She sighed and shivered as he began exploring her body, and thought, a year or two; she could put up with Duncan for a year or two before getting him out of the way. Then she would have to look for a young noble, perhaps that irritating grandson of the Duke who had been so resistant to her advances. He might be a welcome challenge. But whoever it was, she would have a title before she was done. She might even consent to have a brat or two for a Baron or earl; it might prove necessary. She considered the price of losing her firm body to motherhood and wondered if there were potions or other magics that would keep her looking as she did now. Women had wondered that for years. Then she thought, why just an earl? Why not a duke? That Dashel who worked for Rupert had a brother, didn’t he? And eventually he would rise to rank, perhaps that of duke. Then she wondered if he would be easier than his brother had been to charm, or if he would prove a challenge.
As Duncan kissed her stomach she thought, that’s what she needed. Another challenge. All the men presently in her life were so predictable. As she closed her eyes and arched her back, she thought, the Prince is still unwed!
Pug materialized near the shore, where a group of students was listening to Chalmes lecture on magic. The master magician stopped when he saw who the three men were, for Pug had brought along Nakor and Sho Pi. Pug’s outer appearance seemed different; he was thinner, and his hair and beard were short, as if just growing in. There was also a tired quality about his movement.
“M’lord,” said Chalmes to Pug, “this is as unexpected as your last appearance.”
Pug said, “There are matters of grave importance we must discuss. Gather the other leaders in the conference chamber. I will be along in a moment.”
If the magician who was now the leader of the community objected to being ordered this way, he hid it masterfully. He put his hand over his heat in a Keshian gesture and said, “It will be done, m’lord.”
Nakor looked at the students who sat with astonished wonder and said, “Shoo!”
They quickly departed, leaving the three men standing alone. They had transported into Krondor with Calin, whom Pug had left behind for a while, to oversee the coming defense of the city until such time as Pug came for him. Pug’s grandson Arutha had managed to indicate he desperately needed to speak to him, so Pug felt the need to return quickly to the Prince’s city. “You know what to do?” asked Pug.
“Certainly,” said Nakor. “I don’t know if I like this, but I can see why it’s necessary.”
Pug shrugged. “If we survive these next few months, we’ll worry about what’s happening here. Unless you’ve got a better plan?”
Nakor rubbed his chin. “I don’t know. I might have something, but either way we must do this other thing first.”
“Well, then, be off with you!” said Pug with a laugh.
“When this is over, get horses and head for Sethanon. I don’t think there’s anything you can do in Krondor. And if I’m not there, see what you can do to help Tomas.”
Nakor and Sho Pi hurried toward the ferry, which would take them to Stardock town, while Pug turned toward the great citadel of Stardock.
He hurried into the building and reached the central chamber where the senior magicians of the island were gathering. They rose to their feet when he entered, and he waved them to chairs as he moved to the seat traditionally occupied by the leader of the council.
“Things move quickly,” he said without preamble. “I have been content to let you play your games of independence from the Kingdom and Kesh while peace reigned, but things cannot be allowed to continue in this fashion.”
Chalmes said, “There are rumors of war. Do you wish the Academy to take the side of the Kingdom?”
“Yes,” said Pug.
“Many here are of Keshian birth and feel no love for the Kingdom,” said another magician.
“You are Robert d’ Lyes?”
“Yes,” said the young magician, inclining his head at the honor of being remembered.
“You’re a Kingdom-born man.”
“True. I merely point out the division of loyalties, after the loyalty we all feel to Stardock.”
Pug said, “Let me be direct: Stardock is mine. It was built with my money on land deeded to me by the King, and until I say otherwise, it will continue to be mine.”
“That is as it should be,” said d’ Lyes, “but many will choose to depart, and I see that as being a defeat of the principles that brought us together.”
Pug smiled. “I understand, and I appreciate your Academy-born desire to sit here and debate the obvious until you’ve arrived at some profound philosophic insight, but given that the largest army in the history of the world sails to Krondor even as we speak, we cannot afford that luxury.”
At mention of the fleet, several of the magicians in the room frowned. “We thought the gathering of Keshian soldiers to the south was a prelude to a war, my lord,” said Chalmes. “What is this business of a fleet?”
Pug said, “Let me be brief. A huge army from across the Endless Sea, serving a demon lord, is sailing toward Krondor. Once the city has been reduced to ashes, that army intends to sweep out and conquer everything between this island and Ylith, Krondor and Salador. There will be blood and fire like nothing you could imagine.”
The magicians spoke among themselves, and Pug let them for a minute. Then he held up his hand and the room fell silent. “But what is more critical is that their ultimate goal, without their own knowledge, is a prize which, if seized by them, could destroy all life on Midkemia.”
“Is this possible?” said d’ Lyes.
“Not only possible, probable,” said Pug, “unless I get some help.”
The young magician said, “I will help.”
Pug smiled. “Youth is often underappreciated,” he observed as the other, older magicians in the council remained silent.
Finally, Kalied, one of the senior magicians of Keshian ancestry, said, “So much of what we have labored for is at risk, if that is true; would it not be wiser for us to remain here to protect the library and the other facilities?”
