Forest Kingdom Trilogy 1 - Blue Moon Rising

discuss.'
    'Like what?' said Blays. 'Our orders were to insult and isolate the King and sound out Prince Harald, and we've done that. Far as I'm concerned, the sooner we're out of here, the better. I don't like the company I'm keeping these days.'
    'We were also ordered to be discreet,' snapped Guillam, flushing slightly. 'Now, thanks to Bedivere's stupidity, the King is bound to go ahead with the drawing of the Curtana!'
    'He would have anyway,' said Blays.
    'Not necessarily! We might have talked him out of it.' Guillam shook his head in disgust. 'At least you kept your wits about you, Darius. If the King agrees to the Curtana's destruction, we might yet come out of this ahead.'
    'You really think the King will give up the Curtana?' asked Blays incredulously.
    'I don't know. Maybe. If we can keep this muscle-bound oaf on a leash, perhaps ...'
    'Oh, stop whining,' said Bedivere. Guillam spluttered wordlessly, outraged, and then Bedivere turned and looked at him. 'Be quiet,' said Bedivere, and Guillam was. The crimson glare burned openly in Bedivere's eyes, and Guillam could feel all colour draining from his face. His hands were trembling, and his mouth was very dry. Bedivere smiled coldly, and the madness faded slowly from his eyes, at least as much as it ever did.
    'You'll never come closer,' he said softly, and then he turned away from the shattered Landsgrave, and once again stared off into the distance at something only he could see.
    Darius studied the silently brooding warrior a moment, and then took his hand away from his poisoned dagger. He sighed quietly. Berserkers were all very well in battle, but there was no place for them in councils of war. When Darius had first been told of Sir Bedivere, having a Landsgrave who could double as an assassin had seemed like a good idea, but now he wasn't so sure. The man was clearly out of anyone's control, and once the rebellion was over, he'd have to go. Assuming Bedivere held together that long . . .
    'This meeting that Harald wants,' said Blays, breaking the awkward silence. 'Is it possible?'
    'I suppose so,' said Darius, 'but it's a hell of a risk. I don't like the idea of all of us gathered together in one place. If anyone should betray us . . .'
    'You can always post men-at-arms to see that we're not disturbed.'
    Darius sighed resignedly. 'Very well. But I still don't like it.'
    'You don't have to like it,' said Blays shortly. 'Just do it.'
    There was a slight pause.
    'Would anyone like a glass of wine?' asked Cecelia. Blays and Guillam shook their heads. Bedivere ignored her.
    'I suppose King John does have to die?' said Blays slowly, and everyone looked at him.
    'You know he does,' said Guillam. 'As long as he's alive, he's a knife at our throats. There'd always be someone plotting to put him back on the throne. He has to die.'
    'But if Harald ever suspects ...'
    'He won't,' said Darius. 'King John will be killed during the initial fighting, while Harald is occupied elsewhere. Bedivere will do it, in such a way as to throw suspicion on the Astrologer.'
    Bedivere stirred. 'Do I get to kill the Astrologer as well?'
    'We'll see,' said Darius, and Bedivere smiled briefly.
    'I've known John a good many years,' said Blays. 'He's not been a bad King, as Kings go.'
    'As far as our masters are concerned,' said Guillam, 'a good King is one who obeys the Barons.'
    'Times change,' said Blays sourly. 'And we change with them.' He shook his head, and slumped back in his chair.
    'John has to die,' said Guillam. 'It's for the best, in the long run.'
    'I know that,' said Blays. 'My loyalty is to Gold, as it has always been. By threatening to draw the Curtana, John threatens my master. I can't allow that.'
    'No more can any of us,' said Guillam.
    'It's a pity, though,' said Blays. 'I always liked John.'
    'He has to die,' said Darius, and there was enough bitterness in his voice that all three Landsgraves looked at him curiously.
    'What have you got against John?' asked Blays. 'Your fellow traitors I can understand, they're in it for the power, or the money, or a chance to settle old scores. But you . . .'
    'We're patriots,' said Darius coldly.
    Blays smiled. 'They might be, but you're not. You're in this for your own reasons.'
    'If I am,' said Darius, 'that's my business, not yours.'
    There was a ragged whisper of steel on leather as Bedivere swiftly drew his sword and set its point at Darius's throat.
    'You've been holding out on us,' said Blays, smiling unpleasantly. 'We can't