Indeed he does, Ambassador DEntre said. And he offers you a gift for your daughter in honor of the occasion.

What gift? Godwin asked.

The continued freedom of your kingdom, the ambassador said.

A gasp went around the room at that, but the king held up a hand. And no doubt King Ravin wishes something in return for this… gift.

It is customary for gifts to be met with gifts, the ambassador agreed.

Godwins attention was fully focused now. And what gift does my fellow king desire?

Merely that the Northern Kingdom recognize the truth: that it is, and has always been, a part of the greater kingdom ruled by the kings of the south.

Godwin heard the renewed gasp that went around the room. Presumably the people there understood what such a thing meant: subservience to the south. Maybe a few had even read enough history to understand the demand; after all, the Northern Kingdom and the Southern had once been one thing, ruled by the ones who joined with the dragons. That had been before the gouge that the Slate ran through had been carved, though, and lay lifetimes in the past.

And what exactly would that mean? he asked.

King Ravin would not interfere in your day-to-day affairs, as he has not to date, in spite of being the ruler of all lands. He would permit you to continue ruling on his behalf. You would, however, pay suitable tribute, in the form of half of all revenues that your royal person receives.

I see, King Godwin said. In the far corner of the room, he could see Rodry and his friends growing angry. His son was red in the face, as if he wanted to charge forward and cut the man down. King Godwin smiled. Regretfully, I must decline.

Then King Ravin has instructed me to inform you of the consequences of such an answer, Ambassador DEntre said, making it sound as if he genuinely did regret it. Should you refuse, King Ravin will be forced to march his armies north to retake the lands that rightfully belong to him.

King Godwin stood then, walking down to stand over the man. There is little room for them across the bridges; bridges that we will destroy the moment we see enemies. Unless your armies are remarkably strong swimmers, I think we have little to fear.

There is more to fear than you think, King Godwin.

Godwin saw Rodry start forward, but he held up a hand to stop him. This was his court, and this was not a moment for anger.

I am king in this place, he said, to both his son and the ambassador. The only king. Go and tell Ravin that. Tell him that his father made threats, and his father before him. They came to nothing, and neither will his.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN