The Mage in the Iron Mask - Brian Thomsen [13]
The Hawk captain quickly dispelled the High Blade's concern. "I took the liberty of instructing one of my men to leave behind the crystal wand that had been used on the Thayan turncoat Donal. It's Thayan design, and the blood of that slug will no doubt focus the possible blame for this little bloodbath on more easterly sources."
"Well done, Rickman," the High Blade complimented. "Take a seat. You have been very busy, and very productive."
The Hawk captain bowed in thanks, and took his place across from the High Blade, adding, "and of course I have seen to the unfortunate demise of our friend the blind wizard smith whose exceptional handiwork adorns the head of our secret guest."
" 'Tis a pity," Selfaril agreed, "but there is no sense in not being careful."
"Agreed," Rickman acknowledged, glad that he was not being perceived as overzealous in his performance of his duties. "So what are your plans for the dispensation of your twin brother, if I might inquire, sire?"
"My twin brother," Selfaril mused. "It's funny. Up until just this moment I never thought of him quite that way. I mean, sure, he has to be my brother, my twin, but as far as I am concerned, he is merely my father's other son, my rival, a challenger to my throne. Tell me Rickman, do you have any brothers?"
"One, your majesty, but he is dead. His name was Jeremy."
"How sad," the High Blade replied in an unsentimental monotone.
"Not really, sire," the Hawk corrected. "As he was the first born, he received all the privileges. That is why I entered the military. It was either there or a monastery."
"Your loss was Mulmaster's gain."
"In more ways than one, sire. When father died, Jeremy inherited it all. In my then capacity as sergeant of the guards, I had him thrown in irons, charged with high treason, and executed a week later. My father's estate was, of course, seized for the state, and I appointed myself as custodian. I was soon promoted, and it was turned over to me as my fiefdom."
"You're not just saying this to earn my favor, are you, Rickman?"
"I wouldn't think of it, sire," the Hawk said proudly. "All you have to do is check the civil records."
"Of course," the High Blade observed in a jesting manner, "one who has already engaged in fratricide would never stoop to falsifying civil records."
"Of course not, your majesty," the Hawk replied, jovially adding, "that would be against the law."
"But of course."
The murderers' conversation was interrupted by the quick sounding of three chimes.
The High Blade cursed.
"It's the Tharchioness, no doubt," Selfaril offered. "I left strict orders with Slater-my valet-to ring me if she inquired of my whereabouts. Word has no doubt already reached her about last night's thwarting of her plans, and she, no doubt, wants to pick my brain about what happened."
"Do you think she suspects that we are behind what happened?"
"No more than I would suspect her of wanting to depose me," the High Blade replied with a grin, coming to his feet. "Come with me. Let us seek out my still blushing bride, and let the game of cat and mouse begin!"
* * * * *
In the Tharchioness's Boudoir in the Tower of the Wyvern:
The Tharchioness was not amused.
It was bad enough that she had to endure the damp and smoky gloominess of Mulmaster for yet another one of her thrice-yearly connubial stays, but now to be surrounded by such incompetence was definitely not to her liking, and she had no intention of tolerating it.
She had purposely cut short her stay back in Eltabbar overseeing the rebuilding of her beloved city after the devastating earthquake of a few months back because of the so-called opportunity that had been presented to her ambassador by that traitor to the Thayan cause and the sovereignty of Zulkir Szass Tam, Donal Loomis.
Her just recently executed ambassador with whom the traitor had made contact