Unicorn Saga - The Unicorn Peace Part 55

"Don't be absurd," Jarrod said sharply. "Greylock's going to be the next Archmage. He's the obvious choice and he's Ragnor's acknowledged successor."

"I wouldn't be too sure of that," she said, sitting herself in an armchair. "Ragnor is dead, but politics never die. By marrying me you have access to the Arun- delian vote. Since you are a Paladinian, and a very pow- erful one now, Naxania should have no problem endorsing you if Greylock's candidacy runs into oppo- sition. Better you than the Chief Warlock, wouldn't you say? And it would effectively remove you from Pala- dine." Her eyebrows rose and her eyes opened wide.

"You are incorrigible," Jarrod said, folding himself down onto a divan. "But you can spare yourself the machinations. I would never allow my name to be put forward against Greylock."

"Of course you wouldn't," she said complacently, "but Greylock's an old man and there's always the next election to think about."

302 Jarrod shook his head and smiled at her. "And I think it's time for me to go and pay my respects to the next Archmage." He pushed himself back up to his feet.

"By all means," Marianna said. "I'm going to move some of this furniture around, make the place a little more comfortable since we're going to be here for a while. Then I shall have a bath. D'you think you'll be taking your midday meal here?"

"I really can't say. That'll depend on Greylock. And I don't think that you should be moving furniture so soon after the baby."

"Very well. Oh, by the way, do you have access to funds here? I only had room to pack one gown and there's no guarantee that it survived the trip. I found a dressmaker in the town on my last trip who's both skilled and reasonable." She glanced up at him.

"Oh, don't look like that, Jarrod," she said with a touch of impatience. "Gwyndryth has a long-established reputation to uphold and state occasions are never cheap.

Think how much it would have cost us to travel here by coach. If we had, I could have brought a suitable ward- robe; as it is, I'll have to be inventive for a sennight with what I've got. I tell you plainly, my dear, that I have no intention of embarra.s.sing my father, who, need I remind you, will be here before too long. Besides, I'm a little fatter than I used to be."

"I'm sorry," Jarrod said. "I'm just not used to such concerns. Yes, I can draw money. Just let my know how much you need."

She smiled at him meltingly and his heart seemed to turn over.

"I'm glad you understand, my sweet. It's not just my vanity. If we don't make a good showing at Court, the word will get around that the Holding is in trouble. We are not without our greedy neighbors. My father's rep- utation as a soldier has kept them respectful, but he

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hasn't been back to Gwyndryth for a long time. So long as we appear prosperous, Aberwyn and Dynsdale as- sume that, though I am a mere woman"-there was asperity in the voice-"I can command sufficient loyalty from our va.s.sals, or, if push came to shove, could af- ford to hire a sufficient number of mercenaries to re- pulse them and possibly annex their land." She smiled wryly. "I doubt if you have ever had the occasion to price a mercenary, but I can a.s.sure you that a handful of gowns cost a great deal less."

"I hadn't realized," he said.

"No reason why you should," she said lightly and got to her feet. "Oh, and speaking of dress, do you intend to stay in your blue robe, or does the Discipline have something special for funerals?"

"The Mages of the various countries will wear their regalia," he replied, "but I have none. I suppose I could borrow one of Ragnor's robes. He always used to twit me about being underdressed for grand occasions." He broke off-and put a hand up to his mouth as his eyes suddenly filled.

Marianna put a hand on his arm. "Wear what you like," she said softly. "With your reputation, you can wear anything that pleases you."

He put a hand over hers and pressed it gently. "I really must go and see Greylock," he said.

"Very well, but tomorrow you must come with me to pay our respects to Arabella. Promise?"

"I promise."

She went up on tiptoe and kissed him on the cheek.

"Do you think you can ever come to love me?" he asked.

"I've already told you that I love you," she said briskly. "If you're talking about s.e.x, it takes time after a baby, Jarrod. You must be patient with me."

He held her at arm's length and then enfolded her in a silent hug.

304 Greylock was ensconced in s.p.a.cious rooms on the ground floor of Magician's Court. The windows, as did all the windows in the Court, looked out on the Arch- mage's Tower, swathed now in a winding of black cloth.

The Mage was in a high-backed chair by the fire and, when Jarrod was shown in, the square face broke into a smile.

"I'm glad you're here," he said. "I wasn't sure when you were going to arrive."

Jarrod went over and touched palms. "If it hadn't been for Nastrus, we would have taken a great deal longer. As it is, we got here soon enough to get lodging that Marianna finds suitable to her station."

"Ah yes, you're a married man now, and a father?"

Jarrod grinned. "Yes indeed. A bonny little girl named Daria for her grandfather."

"Congratulations."

"Thank you, sir. I'd be honored it you would stand for her on my side at the naming ceremony."

"I should be delighted. In return I have a favor to ask of your wife."

"Name it."

"I should appreciate it if she would walk beside the unicorn in the procession. People a.s.sociate the unicorns with Ragnor and she was one of the discoverers."

"I'm sure that she would be more than willing, but"- Jarrod hesitated-"I think she would prefer it if the request came directly from you."

"No problem with that," Greylock said easily. "I'll dictate something this afternoon." He settled back in the chair and Jarrod knew that the small talk was over.

"Now, there's to be a meeting of the High Council tomorrow morning. Ragnor named me his successor be- fore he died. Arabella and Handrom were there when he did it, but the meeting is traditional. It takes a ma- jority to confirm me."

THE L-NICORN PEACE + 305.

"It will be a formality," Jarrod said confidently.

"Confirmation by acclaim.''

Greyiock sniffed. "Not necessarily. The Chief War- lock was on the scene before I was and he has been quietly campaigning to overturn the decision-or so my sources tell me. Sommas Handrom will vote for who- ever he thinks will do the most for the Collegium. I can expect support from Naxania, but Sumner is, after all, an Arundelian. So you see, it's not so simple."

"What possible reason could there be for setting aside Ragnor's express wishes?" Jarrod protested.

"Sumner claims that I am too old to perform strong Magic, should that be required. Says that the Discipline has been run by a figurehead for fifteen years and that it is time for more than a caretaker. There is. of course, some merit to that." Greylock spoke dryly.

"You can perform Magic if you want to, you know you can. You proved it at the demonstration on the Causeway."

"Not. it would seem, to the Chief Warlock's satisfac- tion."

"He wasn't even there," Jarrod said. "Besides, it doesn't matter what he thinks. He doesn't have the votes. If the worst came to the worst, the Council would split down the middle and Ragnor's wishes would pre- vail."

"That might be true if Naxania were here," Greylock said wearily. "Unfortunately our beloved Queen has seen fit to delay her departure."

"Ah, no doubt she sees herself casting the deciding vote and extracting a price for it." Jarrod looked at his mentor speculatively. "May I have your permission to get a chair?" he asked.

"Yes of course. I'm sorry." The smile was wan and perfunctory. "This business is making me forget my manners."