The Doom of Kings_ Legacy of Dhakaan - Don Bassingthwaite [32]
Vounn’s expression was gracious, but Ashi knew that on the inside she wore an expression as smug as a well-fed cat. “The schedule of an official visit seldom survives intact after the first meeting,” she said. “Please call me Vounn, Tariic. There’s no need for titles here. We’re not on parade.”
The hobgoblin smiled and returned to the other side of the table. “As you say.” He turned his smile on Ashi as she took the last chair. “Ashi,” he said by way of greeting.
It was only a single word, just her name, but there was something in the way that Tariic said it, something in the way his expressive ears stood up as he spoke, that roused Ashi’s instincts. She might have felt the same way during a hunt if a lone bird had flown up from a stand of still reeds or if sudden silence had fallen over stretch of marshland. Her skin prickling, she glanced at
Ekhaas and found her friend watching her out of the corner of her eye. Ashi sat back in her chair. “Tariic,” she said, but he had already turned back to Vounn.
“I’d like to apologize again for Ekhaas’s actions last night. Attempting to steal from your memorial is inexcusable, but as they say, a stone can hide a treasure.” Tariic put his hands flat on the table. “After last night, Vounn, I find I have a respect for you that might otherwise have come only after days of meetings. You act with a particular honor that is rare among humans.”
Ashi saw some of the unease that she felt register in Vounn’s eyes. This didn’t, she realized, sound like the humble apology the lady seneschal had predicted. Vounn’s voice, however, remained steady and unconcerned. “Thank you, Tariic. I’m flattered.”
He shook his head. “It’s not flattery, only the truth. And because of it, there is something I want to discuss with you now that I wouldn’t otherwise have raised until the end of my time here.” He reached inside the doublet he wore and produced a small, tightly wound scroll that had been sealed with black wax. “By the wish of my uncle, Lhesh Haruuc Shaarat’kor, I invite you to attend his court as a permanent ambassador of House Deneith. My soldiers and I are to be your escort to Rhukaan Draal.”
Ashi started in surprise at the offer. Vounn, for a long moment, sat very still and very silent. Anyone else might have missed it, but Ashi knew there was turmoil behind that frozen mask. Vounn had worked long and hard to bring the Darguuls into negotiations with Deneith, and now Haruuc was inviting her to his court as an ambassador. It was everything Vounn could have dreamed of, a chance to advance both her status with House Deneith and the cause of Deneith with the Darguuls.
And, Ashi realized abruptly, it was everything she could have hoped for as well. Surely Vounn wouldn’t take her to Darguul. She’d be free of her mentor! But Vounn’s silence stretched out until Ashi couldn’t stand it anymore. She leaned toward her and whispered “Vounn …”
The lady seneschal’s eyes flickered with flame. “Sit back, Ashi,” she ordered under her breath, then looked at Tariic. “There’s already a representative of Deneith in Darguun,” she said as clearly and confidently as if she were discussing the purchase of a horse. “Viceroy Redek d’Deneith.”
“Redek is based at the Gathering Stone fortress two days ride outside Rhukaan Draal,” said Tariic. “Deneith’s outpost in the crown city is little more than a recruiting center. Haruuc wishes to draw the ties between Deneith and Darguun closer. He wants an ambassador from his greatest ally to be part of his court—a councilor and not just a trader in mercenaries.” He held out the scroll.
Vounn considered the spooled paper but didn’t accept it. Instead, she asked, “Why? And why now? The representatives of dragonmarked houses aren’t usually granted ambassador status— that’s