The crowd parted to let someone through. Fanhow’s head twisted from side to side, searching for someplace to hide, but there was nowhere. He found himself gazing into Queen Areava’s hard brown eyes. She looked him over..
“Dressing down for the event, Magicker Prelate?” she asked innocently.
“Umm, the event, your Majesty?”
“Did not a message go to the magicker prelate?” Areava asked the tall, wizened man by her side. Edaytor recognized Harnan Beresard.
“Yes, your Majesty, but my courier could not locate him.”
“Your Majesty, forgive me, but I have been urgently seeking answers to the problem you set me—”
“Not that it matters,” Areava interrupted, looking at Edaytor but still talking to Harnan. “For the prelate has arrived anyway. Still, some hint of ceremony in his dress would have been appropriate.”
“Your Majesty,” Edaytor began again, his voice plaintive, “I was only returning to inform you of the result of the combined theurgias’ search for your brother!”
“And?” Areava asked.
Edaytor looked downcast. “In so short a time, your Majesty, all they could discover was some relation between Prince Lynan and the element of—”
“Water,” Areava finished for him.
Edaytor gaped. “How could your Majesty possibly have known—”
“He has escaped by sea,” Areava said. “Though his freedom will be short lived.” She eyed Dejanus, who stood behind her in the company of Orkid and Olio. “Or so I trust.”
Dejanus nodded vigorously. “Your navy will capture him soon, your Majesty. Have no doubt.”
“I have no doubt,” Areava replied. And then: “Yet.” She turned her attention back to Edaytor. “At least you returned on time, Prelate.”
Fanhow bowed as deeply as his stout build allowed. “At your service, your Majesty.”
“Indeed. And now that you are here, we can begin.”
“Begin?”
“The first meeting of my executive council. You are, of course, as magicker prelate, one of its members.”
Edaytor repeated his bow. “Your Majesty, I am honored.”
Areava regarded him coolly for a moment. “Good,” she said at last, and turned to the rest of her guests.
“We will begin as soon as you are all seated. The council room is ready.”
The guests made way for Areava and her immediate entourage, only Olio hanging back. Everyone else fell in behind her, some using swift footwork to advance their position in line but all careful not to crowd the queen. Edaytor, still recovering from shock, was content to go last. He was surprised to find Olio walking by his side.
“You did well, M-m—magicker P-p-prelate,” Olio confided in him.
“Too little and too late, I fear, your Highness,” Edaytor admitted unhappily.
“And yet you still came to report. That took courage.”
“I will always do my duty, your Highness,” he said with such seriousness it seemed almost comical to Olio.
Olio let Edaytor walk on ahead and regarded the man with new consideration. Yes, Prelate, more courage than I gave you credit for. Perhaps the theurgia, unknowingly, have done us all a favor by your promotion.
Areava sat at the head of the table, with Olio to her left hand and Chancellor Orkid to her right. Members of the Twenty Houses and government officials occupied the long side of the table on Orkid’s side, and those representatives of the various guilds, the city and the merchants sat opposite them, including Primate Northam. At the far end of the table sat Fleet Admiral Zoul Setchmar and Marshal Triam Lief, the heads of Her Majesty’s armed forces. Missing was the third member of the military trio, Constable Kumul Alarn, recently declared murderer, outlaw, and fugitive. Members of the Royal Guards stood to attention at every window and the two entrances; Dejanus stood directly behind Areava.
“By now you are all acquainted with the tragic events of the last twelve hours,” Areava began. “I have, as is my right through inheritance, assumed the throne. My first action as queen was to sign warrants for the capture of my brother, Prince Lynan, and his companions. My second action was to call together this executive council. I thank you all for attending on such short notice.”
Areava paused until the round of murmured “Thank you, your Majesty” and “I was honored, your Majesty” died down.
“We have a great deal to do. Word of King Berayma’s death will travel widely and quickly, not just throughout the kingdom but to our enemies as well. Some of them may wish to seek advantage from the succession, thinking that Kendra will be in some confusion. We must dissuade them.
“Four things must occur. First, I must be crowned as quickly as possible. Second, all official positions must be filled. I know that Berayma had plans to revise the bureaucracy after our mother’s long reign. I do not feel this is the appropriate time to do so.” There were some audible sighs of relief from the government side of the table. “Third, we must ensure the people know that the succession, though brought about by violence, was itself achieved smoothly and with the full support of the kingdom’s leading citizens. Fourth, Lynan must be brought to justice, and the horrible conspiracy he led exposed completely so that it can be crushed once and for all; to do otherwise will eventually lead to doubts about the authority of the throne and the security of the realm.” Areava paused long enough for her gaze to light on each of those present. “I will not allow this to happen.
“As far as the coronation goes, I propose the date planned for Berayma’s crowning. I have already made arrangements with Chancellor Orkid for this to occur.
“As to the second issue, I confirm Orkid as my chancellor and Harnan as my secretary. The rest of you are confirmed in your positions as well. The one change will be a replacement for the traitor Kumul, late Constable of the Royal Guard. His position will be filled by my mother’s Life Guard, Dejanus.”
Orkid threw a surprised glance at Areava, but she did not notice it, even if Dejanus did. The new constable allowed himself the faintest of smiles. No one present disagreed with his appointment, but not everyone looked pleased.
“Constable, you may take your place with the admiral and marshal.”
Dejanus left his position behind the queen and walked with military precision to the vacant seat at the end of the table.
“Regarding the third issue, I expect all of you here to communicate to your colleagues and the members of your associations what you have witnessed here today: a ruler committed to their well-being and that of the kingdom. I expect to continue in my mother’s footsteps. While I do not claim yet to possess her wisdom and experience, I do possess the same love for my people and the same desire to see them follow their own lives within a just and peaceful society. Furthermore, I will have the able support and advice of the same ministers and officers who assisted my mother in the last years of her reign.”
Areava paused to take a deep breath. “Concerning Prince Lynan. You have already heard that he escaped the city. The navy is in pursuit, and we are confident that his capture is imminent. However, should the outlaw escape a second time, it is no excuse to panic. I have already sent messages to our provinces to warn them of his outlawry, and instructing them to ignore his authority as owner of the Key of Union. My mother explicitly stated that ownership of the Key meant swearing fealty to the crown. Lynan has betrayed that pledge and so forfeits his Key to the crown. Many of the provincial rulers will be coming here for the coronation. I will talk with each of them before they return to their own lands. Nowhere in Grenda Lear will be safe for Lynan and his followers.”
“Your Majesty, do we know where Lynan is heading?” asked Elenta Satrur, the head of the Guild of Dyers, a small man with a voice as wooden as an empty wine cask.