need to clarify what should have been obvious. “This is aggressive diplomacy. Your former student has responded to every flock of Soarers and Senior Soars sent by Maestro Reese to arrest him with harmless spells that rendered them unconscious, caused a mark or so of memory to be lost, and nothing damaged but their egos. While the rogue has no problem with killing the likes of Serin Gell and other members of the Serpent Guild, he has gone out of his way to keep from harming anyone associated with Aakadon.”
“So you believe Daniel Benhannon and his illegal guild will not resist arrest or perhaps teleport away rather than shed the blood of our associates,” Janna shared her conclusion.
Efferin nodded his head. “I do and the assault is only one part of my plan. Another part will intensify the pressure on the rogue from a different angle. Hanja Toweran, the Accomplished of Aakadon to New Oben, is to deliver a message to Queen Clarees. The message will be, Daniel Benhannon, the Royal Knight of the Realm of Ducaun and his muster of thousands, assisted in the eradication of a major Serpent Nest within Mount Shantear, but the renegade again broke faith with Aakadon and has declared the mountain to be the property of the Atlantan Guild, which has been unanimously determined to be illegitimate by all seven Maestros and the Grand Maestro. Either the renegade Accomplished is acting on his own accord or he is a Royal Knight obeying the orders of his Queen. Aakadon is taking steps to deal with the matter at Shantear; we leave you to deal with the politics between Lobenia and Ducaun. Beware; Daniel Benhannon has armed his muster of commoners with Aakacarn weapons that slowly kill them, draining their life forces, as they kill his enemies. This message will also be given by every Accomplished stationed in all the capitals and major cities to every noble of the world.”
Talmon rubbed his chin speculatively. “Benhannon’s seizing of Shantear will be perceived as Ducaun annexing Lobenian territory. This will put Cleona in a bad position, far worse than what her placing Ducaun on a war footing has caused. Some of the kingdoms might actually invade her realm, justifying the move as a preemptive strike. The lords of the land in those kingdoms might well demand action, fearing their own lands at risk of being annexed.”
Efferin smiled broadly. “Precisely, our forces will surround him at Shantear, he will be reluctant to attack us and he might well be ordered back to Ducaun by Cleona, either to defend against invasion or to reassure the other monarchs she is not using her spell-caster knight against them.”
“You are assuming more than what is perhaps prudent,” Maestro Cransur interrupted, drawing every eye to him. “Daniel Benhannon may choose not to leave Shantear, whether ordered to do so or not, and then what? Would you have Aakadon’s flocks and teams camp outside indefinitely while his associates conduct their business as usual, teleporting at will to wherever they need to be?” Runyen paused, glancing at each of his peers before focusing again on Efferin. “That message you intend to send to Clarees and the other monarchs could trigger a major war with ten kingdoms attacking Ducaun. Being a Maestro, I will see your will carried out, Grand Maestro, as is my duty, but I caution you to move carefully lest we end up triggering a war we cannot stop or find ourselves battling the Creator’s Chosen Vessel.”
The quiet that followed the remarks lasted until Efferin cleared his throat. “Your caution is noted. We will proceed carefully, be assured. There may be a few incursions into Ducaun after the message goes out and the kingdom may suffer a little before my plan fully takes root, but I am confident any monarchs who send in their armies will withdraw them when ordered by me to do so. Peace will be restored without all of Atlantan going up in flames.”
“What about confronting Benhannon?” David Svennar asked. “If
“So you believe Daniel Benhannon and his illegal guild will not resist arrest or perhaps teleport away rather than shed the blood of our associates,” Janna shared her conclusion.
Efferin nodded his head. “I do and the assault is only one part of my plan. Another part will intensify the pressure on the rogue from a different angle. Hanja Toweran, the Accomplished of Aakadon to New Oben, is to deliver a message to Queen Clarees. The message will be, Daniel Benhannon, the Royal Knight of the Realm of Ducaun and his muster of thousands, assisted in the eradication of a major Serpent Nest within Mount Shantear, but the renegade again broke faith with Aakadon and has declared the mountain to be the property of the Atlantan Guild, which has been unanimously determined to be illegitimate by all seven Maestros and the Grand Maestro. Either the renegade Accomplished is acting on his own accord or he is a Royal Knight obeying the orders of his Queen. Aakadon is taking steps to deal with the matter at Shantear; we leave you to deal with the politics between Lobenia and Ducaun. Beware; Daniel Benhannon has armed his muster of commoners with Aakacarn weapons that slowly kill them, draining their life forces, as they kill his enemies. This message will also be given by every Accomplished stationed in all the capitals and major cities to every noble of the world.”
Talmon rubbed his chin speculatively. “Benhannon’s seizing of Shantear will be perceived as Ducaun annexing Lobenian territory. This will put Cleona in a bad position, far worse than what her placing Ducaun on a war footing has caused. Some of the kingdoms might actually invade her realm, justifying the move as a preemptive strike. The lords of the land in those kingdoms might well demand action, fearing their own lands at risk of being annexed.”
Efferin smiled broadly. “Precisely, our forces will surround him at Shantear, he will be reluctant to attack us and he might well be ordered back to Ducaun by Cleona, either to defend against invasion or to reassure the other monarchs she is not using her spell-caster knight against them.”
“You are assuming more than what is perhaps prudent,” Maestro Cransur interrupted, drawing every eye to him. “Daniel Benhannon may choose not to leave Shantear, whether ordered to do so or not, and then what? Would you have Aakadon’s flocks and teams camp outside indefinitely while his associates conduct their business as usual, teleporting at will to wherever they need to be?” Runyen paused, glancing at each of his peers before focusing again on Efferin. “That message you intend to send to Clarees and the other monarchs could trigger a major war with ten kingdoms attacking Ducaun. Being a Maestro, I will see your will carried out, Grand Maestro, as is my duty, but I caution you to move carefully lest we end up triggering a war we cannot stop or find ourselves battling the Creator’s Chosen Vessel.”
The quiet that followed the remarks lasted until Efferin cleared his throat. “Your caution is noted. We will proceed carefully, be assured. There may be a few incursions into Ducaun after the message goes out and the kingdom may suffer a little before my plan fully takes root, but I am confident any monarchs who send in their armies will withdraw them when ordered by me to do so. Peace will be restored without all of Atlantan going up in flames.”
“What about confronting Benhannon?” David Svennar asked. “If
Similar Books
