“Tomorrow,” I answered, “As soon as Nicholas is on his way and out of our hair.”
Dorian’s hands were clenching and unclenching unconsciously, a sign of his agitation. “It isn’t right to let the man go without a warning.”
“I’ve already saved his kingdom and his life, on two separate occasions. We send men to protect his people twice yearly. I’ll be damned if I let you saddle me with more guilt!” I said, raising my voice harshly. I hadn’t realized how tightly wound the tension inside me had become. Taking a deep breath, I tried to calm down before continuing, “Forgive me Dorian, you deserve better than that. We disagree, but you’ll have to accept my decision. Nicholas would refuse to leave if I tell him, and I already have enough people here to protect without adding a head of state.”
“What will you tell James,” Dorian asked calmly, “and when?”
“I will tell him everything, as soon as I can see him privately. Hopefully that will be in just an hour or two, before I return here with King Nicholas,” I answered.
“Very well, I’ll return to getting the men ready for his visit,” said Dorian stiffly. I could tell he was still angry with me. “If I may take my leave?” he added formally.
That was a sure sign I had upset him. He’d just have to deal with it though. “You’re excused,” I told him. The words left a cold feeling in the pit of my stomach.
Later, in Albamarl I found Adam, who was now the chamberlain for King James. Given my familiarity with the various staff, and the allowances that James had made for me over the years, I could have easily gotten in to see him without seeing Adam for a formal audience, but then a formal audience wasn’t what I needed. Adam was well aware of that fact too, and his eyebrow twitched, hinting at well-disguised curiosity. “How may I assist you, Your Excellency?”
I didn’t bother to hide my smirk. “I’m sure you’re aware that I’m here to transport the King of Gododdin and his entourage to Cameron. What I need to know is whether James is alone at the moment. I need to see him privately before you announce me.”
Adam gave a polite bow. “I’m sure you have your reasons. I will check and return presently.” As he left I found myself missing the days when my rank and station had been less certain. Adam had been much cheekier then. These days he was so respectful it was hardly any fun.
A good ten minutes later he returned. “If you will follow me,” he said, and proceeded to lead me toward one of the inner palace courtyards. Once there, he left me at a bench near a bush that was furiously in bloom. I was at a loss to remember the name of it, but I didn’t have long to wonder. Within a moment I sensed James approaching along the small garden path.
He smiled as he walked into view. “You must have something serious to talk about. It’s been a while since you wanted an impromptu and private meeting.”
I responded with a rather tense smile, “I would that I had different news James. I hope Adam wasn’t forced to give any strange excuses to pardon your sudden leave.”
“You picked a lucky moment,” James chuckled, “I was alone when Adam found me. So what do you want to inform me of?”
There wasn’t much point in beating around the bush, so I got right to the point, “The gods have crossed into our world.”
The King of Lothion’s face grew a shade paler, “Gods? Which gods?”
“All of the remaining shining gods, as well as the dark god, Mal’goroth,” I said with little enthusiasm.
His face grew puzzled, “Are they working together?”
I shook my head, “I am unsure, but I believe the three shining gods are. Mal’goroth may have simply taken advantage of the opportunity when they managed to create a path to our world.”
“Any idea what their purpose may be, vengeance, rescue, or war with each other?”
“I truly have no way of knowing yet, nor do I know when to expect them. All I know with any degree of certainty is that we have at least a week before anything happens,” I responded.
“Another of Penelope’s visions?”
I nodded, “I don’t intend to alarm Nicholas, for I fear he will insist on staying if I do. I’d rather he return home quietly. I think he’ll be safer there.”
James frowned. “That’s a large gamble you’re making on his behalf, and without giving him any choice in the matter.”
I met his eyes evenly. “Do you disagree?”
“No, you’re probably right. In fact, faced with a problem of this size, I find myself wondering if there’s anything any of us can do,” he admitted.
I put my hand on his shoulder. “Survive. These are powers beyond any of us, but you can survive. If they come here, they must not find you. There is nothing you can do to stop them, but so long as you survive to rally our people, we can rebuild.”
“It doesn’t feel right, Mordecai, that I should hide while my people face the wrath of the gods. Is that what a true king should do?” His face registered an honest doubt that I had never seen on Edward’s face while he was king.
My chest felt tight, seeing my friend’s father, always so sure in the past, wavering with uncertainty. I answered with a certainty that I myself did not truly feel, “You know the answer to that. The stories tell of kings and their glories, but the truth is darker. A king makes choices no man should bear and must constantly question his own motives. In this you must trust me, James, this nation needs you. Do not fault yourself for hiding from a foe you cannot possibly face. Folly is not bravery.”
“Your logic only holds true if we assume that you find victory against not one, but four deities,” he observed.
“It may not come to that,” I replied. “You remember where the entrance is?” I was referring to the hidden bolt hole we had created for the King of Lothion some five years past. Using enchantments, similar to the ones that hid Moira’s stone and the enchanting room in the Illeniel house, I had crafted a hidden room within the palace. With just a moment’s warning James could hide himself within, it and even the gods would be unable to find him.
“Of course,” he replied a bit snappishly, “I’m not in my dotage yet.”
“That secret is but one of many. I have not been idle these seven years, and the World Road has not been my only work. We still have hope, though I cannot guarantee safety to any but a few, and you are one of them.”
“What of my family? What of Genevieve and my children?” he asked suddenly.
“Keep them close at hand until this is over, so that they can hide with you,” I told him simply, though I feared his next question.
“What of Marcus?”
My stomach felt as though it held a lead weight, but I kept my features calm. “He lives his own life, James. If it helps any, he told me that he plans to move to Agraden with his wife. If his preparations are still on schedule, he may have already left the city. He may be safer than any of us,” I told him. Except that he is leaving to die in another city, I reminded myself. It tore at my heart to keep the knowledge from James, but I had promised Marc. How many secrets can one heart hold, before it destroys itself?
Chapter 13
I brought King Nicholas and his bodyguard, Sir Barnabas, to Castle Cameron after first transporting the rest of his entourage. It was actually a relief to be done with the good-byes. The parting of ways between the two kings had taken an exorbitant amount of time. As usual the excessive and lengthy ceremonies reminded me of one of the main reasons I had set James in place as king, rather than take the throne for myself; aside from the fact that I thought he was the best man for the job.