What a thing to say, your Excellency, Ehlana protested mildly in nearly perfect Tamul. Ehlana was technically the hostess here, so she sat on her throne wearing her formal crimson robe and a golden crown. She turned to her imperial guest who sprawled in a nearby chair slowly twitching a string across the opalescent floor for the entertainment of Princess Danaes cat. Have I stolen you, Sarabian? she asked him.
Oh, absolutely, Ehlana, he replied, speaking in Elenic. Im utterly in thrall to you.
Has someone opened a school for modern languages here on the grounds while Ive been gone, Oscagne? Norkan asked.
I suppose you might say that, the Foreign minister replied. His Majestys proficiency in Elenic predates Queen Ehlanas visit, however. Our revered Emperors been keeping secrets from us.
Is he allowed to do that? I thought he was supposed to be just a stuffed toy that we trotted out on ceremonial occasions. Even Oscagne choked a bit on that, but Sarabian burst into laughter.
Ive missed you, Norkan, he declared. Have you had the chance to get to know our excellent Norkan, Ehlana?
I sampled his wit in Atana, Sarabian, the queen smiled. His observations always seem soahunexpected.
That they are, Sarabian laughed, rising to his feet. He swore briefly as the rapier at his side briefly caught behind the leg of his chair. The Emperor had a great deal of difficulty with his rapier. Norkan once made one of those unexpected observations about the size of my sisters feet, and I had to send him off to Atan to keep her from having him murdered. He cocked one eyebrow at the ambassador. I really should make you marry her, Norkan. Then you could insult her in private. Public insults require public responses, you know.
Im honored more than I can say, your Imperial Majesty, Norkan replied. The prospect of becoming your brother-in-law is quite likely to stop my heart entirely.
You dont like my sister, Sarabian accused.
I didnt say that, your Majesty, but I prefer to worship her from afarat least out of the range of her feet. Thats what precipitated my unfortunate remark in the first place. I was gouty that day, and she stepped on my toe. Shed be a nice enough girl, I suppose, if shed only watch where shes putting those cattle barges she wears for shoes.
It wouldnt be one of those marriages made in heaven, Sarabian, Ehlana smiled. Ive met your sister, and Im afraid his Excellencys wit would be lost on her.
You might be right, my dear, Sarabian agreed. Id really like to get rid of her, though. Shes irritated me since the day she was born. What are you doing back here in Matherion, Norkan?
One of Ambassador Norkans eyebrows shot up. Things have changed, havent they, Oscagne? Are we supposed to tell him to his face whats really going on?
Emperor Sarabians decided to take charge of his own government, my friend, Oscagne sighed mournfully.
Isnt that against the law?
Afraid not, old boy.
Would you consider accepting my resignation?
No, not really.
Dont you want to work for me any more, Norkan? Sarabian asked.
I have nothing against you personally, your Majesty, but if you decide to actually meddle in government, the whole Empire could collapse.
Marvelous, Norkan. I love the way you start talking before youve saddled up your brains. You see, Ehlana? Thats what I was telling you about. The officials in my government all expect me to smile regally, approve their recommendations without question, and leave the business of running things to them.
How boring.
Indeed it is, my dear, but Im going to change it. Now that Ive seen a real ruler in action, whole new horizons have been opened to me. You still havent answered my question, Norkan What brings you back to Matherion?
The Atans are growing restive, your Majesty.
Are the recent disturbances starting to erode their loyalty?
No, your Majesty, quite the reverse. The uprising has them all excited. Androl wants to move out in force to occupy Matherion in order to guarantee your safety. I dont think we want that. The Atans dont pay too much attention to rank or position when they decide to kill people.
We noticed that, Sarabian replied dryly. Ive received all sorts of petitions of protest from the noble houses of Tamul proper as a result of the measures Engessa took to put down the coup.
Ive spoken with Betuana, your Majesty, Norkan continued.
Shes promised to shorten her husbands leash until I get some instructions from you. Something short and to the point like, Sit! Stay! might be appropriate, considering Androls mental capabilities.
How did you ever get to be a diplomat, Norkan?
I lied a lot.
A suggestion, Emperor Sarabian? Tynian offered.
Go ahead, Sir Tynian.
We dont really want to ruffle King Androls feathers, so a suggestion to him that hes being held in place to meet a far greater threat might be preferable to just sending him to bed without any supper.
Sarabian laughed. What a novel way to put it, Sir Tynian. All right, Norkan, send Engessa.
Norkan blinked.
Pay attention man, Sarabian snapped.
Thats something youll have to get used to, Norkan, Oscagne advised. The Emperor sometimes takes verbal shortcuts.
