When Thomas read the single word “Yes” in the Agony column of the Haever Gazette, he was elated. He eagerly looked forward to hearing about the plans, but he had to contain his impatience to read the next installment of the escapades of Captain Kate. During that time, he kept close watch on King Ullr and, more importantly, Baron Grimm.
Ullr continued his friendship with Smythe. Thomas had been trying to make up his mind whether or not to tell Smythe that Ullr was using him as a cat’s-paw. Thomas doubted if Smythe would believe him, but he felt he must at least try to warn him.
He brought up the subject when Smythe entered his office to bring him the usual round of reports and documents that required his signature. Smythe indicated which ones Thomas needed to sign and waited with ill-concealed impatience as he read through them.
They were almost finished when a servant arrived bearing a calling card on a salver. “Admiral Randolph Baker requests an audience, Your Majesty.”
Smythe picked up the calling card, glanced at it. “Did this admiral say what he wanted with His Majesty?”
“No, sir,” the servant responded.
Smythe tossed the card back onto the salver. “His Majesty cannot meet privately with every admiral in the navy. We would be besieged. Send him away.”
Thomas could have countermanded Smythe’s order and requested that the admiral be shown into his office. He had never heard of the man, however, and he needed to talk to Smythe about Ullr.
Thomas gestured and the servant departed.
“You met with King Ullr this morning,” Thomas said, signing the last document. “What did the two of you discuss?”
“Nothing that need concern Your Majesty,” said Smythe.
He gathered up the pile of documents and prepared to leave.
“I do not trust that man,” Thomas said, detaining him. “King Ullr seeks to extend his power, as we see when he maintained he was Braffa’s friend and declared Braffa a ‘protectorate.’ Now he comes here claiming to be our friend. Mark my words, he is intent only upon furthering Guundaran interests to the detriment of our own.”
Smythe listened with an unpleasant smile, then said coldly, “May I remind Your Majesty that King Ullr warned us of a Rosian plot to invade Wellinsport, which we have countered by dispatching the Terrapin.”
Thomas had to bite his lip to keep from telling Smythe that the “Rosian plot” was nothing more than a ruse to lure the Terrapin into an ambush. Smythe would scoff at him and he had no proof. He dared not reveal how he had found out.
“King Ullr is a king,” Smythe was saying, his lip curling in a sneer. “You could take lessons from him. As for our meetings, I am negotiating your marriage with a wealthy Guundaran princess.”
Smythe leaned over the desk. “If you wonder why I do not include you in my meetings with King Ullr, let me make it plain. You are the one I do not trust, Thomas Stanford. You do the bidding of the Rosians. You served in their navy. You engaged yourself to their witch of a princess. You are the lover of the Countess de Marjolaine—”
“That is a lie!” Thomas cried angrily, slamming his hands on the desk.
Smythe regarded him with disdain. “The Rosians are heretics. Their profligate nobles wallow in sin and gluttony and leave the poor to starve. Their priests are abominations. They are in league with the dragons, the spawn of the Evil One, who intend to destroy us.”
Smythe drew himself up. “With the help of King Ullr, I will destroy the dragons and crush Rosia into the dust. After my victory, I will have no more use for you. I will denounce you for the traitor you are and I will give glory to God when you mount the executioner’s block and the axe falls and your severed head rolls about in the muck. I will rule Freya, then. As God has long intended.”
Thomas stared at him in shock so great he was robbed of speech. He had never imagined this man could be consumed by such hatred for him.
“Have I your leave to go, sire?” Smythe asked with contempt.
He made a sardonic bow, turned on his heel, and left the room before Thomas answered.
Two days later, Thomas retired to his chambers, leaving orders he was not to be disturbed, and eagerly read the latest Captain Kate story in the Haever Gazette. He read the story carefully and found his instructions couched amid the captain’s heroic escapades following the word “dragon.”
Kate and Prince Tom were to meet in the garden beside the sundial on the first night of the month at the stroke of one. After that came the words: Kate and her dragon carried Prince Tom and his friend to freedom.
Thomas wished that happy ending could come true. He thought longingly of escaping the palace, escaping Smythe. He sighed and read on.
They wore evening attire. And the last, They came armed.
No hours in the history of mankind had ever passed so slowly as did the hours of those next two days. Thomas went through the motions of his daily routine as though he was one of those mechanical figures that popped out of the famous Travian clock every hour on the hour to strike a gong.
Sleep was difficult, for his restless mind was intent on keeping him awake. He would need his strength and his wits, however, and he fatigued himself as much as possible during the day, so that sleep would finally overtake him at night.
The day dawned at last, as days will do, no matter how distant they seem. Thomas was awake to watch the sun rise. He was filled with nervous energy and anticipation and he hoped to be able to avoid Smythe, for fear he could not conceal his emotions.
Unfortunately, Smythe and King Ullr chose this morning to apprise Thomas of the fact that he was now engaged to be married to Princess Wilhelmina Rostoff of Guundar.
“Your Majesty is fortunate,” said Ullr. He handed Thomas a miniature portrait of the woman in question. “The princess is considered to be the most beautiful woman in Guundar, as well as one of the richest.”
Thomas glanced at the portrait. “I have met the princess. The painting does not do Her Highness justice.”
“Indeed?” King Ullr seemed surprised. “I was not aware.”
“We met in the Estaran court,” Thomas said, adding dryly, “I was four years old at the time. Her Highness was twenty.”
Ullr shrugged. “Her Highness is some years older than Your Majesty, that is true. But she is a woman of vast experience in the realm of international politics and foreign affairs. She will be a true helpmate, able to advise and provide wise counsel.”
“Indeed, sir, I have heard of the princess’s vast experience and of her affairs,” said Thomas. “The latter are notorious.”
“Spiteful rumors, I assure you, sir. I make allowances for your youth and inexperience,” said Ullr. “I suppose you would prefer marrying a female pirate.”
Thomas managed to keep the smile on his lips, but only because his facial muscles were paralyzed. He remembered Phillip warning him that Ullr would have spies watching him, but he could not believe they could uncover the secrets of his heart.
He recovered himself enough to try to turn the conversation back to the engagement. Smythe had been quick to notice Thomas’s change of countenance and he frowned and turned to Ullr.
“I fail to take your meaning, sir,” he said. “What is this about a female pirate?”
“I was merely making a jest,” said Ullr. “I refer to the romance stories of the clever Miss Nettleship in your newspaper, the Gazette. Don’t you enjoy those, Chancellor?”
“I do not, sir,” said Smythe harshly. “The Reverend Blackthorn teaches that fiction is a sin in the eyes of God, for it is filled with lies and serves no virtuous purpose.”
Ullr seemed amused. Thomas said something about looking forward to meeting the princess and rose to his feet, indicating the audience was at an end.
After they were gone, Thomas sank back in his chair.
Night could not come fast enough.