Weis, Margaret - The Dragon Corsairs 03 - Kingmaker by Weis Margaret

Author:Weis, Margaret [Weis, Margaret]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780765381118
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates
Published: 2019-08-06T07:00:00+00:00

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King Ullr received Smythe’s message and sent word that he was at liberty to meet with him at noon in his guest rooms.

“Do you have any idea what he wants?” Ullr asked his agent, Baron Grimm.

The baron shook his head. “I have been gone for a week on that other matter and have only just arrived in the palace. I have no idea.”

“Smythe wants to meet in private,” said Ullr. “You know what to do.”

Grimm left to conceal himself behind the door to the sitting room. Once Ullr was certain his agent was in place, he told his secretary he was at liberty. Smythe entered the room and Ullr rose to his feet to greet him, noting that he was flushed and he had suffered an ugly gash on his forehead. Ullr wondered idly what had happened, but was not interested enough to ask.

“Forgive me for making you wait, Chancellor,” Ullr said. “Affairs of state. You of all people will understand.”

“Spare me the flattery, sir,” said Smythe. “I know the truth. I have been made aware of your plans.”

“You must tell me to what plans you refer, sir,” Ullr said affably. “Will you be seated?”

“I prefer to stand, sir,” said Smythe, stiff and rigid as though on parade.

“As you will, Chancellor.”

Ullr remained standing. He cast a swift glance toward the sitting room. The door was closed, but the baron would have his ear pressed to it.

“I trust you will explain yourself.”

“I know Your Majesty has secret plans to invade Freya. Do not waste my time with denials. I have proof.”

Ullr regarded him with a faintly derisive smile. “That blow to your head has addled your brains, sir.”

Smythe flushed. He had to stop to swallow his outrage. A muscle in his jaw twitched. A vein in his neck throbbed.

“I am a military man, Your Majesty. A pragmatist. I know the strength of your forces. I know Freya must go down to defeat. We cannot withstand Guundar’s might.” Smythe drew himself up. “But we Freyans are not afraid of war. We will fight. You will win, but your victory will cost Guundar dearly.”

“You have an active imagination, sir. Have you spoken of these wild notions to anyone else? His Majesty, perhaps?”

“I have not and I will not,” said Smythe. “This concerns the two of us. We understand each other, as you are fond of telling me.”

Ullr made a deprecating gesture. “I fear you do not understand me, sir. I am a man of peace.”

“I came to talk peace, sir,” said Smythe, advancing a step. “I am now Chancellor of War. But if I ruled Freya, if I were Lord Protector, I could negotiate a peace treaty between our two great nations. Naturally, I would be willing to provide certain concessions, such as allowing Guundar to establish a base in the Aligoes near Wellinsport. Guundar would at last be able to share in the riches of the Aligoes.”

“Magnanimous terms, Chancellor,” said Ullr. “Unfortunately, you have a problem. You are not Lord Protector and so long as King Thomas lives you never will be.

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