Rivalen walked up to the table but did not sit. He brought the shadows with him and the light in the room dimmed.
"You are gracious, Hulorn," Rivalen said. He lifted the wine and inhaled its bouquet but did not drink.
"I regret the informality of our reception," Tamlin said. "I hope you understand."
"Formality is a crutch for the foolish," Rivalen said, and held up his goblet. "To Selgaunt."
Vees handed Tamlin a goblet. He raised it and said, "To the Shadovar."
"And to a new friendship between us," Rivalen said.
"Indeed," Vees said with enthusiasm.
The three men sat. Vees started the discussion. "It is a pleasure to see you once more, Prince Rivalen. I trust the Talendar stone has met your expectations?"
Rivalen nodded. "It has." He eyed Tamlin. "My Lord Hulorn, I know it is customary for ambassadors to exchange gifts and pleasantries before discussing weighty matters, but I propose-since we are dispensing with formality-that we ignore such trivia and move directly to the point."
Tamlin nodded. He said, "Very well, then. You are a shade."
Vees choked on his wine. "Hulorn, that is-"
Rivalen held up a dusky hand to silence Vees. He wore several rings, all of them silver or platinum and of archaic design. One of them was an amethyst ring not unlike the one favored by Vees.
"That is so," Rivalen said. "In the interest of serving the good of all our citizens, a fortunate few among my people are selected to become shades."
Tamlin could not hide his surprise or keep in his words. "Fortunate? I have heard others describe the transformation as a curse."
Rivalen smiled and Tamlin noticed his fangs for the first time. He presumed they were an affectation but could not be certain. "Only those who do not understand it would so describe it. Where have you heard such a thing?"
Vees cleared his throat and shifted in his seat.
Tamlin hesitated. "I… read of it. I have studied what I could of shadow magic. A trifling amount, I assure you."
Rivalen regarded him with a half-smile. "Your reading habits are unusual, Hulorn. I am impressed."
Tamlin could not help himself. He preened. Rivalen continued. "The transformation into a shade is no curse, nor is it painful. It is a blessing. But it demands of its recipient a lifetime of service to the city."
Tamlin well understood the burden of service. "Intriguing."
Rivalen breathed in the wine. "I could arrange for you to learn more. Perhaps a tour of Shade Enclave at some later date?"
"I would like that," Tamlin said, and found that he liked Rivalen Tanthul, liked him a great deal. He seemed… certain of himself.
"We were about to discuss weighty matters," Vees offered.
Tamlin dared one more personal question. "You said the transformation demands a lifetime of service. How long is that lifetime? How old are you, Prince Rivalen?"
Vees looked agog. His mouth hung open.
Rivalen's eyes flared but he did not hesitate. "I am nearly two thousand years old."
Tamlin's mouth fell open then. "Two thousand," he said softly. He leaned back in his chair and sipped his wine. To live so long, to be immune to disease, to regenerate wounds. Tamlin well understood how Rivalen could call the transformation a blessing. Mister Cale was a fool.
"I can see you are interested in learning more, Hulorn, and I am pleased by your interest. Most of those we have encountered since our return are small minded about such things. They see darkness and assume evil. Let us plan further discussion of it later. Not as representatives of our governments, but as friends."
Tamlin smiled, quite pleased with the offer.
"I see I needn't have been here to broker anything," Vees said with a laugh. "You two already are boon companions."
Tamlin leaned forward in his chair and decided to be frank. "Prince Rivalen, you are aware of recent events in Sembia?"
Rivalen nodded. "Of course. A most unfortunate turn." He shook his head and looked thoughtful. "It is difficult to know in these days who works for good and who for ill."
"That it is," Vees said sadly. "That it is."
Tamlin could not keep the indignance from his tone. "I assure you that I am no traitor to my nation, Prince Rivalen, if that is what you mean, nor is any noble of Selgaunt. Or of Saerb, for that matter. Mirabeta Selkirk has lied and murdered her way into a civil war so that she can seize and hold power."
Rivalen looked across the table at Tamlin. Shadows swirled around him. Tamlin wanted to quail before the golden eyes but held steady.
"What you describe is consistent with some reports that we have received. The overmistress wishes to be queen, it would seem. I have lived a long time and seen her like before."
"The things some will do for power," Vees said, and shook his head.
Rivalen continued. "But even had I not heard those reports, still I would have believed you. Even our brief exchange here has shown me your measure. You are no traitor."
The words gave Tamlin great satisfaction. He hid his pleasure behind a drink of his wine. "Yes, well… I am but one man, and Selgaunt is but one city. We are in need of aid. Military aid."
"If I may be so bold, you are in need of much more than that," Rivalen said. "Your city is overcrowded, filthy, rife with disease and hunger. Your priests hold disease and starvation at bay but for how long? How will they cope with winter, or when the siege begins and their spells are needed for other things?"
Tamlin neither acknowledged nor denied Rivalen's words, though both of them knew the Shadovar spoke truth. Rivalen continued, "The situation in Selgaunt, indeed, in all of Sembia, is dire. I am authorized by my father, the Most High, to offer assistance."
"What form will the assistance you offer take?" Tamlin asked.
"We are a magical people, my lord," Rivalen said, and shadows swirled around him, as if to make his point. "Many powerful priests and wizards work for the betterment of our city. And while the military forces with which we could aid you are not numerous, they are nevertheless formidable, and highly mobile."
Tamlin had no doubt, but he feared the price to be paid.
"What do you ask in exchange?"
Rivalen leaned back in his chair and gestured casually with his hand, as if he were requesting trifles. "I ask that the ties between our people become much closer. I would need a formal treaty between our cities, an embassy in Selgaunt, and an informal position as advisor to the hulorn. We also would request a trade alliance-the specific terms of which would be negotiated, of course-and use of your port for importing and exporting goods. Should the conflict in Sembia turn in favor of Selgaunt-and with Netheril's assistance, I believe it will-we would expect you to advocate a similar arrangement with a few other key cities of the realm."
"Netheril?" Tamlin asked, puzzled. "You mean Shade Enclave."
Rivalen shrugged noncommittally and Tamlin let the issue die. In truth, nothing Rivalen had requested surprised Tamlin, nor did anything cause him concern. The Shadovar could have asked for much more and he would have given it. Tamlin was not in a position to haggle. He said, "We would expect a reciprocal arrangement with regard to the embassy. And the port access would be subject to an annual usage fee, of course."
"Of course," Rivalen said.
Tamlin shared a glance with Vees before saying to Rivalen, "Your offer is not unreasonable, but I would need a show of good faith to take to the Old Chauncel."
"I understand," said Rivalen. "I can arrange for significant amounts of food to be transported into the city. Shadovar troops can have it here in a matter of a few days. At the same time, their presence will bolster your defenses. Would that serve?"
Tamlin was not certain how much he liked the idea of Shadovar troops entering Selgaunt, but the city did need the food.