Magician (118 page)

Again the staff rested upon Martin’s
shoulder as the priest asked, “State your name and your claim.”

Martin’s voice rang out. “I
am Martin, eldest son of Borric, eldest of the royal blood.”

A slight buzzing ran through the hall,
silenced by the priest’s staff striking the floor. The staff
was placed upon Lyam’s shoulder, and he answered, “I am
Lyam, son of Borric, of the royal blood.”

A few voices could be heard saying,
“The Heir!”

The priest hesitated, then repeated the
question to Arutha, who answered, “I am Arutha, son of Borric,
of the royal blood.”

The priest looked at the three young
men, then to Lyam said, “Are you the acknowledged Heir?”

Lyam answered with the staff resting
upon his shoulder. “The right of succession was given to me in
ignorance of Martin. It is a false bequest, for Rodric thought me the
eldest conDoin male.”

The priest removed the staff and
conferred with his fellow priests. The hall remained silent as the
priests gathered together to discuss the unforeseen turn of events.
Time passed torturously, until at last the chief priest turned once
more to face them. He surrendered his staff and was handed the golden
circle that was the crown of the Kingdom. He uttered a brief prayer:
“Ishap, give all before us in this matter guidance and wisdom.
Let the appointed one do right.” In a strong voice he said,
“That the succession is flawed is clear.” He placed the
crown before Martin. “Martin, as eldest son of the royal blood
you have the right of first claim. Will you, Martin, take up this
burden, and will you be our King?”

Martin looked at the crown. Silence
hung heavy in the room as every eye was fixed upon the tall man in
green. Breath was held as the throng in the hall waited upon his
answer.

Then Martin slowly reached out and took
the crown from the cushion upon which it rested. He raised it up, and
every gaze in the room followed it, as it caught a ray of light
entering through a high window, scattering glittering glory
throughout the hall.

Holding it above his head, he said, “I,
Martin, do hereby abdicate my claim to the crown of the Kingdom of
the Isles, for now and forever, on my own behalf and on behalf of all
my issue from now henceforth to the last generation.” He moved
suddenly and placed the crown upon Lyam’s brow. Martin’s
voice rang out once more, his words a defiant challenge. “All
hail Lyam! True and undoubted King!”

There was a pause, as those in the hall
took in what they had seen. Then Arutha faced a stunned, silent
crowd, and his voice filled the air. “Hail Lyam! True and
undoubted King!”

Lyam stood flanked by his brothers, one
to each side, and the hall erupted into shouts and cheers. “Hail
Lyam! Hail the King!”

The chief priest let the shouting
continue for a time, then recovered his staff and struck the floor,
bringing silence. He looked at Lyam and said, “Will you, Lyam,
take up this burden and be our King?”

Looking at the priest, Lyam answered,
“I will be your King.”

Again the room sounded with cheers, and
the chief priest let the din go unchecked. Pug looked and saw relief
on the faces of many, Brucal, Caldric, Fannon, Vandros, and Gardan,
all who had stood ready to face trouble.

Again the head priest silenced the room
with the striking of his staff. “Tully of the order of
Astalon,” he called, and the old family priest stepped forward.

Other priests removed Lyam’s red
mantle, replacing it with the purple mantle of kingship. The priests
stepped away, and Tully came before Lyam. To Martin and Arutha he
said, “All in the Kingdom thank you for your forbearance and
wisdom.” The brothers left Lyam’s side and returned to
stand with Anita and Carline.

Carline smiled warmly at Martin, took
his hand, and whispered, “Thank you, Martin.”

Tully faced the crowd and intoned, “Now
is the hour and here is the place. We are here to witness the
coronation of His Majesty, Lyam, first of that name, as our true
King. Is there any here who challenge his right?”

Several eastern lords looked unhappy,
but no objection was raised. Tully again faced Lyam, who went on his
knees before the priest. Tully placed his hand upon Lyam’s
head. “Now is the hour and here is the place. It is to you this
burden has fallen, Lyam, first of that name, son of Borric, of the
conDoin line of kings. Will you take up this burden and will you be
our King?”

Lyam answered, “I will be your
King.”

Tully removed his hand from Lyam’s
head and reached down to take his hand, gripping the royal signet
upon it. “Now is the hour and here is the place. Do you, Lyam
conDoin, son of Borric, of the line of kings, swear to defend and
protect the Kingdom of the Isles, faithfully serving her people, to
provide for their welfare, weal, and prosperity?”

“I, Lyam, do so swear and avow.”

