Part 56 (1/2)
306 Jarrod got a chair and installed himself opposite Greylock ”Well,” he said, ”it seems that we'll have to adopt Ragnor's methods ”
”Such as7 ' Greylock's voice was wary
”I spent a lot of time with him over the years and he would have seen two, major ways to deal with this, in- timidation or old-fas.h.i.+oned horse-trading ”
”I don't approve of intimidation,” Greylock said primly
”Then we trade ”
”But I haven't got anything to negotiate with,” Grey- lock complained
”You would if you were Archmage ”
”Yes, but
Jarrod held up a hand ”Hear me out Sumner has two major weaknesses He's ambitious and he's a sn.o.b He detests Talisman, we know that He thinks that the country is beneath him and, what's worse, Talisman knows it So, wouldn't it be a mercy for both parties if he moved from there9” Jarrod rocked m the chair, eyes narrowed, and then a thin smile crept up ”Ragnor was Mage of Arundel as well as Archmage,” he said, ”but there's ample precedent for the two posts being held by different people If you offered Sumner Arundel, not only would it get him out of Talisman, but he would be close at hand where you could keep an eye on him ”
”What makes you think he would take st9 He's aim- ing for Archmage,” Greylock said dubiously
”That's where the sn.o.bbery comes in The man's al- ways l.u.s.ted after a secular t.i.tle He wants to be part of the aristocracy So, if we could persuade Arabella to grant him a Holding, on the condition that he became Mage of Arundel, I think he'd agree ”
”You've grown up to be a devious young man, Jar- rod Courtak,” Greylock said, but there was an approv- 307.
ing note in his voice ”D'you think that Arabella could be persuaded9”
”Ragnor was a father and more to her I think she would want to see his last wish fulfilled ”
”You may be right So who becomes Chief Warlock, you1”
”Oh I don't thmk so Dean Handrom would do very well, don't you think^ Besides, with you here and me in Fortress Talisman, who would keep Naxama under control9”
”Quite right So, you become Mage of Paladme, which is a perfectly natural progression, and the ap- pointment of the new Dean of the Collegium would be in m> hands ”
”Precisely Confirmation by acclaim ”
”Very neat, ' Greylock conceded
”It's probably a good thing that Naxama isn't here I m sure that she would make a strong bid for the Mages.h.i.+p I wouldn't put it past her to throw her lot in with Sumner if he promised it to her ”
Greylock's eyes met Jarrod's They were troubled ”I wouldn't like to think so after all these years, but you might well be right ” He shook his head sadly ”It's at times like this that I feel my age I have no stomach for these kinds of plottings ”
”Why don't you leave it all to me, sir9 It's best that you stay above the fray anyway ”
”Think you can do it9”
”I can certainly try My wife intends to ask for an audience with Arabella We'll just try to move it up to this afternoon If I can convince the Queen, the rest will fall into place ”
Greylock thought for a bit, rubbing his forehead with his thumb as if he had a headache He looked up after a while ”Very well,” he said
308 When Jarrod returned to their rooms, he found Mar- ianna pacing and agitated.
”What's the matter?” he asked, doffing his cloak.