Death of the Dragon - Ed Greenwood [96]
Not wishing to draw undue attention to the dragoneer's internal struggle, Tanalasta looked away and ran her gaze down both sides of the table, taking care to linger on the faces of those nobles who had sided with Goldsword instead of her. When only loyal nobles dared meet her gaze, she decided the time had come to follow her mother's approach and exert her authority.
"On the morrow, the crown will greet half the retainers of each noble house outside the Horngate," she said. "They will come prepared for a long march, as they will be journeying north to join King Azoun. At noon, the crown will accept the magic items of each noble house into the Royal Palace for safekeeping and will welcome an additional quarter of each house's retainers into the king's service for the purpose of garrisoning various fortresses across the south. The last quarter of each house's retainers will remain at their home estate for the purpose of securing the lives and property of the manor occupants. Is there any discussion?"
"Discussion?" scoffed Lady Calantar. "Do you really expect us to pretend we are agreeing to this willingly?"
Tanalasta turned toward Lady Calantar but looked past her, to the dragoneer standing guard behind her. "Lady Calantar is fostering treason. Take her outside and behead her."
Lady Calantar's eyes grew wide. "You can't-"
Her protest was cut off as the dragoneer behind her clasped a mailed palm over her mouth and dragged her from her seat. He looked to Tanalasta and raised a querying eyebrow. When the princess nodded, he clenched his teeth and pulled the noblewoman off the bench.
As the soldier dragged her out the door, Roland Emmarask turned to Tanalasta, "If a loyal lord may be so bold as to ask-you truly can't intend to behead Lady Calantar."
"Of course I can," Tanalasta replied evenly. "How would you expect King Azoun to deal with a traitor?"
Faces around the table began to go white. Emmarask, who had once spent a few pleasant months courting Lady Calantar before his parents decided the match would not be a good one for the family, continued to press the matter.
"Certainly, no one can argue that execution is an unjust punishment for a traitor, but Lady Calantar can hardly be considered that." Emmarask cast a meaningful glance in Goldsword's direction. "Not when those who have said far worse go unpunished."
"Perhaps you did not hear Queen Filfaeril," Tanalasta said, regarding the lord coldly. "The crown has no interest in punishing those who have spoken against us out of love for Cormyr. We respect their courage, if not their wisdom." She cast her gaze in Melot Silversword's direction. "The true traitors are those who would risk nothing in the matter, the self-serving ones who remain silent until it grows clear who will win and how best to turn that victory to their own advantage."
Silversword's heavy jowls began to quiver. "I assure you, the Silverswords are interested in Cormyr's advantage only."
"Good." Tanalasta searched the faces of other lords for any further hint of defiance. Finding none, she decided the time had come to reaffirm her victory. She glared directly at Emlar Goldsword, then asked, "Is there any more discussion?"
Goldsword shook his head. "My retainers will be there as decreed. May the gods bless the crown."
"I will be happy if they only favor Cormyr, though we thank you for the thought." Tanalasta glanced around the table once more. When everyone looked away, she smiled and said, "The crown is most grateful for your support. To show its appreciation, you are all invited to guest at the Royal Palace until such times as your retainers arrive and are dispatched to their new assignments. Your escorts will show you to your rooms and provide messengers for your orders. We will see you for the evening meal."
If any of the lords found the invitation