This Rough Magic

Somebody might argue they weren't at large. But so far no one had been that stupid, not even Captain- General Tomaselli. Ever since his wife's escape from prison, Tomaselli had been a very subdued man. All the more subdued, Manfred thought, because he clearly had no idea what had happened to her. Francesca had Tomaselli under constant observation, and she was sure the captain-general had no contact with his wife.

Manfred knew that Francesca herself was puzzled by Sophia's ability to stay hidden, in such a relatively small place as the Citadel of Corfu, and was getting worried about it. Some of the possible implications were . . . disturbing.

Manfred shook off the thought. Erik was speaking.

'It is a possible idea,' the Icelander agreed.

Falkenberg chuckled. 'We'll send old Eberhard out. If there's anyone in the whole world who can turn 'please pass the salt' into a three month negotiation, it's him.'

'We have to be wary whom we send,' said Erik grimly. 'Emeric's middle name should be 'treachery.' '

'Well, you're not going. He wants your head,' said Manfred firmly.

'And you're not going either,' said Von Gherens. 'Too valuable as a hostage. Send Falkenberg or me. They don't know us, and we can observe the military layout on the ground.'

'I think I should go,' said the captain-general. 'I am high-ranking but expendable.'

Manfred blinked. That had been in his mind, but he'd kept his mouth shut about it. 'Very well. I'll ask Eberhard. The old man has been feeling underutilized.'

When the captain-general had left, Francesca stood up. 'I must go and talk to Eberhard too. This has interesting possibilities for espionage.'

* * *

'A parley?' Emeric smiled savagely. 'Such a thing presents some opportunities. Yes. Raise a truce flag. We can use the time to move materials onto the causeway without hindering cannon fire.'

'Sire.' Dragorvich hesitated. 'You don't think they're using this to buy a respite? This would be the first time for many months that the western half of the citadel will not be being fired on.'

Emeric shrugged. 'I think it worthwhile. Aside from anything else, we can see if their delegation is worth taking hostage.'

Dragorvich kept silent, of course. But, not for the first time, he reflected that the king of Hungary was ultimately something of a fool. Emeric always thought rules were for other people, without ever once considering that his own behavior might bite him back. There was a good reason, after all, that civilized nations considered diplomatic envoys untouchable. The Mongols were utterly fanatical on the subject. They had, on three occasions that Dragorvich knew of, destroyed entire kingdoms for breaching that rule of war.

* * *

They were met by a delegation of Magyar officers. 'His Majesty will not receive you with weapons. Weapons are to be left here.'

Falkenberg, in full armor, creaked to Eberhard of Brunswick. 'It is to be hoped that he doesn't want us mother-naked, as I hear these Magyar cavalry have to go now.'

By the pinched lips and dull red faces, Falkenberg hadn't made any new friends. Eberhard of Brunswick smiled sweetly. 'Now, Ritter. Accidents will happen when you are foolish enough to give Carlo Sforza's son trouble.'

'The story will be a matter of interest to the brotherhood of Knights. I'm sure it will elevate the status of the Magyar no end,' said Falkenberg, calmly putting down his sword. The Knight knew he was playing to the gallery watching from the walls. Plainly the Magyar knew it too. But by the looks of the bright eyes . . . it might not make any difference in a minute.

Fortunately, a factotum from Emeric turned up to escort them down the causeway to the king.

* * *

'Sire. This was given to one of the guards by the Venetian officer,' said the factotum, handing Emeric a slip of parchment.

It read: Contact me. Deal.

Emeric smiled wolfishly. 'Well. Captain-General Tomaselli. Maybe his wife did pass on that little letter to him.'

'Additionally, the elderly imperial . . . who I accompanied when he went to relieve himself, asks that Your Majesty consider a private deal. The man said he has magical word from his master. The Emperor wants his nephew intact. For which he is prepared to pay a quarter of a million ducats and also Your Majesty's former territory of Ceska, and to withdraw from the districts of Soporon and Vas.'

'What!' Emeric started forward. 'What did he say?'

The Factotum repeated himself faithfully.

'Damn him! Damn him. He's letting me know what the Emperor is doing. Trying to draw me back to Hungary. Ha! Well, I'll play him at his game. The Citadel is so close to starvation I'll win soon enough anyway. Then I'll take back Soporon and Vas—and take Ceska in the bargain. '

* * *

'My principal fear about your plan, my dear,' said Eberhard to Francesca, 'is that it may backfire on us. I think we may just have told Emeric what a valuable card he has to play in Manfred.'

Francesca shrugged. 'Surely he's figured that out for himself by now, Eberhard.'

The older statesman shook his head. 'Emeric . . . I have serious doubts about his sanity, Francesca. He