Scourge of God."
„Which leads up to you telling me what?"
„To my stating the obvious. The Movement is no longer a danger to Kavelin or any other western kingdom." In a confidential voice, „It's barely a danger to the heretic on the Peacock Throne, and that only because the Harish still consider him their prime target."
„Maybe. But I don't think the Disciple has changed his ideas. He'd be a danger if he could."
„The point is, he can't. He won't be able, ever again. On the other hand, the heretic might well be."
Bragi had a notion where the man was going, based on Michael's report. Intuition told him he'd best give Habibullah a full hearing. „Go on. I'm interested."
„The threat to the world today—your world and mine —centers in the east. In Throyes, specifically. In Lord
Hsung. He's a determined and treacherous man. He sent ambassadors to Sebil el Selib. They offered to help us recapture Al Rhemish. The Lady Yasmid exerted her influ ence and had them driven out. There were those who didn't agree with her, but her doctrinal arguments were irrefuta ble. The lamb does not lie with the lion. The Chosen cannot walk hand in hand with the minions of the Evil One."
„Yeah. I didn't know she had that much pull."
„She has a lot more. ... If she cares to use it. She's still the Disciple's designated heir."
„I meant push, I think. Drive. Off-your-ass."
„I see. Yes. She has been lacking in initiative."
Ragnarson pricked up his ears. Something in Habibullah's tone suggested that times had changed.
Habibullah became confidential again. „Our agents in Al Rhemish say Hsung sent ambassadors to Megelin at the same time he sent them to us. The Tervola doesn't care who he enlists. And indications are, he got a more sympathetic hearing there. Megelin now has a wizard stashed in the Most Holy Mrazkim Shrines. A master of the Power, not some feeble native shaghun."
„Uhm." Bragi saw one of Habibullah's unstated argu ments. If Shinsan had people in Megelin's court, then Ravelin and El Murid had a sudden congruence of interest. Imagine that. After all those years of enmity. „You're suggesting we ought to get together on something?"
„Exactly. If Megelin has an arrangement with Hsung, then, obviously, he's no longer your friend. He's sold you to the Dread Empire."
„How do I make a deal with an old enemy? Can you see me trying to sell it to my people? On the evidence available? The older ones are still as scared of El Murid as they are of Shinsan."
„As I said, the Disciple isn't much interested these days. He is, in mathematical terms, not part of the equation."
„Ah? Meaning?" Ragnarson had a feeling they were getting to the heart of it.
„The Lady Yasmid... . Shall we say she's considering finding some initiative?"
Ragnarson's laugh was hard, barking, and bitter. „She's going to overthrow him?"
„Not overthrow. Not exactly. More like take charge in his name. If there's any point." „Any point?"
„What point in trying if you're caught between royalists and Shinsan and haven't a friend to help? A grain of wheat between millstones would have a better chance. It would be better for the Faithful, in the long run, if they weren't led into certain destruction."
A very muted appeal, Bragi thought. She would let the collapse continue unless he offered some hope. And if the collapse did happen, Hsung and his Western Army would have access to the southern passes through the mountains. Hsung could march west through the desert and hit the western kingdoms from the south instead of east. He barkened to his intuition again. „Tell her to go ahead. I can't promise an actual alliance, understand."
„I understand. No iron commitments. Just a hope. And only the three of us to know we're in contact, please. I'll inform the Lady and return as soon as I can."
Ragnarson nodded. „Habibullah, you're better than you were when you were ambassador. Much more efficient."
Much had been said here, and a lot in
„Which leads up to you telling me what?"
„To my stating the obvious. The Movement is no longer a danger to Kavelin or any other western kingdom." In a confidential voice, „It's barely a danger to the heretic on the Peacock Throne, and that only because the Harish still consider him their prime target."
„Maybe. But I don't think the Disciple has changed his ideas. He'd be a danger if he could."
„The point is, he can't. He won't be able, ever again. On the other hand, the heretic might well be."
Bragi had a notion where the man was going, based on Michael's report. Intuition told him he'd best give Habibullah a full hearing. „Go on. I'm interested."
„The threat to the world today—your world and mine —centers in the east. In Throyes, specifically. In Lord
Hsung. He's a determined and treacherous man. He sent ambassadors to Sebil el Selib. They offered to help us recapture Al Rhemish. The Lady Yasmid exerted her influ ence and had them driven out. There were those who didn't agree with her, but her doctrinal arguments were irrefuta ble. The lamb does not lie with the lion. The Chosen cannot walk hand in hand with the minions of the Evil One."
„Yeah. I didn't know she had that much pull."
„She has a lot more. ... If she cares to use it. She's still the Disciple's designated heir."
„I meant push, I think. Drive. Off-your-ass."
„I see. Yes. She has been lacking in initiative."
Ragnarson pricked up his ears. Something in Habibullah's tone suggested that times had changed.
Habibullah became confidential again. „Our agents in Al Rhemish say Hsung sent ambassadors to Megelin at the same time he sent them to us. The Tervola doesn't care who he enlists. And indications are, he got a more sympathetic hearing there. Megelin now has a wizard stashed in the Most Holy Mrazkim Shrines. A master of the Power, not some feeble native shaghun."
„Uhm." Bragi saw one of Habibullah's unstated argu ments. If Shinsan had people in Megelin's court, then Ravelin and El Murid had a sudden congruence of interest. Imagine that. After all those years of enmity. „You're suggesting we ought to get together on something?"
„Exactly. If Megelin has an arrangement with Hsung, then, obviously, he's no longer your friend. He's sold you to the Dread Empire."
„How do I make a deal with an old enemy? Can you see me trying to sell it to my people? On the evidence available? The older ones are still as scared of El Murid as they are of Shinsan."
„As I said, the Disciple isn't much interested these days. He is, in mathematical terms, not part of the equation."
„Ah? Meaning?" Ragnarson had a feeling they were getting to the heart of it.
„The Lady Yasmid... . Shall we say she's considering finding some initiative?"
Ragnarson's laugh was hard, barking, and bitter. „She's going to overthrow him?"
„Not overthrow. Not exactly. More like take charge in his name. If there's any point." „Any point?"
„What point in trying if you're caught between royalists and Shinsan and haven't a friend to help? A grain of wheat between millstones would have a better chance. It would be better for the Faithful, in the long run, if they weren't led into certain destruction."
A very muted appeal, Bragi thought. She would let the collapse continue unless he offered some hope. And if the collapse did happen, Hsung and his Western Army would have access to the southern passes through the mountains. Hsung could march west through the desert and hit the western kingdoms from the south instead of east. He barkened to his intuition again. „Tell her to go ahead. I can't promise an actual alliance, understand."
„I understand. No iron commitments. Just a hope. And only the three of us to know we're in contact, please. I'll inform the Lady and return as soon as I can."
Ragnarson nodded. „Habibullah, you're better than you were when you were ambassador. Much more efficient."
Much had been said here, and a lot in
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