„What's up?" Eanredson asked.
Ragnarson began paring his nails with a small knife. Prataxis wrinkled his nose. „Some odd stuff" has been piling up. I figured it's time we did something."
Eanredson ran a hand through his hair. The room was hot.
„It's this way. I spent a lot of time thinking. I decided you're the only ones I really trust right now. So we powwow. We decide where we're going." He wiped his knife on his trousers. „Okay. Questions."
Baffled, Gjerdrum asked, „What kind of problems? I thought we were in pretty good shape." He paid little attention to politics.
„It's a long list, Gjerdrum. I clogged it all together into three groups, then rated those by how many people they'd affect. So. First area. Mist, Aral Dantice, and their cohorts, are probably plotting to get Mist her throne back. If they make it, problem number two might disappear.
„That's Hammad al Nakir, where some strange things are going on. Mainly, Hsung's machinations. Seems he's trying to round our flank by making a puppet of the Peacock Throne.
„Third general problem. The succession. It doesn't look important right now. I'm healthy. But somebody could stick a knife in me, like they did Liakopulos. Then what? Civil war? Gjerdrum, if I croak tonight, what will the army do?"
„I don't know. That isn't something we've been worrying about. Support whoever the Thing elects, I guess."
„What if that somebody was from the Estates? Somebody from the old school. Would you put up with that? Would Credence? The Marena Dimura have to be taken into account."
„I don't know about me. Credence would take to the woods. He'd fight."
Varthlokkur said, „One of your sons would be the logical candidate, even though it's not in the law."
„But I have three sons. And a grandson. Which should it be? My grandson is the firstborn of my oldest, if you like that theory of succession. Gundar is the oldest surviving son. But Fulk's mother was Queen when he was born. Elana was just a soldier's wife. Ainjar don't count because he's the farthest away."
Prataxis observed, „They're all under age. That means a regency."
„I know. Meaning more worries. Mainly, about trust. All my worries are about trust. What about those Itaskians of Inger's? Are they a foreign fifth column? Inger could be come regent. How about Michael? What would he do? Then there's Abaca. And the Estates. And Dantice, Mundwiller, and that crowd. And whoever tried to kill Liakopulos, and dropped the list I found. There are people with stakes we don't recognize. I want to set up guidelines for dealing with everything. Then, even if I'm gone, there'll be a path to follow."
„We're going to be here a while," Eanredson said.
„So be it. Derel, you and I have been over this some. You've had time to think."
„The problems are interrelated. If you solve one, the others will soften."
„I know. So let's pick an area and hammer away."
„The succession, then. Hsung's doings aren't pressing. They're a sideshow. Shinsan is preoccupied elsewhere. He won't do anything but tinker. He'll have to stay free to help Kuo if the Matayangan thing goes bad. And Mist will be around a long time."
„There'll never be a better time, Derel. Shinsan is in big trouble. Once they drop the hammer on Matayanga, Kuo is out of the woods. He can cover his ass. I want to smack him while he's vulnerable."
Prataxis shrugged. „You're King. But really, an estab lished line of succession, including a designated regent, would do more good."
„Gjerdrum?"
„I'd be more comfortable if I knew who'd take over. Hammad al Nakir? That's Michael's area."
„What about Mist?" Ragnarson's mind was set. He was disappointed in his people. They wouldn't see the impor tance of weakening Shinsan. Not even Derel, who so recent ly had advised him to play Hsung's game.
„How would she change anything?" Gjerdrum asked. „Sorry. The Chatelaine is your friend. But there's no reason to believe that she could or would alter Shinsan's historical imperatives."
„Historical imperatives? College boy. Varthlokkur?"
„I don't like Shinsan." The wizard examined his finger tips. „Lord Kuo is an enigma. His supporters are unknowns too. Mist we know."
Prataxis started to protest.
Varthlokkur snapped, „Wait, will you? I think I'm speak ing from a more knowledgeable viewpoint."
Prataxis subsided. Ragnarson sat up straighter.
„When I couldn't find the man responsible for the attack on the General, I started making daily divinations. I've been spending so much time at that that my wife claims I'm neglecting her. I'm trying to do what I can while I can. Her time is close. I won't be able to help much longer."
Prataxis said, „Tell us why you're not worried about the succession."
„Did I say I wasn't? I don't think so."
„We don't expect you to neglect Nepanthe," Bragi inter jected. „You were talking about divinations."
Varthlokkur unleashed one of his classic intimidating frowns. Any man in the street would have fainted. Ragnarson just grinned, though his stomach did flutter.
„Divinations. The damned things are as unreliable as ever. I put in a hundred hours on them this week... . Well, twenty-five or thirty. I didn't find out much, but I can tell you the King will still be around five years from now. It was only a glimpse, but a solid one."
Derel's eyebrows rose. „You're sure?"
„Didn't I just say so?"
„Easy," Ragnarson said. „Damn, you're getting touchy. So I'll live another five years. That's good to know."
„That don't mean they'll be happy years. Just that you'll survive them."
„Will they be bad, then?"
„I don't know. The divination just showed you with a sword in your hand on a summer day five years from now. There were dead men around you. Your sword was bloody. You were wearing that wolf grin you get during a fight. Your helmet was banged up. A lot of grey hair hung out from under it."
„And I know who's going to give it to me. That satisfy your reservations, Derel?"
Prataxis tugged at his chin. „I want an artist to paint that scene. If we'll be at war... ."
Ragnarson muttered, „Gods, deliver me from... ."
„There might be details that would help us prepare. ..."
„Derel. Answer me yes or no. Will you go along with me on Mist, knowing I'll be around for a while?"
Prataxis sputtered. He hemmed and hawed. He mum bled, „Yes, Sire."
„All right. That didn't hurt, did it? No. I'm going to ask Gjerdrum now. Wait your turn. Gjerdrum?"
„I'm minded that divinations are treacherous, sire. Dur ing the war everybody was looking for that Spear of Odessa Khomer that kept showing up in the divinations. And the damned thing turned out to be a guidon some kid from Iwa Skolovda used because he didn't have anything else."
Ragnarson's fist hammered the table. Varthlokkur's ink well flipped. Ink poured across oak. King and wizard became entangled as they tried to right the well. The spill spread. Ragnarson growled, „Goddamnit, why can't any body give me a straight answer? I know all the goddamn arguments. It's worrying about that crap that keeps us from getting anything done. We've got to say the hell with it, decide to do something, then do it. Gjerdrum, I want a yes or no. Understand? Do we work on Shinsan? Can I count on you and the army?"
Gjerdrum sighed. „All right. But... ."
„But me no buts. Not now. That's what I wanted to know. I'm going to find Dahl. Play with the ifs, ands, and buts while I'm gone. We'll hash out a program when I get back." He rose. Scowling, he said, „I'll send for ink and paper." Prataxis had salvaged his notes, but his blank paper had been ruined. „I want this nailed down quick."