Cormyr_ a novel - Ed Greenwood [87]
Vangerdahast was nodding like an old man over one tankard too many. "Your words are fair indeed, Lord Dracohorn. I think we can ride together on this, taking Cormyr to brighter days, indeed. But I'll need your help to do it."
"Yes?"
"You are the only man in the realm with broad enough influence to give me the support I need. The princesses-both of them, but in particular Crown Princess Tanalasta-are violently opposed to any regency, and in particular to me. They view me as some sort of spider who tugged their father this way and that, and they want me in my tomb, not standing beside the Dragon Throne. The only folk standing between the Purple Dragons they can hurl at me and my paltry spells-oh, I can topple a tower or two, but not whole armies!-are the nobles. The nobles listen to you, from one end of this realm to another. So I need you. Cormyr needs you."
"Say on!" Ondrin Dracohorn had practically climbed up onto the maiden's lap in his eagerness.
"Well," Vangerdahast said slowly, "you and all the realm have heard tales about the scheming Royal Magician… about how I manipulate the king to do this and his courtiers to do that, using my war wizards when I have to. Everyone talks about the way I run Cormyr from the shadows behind the throne… and mostly they grumble about it." He leaned forward until his nose was almost touching Ondrin's and added, "So, knowing that about me, would you consider supporting me for the regency, to win a brighter future for Cormyr, free of the ever-present Obarskyr philandering? We've seen Azoun in half the bedchambers of the land, and he's not the first, let me tell you. Do we really want to see his daughters doing the same and have to dance to their every amorous whim?"
Ondrin's face grew serious. "Openly support you as regent against the wishes of the princesses?"
"Yes," the wizard said. "I need you to do that, or I'll have to flee the realm soon, and without me, your dream of a council of nobles can never be more than that: a splendid but windblown fancy."
"I-I ache to say yes," Ondrin whispered, drawing himself up. "And yet I dare not do so yet. First I must sound out some of my noble friends-in strict confidence, of course, and saying nothing of our meeting or your personal feelings at all-to be sure that enough of us are ready for such a brave change… or our necks may be on the block before our behinds ever find a council seat."
"Well said," Vangerdahast agreed, stroking his beard. "Go and see where the nobles stand, then, and we'll meet again when you send word to me." He grinned and shook his head. "Gods, Dracohorn, but this plan of yours shines brightly!"
"Doesn't it, though!" Ondrin almost shouted, then shrank down and clapped a hand over his mouth, looking scared.
"Have no fear," the Royal Magician said swiftly. "Nothing has disturbed my wards, but you'd best go while they still last. I can keep you cloaked until you reach the Lion Cellar. Go through the back of the third cask, mind, the fourth leads straight into a guardpost!"
"Yes," Dracohorn agreed, eyes ablaze again. "Away now, to rescue Cormyr on a bright day soon!"
"Indeed," Vangerdahast agreed, lifting the lid that covered the top of the shaft. Ondrin sketched a dramatic salute-which the wizard matched, moving his hands grandly-and hurriedly started down the ladder.
The Royal Magician watched him descend, hoping the fool wouldn't miss his grip on a rung and fall. When the noble was safely out of sight, he let his mage light fade and patted the Blue Maiden affectionately. "Good girl! Thanks for the loan of your parlor