pulled any tighter they'd tear in two.
“Lord Delft Lagan, Appointed by the Senate of Valhalla to lead this mission of peace.” Esmeralda managed to lace her words with barely hidden skepticism. Her father frowned at her, but made no attempt to intervene. It seemed that all the royal statements would come through Esmeralda.
Delft was the youngest of the three and looked to be in his early thirties. Thin as all the others, he was almost handsome with curly blond hair framing chiseled features. He looked impatient, an impression immediately confirmed by his quick bow and the words that followed it.
“We have travelled vast distances to be here and have been kept waiting all morning and much of the afternoon. Perhaps we may begin, now that your court wizard has condescended to grace us with his presence?”
Esmeralda smiled and I gathered his outburst counted as a point to her. She waved at the empty seats beside her own.
“If Lord Morrissey and Lady Owens would care to take their seats I'm sure we can begin. Lord Morrissey was doing something very important this morning and could not be disturbed.”
I'd never heard sleeping described so elegantly and tried not to laugh out loud.
As we walked onto the stage I felt a buzzing in my vision. The King and Queen were carrying the magic stones. Esmeralda was taking no chances.
“Perhaps Lord Lagan would care to recap his earlier speech?” Esmeralda asked sweetly.
Lord Lagan looked as though he would like to strangle her, but instead addressed the King.
“If it pleases your Majesty. The Wizards of Valhalla are charged with disseminating friendship and peace to the less developed worlds.”
I may have snorted in derision, because Lagan stopped to glare at me.
“Wizard Talder Plath established a good relationship with the previous ruler of Salice and on his return sought an explanation as to the Master's whereabouts, whereupon he was attacked and severely injured by Wizard Morrissey.”
“That isn't how we remember events, my Lord. And I should point out we were present at the time. The Master was a usurper and had no legitimate right to rule this kingdom.”
Though it was said in a pleasant tone, it was clear to everyone that Esmeralda had just called Lagan a liar.
Lagan flushed and I saw buzzing near the fingers of his right hand. I prepared to throw up a shield, but the buzzing died.
“Whatever, it is clear there are deep misunderstandings between our peoples. After Wizard Morrissey visited Valhalla and spread word that our wizards have been abusing their powers the Senate set up an investigating committee of which I am the head. We have visited the kingdoms around you and been told much nonsense. It was claimed Wizard Morrissey restored your Majesty after Talder Plath changed him to stone.” Lagan smiled broadly, as if he had made a joke and his companions barked with laughter.
Esmeralda spoke, cutting off the words I'd been preparing. Her look suggested I should refrain from saying anything if I could possibly manage it.
“Of course, such magic is impossible. But Wizard Plath threatened the King and others. He later kidnapped me from this very room.”
Lady Meldar got to her feet. “Can you tell us what happened to him? He is my nephew and there has been much concern in his family since his disappearance.”
I figured I'd got the hang of this diplomacy. Use half-truths to say the exact opposite of what really happened while saving everybody's face. It was my turn.
“If I may, Princess?”
Esmeralda was getting almost telepathic with her looks. The one she gave me said ' blow this one and I shall use your testicals for maracas' as clearly as if she'd said the words.
“I caught up with Esmeralda and Taldar on the cliff of another world. He said he kidnapped her so we could talk in private. He was in a lot of pain from his burnt face and he wasn't in the most rational state of mind.”
“No one can heal burns from Wizard's Fire . Even the most
“Lord Delft Lagan, Appointed by the Senate of Valhalla to lead this mission of peace.” Esmeralda managed to lace her words with barely hidden skepticism. Her father frowned at her, but made no attempt to intervene. It seemed that all the royal statements would come through Esmeralda.
Delft was the youngest of the three and looked to be in his early thirties. Thin as all the others, he was almost handsome with curly blond hair framing chiseled features. He looked impatient, an impression immediately confirmed by his quick bow and the words that followed it.
“We have travelled vast distances to be here and have been kept waiting all morning and much of the afternoon. Perhaps we may begin, now that your court wizard has condescended to grace us with his presence?”
Esmeralda smiled and I gathered his outburst counted as a point to her. She waved at the empty seats beside her own.
“If Lord Morrissey and Lady Owens would care to take their seats I'm sure we can begin. Lord Morrissey was doing something very important this morning and could not be disturbed.”
I'd never heard sleeping described so elegantly and tried not to laugh out loud.
As we walked onto the stage I felt a buzzing in my vision. The King and Queen were carrying the magic stones. Esmeralda was taking no chances.
“Perhaps Lord Lagan would care to recap his earlier speech?” Esmeralda asked sweetly.
Lord Lagan looked as though he would like to strangle her, but instead addressed the King.
“If it pleases your Majesty. The Wizards of Valhalla are charged with disseminating friendship and peace to the less developed worlds.”
I may have snorted in derision, because Lagan stopped to glare at me.
“Wizard Talder Plath established a good relationship with the previous ruler of Salice and on his return sought an explanation as to the Master's whereabouts, whereupon he was attacked and severely injured by Wizard Morrissey.”
“That isn't how we remember events, my Lord. And I should point out we were present at the time. The Master was a usurper and had no legitimate right to rule this kingdom.”
Though it was said in a pleasant tone, it was clear to everyone that Esmeralda had just called Lagan a liar.
Lagan flushed and I saw buzzing near the fingers of his right hand. I prepared to throw up a shield, but the buzzing died.
“Whatever, it is clear there are deep misunderstandings between our peoples. After Wizard Morrissey visited Valhalla and spread word that our wizards have been abusing their powers the Senate set up an investigating committee of which I am the head. We have visited the kingdoms around you and been told much nonsense. It was claimed Wizard Morrissey restored your Majesty after Talder Plath changed him to stone.” Lagan smiled broadly, as if he had made a joke and his companions barked with laughter.
Esmeralda spoke, cutting off the words I'd been preparing. Her look suggested I should refrain from saying anything if I could possibly manage it.
“Of course, such magic is impossible. But Wizard Plath threatened the King and others. He later kidnapped me from this very room.”
Lady Meldar got to her feet. “Can you tell us what happened to him? He is my nephew and there has been much concern in his family since his disappearance.”
I figured I'd got the hang of this diplomacy. Use half-truths to say the exact opposite of what really happened while saving everybody's face. It was my turn.
“If I may, Princess?”
Esmeralda was getting almost telepathic with her looks. The one she gave me said ' blow this one and I shall use your testicals for maracas' as clearly as if she'd said the words.
“I caught up with Esmeralda and Taldar on the cliff of another world. He said he kidnapped her so we could talk in private. He was in a lot of pain from his burnt face and he wasn't in the most rational state of mind.”
“No one can heal burns from Wizard's Fire . Even the most
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