Part 38 (1/2)
”And yet-if precedent and traditional right to what we hold is the highest law, where does that leave possession by right of war? If that is the paramount law, then we would all be at each other's throats-as in the past.” He flicked a glance at Volog, who gave him stare for stare.
”If a man has the right to his lands, then he has the right to give them to his son. Usually the eldest, and one born of his wife's body-but there are several instances in the recent past of a younger son or an illegitimate one inheriting. If we take away that right, and if we decide that war is the more legitimate means of gaining a princedom or a holding, then we announce chaos and we might as well gird ourselves for battle here and now. For none of us will be secure in what we hold, from prince to most obscure athri. athri.”
He paused a long moment, then shook his head. ”I do not disbelieve the Lady Andrade and the Princess-Regent. I do not disbelieve this young man before us now. But I do believe in the law, and in my own conscience. And both tell me that Princemarch by rights belongs to the son of the late High Prince Roelstra.” He cast a quick glance around the table again, and sat down.
Rohan held in the long sigh that wanted to escape his chest, kept back the twist of bitter disappointment that threatened his lips. Saumer was not trying to spite Volog or anyone else; he was honest in his misgivings and in his beliefs. Actually, Rohan told himself with grim humor, he ought to be cheering the words that had come from Saumer's mouth: ”I do believe in the law.” He'd been working to instill those words and that belief in his fellow princes for over twenty years. And what a time to succeed!
Andrade broke the silence with a rustle of parchment. ”The count is as follows. Ossetia, Dorval, Syr, Kierst, and Meadowlord against; Cunaxa, Gilad, Grib, Fessenden, and Isel for.” She lifted her gaze from her notes. ”My lords, it appears we have a deadlock.”
Rohan did not meet her eyes, knowing what he would find in them. Masul was chewing his lip, the fingers of one hand drumming on the carved wooden support of the water clock.
At last Rohan got up, consciously drawing all eyes to him. ”My lords, it is as the Lady has said. Both sides lack a majority. Firon being without a prince, and both myself and the Princess-Regent being obviously disqualified, I can see few ways of breaking this deadlock.”
All of them sat up straighter at his implication, but it was Masul who voiced their question. ”What do you mean?” When someone sucked in an outraged breath at his peremptory tone, he added, ”My lord.”
”I mean there are alternatives. Such proofs as are readily available have been presented, and have failed to convince one way or the other. But . . .”
He finally looked at his aunt. She nodded slowly, placing her long hands with their ten rings and gleaming bracelets on the table before her.
”What is it, my Lady?” Lleyn asked, his voice soft.
She answered, ”The faradh'im faradh'im have certain skills not generally known among the populace-or, indeed, among most have certain skills not generally known among the populace-or, indeed, among most faradh'im faradh'im themselves. Some of us are able to catch quite detailed visions of the future, for instance.” themselves. Some of us are able to catch quite detailed visions of the future, for instance.”
Miyon leaned back in his chair with an angry gesture of one hand. ”Your pardon, my Lady, but surely you don't propose to show us what the world would be like with Prince Masul at Castle Crag? I never heard of anything so-”
Andrade continued as if he had not spoken. ”I have done such things myself, my lords. But what is relevant to us at present is something else. The past-and specifically that night twenty-one years ago-is in my memory. Using certain . . . techniques . . . I will be able to conjure that past for all of you to watch with your own eyes. It is a difficult thing, and possibly a dangerous one. But those of you who do not believe me me will, I think, believe the evidence I will present before you.” will, I think, believe the evidence I will present before you.”
”And why should we believe this-or even allow it?” Velden exclaimed. ”I've never heard of this supposed ability, either! Why should it be trusted?”
”You dare question the Lady's word?” Lleyn asked, his eyes like thunder.
”Peace, my friend,” Andrade said. ”He has every right to question. Would it satisfy you, Prince Velden, if I first conjured a scene from the past that you and I both witnessed?”
Cabar stared slack-jawed; Miyon was anxious and trying to hide it; Masul's lip curled scornfully. Pimantal looked intrigued, and Saumer, hopeful. He said, ”If it will settle our doubts and if it is not too dangerous for you-”
”It probably is,” she said with a shrug. ”But I consider this person more so.” She fixed Masul with a sardonic eye. ”Well? Are you secure enough in your claim of truth to have the truth revealed to you through Sunrunner arts?”
