The Copper Crown by Patricia Kennealy-Morrison

Author:Patricia Kennealy-Morrison [Kennealy-Morrison, Patricia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 0312940629
Publisher: Roc
Published: 1986-10-15T05:00:00+00:00

*

"So Aeron is expecting real ambassadors." Kynon swirled the ale in his cup and looked up at Arianeira, who stood, flushed from the outdoors, beside the fire in the Great Hall at Llys Don.

"She has just informed her Councils so this morning. That old bodach Straloch told me all about it. He was in a rage over it, and that was why he was so eager to talk to someone; and I have always been a favorite of his. He opposed Aeron most bitterly, and the upshot of it was that she dismissed him from the Council on the spot. How long before that embassy ship should arrive?" she threw over her shoulder.

Tindal shrugged. "Depending on when they leave--maybe a month, two months at most. I respectfully suggest Your Highness notify our Coranian colleague."

"I agree, lady," said Kynon, in response to the questioning look Arianeira gave him.

She took a deep breath. "Well then, tonight. Tindal, you will make the necessary preparations."

"One moment," said Tindal. "Once I have sent the message, how will you let down the Curtain Wall to fulfill your part of the bargain? You've been rather vague about the details, and you did tell us you couldn't manage to winkle the clearance codes out of your brother's office."

"There are more ways than one to shear this particular sheep," said Arianeira, unruffled. "And it is in my mind that Aeron, of all people, shall show me that way." She ignored the massive doubt registered on the faces of the two men. "You have the escape plan to hand. Once the message is sent, you will leave Caerdroia separately and head for Gwynedd. Go to Caer Ys, where you will be expected, and be prepared to take ship from there when I send word that the Curtain Wall has been breached. That should be in no more than a day and a night. By then I shall be aboard Jaun Akhera's flagship, and I will send you sailing instructions. You shall be kept well away from the fighting, I assure you," she added scornfully, for Tindal's face had filled with alarm. It was surely the sarcasm of the gods that she had to rely on such a one for such a matter--but the end was surely worth even so contemptible a means...

Kynon had divined something of her intent. "You will use magic, then," he said gruffly. "True it is that you are a renowned sorceress, and I am no magician of any skill, lady, but do you know what you do?"

Her blue eyes flashed displeasure. "I know very well what I do, son of Accolon, and better it will be for you if you do not question it."

When her two accomplices had withdrawn, leaving her alone in the high-ceilinged hall, she put her hands to her mouth to still her excited trembling and turned a passionate unseeing gaze on the room.

"Ah, Aeron," she breathed, "how easy you have made it for me to destroy you..." Of course, it would not be truly easy, what Arianeira had it in mind to do.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.