Cormyr_ a novel - Ed Greenwood [112]
"Oh, Aunadar," the crown princess said with a thankful, tearful sigh. "I don't know what I'd do without you! All of these grim men stride around demanding that I make decisions, and all the while, they're waiting for me to say one thing wrong… one thing! Then they can smile and nod and say, 'Aha! I knew she wasn't fit to rule! See what a mess she's made of our land? Best she be slain forthwith, or sent to one of our beds, to produce an heir we shall rear to be a proper king!'"
"I think you are fit to rule, my princess. I stand ready to fight with this sword to give you your chance, and I'll face all the wizards in Faerun if that's what it takes!"
"Oh, Aunadar!" Tanalasta gasped again. In the gloom of the servants' closet, Vangerdahast made a mock vomiting mime of disgust. If he had to listen to much more of this…
The wet, murmuring sounds that were coming to his ears now meant that they were kissing. Long, hungry, tightly embraced kisses of the sort that made ladies-in-waiting swoon and old crones go all bright-eyed with nostalgia. Vangerdahast almost tore the closet door open and growled at them to get on with it.
Then Aunadar spoke again. "I must leave you now, my sweet. The wizard's plots and schemes are relentless and spread even as we speak. My friends and I must work against them tirelessly, or not a noble house in the land may be truly loyal to the new crowned Queen Tanalasta!"
"Aunadar, don't say that!" the princess protested. "Father's going to get well, and-"
"Of course," the young nobleman said quietly. "And when he does, you'll be able to show him a decisive, evenhanded, masterful stewardship of the realm-your work of devotion during his infirmity. I know you will. Fare thee well, Tana, until next our lips meet!"
"Oh, Aunadar, do take care! The wizard's folk are everywhere! Keep safe, will you?"
"Princess, I will," the young Bleth's voice came distantly, and a door closed. Tanalasta erupted into sobs.
Vangerdahast listened to her for a time, pity on his frowning face, and then shrugged. So she wanted to be a true Obarskyr? Then 'twas time, and past time, that she showed her mettle. Rule over a realm was not something to be played at.
He opened the door soundlessly and walked to the low divan where she sat bent over, her face in her hands. It seemed to be her favorite place, and no doubt had seen much use over the last few months, what with the young Bleth sitting sideways on it holding her hands between every court meal!
Vangerdahast sighed loudly and sat down with a thump beside the princess. Tanalasta's head jerked up. Her face was as white as a statue except where two silvery trails of tears ran down her cheeks from red-rimmed eyes.
"You!" She said in horror. "How did you get in here?"
Vangerdahast gave her a merry smile. "Magic, Lady Highness. You know-waggle the fingers and… It's what keeps Cormyr strong!"
Tanalasta drew herself up, then rose to stand facing him, eyes glittering with hatred. "Are you threatening me, wizard?"
The Royal Magician met her daggerlike gaze calmly and said, "Child, I never threaten. I promise."
Tanalasta's lips drew together in a tight line. "I ought to have you thrown in irons, whipped, and then beheaded for bursting into a woman's chambers unbidden! You might be here to get a heir for yourself!"
Vangerdahast rolled his eyes. "Nothing so energetic, Lady Princess. No, I'm here for another reason." He reached into the breast of his robes and drew forth a folded parchment. Tanalasta's eyes widened when she saw the royal seals. Then they narrowed.
"No, this is not the forged writ that young Aunadar has been going around telling people I was making with magic," the wizard said testily. "If you care to examine it yourself, you'll see that the seals are unbroken and that none of them are Azoun's."
He held out the parchment, and after a swaying moment of indecision