”In which I have very little faith,” he shot back. ”But if their graces wish it, then why not?” He smiled.
”Very well.” She rose and bowed to Rohan. ”With your permission, my lord, I will retire to my pavilion and prepare.”
”Will tomorrow serve, my Lady?” He was appalled by her sudden pallor.
”Tonight at sunset will do. I'd like to get this over with.” Again she speared Masul with her gaze. ”You've taken up quite enough time and energy as it is, and their graces have more important matters to discuss.”
Without another word she walked from the tent, leaving an apprehensive silence behind her. Each prince looked at every other prince, and finally at Rohan. He cleared his throat.
But before he could say anything, Masul spoke-drawling, amused, yet with an undercurrent of hostility seething in his voice. ”Well, cousin,” he said to Rohan, ”it seems your family witch is your last hope. But I'm not worried. Nothing scares me.”
”Then you are a fool,” Rohan replied tranquilly. ”We meet here at sunset, my lords. I trust no one will object to the presences of the High Princess and my son, as well as the Princess-Regent.”
There were no objections; there could be none. In renewed eerie quiet they left Rohan alone. He stood silent and unseeing for some time after they had gone. Then, sinking down into his chair, he put his face in his hands.
”Gentle G.o.ddess,” he whispered. ”What have I done? What am I about to do?”
There was no one to answer.
Chapter Twenty-three.
Of all the people in Waes that Sioned wished to see that noon-day, the very last was Chiana. But the would-be princess was not far behind Tallain, who had run to the great blue pavilion at once with word of the princes' decision. Sioned had been there all morning, waiting in solitude and silence for her husband, wanting not even Pol to share the time with her. Tallain, respecting her obvious wishes, told his news and withdrew. But Chiana invaded close on his heels and paced the carpets with every intention of wearing them into the dirt.
”How could you allow this to happen?” she cried. ”How could could you?” you?”
”Be silent,” Sioned told her in a tone that ought to have warned her to do so immediately.
Chiana was beyond even rudimentary understanding of another's emotions-not her specialty to begin with. Sioned rose from her chair, a small frantic voice in her head demanding that Chiana be evicted at once, before Rohan could come back with his undoubted need for what little peace Sioned could give him. But Chiana continued to berate her, shrill and voluble in her furious panic.
”You had only to order it, and this pretender would be dead! My father would have executed him before he even opened his mouth! What use is the power of a High Prince if you don't use it? And now I must pay for this cowardice! I must suffer doubts of my birth! I must-”
Sioned bore it with phenomenal patience before her temper simply snapped.
”You, you, you! Is your precious self the only thing you can think about? Roelstra's daughter! If I'd ever had any doubts, they're gone now! Only the sp.a.w.n of that vicious self-centered viper would behave so! Now let me be, Chiana, or I'll throw you out of here with my own hands!”
She had the odd sensation that it was someone else's voice shouting, someone else's hand that lifted threateningly. But sight of the emerald ring reminded her that the hand raised to strike was indeed her own. She swung away, nauseated. ”Get out,” she whispered. ”Get out before I forget who I am.”
”You seem to have forgotten who I I am!” am!”
Tallain's frantic voice rose in the outer chamber of the pavilion. ”Your grace, please-”
”Is Rohan here? I must speak with him at once!”
Pandsala; all that Sioned needed at this point was another of Roelstra's daughters. She turned as the part.i.tion rustled and Chiana gave a blurt of laughter.
”Pandsala! Tell her! We demand the death of this pretender!”
Pandsala started at the sight of her half sister-and looked guilty. Sioned's fists clenched.
”Well?” Chiana snapped. ”Go on! Tell her! If none of you has the courage, I'll order that b.a.s.t.a.r.d killed myself.”
”If he dies,” Sioned heard that strange voice that was not her own say, ”your death will follow, Chiana-and by my Sunrunner arts.”
The younger woman gasped and turned white. ”You wouldn't dare!”
A tiny smile hovered around Sioned's lips. ”Would I not?”