a duke and some old friends

[cellio]

June 22 (Sunday)

We met with the duke of Genathiel today. It went much better than I had feared.

We had come with some of Nithelin's special wine, which we shared with the duke. That set a proper mood, and before long he had brought out a box of exotic candies to share with us. His dancing girls were very talented, and it didn't take him long to call for some very decorative dancing boys once he realized I was a significant guest. I entertained him with small bits of magic here and there, and Turok made a flammbable impression when we had moved on to the stronger liquers. Seamus prepared me well in dealing with this most unusual duchy.

The duke expressed interest in knowing what had been happening in the empire in the last year; he said no one ever goes to Genathiel, so they get no news, but they had certainly noticed the changes. Their response to the poison in the land was unusual; they figured the end of the world might be at hand, and it would be a shame for things to end with unconsumed alcohol and fine foods, so... I apologized for the disappointing news that the world is now intact, and he said it's no problem -- parties do get old after a while, and people had neglected to prepare for the next year.

This led to a discussion of how the empire and Genathiel could work more closely together. While our food might not be up to their usual expectations, we can provide staples while they attend to their crops once again. The rest of the empire would, in exchange, welcome what they have to offer. I said I'd like to encourage travel; they should not feel that they are being neglected. The duke reassured me that they don't feel neglected; it was clear that he prefers to be left alone most of the time. But, that aside, it seems he would welcome some more interaction, so long as we don't scrutinize them too closely. I hastened to assure him that the private doings of the duchies are, well, private.

In the end he agreed to greate cooperation, and he acknowledged me as emperor, and he and his daughter (his heir) will come to Cardior for the coronation.

He asked me if the duke of Tergia is still Grigor. He mentioned something about renewing an old card game at -- after, he hastened to add, not during -- coronation.

On our way out he handed me a beautiful boquet of roses -- in congratulations, he said. It wasn't until we were back in Cardior that I discovered the note tucked inside, suggesting that if I have not yet produced an heir he would be honored to assist. I decided that the others didn't need to know about that; I can't have people beating up a duke so early in my reign.

Hrolf knew, he told me -- he said he saw him slip the note in while fetching drinks. And you didn't tell me, I asked? He rightly pointed out that no good would come of me knowing then. So why did he tell me this? Because, he said, he would not want me to think that he had been falling down on the job and not paying attention. The little guy really is protective of me, isn't he?

June 23 (Monday)

Today Hrolf, Tobin, and I visited Covanion. Colm was there when we walked into his inn, and he practically bounded across the room to greet us. That was pretty impressive with the crutches and all! We've spoken and written, but it has been a long time since we've seen each other.

He is doing well, and the inn is clearly a success. Even in the middle of the afternoon, when business is usually light, he had several customers, many of them regulars. They gathered around us quickly, as Colm had not been discreet in greeting us, and it didn't take long before more people began arriving. Before long the place was full and people were crowding the doorways.

So, Colm asked in front of 200 people in that way that only Colm can, how's business in Cardior? Snap decision: we're not even going to try to stay out of the spotlight here.

Nithelin soon arrived, providing a welcome distraction, and Prolix followed him in. Prolix made a point of telling stories of our adventures, though I don't remember him having quite the starring role that he told of. It seemed clear that many of the patrons had heard these stories before, but they still enjoyed hearing them. Or played along, perhaps fearing what a wizard could do if he gets upset. Whatever; Colm's patrons and Prolix and Nithelin seem to have worked out a certain routine, and enough people know, err, other versions of the stories that I'm willing to let Prolix have his fun.

I asked Prolix what urgent matter he and Nithelin were working on. Nithelin tried to explain but failed; when Prolix tried to explain that, well, there are really not four dimensions but six, and this changes everything, Nithelin shushed him quickly and said something about a presentation at the inter-duchy wizards' seminar. Fine, I said -- I could wait.

Eventually the gathering turned into more of a general party and Colm was able to pull me aside. He said that Lord Marius has been very good to him; I pointed out that he has done a remarkable job himself. The inn is clearly a success, and Colm and Marius have both said that it attracts the right sorts of people. Colm praised a few of his regulars in particular and suggested that I try to spend some time talking with them privately. It sounds like Turok might want to meet them too, so I suggested that Colm come early to Cardior and bring them with him. He said he couldn't possibly leave the inn for several days, but it wasn't hard to persuade him that others could run the place while he visits the palace. So he will come, probably, the day after tomorrow.

It was great to see Colm again. He isn't quite as gruff as I remember him being; I wonder which has changed, his nature or my perception. He said that I'm very different from the inexperienced spellcaster he helped get out of Shepford, which is certainly true. We've all grown a lot in the last year.

Colm was also pleased to see Tobin, and he wanted to hear all about the rat-kin in Shepford. Tobin told of some of his adventures between leaving Shepford and meeting up with us, some of which I had not previously heard. I think the folks in Colm's inn have developed a healthy respect for the rat-kin, which Tobin can take a lot of the credit for.