Page 91 (1/2)

‘I shall recover, sire,’ Brys said

Ezgara smiled, then surveyed the others in the roo, isn’t it? We should be relieved that my dearest wife is at the moment senseless beneath an exhausted consort, so that even herHopefully, when that finally occurs, it will be far too late’

Nifadas spoke, ‘My king, I shall be the first to take my leave, if you will permit The hour of my departure from the city fast approaches, and ara’s lopsided sence in suchme sceptical of your claiht ensure your spies are made aware of precisely when her spies make their report, so that they in turn h what I aiven that the event initiating these flurries of reporting is none other than the one occurring right now in this room’

Nifadas bowed ‘None can rest in this dance, sire, as you well know’

The king’s shtened ‘Well I do, indeed, First Eunuch Be off with you, then’

Brys watched Nifadas depart As soon as the door was closed the king faced Kuru Qan ‘Ceda, the Chancellor continues to petition against Finadd Gerun Eberict’s attachuments are persuasive’

‘He fears for the life of your son, your highness’

Ezgara nodded ‘And has the Finadd’s restraint so weakened that he ht murder my heir?’

‘One would hope not, sire’

‘Do you iine that my son understands the risk and will therefore act with constraint and decoruers, sire,’ Kuru Qan carefully replied ‘He has gathered about hiuards, under the command of Moroch Nevath’

‘Presu his prince’s life’ At this Ezgara turned and fixed Brys with an inquisitive gaze

‘Moroch is supremely skilled, sire,’ Brys Beddict said after a moment ‘I would hazard he will have tasters in line before the prince, and es replete with a host of wards’

‘To the latter, your highness,’ Kuru Qan said, ‘I can attest I have lost a number of skilled students to the queen’s coara Diskanar said, ‘we seek balance in the threat, and rely upon the wisdom of the players Should one party decide on preemptive action, however, the scenario fast unravels’