Angus Wells - The Kingdoms 02 by The Usurper (v1.1) Page A

the parleys in the world, I’d not be overjoyed
to see barbarian tents encamped below my walls.”
                “Within the forest,” Brannoc said
quickly, confirming Kedryn’s suspicion that this was something the outlaw had
dreamed up with an eye to turning a personal profit, “a day’s ride from either
fort. A packhorse’s ride—less for cavalry.”
                “I could accept that,” Rycol
allowed.
                “It would also provide an
opportunity to renew peace promises,” Darr added, “though organization would be
necessary, and my Lords Rycol and Fengrif are doubtless busy enough tending
their forts, so we should need a trustworthy administrator.”
                “One familiar with the forest folk,”
Kedryn said, no longer able to contain himself. “A man who speaks their
language and knows their ways. One they trust and who can be trusted by us. Is
there such a man?”
                Brannoc cleared his throat.
                “Who else?” asked Bedyr,
understanding his son’s drift.
                “Whom do you suggest?” wondered
Jarl.
                Kedryn heard Rycol bark laughter and
say, “I nominate Brannoc.”
                “I?” responded the wolf’s-head with
transparent surprise.
                “You,” Rycol chuckled, echoed by
Bedyr. “You have, after all, the advantage of familiarity with such dealings.”
                “Do you agree?” Darr asked, and
Kedryn heard the lords voice their assent.
                “And you, my friend?” the king
queried. “Would you undertake such an appointment?”
                “I am honored by your trust,” Brannoc
said modestly. “It would behoove me ill to refuse.”
                “We had best give you a suitable
title then,” the king decided, his own voice betraying laughter. “One to match
so elevated a position. ”
                “Warden of the Forest ?” suggested Kedryn.
                “Excellent!” Darr applauded.
“Brannoc, from henceforth you are our Warden of the Forest . I shall have my scribes draw up official
documents, and we shall announce your appointment at the parley. ”
                “I am overwhelmed,” the newly
appointed Warden declared. “Though such responsibility weighs heavy I shall
administer my duties loyally. Whatever they may be.”
                “You will, of course, keep the
commanders of both High and Low Forts informed of your activities,” the king
decided, “though I am sure you will receive every assistance.”
                “I look forward to working closely
with my Lord Rycol,” Brannoc said solemnly, and Kedryn wondered what expression
that produced on the chatelain’s stem features, for it had not been so long ago
that he had advocated hanging Brannoc for the very activities now rendered
legal. It was strange, he thought, how the world turned.
                “Am I to provide funding for this?”
asked Rycol in a carefully controlled voice.
                “I feel we may safely leave our new
Warden with that task,” Darr said. “Some tithe on the merchants perhaps?”
                “A true freebooter,” Brannoc
murmured.
                “There is much of that in the duties
of a king,” Darr retorted, chuckling. “And now may we assume these matters
settled?” There was general agreement, followed by a scraping of chairs as the
assembly rose. Bedyr turned to Kedryn, saying, “I would speak with the king,
shall I see you in your chambers?” and Kedryn nodded, feeling Tepshen Lahl’s
hand upon his arm as he stood up.
                He realized that Brannoc stood close
by from the woodsmoke odor of the wolf’s-head’s leathers and murmured, “Your
purse will doubtless gain weight from this,