Understanding at once the Tsurani subtlety, Pug asked, “Do you speak of a final schism between Warlord and Emperor?”
With a heavy sigh, the old man nodded. “I fear civil war. Should Ichindar press forward with the certainty he showed to end the Riftwar, Axantucar would be blown away as chaff upon the wind, for the majority of the clans and families still hold the Emperor as supreme, and few trust this new Warlord. But the Emperor has lost much face. For him to have forced the five great clans to the peace table only to be betrayed has robbed him of his moral authority. Axantucar is free to act without opposition. I think this Warlord seeks to unite the two offices. The gold trim on white is not enough for this one. I think he seeks to wear the gold of the Light of Heaven.”
“ “In the Game of the Council, anything is possible,” ” quoted Pug. “But look you, all were betrayed at the peace talks.” He spoke of the last message of Macros the Black, reminding Kamatsu of the ancient teachings of the Enemy’s attacks upon the nation, and speaking of Macros’s fear that the rift would draw that terrible power.
“Such duplicity shows that the Emperor was no more a fool than the rest, but it still does not forgive him the mistake. Yet such a tale may win him a little more support in the High Council—if support has any meaning.”
“You think the Warlord ready to act?”
“Anytime now. He has neutralized the Assembly by having his own pet magicians call its own autonomy into question. Great Ones sit in debate over their own fate. Hochopepa and my brother, Fumita, dare not take a hand in the Great Game at this time. Politically, the Assembly might as well not exist.”
“Then seek allies in the High Council. Tell them this: somehow our two worlds stand linked again by some dark power of Tsurani origin. It moves against the Kingdom. It is power beyond human understanding, perhaps power to challenge the gods themselves. I cannot tell you how I know, but I feel certain that, should the Kingdom fall, then will Midkemia fall; should Midkemia fall, then surely will Kelewan fall after.”
Kamatsu, Lord of the Shinzawai, former Warchief of the Kanazawai Clan, showed an expression of concern. Softly he said, “Can it be?”
Pug’s expression showed he believed it true. “It may be I will be captured or killed. If so, I must have allies on the High Council who will speak this cause to the Light of Heaven. It is not my life I fear for, Kamatsu, but the lives of two worlds. If I fail, the Great Ones Hochopepa or Shimone must return to my world with whatever can be learned of this dark power. Will you help?”
Kamatsu rose. “Of course. Even had you not brought word of Kasumi, even had our doubts about you been true, only a madman would be unwilling to put aside former grievances in light of such warning. I will leave at once by fast boat downriver to the Holy City. Where will you be?”
“Seeking help from another. If I am successful, I shall plead my case before the Assembly. No one gains the black robe without having learned to listen before acting. No, my true risk is falling into the Warlord’s hands. If you do not hear of me in three days, assume that has come to pass. I will be either dead or captive. Then you must take action. Only silence will aid this Murmandamus. In this you must not fail. “
“I will not fail, Milamber.”
Pug, once known as Milamber, greatest of the Great Ones of Tsuranuanni, rose and bowed. “We must leave. Honors to your house. Lord of the Shinzawai.”
Kamatsu bowed lower than was required of his station and said, “Honors to your house, Great One.”
Hawkers shouted to passing buyers as the sun beat down. The market square at Ontoset was athrong with business. Pug and his companions had taken a place in the section of the plaza set aside for licensed beggars and priests. For three mornings they rose from under the protective wall of the square and spent the day preaching to those willing to stop and listen. Meecham would pass among the small crowds, holding out the beggar’s bowl. There was only one temple of Hantukama east of the Holy City of Kentosani—in the city of Yankora, far from Ontoset—so there was little risk of them being discovered by another wandering priest in the short time they would be staying in the city. The order was widely and thinly spread, and many who served had not seen another priest of the order for years.
Pug finished his sermon for the morning and returned to Dominic’s side as the monk instructed an injured girl’s mother in proper care for the child. Her broken leg would be fully mended within days. The woman’s grateful thanks were all she could give, but Dominic’s smile indicated that was sufficient. Meecham joined them, showing several of _ the tiny gemstones and slivers of metal that served as currency in the Empire. “A man could make a decent living this way.”