Oh. I see. Norkan thought about it. Might I ask why Atan Engessa would be better qualified to carry out your instructions than I would, your Majesty?
Because Engessa can run faster than you can, and hell be able to put our commands to Androl in language far more acceptable to him. Theres also the fact that using Engessa hints at a military reason for the decision, and that should smooth Androls feathers all the more. You can explain our real reasons to Betuana when you get back.
You know something, Oscagne? Norkan said. He might just work out all right after allif we can keep him from making too many blunders right at the outset.
Oscagne winced.
Sparhawk touched Vanions shoulder and motioned with his head. The two of them drifted back to the rear of the throne-room. Ive got a problem, Vanion, Sparhawk muttered.
Oh?
Ive racked my brains to come up with an excuse for us to get out of Matherion for long enough to retrieve the Bhelliom, but I havent had a single idea that a child wouldnt be able to see through. Ehlanas not stupid, you know.
No, that she isnt.
Aphrael wont say anything definite, but I get the strong feeling that she wants us to sail on the same ship with Emban and Tynian, and Im starting to run out of excuses to keep delaying their departure. Any ideas?
Ask Oscagne to help you, Vanion shrugged. Hes a diplomat, so lying comes second nature to him.
Nice idea, but I cant really tell him where were going and what were going to do when we get there, can I?
Dont tell him, then. just tell him that you need a reason to be out of town for a while. Put on a gravely mysterious face and let it go at that. Oscagnes been around for long enough to recognize the symptoms of official reticence when he sees them.
Why didnt I think of that?
Probably because your oath keeps getting in your way. I know that youve sworn to tell the truth, but that doesnt mean that you have to tell the whole truth. You can leave things out, you know. Leaving things out is one of the prerequisites of the office of Preceptor.
Sparhawk sighed. Back to school, I see. I think Im doomed to spend my whole life getting instructions from youand being made to feel inadequate in the process.
Thats what friends are for, Sparhawk.
Youre not going to tell me, are you? Sparhawk tried very hard to keep it from sounding like an accusation.
Not yet, no, Princess Danae replied, carefully tying a dolls bonnet on her cats head. Mmrr did not appear to care for the idea, but she endured her mistresss little game with a look of resignation.
Why not? Sparhawk asked his daughter, flopping down into one of the blue armchairs in the royal apartment.
Because something might still come up to make it unnecessary. Youre not going to find Bhelliom until I decide to let you find it, father.
You want us to sail with Tynian and Emban, though?
Yes.
How far?
It doesnt really matter. I just need Tynian with us when we first set out, thats all.
Then you dont really have any set destination in mindwith that ship, I mean?
Of course not. I just need Tynian to be along for a couple of days. We can go out to sea for a couple of leagues and then sail around in circles for two days if you want. Its all the same to me.
Thanks, he said acidly.
No charge. There. She held up the cat. Isnt she darling in her new bonnet?
Adorable.
Mmrr gave Sparhawk a flat look of pure hatred.
I cant tell you why at the moment, your Excellency, Sparhawk said to Oscagne later that same day when they were alone in one of the hallways. All I can say is that I need a reason to be away from Matherion with a group of nine or ten of my friends for an indeterminate period of timeseveral weeks or so. It has to be significant enough to convince my wife that its necessary, but not so serious as to worry her, and I have to sail on the same ship with Emban and Tynian.
All right, Oscagne agreed. How good an actor are you, Prince Sparhawk?
I dont think anybodyd pay money to watch me perform.
Oscagne let that pass.
I gather that this ploy is primarily intended for your wifes benefit?
Yes.
Then it might be best if the idea of sending you off someplace came from her. Ill maneuver her into ordering you off on some inconsequential errand, and you can take it from there.
Id really like to see you try to maneuver Ehlana.
Trust me, old boy. Trust me.
Tega? Sarabian asked his foreign minister incredulously. The only superstition they have on the Isle of Tega is the one that says that its bad luck not to raise the price of sea-shells every year.
Theyve never mentioned it to us in the past because they were probably afraid wed think they were being silly, your Majesty, Oscagne replied urbanely. Oscagne looked decidedly uncomfortable in the blue doublet and hose Sarabian had ordered him to wear. He couldnt seem to think of anything to do with his hands, and he appeared to be very self-conscious about his bony legs. The word silly seems to strike at the very core of the Tegan soul. Theyre the stuffiest people in the world.
I know. Gahenas, my Tegan wife, can put me to sleep almost immediatelyeven when were... The Emperor threw a quick look at Ehlana and left it hanging.