Cormyr_ a novel - Ed Greenwood [83]
There were tears in the queen's eyes as the old wizard went to his knees. "Rise, rise," she said swiftly, extending her hand to him.
As he kissed it, Iltharl said quietly, "There is one thing more."
They all turned to look at him, and he said, "Tell them I named you my heir and bade those who dispute my just right to do this to set forth their arguments in writing. They may bring them to the elven court of Cormanthor. I shall refute such entreaties in writing, for I have some small talent that can still serve the realm."
Gantharla laughed until she wept, and Iltharl laughed with her. Shaking her head, the queen asked, "Brother, how did you ever find it in you to do this?"
Iltharl looked at his sister and sighed deeply. "It took little time to see I was not serving Cormyr well. It took a little longer to see what I must do. It took a very long time to find the… stomach to do it, especially with all the schemers plotting treason. It was fascinating to watch them work." He turned his head and added, "And I mean that, Sagrast, with no ill will or sarcasm." Looking back at his sister, he said, "I wish you luck. I really wanted to be a hero… but it was just… beyond me."
Baerauble put a hand on Iltharl's shoulder. "The gods do not grant to all of us the shining mantle of the hero," he said softly. "Do what you can, and that will be enough."
The former King of Cormyr managed a weak smile. "Words that should go on my headstone. Come, we should present the new queen to her people before they hurt themselves worrying."
The four walked out of the throne room and stunned the red-jerkined guards, who were the first common citizens to look upon their new queen. Their swords clattered down in unison, making a crash that brought the whole assemblage gathered in the Great Hall to a halt. People gaped at them in silence for a long moment-and then, from across the chamber, a forester in mottled green cried out, "Long live the queen! Long prosper Cormyr and us all-and long live Queen Gantharla!"
Others took up the cry, and the keep shook with the shouts as Iltharl shook his head ruefully and Gantharla beamed.
In a voice that was thick with emotion, the new queen said, "I-I think I'm going to enjoy this!"
Baerauble smiled. "Ah, well, you're young yet. There'll be time enough to discover what it's truly like."
But in the swelling cheering, as folk streamed into the keep from Suzail and someone started wildly ringing the signal bells, no one but Sagrast heard the wizard's words. He opened his mouth to say something, but Baerauble winked at him, and he shut his mouth again and kept silence for many long years.
Chapter 13: Affairs of State
Year of the Gauntlet
(1369 DR)
The morning sun reached through the window to tinge his beard with gold as Vangerdahast went slowly down on knees that protested every inch of the descent and said formally, "The gods watch over thee, Lady Highness."
The crown princess frowned down at him. "Get up, Lord Vangerdahast. There's hardly need for that-or for this oh-so-private meeting!" She cast an annoyed look at the closed door on the west wall of Brightsun Bower, where she knew a war wizard stood keeping her Aunadar at bay. "You know I've little liking for secrets, lord wizard, so…"
She made a gesture-as imperious as her father's-indicating that he should speak. Now.
Vangerdahast rose. "This must be said in private, High Lady, for both our sakes and the sake of the realm. I am sworn, upon my oath and signature, to serve Cormyr. I will do so in whatever way the realm needs me, but wherever possible I shall continue to obey the Obarskyr king… or the Obarskyr heir."
Tanalasta frowned but said nothing, waving at him to continue.
"If, High Lady, you feel you're not yet ready to take the throne," the Royal Magician said gently, "and the unfortunate event of your father's going to the gods does come to pass, I want you to know-more than