The Hope of Vitality, page 29
Rupert stared at the guards, busy preparing for another departure. “I wonder how much longer this will go on. They can’t keep holding us forever.”
Neither of the women responded. It was a topic they preferred not to dwell on.
He gazed at the Varasan agent. “What will you do if we never get to see the Grand Vizier?”
She shrugged. “One way or another I’ll find him. And when I do I’ll kill him.”
“Why do you hate him so much?” he asked.
She gazed off into the distance without speaking. When she finally replied, her mouth was tight. “I had an Ahran father and a Varasan mother. We were living on the island of Ahr-shesan. There was a revolt there, and he came to put it down. My parents were good people. They’d done nothing wrong, and he well knew it. He had them executed anyway, along with five hundred others. He wanted to make a statement.” After a pause, she added tersely, “I don’t like to talk about it.”
Her voice trailed off, and she continued staring at nothing.
Reaching out, Tasha placed a tentative hand on her shoulder. She couldn’t find words. Maybe it was another subject better left alone.
Soon they were bustled into a boat and rowed to a ship. The guards didn’t let up on them until they were locked in the hold without food or water or light.
The day was rapidly turning into one of those times when Tasha wondered if she could bear it for another minute. Closing her eyes, she released a shuddering sigh.
In response Rupert groped his way over and threw an arm around her shoulder, drawing her close. She gazed up at him in the darkness, appreciating afresh his warmth, his solidity, and his determination to win through in spite of everything. She had lived through the worst of times with him at her side. Always he had treated her with respect and consideration.
“We’ll make it through this, and we’ll do it together,” he said determinedly.
“Together,” she echoed, returning a tender smile she knew he couldn’t see.
Kahrlin found himself summoned to Rheibas’s cabin.
His master looked up from his desk when Kahrlin arrived. “Send a message to our contact among the priests. Tell him that the moment has arrived.”
The agent bowed an acknowledgment.
Rheibas got to his feet and stretched himself to his full height. “The time has come to meet with Krasmir and his ragtag band. Are you prepared?”
“I am, Your Eminence.”
“Are there any hindrances?”
“None that I am aware of.”
“Then summon them to the meeting! ”
The chief minister’s lip peeled back to reveal his teeth. “It’s time the Rogandans did some dancing, and to our tune.”
Will sat in his usual seat conferring with King Krasmir, Lady Tulinay, and Lord Kulferan. The group had developed into an informal council of war, meeting early each morning before the main business of the day began.
The irony of his current role was not lost on Will, given his reputation as the architect of the Rogandan defeat in Agon’s war. He guessed that his inclusion gave tangible expression to the alliance King Steffan had promised in the event of an attack. He also hoped that the king appreciated his strategic insights. Above all, he felt humbled by the trust the king placed in him.
What Krasmir’s other nobles thought of his involvement was another matter entirely. He didn’t know and had no desire to find out. That said, it wasn’t hard to guess. The locals referred to Will as the Lash of the Devil—King Krasmir himself had told him as much.
His musing was interrupted by a servant who hurried in with a dispatch for the spy chief. She quickly scanned it.
“It’s finally come. The Grand Vizier proposes that we follow through on the summit discussed with his senior agent Kahrlin. He points to the risks associated with any continuation of the ‘current misunderstandings.’ He urges us to meet with him as a matter of great urgency.”
“Where does the snake propose to meet?” growled the king.
“On board his ship,” she replied.
Lord Kulferan gave a mocking laugh. “We cannot possibly agree to that! It would pose an unacceptable risk. The man’s history of treachery is far too well established.”
The king was scowling. “We’d be doing his emperor a favor if we engaged in some treachery of our own and rid the world of him entirely.”
Will nodded gravely. “Satisfying as that would be, Your Majesty, it might better serve the cause of international harmony if we let the emperor dispose of him—after we get the captives back. In the meantime, our own plans are in motion. They need time to come to full fruition.”
The king sputtered, but he accepted the change in tone.
The others shot Will a grateful look.
Will had every sympathy for the king. He understood better than anyone the impact of a beloved child’s abduction. Whenever the king’s simmering anger threatened to bubble over, Will recognized the signs and worked deftly to steer the king in a more helpful direction.
There could be no doubt that King Krasmir understood perfectly well what Will was doing. Thus far at least he had tolerated it with good grace.
“We could provide a ship of our own,” Lord Kulferan suggested.
“Or we could suggest a suitable location ashore,” Lady Tulinay offered.
Will wasn’t convinced. “Allowing them to land on Rogandan soil might be sending the wrong message.”
The king grunted his agreement. “It took far too much effort to root out their previous footholds—I’m not letting them back in. Besides, I can’t imagine them agreeing. For all they know we could have an army waiting over the hill.”
“I believe a Varasan diplomatic vessel recently docked in Rog Harbor,” observed Will. “As far as we’re aware, the Ahrans still believe they abducted Queen Essanda rather than a Varasan impostor. From their perspective, that leaves Varas as the one kingdom in the region with no active grievance against them. In view of that, perhaps we could prevail upon the Varasans to offer their ship as a neutral location.”
