Free Angus Wells - The Kingdoms 02 by The Usurper (v1.1) Page B

mug.
                Bedyr swung the door open to reveal
a soldier in messenger’s livery, his face alight with excitement.
                “My Lord,” he announced, “Brannoc
has returned with word from the barbarians and the king requests your presence
in the Council Chamber,”
                Bedyr thanked him and beckoned for
Tepshen Lahl to follow him as he strode toward Kedryn’s quarters.
                “Lord Bedyr,” the messenger called
after them, “Prince Kedryn is already summoned. He was with Sister Wynett.”
                “Where else?” Bedyr murmured,
exchanging glances with Tepshen.
                Darr was conversing with Brannoc
when they reached the chamber, the outlaw lounging at ease as though speaking
with kings was an everyday occurrence, his casual attitude eliciting a
disapproving frown from Rycol, who sat, stiff-spined, across the table. Jarl
and Hattim joined them moments later, and then Kedryn, led by a liveried
warrior. Bedyr saw his son seated and waited eagerly for the monarch to speak.
                “I believe,” Darr announced, “that
it is Brannoc’s words you would hear rather than mine. So . . .”
                He gestured for the wolf’s-head to
proceed and Brannoc beamed, setting elbows to the table as he studied the
expectant faces turned in his direction.
                “I have spoken with the ulans,” he
began, “and they are agreed on a parley. Vran speaks for the Yath; Darien for the Grymard. There are three contenders
for Yarrum’s torque—Threnol, Farlan and Cord—who had best be present if the Drott
are to be bound by the terms. The Caroc have already decided the ascendancy and
will be represented by Remyd. Ostral and Gryth speak for the Vistral.
                “They will enter High Fort only on
Kedryn’s word, however. And that they will not hear unless he goes to them. I
suggest that on the morrow Kedryn ride out to meet them—they will be waiting on
the Beltrevan road.”
                “In ambush?” demanded Hattim. “Ready
to seize the Prince of Tamur?”
                “Alone,” countered Brannoc
cheerfully, “I have their word on it.”
                “The promise of barbarians?” sneered
the Lord of Ust-Galich, his tone prompting Kedryn to wonder if he spoke out of
genuine concern or merely a desire to oppose.
                “The blood promise of ulans and
ala-Ulans,” Brannoc answered, making little attempt to conceal the contempt in
his voice. “The equivalent, in the Beltrevan, of you, my Lord.”
                Hattim gasped at the insult, but
before he was able to protest, Kedryn asked, “Do you trust them, Brannoc?”
                “Aye,” the outlaw told him. “In
this, I do.”
                “Then I place my trust in them,”
said Kedryn.
                “With an escort,” Bedyr said
cautiously.
                “I would suggest Tepshen and
myself,” Brannoc advised. “And ten good men. More would indicate a lack of
faith.”
                “I shall ride with you,” Bedyr
declared. “In case.”
                “Bedyr,” Darr murmured, “would you
place all Tamur’s eggs in the one basket? I understand your concern, but should
this prove the ambush our Lord of Ust-Galich suggests then your presence can
make little difference—save to deprive your kingdom of lord and prince
together.”
                “The king speaks wisely, Father,”
Kedryn added. “And I trust Brannoc’s judgment in this matter. Let us
demonstrate faith—and show we are not afraid.”
                “Again, wisdom,” Jarl complimented.
“Listen to your son, Bedyr. ”
                Bedyr nodded, unhappy with the
arrangement but willing to accept the terms. Darr said, “I would ask my Lord
Kesh to have four