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."And that we're holding it because ultimately we don't trust the Old World not to invade the Newif the opportunity arises."Derian turned to Firekeeper, and Firekeeper didn't need to hear his words to know what his reply was going to be."I'm sorry, Firekeeper.For a moment, I thought that opening a gate to Misheemnekuru wouldn't be much of aproblem, but Plik is right.We would not only be opening a gate to another land, we'd be opening one to all sorts ofproblems.If you want to hear what the maimalodalum have to report, you're going to need to make the trip yourself,on foot.""And on boat." Blind Seer said nastily."Are you willing to ride on a boat to help your Meddler do his meddling?"Plik looked sharply at the two wolves, but did not comment on Blind Seer's words.Firekeeper knew that while theraccoon-man did not hold quite the level of distrust for the Meddler that Harjeedian did, still, some of his ancestrycame from the same roots.Indeed, Plik had been the source of many of the most vivid of the Meddler tales.She resolved to speak to Plik before leaving.Otherwise, no matter how quickly she ran, Plik could send a messageahead carried by one of the winged folk, and she would find more questions waiting her for upon her arrival.Aloud all she said was "On foot, then on boat.Before I go, I will carry messages for Harjeedian if he wishes.Tohis temple, to his sister.I think is best if I not try to hide my coming.Someone might see boat crossing waters out toMisheemnekuru, and this would then make questions."Derian agreed."You keep saying 'I.' Are you going alone then? I thought Blind Seer would be with you."Firekeeper glanced at the blue-eyed wolf."Do you come with me?""Oh, yes," the wolf replied."Someone must take care that the Meddler does not too easily have his way with you.""Blind Seer come, too," Firekeeper said, but for the first time since the wolf had crossed the Iron Mountains withher five years before, she did not feel comforted by the knowledge that he would be beside her, close as her shadow.XKING BRYESSIDAN ARRANGED that the meeting with the Once Dead would take place midmorning of theday following the general reception.Tactful inquiries on the part of various members of his staff had made certain that none of the variousambassadorial groups would be offended if asked to keep their contingent to two people.This meant that the meetingmight actually provide productive discussion.However, Bryessidan wouldn't count on it.According to his spies,flurries of carrier pigeons had taken off from just about every embassy with the coming of dawn.Probably, thosenewly arrived emissaries from countries more than a few days' ride distant had been given guidelines on whatdecisions they could and could not make.However, those such as Tishiolo and u-Chival would doubtless need to awaitinstructions.Seating for the gathering had been one of those protocol nightmares that demanded a meeting which had goneinto the late hours of the night before.The deliberately informal arrangement of the previous night would not workagain, since there would certainly be those who would jockey for what they perceived as favorable positions.The seatat the table's foot, where King Hurwin had been the night before, would surely be hotly contested.Another protocol complication was offered by the attendance of the Once Dead.Were they to be treated asmembers of the meeting, or as experts offering testimony? Should they be seated with the contingent from the land inwhich they resided, or in their own group? Each option had its own tactical advantages.Various suggestions were made and rejected until a very tired junior steward suggested, "Even though we're goingto need a larger room, I suggest that we have each group sit where they did last night.From what I can see, no oneended up right next to someone they couldn't stand.No one can complain about being given a seat he or she originallychose."Bryessidan nodded."We'll do that.As for the Once Dead, after reviewing all the proposals, I think we'd do besttreating them as experts giving testimony.If we seat them as a group, they'll be inclined to view themselves as aseparate nation.If we seat them with the nation in which they have residence, then they'll certainly worry about whattheir sponsor wants.This way, we're treating them as what they are: specialized advisors.This may insult one or two,but right now I'm too-tired to care."He pushed back his chair and rose, only to be interrupted by his own senior steward."Your Majesty, we haven't settled the question of whether or not we should take precautions against treachery onthe part of the Once Dead."Bryessidan knew what the man was referring to.The matter had come up earlier and been discussed at greatlength."You mean the fact that we'll have important representatives and in a few cases rulers of several allied nationscrowded into a relatively small room with a group of potentially dangerous spellcasters.""Yes, Your Majesty.That's exactly the matter to which I am referring.""We have no choice but to trust the Once Dead," Bryessidan said."However, we'll take some polite precautions.Make sure the 'ceremonial' guards that would be present in any case are bearing cold-forged iron weapons rather thansteel.We have some in the armory.Dig them out and have them sharpened.They won't hold an edge as well, but thepresence of iron will make spellcasting more difficult.""The Once Dead might sense this and take offense," the junior steward said."Right now," Bryessidan said, "I'm too tired to care.Let them.Let everyone get offended and go home and dealwith this on their own.They came here.They threw this problem in my lap.They all but accused me of treachery andtreaty breaking.It's my turn to risk offending someone.Does anyone have any objections?"If there were, the gathered stewards and ministers were too aware of their king's mood to raise them.Bryessidan moved toward the door, pausing to point sharply at four of the figures who had politely risen to theirfeet."You and you and you and you, I hereby command you to go and get some sleep.I'm going to need you alert andclear-thinking by midmorning tomorrow.Assign a couple of your subordinates to deal with those arrangements thatwill keep them up all night."He wheeled and looked at the middle-aged woman who was the very effective head of his spy service."Youmake sure my order is obeyed.If I hear that my order has been disobeyed, there are going to be demotions across theboard.Training competent subordinates is part of your job.Understood?"His glare was met by nods and a few sheepish smiles."Good.Thank you for your intellige it contributions.See you in the morning."***DESPITE THE HASTY planning or perhaps because of it the meeting the next morning started with minimalproblems.A few ambassadors tried to pretend that they hadn't understood that the limitation on the size of theircontingents didn't include secretaries or other flunkies.A few protested the separation of the Once Dead from the rest.Others tried to shift seats for some obscure reason or another.Bryessidan left his stewards to deal with this, knowing they would find following orders easier if he was notpresent in person for the various diplomats to appeal to [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]