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Chapter 14
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Marc almost laughed after the initial shock eased, remembering where he’d seen her before. She didn’t look at all the way she had the night the Beren mansion was attacked. Dain’s glaring demeanor sobered Marc’s own readily enough, and he realized how her presence could further complicate an already mind boggling situation for Dynan. With Danetha’s imminent arrival, he’d soon have one of each variety under the same roof. One he wanted, one he used to want, and one he didn’t want at all.
He did laugh then, but only because he was tired and didn’t really find anything funny about it.
“I can’t believe he let her in the damn door,” Dain said, never taking his eyes off of her until she disappeared into the guest wing. “He better not let her stay here.”
“Dain,” Marc said, starting to worry about his tone. “I don’t think you want to talk to Dynan about this right now. We have other things to deal with.”
“Let me get one thing straight with you, Marc. No one tells me when I can or can’t talk to my brother. He shouldn’t let her stay here, and I’m not going to let him make that mistake. Not again.”
“You won’t let him? I’m sure he’ll react really well when you inform him of your decision.” Marc glanced at him pointedly and started down the stair again.
“I think you better stay out of this.”
“I will, gladly, as long as you don’t get into a huge fight with him over a woman he no longer cares for, right before a major conflict with the Murians.” Marc shook his head. “That’s all I’m asking.”
They reached the office and while Dain went back, Marc remained in the com office, checking on the preparedness of the staff.
“I’m working on a program that will isolate any expansion attempts,” Trevan said. “It won’t stop them from getting in, but it will keep damage to a minimum. I’ll have that set up in a few minutes.”
“That’s good. Thanks, Trevan.”
Commander Morlin walked by. “I’m on my way to the XR-9. I’ll keep you informed from there.”
“Understood. Good luck, Embrin,” Marc said and thought Morlin looked tenser than he expected. He glanced back toward Dynan’s office.
“I think we’re going to be in good shape once Their Majesties fleet arrives,” the Commander said.
Marc nodded. “Now all we have to do is hope they’ll get here in time.”
“There’s no reason they shouldn’t,” Morlin said and left. Marc wasn’t quite so confident.
They were left to wait and Marc meant to look over his notes on the Governor’s meeting when the thought stopped him. “Gray,” he said, frowning. “We need to postpone the Governors meeting until further notice. I’m sure they’ll understand why. Inform Governor Taldic please.”
Gray nodded and turned to do that while Marc headed back to his office.
Ralion’s door was closed and so was Dynan’s. Marc could tell that Dain was in with him by the tenor of voices he heard and the intensity of anger he felt from them both. Here they stood on the brink of battle, and Dynan and Dain were still fighting over Liselle Telaerin. Marc stared at the King’s office door for a long time, listening as the volume increased. He kept hoping they’d stop and some sense of reason would return. Marc didn’t want to go in there, but finally decided he had to.
“You can’t let her stay here.”
“For the last time Dain, I am not—”
They both turned when Marc closed the door behind him and he felt pinned by two identically furious gazes.
“I thought I told you to stay out of this,” Dain snapped at him.
“I thought I told you that this wasn’t the time for this discussion.” Marc snorted at that. “If you want to call it that. More like a ‘who can yell the loudest’ contest. What’s wrong with you two? It’s only slightly ludicrous that you’re still, after all this time, bickering over that woman like a pair of dogs over a dry bone. I’m sure Liselle would be thrilled to know she wields such power over you. Still!”
Marc hadn’t ever seen them so angry before, though Dynan looked more hurt than anything else. That they could direct such venom at each other was sickening.
“The thing I find most disgusting about all this is that after everything you’ve been through since then, together and apart, that you could even think to allow this to divide you again. What’s it been, Dain, six days since we got you back from Maralt and you’re arguing, no you’re fighting with your brother about Liselle Telaerin? I can’t believe you’re doing this. Either of you. Now, I have work to do and I really don’t want to hear you screaming at each other while I am.”
He walked out, left the door open, and went back to his desk, listening to stony silence.
“Will you please listen to me?” Dain finally said. “Please?”
“She’s staying here until I have time to talk to her. I want to find out what happened at Beren and with Gauvin. That’s all. After I do, I’ll send her to the Sisters of Faith sanctuary on Altair.”
Another period of silence followed and then Dain walked out. Marc shook his head, having expected at least an apology to each other. He jumped when Dynan’s door slammed closed.
Time seemed to crawl by, but soon Marc began to notice the brightening sky and not long after that, Morlin reported that they had engaged the Murians. Ralion came in and sat with him, listening to reports from the system perimeter, and Marc knew that behind the closed door of the King’s office, Dynan listened to the same thing. Two transports landed out on the front lawn, the crests of Rynald and Yomir emblazoned on the hulls. Their Majesties weren’t taking any chances.
With the coming of dawn in Rianamar, the Murians reached the system’s defensive lines and attacked. Morlin pulled the right flank back, drawing the Murian ships in, and then attacked them from the side, but before long the Cobalt fleet was slowly surrounded. Alexia and Creal’s fleet had not yet moved to intercede. Marc thought if they didn’t soon, the Murians might likely be able to overpower them as well.
Morlin scrambled to recall the ships he’d only just positioned for the defense of the planets, leaving the heart of the system vulnerable to attack from any Murian ships that might break through. Morlin kept that from happening, but the losses kept mounting.
“Where are they?” Ralion asked, rising to pace.
Marc knew where they were. Despite Morlin’s repeated requests for their deployment, Their Majesties fleet held back, still hiding behind Cobalt. Alexia’s first excuse for the delay was to keep the fleet intact, something a quick dash across the system would supposedly preclude. There hadn’t been any more.
Trevan appeared in the doorway. “Alexia’s fleet has come to a complete halt. Morlin can’t get an answer from their commanders. He says if they don’t engage soon, he’ll have to fall back to Altair.”
“I’ll tell Dynan,” Marc said, rising slowly.
“I already did,” Trevan said. As he spoke, the door opened. Dynan stopped for a moment when they looked at him, but then his eyes were back on the floor.
“Come with me,” he said softly. Marc moved to follow him, aware of what he intended and wanted to stop him. There wasn’t anything to stop him with. They didn’t have any proof beyond Loren’s word that Alexia had dealt with Maralt. There wasn’t any way to stop her from making any demand she wanted. Again, duty dictated action. Dynan didn’t have a choice.
Drake met them as they went up the grand stair. His face was determined, and Marc guessed he meant to try and stop Dynan too, but when the King saw them, his shoulders slowly lowered. The stark reality of their limited choices determined what they could and couldn’t change.
“There isn’t any other way, Drake,” Dynan said as they met on the landing. It was the same accepting tone Marc had heard earlier. He’d given up when only two days before he’d told Loren that he wouldn’t.
Drake didn’t want to agree, and he turned to look out the window. The sun was just rising over the lip of the horizon, turning the Wythe Sea a deep, endless blue while thin clouds above rode crimson. Drake stirred, shaking his head. “I’m sorry.”
“I’ll do everything I can to protect your system.”
“I know you will.”
“I better go. There’s a battle out there that won’t wait.”
He didn’t wait for Drake’s response, and Marc followed silently. He kept thinking about Loren, and knew Dynan was trying not to. Allie was waiting for them, but Dynan sent him back down to the com office. Alexia granted an immediate audience in her parlor. Thankfully, she was alone. Marc didn’t think he could abide Alvuen’s presence. The pleasantries were quickly dispensed with. Alexia seated herself and waited.
“Two hours ago, you agreed to deploy your fleet against the Murians,” Dynan said slowly. “If you don’t release your commanders soon, you may be too late. There are men dying right now.”
“I’m aware of that. Your men. Drake’s men.” She paused for a moment, more intent on the fabric pattern of the chair she sat in. Marc noticed it was a pattern of diamonds and she traced the tip of her fingernail around one. “My transports are standing by to take Creal and I to safety should the need arise. You and Drake, on the other hand, have cut off your only route of escape.” She looked up at him, her eyes smiling, while the slightest curve of her mouth betrayed her satisfaction.
