Thinblade (57 page)

“We should have riders take word of your arrival to all of the territories and demand their allegiance. Some will comply on the strength of your claim and the legend alone. Others will resist, but at least we’ll know where we stand,” Anatoly offered.

“I can also send out bards to tell your story, but I’ll need to spend some time with a number of my best to teach them the story and the songs I’ve written,” Jack suggested. “I was hoping to do that this afternoon.”

Alexander nodded his agreement. “Good, the sooner we spread the word, the sooner we can be ready for Phane.”

Isabel squeezed his hand to get his attention. “The man in black and his giant friend have arrived in New Ruatha with Rangle,” she said. “I’ve had Slyder watching them for most of the morning. It looks like they’re making inquiries about your whereabouts but they’ve stayed well clear of Guild Row. It seems that they don’t want the attention of the Wizards or the Bards.”

“Phane seems to think that guy is more dangerous than a pack of nether wolves,” Alexander said. “He makes me nervous. Keep an eye on him for me?”

Isabel nodded just as there was a loud knock at the door. Anatoly stood with his axe in hand. Alexander hadn’t noticed the big man-at-arms’ war axe leaning against the wall behind his chair, but it didn’t surprise him.

“I’ll get it,” he said, taking his axe with him and heading for the door.

Anatoly came back from the entry hall with Regent Cery and Mage Gamaliel.

Alexander stood to greet them. “Good morning. We were just discussing our next moves. Please sit. If you’re hungry, we have more food than we could possibly eat.”

Regent Cery smiled at that and nodded with satisfaction. “I’m happy to see my staff is taking good care of you,” he said, taking a chair.

Mage Gamaliel sat across from Lucky. “Looks like Master Alabrand is pleased with the food as well. High praise to your chef, Regent.”

Lucky smiled through a mouthful of biscuit at his mentor and nodded happily. Alexander always marveled at how content Lucky was when presented with a good meal.

Alexander took a deep breath and collected his thoughts. “We have much to discuss and a number of important things to do before we’re on our way.”

The Regent looked startled. “Where would you be going? You’ve only just arrived and you say your enemies are hunting you. Wouldn’t you be safer here?”

Alexander nodded. “Possibly, but there are things I must do and sooner would be better than later.” He deliberately withheld their ultimate destination. He felt he could trust the Regent but he was learning the value of caution. Information was power and the less others knew about his plans, the less chance the enemy had of discovering them.

“Regent, I’d like for Master Grace to look over your military and talk with your commanders. I need to assess your military strength, organization, and capability. Anatoly has far more insight into the workings of an army than I do and I trust his judgment.”

“Of course, I will instruct General Markos to provide Master Grace with anything he requires.”

“Master Colton needs a place to meet with his bards.” Alexander wanted to get his plan in motion. His urgency to get to Blackstone Keep was building. “Can you have your aids make arrangements for a secure location, preferably out of anyone’s earshot?”

Cery nodded again. “Minister Savio will see to your needs, Master Colton.”

Alexander took a deep breath before he began with his chief concern. “Phane is currently in Karth. He’s taken command of the Reishi Army Regency and is waging war on the House of Karth. When he’s done there, he’ll likely solidify his hold on Karth and consolidate his army. At that point, I expect he’ll send envoys to all of the islands and demand their surrender. Some will bow to his demands out of fear or greed. Those that do will bolster his army’s numbers. Those that don’t will become his next targets. He knows I’m here and he fears me, or at least he fears what Mage Cedric has set in motion through me. I suspect he’ll attack Ruatha next. I intend to draft letters to each of the Ruathan territories and demand their allegiance, so I’ll need couriers to carry those messages.”

“You’ll have them,” Regent Cery assured Alexander.

Alexander leaned forward a little. “Can you tell me anything about the man I killed last night?”

The Regent looked a bit uncomfortable at the question but he answered forthrightly. “He was a member of the palace guard and has been for many years. We tried to find his wife and two children to question them but their quarters were empty. I personally questioned his captain. He had no explanation for the attack and we could not determine where he got the glass arrowhead filled with poison. I must admit, the whole incident is quite troubling and somewhat of a mystery to me.”

Alexander sat back, taking a deep breath as he thought about the news. “I suspect the enemy has his family. Redouble your efforts to find them and be gentle when you do. If the man did what he did to preserve the lives of his wife and children, then I want you to make sure they’re provided for.”

“But he betrayed the palace and tried to kill you. The palace guard must know such a thing is inexcusable.” Regent Cery was clearly angry about the betrayal.

“The man who attacked me is dead,” Alexander said. “That’s punishment enough. If his family was abducted and used for leverage, then they bear no guilt for his crime. I will not have them punished for being held hostage and losing their father and husband. If and when you find them, I wish to speak with them. They may have information about the enemy that could be useful.”

“As you wish, Lord Alexander, but you are far more generous than many others would be under similar circumstances,” the Regent said.

“Perhaps, but the way I see it, these people and I have something in common. We’ve both lost someone we love to the enemy.” Alexander held the Regent with his glittering, gold-flecked eyes for a moment to drive home the point. When the Regent nodded, Alexander took a deep breath and changed the subject. “I think that’s everything we needed to get done for the moment. Right now I need to speak with Mage Gamaliel.” Alexander looked around the room.

“Actually, there are a couple of other items we need to discuss,” Regent Cery said. “The local council of petty nobles will expect you to address them before they agree to support your claim to the throne. Technically, I speak for New Ruatha but on matters of such importance, they will want to have a say, even if only for show. As you can imagine, your presence has created quite a stir in the ranks of the politically minded. Many fear you will diminish their power. Others believe that the best course is negotiation with Phane. Yet others are skeptical of your claim to the throne. The first step to securing their allegiance will be to address the council and present your expectations of them and your intentions going forward.”

