Kandara was being blamed for the death of the princess. If Cerric and the Xallan Queen were talking of an alliance against Kandara, it looked as though things in the dark forest and the borderlands were only likely get worse.
*****
Dakar strode purposefully across the great study where Cerric stood before a series of maps. He hid his displeasure when Cerric ignored his entrance. Dakar wondered how long he could endure this subservience to this common mortal king and reveled in the knowledge that with his own magic he could snuff his life with a thought. Still, the Book was clear that the throne of Maramyr was to be respected and revered, frustrating though that might be. The Council of Priests, of which he was a member, had conferred and decided that the required reverence also extended to the throne’s current occupant, for the time being. Dakar hoped that when the One God was raised, he would finally be rid of this petty and troublesome king.
Cerric had long used members of the priesthood as ambassadors and messengers since they could, when necessary, travel with the aid of their magic and they were fairly secure from attack since few would dare accost a mage. As much as the mage priests assisted the king in this manner, they also used their trusted position to their own benefit. Dakar had read every piece of correspondence that had left the king’s chamber for more than a year and it was this latest letter that had incensed him when Dakar had realized what it meant. Cerric was brokering an alliance with the Xallan Queen, to go to war with Kandara, and while that was part of the plan the priesthood had set in motion, Cerric's method of forming that alliance had been something of a surprise.
“I have heard some rather interesting rumors, your highness,” Dakar said. Cerric did not turn but rather kept his gaze intently on a map of Kandara.
“What rumors have you heard, Dakar?” Cerric was not surprised in the least at the mage’s visit.
“That you are planning an alliance with the Xallan Queen in your attack on Kandara.” Dakar said. Cerric laughed.
“I had not thought that to be a great secret but yes, that is what I am planning."
Dakar cleared his throat.
"I have also heard that you have proposed marriage to the Xallan Queen," Dakar added.
Cerric looked up from his map.
“Need I remind you, highness that we must devote ourselves to the preparations for the ceremony of the One.” He knew that this would not go over with the king. Cerric looked at him, with imperious scorn.
“And I have given you free reign to do whatever you need to prepare for your ceremony," Cerric told him. "I have allocated money and labor, the wealth of my kingdom to support this monstrous temple you black robes are building. Besides, when this God comes, he will see how I have conquered in his name and know that I am a truly noble king. But what is a king without an heir? And why settle for a kingdom when I could have an empire?”
Dakar could see the glimmer of greed in Cerric's eyes. The man truly was obsessed with his own greatness now that he had attained the power he had coveted for so long, and Dakar thought it might be time to reign in this usurper king a little bit, reminding him that just because he wore a crown, he was not all powerful.
“How do you propose to conquer Kandara, my lord, when the mages of the priesthood will be devoting their energies to the coming of the One? We will be unable to assist you, especially if the Kandarans call the dragons of the north.” Dakar wondered if Cerric had forgotten about the fearsome creatures that were long fabled to protect the mountain kingdom.
“There are no dragons in Kandara," Cerric scoffed. "Their existence is either a myth or they have long since died out."
“And if it is not a myth?” Dakar asked. The revelations of the book had shown images of dragon fire, so it certainly was possible.
“Then I suppose my army will face a challenge. Still, I expect
*****
Dakar strode purposefully across the great study where Cerric stood before a series of maps. He hid his displeasure when Cerric ignored his entrance. Dakar wondered how long he could endure this subservience to this common mortal king and reveled in the knowledge that with his own magic he could snuff his life with a thought. Still, the Book was clear that the throne of Maramyr was to be respected and revered, frustrating though that might be. The Council of Priests, of which he was a member, had conferred and decided that the required reverence also extended to the throne’s current occupant, for the time being. Dakar hoped that when the One God was raised, he would finally be rid of this petty and troublesome king.
Cerric had long used members of the priesthood as ambassadors and messengers since they could, when necessary, travel with the aid of their magic and they were fairly secure from attack since few would dare accost a mage. As much as the mage priests assisted the king in this manner, they also used their trusted position to their own benefit. Dakar had read every piece of correspondence that had left the king’s chamber for more than a year and it was this latest letter that had incensed him when Dakar had realized what it meant. Cerric was brokering an alliance with the Xallan Queen, to go to war with Kandara, and while that was part of the plan the priesthood had set in motion, Cerric's method of forming that alliance had been something of a surprise.
“I have heard some rather interesting rumors, your highness,” Dakar said. Cerric did not turn but rather kept his gaze intently on a map of Kandara.
“What rumors have you heard, Dakar?” Cerric was not surprised in the least at the mage’s visit.
“That you are planning an alliance with the Xallan Queen in your attack on Kandara.” Dakar said. Cerric laughed.
“I had not thought that to be a great secret but yes, that is what I am planning."
Dakar cleared his throat.
"I have also heard that you have proposed marriage to the Xallan Queen," Dakar added.
Cerric looked up from his map.
“Need I remind you, highness that we must devote ourselves to the preparations for the ceremony of the One.” He knew that this would not go over with the king. Cerric looked at him, with imperious scorn.
“And I have given you free reign to do whatever you need to prepare for your ceremony," Cerric told him. "I have allocated money and labor, the wealth of my kingdom to support this monstrous temple you black robes are building. Besides, when this God comes, he will see how I have conquered in his name and know that I am a truly noble king. But what is a king without an heir? And why settle for a kingdom when I could have an empire?”
Dakar could see the glimmer of greed in Cerric's eyes. The man truly was obsessed with his own greatness now that he had attained the power he had coveted for so long, and Dakar thought it might be time to reign in this usurper king a little bit, reminding him that just because he wore a crown, he was not all powerful.
“How do you propose to conquer Kandara, my lord, when the mages of the priesthood will be devoting their energies to the coming of the One? We will be unable to assist you, especially if the Kandarans call the dragons of the north.” Dakar wondered if Cerric had forgotten about the fearsome creatures that were long fabled to protect the mountain kingdom.
“There are no dragons in Kandara," Cerric scoffed. "Their existence is either a myth or they have long since died out."
“And if it is not a myth?” Dakar asked. The revelations of the book had shown images of dragon fire, so it certainly was possible.
“Then I suppose my army will face a challenge. Still, I expect
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