The Crown Of Yensupov (Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

he’s traveling. Still, I have confidence that he’ll succeed in his objective and bring more to Neuyokkasin than you can fathom.”
    Eleatsubetsvyertsin noted the wizard’s intense expression, his violet eyes bright. Even she knew better than to argue when the sorcerer had such an intense stare.
    “Come with us to the council chamber.” She rose and led Augusteros and her wizard to the room behind the throne room. When the door closed, she continued.
    “What of Crown Prince Augusteros?” the queen asked. “How shall we convince him to return? We summoned him home from Powteros months ago, but he refuses to return. It would be a diplomatic disaster to have to ask the Emperor of Powteros to force our own crown prince to return home. Either Augusteros doesn’t want the responsibility of ruling here, or he aspires to rule in Imperial Powteros.”
    “To be frank, Your Majesty, I fear Crown Prince Augusteros would be better left at the Powterosian court. He’s too ineffectual to govern this, the largest state on the peninsula. Under his rule, the kingdom would collapse into warring states within a year ending the dynasty.”
    “You’re bold, wizard.”
    Eleatsubetsvyertsin sat down at the head of the council table. The prince consort stood behind her, putting his hand on her shoulder. The queen put her hand on his, but held her gaze on Memlatec.
    “Your Majesty asked for my counsel. May I continue?”
    “Yes, yes, continue.”
    “Augusteros insists on remaining in the imperial capital. If Prince Saxthor returns in time, request, perhaps insist, Crown Prince Augusteros renounce his claim to the throne in favor of Prince Saxthor. If you must expedite it, have Crown Prince Augusteros renounce in favor of Prince Consort Augusteros, to rule for his son Prince Saxthor should anything happen to Your Majesty. For the present, do nothing and hope Prince Saxthor returns in time to make this unnecessary.”
    “We shall consider all you have said, Memlatec.” The queen looked up at the prince consort. “You must know we value your counsel above all others, but this has been unexpected and troubling.”
    “I’m honored, Majesty.”
    *
    Memlatec bowed, backed out of the chamber and turned down the hall. The guards weren’t at the doors.
    Has the queen sent them on some errand so our conversation wouldn’t be overheard, he thought. There are no guards in the hallway or at the door at the far end. That’s odd. She wouldn’t have sent them all on errands.
    Memlatec turned back to the queen’s audience chamber and knocked.
    “Enter.”
    “Your Majesty, excuse my intrusion. I was leaving and wondered why you dismissed all your guards?”
    “Don’t be ridiculous. Why would we dismiss the guards, we’ve servants close enough if we need assistance.”
    After her last words trailed off, she looked up wide-eyed at Memlatec. Memlatec was equally alarmed. He checked the side door, but it was locked. He moved to the queen’s ornate council chair.
    “Will your majesties withdraw behind this chair? Summon a lady-in-waiting.”
    When the courtier didn’t respond, Memlatec rang the bell pull for a servant, but again no one came.
    “Your Highness,” Memlatec said to the Prince Consort, “would you help me move these council chairs from around the walls to block movement within the room?” The prince and Memlatec immediately began moving the heavy mahogany chairs in a checkerboard pattern on either side of the council table. They put pairs of chairs together in front of the monarch’s. “An intruder won't be able to tell where the queen is.”
    Memlatec went to the window’s edge and peeked out to see if there were any guards training in the courtyard. Whoever arranged to have the area around the council chamber cleared knows the palace and the queen’s activities, he thought. He grabbed pen and paper.
    “Majesty, please write ‘Come at once to the private audience chamber.’ She wrote and signed it. Memlatec opened the