Great Queen Rylla was going over the requisition forms for the Royal Granary, when she heard a knock at the study door. Her lady-in-waiting Lady Eutare entered with a curtsy, "Your Majesty, Prince Phrames requests an audience. I know it's late, but he has just arrived from Tarr-Beshta!"
Rylla welcomed the interruption from the endless order writing that her husband had set in motion with his invention of paper. She longed for the days when her father gave orders and they were simply carried out, or not, and a courtier informed them of the problem.
She was definitely curious as to what had brought Phrames all the way from Beshta. Had Captain-General Phidestros finally begun to take the Royal Harphaxi Army-a polite term for the half-ragged gaggle of Harphaxi misfits and youngest sons, who had survived the Battle Chothros Heights-outside the gates of Harphax City?
Before her gods-sent-husband, had arrived to save the small princedom of Hostigos from its enemies, Prince Phrames had been her betrothed. Their marriage had been arranged at childhood; it had not been a bad match. They had always been good friends; although, admittedly, Rylla had never felt the magnetic attraction to Phrames she had felt instantly toward her husband. Somehow-and she was sure it was due to Phrames' good heart-they'd remained friends, even after her marriage. On several occasions she had introduced him to good marital prospects, but he never seemed interested. Until he met Lady Eutare-she wondered if his real reason for traveling to Hostigos was an assignation.
"My Queen," Prince Phrames said, after bowing. Rylla was displeased to see the hard fatigue lines that clawed his long face. His clothes were still travel stained, and it appeared he had not even bothered to shake the dust from his cloak.
From his appearance alone, Rylla knew that this trip had nothing to do with the Lady Eutare. "Phrames, what's wrong? Have the Harphaxi threatened Our borders?"
The Prince shook his head no.
"Let me get you something to drink. She picked up a flask of Ermut's Best and filled a silver goblet.
Prince Phrames took a small sip of the brandy. "Thank you, My Queen."
Rylla waited while he sat down in a high-back chair. Phrames looked as uncomfortable as he appeared exhausted. She decided to wait him out; he would speak in his own time.
"How is Princess Demia?"
"Very well, although she is trying to stand. Walking will be next. There will be no peace in Tarr-Hostigos once the Princess has learned to walk. She does miss her father."
"Of that, I am certain. How does our Great King fare in his war against the nomads?"
"His last letter is over a moon half old, but at that time Kalvan formed an alliance with Nestros to join forces against the nomad horde. The price of that alliance was high; Nestros requested as his boon his recognition as Great King of Rathon. Kalvan believes this is a good thing, as it will both bind himself to Our interests and make him an immediate enemy of Styphon's House. I do not know if they have yet fought the nomad horde."
Prince Phrames nodded, as if distracted.
Rylla rubbed her hands briskly. "Phrames, please get to the point. You did not ride for a day and a half to discuss the state of the Royal nursery!"
"No, Your Majesty, as usual you are right. I came as soon as I learned by courier of your decision to start a war against Phaxos. I believe you are making a grave error."
Rylla felt her blood begin to boil and took into consideration both Phrames' fatigue and their long-standing friendship before she answered. "I am not starting a war, but answering an insult made to the Throne of Hos-Hostigos by Prince Araxes, when that son-of-a-she-wolf reneged on his pledge to join the Great Kingdom of Hos-Hostigos. And, then added insult to injury, by attacking the Royal Foundry wagon train in Nostor territory almost a moon half ago!"
"Yes, that was truly a despicable act, by a man who knows no honor. However, your attack upon Araxes is not just an attack upon the Princedom of Phaxos, but an attack on the sovereign territory of Hos-Harphax." Phrames voice raised in volume, "This act of war against Phaxos could lead to a declaration of war by Prince Lysandros and open warfare between our two Kingdoms; an event that your husband went to great lengths to ensure would not happen."
For the first time in their long association, Rylla felt the sting of Phrames' temper. She did not like it. What had happened to her old friends and 'uncles?' First, her father had become lost in grief after his terrible beating at Grand Master Soton's hands on the battlefield at Tenabra. Prince Ptosphes was almost a stranger to her now; she had to take care with her every word or watch as he suffered from the demons set loose by that battle. Next it was 'Uncle' Xentos who had renounced his homeland to gain influence and leadership with the Council of Dralm. Now, her oldest girlhood friend was lecturing her like her husband did when he disapproved of her actions.
"Phrames, I am not the young girl you used to scold when she entered the tilt yard. I am Great Queen and it is my decision-in my husband's absence-to punish the transgression of Prince Araxes. And punish them I will, with or without your blessing."
She could see Phrames forcibly restrain his tongue. "Queen Rylla, you are entering deeper waters than you know. And I mean no disrespect! However, if you continue with these plans to invade Phaxos you will be doing Styphon's work-"
"How dare you! Prince Sarrask has given me his undivided support. I had certainly expected more, if not the same, from my oldest friend."
"Please, stay calm. This is not an issue of friendship, but statesmanship."
"Ahhh. It's because I am a woman-"
"No. You misjudge me. This is an event that is beyond you and me, and even the Great Kingdom of Hos-Hostigos. It affects all Six Kingdoms and the balance between overlord and subject. Hos-Hostigos is under great scrutiny for many reasons. Still, many nobles in Hos-Agrys, Hos-Zygros and even Hos-Harphax support our position; they do not want to become subject states-even by proxy-of Styphon's House. However, neither do they want to become pawns or chattel of Hos-Hostigos. They want things to continue on as they always have. In this, they are sorely mistaken; for, sooner or later, all will either have to choose between Styphon or Dralm and suffer the consequences. But it will not help our cause to make them decide now. Let Styphon's House grow more bold or desperate and the lords will form lines to become allies of Hos-Hostigos."
"You sound like my husband! You are both too soft. All honorable rulers will understand why I punish Araxes. I want them to learn that when they offer alliance to our Kingdom it is not a decision that can be lightly turned away from, as circumstances dictate. We are not Styphon's House, to offer false idols and temple slave farms. They know this and if they do not join in Our cause they will suffer the error of their ways. Araxes has humiliated Us and he will pay for his folly!"
"You might consider that there are few honorable rulers in the Great Kingdoms."
"Then let them fear Us! Are you with me, or against me, Prince Phrames?"
Phrames stepped aback. "With you, of course, My Queen. I was only offering you the benefits of knowledge I gained from my close association to the border princedoms of Hos-Harphax. I am in no position to dictate Royal policy."
"Good. Now, tell me how many men you can spare from your border castles. Sarrask and I have already raised eight thousand men, but we can use more in case Phidestros takes exception to our campaign."
Phrames face paled. "Since Beshta is far closer to Harphax City than Phaxos, it would be more useful to have the Beshtan Army waiting in reserve should any punitive force be led out of Tarr-Harphax."
"There is wisdom in your words. After the false-prince Araxes has been punished, maybe we will meet you outside the walls of Harphax City,
Prince Phrames." Rylla pretended not to notice the shudder than ran down Phrames body. Why are the men I care most about so afraid of getting their hands dirty? Rylla wondered. This time, however, she had the upper hand. Kalvan, old Chartiphon and her father were hundreds of miles away, and Xentos was no longer Chancellor of Hostigos. She would get her way, and when the dust settled they would see how she had done the right thing-regardless of cost.