"What was the attitude of the nobles and officials?"
"They begged that Mernerum be annexed to Reabon, or if this should not comport with Your Majesty's wishes, that you name a competent Torrogo to rule them. So as soon as Kantar the Gunner arrived in the Olban airship, His Excellency named him Torrogo, in accordance with Your Majesty's commands. He was later acclaimed by the nobles, warriors, and people without a dissenting voice.
"What of the other ceremony?"
"It has been performed, Majesty. And Her Majesty invites all to attend the feast which will be held this evening."
"Did you bring with you a messenger from the new Torroga?"
"I did, Your Majesty. He awaits your permission to present his missive to Ad of Tyrhana."
"Good. You may go now. And send this messenger to me."
The mojak arose, and making the customary obeisance, withdrew.
"Thus far," Grandon told Zinlo, "our plot has worked out. It remains to be seen how Ad of Tyrhana will take the news." He called a guard. "Have Bonal usher in Their Majesties of Tyrhana and Adonijar," he commanded.
"I can tell you how Ad will take it," said Zinlo. "He'll take it as a marmelot takes a slap on the nose. But it was the only thing to do."
A moment later, Ad and Aardvan were ushered in by Bonal. A slave brought kova, and the four Torrogos were chatting merrily over their bowls when Bonal announced: "A messenger from Her Imperial Majesty for the Torrogo of Tyrhana."
"What's this?" exclaimed Ad. "I didn't know Zanaloth left a widow. And why should she send a messenger to me?"
"Perhaps an interview with the messenger will explain," rumbled the deep voice of Aardvan.
"True. Show him in, Bonal."
The messenger, who wore the uniform of a mojak of the Imperial Guards of Mernerum, made obeisance to all four of the rulers. His puzzled look showed that he did not know which one to address.
"I am the Torrogo of Tyrhana," said Ad. "I believe your message is for me."
"It is, Your Majesty." The mojak took a small scroll from his belt pouch and handed it to Ad. "From Her Imperial Majesty, the Torroga of Mernerum," he said.
Ad broke the seal and unrolled the missive. First he looked puzzled, then astounded, then fiercely angry. His face purpled and his brow contracted. "Blood of Thorth!" he exploded. "Narine has eloped with that young upstart of a gunner, and married him!"
"She could have done worse," soothed Grandon. "The gunner is now Torrogo of Mernerum."
"The little she-marmelot! The traitor! The ungrateful child! I'll disown her! I'll-I'll--"
"Tut, tut," said Aardvan. "I think she has made a splendid match."
"But what of Gadrimel? What of our pact that my daughter and your son should wed?"
"I don't like to mention this," replied Aardvan, "but Gadrimel picked up a slave-girl in Huitsen and brought her here with him. Zena, I believe he called her, an ex-concubine of Yin Yin's. I told him to get rid of her, and last night they both disappeared. Later, I learned that they had gone for a cruise in one of my ships."
"Um," grunted Ad, non-committally.
"So you see," continued Aardvan, "their marriage would have been impossible, anyway. Besides, we need no marriage to comment the firm friendship between us. And think, you will now have as an additional ally the wealthy and powerful Torrogo of Mernerum, your son-in-law."
"That's right, Your Majesty," said Zinlo. "Forgive the child, and let's pile into one of my ships and attend the wedding feast tonight, all of us."
"What! You, too? This has all the earmarks of a conspiracy," said Ad. Grandon filled the kova bowls all around, then took up his own, and said: "My friends, let us drink to the health and happiness of the charming young bride and the lucky bridegroom." Zinlo and Aardvan drained their bowls.
Ad hesitated for a moment, then caught up his own bowl and emptied it with apparent gusto. "Our work is done," he said. "The power of the pirates is broken, and the port of peril is no more. Let us on to the wedding feast."
THE END
Robert Grandon 03 The Port of Peril aka Buccaneers of Venus Page 19