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By Root 1346 0

was within earshot, and then turned to the young prince and said bluntly, "Our Coronal's decision regarding you has not been popular. Many who hold the rank of armathor in the realm have come to the palace to renounce their rank, and break their blades before the Coronal. There has been open talk of deposing and even slaying him, of hunting you down, and of… general unpleasantness here this night, and elsewhere until he, ah, comes to his senses. My counterpart, the High Court Mage Ilimitar, has not returned from a visit to several of the elder Houses of the realm, and I know not his fate-or if treason is involved. I thought I held the Coronal's closest confidence, and yet, without word or warning, he vanishes from my side, and you appear, speaking guardedly of 'the security of the realm,' something I've had good reason to believe was entrusted to me. Despite the Coronal's earlier confidence in you, I see you as a human mage of unknown but probably great powers, who has a close relationship with a goddess of your race-and thus, whatever your motives, a great danger to Cormanthor, as you stand here at its heart. Do you see why I am less than gracious to you?"

"I do," Elminster replied, "and bear no ill will toward ye, Lord Mage-how could ye do otherwise, in these straits?"

"Precisely," Earynspieir said in a satisfied voice, almost smiling. "I fear I've misjudged your race, sir, and you with it-I never knew that humans cared about the intrigues and the… ah, graces and troubles of others. All we see and hear of you here is axes cutting down trees and swords impatiently settling even the slightest dispute."

" 'Tis true that some among us do favor the most swift and direct form of politics," Elminster agreed with a smile. "Yet I must hasten to remind ye and all others of Cormanthor that to judge humans of all lands as one alike mass is no more correct than to judge moon elves by the habits of the dark elven, or vice versa."

The elf beside him turned away and stiffened, eyes blazing, and then relaxed visibly and managed a short laugh. "Your point is taken, human sir-but I must remind you that folk of Cormanthor are unused to such boldly blunt speech, and may like it rather less than I do."

"Understood," El said. "My apologies. Someone approaches. Sorry: a pair of someones."

Earynspieir looked at El, startled by this sudden brevity, and then turned to see the elven couple the young human had indicated. They had glasses in their hands and were walking at a leisurely gait, arms linked, but their surprised expressions left no doubt that they were headed hence because of the unexpected sight of the human armathor there'd been so much talk about.

"Ah," Earynspieir said smoothly, "it lacks some hours yet until dusk, when the dancing and ah, less dignified revelries begin. Those who wish to speak candidly with each other or with the Coronal, or to choose new consorts for an evening, often arrive now, when revelers are few and rather less wine has been consumed than will be the case later; these are some such. Allow me to perform the introductions."

El inclined his head, every inch the polite prince, as the couple swept up to the High Court Mage. The young, handsome elven male stared at Elminster as though a forest boar had put on clothes and come to the revel, but the breathtakingly beautiful, gossamer-gowned elven maiden on his arm smiled charmingly at the elf mage and said, "Fair even, Revered Lord. We-ah, expected to see the Coronal with you. Is he indisposed?"

"Our Coronal Most High was called away on urgent business of the realm only a very short time ago. May I introduce to you instead Prince Elminster of the land of Athalantar, our newest armathor?"

The elven male went on staring at Elminster, and said nothing. His lady giggled uneasily and said, "An unexpected and-dare I say it?-unusual pleasure."

She did not extend her hand.

"Prince Elminster," the High Court Mage purred, "be at ease with Lord Qildor, of the House of Rewen, and the Lady Aurae of House Shaeremae. May your meeting and parting be of equal pleasure."