Black wizards - Douglas Niles [25]
The throbbing grew louder and deeper.
IV
Caer Allisynn
His Highness, High King Reginald Carrathal, sovereign of Callidyrr and monarch of all the lands of the Ffolk, had a most annoying problem. To wit, a large pimple gleamed insolently from his cheek, resisting the king's most arduous attempts to remove it.
Pouting, His Majesty turned from the mirror, his long curls flouncing, and marched across the bedchamber. The plush carpeting sank underfoot, thwarting his attempts to stomp noisily.
He stepped around a huge canopied bed, stalking alongside a wall that was hung in a fortune of silk curtains. In annoyance, he realized that he now stood before an even larger mirror – the one that hung above his dressing table.
"Blast it all!" he cried, picking up a small vial of rare Calishite cologne. He hurtled the container at the mirror, smashing both, before turning to stalk across the room again.
"Is there a problem, Your Majesty?" The smooth voice came from the wizard.
"How dare you enter my chamber without knocking?" the king huffed, squinting angrily at Cyndre.
"I was about to knock when I heard a disturbance. Fearing for His Majesty's safety, I hastened to your side…"
The wizard's voice, as always, soothed and comforted the king. He felt his annoyance vanish as Cyndre stepped forward. The mage's dark robe was open, revealing a soft cotton gown embroidered with gold. His hood lay back upon his shoulders, and his blond, curly hair framed a cherubic smile in a wide, almost childlike face. His hand reached forward to pat the royal shoulder.
"Well?" the king said. "What did you want to see me about?"
"I fear, Your Highness, that I bring grave news. It is with reluctance that -"
"Tell me, you fiend! Do not play games with bad news!" The king nearly hopped up and down in his anxiety. He licked his lips nervously.
Cyndre sighed, his reluctance obvious. "It seems that the usurper is on his way to Caer Callidyrr."
"What?" the High King squeaked. "But you promised me -"
"You need not fear him," said Cyndre, looking straight into the king's eyes. He did not add "yet," though it was on his mind. Slowly, the monarch calmed down.
"Our first attempt to punish him for his treachery met with small success," explained the wizard, pursing his lips. The gesture was a very strong one for Cyndre. "Nevertheless, I feel certain that we can still deal with him easily."
"But what should I do? You must tell me!" The king's words tumbled out, and the wizard could tell that he was losing what little control was left him.
"My… sources tell me that he is on his way even as we speak. He must land soon at one of the ports of Alaron. It would be a simple matter to arrest him as he steps ashore. All you need to do, sire, is declare him an outlaw."
"Yes, of course. That I shall do! Why, he is an outlaw, isn't he? He seeks to pretend a claim to my throne. I shall have him hanged!"
"Very good, Your Majesty. We can put a detachment in every port. He will be arrested the moment he steps ashore."
King Carrathal turned, a frown of worry creasing his brow. "But how do I know that my orders will be carried out? This prince is a popular hero. Can I trust the loyalty of my own men to arrest him?"
"Is it not for just this reason that you retain the services of your brigades – troops that answer to you alone?"
The king paled slightly but appeared to consider the idea. "Yes… I could use the guard. I pay them too much as it is – perhaps it's time I gave them a task." He slowly warmed to the idea. "But how do I know they're trustworthy?"
"The Scarlet Guard will follow your orders," said Cyndre reassuringly. "I brought them to you expressly so that you would have soldiers you could trust implicitly."
"But the people won't like it," replied the king. "Those ogres, especially, make everyone so nervous."
In truth, the ogres made the king himself very