by E G Manetti
“Katleen?” Lucius echoes, relieved that no one else knows of Lilian’s perjury. Neither the little girl nor the mother will betray Lilian, and they are not credible witnesses if compelled. Another thought quickly follows. “Andreas was at the school?”
“Aye, Monsignor. Did I fail to mention it? I beg pardon, it was not intentional.” Trevelyan, as with all competent retainers, edits his reports to include only those facts deemed most important. Occasionally, omitted facts become important.
Waving off Trevelyan’s apology, Lucius demands, “What else did you learn from Katleen?”
Having made the error of withholding what he thought pointless, Trevelyan will not err again. “Only that the Final Draught was Katleen’s only contact with Gariten. I knew he lived apart from the Seer, but not that it was so extreme.”
“Unusual,” Lucius agrees. His kinsman Marco lives apart from his spouse but regularly sees his daughter, Jenica. “Gariten resided on Socraide Prime and, according to Dean Joseph, had little interest in his family.”
“It was well for Lilian,” Trevelyan notes. “Her complete lack of involvement in Gariten’s affairs saved her.”
“True enough,” Lucius replies. “Anything else?”
Trevelyan hesitates and then mentally shrugs. We are formed from stellar glitter. Monsignor may make of this what he will. “They are Universe strummed, Monsignor, all three of those females. It is disquieting.”
“Explain yourself, Trevelyan. You make less sense than Lilian’s mother.” For the terse and pragmatic spymaster to speak thus raises disquiet in Lucius.
“To be ‘Universe strummed’ is a Universalist expression for having access to mysteries of the Universe not routinely available to mortals. It is similar to Shade-touched and Shade-ridden. It takes its form as a unique and exceptional talent.”
“Get to the point.”
“Monsignor is aware of Mistress Lilian’s exceptional abilities. Her ‘insights,’ as they are termed. Mistress Katleen is developing her own. She understood Andreas’ motivations at a level well beyond that of a precocious twelve-year-old. It is likely that the seer had something similar before her mind broke. To have the Universe strummed among us is regarded as a great boon. For those strummed, it is often hellishly uncomfortable.”
Lucius considers Trevelyan’s words, comparing them to Lucius’ own observations and Lilian’s revelations about her ‘insights.’ Lucius has come to accept that her level of prodigy surpasses definition. Returning to the beverage console, Lucius finds and pours a measure of single malt. “I know naught of mysticism. Lilian’s ‘insights’ are likely no more than extreme intelligence. As to the seer, Lilian is skeptical of her mother’s visions.”
“Is she?” Trevelyan questions and takes a sip of the smoky whiskey. He knows Lilian to be pragmatic, but he has also witnessed her spiritual devotion to Adelaide.
Demon shit. Lucius drops back into a comfortable chair and waves Trevelyan into one. Lucius is no more superstitious than Lilian. It does not serve to withhold information from Trevelyan. “Lilian is not completely dismissive of Helena’s visions. There was one occasion when they proved accurate.”
At Trevelyan’s raised eyebrows, Lucius shrugs and takes a swallow of the odd liquor that is smooth and sharp at the same time and surprisingly pleasing. Rather like his apprentice. “It was months ago. Lilian will be the first to voice it was probably random chance.”
Eager to move away from the uncomfortable topic, Lucius demands, “Should Katleen prove as precocious as Lilian, think you the Universalist school is a good place for the child?”
“As good as any in training mind and body to handle exceptional gifts. With the Universalists, Katleen will also be free from insult.” Trevelyan is as eager as Lucius to shift the conversation from the secrets of the Universe.
“Very well, thank you, Trevelyan,” Lucius acknowledges. Sipping single malt, Lucius turns his attention to the crimson line that temporarily separates the hills from the sky now that the sun is set.
“Monsignor?” Trevelyan leans back in his chair.
“Yes, Trevelyan?” Lucius absently strokes the rim of his glass, bracing for the next uncomfortable turn this conversation will take.
“Mistress Lilian would not have hesitated to follow through on her threats to Gariten. Those louts at the festival brawl, they had the Luck of the First that Mistress Lilian is constrained by her bond, did they not?”
“Yes, Trevelyan. Were Lilian not forbidden to slay others, at least two would not live.” Lucius raises his glass to Trevelyan in an unspoken toast.
