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From the collective intake of breath, Temar judged this must be some considerable departure from normal practice. Allin gave his hand an encouraging squeeze. Temar squeezed back absently as he looked around for Ryshad. The chosen man was some distance away, Velindre and Casuel flanking him.
The Emperor raised a hand to brush back an errant wisp of hair. The chains around his wrist chinked, a slight sound heard in every corner of the room.
“The Imperial decree is not a power I use lightly,” Tadriol continued severely. “I do so to prevent these disagreements getting any further out of hand, to the potential ruination of the Empire. This unseemly bickering has already done our Names no credit at all with the commonalty. It is my order that every House abandons these petty quarrels, on pain of my extreme displeasure.”
The Emperor smiled suddenly, speaking in more conciliatory tones.
“Look to the future rather than past grievances. But to the formalities. Firstly, I declare the House of D’Olbriot has no exclusive rights to deal with Kellarin or any persons living there. Any other Name or lesser trading concern is entirely at liberty to make whatever arrangements they see fit, free of D’Olbriot restraint.”
Temar glanced at Messire D’Olbriot but the Sieur’s face was unreadable.
“Secondly, I declare the House of D’Alse
The Emperor’s tone of mild regret was no comfort to Temar, who felt sick misgiving hollowing out his belly. Was he being sent back to Kel Ar’Ayen deprived both of D’Olbriot aid and of any property that might have yielded coin to pay the mercenaries he’d surely need to defend his hapless colony now?
“But Raeponin’s scales must be balanced, if justice is to be done.” The Emperor’s stern words interrupted congratulatory smiles being passed between Tor Bezaemar and Den Thasnet. “Just as D’Alse
The Emperor took a slow sip from a glass of water.
“But the prestige of all our Names rests on the care we take of our tenantry. You have granted the House of Tadriol the additional responsibility of caring for the Empire as a whole and its peoples wherever they may be. I ca
“Fortunately, we have a ready solution to hand. If the House of D’Alse
The Emperor’s sudden lapse into breezy informality won smiles from various Houses, some relieved, some reluctant. Tadriol raised a hand as subdued comment threatened to break into open conversation.
“But one man ca
The Emperor reached into a pocket and the entire room fell silent as he walked over to Temar. Temar swallowed hard. The hollowness he’d felt when he’d thought Kel Ar’Ayen was being abandoned was nothing compared to the crushing weight he felt resting on his shoulders now.
The Emperor halted in front of Temar and held out an open hand. A silver badge lay on his palm, three holm oak leaves, parallel and overlapping. “Your insignia is granted, Messire.”
Temar studied the brooch for a moment, until he could be sure his hands wouldn’t tremble as he pi
“My undying gratitude, my Emperor,” Temar said with archaic formality.
“From you, that’s quite some promise,” murmured the Emperor in an undertone.
An isolated pair of hands began clapping somewhere in the crowd, soon joined by others. The Emperor turned to acknowledge the applause and the expectant faces.
“There are a few more trifles to settle before we can all enjoy the rest of the afternoon. One of the most noteworthy aspects to the Kellarin tale is the sudden reappearance of magic in our midst. I confess I’m still uncertain of much that’s gone on, but some things I am sure of. Firstly, while the colonists of Kellarin owe a great debt to the wizards of Hadrumal, that changes nothing on this side of the ocean. All Houses may make whatever use they wish of magecraft, just as they have always done, and I will continue to listen to the advice of the Archmage Planir or any other wizard who wishes to offer counsel. But I will not grant such words any undue weight nor allow any wizard undue influence within Tormalin.”
Temar could see various people glancing smugly at the Sieur and his brothers, eager to see how they were taking this perceived rebuke.
“Indeed, what need do we have of Hadrumal’s magic?” the Emperor asked abruptly. “It was Tormalin Artifice saved the people of Kellarin in those far-off days, the same ancient skills that helped Correl the Stalwart carry Tormalin rule to the very edge of the Great Forest. I confess I’m curious to see what benefits Artifice bestows on Kellarin, and who knows, we may all benefit from judicious use of its proficiencies in years to come.” Tadriol paused and took a thick silver ring off one finger.
“But we ca