined in detail and I want you to have it down cold by tonight. You and I will have dinner and we can dispose of any questions of yours then.’
Erik turned to Calis. ‘When do you leave?’
‘As soon as my father returns from Stardock,’ answered William for Calis.
Erik assumed it was implicit no one knew when that was. ‘Very well, m’lord.’
Erik turned to leave the room, and as he reached the door, William said, ‘Oh, Erik, there’s one more thing.’