„As indeed it is," Ragnarson replied, aping the younger man's style. „I'd be amazed if my enemies didn't have people here. But I am surprised Hsung got his hooks into someone. I don't want to loose the Unborn... . Bad for morale. But it's time I winnowed out the dangerous ones. Maybe Michael can turn them around. Any word on the wizard's wife?"
„Still in labor, Sire. Still guessing midnight."
„Get some punch and join the party, Dahl."
„I have work at the palace, Sire." Haas's gaze became shifty. He kept sneaking shy glances at Kristen.
„So do I. The hell with it. Take a night off. It won't go anywhere. I'll make it an order if you'll feel more comfort able."
Haas hazarded a half-smile. „That won't be necessary, Sire."
Ragnarson eyed his adjutant's back. „Shy? Dahl? That never occurred to me."
11
Year 1016 AFE; Interlude
The monthly courier had come in from the south. The Duke's advisers were all in the castle. He gathered them for a progress report.
„... in Kavelin our hand remains unsuspected. They do know something is going on. Norath delivered per agree ment. Our people used the merchandise twice, causing considerable excitement. We've made valuable friends there, especially in the Thing. We're doing pretty well."
„It's going too damned slow."
The Duke glanced at the speaker. Old Carmin. He wanted results before he died.
„It'll pick up."
Another offered, „From the look of this report, we ought to get the Colonel a tutor. His penmanship and spelling are atrocious."
The Duke replied, „He's a soldier. He's done a fine job, except with the attacks on Ragnarson's cronies. And that's more Norath's fault than his."
Carmin demanded, „Something has gone wrong?"
„Attacks on Liakopulos and Abaca failed, in each case because the target outfought his assailants. Liakopulos, despite being wounded in the first rush, slew one attacker and left the other two in such bad shape they had to be destroyed. Abaca took his three without getting scratched."
„Maybe Norath gave us second-rate assassins. Maybe we ought to complain."
„I did. I went over his head. I was told it wasn't Norath's fault, that the deployment of the assassins was unimagina tive, that we should have taken into account the fact that the targets were superb fighters."
„That means we've wasted two-thirds of them without knocking a name off our list. How the hell do we isolate
Ragnarson if we can't get rid of his confederates?"
„A point I brought up myself. I was told appropriate support will be forthcoming—if we can show ourselves capable of making headway on our own. In some quarters this is considered a high risk enterprise. The potential gain doesn't yet offset the probable cost of premature exposure. If we want help our people on the scene will have to provide a dramatic coup."
The Duke rose and opened a side door. A short, balding, dumpy man stepped inside. He wore a black cassock with a rope belt from which hung numerous small skulls. He had an unhealthy yellow cast. His smile revealed rotten teeth.
The Duke said, „I asked Babeltausque to sit in. His remote observations may be of interest. Take a seat, Babeltausque. Anything to add here?"
The wizard fingered what looked like a baby's skull. „Uhm. The woman. She seems a little reluctant." His raspy voice raised the hackles of everyone who heard it. „The Colonel has his reservations, too, but he hasn't let them affect his performance. Contrary to your opinion, Dane, Ragnarson, Trebilcock, and Varthlokkur are all suspicious. They're not quite sure of what, though, so they're keeping their own counsel. If they put their heads together they might have enough between them to know."
The Duke grunted, disappointed. He surveyed his advis ers. „Gentlemen?"
No one responded.
„Babeltausque? Anything else?"
„Someone in Vorgreberg is in contact with the command er of Shinsan's Western Army."
„Who?"
„I don't know. The shielding around Castle Krief is oppressive. I did come up with one related piece of intelli gence. Ragnarson will back an attempt by Mist at over throwing Kuo Wen-chin."
„That is worth knowing. Do you think?... The Colonel didn't mention that or the eastern agent. Of course, he might not know."
The wizard said, „It takes time for messages to get here, Dane. His reports only tell you what he knew when the courier left."
The Duke pursed his lips. Babeltausque was getting presumptuous. „Should we warn Lord Kuo? Should the Colonel push harder while Ragnarson is distracted?"
Babeltausque said, „No. The attacks on Liakopulos and Abaca will have them looking for trouble. Stop the attacks. We're dealing with Varthlokkur and the Unborn here. One slip could ruin everything. Tell him to keep his head down unless he can grab off a major victory."
Already Babeltausque's rasping had so irritated the Duke that he was considering eliminating the wizard once the dust settled.
„And don't contact Kuo. Let the cards fall as they may. It won't matter in the long run. You don't want to form an association that might haunt you later."
„That will be all, Babeltausque," the Duke said. „Return to your work." Privately, Dane agreed. The family had enough troublesome alliances now.
The wizard departed. There was a hitch in his step which suggested that he was offended by his dismissal.
Definitely have to get rid of him, the Duke thought. He's ambitious. That makes him a liability.
Someone agreed. „He's getting ideas, Dane. Watch him."
„Of course. One thing more. Our people in the City say the King is wondering about us. We've been too quiet. Mortin, you're down there more often than anyone else. Give him something to keep him happy. That's it for today, then, gentlemen."
He remained seated as they filed out. Things were going about right. That worried him. He wasn't accustomed to the family luck running favorably. It gave him the feeling fate was storing up something nasty.
12
Year 1016 AFE; On the Move
Ragnarson was passing through the park surrounding Cas tle Krief when the sky erupted with pink fireworks. Big, bold letters formed. They proclaimed: IT IS A GIRL.
He laughed till his sides ached. „Wizard, that's carrying the proud papa routine too far." But he understood. This birth culminated a star-crossed love centuries in the wait ing.
Ragnarson dragged his weary carcass to the wizard's apartment. A grinning Varthlokkur was accepting congratu lations from all and sundry. He shook hands with people who had never dared approach him before.
„Make way for the King!" someone shouted.
Bragi extended his meaty sword hand. „It was a long time coming, wasn't it? How's Nepanthe?"
„Perfect. Happy as anyone could be."
„Good. Good." Bragi joined Inger. She leaned against a wall, drooping in exhaustion. „Why don't you go to bed now, love?"
„I will. In a few minutes. Just doing some thinking. About how her whole attitude was different from mine while she was in labor."
„Hey, don't worry about it. Sleep. You'll have a better perspective in the morning."
„You look like you could use some sleep yourself."
„About a week's worth, and I'm starting in five minutes."
„Wrong."
„Hunh?"
Inger pointed. Dahl Haas was pushing his way toward them, immaculate as ever, face taut.