Triumph of the Darksword - Margaret Weis [123]
“It’s … uh … confidential, Your Grace.” He made a motion with his hand, indicating that they step near the window.
Prince Garald straightened from bending over the map. “A message?” he repeated irritably. “Did you tell him we have been needing him this past half-hour? Isn’t he—Oh, very well. Excuse me, milords.”
Ignoring the nobles, who were muttering among themselves, Mosiah walked swiftly over to the large glass windows. Prince Garald and Lord Samuels went with him, the Albanara suspiciously watching every move they made.
“Your Grace!” Mosiah said softly. “It’s nearly noon!”
“I don’t need to know the time,” Garald snapped. Then, realization slowly dawning, he fell abruptly silent, his gaze drawn reluctantly to the magical timeglass that stood on one of the mantelpieces in the elegant ballroom The tiny sun trapped inside had nearly reached its topmost point and was blinking brightly in its arc halfway above a tiny world.
“Damn!” the Prince swore softly, turning from the nobles to face the window, his hands clasped behind his back. “I thought I had convinced him not to go!”
“Perhaps he’s just walking in the garden.” Lord Samuels suggested.
“I’ve looked! He isn’t! And Father Saryon and Gwendolyn are gone, too!” Moving nearer Prince Garald, Mosiah pretended to be studying the garden with interest. “There’s worse news!” he murmured. “Simkin’s disappeared as well!”
“Lord Samuels, question the servants,” ordered Garald quietly. “Ask if any of them have seen Joram or Father Saryon this morning. Try to do it without alarming anyone,” he added, but it was too late. Before he could stop him, the distraught lord dashed across the length of the ballroom and ran out into the hallway, shouting for the servants. The nobles watched him go, their faces growing increasingly grim and cold.
“Prince Garald!” called out Count Marat loudly. “I insist on knowing what is going on? Where is the Emperor?”
“Where is the Emperor?” The cry was taken up. Chaos erupted, everyone talking at once and no one making himself heard.
“Silence!” Garald roared finally, and the clamor died away “You’d think we were faeriefolk gone mad!” he added sternly. “Mosiah has just told me that the Emperor’s wife is extremely ill this morning and he does not want to leave her. Lord Samuels has just sent the servants for the Theldara. Lord Samuels also informs me that luncheon is being served. I suggest that you take this opportunity to dine. The Emperor will be meeting with you after dinner. My lords, this way. The servants will show you. Thank you, go ahead without me. I will join you presently.”
Exchanging dark glances and continuing to grumble among themselves, the nobles and the War Masters of Merilon slowly left the room. Those with a mind to stay were assisted politely but firmly on their way by Prince Garald’s warlocks. Once everyone was gone, the Prince gestured to the Duuk-tsarith to seal the door.
“Wait outside,” Garald instructed the warlock. “Admit Lord Samuels, but no one else.”
The Duuk-tsarith vanished, leaving the Prince, Cardinal Radisovik, and Mosiah alone in the room. Sunlight glared through the many windows, streaming down upon the marble floor, illuminating the maps rolled up on the table. No one spoke. Radisovik looked questioningly at the Prince, but Garald, toying with the maps, refused to meet his ministers eyes. Mosiah endeavored to stand calmly and wait, but he shifted nervously from one foot to the other, wiping his sweating palms upon his archers uniform. Everyone looked up in relief when Lord Samuels reappeared, bringing a flustered maid with him.
Abashed at being in the presence of the Prince, the maid was at first incoherent. It took some time for Garald’s gentle, courteous manner to calm her and enable her to answer his questions.
Yes, she had seen the Emperor. She was changing the bed linens that morning when she saw Joram, dressed in a traveling cloak, going into Father Saryon’s room. Sometime later, she saw them emerge from that room and walk down the hall. She overheard them talking of Lady Gwendolyn.