Cormyr_ a novel - Ed Greenwood [137]
Cold eyes met his steadily. "I'm sure you're used to a lot of coy and flowery speech, sir mage," the young noble said, "but I've grown enamored of rather more direct talk these days-in particular, when every fleeting breath we take costs me coins." He inclined his head toward the three watchful mages on the bench. Vangerdahast nodded and spread a hand, indicating that he should continue. The gesture caused at least three wands to lift warily.
Gaspar smiled thinly. "Know then that it is my intention to support you as regent of Cormyr, on a permanent basis if you desire, so long as you meet my conditions. I'm not one of those who hates or fears the idea of a mage-king, in fact, I consider that your lot have demonstrated wise and deft statecraft through the years and may save us all from a lot of the nonsense attendant on the vanity and, er, lustier side of the Obarskyr monarchs."
Vangerdahast nodded. "I am pleased to hear this. May I know your conditions?"
Gaspar smiled again. "It is a pleasure to work with someone so… practical. My conditions are this: As regent, you must agree to work with a small council of nobles-a dozen or so, no more, whose initial membership I must approve. Have no fear of facing an outrageous roster. I realize, as I'm sure you will, the necessity of recognizing the noble families of Bleth, Cormaeril, Crownsilver, Dauntinghorn, Emmarask, Hawklin, Huntcrown, Huntsilver, Illance, Rowanmantle, and Truesilver." He paused in his leisurely litany and turned to fix Vangerdahast with a direct gaze. The old wizard noticed that his position ensured that none of the mages on the bench would have any trouble firing both of their wands at Cormyr's Lord High Wizard. "Before we proceed, tell me, my lord-do you have any essential dispute with this notion?"
"None," Vangerdahast replied. "This-as outlined thus far, at least-corresponds with my own prior intention. No regent should attempt to rule without the direct aid and support of the people of the realm."
The young Cormaeril nodded. "It is good to hear that. It is my intention that the families I've named-and I believe I could agree to one or two more, perhaps the Houses of Wintersun, Marliir, or Wyvernspur-be free to send any designate of their choice to sit on the council. Initially, of course, the heads of the houses will want to attend. Later on, I suspect that most will delegate this duty to more junior family members, or those who particularly enjoy intrigue." Gaspar allowed another small smile that did not reach his eyes to cross his face and continued. "This council of nobles will advise you on all affairs and meet at least once a tenday-every third afternoon would seem to be more appropriate. You must agree to place all major matters of state before it, including any measure involving taxation, the war wizards, the Purple Dragons, envoys of the realm to external powers, and measures that alter the powers of the crown in any way. No royal business-or rather, the business that was formerly royal-is to bypass the council or be concealed from it."
The Royal Magician of Cormyr nodded. "I agree. This is to be a voting council, I take it?"
Gaspar smiled thinly again. "It is, and by any majority vote, it will hold veto power over all decisions and decrees of the regent. All decisions, my lord." His eyes flicked to the three wizards and back again, in another not-so-subtle warning.
Vangerdahast smiled politely. "So far this seems not unreasonable. I trust matters of scrutiny and reportage can be worked out in the council once we begin?"
Gaspar inclined his head. "Indeed. An integral part of council powers, in my view, will be the right of every sitting member to employ as personal bodyguard one mage of his own choosing, whose name and sigil will be known to you but whose other particulars will remain secret from the regent, the war wizards, other council members, and all other arms of state."
Vangerdahast's eyebrows rose.