“A suggestion worth considering. Lady Tulinay, please explore it with the Varasans on my behalf.”
As the meeting broke up, Will leaned toward the king. “I would like to propose that Brother Ander be present on board, Your Majesty.”
The king frowned back at him. “You want him to attend the conference?” he asked in disbelief.
“Not at all. My request is prompted by his unusual healing gift. I see it as a precautionary measure to have him available.”
“It’s hard to believe that it might be necessary. But I will concede that the Grand Vizier is unpredictable. I suppose it is acceptable, provided he stays out of the way.”
Will contented himself with a grateful nod.
The king was eyeing him shrewdly. “If I know you at all, Lord Torbury, your next request will be for Thomas Stablehand to be allowed to keep Brother Ander company.”
“An excellent suggestion, Your Majesty! I’m glad you thought of it.”
The king rolled his eyes, but he didn’t seem to have strong objections to the notion.
So much about the Grand Vizier was unknown, and the pressing need for insight into his plans and motives made it crucial that Thomas was present with the Stone of Knowing. Not for the first time, Will had traded on the king’s respect for Brother Ander to achieve the result they needed.
The imperial admiral sought out the emperor. “We have reached Rogandan waters, Your Majesty. I am keeping our ships well away from land, as you instructed.”
The emperor nodded gravely. “Search out the chief minister, and General Vholahr. I want their reports as a matter of urgency. Make the request in your name, not in mine.”
“At once, Your Majesty.”
The admiral withdrew with a bow and began rapidly issuing orders. Four ships soon separated from the fleet and set off in search of the other Ahrans.
Two full days passed before the admiral again appeared before the emperor. “I have received two dispatches, Your Majesty.”
Taking the dispatches, the emperor opened and carefully scanned the first of them. He turned to the admiral. “General Vholahr acknowledges your arrival. There has been no further change in his situation. He will hold his squadron at its current location until he receives new orders.”
The second dispatch appeared to be more consequential. “The chief minister is about to join a summit meeting with the Rogandans, and he urgently requests your presence,” the emperor told the admiral. “I will join him at the indicated location. Bring three additional ships for close support. The rest can follow at a distance.”
After hastily signaling the rest of the fleet, the admiral set a course for the location of the meeting.
Bisri Ahuzza was resting below decks when he received an invitation to join Commodore Pultek at the helm. Shallam was included in the invitation.
“My lookout has spotted a number of ships ahead. All of them have three masts. It is possible we have reached the emperor’s fleet.”
Barely able to contain his excitement, Ahuzza asked, “Can we contact them?”
“Of course,” Pultek replied. “They might regard us as hostile when they find out who we are, though.”
“I will speak to them,” Ahuzza assured him.
The ships ahead were traveling slowly, and before long Pultek was able to reach them. A boat was lowered, and Ahuzza was rowed to the nearest ship. A net was lowered for him, and he climbed aboard.
Several soldiers surrounded him as soon as he stepped onto the deck.
“I am Bisri Ahuzza, envoy to the emperor,” Ahuzza told them confidently. “I need to speak with your captain.”
The soldiers appeared suspicious, but they nevertheless led him to the captain who was standing at the helm. Ahuzza thought he vaguely recognized the captain, but he couldn’t be certain.
“I need to speak with you privately—on a matter of considerable urgency, Captain,” the bisri told him.
After considering him for a moment, the captain nodded. “I know who you are, Bisri. Follow me.” Setting off toward his cabin, he waved Ahuzza to his side.
As soon as they were alone, Ahuzza said, “I need to reach the emperor on a pressing matter. His Highness the Crown Prince informed me that the emperor had joined the fleet in sailing to Rogand. Can you please direct me to His Majesty urgently?”
It proved significant that the captain knew Ahuzza to be genuine. He said without hesitation, “Several ships have gone on ahead. The emperor is with the admiral on the flagship.” He then described the location.
“Thank you, Captain! Please excuse me. I must do everything in my power to reach the emperor before his meeting.”
None of the soldiers hindered Ahuzza as he climbed down to the boat. After being returned to the ship, he climbed aboard and gave the location to Commodore Pultek.
Soon the ship was plowing through the waves under full sail, racing for the emperor’s destination.
Thus far everything had gone as well as it possibly could. The most important question remained. Would they reach the emperor in time?
33
The ship bearing the Grand Vizier of the Empire of Ahr and his senior agent sailed north before turning east. Avoiding the harbor at Rog, it sailed into a quiet bay nestled among the cliffs of a rugged coastline. Rheibas had agreed to the rendezvous location and also to the proposal that the Varasans host the conference. The conference vessel was sitting at anchor in the bay. No other ships were nearby, apart from a small Rogandan vessel anchored within signaling range.
After a boat was lowered, Rheibas and Kahrlin climbed down to it. By prior arrangement, once they were delivered to the conference vessel, the boat would return to their ship, and the ship would withdraw.
A rope net had been lowered for them, and Kahrlin climbed aboard the Varasan ship ahead of Rheibas. The four guards who followed offered no more than token security, but Kahrlin knew his master was not expecting to need protection.
They were offered a muted greeting once they reached the deck, then without further comment the Grand Vizier was ushered to a seat at a large table positioned in the middle of the main deck.
