“Is that so?” Arenadd scratched his beard. “Did he say why?”
“Between us, I suspect it is partly curiosity,” said Vander. “All of us in Amoran have heard your story; many would be astonished to see you in person.”
“But there’s another reason, isn’t there?”
Vander shifted. “There is,” he admitted at last.
“Tell me, then.”
“I have forged many alliances between my country and others,” said Vander. “And with such a major treaty, it is expected for the ruler that suggested it to make a gesture more meaningful than a few agreements and proclamations.”
“A gift, perhaps?” said Arenadd, not liking the diplomat’s indirect manner.
“A gift,” Vander nodded.
“I’m sure I can find something,” said Arenadd. “Is there anything in particular he wants?”
“Griffin eggs.”
Arenadd paused at that. “Griffin eggs?”
Vander stroked his partner’s shoulder. She chirped in response and nibbled at his ear. “Our griffins in Amoran are strong and cunning, but smaller than those in Cymria,” said the diplomat. “This request comes not from the Emperor himself, but from-”
“But from the griffin who chose him,” Ymazu interrupted. “Wise Zaerih.” She flicked the crest that decorated the back of her head. “Those in Cymria have never stayed in Amoran, but we believe that a mingling of blood would benefit us all. If a nestful of hatchlings from your Eyrie were to come to us, we would be most glad.”
Arenadd shook his head. “This isn’t a question for me to answer. Skandar?”
Skandar blinked and raised his head. “What say?”
Ymazu stood. “Mighty Skandar,” she said, bowing her head to him. “We ask if you would give us eggs from your females. Young griffins, to live with us.”
Skandar jerked his head forward and snapped his beak loudly. “I give egg!” he boomed. “I give to you!” He made an odd, purring noise deep in his throat. “Come see. I give Mighty Skandar egg! Hatch big chick!”
Ymazu fluttered her wings and purred back. “I would be honoured.”
Arenadd hid a smile. “That answers that question.”
Vander was openly grinning. “If Skandar comes to Amoran, I am certain that plenty of females will be willing to submit to him. That should please the Emperor enough.”
“Then that’s settled,” said Arenadd. “Is that all he wants?”
“No, Sire,” said Vander. “There is one other thing.”
“Name it.”
Vander’s dark brown eyes gleamed. “There is another way in which the mingling of blood could be. . useful to us all, Sire.”
“Human blood, this time,” Arenadd surmised. “Yes?”
“The Emperor has a daughter,” said Vander. “She is young-very pretty, too, if you ask me.”
Arenadd groaned internally. “I see. An arranged marriage.”
“You are not married, Sire,” said Vander. “I know that already. If the women of your own country do not please you, then perhaps an Amorani princess would.”
There was no way Arenadd could tell Vander why the idea horrified him, so he settled on a compromise. “I’ll go to Amoran,” he said. “And talk it over with the Emperor. I’m sure we can come to some agreement.”
Vander smiled. “I am glad to see that you are a reasonable man. Those in the South would not be pleased to know that I am speaking with you!”
“Ah, yes, and what about the South?” said Arenadd, relieved at the change of subject.
“Bah.” Vander flicked his fingers dismissively. “The South would not ally with us in a way that satisfied us, and by now they are nothing. By now the North is the only part of this land that is wealthy and peaceful. Thanks to you, Sire,” he added, fixing his eyes on Arenadd’s face.
Despite himself, Arenadd felt flattered. “I did what I had to do.”
Vander said nothing. He kept looking at Arenadd, studying him in a way the King found very disconcerting.
The silence drew out uncomfortably, until Vander finally broke it. “I never thought I would see you again,” he said. “And never in a place such as this. Truly, the gods work in mysterious ways.”
Arenadd’s forehead wrinkled. “‘Again,’ my lord?”
Vander smiled. “You do not remember me? Disappointing, considering that I saved your life, Arren.”
Arenadd went cold all over with shock. “I’m not sure I know what you’re talking about, my lord,” he said, keeping his face carefully blank.
Vander ignored him. “When we last met, you were only a boy,” he said. “It was in Eagleholm, before the war. I was there to treat with Lady Riona. A long time ago by now, but I remember you well. And I remember you,” he added, looking at Skandar. “I saw you fight in the arena. Darkheart, they called you.”
Skandar blinked lazily at him.
Vander, however, was still looking at Arenadd. “Forgive me, Sire,” he said. “But if I saw you today as I saw you then, I never would have dreamed that one day you would be a King.” He paused. “But I would have easily accepted that you had the strength and the will.”
Arenadd didn’t know what to say.
Fortunately, Vander took his silence as modesty. “My masters always taught me to be truthful, Sire. You could have fled that night-taken your escape while your enemies did not know you had broken free of your prison. But you returned. Ymazu told me everything. You stayed to free another prisoner.” He looked at Skandar again. “And I see that he was grateful.”
Arenadd shivered internally.
“Ancient history, my lord,” he said airily. “Right now I’m more interested in the here and now.”
“Understood, Sire,” said Vander. “I apologise if my idle reminiscences were not appropriate.”
Arenadd longed to ask him more, but he knew he couldn’t. “Thank you for. . what you did for me back then, my lord.”
Vander smiled. “I considered it a parting gift to the masters of Eagleholm. But I doubt they even thought of it after they had suffered your own. Now.” He leaned forward. “We have talked long enough, and I am tired. Perhaps we should speak again, this evening, or perhaps tomorrow.”
“Agreed,” said Arenadd.
Saeddryn was not amused. “
Arenadd folded his arms. “A courtesy visit to the Emperor. I’m sure the Kingdom will be fine in your capable hands.”
She took a deep breath. “I see. An’ ye didn’t think it would be a good idea t’say somethin’ to us beforehand?”
“Actually, I’m pretty sure I mentioned it more than once,” Arenadd said calmly. “In fact, if I recall, I said something about it last week.”
“Well, yes, but I didn’t think that was anythin’ more than idle speculation. .” Saeddryn trailed off, eyeing the other councillors. None of them looked about to support her, so she shifted her gaze to Laela, who had begun attending council sessions.
Laela noticed the thinly concealed hatred in Saeddryn’s expression, but she only raised her chin and looked back smugly.
The High Priestess looked away. “An’ ye’ll be away for a year.”
“At the very least.”
The councillors looked uncomfortable.
“A year, Sire?” said Lord Iorwerth. “Without ye?”
“I’m afraid so.”
The tough commander straightened up. “No, Sire. We can’t let ye go. Not that far. Not for that long.”
“I agree,” said Torc, from beside his wife. “Too far, too dangerous.”
