Free By Schism Rent Asunder by David Weber Page A

smile, although Merlin was well aware that in quite a few Safeholdian kingdoms, that degree of levity and informality from a first councilor might well have resulted in the summary replacement of said first councilor. “Since I’m the King, and since you’ve been thinking about it like dutiful servants, what conclusions have you reached?”
    â€œHonestly?” Gray Harbor’s amusement transmuted itself into sobriety, and he raised one hand and waggled it back and forth in a gesture of uncharacteristic uncertainty. “I don’t know, Cayleb. In many ways it would be an ideal solution to at least one major chunk of our problems. It would probably reassure several people who are currently concerned about the succession, at any rate, and Bynzhamyn is right about just how frightening that entire question is right now. But it would also result in some significant upheavals, and there’s always the question of whether or not Sharleyan would even consider it. She’s going to be in enough trouble with the Group of Four when they find out about her navy’s performance against us. And, of course,” he showed his teeth in a thin smile of approval, “your decision to return her surrendered vessels with no strings attached is only going to increase the suspicions of someone like Clyntahn and Trynair.”
    â€œTrynair, at least, is likely to recognize exactly why you did it,” Staynair put in. “Clyntahn, on the other hand, is more problematical. He’s more than smart enough to understand. The question is whether or not his bigotry and prejudices will let him understand.”
    Staynair’s certainly right about that, Merlin reflected. It would be so much simpler if we knew which Clyntahn is going to turn up at any given moment. Is it likely to be the self-indulgent glutton? Or the undeniably brilliant thinker? Or the religious fanatic zealot Grand Inquisitor? Or the cynical schemer of the Group of Four?
    â€œAnd Sharleyan and Green Mountain are going to recognize exactly the same thing,” Gray Harbor pointed out. “That’s going to be a factor in how they may react to your … modest proposal. Turning up the pressure on them may not have put them in the most receptive possible state of mind.”
    â€œFrom what I’ve seen of Queen Sharleyan and Baron Green Mountain, I wouldn’t think that would be too much of a problem,” Merlin said. “Both of them understand the sorts of constraints we’re facing. I won’t say they’re likely to be delighted by any effort on our part to manipulate them, but they’re certainly going to realize there was nothing personal in it.”
    Both Gray Harbor and Staynair nodded in acceptance of his observation. They were well aware that Merlin’s “visions” had allowed him to follow the inner workings and private discussions of Queen Sharleyan of Chisholm and her own most trusted advisers in a way no one else could have.
    â€œHaving said that,” Merlin continued, “I don’t have the least idea how she would react to what you have in mind. I don’t think the possibility’s even crossed her mind. Why should it have?”
    â€œThat’s certainly a reasonable question,” Gray Harbor said wryly. “On the other hand, there was the way she reacted to your father’s proposal for a more formal alliance, Cayleb.”
    â€œThe situation’s changed just a bit since then,” Cayleb replied. “And let’s not forget who Father chose as his ambassador.”
    The youthful monarch’s jaw tightened in briefly remembered pain. Kahlvyn Ahrmahk, the Duke of Tirian and his own cousin, had represented King Haarahld in his effort to secure a defensive alliance against Corisande with the Kingdom of Chisholm. Of course, when Haarahld selected Tirian, he hadn’t realized that the cousin he loved like a brother was already plotting against him