They didn’t have time for innuendoes and counter threats, but it took a long time for Dynan to nod. Marc realized Alexia wasn’t going to make the demand, forcing him further into a corner he couldn’t get out of by making him offer the only solution she would accept.
“I’m prepared to present the betrothal gems to your daughter when she arrives,” he said, swallowing before he went on. “Provided that you agree to leave Drake Mardon out of this. If anything, you should be grateful to him. He’s the only reason I’m here and in a position to give you what you want.”
“To be blunt, Drake Mardon is as responsible for your ... assignations as you are, and if it becomes necessary to formally bring that to the attention of High Council, it will be. I’ll alert my fleet to proceed. Once the battle has been decided, I’ll expect a draft of your official announcement, which will be delivered two days from today, when Danetha arrives.”
“I can’t do that.”
Marc started, confused by the sudden wave of desperation he felt. There wasn’t any real reason why he couldn’t make an announcement.
“And why is that? Time grows short, Dynan.”
“Cobalt’s Regional Governors won’t allow it. I’m not their King yet, and such an announcement at this time would likely prevent my ever being crowned.”
#“Surely your Governors will realize that with the current instability this system faces, Cobalt’s survival would be questionable if your ascension is challenged. I don’t believe they’d risk it.”
“They may risk it now, but not after I’m crowned. Seven of them are about to be removed from office this very day. Not once in our history has that happened before. That these men must be removed is unquestionable. That their removal will be met with animosity and upheaval is almost guaranteed. If I announce my intention to marry from without the system, they could deny me the Scepter. Unlike Yomir, the Governors of Cobalt must affirm my crowning.”
“In favor of who if they don’t?” she asked, then laughed. “Dain? I can’t see that they would take the chance there either.”
“In favor of Shalis, Your Majesty.”
Allie’s voice came through Marc’s receiver then, and he barely managed not to jump. “Morlin reports he has to move now.”
Dynan paled when Marc silently passed that information on. Alexia narrowed her eyes. “If you need the assurance that I’ll keep my word,” Dynan went on, almost cutting her off. “I’ll make this announcement to you, with Creal and Drake present. As members of Council they’ll be obligated to see our agreement fulfilled or bring charges against me.”
Alexia paused at that, considering the proposal, though the suspicion didn’t quite leave her eyes. She smiled, nodding. “With the addition of the Lord Chancellor here, and Governor Taldic, I’ll agree. Taldic, I’m certain, is to be trusted.”
“Yes, he is,” Dynan said, bowing his head. “I agree.”
“As do I,” she said. “At your earliest convenience, I should like to see these gems. It’s been some years since your mother wore them. I remember them as being magnificent on her.”
“I’ll arrange it,” Dynan said, swallowing again.
“I look forward to it.” She turned to the companel next to her and pressed a keypad. Her request for access went through immediately and her First Commander came on. She ordered him to proceed, smiling easily. “There are other, less urgent difficulties to sort out, but these can wait for now. I’m sure that once Danetha has arrived, Lady Loren’s services will no longer be required to such a degree. I expect Queen Marella will want to take her back.”
“Lady Loren will certainly appreciate any assistance the Princess would be willing to offer,” Dynan said tightly. “I expect Danetha will be too busy with the arrangements for her wedding to have time for the coronation.”
Alexia leaned back in her chair. She seemed on the verge of countering him, but didn’t. “As I said, there’ll be time later to resolve such issues, unless of course, you wish to stay here while the battle is played out.”
“No, Your Majesty. I should return to my office.”
“Very well. Please inform me when you’ve made arrangements for our meeting this evening.”
Dynan didn’t nod or even bow as he turned from her. In encompassing silence, they left the Queen. The moment they were in the hall, Marc heard the chirp and hiss of the brace being turned off. Dynan held up his good hand, stopping all the guards. He walked away, moving to the stair railing and down a few steps, standing with his back turned. Lt. Rohn followed him, but widened the space between them by another span of paces.
Marc stepped back, and turned the opposite direction, needing to escape the dizzying array of emotions rampaging through Dynan’s mind. As he calmed though, regaining his composure, Marc found relief the strongest thought, and was again confused by it. He resented its presence, unwilling to consider that it could only be a relief to Dynan to finally have the weight of doubt and fear lifted. It didn’t seem fair to Loren that he should feel that way so quickly. He wondered when Dynan would tell her.
The Lord Chancellor’s office was empty. Dynan went through to the King’s office and closed his door. Ralion’s door stood open though, but he wasn’t in. Marc frowned, pressing the controls that activated his link to battle communications. He heard Commander Morlin issuing orders to planetary defense, learning in the next instant that an attack wing of a hundred Murian ships had broken through the perimeter. Their course indicated Cobalt as their destination.
With the arrival of Alexia and Creal’s fleet, enough confusion followed to allow the Murians to slip past Morlin’s careful shield. Reinforcements from Cobalt’s defense lines rushed on an intercept course. Arel sent another group, but they wouldn’t arrive together and would be outnumbered substantially. For a moment, the commander sounded doubtful that he could stop them from reaching the planet.
Marc heard that a new group of unexpected reinforcements from Cobalt were on their way to meet the Murians. He glanced in Ralion’s office again, frowning slightly. He went through the office, moving to the com office where word of the battle now raging dangerously close to the planets was listened to tensely. Of the senior staff, only Allie was in evidence, and he hardly looked up from the station he sat in front of. There were seven other technicians, all of them hunched over their controls. Gaden was still in the Medic Center recovering from the Market Square attack. Marc looked over Allie’s shoulder and saw that he was working diligently on the re-sequencing of the com system. The entire screen was filled with command lines Marc couldn’t begin to decipher.
“Where is everyone?” Marc asked. For a moment, Allie kept keying in the codes, but he slowed steadily until he was using just two fingers, practically jabbing the controls. “Because I was just wondering what we’re going to do if the Murians get through to Cobalt. They’re coming here, I imagine. Is there an evacuation plan?”
“Dynan has to order it, and he’s already said he won’t.”
“Yes, well, the Palace could be destroyed, but we could still win the war. Won’t do us much good if we’re all buried in the rubble. Get the evacuation plan out, and get started on it. I’ll deal with Dynan. Now, where is everyone?” Allie’s hesitation was more pronounced this time. Marc suddenly recognized that he was listening to Dain’s voice over the battle com channel. Realization of where he was followed quickly. “Is he the extra reinforcements Morlin was talking about? I can’t believe you let him go up there.”
“Let him?” Allie repeated, looking up at him. “Let him?”
“Damn it, Allie. I suppose he told you not to tell me about it too.”
“Yes, he did.”
“And you listened to him?”
“I happen to agree with him. The XR-30 is a formidable ship. We thought using it would be better than having the Palace destroyed.”
“I don’t give a damn if you agreed with him or not.” He stopped abruptly, aware that his anger was getting out of control. He pulled in a breath. “You get on that evacuation plan. Get it ready to implement. Contact the XR-30 and tell Dain to get back here now. Are Trevan and Ralion with him?”
“Yes,” Allie said.
“This is a great time for half the senior staff to be out on a damn joy ride.”
They heard a door slam from down the hall. Allie closed his eyes, cringing slightly.
“Is Dynan listening to this?” Marc asked, somewhat stunned that Allie would be foolish enough to allow that. He nodded, pointing to a lit control at his console. Marc rubbed at his eyes for a second. “Well, he’s not now. You owe me for this,” he said, pointing a finger at him, and then turned quickly to face Dynan
“Get him down.”
“We’re trying to talk him down now,” Marc said, and moved to the door, hoping to take this out of the com office. No one dared look, but they could hear well enough.
“Trying? Get him down now.”
“He won’t come. What do you suggest I do, shoot him down? He thought if he could give Morlin some time, we’d have a better chance of protecting the Palace.”
“You knew about this?”
“Yes. He didn’t ask for my permission either.”
Dynan glared at him for a moment. “In my office.”
Marc nodded, and cast one withering glance at Allie before moving to follow.
“Excuse me, Your Highness, my Lord,” Gray Hildiman said hesitantly, rising from his station. “Central Control is reporting launch blooms from all over the system. It’s the rest of our fleet.”
At that, Allie started pressing controls over Gray’s shoulder, and the wall length screen behind them changed to show hundreds of ships launching from all three planets.
“Any idea whose side they plan to be on?” Marc asked, thinking if it was the Murians, they’d just lost the battle.
“I’ll try to get through,” Allie said, pressing more controls while Gray got out of his way.
“There’s a Galaxy class lifting off Arel,” Dynan said, watching the screen. “That’ll be the Command ship. Who were the fleet Admirals? Obain?”
“Obain and Lamont.”
Allie nodded. “I’ve got the Galaxy online. Lt. Commander Jordan speaking. He says he’s on our side.”
Dynan punched the respond key. “Commander Jordan, this is Dynan Telaerin. Why haven’t you reported in, as requested, before now? Where are Admirals Obain and Lamont?”
“Your Highness, I am currently holding the Admirals in detention. The reason I didn’t respond until now is because I was only made aware of your request a few moments ago. We were ordered from base many days ago, and haven’t been in contact with anyone in authority until now. Obain and Lamont intended to refuse the order. They sabotaged our ability to communicate with you. With your permission, I would like to turn command authority over to First Commander Morlin.”
“Logue,” Marc said softly, “and Maralt ordered the fleet off base. I think he’s telling the truth.”
“And if he isn’t?”
“If he isn’t it won’t matter.”
Again, their attention was diverted as the XR-30 met the Murian attack ships. The attack forces from Arel and Cobalt were with Dain, but they were still outnumbered. Marc watched the screen, and the XR-30 maneuvering through enemy ships in a way that only Dain could have managed.
“Notify Morlin he’s got help. Commander Jordan, you may proceed. There’s an XR class ship engaging the Murians—”
“We’re aware of that, Your Highness, and that’s partly the reason I was able to regain control of this fleet. It’s a story I think you might find interesting, but after we win the battle.”
“Understood, Commander. Good luck.”
“Thank you, Your Highness. I’ll pass that along to your men.”
The moment the channel was cut, Dynan turned on Marc. “I can’t believe you let him go up there. Get him down. Now! When he lands, I want to see all of you in my office. Who’s on guard with him?”
“Avry Tor,” Allie answered, keeping his eyes on his console.
“I’ll see him first.”
Marc nodded, and turned to follow, but Dynan brushed him off. He watched as a very irate Prince left the offices, disappearing out into the main hall.
“I’m sorry, Marc.”
Marc only glanced at him, shaking his head. He left the com office for his own, listening to the progress of the battle. Dain delayed the Murians long enough for Jordan’s reinforcements to arrive. He didn’t however, show any inclination of obeying the order to return to the Palace. He wouldn’t talk to anyone and Marc couldn’t reach him because he was blocking. He fully expected Dynan to come storming back in demanding to know why his brother wasn’t back yet.
The fact of it was that Dain’s presence gave Cobalt’s forces the determination they needed, and Dain knew it. Wherever the Murians looked to regroup and attack, Dain was there, often saving the lives of many inexperienced pilots who hadn’t ever been in a space battle before. With the return of so many of Cobalt’s regular fleet the tide of the battle shifted in their favor at last and stayed that way. Marc had to smile at that, because the fleet’s return diminished the role Alexia and Creal played. Instead of their fleet being hailed as the reason for victory, it was Dain who claimed that honor.
He was still smiling about it when Dynan walked back through, silent this time, but still glowering. Marc winced when the door slammed closed, aware that Dynan’s anger wasn’t so much caused by Dain’s actions as the accumulation of one catastrophe after the other with his agreement with Alexia foremost in his mind.
It was Commander Morlin who managed to convince Dain that he’d done enough. As the battle’s emphasis changed to tracking the enemy as they fled, he finally returned to the Palace, announcing his arrival with an ear-splitting fly-by over the ramparts. It seemed that most of the Palace staff expected his return too, and had shown up on the front stair to welcome him. Dynan remained in his office, though Marc felt certain he was well aware of the small celebration taking place on the front lawn.
“The legend of Dain grows,” Marc said, watching out the window. He wasn’t looking forward to the coming confrontation. He thought to try and stop it, and went to the door. He was about to knock, when it opened.
“Where are they?” Dynan asked.
Marc backed up a pace. “They’re on their way in now.”
Dynan looked around him to the window. “Doesn’t look like it to me. Why aren’t you out there getting them?”
“I was just on my way. Dynan, if—”
“I’m not interested in excuses, Marc.” The door closed in his face.
“You’re not interested in anything except snarling at anyone who looks at you wrong.”
He grumbled under his breath all the way out the front door, fearing he was due to bear the brunt of Dynan’s bad mood. Dain, his guard, Ralion and Trevan had made it just halfway up the stairs, stopped by the questions and congratulations of the staff lining the way. The celebration no longer made Marc smile, and the people nearest him soon noticed. The clamor died down, drawing Dain’s attention. His smile faltered, then went away.
“Guess the party’s over,” he said as he reached the portico.
“There wasn’t supposed to be a party,” Marc said. “Dynan’s waiting.”
“He lost his sense of humor along the way somewhere.”
“Maybe about the day he thought you died. Go inside, all of you. Avry, you too.”
Allie was waiting for them, and Marc sent Avry into the King’s office after a soft knock.
“What is this?” Dain asked, moving to the door but Marc stopped him. “Why is he doing this? Did you think I was going to sit here and do nothing? If he wants to blame someone, he can blame me. Avry didn’t have anything to do with this.”
“You’ll get your turn. Everyone just sit down. I doubt we’ll be waiting long.”
“Why is he—Marc, what’s happened?”
“I thought for sure you’d have figured it out by now, Dain. Alexia and Creal didn’t send in their fleet out of generosity, nor was their involvement in a battle with the Murians part of the original agreement. Just the opposite, and Dynan didn’t hold up his part of the deal. Do you understand yet, or do I need to go on?”
“Danetha,” Dain said softly. “I didn’t realize he’d already ... I should have.”
“No, you were too busy yelling at him about Liselle to think about it.”
“You leave her out of this. She didn’t have anything to do with—”
“Really? Are you sure? You can’t stand the fact that you have to abide by his decision to let her stay here, so you found a different one to ignore. And the rest of you went along with it.”
“That’s not true and you know it.”
“While I might understand that your actions somehow managed to turn the course of this battle, it isn’t likely Dynan will see it the same way.”
Avry came out then. He closed the door behind him, looked up once, then started across the room.
“Avry?”
The guard stopped, and Marc saw that he was angry. Not at Dynan, but at Dain. “I’ve been dismissed, Your Highness. Lt. Roland Clarke will report to you in a moment.”
“Wait. No, he doesn’t mean it. I’ll talk to him.”
“Don’t you think you’ve done enough? I have to report to Captain Bairing.”
“You and your brilliant ideas,” Ralion said under his breath, rising to pace.
“Shut up, Ralion. I don’t remember asking you to come along.”
“If I hadn’t, you would have gotten yourself killed.”
“Really? Supposedly, I’ve been killed before. You weren’t there then, and somehow I managed to survive without you.”
Allie moved the fastest, grabbing hold of Ralion’s arm, swearing as he was dragged around. Trevan stepped between them, but only managed to get sandwiched before Dain pushed him out of the way. Ralion shrugged Allie off, and the next instant had Dain by his jacket.
Marc watched without moving to intervene. Ralion slammed Dain against the wall. The Prince paled noticeably, but didn’t try to stop his old guard, something he was capable of doing.
“Maybe that’s the way you wanted it all along,” Dain said without really meaning it. He covered a sharp stab of pain when Ralion shoved him again, then let him go.
“That’s right, Dain. We’d all be better off if you’d never come back.”
“Are the two of you finished?” Dynan said from the door, opening it wide. “Ralion, Trevan, Allie. In.” He shot a glance to Marc and spoke silently. “Tell my brother he doesn’t have to stay.”
Marc didn’t need to tell him. He felt it clearly enough. “You’re right,” Dain said quietly, carefully lowering himself into the chair by the fire.