Alexander sighed. He hated formal settings and wanted nothing to do with a council meeting, but he understood the necessity of winning over the petty nobles. “Very well, I’ll meet with them later this afternoon. You spoke of something else?”

The Regent and the Mage shared a look before the Regent spoke. “Yes, a large number of people have gathered outside your balcony. They are awaiting your appearance and I suspect they will remain until you show yourself.”

Alexander frowned. He chided himself for not anticipating something like this. These people had lived with the legend of his arrival their whole lives. His presence, especially after the warning spell alerting everyone to the awakening of Phane, was bound to draw attention. And he hadn’t been terribly subtle in the throne room.

He sighed as he stood up. “All right, I should go make my appearance so we can get to work.”

Alexander stepped out onto the balcony from the large, very plush sitting room and saw the black granite mountain off in the distance that was Blackstone Keep. He’d never seen the old home of the wizards before and the sight made his heart beat a little faster. It was a long way off but even at this distance he could see it was a magnificent fortress that could only have been wrought with magic.

He took a step toward the low stone wall that served as the railing for the balcony and his heart began to beat even faster when he saw the throng below. He reached the railing and looked down a hundred feet to the large square and was shocked speechless. He’d never seen so many people all in one place in his whole life. There must have been thousands. A ripple of excitement coursed through the crowd, followed by a hush that made Alexander start to sweat. All these people were here to see him. The full weight of his burden settled squarely on his shoulders. Every soul in the square below expected him to protect them from Phane and the war he was bringing to the Seven Isles. Alexander almost faltered at the thought of all these people’s futures hinging on his decisions and actions. He had to remind himself to breathe. The Regent came up on his left and the Mage on his right.

“Slip this on your finger and the crowd will be able to hear you clearly, even from here.” Mage Gamaliel held out a simple gold ring. “It’s a little trinket I created to help my voice carry in large gatherings.” He shrugged, “Comes in handy from time to time.”

Alexander swallowed hard and slipped the ring on his finger. He felt a tingle of magic race over him. The Mage nodded for him to begin.

“Prince Phane Reishi has returned to wage war on the Seven Isles.” He paused for a moment to let the ripple of apprehension that flowed through the crowd die down. “Mage Cedric made preparations for this day. One of those preparations was to place the Ruathan bloodline into hiding so that an heir to the throne could step forward and lead you in this fight. Today, I stand before you to fulfill his promise.” When he paused, a cheer rose from the mass of people below. The stories they had grown up with were coming alive right before them.

Once the noise died down, Alexander continued. “The days and months ahead will be marked by hardship and sacrifice. As we speak, Phane is waging war on the House of Karth. When he has consolidated his forces, he will likely come here. We must be ready. I call on the people of Ruatha to unite in common cause against Phane. If he succeeds, your children will never know the taste of freedom.”

The crowd had grown quiet in rapt attention.

“I have instructed the Regent to begin assembling an army. Before this is over, we will need every soldier we can get to fight this war. Do not think you will be able to leave the sacrifice to others. Everyone in the Seven Isles will become entangled in this conflict before the future is decided. If we do not stand together, then the future is lost.”

Alexander paused again and surveyed the crowd. They were as silent as a graveyard. He had just pronounced a sentence on their lives. The trepidation and uncertainty was palpable.

“I give you this pledge: I will give everything that I have and everything that I am to protect you and yours.” He waved to the crowd, then turned away from the railing, walked back into the sitting room and handed Mage Gamaliel his ring.

Jack nodded thoughtfully. “Not bad. You sowed the seeds of a call to action that I can definitely work with.”

Alexander was three steps into the plush sitting room when the crowd erupted in a roar. The sound was deafening. It swelled up from the square below and washed into the room and over Alexander like a force of nature. He could feel the reverberations of thousands of voices raised to their peak in unison, every one of them proclaiming solidarity with his cause and purpose. He remembered Jack’s words: A mass of people united in a common purpose was more powerful than magic. He hadn’t quite understood that before now. He turned to look over his shoulder at the bard. Jack gave him a knowing wink and a nod as he stood in the wake of the fading roar, soaking it in and reveling in the unrestrained power of it. He had an odd, wistful smile on his lips as if something long hoped for and much dreamed about had come to pass.

He walked past Alexander and gave him a friendly clap on the shoulder, whistling as he went. “I’ll be with my bards.” There was a renewed spring in his step.

Chapter 48

“I agree with Master Colton, Lord Alexander,” Regent Cery said. “Your speech was well done. The people now have hope and direction. It’s what they need for the moment. Since Phane awoke, the fear and uncertainty in the streets has been palpable. Your words have gone a long way to turn their feelings into resolve and determination. I suspect Master Colton will use your words as a basis for his songs and stories. Within a few days all will know what you have said here today.”

Alexander didn’t react at first. He felt the burden weigh even heavier now that he had thousands of people entrusting their future to him. “If I gave them what they needed today, then I am glad for that, but my words won’t win this war. There will come a time, all too soon I fear, when their enthusiasm will be dampened by blood.” He slumped down onto a comfortable couch with the sound of the crowd far below murmuring in the background as they discussed the momentous events of the day.

“Regent, if there’s nothing else too pressing, I’d like a chance to speak with the Mage. Please make the necessary arrangements for Anatoly and Abigail to see your military.”