A smile curls Trevelyan’s lips as he returns the gesture.
14. Crimes and Concealment
Within a Vistrite Crevasse, mining never ceases, indifferent to the movement of the sun, as are the thousands of miners and crevasse technicians who dwell there for sevendays and months at a time. They are not the only occupants of the mines. Where there are food stores, there are rodents. Miles beneath the surface, the crevasse-crawlers of the Third System have had millennia to adapt to the mines. The size of small terriers, the rodents are fast, vicious, and smart. While not pack hunters, they will swarm.
It is no easy matter to dwell in a Crevasse. The trade in decadents is persistent but, due to the diligence of the Serengeti militia, not extensive. Those with the inclination use the chemicals in depleted cutter canisters to find oblivion. These crevasse-wallowers mine only enough Vistrite to justify a place in the Crevasse and buy minimal food allotments. Extreme cases abandon mining and take up the practices of the crevasse-crawlers, subsisting on stolen food and garbage. If they are careless enough or impaired enough, crevasse-wallowers can fall prey to the swarming crevasse-crawlers. ~excerpt from The Vistrite Crevasse, Serengeti Archives.
Sevenday 59, Day 6
Released from all strictures but the first by milord’s urgent summons, Lilian sprints down the passage to milord’s suite, anticipation coursing through her. Tearing into the suite, Lilian barely notes that Mistress Marieth’s nod of acknowledgement lacks the raised eyebrow of censure that would normally greet Lilian’s unseemly pace. Crossing the scarlet threshold, Lilian’s hastens to the conference table where milord is seated with Seigneur Trevelyan, Rebecca at his back. At milord’s gesture, Lilian slips into her place standing behind milord, her eyes briefly locking with Rebecca’s blue ones in shared excitement.
It must be the traitor. Only news about the Cartel traitor could explain Lilian’s abrupt summons to a conference with milord and Seigneur Trevelyan. A year gone, Lilian discovered that someone was illicitly accessing Lucius’ personal files and communications. The security-privilege controls on the Cartel communications are formidable. Such an assault could only originate from within the Cartel. Unable to trace the source of the assault, Trevelyan had set traps to capture the traitor at the next attempt. The attempt never occurred.
Three months ago, Lilian discovered that the source of the assault was Angus Blackthorn, the preeminence of the Leonardo Society, and that his purpose was to join Bright Star. That the result was of benefit to Blooded Dagger and Serengeti is unimportant. It might have been otherwise. Traitors cannot go undiscovered and unpunished. For sevendays, Trevelyan’s operatives have examined the financials of Grey Spear and Serengeti associates looking for evidence of Monsignor Angus’ bribes to the Cartel traitor.
At milord’s nod, Trevelyan announces, “Shortly before and immediately after the breaches of Monsignor’s personal files, Mistress Ann Hunter received significant payments from accounts we have traced to Angus Blackthorn.”
Adelaide’s Thorn! Lilian loathed Ann, a malicious associate who was swept from the Cartel for incompetence with a push from Lilian and her friends. She never imagined Ann was the traitor.
“Socraide’s Sword!” milord explodes. “Grey Spear!”
Could Monsignor Sebastian be behind this? Lilian wonders as milord stalks to the windows. Certainly the despotic Grey Spear Preeminence has executed multiple intrigues to unde
rmine milord. But treason to the Cartel? It is difficult to imagine.
“As to that, Monsignor,” Trevelyan says, rising to face milord, “so far, there is no link to Monsignor Sebastian. We have only been able to connect the Hunter woman to the breaches.”
“Trevelyan, are you certain it was the Hunter woman?” Lucius prowls along the windows. The late-day sun is high and hot. A breeze ruffles the tops of the trees in the Garden Center, a harbinger of one of the brief, violent storms that arise during the dry season. “How is that an associate dismissed for incompetence possessed the skills to invade my personal files and leave so little evidence?”
Trevelyan leans against the back of the scarlet couch, watching his lord pace. “I am certain that Ann Hunter was on the receiving end of significant payments from Monsignor Angus at the times of the two incidents. I find it unlikely that she acted alone.”
At Trevelyan’s words, Lucius ceases to prowl and drops into a chair in the comfortable seating area, fingers steepled.
