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"Ten thousand sellswords?" Filfaeril repeated, this time more into Tanalasta's ear than toward the ambassador. "That is not help. That is an invasion."

Korian raised his hands in denial. "Nothing of the sort is meant. My masters only wish me to convey that the army is advancing to the Swamprun for our own protection. And since it will already be close, they thought-"

"They might as well claim southern Cormyr," Tanalasta said. Now that she had discovered the error of her assumptions, the princess's amiable disposition toward the man was replaced by an unreasonably terse anger. "Ambassador Hovanay, you may return to your masters with our thanks-and this warning: While their armies remain on Sembia's side of the Swamprun, our countries remain at peace."

The ambassador's eyes widened in a practiced show of surprise. "Majesty, I fear you misinterpret my masters' intentions."

"And I fear I do not," replied Tanalasta.

"And I fear you are being too hasty," said Lord Goldsword. He dared to place a foot on the bottom stair of the dais, prompting Korvarr Rallyhorn and a dozen more of Tanalasta's bodyguards to grab the hilts of their swords and flank him.

Goldsword remained where he was. "You said yourself that our own armies are occupied in the north, and I'm sure I speak for every noble here when I say we have our hands full enough just trying to keep these ghazneths off our lands."

He glanced around the chamber and received an enthusiastic round of hear, hears. Only Giogi Wyvernspur, Ildamoar Hardcastle, and a handful of other dour-looking loyalists remained silent.

A terrible anger welled up inside Tanalasta and she descended a single step toward Emlar Goldsword. "Are you a coward, sir?"

Emlar's jaw dropped, and his face turned stormy and red. "I beg your pardon?"

Tanalasta descended another step, ignoring Korvarr Rallyhorn's startled head shake. "I believe my question was clear enough, Goldsword. I asked if you were a coward."

Emlar's face turned the color of Tanalasta's royal robe. He started to ascend the stairs to meet the princess-only to find the tip of Korvarr's dagger pressed beneath his chin.

"What-" Emlar was so furious he had to stop and lift his shaking jowls off the dagger before continuing. "What is the meaning of this?"

Tanalasta descended another step, bringing her to within arm's length of the quivering noble. "The crown demands to know." She reached out and slapped the man. "Are you such a coward that you'd rather sell your realm than defend it?"

"I-I-I ought to-"

"Careful." Korvarr pricked his dagger beneath the man's chin. "You're speaking to the throne."

Emlar glared at the princess. "You… are… not the… king."

"No, I am the crown princess acting in his absence." Tanalasta looked to Korvarr, then said, "If that is all Lord Goldsword cares to hide behind, let us see how brave he really is. Korvarr, stand back and let him go."

The lionar's eyes flashed in alarm, but he sheathed his dagger and backed away as ordered. Tanalasta stepped down another stair, so that she was now standing eye-to-eye with Goldsword.

"Well?"

Goldsword's body began to shake so violently that Tanalasta thought he would drop dead. His hand drifted toward his sword belt, and a series of sharp chimes echoed through the chamber. Giogi Wyvernspur and a few others drew their own weapons. That was enough for Emlar, who backed off the step and turned to leave.

"Lord Goldsword!" Tanalasta snapped.

Emlar stopped, but did not turn around. "What now, Princess?"

"Now that you have answered my question, you are free to go."

Emlar paused, then started toward the door at a brisk, overly dignified march. As he passed, the other nobles looked away and said nothing.

Tanalasta waited until his steps had grown distant enough not to compete with her voice, then said quietly, "Anyone else who would rather trade our land than fight for it may join him."

She paused a moment to see if anyone would accept the offer, and Ambassador Hovanay started to leave