“Only partly right,” Marc said, sorry he’d blurted all that out. “Commander Jordan’s ability to persuade the rest of the fleet to follow him was greatly increased when he heard that Dain Telaerin himself led the defense of Cobalt.” He smiled slightly at the look he got for that. “Next time, you better tell me.”
“There isn’t going to be a next time.”
Marc almost laughed, except Dain looked so depressed, and he felt badly for him. “I have a difficult time believing that. It seems to be your nature. Dynan should have known it. I should have. Better still, I should have counted on it, and then planned for it. Not to stop you, at least not in this instance. You have this effect on our troops that comes in pretty handy most days, even when you weren’t around. You ever want something to do, you could start training these people the way you were.”
“Think keeping me busy will keep me out of trouble?”
“Honestly, I doubt it, no. It would make it easier on me if I had a little forewarning. It will never make it easier for Dynan. He lost you once. He won’t survive it again sane, if he could survive it at all. Going up in the XR-30 wasn’t necessarily wrong, but not telling anyone about it was.”
“I haven’t seen him this angry in a long time. Last time we were fighting about Liselle too. Not today. The first time around. He didn’t talk to me for months. He’s that angry right now.”
“He’s not angry about Liselle. Alexia’s got him by the neck. He knows it. She knows it. Loren is going to know it soon enough. Rumor of it is probably already getting around.”
“Won’t be much rumor to it when it’s announced.”
“There isn’t going to be an announcement.”
Dain blinked, and narrowed his eyes, but he covered it the next instant. Marc remembered how desperate Dynan had been to avoid an announcement and still didn’t understand why. He was certain that the Governors’ reactions and possible retribution were only an excuse he’d used to keep an announcement from happening. Seeing that the same subject made an impact with Dain made Marc think harder about it.
“Alexia isn’t insisting on one?” Dain asked, looking at the closed office door. “That’s trusting of her.”
“Not exactly. Dynan agreed to tell Creal, Drake, and Gemern Taldic. I’m invited too, but she included me to prove a point.”
“Which is?”
“She knows all about Loren and probably me too, but she doesn’t say so in a way that anyone else would understand. On Trea, she maneuvered Dynan into mentioning, just mentioning, the non-interference laws during negotiations, and we all knew it was up then.”
“Leaving Trea the way he did, didn’t make it any easier on him either.”
“Most people believe that he left Trea to come after you, but Their Majesties know better.” Marc shook his head then. “I almost wish Jordan hadn’t come back with the fleet. Dynan will likely believe he didn’t need to make this agreement with Alexia because of that.”
“He’d be wrong. If their fleet hadn’t engaged when they did, we wouldn’t have been able to organize Jordan’s flight wing in time.”
“I doubt he’ll look at it that way.”
“Just another thing for him to yell at someone about. Alexia’s probably furious she’s not being hailed the hero.”
Marc grinned. “Too bad. Another point in your favor. I don’t think we should give up so easily. Alexia accepted information from Maralt. She had it delivered to her at the Ilthain Palace and then used that information against Dynan. She still is.”
Dain frowned suddenly. “What was that man’s name?”
“If I knew that—”
“No. Maralt told me.”
“What?” Marc said. Dain glanced at him, and nodded. “Show me.” Dain was about to comply with the command, but he stopped, looking at Marc again, this time with a clear warning. “Sorry. That was a little strong, wasn’t it?”
“A little? Besides, I don’t need to show you, because I remember; the man’s name was Bajain. He probably used an alias to get into the Palace though. A merchant maybe? I’m not sure.”
Marc started reading in a message to Drake right then, wishing they’d managed to find this out a day ago. They were behind, it seemed, on just about every front. “We need to stop learning these things after the fact.”
“You’re a telepath, Marc, not a seer.”
“Some things are given.” He smirked, aware of Dain’s confusion. “Never mind. I feel like I’m playing a continual game of catch up.” He pressed a keypad that encrypted his message then sent it on to Drake Mardon. “We’ll see what he has to say about that.”
The door opened. Trevan came out, and without looking up, he walked through. Allie followed him. Ralion was last. All of them silently returned to their offices.
“I expect I’m next,” Marc said. “You ever do this to me again, I’m going to hurt you. What am I going to say to him, sorry, I didn’t know this was going on? That’ll look good.”
“Better to look stupid, I think, than be guilty in this one, Marc.”
“Little late for that, since I already told him I knew about it. He didn’t happen to ask when I found out.”
Dain waited with him, though Marc questioned the wisdom of that choice. After a time, it seemed they’d be waiting for a while, so Marc set to work on his list of the day, and immediately saw that he’d forgotten about the postponed Governors meeting. Gemern Taldic was waiting for word on when it would be rescheduled. The original time set for the meeting was still an hour away. He wondered if he could forget rescheduling and go on with it instead. A bout of nerves and the practical consideration of informing all the Governors made him change his mind on that. He looked ahead a day and found his schedule and Dynan’s mostly clear, except for a few appointments that could be rescheduled.
“Marc,” Dain said, looking up from the fire. “You’re mumbling to yourself.”
“You don’t have to stay either.”
Ralion came in after a quick and unanswered knock, set a comboard down on the desk and left again after mumbling that this was his report. Marc didn’t look at it, knowing he needed to talk to Taldic.
“Allie.”
“Right here,” he said, and came into the office. He also carried a comboard in hand.
“I need to talk to Gemern Taldic.”
Allie picked up the comboard Ralion had left and pressed a few controls to transfer the files to one device. “You can start asking Gray about those sort of things, Marc. He’s all up to speed now, so that’s his job now, while I take care of everything Dynan wants, but I just put the Governor on with him.”
Marc started to nod, then realized what that meant and groaned. “No.”
“What?” Dain asked.
“I forgot to tell Dynan I postponed the meeting.”
Allie turned around and left. Dain looked like he was considering it, and Marc really wished he would. “This is definitely shaping up to be a bad day. I think I’m going to go hide somewhere. You realize that you don’t have the authority to do what you did.”
“What?”
“You need to look up the rule book, Marc and learn it.”
“There isn’t a rule book.”
“Yes there is. Only the King or Heir to the Throne has the authority to call for or cancel or otherwise tamper with a Governor’s meeting.”
“I never ... I never saw a law that says that. He told me the meeting was mine. He said that.”
“Content only, my Lord Chancellor, and that law falls under the heading; big decisions you don’t make without permission.” Marc swore, and while he didn’t want to go into that office, he knew it would be better than waiting for Dynan to come out. Dain shook his head from the hall door. “Let me know when it’s safe to come out again.”
Dynan was still talking to Gemern in a surprisingly mild tone, assuring him that the meeting would take place as planned, and the postponement was only a precautionary measure. His eyes told a different story, and Marc only glanced at him once. He stood silently waiting before the huge desk, his head bowed, while Dynan concluded his conversation.
After several minutes of being yelled at, Marc felt like hiding himself. Not one failing was left untouched during the tirade, and Dynan wasn’t interested in listening to any of his reasons. Finally, Marc gave up, and waited him out.
“I told you not to postpone the Governors meeting once before, didn’t I?” he asked, and waited this time for an answer.
Marc almost cringed, wishing for a different question. “Yes.”
“But you decided to do it anyway. If you’d bothered to ask me, I would have told you not to. Again!”
“I didn’t know I—”
“I knew that Alexia would deploy her fleet. I knew we wouldn’t lose this battle, and I knew the outcome would be decided well before this meeting. I didn’t want the Governors to think that we, in any way, doubted that fact. Instead of that impression, we now have them thinking the exact opposite, further increasing their doubt of my ability to have any semblance of control. Even Governor Taldic is beginning to wonder if any of us know what we’re doing. Imagine my surprise while talking to him about our defeat of the Murians, when he asks me if we intend to have the meeting. He was perplexed to discover that I didn’t know anything about a postponement, seeing as how I’m the one who supposedly authorized it.”
Marc looked up at that. “I didn’t tell him that you authorized this.”
