Cormyr_ a novel - Ed Greenwood [114]
"It's always so tiring," the Lord High Wizard told no one in particular as he wearily walked the halls back to his own apartments, "when one has to deal with children. There is such a thing as sheltering little girls too much from the world." Then he thought of Alusair as he'd once farscryed her, hacking through a band of brigands, her hair flying around her, and her half-naked body drenched with blood, and said wryly, "And then, of course, there's the other way."
* * * * *
When the radiance faded this time, Vangerdahast was a safe few paces outside whatever wards the magess Cat might have set to protect Redstone Castle. The front gate stood ajar, of course. He stepped inside, glancing critically at the gardens, and noted approvingly that Lady Wyvernspur seemed to have taken things strongly in hand. Wearily-was a wizard's work ever done?-he strode up to the hall.
As he approached the steps that led up to the front doors, they opened, and Giogi Wyvernspur stepped out, resplendent in fawn-colored leather breeches, a purple shirt with cloth-of-gold sash and half-cloak, and a pair of old, battered, comfortable-looking brown boots. Vangerdahast sighed with relief, just whom he'd wanted to see. Now there wouldn't be a hour wasted on challenges and servants' questions and little lads goggling in awe at the mightiest wizard in the land…
Giogi sniffed the air, smiled happily, and glanced about, nearly falling off the doorstep in surprise when he saw the old bearded man in plain robes looking up at him from a few steps away.
"Gods! What-I mean, heigh-ho, Vangy-ah, Lord High Wizard," he said with a grin. "How's the ruling-Cormyr-from-behind-the-throne business these days?
"That's what I've come to talk to you about," Vangerdahast said gravely, taking the noble by the arm. "Do you still have some of those silly stone benches about?"
Giogi sighed. "This sounds serious. You're going to talk a bit, aren't you?" He pointed and sighed again. "Over here."
They sat, and the Royal Magician said quickly, "You may or may not have heard that Duke Bhereu is dead, Baron Thomdor hangs on the edge of his grave, and the king is gravely ill and expected to die, too. Rest assured that this much, at least, is the truth."
Giogi grew somber at once. "We had, heard rumors, even out in the countryside, but no details. How?"
"A hunting accident, involving possible treason," Vangerdahast said grimly, "which we haven't yet gotten to the bottom of. I'll tell you more later, but first I must tell you why I'm here."
Giogi was still gasping like a fish on the Immersea docks. "Ah-uh-"
"For the good of the realm," Vangerdahast said gravely, "I think I must assume the title of regent at this time. Filfaeril's out of her head with grief, Alusair's nowhere to be found, and Crown Princess Tanalasta is head over heels in love with a grasping young noble who'd love to tell her what decisions to make for the realm. Unfortunately, she wants to do more crying than ruling, so I feel I must rule from the foot of the throne for a time."
Giogi's eyes narrowed. "And so-?"
"And so I need to know who will support me as regent-in particular, if Princess Tanalasta or a large group of nobles says I should not be or presents rival temporary rulers for our land. If Vangerdahast declares himself regent, will I have the support of the Wyvernspurs?"
Silence fell. Giogi cleared his throat finally and said, "Uh, well, this is all so sudden-"
"That's more or less what Tanalasta's been saying, as the days pass," Vangerdahast said dryly. "I need to know, Giogioni, and I need to know soon. Where do the Wyvernspurs stand?"
"Uh-hah! Well," Giogi said, floundering, and stood up to pace. His hand drifted to his sword, and he suddenly looked down at the old wizard, his hand on his hilt, and asked sharply, "So Thomdor's still alive? The king lives too?"
"Yes and yes," the Royal Magician replied, nodding.
"And Princess Alusair-she's on a foray up in the Stonelands, isn't she? Have