‘I’ve never seen it so agitated,’ Rhylan said.
‘Nor have I,’ the Elder confessed.
‘Which makes me wonder if concentrating on this rebel horde on the Diamond Isle could be to the detriment of our response to the warlord.’
‘They’re one and the same, effectively. We’re not neglecting any threat Zerreiss presents, but equally we need to deal with the dissidents. Bearing in mind the danger of them joining together, tackling both carries the same weight in my mind. In any event, you’ve left your objections a bit late,’ Felderth said pointedly.
‘It’s not an objection. Just an observation.’
‘Well, my observation is that we have no choice but to follow the course I’ve chosen.’
There was another moist eruption in the pit. Energy flushed through the tinted power lines that criss-crossed the floor of the immense chamber. Its angry vigour lit up the great council table, setting the Rintarah eagle emblem crackling. And, for all the Jacinth siblings knew, the surge carried on to sear through the channels running beneath Jecellam’s bustling avenues.
‘We’re making history, Rhylan,’ Felderth remarked.
‘That’s what worries some people.’
‘How so?’
‘Your critics see this as some kind of capitulation to Gath Tampoor. At the least they regard it as moving closer to them, which would be unacceptable, of course.’
‘There’s no danger of that. How often must I say it? We’re simply acting together on this occasion because it suits us both.’
‘And you don’t see the risk of setting a precedent?’
‘That won’t be allowed to happen.’
‘How can you be so sure? Because if you’re wrong about this, brother, it could place a strain on the veracity of your leadership.’
‘You’re saying there could be some kind of rebellion? A coup? It would be the first time in our history if there was.’ The Elder seemed totally unconcerned.
‘I’m not suggesting anything so dramatic. But there are factions on the council who would welcome an opportunity to obstruct your rule, as you well know.’
‘They’ll come round when they see us emerging stronger from this crisis.’
‘Many are mindful that the council’s most important function, the duty that overrides all else, is to ensure the continued survival of our kind.’
‘You think I’m unaware of my responsibility? If any other than you had implied negligence in that respect, Rhylan, they’d have felt my wrath.’
‘I’m implying nothing. But you know the argument. By the very act of seeming to aid Gath Tampoor, we potentially weaken our own security.’
‘But they’re equally aiding us. It’s a trade-off. In the end it doesn’t change the balance; it just rids us both of an irritant.’
‘And what happens the next time a threat appears? Do we cooperate with the enemy again, and slowly erode the differences between us? Indeed, brother, some believe that’s your aim.’
‘They can believe what they like,’ the Elder said coolly. ‘But note that, despite the unpopularity of my stance, the council didn’t vote against it.’
‘As you say, they have no alternative to offer. And perhaps…’
‘Yes?’
‘Perhaps they intuit a deeper motive on your part.’
‘Which is what?’
‘That once Gath Tampoor has ceased to be of use to us, we’ll be in a better position to take advantage of their naivete. A blow has added weight when struck under a supposed truce.’ His conspiratorial smile was returned. ‘Though of course I appreciate that a leader’s intentions can’t always be plainly stated.’
‘Indeed. I daresay Gath Tampoor’s ruler has similar problems. Speaking of which…’
‘Yes, of course; it must be almost time.’ Rhylan backed off a couple of paces.
Felderth carried out a series of subtle hand gestures, a conjuration directed at the heaving contents of the pit. It proved resistant to his command and carried on its unruly bubbling.
‘Do you need help, brother?’ Rhylan asked.
A look of intense concentration knitted the Elder’s brow. ‘I think I have it.’
The pewter liquid quietened, save for a pattern of ripples stirring its surface. In seconds the disorder calmed and an image appeared. It sharpened into a face, then the face took on distinctive features.
The likeness of Empress Bethmilno came into focus.
‘Greetings,’ Jacinth intoned. ‘It’s been a long time.’
‘Let’s get straight down to business, shall we?’ the Empress replied coolly.
‘That’s my intention,’ the Elder came back.
‘I don’t expect us to forget old enmities, bearing in mind how deep they run. But for the moment we need to liaise on matters of importance.’
‘My sentiment entirely,’ Felderth concurred.
‘Very soon our fleets will rendezvous. Yet we’ve managed to get this far without settling the extent of our cooperation. This must be made clear.’
‘I agree that we need to set parameters. I suggest we keep this alliance-’
‘Temporary alliance,’ Bethmilno corrected.
‘As you say. I suggest this transient alliance be restricted solely to the original objectives. Simply put, we cooperate without let until those aims are achieved. Then, at an agreed point in time beyond that, normal hostilities between our states can resume.’
‘That would be acceptable. Though, of course, the temptation to take advantage of the period between triumph and the ending of our pact could prove strong.’
Rhylan said nothing. His eyes flicked between the Empress’s image and his brother’s stern features.
‘It may be a temptation for Gath Tampoor,’ Felderth declared loftily. ‘Rintarah, on the other hand, honours its promises.’
The Empress snorted. ‘I won’t dignify that with a response. Other than to say that we have a mutual interest in survival, as our history attests. We’ll have to trust in that when it comes to honouring pledges.’
‘I’m not sure I infer your meaning.’
‘Then I’ll be transparent. Any premature aggression would invite the full strength of Gath Tampoor’s military capability. Let that be a buttress to our agreement.’
‘And I can offer a similar assurance as far as Rintarah’s forces are concerned.’
‘I see we understand each other, Elder.’
‘Clarity is always my goal, Majesty.’
‘There remains only the matter of when our provisional union should come to an end.’
‘Shall we say forty-eight hours after the eradication of the targets?’
Bethmilno thought about it, trying to see if agreement gave the opposition any kind of advantage. ‘All right,’ she decided. ‘Word will be sent to our fleet commanders.’
‘And to ours,’ Felderth replied, raising a hand.
The link was broken. Bethmilno’s image dissolved.
The Empress watched as Felderth’s likeness fragmented and disappeared into the glutinous liquid.
The throne room in her palace at Merakasa was dimly lit and virtually deserted. Several representations of the empire’s dragon emblem decorated the chamber, and the most prominent, occupying a sizeable wall, throbbed with magical vitality. The Empress came away from the hollow where the quicksilver simmered and turned to the only other person present.
‘Why do we need Rintarah, grandmother?’ he asked. To an eavesdropper, the use of her familial title might have seemed bizarre, given that he was an old man himself.
‘We don’t. Our presence will stop them making common cause with the rebels or Zerreiss against us. It’s all about expediency.’
‘So we’ll betray them?’
