of the Wolffolk, has made alliance and equal partnership with the Vampire King and Queen, yes. And as long as the interests of our two peoples continue to follow the same paths, the agreement will no doubt survive.”
Thirrin searched for the right words as she gazed around the hall and tried not to be overwhelmed by the fact that the entire future of the Icemark was relying on her and on how she conducted herself over the next few days. But at last she managed to thrust aside her fears and said, “I would imagine that your allies will know of the new alliance between the Wolffolk and the Icemark?”
“Oh yes. And King Grishmak has been smoothing the way for your mission to Their Vampiric Majesties. They expect you tomorrow night in the throne room of the Blood Palace.”
Diplomacy, Thirrin was coming to realize, meant that at times you showed delighted surprise at things you already knew, so she stood to thank the Baroness for her King’s efforts. “May the sacred moon forever shine on the pelt of His Majesty Grishmak Blood-drinker,” she said, using the correct werewolf blessing for such occasions. “If I do not have the pleasure of meeting His Royal Mightiness before I leave his lands, please convey my thanks to him for arranging the meeting between myself and the Vampire King and Queen. Truly it was the work of genius that could overcome the animosity of centuries and secure such agreement from Their Vampiric Majesties.”
“King Grishmak is mighty in all things,” the Baroness stated loyally. “But you will be able to convey your thanks in person, as His Majesty will be at the Blood Palace tomorrow night to help plead your case.”
Thirrin thought only criminals had to “plead a case,” but she smiled her gratitude and chewed her steak as she practiced the new skill of keeping her thoughts to herself.
Oskan, who’d been listening carefully, licked his fingers clean in the werewolf way and then asked, “Are there any … indications of how exactly the Vampires view our coming visit?”
“I’m told they’re intrigued and curious to meet the new Queen of the Icemark,” the Baroness answered. Then lowering her voice, she leaned forward and said, “You’d do well to be as interesting and as lively as you can be. Being undead is a terrible burden, I’m told; the years drag on and on with nothing really new to interest you. Can you imagine living forever with no hope of a quiet death, no hope of a gentle release from the effort of life?”
“Unless someone puts a stake through your heart, beheads you, or burns you to a crisp,” Oskan pointed out.
“Well, yes, there are those options, I suppose,” the Baroness admitted. “But those are hardly quiet deaths, and the knowledge that only a violent end will release them from life must add to the burden of their immortality.”
“I suppose it must, “ Oskan agreed. “So, we should be lively and interesting to help relieve their boredom, is that it?”
“It would be to your advantage to do so. You’re more likely to get an agreement from them if they find you entertaining.”
“You make us sound like a traveling company of actors, or children who are expected to amuse their grandparents,” said Thirrin curtly. The trauma of the day with its cold and blizzards was beginning to catch up with her, and her diplomatic skills were starting to slip.
“Well, children you virtually are, even by the years of your own kind,” the Baroness snapped. And then, remembering herself, she added, “Though no child has ever achieved such skills in battle or such political maturity. But remember, even the oldest mortal being is a child beside the Vampire King and Queen. They are ancient. Man and woman they may once have been, but how long ago and of what race, even they have forgotten.”
“So, basically, you’re telling us to show respect and help them through another wearisome day,” said Oskan.
“Yes. Respect is always to be recommended when dealing with a foreign power, and especially so when you’re in need of their help,” the Baroness answered pointedly. “I say all of this with the greatest respect to yourselves, of course. We all of us need help at times. The trick is to make that clear to the Vampire King and Queen.”
Thirrin and Oskan both nodded as they accepted this advice, and then by some unspoken mutual agreement they changed the subject to the safer areas of family lineage and the