Part 27 (1/2)

”You old rascal,” Sarad said, dropping into Com- mon. ”I've been hearing tall tales about your triumphs.

In fact, the rather fragrant reminders of your success greeted me from the battlements as I rode in.”

”Rebellion's a bad business,” Darius said noncom- mittally.

”And how did the Duke of Abercorn take the exe- cution of his son?”

”I hear that he has taken to his bed,” Darius replied.

”And what brings you here this morning?” Sarad asked, changing the subject diplomatically.

”The Chamberlain is indisposed and the Queen has asked me to fill in for him.”

”Not fair, Gwyndryth, not fair.” The Thane chuck- led. ”The rest of us have been slaving at this for years and you trot in for what may be the final vote.”

Darius' answering smile had an apologetic aspect. ”I am sensible of the honor,” he said, ”and you may rest

144 a.s.sured that I have been exhaustively briefed by Her

Majesty.”

Today's the day all right, Malum thought. She wouldn't have sent Gwyndryth unless she expected this to be the final session. The other two kept talking, but Malum's attention was diverted by the arrival of the other members of the Commission. The day, though young, was already warm and the men looked uncom- fortable in their velvet and ruffs. The Oligarch, by con- trast, looked cool in her long silk robe.

The Hodman, dressed in last winter's fas.h.i.+on, was red-faced; Otorin of Lissen was composed; but only the Elector, in a loose linen tunic, sans ruff, was moving easily. His joints were at their best in this weather. Ma- lum's own ruff was chafing his neck as he wended his way through them with a cooled goblet of fruit juice for his master.

After five minutes of general conversation, with old acquaintances chatting about their visits home, the Commission drifted to the table. The gla.s.s had been taken out of the windows and bees flew back and forth, attracted by the scents of the herbs strewn over the floor.

The buzz of continuing conversation rose, generating a feeling of relaxation and goodwill. A positive omen, Malum thought.

The Elector broke the mood by rapping on the table.

He didn't make a very loud noise, but it was enough to bring silence. They're all on edge, Malum thought, no matter how relaxed they appear.

”Madam Oligarch, my lords,” Phalastra said into the bee-humming quiet, ”I trust that you have all had pleas- ant times. Now, alas, we must return to the task at hand- It is my hope that today we shall finally vote on the proposal presented at the beginning of the summer without additions, subtractions, or amendments.” The reedy voice faded away.

145.

”I shall take your silence for acceptance,” he contin- ued after a brief pause- ”Before we vote, I should like to welcome the Lord Darius of Gwyndryth, an old friend of mine and as much a hero in Umbria as he is here.” He inclined his head in Darius' direction and the Holdmaster returned the gesture. ”He speaks today for Queen Naxania of Paladine. Having said that, let us to the vote.”

Malum rose and distributed copies of the map to each of the representatives.

”We shall be voting,” Estragoth resumed, ”on the acceptance of the part.i.tion as represented on the map before you, as I have said, without revisions. I shall start at the end of the table and work my way around.

Hodman, how say you?”

”Songuard says no.” The Hodman was mopping himself with a large kerchief, but his voice was deep and firm.

The voting continued, and when the tally was done, Umbria was the sole supporter of the proposal. Estra- goth masked his disappointment well. There was no hint of it in his voice as he said, ”Let the record show that the part.i.tion as presented has been rejected by a major- ity of the states. Does anyone wish to propose an amendment?” He looked around the table. The only indication of his anger at the result, at the betrayal he felt from those who had listened to him and spoken him fair, only to vote against him when the count was called, was a vein throbbing in his temple-

”An it please you. Lord President.” There was no hint of triumph in Olivderval's voice. The tone was level and unemotional.

”The chair recognizes the representative from Isphar- del.” Phalastra matched her formality.

”Isphardel proposes that the territories marked out