“Gemern naturally assumed the order came from me because I’m the only one who could make that decision. As Lord Chancellor, you’re supposed to know that.” Dynan stood, and came around the desk to face him. “I don’t happen to like it when it looks like I haven’t any idea what the people under me are doing, especially when it’s true. You have a receiver and transmitter like the rest of us. Start using it. Now, you’ve very little time to change into your dress formal uniform before we need to be in a carriage and on our way.” He reached across to the companel, stabbing the controls. “Ralion, where is that report?”
“I gave it to Marc.”
“It’s ... It’s on my desk,” Marc said quickly and retrieved the comboard, relieved to find Trevan’s report added. Dynan took it from him, glancing over it quickly.
“I don’t want anything like this to ever happen again. Is that clear?”
“Yes.”
“From now on, you check with me first before you make any decisions. I’ll expect your version of this mess on my desk after the meeting.”
Marc raced up the stairs to his rooms, called for Thurmond as he headed for his dressing room, stripping out of his clothes as he went. He changed into a formal uniform as fast as he could, but knew he’d be late anyway, and he was.
Dynan waited for him in the main hall. “I want to see what you’re planning to say.”
“It’s in my office,” Marc said, thinking as he hurried to retrieve the comboard that he’d already shown Dynan his speech, except maybe what he’d added about the levy situation, and he hadn’t done that because there hadn’t been time. Now he was afraid that Dynan wouldn’t accept that solution even though it came from Finance, which would mean they’d have to think of something else on the way to the meeting. He didn’t think the chances of doing so with any kind of success were very great.
Dynan was already in the ornate carriage, the counterforce of the anti-grav units stirring up the snow. It seemed that every one of the fifty guards going with them turned to look at Marc as he came out of the Palace. All but six of them were mounted, and the horses showed their anticipation, prancing in place, plumes flying. While Marc had known the guards would ride, it was still a spectacular sight.
“What are you waiting for?”
Marc jumped, and started down the stairs. Kyle stood by to open the carriage door for him. “You’d think he’d be a little happier that we won,” he said quietly.
“You’d think,” Marc said and climbed in.
“Are you sure you’re ready now?” Dynan asked, taking the comboard. Marc sat without comment, and the carriage bobbed as they started. It was only the second time he’d been through the Palace gates, and this trip he was able to look around.
The trees to either side of the road had been cut down, except for a scraggly line, still bereft of leaves. Row upon row of ugly barracks took the place of the forest. They stood empty and useless.
“Maybe we should tear them down,” he muttered to himself. They crossed over the bridge that spanned the Wyvern River. On the other side, a growing sea of faces looked back at him.
“Tear what down?”
“Look at all these people.”
Dynan glanced outside and repeated his question. Marc realized that no one could see inside since the windows were tinted. They were moving too fast anyway.
“The barracks,” he said, and settled back in his seat.
“Right. Not a priority at the moment.” Dynan handed the comboard back. “This is fine, but when you tell them about the levies, don’t present it as an idea for discussion. Just tell them this is what we’re doing.”
Marc nodded silently. Dynan obviously wasn’t interested in conversation, so Marc looked over what he was going to say again, trying hard not to think about who he would be saying it in front of. It didn’t work, and the closer they drew to the Governors Hall, the more nervous he became until it was hard to even breathe. It wasn’t so much that he was really afraid, just worried he’d do something wrong, and extremely unsure what Dynan’s reaction would be if that happened. After everything that had gone wrong so far that morning, Marc doubted he’d be too forgiving.
A dim, but growing clamor of voices pulled his attention outside as they drew within sight of the Governors Hall. A broad street ran before the imposing building, now made barely passable for all the people crowded up next to a solid line of city guards. Across from the Hall a broad plaza opened, bordered by large hedges. The entire expanse was filled with yelling, jubilant people.
Marc had expected a crowd, but not the thousands who packed every available space around the building. They stood in doorways, clung to statues and lampposts, and hung out of windows. Marc didn’t like that last idea much, thinking about the barbed darts that killed over half of the guards with Dain and hoped to get away with that mistake this once.
The carriage slowed, pulling up next to the stair that rose to the entrance of the Hall. A footman opened the door and the volume of noise was stunning. Marc swore lightly, though he almost couldn’t hear himself speak. The level of sound increased as he stepped out, and it took him a minute to realize they were cheering for him. A wave of light came over him, energy pouring toward him of its own accord, directed at him by masses of people.
A moment later the roar surged louder when Marc didn’t think it possible. Dynan stepped out, smiling and waving to the crowds. The carriage pulled off, leaving a less obstructed view, while the Palace guard remained on either side of the street, reining down their mounts, and watching all the many faces around them. Dynan stayed where he was for a moment, letting everyone get a good look. Gemern Taldic moved to greet them, obviously pleased with the crowds’ overwhelming reception. He couldn’t do much more than nod.
Marc saw Dynan’s face change in sudden recognition, and he pointed across the street. A man, about Ralion’s build and height pointed back, smiling broadly. Marc swore when Dynan started across. “What are you ... Dynan, wait.”
Kyle and Jarrid formed a guard quickly, and went with him. The people near at hand were ecstatic to suddenly find themselves within grasping range of the Prince, if only for a moment. He obliged the reaching hands while the man he’d recognized was let through, and a public reunion took place. Kyle knew him too, and soon had him in a crushing embrace while Marc waited nervously, watching the crowds. They loved it. The noise never subsided.
Dynan seemed to remember his purpose in being there, and gestured to his friend to come along. Marc finally found out who he was, remembering the name from Carryn’s notes and other memories crowding into his mind all at once. Ames Lithford, like Kyle, had managed to survive Kamien’s reign.
Gemern indicated that they should go inside, and indeed a few of the Governors had come out to see what the delay was about. Marc didn’t know any of them. Ames was trying to tell Dynan something, but the higher they climbed, the more people could see them, and the louder the cheering got. Ames gave up, but Dynan indicated he’d have a minute inside, and turned to acknowledge the crowd. Finally, with one last left-handed wave, he turned and they went into the building.
Another group of twenty Palace guards lined the way to Chambers, but Dynan pulled Ames aside as soon as they got indoors. This time, Marc went with him.
“Lyle Dowd survived Beren,” Ames said. “I don’t know how. Judging from what he’s been able to tell me, there were a lot of men looking for him. He showed up at my door day before yesterday. I don’t know how he got here, but I think he walked. Looked like he had too. He’ll be all right with some rest and care, but I thought I’d better get through to you after what he told me. Westiben is the one who orchestrated the attack on Beren. Lyle is sure he had Liselle’s help. You may have heard rumor that she was killed, but he saw her and Gauvin alive with Westiben after the initial attack. Judging by what he saw and Liselle’s reaction, he thinks that she had Westiben kill Gauvin. I wanted to warn you in case she came here.”
“She already has. This morning. She’s accusing me of the attack and Gauvin’s death.”
“Be careful of her, Dynan.” He smiled at the look he got for that. “I guess I don’t need to tell you that.”
“I’m aware of her intentions. Most of them, anyway. Can you stay? I’d like to hear more about this before I have to speak to her.”
“Of course I would, but I need to get back to Lyle. I left him with a friend, but he’s still half-delirious, and I doubt she’ll be able to manage him alone for long. When he gets back on his feet, we’ll both come for a visit - if I can get through the gates, that is. I tried yesterday, and couldn’t.”
“We’ll see to that,” Dynan said. “You let me know if you need anything, if Lyle needs anything.”
“We’ll be all right. You’re back. This is the best we’ve been in years. I know you have to go, but I wanted to ask about Dain. Is he all right? We heard Maralt—”
“He’s fine, Ames, if not a little more insane than before. I’ll send him over. You can see for yourself.”
“Was he really up in the XR-30 this morning? I saw the ship coming back, flying the way Dain always flew it, but I couldn’t believe he’d actually gone up into the battle.”
“He did. I couldn’t believe it either.”
Ames looked at him for a moment, and started to laugh while Dynan shook his head. “Well, it’s good to know he hasn’t changed too much.” He nodded down the hall. “I think our esteemed Governors are getting impatient. I’ll send up a messenger. Tell Dain I said hello.”
“I will. It’s good to know you’re all right. Take care of Lyle. I want to see you both at the coronation.”