Kahrlin stared at the arrangement curiously. An ornate wooden table seemed out of place positioned in the middle of an open deck. He could only imagine the difficulty of maneuvering such a heavy item of furniture onto the ship. Nevertheless, with the vessel lying at anchor in the shelter of a quiet bay, the deck felt surprisingly steady, its gentle rocking barely noticeable.
The other delegates had already arrived. The man at the head of the table rose to his feet. “I am Lord Talmon. As the envoy of the Kingdom of Varas, I am your host today.” He nodded toward each of the other seated participants. “Seated around the table are King Krasmir of Rogand, Lord Torbury of Arvenon, Lord Giddel of Castel, and the Grand Vizier of the Empire of Ahr. I believe the Grand Vizier proposed this summit. I will therefore offer him the opportunity to speak first.”
As the Varasan’s words were translated into Rogandan, Kahrlin scanned the audience. Most of the people present on the deck were not known to him. He was not surprised to see Lady Tulinay and Lord Kulferan hovering near their king. More interesting was the presence of Thomas Stablehand and Brother Ander, both of them at pains to stay in the background.
Rheibas did not immediately respond to Lord Talmon’s invitation. He had been slowly surveying every person on the deck, by no means limiting himself to those seated at the table, and he clearly intended to complete his observations before saying anything. When he had finished, he glanced briefly at his senior agent, his eyebrows raised questioningly. Kahrlin responded with a tight nod.
Satisfied with the outcome, Rheibas directed his attention at last to the representatives of the local kingdoms. “I have informed you that the emperor has seen fit to increase the size of his force in this region. His action is in direct response to the unprovoked aggression directed at ships belonging to the imperial navy.”
He paused, studying the faces opposite him. He received nothing in return except a stony silence.
Kahrlin was not surprised. The Rogandans and their allies had nothing to do with the attack on the Ahran navy ships, and none of them were stupid. They would undoubtedly have guessed that the attack had been staged by the Grand Vizier in retaliation for the Rogandans capturing three of his ships.
Kahrlin could only marvel once more at the masterful simplicity of Rheibas’s counterstroke. If the chief minister’s enemies had not fully appreciated his shrewdness before, perhaps they were beginning to grasp it now.
“Very little time remains to us to reach an understanding,” Rheibas continued. “For my part, my sole desire is to see the honor of the empire upheld. Beyond that, I am willing to put the past behind me.”
“What is it you want?” asked King Krasmir bluntly, his voice a growl.
“Let us begin instead with what you want,” Rheibas replied boldly. “Am I right in supposing that the missing royals weigh most heavily on your minds?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “Unfortunate as their absconding might be, I believe it is within my power to arrange their safe return.”
King Krasmir’s eyes narrowed. “And what would you be expecting in exchange?”
It was a key question, and Kahrlin didn’t know the answer to it.
“My expectations are modest and reasonable. To begin with, the Princess Neira must be released from her current imprisonment. Once that is done, I wish to negotiate a trade agreement that places the empire on an equal footing with the kingdoms in this region. Beyond that, there are a few…minor matters I wish to explore with the Arvenian delegation.”
Every face around the table wore a frown once his words were translated. It was clear to Kahrlin that they were not willing to trust a word he said.
King Krasmir was the first to respond. “If you wish to be taken seriously, release the hostages.”
Rheibas sighed loudly. “I will try to be patient with your posturing. At best, any claim that I am holding hostages demonstrates a profound ignorance of me and of my intentions. At worst, it reveals an unjustified animosity that does not flatter you.”
Even as he was speaking, a lookout called out a warning. “Four ships approaching! All bearing three masts!”
The Rogandan king was on his feet in an instant. “So you propose to attack us during a peace conference?” he bellowed. “Or are you hoping to take us hostage as well?”
“Please!” Rheibas replied calmly. “You misunderstand entirely. I no more expected ships to arrive than you did. It is most likely the vanguard of the reinforcements I warned you about.”
The ships could now be seen from the deck, and Kahrlin soon saw that Rheibas was right. They were clearly of Ahran design. He worked hard at suppressing a smirk. The timing of their arrival could not have been more perfect.
Rheibas’s words were translated, but if the others heard it, they gave no indication. The Rogandans had clustered together, flanked by Lord Torbury and the Varasan and Castelan envoys. Prompted by King Krasmir, the captain of the Varasan vessel began issuing orders frantically, and signals were sent to the smaller ship stationed nearby. That ship in turn seemed to be relaying the signals to other ships not visible from the deck.
Within minutes, other sails began to appear from the direction of Rog. A standoff between the Ahran and Rogandan navies appeared imminent.
In the midst of the confusion, Thomas Stablehand approached Lord Torbury and whispered in his ear. Torbury responded by speaking quietly but forcefully to his huddled allies. They slowly seemed to calm down. Glancing around, Kahrlin saw that Thomas had made himself inconspicuous once more.
Rheibas watched it all with an inscrutable smile.
A boat was launched from one of the newly arrived Ahran vessels. All eyes were upon it, and Kahrlin saw at once that the conference would not proceed until it reached them.
