[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
."I see you came straight from practice.""My lady called," he replied warmly, lifting her hand and nibbling along the back of her wrist beneath the form of apolite kiss."How may I serve you?""My lord," Melina began seriously, "I have learned of that which hints at a plot to undermine you, perhaps through me.Most certainly Apheros's government is in danger."Toriovico dropped her hand and lowered himself into a chair."What?""My lord, a man who had been spying upon those same Hawk Havenese who brought Citrine to us came to me hopingto sell information.I agreed to listen and he told me that one of Apheros's Three was seen meeting with these foreigners.""Which one?" Toriovico asked."Xarxius.""My sweet," the Healed One replied, his tone a trace condescending, "Xarxius is responsible for our trade with othernations.It is part of his usual duties to deal with foreigners.""Then why did Xarxius go to his meeting disguised? My lord, I fear something more than trade was under discussion.Iwould like you to support me in having Xarxius brought for questioning."The Healed One looked very grave, and for a moment Melina actually thought Toriovico would refuse her.She chidedherself for spending so much time away from himùthis was the one bond she should never risk weakening.Then, to herrelief, the Healed One nodded."Very well, if Apheros agrees.Remember, his advisors are not mine to choose.""But they are yours to dismiss," Melina said, "if they act in a fashion of which you do not approve.True?""True," Toriovico replied."Will you go to Apheros next?""In your company, my lord.I would never overstep my place.""Then I must shower and otherwise prepare myself," Toriovico said."It is barely permissible that I call upon my dearestwife in this state."Toriovico rose and Melina crossed to him, rising up on her toes to kiss him on one cheek."I will request a meeting with Apheros," she said."Very good," Toriovico replied.He sketched a bow and left with flattering speed.Melina smiled and glanced over at her notes.A pause to clip the Dragon's Claws, then back to her true work.Shesmiled, hearing the rush of flames light her imagination.DISBELIEF MINGLED WITH HORRIFIED SHOCK flooded Toriovico's heart as he listened to Melina's words.Xarxius discovered? Melina's spy web so thorough? More than ever, he resolved that this Consolor who insisted at playingqueen would not rule his land in his stead.However, his hands were tied.If he took action against Melina now she could claim he was insane.Those who followedher would support her most outrageous claimsùespecially with such evidence as his apparent paranoia regarding his ownwife to support them.He didn't doubt that Tipi, among others, would supply ample evidence.Toriovico needed moreinformation, proof that would sing out no matter how many of the higher-ranking members of the Primes Melina held inthrall.She could not hold them all, of that he was certain.With new insight, Toriovico praised the enormously cumbersome government the First Healed One had designed.Itmight have been originally intended to slow the New Kelvinese's ability to become a power that could challenge theFounders, but had their land possessed a simple monarchy as did Hawk Haven or even an oligarchy like that which reignedin Waterland, New Kelvin would already have been doomed by this unanticipated threat.Or perhaps the threat of a single powerful, charismatic leader had not been unanticipated by the First Healed One.Wasn't that what had led to the fragmentation of the Gildcrest colony across the White Water? Who knew what history theOld Country possessed that would have given the First Healed One warning?UNSURPRISINGLY, THE DRAGON SPEAKER "just happened" to have a few meetings he could reschedule to maketime for the Healed One and his Consolor.In the five years of his reign, Torio had never requested such an interruption tothe Dragon Speaker's schedule, so it was not unreasonable that the Dragon Speaker would hurry to honor his request now.However, with his fresh awareness of the extent of Melina's influence, Toriovico found Apheros's haste to cooperate rathersinister.When Torio and Melina arrived in the Dragon Speaker's private office, Xarxius was there before them.He and Apheroswere calmly discussing the projected wool harvest, but halted politely as soon as the Healed One and his Consolor camethrough the door.As formal greetings were exchanged, Toriovico couldn't help but notice how Apheros's gaze, animated and direct whenthey had entered the room, was now grown still and calm.The Dragon Speaker did not stare at Melina, but his gaze strayedto her periodically, as a dancer uncertain of his steps might look toward the choreographer for guidance."How may I be of service to my rulers?" the Dragon Speaker inquired when the greeting ritual had ended.Melina, in the company of two she believed puppets and one she suspected was an enemy, spoke with more bluntnessthan tact."Apheros, I want Xarxius to explain why he was seen at the Hawk Haven embassy."Xarxius replied directly to her, although in proper form he should have spoken to Apheros.As a member of the Three,one of Xarxius's rights was to answer to the Dragon Speaker and to no one elseùthough the Dragon Speaker was required toanswer for his Three if the Healed One so demanded.Toriovico silently cursed Xarxius's lack of caution.Xarxius should observe the forms lest he give away too much ofwhat he knew about Melina's influence in the court.The Dragon's Claw's words showed a caution his manner of address did not, so perhaps he realized his error."I went there to negotiate trade," Xarxius replied."Such is my responsibility."His tone was just a trace condescending as if to say "But a foreigner like you couldn't be expected to know that."Toriovico saw that Melina heard Xarxius's scorn and that it stung, but she did not react."Trade?" she said."Apheros, I want Xarxius to explain why he went to discuss trade with Lady Elise Archer and DerianCarter.They are no great merchants such as would deserve his attention."Xarxius again replied directly to Melina, bypassing Apheros."They have the ear of King Tedric," he said, his scorn even more evident, "and of the king's heirs.In the not too distantfuture, they will be important.A wise government should cultivate such potential allies now rather than later."The Dragon's Claw's tone added, "As you would know if you knew anything," and Melina shifted restively.Her next question was addressed directly to Xarxius."Tell me, then, why you disguised yourself to go to this meeting if the circumstances were so direct and withoutreproach.Why did you change litters so that the bearers who carried you to the embassy would not know your identity?"Xarxius replied, "Since your marriage to our great and glorious Healed One, O Consolor, there has been much angeramong some segments of our populationùmany of whom believe that a foreigner should not be permitted such privileges.Since you have remained almost completely sequestered here in the Earth Spires that anger has been taken out onrepresentatives of your natal country.I did not wish to be seen going to the Hawk Haven embassy for that reason.""Because you feared for your safety?" Melina sneered."Let us say that was so," Xarxius agreed.Toriovico observed Apheros stirring and looking less than happy during this last exchange.After a moment, he realizedwhy
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]