Chapter 18

Starhaven, Sidor

Edmund sat in his chamber, a goblet of wine untouched at his side. The hearth was empty and the windows had been opened to allow a cool breeze in, to cut the summer heat. There were more comfortable places in the palace to spend time, less stuffy than the king’s private study, but Edmund reveled in being there, savoring the trappings of office that he’d always coveted. He couldn’t help but wonder if he still would have coveted this if he’d known how he would have gotten it.

He didn’t have to consider the point long. Of course, he would have.

It didn’t make dealing with all of this any less annoying. He’d hoped that by removing Serwyn and framing Aldric, he would have had an opportunity to calm things down. Instead, he’d only made things worse.

At least he’d convinced the Icelanders to take an active part. He’d had to give over more than he’d wanted to, but he could live with the agreement. They would still supply men as needed and pay taxes, and what did he want with frozen lands peopled by those that were barely civilized? In return, he would get to control the new nobility in the other duchies when they won this war.

He learned from Cadogan’s wyvern, that things were going well and they were already in control of the southern Sister and much of the Darien Hills, although there were apparently holdouts that had not surrendered yet.

There was a knock on the door, which opened before he could respond, admitting Orlan and a dark-complexioned man. It was a danger, doing this here. When Gavric had so generously offered him office space here in the palace, he had studied old plans closely, focusing on some of the oldest drawings of the palace. Many knew of the secret passages into the palace, but few knew of all their entrances, and those that were well known had been sealed up, along with their exits, for fear they could be used against them.

They had missed some, though. Some that were in the older plans but had disappeared from the newer ones. Which is why he’d picked the office he’d had. It was one of the few that had one of the forgotten passages.

The king’s study, on the other hand, didn’t have a passage. Which meant anyone who came to him here could be seen. Edmund had controlled some of that, having the guards clear the halls, making sure the men protecting the chamber were Colm’s men.

But still, it was a danger. It would have been safer to have this meeting in his old rooms, which he’d kept for himself, even with those precautions. But this room reminded people of his status. Of his power.

Now that he had it, he wasn’t willing to give it up.

Edmund gestured for the man to sit as Orlan shut the door, leaving them in private.

“Your message suggested urgency,” the agent said, his accent marking him as being from southern Lynese.

“Indeed.” Edmund lifted the untouched wine. “Would you care for refreshment?”

“I would prefer we conduct our business.”

Edmund set the goblet down. “Very well. I asked you here because things have changed, as you can see. I wanted your master to know that I now have the power to end this unfortunate war between our nations. The emperor need only provide additional support against these rebels, and...”

“The war is already over,” the man said, looking at him like he was somehow lost.

“What?”

“A peace treaty was signed two weeks ago. By your son, I believe.”

“William would...” Edmund started, then stopped himself.

William had always been a defiant boy, always certain that he was right. They hadn’t spoken, aside from a handful of messages, for more than a year, but he knew that William had become more self-assured and confident in himself since he’d been sent to Lynese. That had been part of the point, to make a man out of him, but the fact that the boy would then turn against him should not have been a shock.

William had always been weak.

“You’re certain of this?”

“Quite. The terms of the treaty he worked out, especially the concessions he forced from the emperor, were onerous enough that everyone in my homeland is aware of it. It is hard not to know of a treaty that cedes part of our own land to another power.”

“Part of your own land?”

“You ... you really haven’t heard.”

“No, so perhaps you should start explaining it. What territory was ceded?”

“One of the major points of the peace treaty was the ceding of the province of Rendalia to Sidor. I believe his army is retreating to that land now, to maintain possession of it.”

Edmund couldn’t believe it. It was a concession he wasn’t sure he would have even asked for, because it was so far outside of what he would have thought possible. Still, it was concerning that William hadn’t told him about it directly.

“This changes nothing between us. The emperor still needs me and I still need him to continue his assistance in return.”

“With the war concluded, I fail to see what you could offer that would interest His Imperial Majesty.”

“Consider what happens if I lose this civil war. Garris Sinclair takes power, and all the emperor’s carefully cultivated influence evaporates.”

“Perhaps His Imperial Majesty would prefer to support Baron Sinclair instead. A fresh alliance, unburdened by past ... complications.”

“Garris despises Lynese far more than I ever could,” Edmund said. “He has always been a devotee of my brother Gavric, and you already know about his feelings for your people.”

“I still have not heard what you are offering to do for us.”

“For one, accepting Lynesian envoys in Rendalia, allowing for your continued presence in the ‘lost’ province. In fact, I could see that leading to further discussions about the province’s ultimate disposition.”

“You would consider returning Rendalia?”

“In time, with the proper agreements in place. But first, I need to secure my throne.” Edmund spread his hands. “The emperor can have everything he wants - a compliant Sidor, continued influence, even the possibility of regaining Rendalia. Or he can risk Garris Sinclair turning our kingdom against him. The choice seems clear to me.”

“What exactly do you want from His Imperial Majesty?”

“For starters, gold. Enough to hire companies from Werna and Inos. Good fighters, who know how to handle themselves in difficult situations.”

“Your war has already cost Lynese dearly. The treasury runs low after years of conflict and the concessions your son extracted.”

“Consider the alternative. What happens when Garris sees how weak you’ve become? He’s always had an eye toward expansion. The moment he secures his crown, he’ll look to press his advantage.”

“So you keep saying, with each request.”

“Because that is the biggest danger to you. I would be far more ... accommodating. Your master could have a friend on the throne. Someone who understands the value of cooperation between our realms.”

“And if His Imperial Majesty declines?”

“Then I must look elsewhere for support. Perhaps to Gnestig. They’ve always chafed at being under your sphere of influence. Wanted a way to get more. With Rendalia in our possession, we are on the right side of the straits to work with them. Or maybe even Thay. It would be ... disagreeable to work with heretics, but, if we are left no other choices...”

Edmund spread his hands again, the rest of the sentence being obvious.

“You would never ally with purifiers!”

“I would do what I must to secure my throne. The question is whether your master wants Sidor as a friend or a rival. Consider how much more dangerous we’d be with another nation as friends.”

“These are dangerous threats you make.”

“Not threats. Options. I prefer to work with Lynese, but I won’t let sentiment limit my choices.” Edmund set down his goblet. “Tell your master he can have a grateful ally or a determined rival. The choice is his, but he must choose quickly.”

The agent rose from his chair. “I will convey your ... message.”

“Do that. But understand, if I must turn elsewhere for aid, any future negotiations will be conducted with a much less friendly crown.” Edmund watched the man head for the door. “And do hurry. Some opportunities only present themselves once.”

Edmund stayed where he was as Orlan escorted the man back out of the palace, the guards closing the door once again. He hadn’t wanted to push quite so hard, but circumstances left him little choice. Baudric would see the wisdom in maintaining influence over Sidor rather than risking a hostile alliance on his borders.

One way or another, he would get what he needed to push the fight and crush Sinclair, and any who stood with him.

Rendalia City, Rendalia