Chapter 2

Logan strode down the long corridor, cloak flapping behind him like waves in the sea and boots announcing his arrival to his subjects. Why was he always late?

Logan had read the letter than Sister Viridiana had sent him. It was not a happy story.

A few of the magae in the Chantry had all had the same dream a fortnight ago. They had seen the royal palace of Cenaria surrounded by enemies, Logan's family imprisoned and executed, Midycru in flames. When he had read the letter Logan could not help remembering the drawing he had found in his children's room of the Hole. Something was coming.

As Logan walked to his appointment with the Lae'knaught ambassador Tertulus, he was joined by the head of his army, General Hile. He had been chosen as the replacement for General Agon after his death five years earlier. Hile was a crafty strategist and shrewd commander. He was often called the Fox due to his subterfuge in the battlefield and his appearance. He had red hair like the animal he was nicknamed after and had small close set eyes. He was fiercely loyal to the crown but would not hesitate to tell Logan when he was being stubborn. He was a valuable man to Logan, especially when the king had lost a friend as well as a general upon Agon's death.

Logan dreaded the meeting with the Lae'knaught. After the Battle of Midycru fifteen years earlier, Lae'knaught had kept to their arrangement with Cenaria. They had provided men, food and help to Cenaria in dealing with their war ravaged country as well as the dredges of resistance in Khalidor. Logan had tried to abolish poverty and provide help to the guild rats- the poor children and pick pockets in Cenaria. After Kylar… How could he do otherwise?

And Lae'knaught had helped him as much as Ceura or Seth. But two years ago there had been civil war in Lae'knaught. Their new leader was a man called Tantalus. He was young and ambitious, head strong and arrogant. He believed in Lae'knaught having the only 'pure' heritage in all of Midycru and envisioned his kingdom dominating the world. However, Tantalus was a shrewd politician and businessman. He could afford to wait for a few years until Lae'knaught reached its prime.

A year ago he had offered Cenaria a deal. Tantalus wanted Cenarian gold in exchange for Lae'knaught's continued support and friendship. He had sent Tertulus, the ambassador that Logan had forced to make a political accord with Cenaria and Lae'knaught fifteen years prior. Now Tertulus had come on behalf of his new master to discuss the terms of their agreement with Cenaria.

Tantalus wanted Khalidor.

Lae'knaught and Khalidor had centuries of bad blood between them. After Logan, Kylar and their allies had destroyed the vurdmiesters of Khalidor, they had effectively removed Khalidor's tyrannical rulers and enforcers.

Over the years Logan had purged Khalidor of any residual malice and evil magic. He had tried to give innocent and suppressed Khalidorans a chance to become part of the new, peaceful kingdom he was building. For their part, after they had gotten over the initial shock of being free for the first time in centuries, the Khalidorans had enthusiastically participated in the betterment of their country. Now they had become an integral and beneficial part of Midycru. The Khalidorans made intricate jewellery and artistic items with the remnants of the vurd. Their trade relationships with Ceura and Seth were growing every year.

Logan was the ruler of both Cenaria and Khalidor directly. In Ceura, Lantano Garuwashi had sworn fealty to the High King. Until now Ceura and Cenaria had maintained mutually beneficial trade relationships. Seth as well was a dependable ally of Cenaria and Logan. Maybe the fact that Logan's old friend and mentor Solonariwan Tofusin was now the king of Seth had something to do with it.

But now Lae'knaught was threatening their hard earned peace. Tantalus wanted to raze Khalidor to the ground and salt the earth. All those who stood against him would suffer his ire.

Logan could not allow Lae'knaught to destroy Khalidor. Already he had repelled several Lae'knaught squadrons from skirmishes in Khalidor. Tantalus, loathe to lose a valuable ally, had offered Logan many opportunities to surrender Khalidor but to no avail.

Now their ambassador awaited him in meeting room. Logan did not want to, but if the Lae'knaught pushed him further he would have to respond with force. No matter what, Khalidor would not be sacrificed to Tantalus' greed.

Logan entered the meeting room with a swish of his rich fur cloak and an imperious look about him. It would not do to show any weakness to the predatory Lae'knaught delegate.

Tertulus stood in deference to the High King. He gave Logan a short bow, nothing more than he absolutely had to. His beady eyes held a predatory gleam, like he was waiting for his prey to walk into his trap. Logan had a bad feeling that he was the prey.

They took their seats. Logan did not raise his voice but nevertheless everyone present heard the steel in it.

"I hope that today at least we can come to an agreement, ambassador. I would hate to drag this issue for any more time. It has already vexed me that we cannot simply agree with each other yet."

The ambassador smiled thinly. "But of course, Your Majesty. I too regret the time wasted upon trivial matters when we could have come to an arrangement sooner."

Logan's eyes narrowed.

The ambassador carried on. "No doubt we will come to terms today, High King."

"So what is it you want? Tell me clearly, and no dithering," Logan said.

The ambassador leaned forward slightly. "King Tantalus simply wants Your Majesty to acquiesce Khalidor to him, that he may take from them all the Lae'knaught lives they took in the war fifteen years ago," he said.

Logan frowned in disapproval. "That's called murder, ambassador. Beside, it wasn't just Lae'knaught who lost their lives that day. In war, there is no such thing as a victory without lives lost on both sides. Besides, we have already made peace with Khalidor. They are now my subjects as much as the Cenarians. Do tell me, why would I allow you to slaughter my people?"

The ambassador leered. He said, "Of course, you could refuse us. But then our woodcraft is one of a kind. And I understand that Cenaria has a large market for woodworking…"

Logan flushed in anger. He asked in a cold voice, "Are you threatening me, Lae'knaught? Do you dare threaten the High King of Midycru? I could have you thrown in the dungeons for less."

The ambassador shifted in his seat but said nothing.

Logan leaned back. "That's what I thought. Now go tell your master that Khalidor is not yours. You will have to contend yourself with the fact that Khalidor brings income to Cenaria and many of your other trade partners, which in turn makes Lae'knaught richer than it was fifteen years ago."

Tertulus pulled a wry face. He said, "You must understand that this cannot suffice-"

Logan roared. "It will suffice for your king, ambassador! If it doesn't, then seek new allies for your country. Cenaria will deal with you no longer."

The ambassador turned cold. His face twisted into a mask of cruelty and his eyes spewed hatred. "You think you're all so smart, so strong, you Cenarians," he said. "One king who holds the tatters of his country like a housewife clutching her skirts will not stop us. We will have Khalidor. Tantalus will reign supreme!"

The room was quiet. Then Logan stood and headed for the door. "Take him to the dungeons."

He walked away to the sounds of the guard's bearing the Lae'knaught ambassador to the dungeons. And the day had barely started.