family’s estates in Wenshar.”
“I know,” I croaked. “I’m having her secretly watched.”
“How long have you known?”
“Since right after I was married,” I said, miserably. “I hated you and feared you, since then.”
“I mean you no ill will, Minalan,” she assured me. “I was under orders from Rardine.”
“Why did she make you do such a thing?”
“She wanted leverage over you,” Isily sighed. “She didn’t trust you, and she felt that her mother was too trusting of you. That was before you proved yourself loyal, after Timberwatch.”
“After I didn’t announce how you assassinated the Duke of Alshar, that is,” I pointed out.
“It was a watershed moment,” she agreed. “When you killed our agent, that day, we thought you were about to start a rebellion. Ismina was one of the strategic pieces in that game. But when you quietly went off and got married and took over your lands without mentioning it, the Family began to relax, even if they still didn’t trust you. Then you appeared loyal at the coronation, you held your lands, and you kept the magical world from intruding overmuch on the mundane. Lastly your victory over the dragon ensured that the Family could not touch you, unless you became a direct threat. Knights and castles the king has aplenty, but no one to slay a dragon.”
“I’m glad my work was appreciated,” I chuckled.
“Oh, it is,” she agreed. “Last year was . . . trying, but Mother put the best face possible on things, and felt it a minor victory. There was some mumbling about you having outlived your usefulness, but then you built the Mirror array, and once again you became too important to touch. Even when that little brat Tavard complained to his mommy about the mean ol’ spellmonger who had the temerity to know the law well enough to circumvent his asinine objections to relocating refugees, she told him to shut up and tread lightly. ‘The Spellmonger is essential to the prosperity of the kingdom,’ I believe were the very words she spoke to him.”
“Wonders, I’m essential,” I smiled. “What did he want to do?”
“He wanted her to rebuke you publically, strip your lands from you, something nasty like that. She told him that the most he could get away with was a temporary order to remain in your lands, as your overlord . . . but for him not to push it. She’s scared of you, Minalan, just as much as she wants to use you. She isn’t a threat to you now, but that could change at any time.”
“I’m aware. Why do you think I resort to magically extorting intelligence out of her agents? I know she’s dangerous, and she should know I’m dangerous. Fine. But we do need each other. And as a token of my good faith, here is some intelligence in return that I’ve learned but an hour ago: the Duke of Merwyn has no intention of invasion or more than some skirmishing; he is wary of the kingdom’s strength and fears for his own position, as well as the kingdom’s powerful magical corps. Further, the Censorate warmagi that he adopted have but twenty two witchstones in their arsenal. A potent force, but a fraction of what Their Majesties have at their disposal.”
“That is intriguing news,” she agreed. “And useful to pass along. Thank you, Minalan. The Family can be heavy-handed, at times, but things have smoothed much since the prince’s wedding. Now they seek for a suitable match for Rardine, to increase the stability of the realm, and the reconquest of southern Alshar. They are likely to leave arcane matters alone unless they demand their attention.”
“Tell me,” I said, suddenly, “what is the hold that Rardine has over you? Why would you conceive a child at her direction?”
Isily grew very uncomfortable-looking. She looked away, at the fire, then looked back at me. “I have never spoken to anyone of this,” she whispered.
“If I haven’t demonstrated my
“I know,” I croaked. “I’m having her secretly watched.”
“How long have you known?”
“Since right after I was married,” I said, miserably. “I hated you and feared you, since then.”
“I mean you no ill will, Minalan,” she assured me. “I was under orders from Rardine.”
“Why did she make you do such a thing?”
“She wanted leverage over you,” Isily sighed. “She didn’t trust you, and she felt that her mother was too trusting of you. That was before you proved yourself loyal, after Timberwatch.”
“After I didn’t announce how you assassinated the Duke of Alshar, that is,” I pointed out.
“It was a watershed moment,” she agreed. “When you killed our agent, that day, we thought you were about to start a rebellion. Ismina was one of the strategic pieces in that game. But when you quietly went off and got married and took over your lands without mentioning it, the Family began to relax, even if they still didn’t trust you. Then you appeared loyal at the coronation, you held your lands, and you kept the magical world from intruding overmuch on the mundane. Lastly your victory over the dragon ensured that the Family could not touch you, unless you became a direct threat. Knights and castles the king has aplenty, but no one to slay a dragon.”
“I’m glad my work was appreciated,” I chuckled.
“Oh, it is,” she agreed. “Last year was . . . trying, but Mother put the best face possible on things, and felt it a minor victory. There was some mumbling about you having outlived your usefulness, but then you built the Mirror array, and once again you became too important to touch. Even when that little brat Tavard complained to his mommy about the mean ol’ spellmonger who had the temerity to know the law well enough to circumvent his asinine objections to relocating refugees, she told him to shut up and tread lightly. ‘The Spellmonger is essential to the prosperity of the kingdom,’ I believe were the very words she spoke to him.”
“Wonders, I’m essential,” I smiled. “What did he want to do?”
“He wanted her to rebuke you publically, strip your lands from you, something nasty like that. She told him that the most he could get away with was a temporary order to remain in your lands, as your overlord . . . but for him not to push it. She’s scared of you, Minalan, just as much as she wants to use you. She isn’t a threat to you now, but that could change at any time.”
“I’m aware. Why do you think I resort to magically extorting intelligence out of her agents? I know she’s dangerous, and she should know I’m dangerous. Fine. But we do need each other. And as a token of my good faith, here is some intelligence in return that I’ve learned but an hour ago: the Duke of Merwyn has no intention of invasion or more than some skirmishing; he is wary of the kingdom’s strength and fears for his own position, as well as the kingdom’s powerful magical corps. Further, the Censorate warmagi that he adopted have but twenty two witchstones in their arsenal. A potent force, but a fraction of what Their Majesties have at their disposal.”
“That is intriguing news,” she agreed. “And useful to pass along. Thank you, Minalan. The Family can be heavy-handed, at times, but things have smoothed much since the prince’s wedding. Now they seek for a suitable match for Rardine, to increase the stability of the realm, and the reconquest of southern Alshar. They are likely to leave arcane matters alone unless they demand their attention.”
“Tell me,” I said, suddenly, “what is the hold that Rardine has over you? Why would you conceive a child at her direction?”
Isily grew very uncomfortable-looking. She looked away, at the fire, then looked back at me. “I have never spoken to anyone of this,” she whispered.
“If I haven’t demonstrated my
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