“Not just a problem, then.” Saren frowned after Alaric explained the issue. “A problem with the dwarves, who are notoriously stubborn.”
Douglon’s brow creased.
“Don’t scowl,” Ayda whispered loudly to him. “It makes you look stubborn.”
Saren gave Ayda a weak smile. “I’ll talk to Menwoth.”
“It might take more than that,” Alaric said. “If Douglon isn’t arrested, Menwoth has threatened to tell Horgoth that you shelter those bent on his overthrow.”
“Menwoth did all this? He’s usually so reserved.”
“He has a special place in his heart for me, Your Highness,” Douglon said. “I am closer to the throne than he is, and he feels that he deserves my place. In truth, he does. Menwoth has been working to make himself useful to the crown his entire life. I avoid the throne room like quicksand for fear it’ll suck me in and force me to do something royal.”
Saren narrowed her eyes. “Are you the dwarf who lined Horgoth’s crown with lead before his coronation?”
Douglon laughed. “His head kept tipping to the side. He’d never worn the crown before, so he didn’t know anything was wrong.”
Saren allowed a small smile but shook her head. “This will definitely take more than a word from me to fix.”
“Douglon is innocent, Your Majesty,” Alaric said. “He can’t be arrested.”
Saren turned to the captain who still stood by the door. “Why hasn’t he been arrested?”
“With Keeper Alaric and Ambassador Menwoth disagreeing, my lieutenant thought it best that you make the decision regarding his arrest.”
The queen scowled at Douglon. “Menwoth will feel insulted. It might have made things easier if you’d just let him arrest you.”
“I’m not keen on entering a dungeon, Your Majesty,” Douglon said. “More people go into them than come out.”
Saren shook her head. “The whole reason Menwoth is here is so we can reach some trade agreements with King Horgoth. It won’t help anything if I harbor a dwarf they think is a traitor. Douglon is Horgoth’s subject. I’m not willing to strain relations with Duncave over this. “
Douglon let out a low growl, and Alaric laid a hand on his shoulder.
Alaric said, “I assure you, Your Majesty, Douglon is not a traitor. A misunderstanding between him and his cousin Patlon was… misconstrued by King Horgoth. The matter is being cleared up as we speak.”
“It will be your word against a royal decree from Horgoth. Your word won’t be enough for Menwoth,” Saren said. “The dwarves have no regard for Keepers. You are just another human to him. I would have to offer the ambassador something very valuable to get him to forget about this whole affair. Now that I realize who you are, Douglon, even that might not be enough. The hatred between you and Menwoth is almost legendary.”
“I’m beginning to see that,” Alaric said. “Douglon’s problems often have a root in his personal relationships.”
The dwarf had the decency to drop his eyes.
Saren rubbed the end of her braid while she contemplated Douglon. It was such a familiar motion that Alaric smiled. When she had first married Kendren, it had been her nervous habit, running her thumb down to the end of her braid while she tried to answer questions posed by the people who had intimidated her. But now, the motion was slow and calculating as she contemplated the problem before her.
Her eyes flicked to Alaric, and irritation flashed across her face. “What are you smiling about?”
Alaric smiled more broadly. “It’s nice to see you again.”
“It would be nicer if you hadn’t brought problems with you.” A small smile crept into her eyes, despite her sharp voice.
Alaric’s smile faded. “This thing with Menwoth is nothing. We have a great deal to talk about. Urgently.”
Saren’s shoulders drooped, and she gave Alaric a tired look. “One problem at a time, please. Let’s take care of this, and then I will clear my afternoon.” She turned back to Douglon. “What if we took the question out of Menwoth’s hands? Nurthrum arrives from Duncave sometime today for an annual discussion of our relationship with King Horgoth. He outranks Menwoth, doesn’t he?”
Douglon considered for a moment. “Not officially, but Nurthrum is older than the mountains. Menwoth would feel compelled to respect his decision.”
“And would Nurthrum consider you a traitor?”
“He’s got a clear head and can be reasoned with. I could convince him it’s all a mistake.”
Saren nodded. “Then until we can talk to him, you are officially my guest. I will hear grievances between you and Menwoth, and we’ll make sure Nurthrum is present as well.” She looked at the dwarf sternly. “Until then, do not leave the palace. Unless you want all of my resources, as well as Horgoth’s, tracking you down.”
Douglon grumbled something into his beard, but gave her a reluctant nod.
Saren let out a long breath. “Good. Alaric, there is a small council meeting tonight. Since you’re finally back, I think I’ll make it a full council. It will be a good way to get you up to speed.”
“Your Majesty,” Alaric said, “we’re leaving at dawn.”
Saren’s eyebrows shot up. “Leaving? You just arrived.”
“We were just passing through Queenstown. This thing with Douglon is the only reason we stopped.”
Saren studied Alaric, her eyes hard. “Well, it’s good to know that military force will bring you back.”
“You will understand my need for haste once I explain to you what’s going on.”
“I expect an explanation of many things,” she said curtly. “First, there are things that require my attention this afternoon. Let me take care of those, and I will send for you afterward.”
She rang a bell on the table, and a smartly dressed steward entered the room.
“Send word to my full council that we meet tonight. And see our guests to their rooms so they can change. Alaric, I’ll send for you shortly.”
The steward bowed and turned to lead them from the room.
Alaric bowed, frustration gnawing at him. Outside, he could still hear the thrumming of the rain. Even if he could get everyone out of the palace, this storm would make any progress slow. He resigned himself to an afternoon and evening of plodding through the cumbersome workings of palace life.
Alaric’s feet could have found his room by themselves. At the end of a long hall of apartments and separated from them by a wide-open room with chairs and a large fireplace, a black door greeted him. This apartment had been his home for the eight years he had lived in Queenstown, advising first King Kendren, then his widowed queen.
Alaric stepped in to find it unchanged. Bookshelves dotted the room, shelves of scrolled maps filled one corner, and there were at least a half-dozen small tables and desks scattered around the large room. The doorway to the bedroom opened in the wall to his right.
He walked along in front of the bookshelf, running his hands over the spines of the books like greeting old friends. At the door to the balcony, he watched the rain pour down into the garden. Everything outside was too large, as altered as any garden would be after an absence of a couple of years. Alaric felt the time wash over him. The man who had lived here before had been so sure of everything, so confident in his place, his beliefs. Now, he felt more like one of the leaves careening by, tossed by the wind and battered down by the rain.
He washed and changed into clothes waiting in the room for him before he returned to the window. Across the courtyard, a student of the apothecary hurried out of Ewan’s quarters, ducking through the rain. Alaric’s hand went absently to the pouch hanging at his chest. His fingers rubbed the stone through the worn leather bag.
He thought about going over there now, but knowing Saren would call him soon, he turned his back on the window and began to pace the room. A polite knock sounded, and he opened the door to the queen’s grey-haired steward.
“Is the room acceptable, Keeper Alaric? If it doesn’t suit you, we can find you another.”
“No, Matthew,” Alaric said, smiling at the man, “the room is perfect, just as it was when I left. If anything has changed, it has been myself.”
“Her Majesty is pleased that you are back.”
Alaric shook his head. “I’m not sure she’s entirely pleased.” Alaric looked around the room. It was exactly how he had left it. “I thought they would send another Keeper.”
“As did Her Majesty.”
Alaric sank down into the nearest chair. Of course the queen’s last years had been hard. She had relied on Alaric heavily. And he had still left.
“Everyone has felt the absence of a Keeper. Having one here gives us all hope.” Matthew bowed and left.
Alaric stared at the closed door for a long time.