• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

"They started arriving last night," Korvarr explained.

"We told them the park was not for sleeping, but they refused to leave. With the royal palace so close, they said it was the only safe place in Cormyr to sleep."

"I'd be willing to argue the point with them," Tanalasta said dryly. "Let me think on the matter for a time. At the moment, I'm more concerned about these assassinations."

She turned to Sarmon the Spectacular, who sat behind her in a wheeled chair that Alaphondar had designed for him. Though she knew the wizard to be no more than fifty, he looked close to twice that age, with baggy eyes, wrinkled alabaster skin, and hair so thin she could see the liver spots on his scalp.

"You have been looking into this. What are your thoughts?"

"Lord Crownsilver and his guests bring the total number of assassinations this tenday alone to fifteen," said Sarmon. "You really must have Lord Goldsword arrested before there are more."

Tanalasta did not turn from the garden. "And we know he is responsible how?"

"By the fact that we aren't," said Sarmon. "He's cutting your support from beneath you."

"Her support?" asked Owden, standing as always at Tanalasta's side. "I thought what made these killings strange is that all the victims are neutral."

"Lord Goldsword is discovering how the nobles are leaning," said Sarmon. "Clearly."

"It is not so clear to me." Tanalasta turned and looked down at the old mage. "How does he find out before we do?"

Sarmon's wrinkled fingers tightened on the arms of his chair. "The war wizards cannot eavesdrop without drawing the attention of a ghazneth, Highness."

"Of course. I didn't mean to imply you weren't doing everything possible." Though frustrated by the situation, Tanalasta refused to be short with a man who had lost fifty years of his life defending her. She turned to her mother. "But what of our other spies?"

The queen looked away uncomfortably and said, "I am afraid the loyalty of many is only to your father. There has been little to report."

"What's wrong with these people?" Tanalasta shook her head and looked out over the refugee camp. Not for the first time, she wished Vangerdahast were there to guide here-or at least to activate his own formidable network of spies. "Can't they see how much danger Cormyr is in?"

"The only danger they see is their own," said Alaphondar. "With the setbacks in the north, I fear Goldsword's call to accept help from the Sembians is falling upon more receptive ears."

Tanalasta slapped the balustrade. "We would not need Sembia's help if our own nobles would pick up their swords and fight!" She paused a moment to collect herself, then looked to Owden and said, "I am beginning to think I should have married Dauneth. At least the nobles could not use my husband's name to flout my authority."

"They would find another excuse," said Owden. "Do you really think they would become brave only because you lacked the courage to trust your own heart?"

The priest's question allayed some of Tanalasta's anger. "I suppose not." She turned from the balustrade to her mother. "Speaking of cowards and traitors, have you had any luck locating the spy in our midst?"

Filfaeril met Tanalasta's eyes evenly. "Of course," she said. "I have known his identity for some time now."

Tanalasta began to have a bad feeling about her mother's conclusion. "And you didn't tell me?"

"It would have accomplished nothing, except to alert the spy."

Tanalasta bristled at her mother's tone. "If you know who he is, then why don't I have him in our dungeon?"

Filfaeril smiled. "Because spies can be very useful-especially the enemy's spies."

Tanalasta raised her brow and asked, "Would you care to elaborate?"

"Not at this time." Filfaeril held Tanalasta's eyes and did not look away.

"As you wish," Tanalasta said, realizing she would just have to be patient. "I suppose we're done here."

"What about Lord Goldsword?" asked Sarmon. "You are going to arrest him?"

Tanalasta shook her head. "If I do that, it will look