«The Steppemen, on the other hand, live in the saddle. Put a thousand of them ashore in Saram, mount them on captured horses, and they would keep ten thousand of the Emperor's soldiers busy chasing them. Before they were caught they could slaughter and burn along a hundred miles of coast. A few such raids, and not even Kul-Nam's executioners could keep his people from fleeing inland.
«Then the pirates will have nothing to fear from the fleet of Saram. They will swing to the east, ravaging the coasts of the Five Kingdoms. Parine stands in their path, and it will be among the first to feel their attack. Blade, this alliance is the greatest danger to my people since the great war with Saram a century ago!»
Blade frowned. The situation certainly seemed as grim as the princess said. But there was a possibility she hadn't mentioned, one fast taking shape in the back of his mind. It was a wild and desperate idea, but so was the situation.
It was also an idea there was no point in putting into words yet. It would be useless without the cooperation of Prince Durouman, and the prince was nowhere in sight yet. Even when he arrived, it would probably take many hours of persuasive argument before he would agree to such a gamble. Blade did not blame him. The prince sounded like a statesman who disliked gambles that would kill others. But what else was there to do-wait while the Steppemen and the pirates of Nongai forged an axe and brought it down on the necks of everyone within their reach?
So keep silent, and wait for Prince Durouman.
Good luck and a brisk wind brought the prince's galley into the harbor of Parine only two days later. The whole island was still buzzing with excitement and growing alarm over the news from the north.
Prince Durouman was followed off his galley by some thirty guards, all in anonymous green liveries, all bristling with weapons and armor. They were obviously alert, tough, and superbly trained fighting men.
«You have strengthened your bodyguard since last you came,» said Princess Tarassa politely.
Prince Durouman nodded. He was a well built and alert-looking man just under six feet tall, with a darkly tanned skin and an even darker brown beard. The hair on his head was thinning, although he could not have been more than thirty. In ten years he would probably be as bald as Kul-Nam. He did not look as if he would have many of the Emperor's other qualities.
The prince looked around to make sure that no one but his own guards were within easy hearing. Then he grimaced. «I dislike giving the impression of so great a fear for my own skin. But I have no choice. Kul-Nam seems to be striking out more wildly at his enemies than ever before. If he can afford to send an army and a fleet against the pirates, why can't he afford a few assassins to put an end to me? I decided I could not afford to leave him an easy path.»
«That you have not,» said Blade, looking at the guards again. Any assassin who tried for the prince would be very lucky to get through them. He would be even luckier to get out again.
There was something else in Durouman's words, something Blade didn't understand. An Imperial fleet and army going against the pirates? This was something new. Here was no place to talk of it, either.
Princess Tarassa was playing the gracious hostess now. «Prince Durouman, Prince Blade. He has traveled here from a distant land called England. On the way he has seen and heard much that will be of great interest to you.»
«Indeed?» said Prince Durouman. Blade half-expected him to add, «There is no such land as England.» That seemed to be a popular answer in this Dimension.
Instead, Prince Durouman bowed deeply and gracefully, hand over his heart. «It is a pleasure to meet a man who has traveled far and seen much, and whom I see to be in the favor of Princess Tarassa. She is a woman of good judgment and high wisdom.»
«Indeed she is,» said Blade.
The princess had the grace to blush slightly at this spray of compliments. She put one hand on the shoulder of each man and smiled. «It is time we sought another place, to dine and speak more of what I think concerns all three of us.»
They were able to talk freely during a lavish dinner in the keep because the regular servants were replaced by Prince Durouman's guards. After the last plates were cleared away and the last wine jugs brought in, even they were sent away.
«You spoke of a fleet and army that Kul-Nam sends against the pirates,» said Blade.
«I did, and he does,» said Durouman, grimacing and setting his wine cup down. «He has assembled nearly two hundred ships, armed sailing ships, war galleys, and merchant vessels. As for the army, no one knows how many soldiers he has put aboard the ships. Many thousands, certainly, including most of the Corps of Eunuchs.»
«He means to grind the pirates like a miller grinding grain, then,» said the princess. «Where does he get the sailors to man all the ships?»
«He does his best,» said Durouman. «He has even pardoned the men of the other galley that escaped from Admiral Sukar's little disaster.»
Blade shook his head. «I imagine that grieves His Magnificence terribly. A perfect excuse to dip his hands in blood, and he cannot afford to indulge himself!» He sat up and his voice and face both turned sober. He sensed the time was at hand to spring his proposal. «What are the pirates saying and doing against this menace hanging over them?»
«No one seems to know,» said the prince. «The alliance with the Steppemen can only help them if the Steppeman launch an attack on the borders of Saram. The Steppemen have no ships, and horses cannot swim that well.» He sipped more wine. «If the pirates have any sense, they are frightened.»
Blade's face split apart in a broad smile. Now was his moment. «I quite agree. They are probably terrified. In that terror lies a great opportunity for us.» Both Tarassa and Durouman looked at him. «Yes. We can approach the pirates and sign an alliance with them.»
Prince Durouman's mouth fell open. «You're mad!»
Blade shook his head. «Perhaps. But not as mad as I'd be if I proposed we just sit here and let the pirates and the Steppemen work out their alliance.»
«I-«the prince began, then sighed. «Very well. I may be as mad as you are, but I shall listen.»
Blade outlined his proposal quickly, reducing it to a series of points:
The pirates faced a deadly threat from Kul-Nam's fleet and army.
They would be afraid and perhaps willing to ally themselves with anyone who could help them against the Empire.
The Steppemen could not help them.
Prince Durouman could help them. The Five Sea Kingdoms could help them even more.
Prince Durouman exploded indignantly at the idea. «You are mad, Blade,» he growled. «The king would never support any plan that might involve him in war with Saram. He would break off my marriage to Princess Varra, dismiss me from his service, and perhaps take my fortune and even my head.»
Princess Tarassa was looking skeptical. «That may be true of the King of Nullar, Durouman. We all know that he is weak. But what of the other four kingdoms? Can you be sure that all of them will hold back?»
«No.»
«And if one joins you and the pirates, will not the others hasten to join, in order not to be left out?»
«I suppose so.»
«Then Blade is making sense and you are not. Let him go on. «
Blade grinned. «The princess has said half of what I had yet to say. Consider. You sail to the islands of Nongai and propose an alliance to the pirates. With even one or two of the Five Kingdoms on their side, they will have enough men and ships to make a strong defense. With four or five, they may very well win.»
«Perhaps,» said Durouman. «Then what?»
«Isn't it obvious?» said Blade, his smile broadening. «Then you become Emperor of Saram.»