Free Black Wizards by Douglas Niles Page A

news! The king nearly hopped up and down in his anxiety. He licked his lips nervously.
    Cyndre sighed, his reluctance obvious. “It seems that the usurper is on his way to Caer Callidyrr.”
    “What?” the High King squeaked. “But you promised me—”
    “You need not fear him,” said Cyndre, looking straight into the king’s eyes. He did not add “yet,” though it was on his mind. Slowly, the monarch calmed down.
    “Our first attempt to punish him for his treachery met with small success,” explained the wizard, pursing his lips. The gesture was a very strong one for Cyndre. “Nevertheless, I feel certain that we can still deal with him easily.”
    “But what should I do? You must tell me!” The king’s words tumbled out, and the wizard could tell that he was losing what little control was left him.
    “My … sources tell me that he is on his way even as we speak. He must land soon at one of the ports of Alaron. It would be a simple matter to arrest him as he steps ashore. All you need to do, sire, is declare him an outlaw.”
    “Yes, of course. That I shall do! Why, he is an outlaw, isn’t he? He seeks to pretend a claim to my throne. I shall have him hanged!”
    “Very good, Your Majesty. We can put a detachment in every port. He will be arrested the moment he steps ashore.”
    King Carrathal turned, a frown of worry creasing his brow. “But how do I know that my orders will be carried out? This prince is a popular hero. Can I trust the loyalty of my own men to arrest him?”
    “Is it not for just this reason that you retain the services of your brigades—troops that answer to you alone?”
    The king paled slightly but appeared to consider the idea. “Yes … I could use the guard. I pay them too much as it is—perhaps it’s time Igave them a task.” He slowly warmed to the idea. “But how do I know they’re trustworthy?”
    “The Scarlet Guard will follow your orders,” said Cyndre reassuringly. “I brought them to you expressly so that you would have soldiers you could trust implicitly.”
    “But the people won’t like it,” replied the king. “Those ogres, especially, make everyone so nervous.”
    In truth, the ogres made the king himself very nervous, which was why he had not used them yet, though he had been paying them for more than two years. At least the Northmen had not bothered Callidyrr in the interim.
    But now he considered using them against one of his own subjects, and this did not seem right. He knew that his people resented his employment of mercenary troops when the fighters of the Ffolk were perfectly capable warriors. Why had he let the wizard convince him to hire them?
    “The people are your subjects!” argued Cyndre. His voice took on a hardened edge. “Will you let them rule the kingdom? I tell you, the guards are your best troops!”
    “So you claimed,” said the king, “when you persuaded me to hire them.”
    Cyndre lowered his head modestly. The monarch could not see the gloating light in his eyes.
    “And the lords grow restless,” whined the king. “They all owe fealty to me, but they don’t act like it! I don’t trust any of them—they would turn against me at the drop of a hat. Like that bandit O’Roarke in Dernall Forest. That rebel could serve as an example for other traitorous scum!”
    “You hold his sister in your dungeon. Why do you not use her as an example? Show what will happen to those who resist your will?”
    King Carrathal turned away. He did not like to be reminded of the way he had usurped Lord Roarke’s land—nor was he completely comfortable with the idea of using the young woman as a lever to obtain his ends. “If only O’Roarke knew me,” he whined. “He and his outlaws would see that I have only the best interests of the kingdom at heart!”
    “Do not underestimate the extent of the problem,” said Cyndre calmly. “But come, Your Highness, what of this prince? Will you doas I suggest?”
    “Very well,” sighed