Tully began a long liturgy, then when
the prayers were done, Lyam rose. Tully removed his ritual miter and
handed it to the Head Priest of Ishap, who passed it along to another
of Tully’s order. Tully knelt before Lyam and kissed his
signet. He then rose and escorted Lyam to the throne, while the
Ishapian priest incanted, “Ishap bless the King!”

Lyam sat. An ancient sword, once
carried by Dannis, the first conDoin King, was brought to him and
rested across his knees, a sign he would defend the Kingdom with his
life.

Tully turned and nodded to the Chief
Priest of Ishap, who struck the floor with his staff. “Now it
is past, the hour of our choosing I hereby proclaim Lyam the First
our right, true, and undisputed King.”

The crowd responded with a roar. “Hail
Lyam! Long live the King!”

The Priests of Ishap chanted low, and
the chief priest led them to the door. He struck the wax seal with
his staff, and it split with a cracking sound. He struck the door
three times more, and the guards outside opened it. Before stepping
out, he intoned the last phrase of the ritual of coronation. To those
outside the hall, not privileged to watch the ceremony, he announced,
“Let the word go forth. Lyam is our King!”

Faster than a bird’s flight, the
word went out of the hall, through the palace, and into the city.
Celebrants in the street toasted the new monarch, and not one in a
thousand knew how close disaster had come to visiting the Kingdom
this day.

The Ishapian priests left the hall, and
all eyes returned to the new ruler of the Kingdom.

Tully motioned to the members of the
royal family, and Arutha, Martin, and Carline came before their
brother Lyam extended his hand, and Martin knelt and kissed his
brother’s signet. Arutha followed, then Carline.

Alicia led Anita to the throne, the
first of the long line of nobles who followed, and the lengthy
business of accepting the fealty of the peers of the realm began.
Lord Caldric bent a trembling knee to his King, and there were tears
of relief upon his face as he rose. When Brucal swore his loyalty, he
briefly spoke to the King as he stood, and Lyam nodded.

Then in turn came the other nobles of
the Kingdom until, hours later, the last of the Border Barons, those
guardians of the Northern Marches, vassal to no Lord but the King,
rose and returned to stand with the others in the hall.

Handing the sword of Dannis to a
waiting page, Lyam stood and said, “It is our wish that a time
of celebration be at hand. But there are matters of state that must
be attended to at once. Most are of a happy nature, but first there
is one sad duty that must be discharged.

“There is one absent today, one
who sought to gain the throne upon which we are privileged to sit.
That Guy du Bas-Tyra did plot treason cannot be denied. That he did
commit foul murder is unquestioned. But it was the late King’s
wish that mercy be shown in this matter. As it was Rodric’s
dying request, I shall grant this boon, though it would be our
pleasure to see Guy du Bas-Tyra pay in full for his deeds.

“Let the word go from this day
that Guy du Bas-Tyra is named outlaw and banished from our Kingdom,
his titles and lands forfeit to the crown. Let his name and arms be
stricken from the role of Lords of the Kingdom. Let no man offer him
shelter, fire, food, or water.” To the assembled lords he
added, “Some here have been allied with the former Duke, so we
have little doubt he will hear our judgment. Tell him to flee, to go
to Kesh, Queg, or Roldem. Tell him to hide in the Northlands if no
other will take him, but should he be found inside our borders within
a week’s time, his life is forfeit.”

No one in the hall spoke for a moment,
then Lyam said, “It has been a time of great sorrow and
suffering in our realms; now let us embark upon a new era, one of
peace and prosperity.” He indicated that his two brothers
should return to his side, and as they approached, Arutha looked at
Martin. Suddenly he grinned and, in an unexpected display of emotion,
hugged both Martin and Lyam. For a brief instant all in the hall were
silent as the three brothers clung closely to one another, then again
cheers filled the room.

While the clamor continued, Lyam spoke
to his brothers. At first Martin smiled broadly, then suddenly his
expression changed. Both Arutha and Lyam nodded vigorously, but
Martin’s face drained of color. He started to say something,
his manner intense and remonstrative. Lyam cut him off and held up
his hand for silence.

“There is a new ordering of
things in our Kingdom. Let it be known that from this day forward,
our beloved brother Arutha is Prince of Krondor, and until such time
as there is a son in our house, Heir to the throne.” At the
last, Arutha seemed less than pleased. Then Lyam said, “And it
is our wish that the Duchy of Crydee, home of our father, stay within
our family so long as his line remains. To this end I name Martin,
our beloved brother, Duke of Crydee, with all lands, titles, and
rights pertaining thereunto.”

