As the entire scene moved back and forth before his eyes, Failee spoke. “Commander,” she said carefully, “now that you have been introduced to the people of importance, we shall explain your task to you in detail.” She stopped, as though trying to make a decision. “Due to the importance of the hour, I grant you the right to speak fully, and at any time.” She slowly turned, looking for a reaction from her Sisters. But Kluge knew Failee well enough to know that it wouldn’t matter—her mind was made up.
“The scene you are now watching illustrates the final preparations for the abdication ceremony of Nicholas the First. This great hall also serves as the throne room. Curious situation, isn’t it? In Eutracia, abdication is a celebration, not a crisis of the regime.” She looked at Kluge. “When you are finished, not only will there be a genuine crisis of the regime, but we shall have turned the abdication ceremony into an abduction ceremony.” Zabarra and Vona smiled, delighted with their mistress’ play on words.
“The abdication ceremony always takes place upon the thirtieth birthday of the male heir to the throne. It is concluded with a great banquet and ball. The tradition has been the same since the time of our exile. Nicholas’ father, however, was not king before him. The king who preceded Nicholas had no sons, his wife the queen being barren. Therefore, as tradition demands, a commoner of endowed blood was selected to become king. In this case, the Directorate chose Nicholas. Although of very highly endowed blood, as is his wife, they are still, to us, just filthy peasants.” She paused, letting her words sink in.
“As I was saying, the abdication ceremony occurs upon the prince’s thirtieth birthday, simultaneously removing the king from power and installing his son as the new sovereign, whereupon the retiring king may choose to join the Directorate and begin training as a wizard. At that time he would also become protected by time enchantments. Nicholas is the first king of endowed blood ever in the history of Eutracia to decide to do so. He has also preordained Tristan’s fate by declaring that Tristan, upon the thirtieth birthday of his son, shall also join the Directorate under the same circumstances. We are aware of the unique reasons for this, but it is of no concern to you. Present at the abdication ceremony shall be the entire royal family, the Directorate of Wizards, the entire Eutracian Royal Guard both inside and outside of the palace for protection, and various important citizens, including each of the dukes of the various provinces and their wives.” She sneered contemptuously. “They also enjoy the disgusting habit of inviting, by lottery, two thousand common citizens of the population to join in the celebration. How egalitarian of them.” She paused. “Take your enjoyment upon the citizens any way you choose. Just be sure the wizards are all disposed of first, then the royal family. Except Shailiha, of course.
“We leave the logistics of the attack to you,” she continued. “It should be simple, actually. Not only will you have overwhelming numbers but the element of complete surprise, as well. We leave it to you to find the most efficient way into the palace. With the exception of Shailiha, kill everyone of the royal house. Leave no stragglers.”
Kluge smiled to himself. From the first viewing of the throne room his military mind had already grasped the best way in. As far as he was concerned, taking prisoners of war, military or civilian, had never been an option.
“I already know how to enter, Mistress,” he replied. “It will be extremely effective.”
“Good,” Failee said. She looked at Vona. “Have you brought the documents?”
Vona stood and handed Kluge a leather satchel with the Pentangle embroidered on the top. She smiled knowingly. “Inside you will find complete plans of the palace, and maps of the Eutracian countryside. We trust that they are completely accurate.”
Kluge could only imagine two sources for such information. First, the Sisters’ collective memories, the strength of which he trusted absolutely. And second, their confederate at the Eutracian court.
Vona returned to her throne. Failee unexpectedly stood, stretched her muscles, and went to stand before the Eutracian scene, folding her arms over her breasts. Kluge realized that once the mental link to her confederate at court had been accomplished, Failee was able to move about the room at will, the blue light from above following her, something that frankly surprised him. And why not? Today had been full of nothing if not surprises. He was once again able to catch occasional glimpses of the royal family moving through the crowd, inspecting the arrangements for the upcoming ceremony. A flash of the princess’ red gown reminded him of his orders.
“I assume, Mistress, that since part of my quest is for a woman, that the woman in question is the princess…” He let the statement hang in the air.
Failee looked at him. “Yes, Commander, you are correct. The orders regarding her are explicit. The princess is to be abducted and brought to Parthalon. But hear me well. Of the utmost importance is the order that not a drop of her blood is to be spilled, nor is she is to be harmed in any way. Also, make sure that your warriors have had their fill of Eutracian women in any manner they desire. I insist their needs be satisfied before Shailiha boards the officers’ warship to return to Parthalon. They are to have nothing to do with her.”
Curious, Kluge continued with his questions. “Obviously, Mistress, you know of her pregnancy. Is there any particular significance in this of which I should be informed?”
“A delightful surprise to us all,” Failee said, her head turning as she tried to keep her eyes on Shailiha. “The princess’ pregnancy only makes her presence even more rewarding. In a few moons’ time she is to have a daughter. That baby girl is special, and is also to become ours.”
She plucked a grape from a bowl of fruit that had suddenly appeared on the table out of nowhere. Tilting her head, she began to skin the grape with a long, painted fingernail. Behind her, the scene on the wall began to shift. They were once more looking at the dais. As the viewer in the hall walked closer to the thrones, Kluge saw the rectangular marble altar that sat before them. The white marble was intricately carved, and the top was covered with a violet runner, made of velvet, reaching to the floor at either end. In the center of the runner sat a golden chalice.
“And now to the second prize which we seek,” Failee said simply. “I distinctly remember you admiring the gemstone that hung around the neck of King Nicholas. Did you notice its unusual effect on the light? How it seemed to shimmer as if it has a life of its own. Well, in fact, Commander, it does. It has been known for centuries as the Paragon of Eutracia, and if you fail to do your job correctly, it will kill you and everyone else in the great hall in the twinkle of an eye. You are to recover the stone. You are also to recover and return the chalice that you see before you, taking care not to spill so much as one drop of its water any more than you would spill a drop of the blood of Shailiha. Shailiha, the Paragon, the chalice, and the water in it are all of equal importance. If you cannot return here with each of them intact, do not come home at all. Trust me when I say that it would be far more preferable to fall on your own dreggan in disgrace in an alien land than to return to us a failure in any way.” She walked back to Kluge and stood next to him. Turning to face his profile, she delicately plopped the peeled grape into her mouth. “Under no circumstances shall you or anyone under your command touch or drink any of the water from the chalice, no matter how appetizing it may seem. And appetizing it shall be.” Kluge turned his eyes to the crooked smile upon her face. “For one of unendowed blood to touch or drink the water of the Caves of the Paragon is a sure invitation to an agonizing death.”