It had been a few months since Roland had been to Amber and he had taken up his usual position a the pillar in the back of he throne room. He was watching and listening to the bustle of daily activity. He focused on King Corwin quite frequently.
"He does not look well," he mumbled to himself. "The Corwin of old could recover from anything. He was an unstoppable force. So much has changed."
The King was definitely paler than the last time. And he looked tired. He also seemed to lean heavily on the arms of the throne when talking to Queen Dara. She, on the other hand, looked marvelous. Roland decided not to follow that line of thought.
He nodded to Mordred and Gerard when they entered, two of the few people he is even marginally cordial with, and continued to ignore everyone else. As a small mousy man approached him from behind, Roland shifted his ax to his shoulder but otherwise did nothing to betray that he knew the man was there.
"I said no, Sigmund," stated Roland with out even turning around.
"Y-you misunderstand my presence, Lord Roland," stammered the Head of the Jewelers Guild, "I merely wanted to inform you that Mollin Gengrich is going to demand to speak with you."
"And who is Mollin Genrich?"
"H-he is the h-head of the Consumers Guild. It is the guild that c-controls all the other guilds. With the exception of the Artificers Guild of course..."
Roland let out a low grumbling growl and Siggy flinched.
"What does he want?"
"H-he wants you to o-open up Evermoor to his t-trade franchise. He is willing to offer quite a bit of g-gold and give you deals with all of the merchants in the city."
"His petty desires are going to get him killed."
"I know my Lord, but h-he will not listen to us." Siggy stuttered, " He will not even believe his own people who s-say they cannot even find Evermoor nor does he believe the survivors of those who actually made it and returned. And.... H-here he comes now."
Roland followed Siggy's trembling finger and saw a tall man of fair complexion and hair. He was dressed in mauve robes of fine silk and was covered in golden jewelry. He appeared arrogant and haughty and blown up by his own self-importance. He was striding over with a malicious look in his eyes to where Roland stood.
"Here, hold this."
Siggy let out and 'eep' as he found himself holding Y'Geseth for a second time. Thankfully, what Master Genrich wanted to say was not that important because he never got to say it. As soon as he opened his mouth to demand Roland open up Evermoor he was struck full in the face by one of Roland's massive fists.
As Mollin lay there, unconscious, Roland took back his ax from Siggy and strode from the throne room. As he left, he stated in his rumbling voice:
"I said NO."