The Heavenly Host

As the archimage sat, Damien sat as well. “Well, thank you for this most unexpected invitation, Inquisitor.” His use of Damien’s alternate title indicated that he knew full well why he’d been invited for breakfast. Randolf looked around the balcony. “ I do not believe I have ever been to your quarters before. What a magnificent view of the city!”

“Thank you. To be fully honest, the fact that I had no idea that you had an archdemon in your employ may have contributed to my tardiness in entertaining you,” Damien said drily.

Randolf chuckled softly. “Surely you flatter me, Inquisitor. I myself had no idea I had an archdemon as an employee. While I appreciate the thought that I might be capable of commanding the service of an archdemon, I fear that, assuming Exador actually is an archdemon, I am but a dupe of his; as is, of course, the Council for admitting him as a member.”

“Obviously, although was it not you who recommended him?” Damien smiled and lifted a cup of tea to his lips.

Randolf chuckled again. “Not precisely. As I recall, this was about ten years before your tenure began and Lenamare was nominated, and given their rather high-pressure rivalry, it was almost obligatory that Exador also be nominated. There were many on the Council who thought it best to elevate both of them at the same time,” Randolf reminisced as he poured himself a cup of tea.

Damien nodded in concession. “Yes, I can certainly understand that logic.” He set his tea down and took a bite of sweet cake before continuing. “Yet, two years later you chose Exador to be Mage of Turelane over Lenamare. No thought of having co-mages?”

Randolf sighed. “It was a difficult choice. As we’ve seen, Lenamare is a truly exceptional wizard. However, there is no legal precedent for co-mages, and there is historical precedent for an Exador holding the title.”

“Your great-grandfather, I believe, created the title for him?” Damien enquired.

Randolf shrugged. “Well, this was not that long after the rather destructive events in Abancia. He felt that a solid alliance with the Exadors would be advantageous to Turelane.”

“Yes, that seems reasonable, given that it was that Exador’s father who toppled Abancia,” Damien noted taking another sip of tea.

“Exactly.”

“Or perhaps the same Exador, if he is an archdemon?” Damien asked.

Randolf nodded in acceptance of Damien’s point. “Of course, a rather convoluted ruse, since I can assure you that according to my own observance of the current Exador, and the accounts of others whom I trust, he does age and die, and he does produce heirs to succeed him.”

“Is it true,” Damien asked, setting his cup down, “that the Lady Exadors have particularly hard labors?”

Randolf chuckled. “I know the rumors — that they all mysteriously die in childbirth — but that’s not actually true.” He smiled. “At least not every time. It has happened that several of them have become pregnant quickly after marriage and then died in childbirth, and several others died within months due to delayed effects, vapors or something. However, the current Exador’s mother was alive until he was five years old.”

“So these men simply have a predisposition for wives with poor constitutions?” Damien asked.

“It would seem so; further, they all come from the other side of Norelon, from distant lands. Never from local nobility. To be perfectly candid, if I had a daughter, I would not marry her to Exador.”

“Even though he’s been your most trusted advisor?” Damien asked curiously.

“Even so.” Randolf took a long drink of tea.

“Well, fortunately, you have a son, yes?” Damien asked.

Randolf shrugged. “I have an heir with my wife, Lady Magret, and I have a bastard with an old friend of mine. I have acknowledged both.”

Damien nodded. “Ardashir, who is eleven, and Darien, who is seven.”

Randolf smiled. “Exactly.”

“I am unclear as to what your position is on Exador. Do you believe he is an archdemon?” Damien asked.

“I have known the man for a very long time, and dealt with him quite closely. I assure you, he has never manifested any demonic traits that I can detect. I have, in fact, seen him conjure and control demons of multiple orders. By every measure listed in the Council library that I have ever tested, he is not a demon. None of the normal traits apply. That being said, the number of demons in the palace would be very hard for a wizard of even Exador’s caliber to control. Further, this Ramses fellow is quite an anomaly. I know no more of him than you. As to the woman, I again have no idea.”

“Well.” Damien sat back, slightly surprised. That was the clearest answer he had ever heard from the Archimage of Turelane. “That was very...”

“Direct?” Randolf said with a smile.