With a gesture toward Rebecca, Trevelyan continues, “Rebecca informs me that Ann Hunter was a sly one.”
As Trevelyan is speaking, Lilian moves quietly from the conference table to stand behind milord’s new position.
Trevelyan continues, “It was not that her work was inadequate. It was mostly that she did not execute the tasks. She operated by taking credit for others’ completed work and passing the blame for her incomplete efforts.”
“The little traitor was spending her time on other activities, such as breaching my security privilege,” Lucius snarls. “Find her.”
“As to that, milord,” Trevelyan straightens, “like Refinery Tech Simmons, the Hunter woman appears to have fallen into a Crevasse.”
“Simmons?” Lucius straightens and spears Trevelyan with his glance. “What possible connection could Simmons and the Desperation fraud have with Ann Hunter’s betrayal?”
“None, Monsignor,” Trevelyan admits with a shrug. “They are only similar in their ability to disappear.”
“Lilian, what think you?” Lucius half turns toward his apprentice. “Do you see a connection?”
“Happenstance only, milord,” Lilian responds slowly, reviewing her analyses and insights from the past months. “I am certain it was but chance that the damage left by Ann’s breaches sent us in search of Mister Simmons and fraud. Such sloppiness is consistent with what I know of Hunter’s work.”
Lilian will not give the traitor the respect of the title ‘Mistress.’ “Milord, I cannot imagine how a Grey Spear legalistics associate on Metricelli Prime could have a connection to a refinery tech on Desperation in the Sixth System.”
“Mistress Lilian is correct,” Trevelyan nods. “If there were a connection, we would have uncovered it when we investigated Hunter, if not Simmons.”
Lucius frowns at Trevelyan. “Two skilled workers disappear as soon we discover we wish to find them? Can it truly be a coincidence? Lilian, what think you?”
“Milord is correct that it appears an unlikely coincidence, but I can discern no pattern.” Lilian shrugs slightly. “Both were involved in crimes against the Cartel. Hiding does not seem remarkable.”
Lilian briefly wonders if she should voice aught about her consortium’s involvement in Ann’s dismissal and releases the notion as irrelevant.
“I like it not,” Lucius repeats before returning once again to Trevelyan. “What of Sebastian? How does it benefit him to have Angus in Bright Star?”
“As to that, Monsignor, if Monsignor Sebastian is involved, there is one possibility.” Trevelyan shifts his gaze to Rebecca and nods.
At Trevelyan’s gesture, Rebecca’s eyes widen, and her lips part in open surprise. At a slight lifting of Trevelyan’s chin, Rebecca quickly recalls her duty and once again presents the carefully neutral expression of a well-trained apprentice. After bowing obediently to Trevelyan, Rebecca turns to Lucius. “If Ann Hunter’s breaches of the monsignor’s personal logs were part of a larger Grey Spear intrigue, it may have been a test of Blooded Dagger security-privilege. Learning how to successfully breach the files was the goal, rather than the data.”
“Subtle,” Lucius murmurs. “That fits Sebastian. We know they did not get beyond those files, and even that avenue is now sealed.”
Rimon’s Rapier. He did not let me finish. Rebecca opens her mouth and then quickly snaps it closed. She has not been addressed.
“Have you something to add?” Lucius asks, his eyes narrowing. The woman is improving, but she remains woefully lacking in decorum.
“Yes, Monsignor. That is,” Rebecca hesitates, glancing quickly at Trevelyan. Her seigneur knows Rebecca’s thoughts on this. At Trevelyan’s nod, she continues, “Monsignor Sebastian didn’t hesitate to dismiss Ann Hunter. If she were part of such an intrigue, wouldn’t he—I mean, wouldn’t Monsignor Sebastian have found a way to keep her close, if not part of the Cartel?”
“Sebastian has sufficient holdings to find her a place.” Lucius frowns slightly even as he nods. None of Lucius’ agents would be allowed to wander free in similar circumstances. Rebecca is as clever as Trevelyan claims. “We know Sebastian is over-fond of those who flatter him, and his cartouche leaks like a sieve. It is possible his associates run their own independent intrigues.”
