He made a face. “Sir Neil. It gripes my tongue to say that. But I shall.” He looked levelly at Neil. “Do we still have cause to fight, sir?”
“No, Sir James, we do not. And I’m glad. My duty is to the queen now, and it would be frivolous to engage in combat that would lessen the royal guard by one—however the contest went—especially when nothing more important than my own honor is at stake. You’ve been truthful in stating your objections, and I find no fault in you.”
Sir James gave a small, stiff bow. “Very well,” he said. “Another time, then.”
As he left, Vargus winked at Neil. “You’ll be fast friends in no time,” he said. “And now, if you would care, I’ll show you where our armory and provisions are. Whilst you’re a guard of one, you shall need to share ours, I think.”
“That is very kind of you, Sir Vargus. Very kind indeed.”
“Well, that was awfully touching, brother,” Robert said, once they had removed themselves to William’s outer chambers.
“I think it will work well.”
Robert shrugged. “Some will be incensed, I’m sure. But you keep Fail’s good will—the old fart—and anyway, the boy is very popular with the common folk. Never hurts to let ’em know one of their own can occasionally make good, does it? Any more than it hurts to remind the nobles who their king is.”
“Not at all,” William agreed. He waved the whole matter away with the back of his hand. “This situation with Hansa, though,” he said. “Do you think the praifec will take our side?”
“Why should he?” Robert said, holding his nails up for his own inspection. “You’ve spent the last five years making it infinitely clear that you want no interference by him and his church in domestic affairs. Now you want him to commit himself to your cause? No, he will wait, and make you sweat. Withhold his endorsement until you really need it. Then he’ll ask you for something. Perhaps he’ll ask you to name a male heir.”
“You’d like that, wouldn’t you? Because I would have to name you.”
“Nonsense. That would suit the praifec no better than having you remain on the throne. But your son could rule, with the proper guidance—if you know what I mean.”
“Ah. Holy guidance, you’re suggesting.”
“Indeed.”
“How do you know Hespero will ask for this?”
“I don’t. It’s just a guess. But I believe Hespero always imagined that one day he would rule this empire in all but name. You’ve spoiled his plans by naming your daughters as heirs. Fastia is too strong willed, and would besides have her husband to come between. Elseny, while a little less forceful, will soon be enspoused, as well. Anne—well, who can tell Anne what to do?”
William furrowed his brow. “Enough of Hespero and what he wants. Have you learned anything of the attempt on my wife? My spies tell me nothing.”
“There is talk of shinecraft and encrotacnia,” Robert replied. “Sir Argom served us loyally for ten years. I can trace no allegiance to our enemies, nor can I imagine anything for which he might have been blackmailed or bribed.” He shrugged. “Then again, blackmail works only because a certain thing is secret. No, I cannot tell you any more than you already know, brother.”
“Well.” William ticked his fingers against the wall. “It tasks me. Why Muriele? If a Craftsman can be turned, then he could as easily have killed me. Or you. Or one of the children.”
“A grieving king can be of more use than a dead one. Or perhaps it was Liery they were striking at, not you.”
“Who was striking at?”
Robert laughed. “Brother! We cannot be that different. We don’t know how Sir Argom was turned from protector to assassin, nor precisely why, but we assuredly know who accomplished it.”
“Hansa?”
“They mean to take your throne, that much must be clear, even to you. They’ll nibble at first, but soon their appetite will lead to larger bites. Small wars on our frontiers, assassinations and sabotage here in the capital. It’s the way Marcomir thinks.”
“How are you so certain?”
“Because I understand him. Marcomir is a practical man, undeterred by notions of honor or scruple. He is an able ruler, and a most dangerous enemy.”
“He is, in other words, like you.”
“Precisely, brother.”
“Then what would you have me do?”
“Have Marcomir killed,” Robert said promptly. “As soon as possible. His heir, Berimund, may not prove as able.”
“Have Marcomir killed,” William repeated incredulously.
Robert rolled his eyes. “For the teats of Saint Anne, brother! He tried to have your wife murdered. At your daughter’s birth day party.”
“I do not know that,” William said.
“Of course you do. And even if I’m wrong, how can a dead Marcomir be bad for Crotheny?”
“If an assassin should be traced to me, that will bring war for certain.”
“Yes. It will bring war with Berimund, a war we can win. Brother, in this room, let’s you and I be honest. Hansa is too strong. If they are willing to pay a high enough cost, they will take Tier Eslen, your crown, and our heads. Marcormir is willing to pay that cost, and has the strength of will to force it upon his nobles. Berimund does not have that potence.”
“If we have the support of the church—”
“If. Maybe. How long has it been since holy troops have been used in war between two kingdoms of the church? They are not heretics in Hansa, at least not to appearances. Brother, nip this candle at the quick. Have Marcomir killed.”
“No.”
“William—”
“No. That is an end of it. Not because I am prudish, as I’m sure you suspect, but because I am prudent. Marcomir is well protected, and not just by swords. Who could we send who would certainly succeed?”
“Lady Erren.”
“She serves my wife, and would never be parted from her.”
“Another coven-trained, then.”
“Again, the risk. The coven-trained report to the church.”
“I could find you one who would not.”
“Stop this, Robert. If you wish to help, think of ways to win Hespero, instead of ways to anger the church toward us.”
Robert sighed. “As you say. But at least do this—send Muriele and your children to Cal Azroth.”
“Cal Azroth? Why?”
“They’ll be easier to protect there. It’s our most perfect fastness, without a city full of murderers and witches on its doorstep. No one can come or go there without being seen. Our sister Elyoner controls the countryside, and of all of us she is the one who has no political aspirations whatsoever.
“There is much moving here, William, much that even I cannot discern. Someone has chosen to strike at you through your family. You will make better decisions if they are safe.”
William nodded reluctantly. “I will consider it.”
“Good.”
“Robert?”
“Yes, brother dear?”
“Don’t be upset with Lesbeth because she did not come to you first for permission.”
“She did not ask me at all,” Robert said, in a strange, small voice.
“She feared you would not approve it.”
“Of course. Why should I give my twin sister in marriage to that Safnian oaf ? After the slight he paid me?”
“You see?”
Robert exhaled. “No. If she had asked, I would have protested, cajoled, extorted, but had she held firm, I would have assented.” He looked up at William, and like his voice, his eyes had gone strange. “None of you think the least good resides in me,” he murmured. “None of you can think even one generous thought on my behalf. I thought she of all people—” He broke off, his face pale. “Are we done, brother?”
“Yes. Except to say that I am pleased with your performance as my sinescalh. Lord Hynde has gone too long without a successor. I should like to appoint you prime minister.”