Relam grinned ruefully. “So you can’t be bothered with a constant stream of tourists or a bunch of armies coming to call and trying to beat you into submission or cajole you into an alliance.”
“Precisely.”
“A good stronghold, then,” Relam said. “But, if you are not on the continent, what will you do?”
“We will return to the island and rebuild the Order,” Khollo said. “And whenever trouble arises, we will come and keep the peace and punish the warmongers if need be.”
“You would come at our request?”
Khollo saw what Relam was getting at and was quick to head him off. “Yes, but not at your order or demand.” Khollo frowned. “We’ll have to establish a reliable message system,” he mused.
“That can be done later,” Relam replied. “So, you propose that the Keepers remain autonomous and come to sort out trouble if needed, and we in return leave you alone?”
“Pretty much,” Khollo agreed.
Relam sighed. “It’s just . . . I fear you may never be called back from this island of yours. My kingdom rules the entire world! There is no one beyond our borders to make war on us.”
“Trouble can rise from within too,” Khollo replied gently. “Kingdoms do not always last forever.”
“Yes,” Relam said slowly, clearly troubled. “Trouble can arise from within.”
Is there someone that needs flaming? Kanin asked, picking up the meaning behind Relam’s words.
Quiet, Khollo replied immediately. If Relam needs help, he will ask.
Hmph.
There will be more vertaga to flame soon. Just be patient.
“I will have to think on this,” Relam announced. “I would like for you to be closer, but it would be impossible for you to be autonomous then. It’s a sticky problem. It’s not as though you can keep an ear to the ground all over the world with one dragon, after all.”
“Yes,” Khollo agreed. “That is one of the many problems I have been struggling with as well. But, between the two of us, I think we can work out some temporary solutions until the Keepers can get back on their feet.”
“We can do that,” Relam agreed. “Curious, isn’t it, that we two young people effectively rule the world?”
“A heavy burden,” Khollo said with a slight smile. “But you seem up to it.”
“Not always,” Relam countered. “Some days can be trying, and there’s – ” he hesitated, not sure whether to go on.
“And there are many agendas and snakes hidden in Etares,” Khollo finished.
“Precisely,” Relam agreed. “The capital is not exactly safe, even for a king.”
“Then why do you stay?” Khollo asked.
“What, run away?”
“If it comes to that. You don’t exactly seem completely happy as king.”
“You’re right about that,” Relam muttered darkly. “It’s terrible. Every waking hour filled with meetings and such. Then there’s the constant watching your back. There’s no time left over to do the things you want. Of course, a hunt was how my father died, not from a knife in the back or poison.
“And yet I stay.” Relam frowned. “I suppose it’s because I don’t know anyone else to entrust the kingdom to. I certainly don’t trust many of the nobles in Etares, and if I handed the kingdom to one of them I fear it would begin an endless cycle of new kings and assassinations.”
“Then find people you can trust,” Khollo suggested. “Surround yourself with them, oust the nobles that would just as soon remove you.”
Relam grimaced. “I could never pull that off. Did you see the banners that accompanied me yesterday? Every noble has their own group of soldiers loyal to them, not the kingdom.”
“But you are not alone either.”
“Am I not?” Relam gave a bitter laugh. “As a prince, I spent all of my time away from politics. Hunting, riding, learning to fight. I ignored the masters that catered only to nobility and instead sought out others, people that I respected for more than their skill with a blade. As a result, I never got too close to the lords and they are not used to taking orders from someone the same age as their own sons. I have a few friends I trust, but they are all either my age or so old that they have not the energy to serve as more than advisors. When it comes to running the kingdom many times . . . I am alone.” Relam finished quietly, looking away.
Khollo sighed heavily and looked over at Kanin, knowing the dragon had been listening in.
What a difficult existence, Kanin observed.
“Well, we can help a little with the problem of too few friends,” Khollo replied finally. “I mean, you could count Kanin and I for at least two.”
“Really?” Relam asked.
“Of course,” Khollo said without any hesitation. “Our predicament is very similar to yours after all. Kanin and I are both young and inexperienced, heirs of an ancient power. We’re still trying to find our way as well, to a point.”
“I’d be proud to call you my friends,” Relam agreed. “Yesterday, when I first met you, I was worried that you might scheme for power. My upbringing in the capital has taught me to expect the worst of people, you see.” He paused. “But more recently, things are changing. In the younger nobles and in others I see some good. An opportunity. And then there is you, and I see already that you are perhaps one of the most guileless people I know. I feel I could trust you with anything.”
“Why is that?” Khollo asked, curious.
“Your eyes,” Relam said immediately. “They are clear and frank and you look at me when I’m talking. I see you understand, comprehend, and believe. You think that I speak the truth to you. You expect I speak the truth.”
“Perhaps I am just foolish and inexperienced,” Khollo suggested, grinning.
“I do not think it