“As Monsignor voices,” Trevelyan concurs. “If we could connect Monsignor Sebastian to this business, he would lose his place in the Cartel. It seems too much risk for too little potential benefit. Commonplace greed on the part of an associate seems a far more likely explanation.”
“Lilian, have you aught?” Lucius turns to his apprentice.
“Milord, Ann Hunter was a conniving associate with more ambition than ability. It is very much in her character to act out of avarice in the belief she would not be caught.”
“Very well.” Lucius turns back to Trevelyan. “Other than finding Ann Hunter, what are your plans?”
Meeting Lucius’ eyes, Trevelyan states, “The considerable sums paid to Ann Hunter are less than the value of the stolen intelligence. From what I learned, it is unlikely that she failed to know the value of those breaches.”
“You believe she had a confederate?” Lucius’ eyes narrow.
“I believe so,” Trevelyan nods. “I am expanding the search of financial records of the Cartel associates to include spouses, siblings, and other close kin.”
“How long?” Lucius clips. The traitor that has been identified is out of his reach. Another is lurking somewhere within his Cartel. Lucius will not have it. They must be found and destroyed.
“This set of investigations will move more quickly.” Trevelyan smiles grimly. “We know when and how the funds were paid to Ann Hunter. We need only seek similar transactions.”
“A few sevendays, then.” Lucius smiles coldly.
“Mayhap, Monsignor.” Trevelyan is not ready to make such a commitment. “We will need to expand our investigation beyond associates with advanced archiving skills, since those were Ann Hunter’s skills.”
“She was a second-year associate,” Lucius remarks. “Most likely she was the junior member of this conspiracy.”
“Aye, Monsignor,” Trevelyan agrees. “Even though it is unlikely that Monsignor Sebastian had a hand in this, we will begin with Grey Spear, where Ann would have the most allies.”
“Begin with the seigneurs and master associates,” Lucius instructs. “The Hunter woman’s daring suggests she felt safe in someone’s shadow.”
“Yes, Monsignor. If we find naught, we will look to the Cartel and the other cartouches.”
Milord’s cold smile does not bode well for the confederate. Nor will Ann succeed in hiding for long. Milord’s retribution will far exceed anything Lilian could have contrived. It is unfortunate they did not discover Ann was the traitor before Lilian succeeded in getting her swept from the Cartel. In the end, it will make no difference. Milord will have his will of Ann, her confederate, and any who aided them.
Sevenday 59, Day 7
It
is an amazement to Lilian how binding her hair under an ugly purple scarf and adding some unbecoming dark glasses can make her disappear. With a cap covering Katleen’s curls and a little carefully applied garden dirt on her face, the redhead ceases to be. This minor camouflage would not deceive anyone expecting to see them, but in areas where they are not known, it has sufficed to keep them unrecognized.
Although it is cooler by the river than in the Garden Center, the late-morning heat is starting to drain the young girl, and Lilian is feeling worn. Halting Katleen’s race training, Lilian decides to test the need for continued camouflage. “What say you, Katleen? Shall we risk recognition and remove these head coverings? Should we be noticed, we will need to return home without our respite by the river.”
Winded from her exertions, Katleen pulls her cap from her head and tucks it in a tunic pocket, revealing hair matted and darkened with sweat. As the shoulder-length queue drops down, a few curls pull free, and droplets of sweat streak Katleen’s dirty face. In response, Lilian pulls the head scarf free, allowing her loosely tied braid of hair to drop down her back. Both retain their darkened glasses to shield them from the intense glare of the still-mounting sun.
Drinks in hand, Lilian and Katleen gratefully take shelter in the shade, where a slight river breeze stirs the oppressive air. The rains are slow in coming this year.
“Was the monsignor very angered with you, Lilian?” Katleen refers to Andreas Chiang’s visit.
Pulling her eyes from the river, Lilian turns to her sister. “Only a little. Less than I deserved.”
Milord continues to dictate her lingerie choices, but Lilian has come to the conclusion that milord is no longer displeased. He is simply enjoying the game. “Mostly the monsignor’s anger is with Andreas. Monsignor Lucius set Seigneur Trevelyan on Andreas. I do not believe Andreas will return until after my bond is proven.”
“So Seigneur Trevelyan voiced when I saw him at the school.” Katleen sighs in relief as she settles more comfortably against the bench.