Outside the shuttered windows of the Great Hall of Tarr-Hostigos, Kalvan knew that it was a dazzling bright winter day without a breath of wind disturbing last night's freshly fallen snow. It was also cold enough to perform a traditional form of surgery on brass monkeys.
Inside the Great Hall, both fireplaces were blazing and charcoal braziers stood in every corner and to either side of the two thrones. Candles and rush tapers added their flames to both heat and the light. It was still nothing that Kalvan would have called warm in either English or Zarthani, but at least he could hope to refrain from undignified gestures such as stamping his feet or blowing on his fingers.
The Royal Herald at the head of the stairs blew on his trumpet with more enthusiasm than talent. His companion carrying the double-headed copper poleax that accompanied each Great King at official functions raised his voice.
"Baron Menephranos, envoy of Prince Araxes of Phaxos, craves audience with the Great King of Hos-Hostigos."
Baron Menephranos stepped into the Audience Chamber followed by an attendant carrying four scrolls in a silver tray and flanked by two efficient looking bodyguards in the black and green livery of Phaxos. The guards fell back as the Baron strode forward, stopping halfway to the throne to bow until Kalvan waved him forward.
Menephranos was a tall, gangling young man who was almost certainly older than he looked, which was about eighteen. Kalvan found it hard to be optimistic about Prince Araxes' allegiance; the Baron wasn't the sort of negotiator he would have sent on serious business. It did quell his worries about Menephranos being a double agent.
Menephranos approached the royal throne, bowed again, and handed the first scroll to Kalvan. He inspected it to make certain that Chancellor Xentos' seal was on it along with Prince Araxes', signifying that the Chancellor had read it and found satisfactory. After a cursory inspection of the Duke's credentials, he handed the scroll to Rylla.
In the normal course of events, Rylla would have handed them back to Xentos, but the old Highpriest of Dralm was in bed with a nasty cold that might turn into pneumonia if neglected. Kalvan and Rylla had forbidden him to attend the audience. Rylla had added that if he continued arguing she would tie him to the bed, put sleeping draughts in his wine and, if all else failed, shoot him in the foot. The latter threat was probably a joke, but with Rylla you could never be sure.
"Baron Menephranos," Kalvan said, "It is Our understanding that your lord, Prince Araxes of Phaxos, has some considerable matter he wishes to lay before us. Let Us hope it is one that will lead to good relations between the Great Throne of Hos-Hostigos and him. We have suffered no injury at his hands, nor have We given him any that We are aware of." Araxes' example had undoubtedly encouraged other Princely waverers to refuse their allegiance to Kalvan, which counted as an injury on anybody's book but why not be tactful?
"The Great King speaks the truth," Menephranos said. His voice was also older than his face, a fine baritone that seemed too strong to come from such narrow chest. "It is my Prince's message that he must refuse his allegiance to the Throne of Hos-Hostigos, and that he does out of this out of no enmity to the man proclaimed Great King Kalvan I, but out of a greater concern for his own nobles and people."
Menephranos picked up the second parchment, ignoring the general hostile muttering that had begun when he had used the word "proclaimed." He went down on both knees to Kalvan, who saw that the parchment was sealed with both Araxes' seal and that of the High Chancellery at Balph, seat of Styphon's Voice and of the Inner Circle.
Kalvan described the seal and waited for another round of muttering to die down, before speaking, "We have long been curious as to what plots against the True Gods, and those who honor them, the Arch-Deceivers of False Styphon have hatched in their sty in Balph. Now, perhaps, we shall know more than we have; if so Prince Araxes may have Our gratitude, although We do not as of yet have his allegiance."
Kalvan drew his dagger and slit the seal. The scroll had two sheets: one was a short letter from Araxes that restated in more flowery language what Menephranos had already said about the Prince's refusal of allegiance; the second was heralded First Edict of Balph. Kalvan skimmed the Edict, heard Rylla muttering under her breath and realized his face must be showing too much. He pulled it straight, finished reading the Edict, then cleared his throat and began reciting it aloud.