has told you much, but that only proves to reinforce my feeling that Donovan is a conniving wretch. The Order has no interest in running an Empire. That is far too much trouble for us. We much prefer our books and quiet places. I must admit we have had our own fair share of politicking in the past, but I will allow no more of that. I think the Magicians’ Council has learned its lesson in that regard.’
‘Then we shall see about this,’ Lillith stated defiantly. ‘I am not about to see the Empire falling to such upstarts. With Ruardin spellbound by their verbal trickery, I don’t know who else I can depend upon. Will you support me , Grand Master Anthem? Since Lord Samuel made his great display of saving the city, the Order is in favour like never before. The people will rally behind you.’
‘Of course, Your Majesty,’ old Anthem declared with a bow. ‘This battle will be fought on many fronts. Perhaps the greatest will be here within the walls of the palace and this is a battle that I will not lose. The Empire and I have had our differences in the past, but I refuse to see it fall into the hands of scoundrels like Donovan and Madhaven. I will begin by subtly letting them know their place and , if that does not work, we can look at taking more drastic measures. In the meantime, we will need to shore up our defences against the Paatin. Recall our forces from the territories—as many as we can possibly afford.’
‘So be it,’ Lillith responded.
With that, the meeting ended and the Empress and her entourage departed, with one of the maids carefully cradling the sleeping boy in her arms, so as not to wake him. Samuel believed what the wily old Grand Master had said, for he had a glint in his eye and his hackles were up; a sure sign he meant business. He would not be surprised if Anthem simply turned the royal advisers to ashes just to teach them a lesson.
It was only as they were striding away from the room that the Grand Master surprised them both by chuckling to himself.
‘Did you see how that works? Now, we have the Empress in the palm of our hand.’
‘What do you mean?’ Samuel asked of the old magician.
‘It is a simple matter to plant some suggestions and let others believe they had come to their own conclusion. In one swift move, we have the Empress onside. If it’s a war they want, it’s a war they’ll get and no pompous Turian can match this old Lion. When I begin to show my claws, those fools in their counting houses will turn to jelly.’
‘I must admit I was surprised by what you said about the Council, Grand Master,’ said Goodfellow. ‘I can’t imagine some of them giving up their old ways. They are awfully fond of their meetings and deliberations and so forth. They never seem to do anything except talk about having more power over the Empire.’
‘How true, young Master Goodfellow. The nature of these Turians cannot be changed, but the Empress is a useful ally. We will need her if we are to put Donovan and the likes back in their places. This could be a dangerous situation for the Order. And what a woeful time for it! Now, if we can get that old bull Ruardin onside we will have nothing to worry about. The last thing we want at a time like this is more trouble for the Order. And if we are going to win this war and repel the Paatin, we cannot afford such shenanigans. Once things return to calm, we will be the only ones advising the Empress and the balance of power will rest with us.’
Samuel was about to object, but thought better of it and kept his mouth shut. It seemed a strange turn of events at such a calamitous time.
The royal advisers had locked themselves indoors for an evening of deliberation, to which the Order—much to Anthem’s chagrin—w as not invited. Samuel decided to visit Master Glim and set out through the palace gates as dusk was just falling across the city.
He made his way
‘Then we shall see about this,’ Lillith stated defiantly. ‘I am not about to see the Empire falling to such upstarts. With Ruardin spellbound by their verbal trickery, I don’t know who else I can depend upon. Will you support me , Grand Master Anthem? Since Lord Samuel made his great display of saving the city, the Order is in favour like never before. The people will rally behind you.’
‘Of course, Your Majesty,’ old Anthem declared with a bow. ‘This battle will be fought on many fronts. Perhaps the greatest will be here within the walls of the palace and this is a battle that I will not lose. The Empire and I have had our differences in the past, but I refuse to see it fall into the hands of scoundrels like Donovan and Madhaven. I will begin by subtly letting them know their place and , if that does not work, we can look at taking more drastic measures. In the meantime, we will need to shore up our defences against the Paatin. Recall our forces from the territories—as many as we can possibly afford.’
‘So be it,’ Lillith responded.
With that, the meeting ended and the Empress and her entourage departed, with one of the maids carefully cradling the sleeping boy in her arms, so as not to wake him. Samuel believed what the wily old Grand Master had said, for he had a glint in his eye and his hackles were up; a sure sign he meant business. He would not be surprised if Anthem simply turned the royal advisers to ashes just to teach them a lesson.
It was only as they were striding away from the room that the Grand Master surprised them both by chuckling to himself.
‘Did you see how that works? Now, we have the Empress in the palm of our hand.’
‘What do you mean?’ Samuel asked of the old magician.
‘It is a simple matter to plant some suggestions and let others believe they had come to their own conclusion. In one swift move, we have the Empress onside. If it’s a war they want, it’s a war they’ll get and no pompous Turian can match this old Lion. When I begin to show my claws, those fools in their counting houses will turn to jelly.’
‘I must admit I was surprised by what you said about the Council, Grand Master,’ said Goodfellow. ‘I can’t imagine some of them giving up their old ways. They are awfully fond of their meetings and deliberations and so forth. They never seem to do anything except talk about having more power over the Empire.’
‘How true, young Master Goodfellow. The nature of these Turians cannot be changed, but the Empress is a useful ally. We will need her if we are to put Donovan and the likes back in their places. This could be a dangerous situation for the Order. And what a woeful time for it! Now, if we can get that old bull Ruardin onside we will have nothing to worry about. The last thing we want at a time like this is more trouble for the Order. And if we are going to win this war and repel the Paatin, we cannot afford such shenanigans. Once things return to calm, we will be the only ones advising the Empress and the balance of power will rest with us.’
Samuel was about to object, but thought better of it and kept his mouth shut. It seemed a strange turn of events at such a calamitous time.
The royal advisers had locked themselves indoors for an evening of deliberation, to which the Order—much to Anthem’s chagrin—w as not invited. Samuel decided to visit Master Glim and set out through the palace gates as dusk was just falling across the city.
He made his way
Similar Books
