‘If you’re hoping to dominate this audience with your own concerns,’ Bastorran rumbled angrily, ‘you can -’
‘No, no, no, it’s not that.’ He waved a hand in an appeasing gesture. ‘I just want to be sure certain matters that affect us all are given priority.’
‘I sometimes wonder why you bother with the pretence of protocol. Gath Tampoor’s going to do whatever it wants anyway, isn’t it? Given this island’s no more than another of the empire’s puppet states.’
‘
Protectorates
,’ Talgorian insisted. ‘Unfortunately, in some matters that require Bhealfan co-operation it behoves us to feign legality. Unilateral action could stir up even more agitation among the populace. Something we can do without at a time when our forces are stretched countering Rintarah’s ambitions. You know that.’
The paladin nodded. ‘Too well. Laws, treaties, etiquette, they’re all as bad as politics. They clog everything up. Sweep the lot away, I say.’
The Envoy kept his impatience in check. ‘What we have is what we have. Until such time as other, more direct arrangements can be made.’
‘Anyway,’ Bastorran sniffed, ‘what is it that’s so important?’
‘This warlord we’ve been hearing about. Zerreiss. By all accounts he’s expanding his sphere of influence at an alarming rate.’
‘Is
that
all? You’re worried about one barbarian chieftain? I thought it must be something important!’
‘It might not do to be so dismissive of a possible threat to our borders.’
‘Afraid another empire’s rising, are you?’ He laughed derisively. ‘Concerned you could have a rival?’
Talgorian gave him a stony look.
‘One tin-pot leader overthrows a few others,’ Bastorran went on. ‘It happens all the time. He’ll fall back into obscurity soon enough. They always do. It’s ridiculous to think savages could offer a threat to the might of either empire.’
‘Of course it is. But what about some of our more far-flung protectorates? There are northern dependencies that produce valuable resources for us. Seeing the supply of those resources cut off, or worse, having the prize fall into the hands of a warlord, would be another burden for us at a time of unrest.’
‘The northern wastes are a long way away. You have one of the two largest navies in the world. Distance and force of arms should be enough defence for you. Anyway, I still think you’re exaggerating the risk.’
‘With respect, High Chief -’ again, none was meant ‘- I would suggest that the Gath Tampoorian Diplomatic Corps has more of an eye on external affairs than the paladins generally do. And our assessment is that we need to keep a close watch on the Zerreiss situation.’
Bastorran sighed resignedly. ‘So what are you proposing?’
‘That an expedition be sent to investigate what’s going on in the north. We know precious little about this warlord or what his intentions might be.’
‘And this expedition’s orders?’
‘Would be to make contact with Zerreiss, if that’s feasible, or to spy out the situation if it’s not. But this is sensitive. Sending an imperial flotilla could be seen as inflammatory. We thought a Bhealfan force might be less controversial.’
‘A fine distinction, the difference between a Gath Tampoorian expedition and one flying the flag of its…
protectorate
. Your barbarian warlord might not appreciate the subtlety.’
‘It’s not meant for him. It’s for Rintarah. We don’t want to signal our concerns too obviously and draw their attention.’
‘They’d see through it faster than Zerreiss, surely?’
‘We might just get away with the pretence that it’s nothing more than a Bhealfan trading mission.’
‘But in reality you’d have some of your people on board?’
‘Of course.’
Bastorran pondered. At length, he said, ‘I’ve no objections to this in principle. But if I back you with the Prince I want to be able to call on your support in turn.’
‘Naturally. Do you have a cause in mind?’
‘Not yet. Let’s just say you owe me, shall we?’
Talgorian nodded.
‘I expect to be kept informed of progress,’ Bastorran continued, ‘and I’d want a few paladins among the crew.’
‘That can be arranged. So, we’re in accord?’
‘On this matter, yes. Have you broached the subject with Melyobar?’
‘The expedition, no. Zerreiss, several times.’
‘And?’
‘There’s only one subject on his mind. As usual. That’s why we need to work together.’ He glanced up at the eavesdropper and felt a twinge of apprehension, though he knew he was protected by the best counter-magic money could buy. Instinctively, he moved closer to the paladin and dropped his voice a little. ‘I assume there’s been no news concerning…a certain Qalochian?’
‘Ah.’ Bastorran grew sober. ‘None. Beyond unconfirmed sightings and the occasional suspicious deaths of clansmen. You appreciate the unique circumstances surrounding the man.’
‘Yes. But… I’ll be frank. I’m getting a certain amount of pressure from above on this issue.’ He momentarily lifted his eyes heavenward.
‘The Empress?’ Bastorran was slightly awed despite himself.
‘Her circle.’ They both knew it amounted to the same thing. ‘They’ve been conveying a measure of restlessness, shall we say, at the lack of progress.’
‘Do I have to remind you that we have our own reasons for wanting him dealt with? You can’t say we lack motivation. Bhealfa might be just an island but it’s a damn big one when searching for a single man. And that’s assuming he’s here. We have reason to think he is, but he could be anywhere in either empire or their dependencies.’
‘I appreciate the difficulties.’
‘Which are made no easier by the extraordinary restrictions placed on us as far as this matter’s concerned.’
‘Our hands are tied. But we have to get the thing cleared up. You know the danger, and the consequences of failure.’
Bastorran was about to respond when there was a knock at the door.
A servant entered. He escorted in another paladin, less than half the High Chief’s age and as trimly attired. The family resemblance was unmistakable. But where Bastorran, for all his rigidity and bluntness, was susceptible to at least a degree of reason, Talgorian knew this young man to be bull-headed. As he knew him to be arrogant, and by reputation, brutish.
‘I believe you’ve met Devlor, my nephew,’ Bastorran said. It was obvious the older man delighted in the younger. He exuded something like fatherly pride.
‘Of course,’ Talgorian replied, giving a laconic head bow. ‘I trust the day finds you well, Commander.’
‘Tolerably.’ Devlor Bastorran barely regarded him, while managing to convey indifference and haughtiness in a single word.
The older man beamed indulgently and gave his nephew’s shoulder a mock punch. ‘The finest swordsman in the two empires,’ he boasted. ‘I know, I trained him myself.’
Talgorian had heard the brag before, and others concerning the younger Bastorran. He greeted it with a judicious, hollow smile.
‘Leave the insubordinates to the likes of Devlor here,’ the elder paladin added, ‘and you’d see an end to their whining soon enough.’
His nephew flashed a cruel, white-toothed smile of agreement.
‘No doubt,’ the Envoy remarked.
Ivak Bastorran had no male issue. Rumour held that Devlor was being groomed to take over leadership of the clans when his uncle expired, hence his high rank at such a tender age. If the rumours proved true, Talgorian saw trouble ahead.
His train of thought was curtailed by the functionary’s return. Announcing that the Prince was ready to see them, he led Bastorran and Talgorian to the audience chamber. Devlor stayed behind, to the ambassador’s relief.
The Prince’s suite was disordered. Papers, books, blueprints and bric-a-brac covered every surface, and much of the lushly carpeted floor. The scent from copious bouquets of flowers and pot pourri didn’t quite mask the smell of sweat and fear. Near the back of the room was a large object covered by a blue velvet drape.
They were announced and the flunky withdrew. The Envoy and the paladin glanced at each other, then began picking their way through the clutter.