Cormyr_ a novel - Ed Greenwood [23]
"Fortunate," said the Royal Magician, "that the good baron remained coherent long enough to give instruction."
"Fortunate indeed," said the young Bleth almost tonelessly, slumping his shoulders in exhaustion. Tanalasta put a comforting arm around him.
Vangerdahast nodded. No doubt the youth had glossed over this last detail when he'd told the princess his tale.
"I'm-I'm very sorry for all of this," Aunadar offered wearily to the room in general, slowly bowing his head.
The three sat in silence for a long moment. Tanalasta kept her arm around Bleth, who looked at the floor. Her hand tightened on his shoulders and shook him a little, he looked up at his beloved then and managed a weak smile.
His elbows resting on the arms of the chair, fingers steepled in front of him, the wizard studied the pair on the divan. His eyes never left the face of the young noble.
At length, Vangerdahast spoke. "In the future, young Bleth, when you are involved in any serious matter involving peril to a member of the royal family, you will remain around long enough to inform others who need to know what befell. I think you know who those others are."
Aunadar raised his head and their eyes locked, noble and wizard, brief fire passing between them. The youth nodded slowly. "Of course. I thought the others were in your capable hands." His words held no hint of bitterness.
Tanalasta leaned forward and captured Vangerdahast's gaze with her own reddened, pleading eyes. "My father… will he be…?" Her voice trailed away into silence.
The Royal Magician inclined his head to her. "I know only what I told you earlier, Lady Highness," he said carefully. "The tremors he and the baron experienced have subsided. However, neither has roused nor responded to any curative power we have brought to bear."
The eldest princess of Cormyr went even paler at his words, her skin becoming almost as pale as milk. Now it was Bleth's turn to put his arm about her. He whispered soft words in her ear, but his eyes, flaring the sharp light of an unmistakable challenge, never left those of the High Wizard.
"Your Majesty," said Vangerdahast to the princess, returning Bleth's look with a steady, steely gaze of his own as he spoke. "I am sure this matter will be swiftly resolved. The Lords Alaphondar and Dimswart are already in attendance on… the stricken, and I will be returning to them to render whatever aid I can. However, if the worst comes to pass…"
Tanalasta raised her hands in front of her and spread her fingers, as if warding off a blow. "No," she said quietly.
"Your Majesty," Vangerdahast pressed, his voice softening, "it would be most wise to prepare for every possibility…"
"No," she said again, louder, and raised her head to regard the Royal Magician. She was crying again, but fire burned in those sapphire eyes.
"Even so," the wizard began softly, "the realm-"
"I said no," she said, steel creeping into her voice for the first time. "I refuse to even consider that until… until all other possibilities have been excluded. Am I clear?"
"But, Your Majesty…" Vangerdahast said mildly, raising his brows.
Tanalasta stood, taller than most men and as imperious as Azoun at his most fierce. "Am… I… clear?" she repeated, biting off each word. Aunadar rose behind her and placed a supportive hand on her shoulder. He had to reach up to do it. As he looked at the Royal Magician, his other hand went slowly and deliberately to the hilt of his sword.
"As always," the wizard replied calmly, also rising, "I will send word as we know more."
"Do so," said the princess coolly. "You have my faith, as my father and the baron have my prayers. You are dismissed."
Expressionlessly Vangerdahast turned his head to regard Aunadar Bleth. The young noble treated him to a short, serious nod-a warrior's farewell to an equal-but made no motion to depart. Nor did the princess make any motion that might have been interpreted as a dismissal of her suitor. The High Wizard bowed slightly from the waist, then strode to the door.
Before leaving,