the king muttered. ‘I trust you to do what’s best. Only tell me what I must keep secret.’
‘Everything that I say about the council of war. You must reveal the details to no one — not even to Mother. Swear it on your crown.’
‘I do,’ Olmigon whispered. ‘I do swear.’ He did not mention that the queen had helped him to draft the writ, and that they had both talked with Princess Maudrayne about the possibility of war with Didion on the return journey from Zeth. He took a linen handkerchief from the sleeve of his nightgown and held it to his mouth. ‘Take care how you speak. Vra-Kilian may be windwatching us. He lip-reads poorly, I’m told, but no use taking chances.’
‘Well said.’ The prince leaned toward the king, his hand hiding the lower part of his face. ‘The northern peers, including Beorbrook and Vanguard and Ramscrest and the Virago of Marley, are pledged to support an invasion of Didion under my leadership.’
‘Invasion …’ The king’s eyes widened.
‘They’re mustering their forces now, some five hundred knights and fighting men, all well-mounted and lightly armored for speed. The underlings believe we’ll gather at Great Pass at the end of the Boreal Moon to repel incursions from Didion. In actuality, the army will gather at Castle Vanguard. I intend to attack Holt Mallburn in a lightning thrust over Breakneck Pass.’
‘Good God — but you can’t mean it! Breakneck Pass? The late autumn storms—’
‘I have a talented ally who guarantees not only clement weather but also an all-concealing fog that will let us take the enemy by surprise. Princess Ullanoth of Moss is Cathra’s secret collaborator in this war. She’s promised her arcane help in exchange for my support of her claim to the throne of Moss, First Vassal status in the Sovereignty, plus a sodding great pile of money.’
Olmigon gaped in blank astonishment. ‘A sorceress abetting your army? You’d trust a perfidious Mosslander?’
‘She has a bitter rivalry with her younger brother Beynor, who now stands to become Conjure-King as Linndal’s favorite. The lady has nothing to gain by dealing with us falsely. Many of the northern lords were aghast at the idea of an alliance with her, as you are. But after thinking the matter over, they saw the plan’s wisdom. You must not oppose me in this, sire.’ Conrig took hold of the king’s free hand and his grip tightened to the point of pain. ‘I won’t be dissuaded. Not by you, nor by any supposed words of Emperor Bazekoy, nor by God himself.’
Olmigon stiffened, seeing in his son’s eyes a thing that made his soul quake. ‘My son, I’ve told you that I trust you. But you must also trust me. I think I know what you intended to do when you came to me tonight, believing I’d oppose you. I won’t oppose you! But not because I’m afraid.’
The prince released the king’s hand and the two of them stared wordlessly at one another.
‘You should be afraid,’ Conrig finally said. ‘But you need not be. Not now. Bazekoy has performed some sort of miracle after all.’
The old man gave vent to a sudden bark of laughter, dropping the handkerchief from his mouth and starting up from the pillows with a surge of febrile energy. ‘Then do it, Con! Crush that viper Achardus Mallburn, undoing my stupidity and my shame!’
‘I will … Father.’
Tension flowed palpably from Olmigon’s body, leaving him relaxed. ‘I bless your enterprise, my son. Only let me know how I can help you. God knows how Bazekoy’s oracle will be fulfilled, but if a way presents itself, I swear I’ll take it before breathing my last, no matter what the cost.’
‘There is something you can do now, if you’re able.’ Once again Conrig covered his mouth with his hand. ‘While I was at Castle Vanguard, I learned that Honigalus and Somarus of Didion had sailed to the Continent along with Prince Beynor of Moss, seeking a strategic alliance with the southern nations. During the past weeks, as I awaited your return, I obtained additional information: the two Didionite princes suspect we intend to invade their homeland, but they don’t know when, or the route we plan to take. They have apparently persuaded Stippen and Foraile to strike at Cala from the sea, should I attack their country by land. Andradh has thus far declined to join the alliance, but it may do so in the future.’
‘My premonition! I knew something dire was in the wind! Is your intelligence reliable?’
‘Princess Ullanoth bespoke Stergos three days ago, informing him what she had discovered through her arcane arts. We must recall all of our fighting ships from the blockade immediately and mass them in defense of the capital. I tried to convince Lord Admiral Dundry to abandon the blockade as soon as I learned of the danger, but the fool refused to listen to me. Of course, I could not tell him that my knowledge came from Ullanoth.’
‘Give me writing materials! The palace alchymists must bespeak every ship’s windvoice tonight. We’ll issue a joint order. That’ll bolster your authority, too, if we’re seen to act in concert.’
Conrig went to a nearby table for a writing tray, pen, ink, vellum, and the Royal Seal. Everything was at hand, since the ailing king had for months been accustomed to deal with everyday matters of state from within his private chambers.
‘Tomorrow,’ the prince said, after the new writ had been signed and sealed by both of them, ‘you must confer with naval officers that you trust and decide how the defensive armada might best be arrayed. Unlike yourself, I have little experience in sea warfare.’
‘Ah, the sea! You can’t know me as I was in those early days of my realm, Con.’ A crooked grin of recollection. ‘The Battle of the Stormy Isles … my first triumph, so long ago! The Wave-Harriers of Andradh thought they’d take advantage of a callow boy-king, newly crowned, playing at wargames with a small portion of his fleet in the Western Ocean. They would have seized me and held me for a devastating ransom — but I licked the poxy lobscousers and sent them off with burnt rigging and splintered bulwarks! Andradh was a laughing stock for ten years thereafter.’ He began to chuckle feebly, but the action renewed his pain, and he broke off with a moan.
‘You must sleep soon, Father. But something else needs saying. In my opinion, Lord Admiral Dundry is incompetent to command our navy. His blockade tactics have failed miserably and he’s too old and arrogant to accept advice from wiser heads. You must replace him with Elo Copperstrand or Count Woodvale’s son, Zednor.’
‘Dundry has powerful friends among the merchants, and commands the loyalty of many captains. But I’ll find a way to do as you wish.’ He considered for a moment. ‘I think we must also hire a squadron of mercenary frigates from Tarn. They can get here from Goodfortune Bay in a week or less if the winds are favorable. We have too few speedy warships, and such might be crucial if the Continentals attack. The hirelings can bring us additional stocks of tarnblaze as well. I’ll ask the Tarnian shaman, Red Ansel, to windspeak his countrymen. He’ll convince them to come.’
Excellent!’ Conrig said heartily. ‘I would never have thought of that.’ His expression darkened. ‘There is one more urgent request I must make — concerning the Royal Alchymist.’ He told the king of his suspicions, and what he felt was now necessary. ‘It will require another writ, of course.’
‘I’ll do it,’ the king grumbled, scribbling away, ‘and trust your judgment on the matter. But it’ll put the cat among the pigeons, be sure of it.’
‘I’ll take care of the cat. Don’t be concerned.’ Conrig helped his father with the wax seal, then removed the writing tray and tucked the folded pieces of vellum into his belt-wallet.
Olmigon gave him a tremulous smile. ‘We’ll talk more of these matters tomorrow. But send your mother in now. No others, only she. I must tell her of our reconciliation. It will gladden her heart. And you yourself must give the tidings to Maudrayne. Without the good offices of the Tarnian healer that the dear girl summoned, I think we would not have had this conversation tonight. Certainly, I would never have thought to go to Emperor Bazekoy in time, had Red Ansel not told me that my life was surely drawing to an end.’