A cheer again rose from the crowd.
Martin and Arutha left Lyam’s side, and the new King said, “Let
the Earl of LaMut and Knight-Captain Kasumi of LaMut approach the
throne.”

Kasumi and Vandros started. Kasumi had
been nervous all day, for Vandros had placed a great trust in him His
Tsurani impassivity asserted itself, and he fell in beside Vandros as
he reached the throne.

Both men knelt before Lyam, who said,
“My lord Brucal has asked us to make this happy announcement.
His vassal the Earl Vandros will wed his daughter, the Lady Felinah.”

From the crowd Brucal’s voice
could be heard clearly saying, “And it’s about time.”
Several of the older courtiers from Rodric’s court blanched,
but Lyam joined in the general laughter.

“It is also the Duke’s wish
that he be allowed to retire to his estates, where he may seek the
rewards of a long and useful service to his Kingdom. We have given
consent. And as he has no son, it is also his wish that his title
pass to one able to continue in the service of the Kingdom, one who
has shown uncommon ability in commanding the LaMutian garrison of the
Armies of the West during the late conflict. For his many brave
actions and his faithful service, we hereby approve his marriage and
are pleased to name Vandros Duke of Yabon, with all lands, titles,
and rights pertaining thereunto. Rise, Lord Vandros.”

Vandros rose, a little shaken, then
returned to the side of his father-in-law-to-be. Brucal struck him a
friendly blow on the back and gripped his hand. Lyam turned his
attention to Kasumi and smiled. “There is one here before us
who was recently counted our enemy. He is now counted as our loyal
subject. Kasumi of the Shinzawai, for your efforts to bring peace to
two warring worlds, and your wisdom and courage in the defense of our
lands against the Brotherhood of the Dark Path, we give to you
command of the garrison of LaMut, and name you Earl of LaMut, with
all lands, titles, and rights pertaining thereunto. Rise, Earl
Kasumi.”

Kasumi was speechless. He slowly
reached out and took the King’s hand, as he had seen the other
nobles do, and kissed the signet. To the King he said, “My lord
King, my life and my honor do I pledge.”

Lyam said, “My lord Vandros, do
you accept Earl Kasumi as your vassal?”

Vandros grinned. “Happily, Sire.”

Kasumi rejoined Vandros, his eyes
illuminated by pride. Brucal administered another hearty slap on the
back.

Several more offices were given, for
there were vacancies from the intrigues of Rodric’s court and
from deaths in the war. When it seemed all business was over, Lyam
said, “Let Squire Pug of Crydee approach the throne.”

Pug looked at Katala and Kulgan,
surprised at being called “What . . . ?”

Kulgan pushed him forward “Go and
find out.”

Pug came before Lyam and bowed. The
King said, “What has been done was a private matter, between
our father and this man. Now it is our wish all in our realm know
that this man, once called Pug, the orphan of Crydee, has had his
name inscribed upon the rolls of our family.” He held out his
hand, and Pug knelt before him. Lyam presented his signet and then
took Pug by the shoulders and bade him rise. “As it was our
father’s wish, so it is ours. From this day let all in our
Kingdom know this man is Pug conDoin, member of the King’s
family.”

Many in the hall were surprised by
Pug’s adoption and elevation, but those who knew of his
exploits cheered lustily as Lyam said, “Behold our cousin Pug,
Prince of the Realm.”

Katala ignored all propriety and ran
forward to embrace her husband. Several of the eastern lords frowned,
but Lyam laughed and kissed her upon the cheek.

“Come!” Lyam cried. “It
is now time for celebration. Let the dancers, musicians, and tumblers
come forth. Let tables be brought and food and wine be placed upon
them. Let merriment reign!”

The festivities continued. Celebration
had run unchecked throughout the afternoon. A herald next to the
King’s table read messages to the King from those unable to
attend, many nobles and the King of Queg, as well as monarchs of the
small kingdoms of the eastern shores. Important merchants and
Guildmasters from the Free Cities also sent congratulations. There
were also messages from Aglaranna and Tomas, and from the dwarves of
the West at Stone Mountain and the Grey Towers Old King Halfdan,
ruler of the dwarves of the East in Dorgin, sent his best wishes, and
even Great Kesh had sent greetings, with a request for more meetings
to settle peacefully the issue of the Vale of Dreams. The message was
personally signed by the Empress.