That was shortly after dawn. By noon the council of the Sea Kings was assembled in the throne room with Rold at their head and Emer, who had refused to stay behind in Khondor.
They sat around a long table. Ywain occupied the throne and Carse stood apart from all of them. His face was stern and very weary and there was in it still a hint of strangeness.
He said with finality, “There need be no war now. The Serpent is gone and without its power Sark can no longer oppress her neighbors. The subject cities, like Jekkara and Valkis, will be freed. The empire of Sark is no more.”
Ironbeard leaped to his feet, crying fiercely. “Then now is our chance to destroy Sark forever!”
Others of the Sea Kings rose, Thorn of Tarak loud among them, shouting their assent. Ywain’s hand tightened upon her sword.
Carse stepped forward, his eyes blazing. “I say there will be peace! Must I call upon Rhiannon to enforce my word?”
They quieted, awed by that threat, and Rold bade them sit and hold their tongues.
“There has been enough of fighting and bloodshed,” he told them sternly. “And for the future we can meet Sark on equal terms. I am Lord of Khondor and I say that Khondor will make peace!”
Caught between Carse’s threat and Rold’s decision the Sea Kings one by one agreed. Then Emer spoke. “The slaves must all be freed—human and Halfling alike.”
Carse nodded. “It will be done.”