Gav Thorpe - The Crown of the Conqueror

"The king says yes."

"Good, good," said Anglhan, chins and cheeks wobbling as he bobbed up and down enthusiastically. "That's just what I wanted to hear, my friend."

Furlthia squirmed at being called 'friend' by this loathsome pig of a man. He said nothing, fearing that if he were to open his mouth he might say something ill-advised.

"You don't look so happy," said Anglhan. "Don't worry, I've been thinking about this all winter and it's the best course of action for everybody.

"Everyone keeps telling me not to worry," said Furlthia. "I like to worry. Worrying has kept me alive."

"So keep worrying. I didn't mean anything by it. You spend your time worrying and I'll spend my time actually getting things done."

"I will," said Furlthia, standing up.

"Where are you going?" Furlthia couldn't tell if Anglhan's shocked expression was genuine or not. "You're not leaving yet, are you?"

"You've got Aegenuis's answer and I've got other people to see."

"But I need you to do a few things for me," said Anglhan.

"Get Lenorin to do them," Furlthia replied, taking a step towards the doors. "That's why you have him, governor."

"But I don't trust him like I trust you, Furlthia." Anglhan rose quickly and hurried over to his desk. "You know, this is a very delicate situation. I'm not totally sure where Lenorin's loyalties lie. But you and me, we have history together. We have a mutual interest."

Furlthia sighed and sat down again at Anglhan's insistence.

"What do you want?" he said, knowing that he was likely to regret asking.

"At some point, Ullsaard is going to come for me," said the governor, fishing though a stack of letters on his desk. Watching him, Furlthia had a momentary recollection of the youth who had been bent over the same desk less than half an hour earlier. He suppressed a shudder.

"Perhaps you want me to stand at the gates and welcome him in?" Furlthia said before he could stop himself.

Anglhan looked up sharply, but then grinned. He held up a folded piece of parchment, sealed with a blob of blue wax.

"Something like that, my friend. You know that as soon as I make my move, Ullsaard is going to fall on Magilnada like a cartfull of abada shit. This," he waved the letter, "is a better defence against that than all of the warriors in Salphoria."

Anglhan held the letter out to Furlthia, who folded his arms and refused to take it.

"What is it?" Furlthia demanded. "What are you offering him to stay his hand?"

"Better that nobody else knows, especially you," said Anglhan.

Furlthia looked at the letter. To his mind, it was a dagger aimed at Aegenuis's back; there was nothing else it could be. Furlthia had seen how Anglhan was a master at positioning himself between sides, just keeping to the edge of the abyss of everybody's disfavour whilst playing them against each other. The letter had to be an offer to Ullsaard that would give him some advantage over his Salphorian rival, back-tracking on Anglhan's commitment of support.

"I know what you're thinking," said the governor. "But you're wrong about me. Long before this letter reaches Ullsaard, I will be committed to the cause of Aegenuis and Salphoria. My legions are going to attack Askh's. That's not something even I could wriggle out of, especially as Ullsaard has made it clear to me in the past that any hint of disloyalty will end with my death. In fact, I remember what he said very well: 'If you fuck around with me, I will come back and not only kill you, I'll burn this whole place to the ground.' Strong words, and we both know that Ullsaard does not make idle threats. This letter is the only thing that can stop that happening."

Furlthia shook his head.

"I'm not touching it," he said. "It's just a letter. Get someone else to take it to Ullsaard."

Anglhan crossed the room and laid a hand heavy with rings on the shoulder of his former first mate. Furlthia shrank away from the touch, causing Anglhan to sigh.

"I know that you do not approve of what I've done, my friend," said the governor. "I know I've got us both into some trouble, but have I ever done anything to wrong you personally? I've always looked after you, Furlthia, you know that. I need you to help me."

Earnestness was etched into Anglhan's face but Furlthia remained unconvinced.

"How can anybody trust you?" he said. "How can I trust you, when you won't tell me what you are up to? You are always looking to get ahead of everybody else, and I'll not have you do that at my expense."

"And I never would," said Anglhan, appearing aggrieved. "I know I play a dangerous game, but I always weigh up the risks before I do anything, and I always back a winner. There was an advantage in allying with Ullsaard, but it was only while something better came along."

Anglhan went back to the window seat and flopped down, dropping his letter on the side table. He linked his pudgy fingers together on his gut and looked at Furlthia for some time before speaking again.

"Have you ever considered what would have happened if Aroisius had been allowed to take Magilnada? Aroisius would be a thorn in the side of Aegenuis, and the matter of Magilnada would have divided the peoples just as much as this Askhan attack. He had no love of Salphoria and might have aided Ullsaard anyway. Chances are, the Askhans would have taken the city one way or the other and one of their own would be running it now. I am sympathetic to Aegenuis, and the only one that can help him now. Ullsaard will have to reply to what is in that letter, and you are the only man I trust to bring that answer to me unvarnished and untainted."

Listening to what Anglhan said Furlthia knew that it was true, as far as it went. He had no doubt the governor had much in mind that he was not saying, and had sidestepped the issue of what was in the letter. Every instinct in Furlthia told him to get up and walk out, but a nagging doubt remained. When all was done, someone would take that letter to Ullsaard and it would serve Furlthia's interests if it was he that delivered it. He could not bring himself to leave Anglhan alone, to plot and scheme without scrutiny, and Furlthia enjoyed a privileged position with the governor in comparison to Lenorin.

With a growl of irritation, Furlthia pushed himself up, strode across the room and snatched up the letter. He glared at Anglhan, who simply smiled.

"When do I deliver this?" said Furlthia.

"Ullsaard is coming here soon. You must wait until he returns to his main camp and is about to launch his next offensive. I don't know what his plan of attack is, but this letter will stop him in his tracks. He must receive it before he finds out what is happening back here."

"And what will be happening back here?"

"Just what you asked; my legions will seal the border to Greater Askhor and cut off Ullsaard's supplies. It's up to Aegenuis to make the most of that in whatever way he can."

Furlthia nodded his agreement and tucked the letter inside his shirt. Anglhan jabbed a finger at Furlthia.

"You must deliver that letter," said the governor. "If you don't, Ullsaard will destroy my legions, take Magilnada and sweep away any army Aegenuis can muster. Keep it safe."

Rain drummed on the stone courtyard outside the window, an elemental reflection of Allenya's mood. A small square of embroidery sat in her lap, not even half-finished, untouched for several hours. She watched the rain running down the long leaves of the bushes outside, each droplet a tear from the sky, shed for those she could not cry herself. She barely noticed the servant adding logs to the fire, only dimly aware of someone else in the room with her.

"Is there anything I can fetch you, mistress?"

Standing at the door Allenya saw Laasinia, her chief handmaiden, greying hair tied back tightly, dressed in a simple robe of dark wool. Allenya shook her head and turned her gaze back to the window.