Read Online Dwarven Ruby by Richard S. Tuttle - Free Book Online

Tedi.
    “It doesn’t,” confirmed Boris, “but we will claim that it does. That ship is from Kantor. We shall announce that a new government is reforming the old country of Cordonia. They only have to believe it for today.”
    “Why not just say we are from Kantor?” questioned Tedi.
    “Because Kantor is not large enough to matter to the Emperor,” explained Boris. “Cordonia, however, could pose a threat to the expansion of Hanchi’s empire. He will want to know why the new Cordonia has sent an emissary. Let’s go.”
    Master Khatama led the way off the pier and onto the wooden street. The dogs had dispersed, and the soldiers were returning to their posts. A pair of soldiers stopped Boris and Tedi.
    “Papers,” demanded one of the soldiers.
    Boris did not hand the pass to the soldier, but instead held it up in front of the soldier’s face.
    “Direct us to the Emperor’s Palace,” Boris said sternly. “Wait. Perhaps you should escort us. After that display of discipline with the dogs, I fear our safety is not as assured as we had been led to believe. Lead the way and make sure we get there safely.”
    “We do not escort people…,” one of the soldiers began.
    “Do not tell me what you do, or do not do,” scowled Master Khatama. “Are diplomatic visitors to your Emperor supposed to be subject to villains and bands of wild dogs? Must I start my meeting with the Emperor by complaining about his soldiers?”
    The second soldier leaned over and looked at the pass with a worried face. “We had no notice that you were coming, Ambassador,” he said apologetically. “Perhaps your ship arrived earlier than expected. Normally there are officers waiting for any arriving envoys. I shall escort you to the gates of the palace. I am afraid that I can take you no further though.”
    “Get me to the gates of the palace safely, and you have done your country a service,” nodded Boris.
    The first soldier shook his head in confusion, but he followed the second soldier’s lead and escorted the robed Cordonians to the gates of the Imperial Palace. The four men halted at the main gate to the palace and an officer stepped in front of them.
    “What is this?” questioned the officer.
    “Cordonian envoys, Sir,” replied the second soldier. “We thought it best to escort them here. I think the ship arrived early. There were no officers to greet them.”
    The officer nodded to the soldiers to dismiss them and then asked for the Cordonians’ papers. Boris held the pass in front of the officer’s face, as he had done with the soldier, but the officer took the pass and held out his hand towards Tedi. Tedi promptly handed his pass to the officer.
    “I do not recall hearing about the arrival of any envoys today,” remarked the officer. “I am always kept well-informed. Besides the fact that Cordonia ceased to exist with the Collapse, why should I believe that you should be admitted to see the Emperor?”
    “Because the Emperor has requested to see them,” declared another Lanoirian officer who had come up behind Boris and Tedi.
    The new officer pushed his way past Tedi and turned to look at Boris.
    “I had asked you not to reveal your documents to anyone,” the new officer said sternly. “There are precious few people in Lanoir that know about the new government up there.”
    Tedi was shocked to see that the new officer was Bin-lu. The Bin-lu he knew was meek and mild, but this Bin-lu was playing a dangerous game. Tedi’s hand gripped the staff tightly.
    “Who are you to interfere with the gate of the Imperial Palace?” questioned the first officer.
    Bin-lu spun around and glared at the officer. “Who are you to question the Emperor?” spat Bin-lu. “Nobody is supposed to know that these people are in Lanoir, and you are creating a spectacle on the main street of the city. Open the gates, and you and I shall go before the Emperor together. We both know how he handles incompetence. I am willing to place my life