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
They said their goodbyes, and Ames left the Hall. The crowd outside cheered him again. Dynan smiled at that, and Marc figured anything that put him in a better mood was a good thing. Ames seemed like a decent enough man.
“Are you ready?” Dynan asked as they turned for the Hall Chamber.
“I’m ready,” he said, and all his nervousness returned. Dynan glanced at him.
“You’ll be fine, Marc, honest. Kyle, I want you to put a guard on Liselle’s door. She doesn’t go anywhere.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“That ought to make Dain happy anyway,” Dynan muttered darkly, then pasted on a smile as a group of Governors met them. “Governor Windsen, it’s good to see you again. Governor Cumoref, Governor Valsand.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Governor Valsand said. “We were just coming to see if this on-again, off-again meeting was actually going to happen.”
“Of course it is. I wouldn’t be here otherwise, and as for the brief postponement this morning, I thought it wiser to err on the side of caution, in case the Murians broke though. After all, we wouldn’t have wanted half of Cobalt’s ruling government to be eradicated, now would we?” He shot Marc a dark look, smiling all the while at the Governors.
Marc followed silently, and they were led into the Chambers of the Governors Hall.
Dynan expected the fanfare as they entered the tiered, semi-circular, windowless room, but Marc didn’t. He jumped when the trumpets rang out, announcing the arrival of the Crown Prince. The last time Dynan had heard it, these same Governors had given Kamien the Regency. They’d certainly paid for that mistake, almost as much as he. Some of them anyway. There were still enemies here. A few who didn’t believe he had any right to the Throne any more. Mostly though, there was great relief coming from these men, and they thumped their knuckles on their desks in the traditional sign of respect. He smiled at that and at them as he reached the platform to stand before them.
There were some who didn’t join their colleagues with this welcome. Governor Isdo stood rigidly, glaring at Marc in contempt. Vindal stood near him, but the others were spaced further apart. Dynan saw they had placed themselves near those Governors who they held in the grasp of extortion and fear. Iatridis, Maldon and Messeric; all of them watched Marc as he moved to stand at Dynan’s right, two steps back. Dynan thought they might believe they’d be able to take advantage of Marc, thinking him too young and inexperienced. They had something planned. Of that, he felt certain.
Taldic moved to the podium, a dais raised three steps above the Governors, making them crane their necks to look up at him. He received a polite round of applause that quickly subsided as he spoke.
“Governors, my Lord Chancellor, and Your Royal Highness, welcome to the Hall of Governors.” Another burst of knuckle raps followed, accompanied by a few cheers, but Taldic didn’t let them go on. “I call this meeting, the first of a new era, and a new Reign, to order.”
On cue, chairs were scraped back, and amongst a murmuring whisper, they all seated themselves. Taldic went on as they settled, but Dynan hardly listened, watching reactions instead.
Gemern didn’t speak long, saying more times than Dynan thought necessary what a relief it was to have him returned safely to them, and ready to take up the Ruling Scepter. Taldic briefly described the years of exile, touching on Shalis’ captivity and Dain’s supposed death. He got an amused chuckle when he remarked what a wonderful sight it was to see the XR-30 blasting by overhead. Apparently, no one in Rianamar had missed Dain’s return to the Palace.
Taldic concluded with a stern warning that Cobalt still faced many enemies, and their vigilance could not yet be relaxed. “But I’ll leave that for the Lord Chancellor to discuss, as he has faced most of them in the brief time he’s been here. We’ve no time for petty differences, or the inconsequential disagreements that have divided us over the years. We must now work together if Cobalt is to survive. We’ve been given a second chance to return our home to a place of dignity and peace. I suggest, my esteemed colleagues, that we don’t waste the opportunity.”
Taldic paused for a breath and an ovation stopped him from continuing. Again, Alse’s cohorts didn’t join in. Marc took a quick sip of water. His hand shook slightly as he set the glass back down, and Dynan felt a renewed wave of nervousness from him. He wondered if Marc would make it through. Just then, it didn’t feel like it.
“And now, I’ll introduce to you Cobalt’s new Lord Chancellor, but first I’d like to tell you a little about him.”
Marc froze in place, obviously not aware of this part of Gemern’s speech that Dynan had privately asked him to include. “I’ve heard many of you speak of his youth. Yes, he is quite young, very young to be given the tremendous responsibility he’s undertaken. I speak with the surety of truth when I say that this young man is responsible for our survival to this day. He’s a young man with great dedication. He’s a reasonable man, more interested in finding the best solution to a problem than promoting his own ideas. He’s a man of remarkable intelligence. I believe you’ll find him a conscientious man whose primary concern is for the welfare of this system.
“Above all, I found in him a most remarkable quality and that would be an unfailing dedication to truth. Refreshing in the face of the lies we’ve tolerated these many years. Shocking, in that we’ve become so used to deceit, that when an honest man comes along, we almost don’t know how to react. Marc Talryn is all these things. Cobalt is lucky to have him. My Lord Chancellor.”
Thunderous applause and fists pounding the tabletops shocked Marc enough to keep him seated. Dynan could tell he didn’t know exactly what to think of Gemern’s tribute. Dynan saw too that Isdo, Messeric and the others didn’t know what to think either as their fellow Governors demonstrated their agreement. Suddenly, they looked nervous.
Marc moved to the podium, stopping to talk to Gemern on his way, and soon had the Governor laughing silently. He waited for a moment before he tried to speak. The Governors wouldn’t let him, but kept right on shouting and pounding their knuckles. Marc looked only slightly less nervous, despite Taldic’s accolades, and more than a little embarrassed.
“Thank you, Governor Taldic,” he said, finally allowed to speak. “And to you, Cobalt’s honorable Governors, I hope I can live up to that introduction. What Governor Taldic said is true, at least about the dangers we face. There are many. This morning, as you know, we were able to defeat the Murian’s attack with the combined forces from Trea, Rynald and Yomir as well as our own fleet. It’s an unfortunate fact that we must rely on other systems for the defense of Cobalt. In the coming months, re-establishing the Telaerin fleet will be a priority. Doing so will be expensive.
“Returning Cobalt to economic stability will also be expensive, and will probably take longer than anyone wants to wait for it. We are, at this time, distributing funds to those areas we feel are most important. Facility operation and maintenance, agricultural and manufactured goods are an example, but not limited to those concerns alone. Every region should provide the Palace Finance Ministry with a detailed report on its economic prospects. The sooner we find out in depth where the problems are, the sooner we can get to work fixing them. Finance will expect your reports at the top of next week.
“Cobalt has a serious food shortage. This is due in part from natural disaster, made worse by bad management. It’s also due in larger part to the lack of production in several key Regions. We’ll get to that discussion in a moment though. To ease this problem, we have—”
“Why don’t you get to it now, my Lord Chancellor?” Governor Isdo said, standing to face Marc. Several heads nodded, accompanied by a scattering of vocal agreement.
Dynan should have guessed a statement like that would only provide an opening. Marc wasn’t concerned by Isdo’s demand. If anything, he seemed relieved.
“I’m certain that you, Governor, and your close associates aren’t going to like what I have to say about it, but if you insist, I’ll be happy to get into it. We’ll be discussing the levies too. Might as well get all the unpleasant topics taken care of now.”
Marc pulled in a quick breath, then leaned forward on the podium. “Governor Isdo, the reason that Cobalt is faced with this drastic shortage of basic food supplies is because in your region, and six others, there hasn’t been any substantial production for years. None since Kamien was crowned.”
“That is completely unsubstantiated. There are factors you obviously aren’t aware of—”
“They aren’t unsubstantiated. Maybe you haven’t read every Ag Guild report generated over the last four years. All those different people are not wrong. Have you read the reports? This year, zero production. Last year, zero production. The year before that, minimal production, and by that I mean barely enough to sustain your own region. The year before that, same thing. There hasn’t been a drought in your region in five years. Soil samples, water content, every possible reason for this lack of production has been examined. There’s no reason for it, except one. You, Governor Isdo, ordered it. You ordered the Ag Guild, the Farm and Fieldhands Bureau to halt production for export to other Regions. Instead, you ordered what little you did produce delivered to central storage.”
“That was by the King’s order. I think you should check your facts more carefully.”
“I have checked. Kamien didn’t order you or anyone else to reduce your region’s production capabilities. He did order you to send what should have been a small percentage to central storage, and you knew exactly where it was going. To the Murians.”
Marc held up his hand against the ensuing storm of comments. Isdo was nearly shaking from fury and momentarily speechless. Dynan sat back in his chair, trying not to smile. The others quickly settled.
“It’s well known that the Murians face a drought of catastrophic proportion that encompasses nearly half of the planet. Kamien, in exchange for military reinforcement, agreed to ship the Murians the aid they desperately needed. Nowhere can I find an order that suggests you cease production, and in effect starve your own people. That, you did quite on your own. But you aren’t alone in this. There are others. Governor Alse, Governor Messeric, Governor Correll, Governor Iatridis, Governor Maldon, and Governor Vindal. All of you ceased production in this system’s most fertile areas when there was no reason for it. Regions that are fully capable of sustaining this system and the Murians. There was no order from the King. There is no basis for these actions, except one. Greed.”
“These accusations are baseless,” Vindal practically screamed, silencing the others. “He has no proof of any of this. I demand that you, Prince Dynan, answer to these unfounded lies and twisted truth. This is what we get, my fellow Governors when we allow such inexperienced fools to govern us. It can’t be allowed, or we will face ruin. Governor Taldic spoke of truth. I tell you that nothing of the truth is being spoken here today. There is no proof.”
“There is proof,” Marc said quietly in the space of silence that followed Vindal’s oration, which effectively cut off other responses. “Governor Taldic did speak of truth. As unpleasant as it can be, it’s crucial that we pursue it. Governor Vindal is right about one thing. Unless the actions of these men are stopped and they punished, Cobalt does face ruin. I’ll tell you what I know of the truth, if you are prepared to listen to it.”
Silence blanketed the room. Vindal looked around, searching, no doubt, for support. Governor Friest stood, and Dynan knew him to be a close friend to Taldic. “We’ll listen, my Lord. Many of my colleagues have suspected as much for a long time. We’ll listen.”
“I warn you, it isn’t pleasant, and reinforces the fact that Cobalt still faces many enemies. It’s also a long story of how our suspicions were arrived at. It’s important for you to understand that, so that you’ll better understand the actions we’ve taken.
“As you know, Prince Dynan was attacked two days ago in his rooms. At the same time, before news of the attack was announced, seven of the system’s Governors arrived at the King’s office.”
“I object to that implication,” Vindal said. “There’s no reason for these baseless accusations. My colleagues and I were at the Palace because no one had seen Prince Dynan for days. Our concern was to determine whether or not His Highness was capable of ruling and so ease a growing panic among our people.”
“So it seemed at first,” Marc said evenly. “And so you would have us believe. The fact of your presence, coming so soon after the attack, coupled with the knowledge that you and your colleagues retained your comterm access when no one else did, gave me pause and reason for concern. I began an investigation into the attack, which led to the discovery that one of Maralt Adaeryn’s men had survived.”
He paused to let them think about the implications that name held, and Dynan saw many coming to the assumption he wanted them to; that these Governors were in league with Maralt.
“Yesterday, Arlon Drayer attacked Prince Dain in the Market Square. He was captured and his home searched. His comterm was successfully accessed, and several files were retrieved that proved my suspicions, specifically a series of secret communications between Governor Alse and Arlon. I see that surprises you, Governor Vindal. Arlon wasn’t able to completely erase record of his activities. Governor Alse is currently being held at the Palace. He is charged with treason, conspiracy to commit murder, and conspiracy to cause harm to the Heirs of the Cobalt Throne. Conspiracy, gentlemen, for he wasn’t alone. Last night, Commander Embrin Morlin, by order from Prince Dynan, went to the homes and estates of Governors Vindal, Isdo, Messeric, Correll, Maldon, Iatridis, and Alse, where he was successful in accessing their comterms.
Marc paused again, giving them all enough time to process what was being said and come to their own conclusions about what had to be done about it, so that before he actually said it and carried out the sentence they would expect it. They might even accept it. He didn’t wait so long that they could respond. Governor Vindal opened his mouth to speak, but Marc cut him off.
“Several files were located that prove their duplicity with Governor Alse in the attack on Prince Dynan, their known association with enemies to the Crown Prince, and several other illegal activities such as the collection and extortion of levies from other neighboring Regions, which they then kept for themselves. Communications logs, actual messages sent and received, financial statements that leave no doubt of their desire to remove Prince Dynan, Prince Dain, Princess Shalis and even Prince Garan from their rightful position as Heirs to the Throne. It is therefore my intention, in accordance with the laws of this system, to have these men removed from their positions as Regional Governors. Until such time as they can be judged by the King, they will be held in custody at the Rianamar Base detention center. Governor Vindal, you and your colleagues will have the opportunity to answer these charges at a time the King chooses. For now, the loyal Governors of the system have other business to discuss.”
Marc touched his crest pin and the doors opened. Twenty Palace guards entered with Kyle Bairing at their head.
“The King!” Vindal sputtered. “We have no King, and no legitimate Heir to the Throne! You have no right to these actions! I’ll see that you regret taking them! What law allows you this right? There is none. My fellow Governors, I tell you that the abuse of power we witnessed under Kamien is nothing compared to what this man will do. Is this to be allowed? That respected members of this Chamber are to be dragged away by Palace guards, under the guise of justice? These acts are illegal, and I challenge the right of the Lord Chancellor to do this.”
Marc waited for the uproar to subside, while the guards moved to take the six former Governors from the Chamber. “Section two, paragraph one of the Lord Chancellor’s charter states: The Lord Chancellor will act in all matters deemed necessary to ensure the security and safety of the rightful Heir to the Throne. I do have the right, and I exercise it now. You may leave peaceably, sir, or by force. That choice, I leave to you.”
The others were stunned into silence while Vindal was taken, sputtering threats. The others relinquished themselves to the guards quietly and they were led from the room. Vindal’s voice could still be heard, even with the door closed again.
A low, murmuring whisper took its place. What happened next would tell if the remaining Governors would accept this action. Dynan watched them, and saw their growing uncertainty, coupled with the realization that this had never happened before. He stood, and took Marc a glass of water. He needed it, and Dynan wanted the Governors to see that he supported what Marc had said and done. Dynan spoke in a low voice, close enough so that no one else could hear. Marc nodded, sipping the water when he wanted to drain it, bowing his head as he listened.
“Give them a chance to digest all this. You still have to get through the levies, and if we can do that without any more shouting the worst will be over. If they have questions, and they will, answer them. Are you all right?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Let’s get this over with.”
Silence filled the hall as Dynan returned to his seat, making the brief scrape of his chair seem loud and jarring. Attention left him as Marc began again.
“As I said before, we have other problems to go over.” He cleared his throat and took another drink. “If you’ll bear with me for a while longer, I think we’ll get through it all. If you have—”
“Pardon the interruption, my Lord,” Governor Jerrim Peroll said hesitantly, and stood with equal trepidation. He was a young man, a little younger than Ildin Taldic and only recently elevated to the Governorship. “I have a question of some importance that I feel I must ask now. With your permission, my Lord.”
“Yes, Governor, go ahead.”
“First, I’d like to tell my colleagues that what you’ve said is true about levies taken that were meant for the crown. My father died, as you know, only a few months ago, and it was then that I learned the full extent of Vindal’s hold over him and our region. Vindal’s thugs have had complete control over all my actions since I became Governor. They’ve threatened my family and hold them virtually prisoner in our own home. My Lord, when I left yesterday, that was still the case.”
Marc nodded and smiled. “It no longer is, Governor. Last night, when Commander Morlin learned of these activities, he sent reinforcements into your region and others to deal with the mercenaries Vindal hired. That threat has been removed. Your wife, Lady Gleese, and your children, all eight of them, are safe and under the protection of our base troops. For those of you who were faced with the same threat, I assure you of the same thing. Your families are safe, and your homes once again secured.”
