Free The Grand Crusade by Michael A. Stackpole Page A

here to ask me to aid you in developing a strategy that will draw Chytrine’s troops further south. As you are one of those who think I am Chytrine’s creature, you were also prepared to offer me something of import in exchange for my cooperation. You have no troops to coerce me into doing what you wish. What do you have to offer?”
    She smiled in a way that made his flesh crawl. “I offer Oriosa a chance at redemption.”
    Her words surprised Scrainwood. “If you can do that, those who have judged you a witch have sorely underestimated you. Your powers would rival those of Chytrine herself.”
    “I make no such claims, but I can offer you redemption, you and your nation.” She took up her goblet again and studied it as firelight flickered through the ruby depths of the wine. “It is part of the prophecy, all woven together. You see, in the time before my grandnephew died at Fortress Draconis, you and he had many discussions of things of great import. You both were aware that the war would not be won then, which is why you chose not to accompany Lord Norrington to the north. It is why you sought to rescue the sword Temmer from Bosleigh Norrington. My nephew Kirill, you see, was possessed of much the same skills at prophecy that I am, and he knew you were the key to Chytrine’s defeat. After all, Norrington is just a location patronymic, and as the King of Oriosa you have every right to claim it. You are the Norrington, sire, or your son is.”
    She held up a finger to forestall comment. “So, at the risk of your own safety,
    to prepare the trap that would destroy Chytrine, you endured decaaes oi auuKand doubt. You confided in no one, but you did your part. You let Chytrine scout from your nation, but you told others of her strength. It was the hardest thing you have ever done, being true to the word you gave Kirill before his death. You were true, however, and because of it Chytrine will be defeated. Your role will be revealed. As a sign of the veracity of this alliance, the document that betrothed the infant Alexia to your son Erlestoke shall be revealed and our dynasties shall be united. The two nations that saved the world shall be as one, and the glory of both shall be restored.“
    The sheer audacity of her plan astounded him, and yet he saw it could easily work. As a lie it was grand, and with a minor amount of document fabrication, the evidence to support it would be irrefutable. The traitor Hawkins had been destroyed by songs, and the hero Crow had been made by them, so buying bards and having them deliver the tale to the common folk would sway them. In the world’s relief at Chytrine’s destruction, many a hero would be exalted, and Scrainwood could easily be among them as the one who did what had to be
    done to save the world.
    “It is a bold plan, Duchess, and brilliant, I must say that.” Scrainwood nodded slowly, then brought the decanter over to her and topped off her wine. “As presented, there really is little for me to lose. Letting Saporicia become a battleground saves my nation from the same. If, by some mischance, your vision of a victorious future is in error, where the battles are fought will matter little. There
    is no reason I should not agree.“
    She sipped and closed her eyes as she savored. Her face did not become pleasant, but just a bit less forbidding. “Then we have a pact?”
    “With a condition.”
    “That being?”
    “You will have to be the one to raise the question of Adrogans’ possession of dragonels. You will have to push to have the secret shared. I cannot. I think if you were to suggest that the rumor has been heard, and the sharing will let us meet Chytrine as equals, the message will be heard best. If the rumor is not true, no harm done, for the disappointment will be folded into determination to fight harder. And if it is true, then we bargain such that dragonels shall be given to those troops who come to fight.”
    She nodded slowly and sipped again. “Done and done. I do find that rumor