in Saxthor, when he visited Graushdemheimer,” Eleatsubetsvyertsin said to Prince Augusteros. Augusteros put his arms around his wife as she relayed their son’s praises in the letter. He wiped his cheek. “King Grekenbach says, ‘To have such qualities in a nobleman in these times is unusual in itself, and in the prince, it’s most refreshing.’ The king offers his highest praise to our son.”
She turned to Augusteros, looked up into his loving face, “And Augusteros, he even says, ‘He would be exceptionally proud to have such a son himself.’”
Still holding the letter in her hand, she hugged Augusteros then released him to reread the letter.
The queen kept that letter among her most treasured possessions for the rest of her life, after sharing it with Memlatec and the Countess Betsoya. Someone else’s wonderful appraisal of their sons thrilled them. The prince was winning the respect and love of both the common people and the nobility of the lands through which he traveled. Word filtered down through the royal courts to nobility and merchants, where it journeyed back to Neuyokkasin, and eventually, to the queen.
In the same diplomatic pouch was the news of the full-scale attack on Feldrik Fortress amounting to a declaration of war on Graushdem by Dreaddrac.
“Guard, send for the court wizard, Memlatec.”
When the sorcerer arrived, a guard showed him into the council chamber with the queen and her other councilors.
“Memlatec, councilors, we wish you to hear this news from the north. The information comes from King Grekenbach himself and is to be held in the utmost confidence.” Eleatsubetsvyertsin looked at each councilor, one by one, to be sure they understood what she’d said. She continued, “Since Dreaddrac has no embassies other than Prertsten’s, and allows no foreigners within its borders, diplomatic efforts to defuse the crisis are almost impossible.”
The queen paused as the councilors chattered among themselves at the implications. Then she spoke again.
“King Grekenbach has armed his soldiers, put all fortresses on alert for attacks, and ordered more weapons from his armories. The king commanded the Duke of Heggolstockin to increase the garrisons at the border fortresses along the Akkin River.
The king has sent word to the Duke of Hador to be alert and aware, that the attack on Feldrik was most likely a test of its resistance capability. King Grekenbach forewarned Duke Jedrac to be prepared for a major attack at any time.”
Again, chatter broke out among the councilors as to implications for Neuyokkasin. Queen Eleatsubetsvyertsin let them babble for a few minutes then tapped a block on the council table.
“Gentlemen, we are certain Dreaddrac will soon unleash armies on the South. You had better work together to strengthen the defenses within the kingdom, as we will work to strengthen the alliances across the peninsula. The rest may retire. Memlatec, would you remain after the meeting.”
When the others were gone, the queen spoke to the wizard.
“Memlatec, we are worried about turmoil surrounding Saxthor. You seem to have contributed more to Saxthor’s development than the rest of us. We realize, with his experience from this mission, he is the most widely traveled Neuyokkasinian noble with the best understanding of the peninsula’s courts. We shall leave Saxthor to your care, while we prepare for war that must eventually come to Neuyokkasin. Guard my son well, wizard.” Her voice was forceful; yet she tempered it by placing her hand on Memlatec’s.
Chatra Rakmar wrote secret instructions to General Socockensmek on Tixos, asking him to survey that island state’s defenses, then to return to Konnotan to aid the queen in her strategic planning. She sent another diplomatic pouch to General Sekkarian in Hoya, bringing him up to date, and urging him to reexamine his army for hidden spies. The general was to strengthen the garrison and question all travelers through Hoya to
She turned to Augusteros, looked up into his loving face, “And Augusteros, he even says, ‘He would be exceptionally proud to have such a son himself.’”
Still holding the letter in her hand, she hugged Augusteros then released him to reread the letter.
The queen kept that letter among her most treasured possessions for the rest of her life, after sharing it with Memlatec and the Countess Betsoya. Someone else’s wonderful appraisal of their sons thrilled them. The prince was winning the respect and love of both the common people and the nobility of the lands through which he traveled. Word filtered down through the royal courts to nobility and merchants, where it journeyed back to Neuyokkasin, and eventually, to the queen.
In the same diplomatic pouch was the news of the full-scale attack on Feldrik Fortress amounting to a declaration of war on Graushdem by Dreaddrac.
“Guard, send for the court wizard, Memlatec.”
When the sorcerer arrived, a guard showed him into the council chamber with the queen and her other councilors.
“Memlatec, councilors, we wish you to hear this news from the north. The information comes from King Grekenbach himself and is to be held in the utmost confidence.” Eleatsubetsvyertsin looked at each councilor, one by one, to be sure they understood what she’d said. She continued, “Since Dreaddrac has no embassies other than Prertsten’s, and allows no foreigners within its borders, diplomatic efforts to defuse the crisis are almost impossible.”
The queen paused as the councilors chattered among themselves at the implications. Then she spoke again.
“King Grekenbach has armed his soldiers, put all fortresses on alert for attacks, and ordered more weapons from his armories. The king commanded the Duke of Heggolstockin to increase the garrisons at the border fortresses along the Akkin River.
The king has sent word to the Duke of Hador to be alert and aware, that the attack on Feldrik was most likely a test of its resistance capability. King Grekenbach forewarned Duke Jedrac to be prepared for a major attack at any time.”
Again, chatter broke out among the councilors as to implications for Neuyokkasin. Queen Eleatsubetsvyertsin let them babble for a few minutes then tapped a block on the council table.
“Gentlemen, we are certain Dreaddrac will soon unleash armies on the South. You had better work together to strengthen the defenses within the kingdom, as we will work to strengthen the alliances across the peninsula. The rest may retire. Memlatec, would you remain after the meeting.”
When the others were gone, the queen spoke to the wizard.
“Memlatec, we are worried about turmoil surrounding Saxthor. You seem to have contributed more to Saxthor’s development than the rest of us. We realize, with his experience from this mission, he is the most widely traveled Neuyokkasinian noble with the best understanding of the peninsula’s courts. We shall leave Saxthor to your care, while we prepare for war that must eventually come to Neuyokkasin. Guard my son well, wizard.” Her voice was forceful; yet she tempered it by placing her hand on Memlatec’s.
Chatra Rakmar wrote secret instructions to General Socockensmek on Tixos, asking him to survey that island state’s defenses, then to return to Konnotan to aid the queen in her strategic planning. She sent another diplomatic pouch to General Sekkarian in Hoya, bringing him up to date, and urging him to reexamine his army for hidden spies. The general was to strengthen the garrison and question all travelers through Hoya to
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