Azure bonds - Kate Novak [53]
"Well, I don't like this. Dealing with a creature like that goes against my grain."
"Her offer is quite generous, Your Highness, if she keeps her word and departs the area forever. In addition to making the merchant caravan routes safe again, there are livestock and Your Highness's own hunting grounds to consider, both of which Mist has seriously depleted of late."
"I can't believe I'm hearing this from you, Vangy. Naturally I'd expect the merchants to jump at the chance of ridding us of the dragon at the price of a human sacrifice. I, however, must consider the safety of all my people, even some poor, little adventuress."
"This Alias claimed to be from Westgate, Your Highness," Vangerdahast said, already putting her in the past tense.
"Even worse. How would it look to the outside world, foreign traders and travelers, if I simply turned over one of their own just to rid my realm of a dragon?"
"If it please Your Highness, there is something more you should know about this poor, little adventuress. Something to indicate a more sinister nature."
Azoun tapped his foot impatiently. "Well?"
"Perhaps you should hear it from a firsthand witness: Vangerdahast suggested, nodding toward the young man who stood in a corner, working hard at steadying his nerves with large snifters of brandy.
"Giogioni!" Azoun snapped. "What do you know about this Alias of Westgate?"
"Me?" Giogioni squeaked, turning toward Azoun.
"You," the wizard insisted. "It would be best if His Highness heard it in your own words,"
"I suppose so," Giogioni whispered, though he didn't suppose so at all.
"Spit it out, boy," Azoun ordered.
"She was at the wedding, Freffie's, uh, Lord Frefford's. She attacked me. Tried to kill me. Would have succeeded, too, if the crowd hadn't gotten in her way."
"What was this lady killer doing at the wedding of Lord Frefford and Sage Dimswart's daughter?" Azoun asked.
"Dimswart said he was doing some research for her because she was under some curse," Giogioni blurted.
"Dimswart would have to come up with an excuse," Vangerdahast said.
Azoun wrinkled his brow in confusion. "Why would this woman try to kill you?"
"She thought I was you," Giogioni answered with a gulp
"What nonsense. You don't look anything like me."
"No, Your Highness," Giogioni agreed.
"He does, however, do a remarkable impression of Your Highness's voice," Vangerdahast explained.
"He does? You do?"
Giogioni nodded weakly.
"Well, let's hear it," Azoun said.
Giogioni's jaw dropped, and his face went pale.
"Come on, boy," Azoun prompted him.
"If you please, Your Highness," the Wyvernspur nobleman gulped, "I would rather n-"
"That's an order!"
Giogioni gulped. "M-m-my Cormytes," he began. "My people, as your king, as King Azoun, and as King Azoun IV, I must say that the need to raise your taxes is a result of the depravations of-of-of th-this d-dragon."
"I don't sound like that," Azoun said, scowling.
"With respect. Your Highness," Vangerdahast intervened, "you do."
"I don't stutter like that," Azoun objected.
"No, Your Highness. Lord Giogioni's stutter is a consequence of the shock he's had. Ordinarily, his impression of you would be much better. Apparently, he was giving a performance at the wedding when he was attacked."
"But he still doesn't look like me."
"No, but perhaps this Alias woman thought you were in disguise. You have been known to travel incognito. Any good assassin would know that. If she did indeed come from Westgate, there can be little question exactly who sent her."
"No," Azoun agreed, remembering the numerous threats made by the Fire Knives when he banished them from his kingdom. Their new headquarters was in Westgate.
There was a knock on the tower room door, and Vangerdahast left to answer it.
Azoun looked at Giogioni, who swayed slightly. Wyvernspur blood must be getting thin for one little dragon to upset him so, the king thought.