A Dragon's Ascension - Ed Greenwood [100]
"The binding held, though those who believed that the slaying of Kelgrael would also bring death to the Serpent were proven wrong."
"I believe so. The Great Snake's eye filmed over, and it became as a statue-but it lives. I'd swear to that, Thaebred."
"As Serpent-priests all over Darsar are their usual bold, cruel selves and not foaming, shrieking madfolk running through the streets, I'd say you're right. So the Serpent again sleeps-which is a good thing for Bloodblade and all the other ambitious barons, wizards, brigands, and the Three alone know who else now hurrying to snatch at the Throne of Aglirta. They'd soon learn what real tyranny is if the Serpent ever sat the Throne of Flowfoam."
"What, the epitome of tyrants isn't the sly, cruel, duplicitous old regent? You disappoint me!" Raegrel replied, rolling his eyes. "To hear these Aglirtans squawk and scheme, you'd think he was emptying their coffers and barns, seizing their wives and beasts, and flogging their backsides to boot, every morning!"
"When he grows tired of such onerous ruling duties, I sometimes step in for him," Thaebred replied wryly. "Now tell me of Bloodblade, and the Bold Barons Three, in whichever order best describes what's befallen."
"Loushoond, Ornentar, and Tarlagar are as foolish a trio of ambitious, ungrateful dolts as I've ever seen. Barely mantled long enough to know where their own castles are, they reward Kelgrael's trust by seeking to seize his throne, figuring he'll never awaken to smite them because he's so dedicated to keeping the Serpent out of Darsar. They scheme with enthusiasm but no secrecy whatsoever, and gallop back and forth along the shore roads-with ever-larger groups of bodyguards who practice for battle by casually swording a handy peddler or herder or two, per trip-visiting each other. They wear bright new armor day and night and wave drawn swords at table and in bedchamber, ordering their maids to fetch that goblet or to strip. The moment they hear the regent has taken horse against Bloodblade, they storm the docks to seize Flowfoam, not sparing a single thought for what will happen to them the moment whoever wins the great battle between regent and Bloodblade comes looking for the throne. It's almost as if they believe the Three Above reach down to bestow prizes upon anyone who sits on the throne for a moment!"
"And so, Master of Vitriol? What's befallen said trio of fools thus far?"
"A wizard riding with them did his best to destroy the Silvertree docks, and in the resulting wreckage they fought the four overdukes, apparently for possession of a few surviving boats. In this manner they lost much of their battle strength ere the Band of Four embarked for Flowfoam, but followed shortly thereafter-not all that far ahead of Bloodblade, who evidently prevailed at Sarth Fields. Did the regent die?"
"We think not. Dwaer were used in the air above the battle, and there's some confusion as to Blackgult's fate and… other things. Continue."
"We rapidly approach the limits of my knowledge," Raegrel replied. "All three forces in turn voyaged to Flowfoam, Bloodblade's requiring many ferryings, and none have departed that isle yet-nor hare we seen bodies floating downriver."
"That'll come," the older Koglaur said with a grim smile. "Believe me."
"Oh, I do. They must be hacking at each other already-and there was some sort of Serpent-shaped apparition raised by magic above Flowfoam Palace, not long ago. I've no idea as to what it meant to the real Serpent, because I was hastening here."
"So as to shed blood so prettily in the early show," Thaebied agreed, his smile broader this time. "Well, there are worse destinies."
"For me, or for Aglirta?"
The older Koglaur only smiled, and refilled both their goblets.
"Noisy, aren't they?" Craer commented, raising his borrowed sword in