Pug said, “I cannot order you to willingness. I can order you to leave, but what purpose would that serve?” He stood. “I will retire to my tower for two hours. Call all the magicians capable of battle magic or protection or healing, and tell them what I have said. Those who will help I will take with me. The rest may stay here and defend Stardock, if they are able.”
Pug left while the other magicians started discussing what he had just said. He mounted the stairs to his study and entered by the mystic door that barred others from entering; before the door had shut fully, he transported himself to Sorcerer’s Isle.
Gathis, the goblinlike creature who had served Macros and Pug as majordomo, was at his usual post in the central room of the house, the one he used as an office, overlooking the lovely garden Pug had created. “Master Pug,” said Gathis, “am I correct in assuming that Master Macros is back?”
Pug smiled. Gathis had once told him there was a mystic bond between himself and Macros. “Yes, that’s true, though where he and Miranda are is not known to me.”
Gathis stood and said, “What service may I perform?”
“I need a change of clothes, and bring me a hot meal while I bathe.”
One of the pure pleasures of the house on Sorcerer’s Isle, the one called Villa Beata, was the Keshian-style baths. Pug had ordered them restored to their former function, and when Gathis arrived carrying a tray with hot beef, cheese, bread, greens, and a chilled pitcher of white wine, Pug was sitting in a hot pool, relaxing.
Looking at the scars on Pug’s body and his very short hair and beard, Gathis said, “It appears you have been in some difficulty.”
Pug laughed. “I’ve always loved your knack for understatement, my friend.” He took the goblet of wine the green-faced being handed him, and after a sip he said, “Did you know Miranda was Macros’s daughter?”
Gathis said, “I suspected as much, though I’ve really
had very little opportunity to talk to the young woman on the brief occasions when she accompanied you here from Stardock. As there is something about her manner that puts me in mind of the Black One, the revelation is no surprise.”
“It was to me. Did you know her mother was the Lady Clovis?”
“Now, that is a surprise,” said Gathis. “I met the Black One when he rescued me from my home world, quite some time ago, but that was after he had left Miranda and her mother, as I piece things together.”
Pug said, “After I eat, I must return to Stardock. But before I go, I mean to see the defenses are in place. A very hostile fleet of great size is going to be sailing past here in a few days, and while their destination is Krondor, a few of them may be tempted to stop and investigate.”
Gathis said, “I will follow your instructions in this.” Then he smiled his toothy smile. “However, if I am to judge such things correctly, several of your students here would be most able to discourage such a visit by marauding malefactors.”
Pug laughed. “I couldn’t have said it better myself.”
“Will you be returning soon?”
Pug’s expression turned somber. “I don’t know. I would be less than truthful if I didn’t tell you that the fate of this planet is in the balance, so leave it that if we survive, I will return.”
“And the Black One?”
Pug shrugged. “You know your former master far better than I, so you tell me.”
Gathis returned the shrug; there was nothing more to say.
Pug finished his meal and his bath and dressed in clean robes.
He then transported himself to his study, and walked down the stairs to where a large number of students were waiting.
When Pug saw them, he said, “Everyone, outside!”
The students started to hurry toward the main door, but Pug grabbed one by the sleeve, turning him completely around, and said, “What’s your name?”
“John, Master,” said the youth, almost beside himself to have been singled out by the legendary Master of Stardock.
“Go into the council hall and tell everyone there to join us outside.”
The student hurried off to the council chamber, and Pug pushed his way through the crowd, which quickly fell back when the students saw who was attempting to get through. Pug reached a point where a large rock rose, a short distance from where the road to the docks wound down the slope, and he mounted the rock.
After a few minutes had passed, Pug turned and looked across the lake. He adjusted his mystic sight to study the distant docks, and was pleased to see Nakor, Sho Pi, and two soldiers. They were boarding the barge that served as a ferry between the shore and the island.
Chalmes and the other members of the council pushed their way through the press of students, and Chalmes said, “Pug, what is this about?”
Pug sat upon the rock, affecting the best Nakor-like pose he could muster, and said, “We are waiting.”
“Waiting for what?”
Pug smiled and felt a perverse sense of pleasure in their frustration as he replied, “I don’t want to spoil the surprise.”
That caused them to fall silent, and for a very uncomfortable half hour they waited as the barge was poled across the lake. At last Nakor and the others came walking up the road, and Pug said, “I’m glad to see you.”
Nakor said, “This is Captain Sturgess of the Shamata Garrison.” The students began to mutter at the sight of the second soldier, who wore the uniform of the Keshian border legion. “And this is General Rufi ibn Salamon.”
The General nodded. “My lord.”
Pug turned to the assembled magicians. To Chalmes he said, “I suppose in the two hours I gave you, you have managed to dither the time away and do nothing that I ordered.”
“We were discussing the best way to disseminate the information you gave us—” began the old magician.
Pug put up his hand, cutting him off. “Is Robert d’ Lyes here?”
From the rear of the crowd, the young magician raised his hand. Pug pointed to him and said, “I believe he is the juniormost member of the council, is that right?”
The magicians nodded.
