[Fordim Hedgethistle]

With the departure of his friend, much of the life went out of the conversation for Faroz. He spoke idly with the women and Korak for a few minutes more, but ever his mind drifted away from where they sat upon the balcony, following Ashnaz through the corridors toward Gjeelea and Siamak. In just over an hour, the King would have to bathe and go to the great hall where he would hear petitions throughout the afternoon. His mind ached at the thought of these, and he longed for a time of respite before they began. For a while he was able to speak with the others about this god of the West, Melkor, but soon he excused himself. Rising, the Ladies Hababa and Arshalous bowed and took their leave, but Korak lingered for a moment. As soon as the Ladies had disappeared, the oaf began. “Majesty. I do not wish to demand, but I must ask when the marriage between myself and your daughter might take place. She is of age now, and I have waited many years.”

Faroz’s eyes narrowed. “Is there any reason for haste, Korak?” In private, he did not bother with pleasantries and formalities. Korak knew the King’s opinion of him.

Korak looked like a child who thought he was being very sly. “The people are beginning to wonder if you are sincere in your desire that we be wed, Khamul. I am afraid that if we remain unmarried very much longer, it will send a dangerous signal to those who oppose the match.”

“You will have your marriage in good time, Korak. I am not about to die any time soon.” Unspoken was the idea that delaying the marriage of his daughter to this man was, at least in part, an extra piece of insurance against his own untimely demise. He motioned for the Lord to depart, but Korak resisted.

“Khamul,” he said again, this time almost wheedling. “I must insist. I fear that if I am not married to Gjeelea soon, I will be forced to conclude only that you no longer intend to honour our…arrangement. I would hate to think that…”

Faroz fought down the desire to call the guards and have the fool thrown into chains. Fighting through the rage in his throat he said. “All right, Korak, you have my permission to speak to my daughter of this. You and she shall together settle upon a date at your earliest convenience. And now, I must rest.” Korak grinned like a dog just handed a large portion of meat. Bowing low he departed in a wave of self-satisfaction.

The King scowled at the wall and thought once more of how much he would like a misfortune to befall the oaf, and as before his mind went immediately to his friend and the Ring. He longed to speak with Ashnaz and take counsel with him – or, at the very least, to be in his company. An idea flashed into his mind, and almost as quickly as the thought itself he acted. Slipping his hand beneath his clothes his finger found the Ring and he put it on. As before, he felt suddenly much more solid in a shadowy world, but he was prepared this time and was not so disoriented as he had been last night. Moving quickly and quietly he left his chambers and stalked the corridors of the Palace. He passed several people, but his soft slippers made no noise, and if they noticed him at all, it was only as a chill beneath their skin.

Finding his son’s apartments, he entered as softly as the wind, and was thankful that none was nearby to see the door quietly opening and closing on its own. He followed the sound of voices and came upon Ashnaz and his children in conference. “The reasons for my Lord Annatar’s request are many, Prince Siamak. Your kingdom is rich in many crops and works of hand that are unknown in the West. My King and his friends would like to sample these goods. To do this, however, we must establish trade and, more importantly, a reliable trade route. This will require time and effort on both our parts. And there are other things to be gained by congress between our realms. Pashtia is well known for its art and philosophy – is it not a mark of wisdom that such knowledge can be exchanged? You may find that we in the West have lore of our own worth the knowing. But beyond all these considerations is the one that my Lord holds most dear, and it is the one I told you all but yesterday when I arrived. Is it not wise, in an uncertain world such as ours, to have as many friends as we can?”