Jerrim sank back down into his chair, nodding in relief and gratitude that was plain for all to see. “Thank you, my Lord. Thank you.”
“Well, you’ve saved me the difficult problem of how to bring up the crown levies.”
A whisper moved through the room, groaning this time, and yet another Governor stood. Governor Sien this time, another of Taldic’s careful plants. “Perhaps the problem will be even less if you intend to tell us the levies are suspended, my Lord.”
A nervous laugh followed that statement, and Marc joined them, but shook his head. “I wish that could be true for all of you. It is true for a few of you who’ve been particularly hard hit by our current economic difficulties, but not for as many as I fear you may expect. It should be of some comfort to know that no one will be paying a crown levy twice, and what you do pay will reach the Palace as it’s meant to. With the help of the Finance Ministry, we’ve devised as equitable a payment system that we could come up with for this year’s levies. This year the levy is based on the ability to pay. Since I know you’re going to wonder how I arrived at this determination, I’ll tell you. I had Finance examine all Regional expense and income accounts. I know this isn’t something normally done, and you may feel it intrusive. It is allowable by law, and I needed the information to make this fair.”
“What law?” Governor Valsand asked.
At that, Marc hesitated, obviously straining to remember. “The Finance Ministry charter in section 138, no 141, says that in cases of extreme need the crown has the authority to examine all Regional accounts. These aren’t your personal accounts. I don’t know what you spent on gifts for your wives or toys for your children. The lack of financial stability seemed to me an extreme need and acting on behalf of the Crown Prince, I went ahead and looked.”
“Couldn’t you have asked for this information?” Valsand asked pointedly.
“Yes, I could have, but you know as well as I, that it would have taken longer for me to receive it.” Marc winced as he finished, aware he had spoken more bluntly than was probably wise.
“And perhaps if asked,” Governor Friest said, “the information might not have been quite so accurate. As we are learning, Governor Valsand, honest men expect the same courtesy, but don’t necessarily believe they’ll receive it. Our new Lord Chancellor is honest. Perhaps to a fault.”
Marc waited again while the Governors settled. “I believe you all have a comboard. If you’ll prepare them to receive the files I have, you can read for yourself what we’ve decided.”
After three tries and a few controls re-keyed, all the Governors had in hand what they were expected to pay. A quick silence was broken as more than a few comboards clattered to desktops, followed by many shaking heads. Valsand was one of those, but Marc stopped him quickly.
“This isn’t up for debate. It can’t be. If Cobalt has any hope of digging out of its financial difficulties, the levies have to stand. Arrangements for payment can be made through the Finance Ministry, but rest assured, if I deem it feasible for you to pay, then pay you will.”
He waited for that to sink in, then quickly went on in the uncomfortable silence that followed to explain what they would be doing about the food shortage. After dealing with the levies, the Governors hardly blinked when Marc told them that all Regional surplus would be delivered to central storage for redistribution to those areas with the most need. He finished up with a quick thank you for their time, turned from the podium, and took his seat in absolute silence.
Not very kind of them, Dynan thought, but it was also part of the Lord Chancellor’s job to take the blame for unpopular decisions, even though those decisions came from the King.
Taldic returned to the podium and he didn’t seem too pleased with his colleagues’ reaction. “Thank you my Lord Chancellor for your candor and for your efforts. I would like to assure my fellow Governors, that despite my close relationship with both the Lord Chancellor and Prince Dynan, my region was not spared. Nor will it be unduly strained, and I believe if you look closer at the figures you’ve been provided, you’ll find the burden less than you first believed. I urge you all to do this. Now is the time we must work together, for only in unity, will we overcome the many problems we face.
“It has been years since this Chamber last felt the presence of the Royal family. It is my great honor, and greater pleasure to relinquish the podium again. My Lord Governors, His Royal Highness, Prince Dynan Telaerin.”
The Governors of Cobalt might not have been willing to forgive Marc, but they were more than willing to forget who had given the order. Their response was thunderous. Dynan however, was no longer in a charitable frame of mind. He delivered what he considered the obligatory speech, something to ease the blow, and while it was well received, he felt the Governors were more relieved that Marc was finished than inspired by anything he had to say. There were some who seemed openly shocked that he was speaking at all – a left-over memory from a time years ago when talking in public wasn’t something he did if he could avoid it. Dynan kept his remarks short for other reasons, and soon Gemern once again stood at the podium offering his last thoughts and a few warnings before he called the meeting adjourned.
There was still the reception to get through. Dynan found it slightly annoying when Marc shadowed his every step. He didn’t want to be caught out in this crowd alone, and Dynan couldn’t really blame him for that. He’d had a fair share of confidence damaging incidents for one day, something he was particularly susceptible to. Dynan didn’t want him so beaten that he’d be afraid to ever think for himself again, and so tolerated his hiding behind him.
Each Governor made their way by. None of them presumed to mention the levies, but there were plenty of questions about Alse. Marc answered those without much difficulty, and more importantly without any sense of gloating that many of them seemed to expect. Governor Peroll thanked him more than a few times, and while the others did too, they also asked how long the base troops would be necessary. Marc’s answer surprised them.
“Order them home when you return if you like, Governor Riel, but I don’t recommend you do. There’s the possibility that some pockets of resistance remain. Give it a day or two, and if you feel the region secure, send them home. Otherwise, unless warranted, they’ll all be recalled after the coronation.”
Governor Riel went off satisfied, only to be replaced by Governor Kanzler, the eldest of all the Regional Governors and a cantankerous old man. He gave them the usual dose of aged wisdom that Dynan almost had memorized from times past when he’d heard the same speech.
“It’s good to see you again too, Governor Kanzler, but I have to say, I thought for certain you’d be dead by now.”
Marc stared at him, but Kanzler cackled out a laugh that Dynan thought might shake him apart. “You’ll not be rid of me so easily, Your Highness. I expect to hang on until the coronation at least.”
“Now, Herill, I expect you’ll be around to keep me honest for many years to come.”
“If I’m not, you’ll have this young man here to do it for you,” Kanzler said, cackling again. “Quite a fuss you managed to stir up. Quite a fuss. Reminds me of Xavier when he was a lad. You ought to do well, and you will, if you listen to your elders. I’ll be seeing you about these levies, be certain of that.”
“I ... I look forward to it, Governor,” Marc said, barely managing a smile.
“Tell that brother of yours to come see me,” he said to Dynan and then walked off.
“Can we go home?” Marc asked silently, smiling at another approaching Governor. Valsand didn’t look at all humored.
“We’re going to the base first, remember?” Dynan answered, and smiled. “Governor Valsand.”
They didn’t extract themselves for another hour and by then, the day was beginning to wane. Dynan wanted nothing more than to go home and collapse, but had to meet with Morlin and the other fleet Commanders at the Rianamar Base.
Outside the hall, the crowds had only increased in size and made twice the noise they had before. Dynan took a moment to go across again and walked to the far street corner with the carriage and fifty nervous guards following, greeting the people, talking to a few for more than a moment or two, and in general made a huge number of them very happy.
“Are we going to walk all the way to the base, or have you had enough of terrifying your guards?” Captain Bairing asked as they reached the end of the street.
“I don’t know, Kyle. I thought I’d walk. You could certainly use the exercise.” He punched him lightly in the stomach, meeting something that felt more like stone, and laughed at his Captain’s surprise. “I’ve had enough. Is the base ready for me?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Has Morlin turned this into a big inspection tour?”
“Not a big one.”
“Is there food on board?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Dynan nodded, smiled for the crowd, waved one last time and got in the carriage. They set off for the base, a winding ride across town, and the entire route was jammed with people, all of them hoping for a glimpse of him. They were disappointed. He ate his lunch instead. Marc sank back into the couch, and to Dynan’s surprise, fell asleep within a few minutes.
Kyle poked his head in when they reached the base and Dynan climbed out. “What about him?”
“Let him sleep. I wish I could do the same. Commander Morlin, what’s this about an inspection?”
“Not an inspection, Your Highness. Call it an informal review.”
“Good. I hate inspections.”
“I’ve been told that. Right this way, Your Highness.”
