The Final Redemption by Michael Manning (novels in english .TXT) 📗

your message for at least an hourthough; he’s meeting with Tremont and some of the other lords thismorning. Your note will most likely be held at the door until hefinishes with them,” Genevieve informed her.

Elise worried but she knewthat would have to be good enough. If hismeeting lasts too long, we’ll just have to make a scene, but thatcan wait until Dorian gets here, shethought to herself.

***

James was gritting his teeth again. Itwas a habit that Ginny had frequently cautioned him about, warningthat he would damage his teeth over time, but since he had takenthe throne he found it difficult to stop. Today he did it becausehe was meeting with the more powerful lords of Lothion, men whoselands and power made them important, and while each of them owedtheir allegiance to the king, any one of them could be a source ofserious problems if they decided to rebel, especially if the othersdidn’t unite behind their sovereign.

His eyes narrowed as he came to thedouble doors that protected the small conference chamber. Four menstood guard there as usual, but their livery was that of Hightowerrather than the royal design. “Who are these men?” he askedMathias, the guard captain who was escorting him.

“Many of the guardsmen are down withthe flux this morning, Your Majesty. Possibly something they atelast night. Lord Hightower sent a large contingent of his men tomanage palace security until things get back to normal,” repliedMathias promptly.

James stopped, “How many areill?”

“Almost three in four, Your Majesty,everyone who ate at the barracks mess last night. I’ve recalledthose that were on leave. Luckily I usually eat with my family, orI’d be down with it too.”

“How about the other staff?” askedJames.

“They seem to be fine. I have menlooking into it, but at the moment it seems to have only been thebarracks food that was affected. Those eating at the common tableshaven’t had any sickness.”

The King resumed walking, “Do you haveenough men to guarantee the palace security?”

Mathias nodded, “For now, YourMajesty. Lord Hightower’s men have allowed me to cover theessentials, though I imagine the city guard may be shorthandednow.”

“Let us hope the city doesn’t comeunder attack then,” said the King wryly.

One of the guards held the door asthey entered, announcing James’ entrance loudly to the men gatheredwithin. The room held a moderately sized table with eight chairs.Behind four of them stood some of the most powerful lords in therealm, waiting for their monarch to take his seat before theythemselves could take their places: Lord Andrew Tremont, Duke ofTremont; Lord John Airedale, Count and landowner of massive tractsof forests in the east; Lord Martin Balistair, Earl of Balistairand owner of some of the most productive farming regions in thenation; Lord Brad Cantley, Duke of Cantley and master of almosthalf of the kingdom’s shipping trade; and Lord Lyle Surrey, Baronof Surrey and many other coastal estates.

Three seats had no one standing behindthem, those of Count Malvern and Lord Hightower, as well as theseat belonging to the Duke of Lancaster. Count Malvern had beenunable to make the journey to the capital because of age anddeclining health. As for the Lancaster seat, while Roland hadrecently been given the title of Duke, he had requested a pardon tobe absent from this meeting. He was still ill at ease with his newresponsibilities, a matter that probably worried hisfather.

James hadn’t expected Lord Hightowerto be missing. Turning his head he spoke to Mathias, “Where isHightower?”

“I’m afraid he is also ill today, YourMajesty,” responded the captain.

The eighth seat (actuallythe first seat,according to protocol) belonged to the King himself. James satcarefully while Mathias held his chair. Once he had taken hisplace, he motioned to the other men in the room, “You may beseated.” Mathias stood behind and slightly to the right of theKing, his job being to safeguard James’ well-being.

“I’d like to thank everyone for theirtrouble coming today, especially those of you who had to travel,”began James. He didn’t bother using the royal ‘we’ for thisoccasion. The yearly meeting of the High Council, attended by allthe noblemen of Lothion would begin in another week, but thismeeting was reserved for those with the most influence. It hadstarted centuries before as a way of ensuring that the greaterpowers of the kingdom agreed upon major matters in preparation forthe more general gathering. Despite the layers of tradition thathad settled upon it, this meeting was still far moreinformal.

Andrew, Duke of Tremont, interrupted,“I cannot help but notice your son’s absence. Malvern isunderstandable, but Lancaster is not so far, especially when youconsider the new World Road your pet wizard built.”

To speak out of turn, withoutinvitation, was a major breech of etiquette, eliciting a gasp fromthe other men in the room. Mathias tensed at the insult, but Jamesheld up his hand, “You overstep yourself Tremont. Do not think yourposition shields you from the responsibilities ofprotocol.”

Andrew Tremont stood,sliding his chair back. It was an even greater insult to risewithout permission, but it didn’t seem to worry the man. “I thinkwe’ve all had just about enough of your protocol,James,” he replied,sneering as he referred to the King by his first name. While thetwo men had been friends once, in their youth, it was beyond thepale now for him to take such liberties.

James Lancaster’s eyes took in thetable with a glance. John Airedale seemed visibly affronted atTremont’s behavior, but the other notables seemed different—nervousrather than shocked. That alone told him that Tremont’s behaviorwas anything but reckless, the man was planningsomething.

James stood. “What’s your game,Andrew? You wouldn’t stick your neck out like this unless youthought you had something to gain, so why don’t you go ahead andget it out in the open.”

Andrew Tremont laughed, “No game, oldfriend. You’ve had a good run, but your time is done. Your wizardis gone, and the gods are angry with you for your blasphemy. It’sas simple as that; the people need a ruler who will respect thegods.”

“And I’ll bet you think you’re the manfor the job,” said James. “We’ll see whether your opinion changesafter you’ve been in prison a while.” The last thing he needed atthis