“Good. That means you’re not totally without hope,” said Pug.
D’ Lyes looked confused at that remark. “Not totally,” he said.
Pug laughed and stood up so all could see him. To the assembled magic users he said, “Even here I suspect you’ve heard rumors of war.”
Some magicians said yes, and others nodded.
“The war is real, but it is not with our neighbors to the south.
“A great fleet comes from across the sea and brings with it an army of terrible size, perhaps a quarter-million men under arms.” At that, several of the magicians began talking among themselves. Pug held up his hands and the group fell silent. “The Kingdom makes ready to defend itself, and as you can imagine, we need a secure border with Kesh. Toward that end, some changes have been made.”
A hush fell over the crowd as they waited to hear what Pug said next.
“Great Kesh and the Kingdom have contested for years over the rich farmlands surrounding the Sea of Dreams. To end this eternal dispute, the Kingdom has ceded certain lands to the Empire of Great Kesh.
“To the southwest of Land’s End is a great rocky prominence, clearly visible from sea and land, called Morgan’s Ruin. Sailors know it well. From the tip of that great rock, straight east to the river Shamata, a new border has been drawn. The Empire of Great Kesh has been ceded all lands south of that line, along the southern banks of the river Shamata, the Sea of Dreams, and the Great Star Lake.”
The assembled group gasped and a few shouted in anger. One man, obviously from the Kingdom, shouted, “You betray us!”
Pug said, “No. Prince Erland has been negotiating with the Emperor of Great Kesh for a long time on this matter. In exchange for Kesh’s protecting our southern flank from the enemy, and for observing our current treaty while we are engaged with a mighty foe, the Kingdom chooses to grant several claims for territory Kesh has held for almost a hundred years. Those of you who are uncomfortable with this change in governance may leave.
“As it stands now, Stardock is still Kingdom territory; still my duchy.” Pug glanced from face to face. “Shamata is now being handed over to the Keshians. The Kingdom forces are withdrawing across the Great Star Lake to Landreth. Any of you who wish may travel with them.”
Several more protests were heard, but Pug ignored them.
General Salamon spoke. “We will honor the Kingdom’s claim to sovereignty for Stardock Island. Stardock town will be Keshian. Until you have arranged for a portage or dock on the north shore, Kingdom citizens will be granted the right of free passage through Stardock town.”
Someone in the crowd shouted, “When are you taking over?”
The General said, “We have taken over. My men are now occupying the small fortress at Port Shamata and the garrison in the city, and we will leave a small force across the water to ensure the peace.” Looking at Pug, he said, “If there is nothing more, I need to return to my men, my lord.”
Pug nodded and said, “Thank you for coming.”
The General and the Kingdom Captain left together, heading down the hill toward the dock. Pug said, “That is the end of it. Now on to another matter.
“This invader I spoke of is an enemy of the most dangerous sort, and I need those of you willing to serve. We need those of you able to heal, able to act as conduits for intelligence, and those of you who may in some way stem the invaders’ magic.” He paused and then added, “They are served by Pantathians.”
At mention of the hated serpent priests, several of those who had been quiet shouted, “I’ll help!”
Pug waited and said, “Those of you willing to travel to Krondor, see Robert d’ Lyes. He is to be my aide in this matter.”
D’ Lyes looked around, confusion on his face. “Aide?” he said as young magicians started to talk to him.
Pu
g jumped down from the rock and Nakor said, “What do we do now?”
Pug said, “We? I’m going to Krondor with this band, to get them ready; then I travel to Sethanon. You wait here to make sure that this band of fools doesn’t start a war with Kesh in the next two weeks; when you’re certain they won’t, I want you to get to Sethanon.” He reached into his robe and pulled out a Tsurani transportation orb. “Don’t break it or lose it: it’s the last one I have. And it’s a long walk to Sethanon.”
Nakor didn’t look pleased. “Things are coming to a head, and you want me to stay here and wet-nurse this bunch?”
Pug grinned. “Who better?”
So saying he moved through the milling magicians and went to talk to Robert d’ Lyes.
Sho Pi said to Nakor, “Master?”
“What?”
“Have you given thought to what Pug said about thinking of a different plan for Stardock?”
Nakor was silent for a moment, then turned to his student with a wide grin. “Of course I have.”
15
Onslaught
Erik frowned.
He put the papers on Lord William’s desk and said, “That is what I’m to do?”
William and Calis nodded. “We’ve had a change of plans since my father appeared,” said William, looking very tired. “He went into council with the Prince, James, and myself, and all I can tell you is he convinced us that Calis is needed elsewhere.”
Erik had been operating on the assumption that he would be up in the mountains to the north and east of the city, awaiting the fall of Krondor to launch raids against the invaders as they moved eastward. Now he was being told the roles were being shuffled, like so many cards in a deck.
William said, “I am in charge of the defense of the city. That hasn’t changed. Vykor’s flotilla is hidden down in Shandon Bay and will sally against the raiders as they pass by, to be joined, we hope, by what is left of Nicholas’s fleet after it’s refitted at the Sunsets.
Rage of a Demon King Page 31