Transgressions

by E G Manetti

  At Vicenza’s wave, Lilian turns toward the fountain where he and Clarice are seated, a carafe of wine and small bites between them. Pulling up a vacant chair, Lilian sits as close as she can to the next table where two Grey Spear associates are determinedly discussing the latest scandal among the junior seigneurs at the Ayres Coalition. With huffs of annoyance, they abandon their seats to avoid Lilian’s tainted presence. The occupants of the other nearby tables shrug and return to their conversations. Lucius Mercio’s tainted doxy is barely noteworthy with the Grey Spear Preeminence at judgement.

  As Vicenza and Lilian push the two tables together, Douglas and Tabitha arrive, taking the former Grey Spear seats. There are no unoccupied chairs. When Rebecca arrives, someone will need to perch on the fountain’s edge.

  “I have naught new,” Lilian says to Douglas and the others. “Master Nickolas and I spent the day on Bright Star.”

  “Nor have I,” Douglas admits.

  Clarice and Vicenza shrug. They have naught.

  “Let us wait for Rebecca.” Tabitha fills her glass. By prearrangement, information is not shared without a full group to avoid repetition.

  A few moments later, Rebecca dances up with another carafe and more small bites. “I bought. I get a chair.”

  With a laugh and a bow, Douglas yields his seat to perch on the fountain edge. As he does, he fills his glass to the brim from Rebecca’s carafe. “What have you?”

  Tabitha nods at Rebecca, indicating she should begin.

  “It goes as expected.” Rebecca grins back at Douglas. Taking the vacant chair, she continues, “Demitrov appeared in person before the judgement and confirmed that Monsignor Sebastian is neck-deep in the whole affair. It was quite a spectacle—Monsignor Sebastian went into a tirade condemning Demitrov as a traitor and no better than his decadents-addicted weakling of a brother, though I understand that the language used was much fouler. Seigneur Trevelyan would not repeat it.”

  “Well, that should do it for evidence and testimony,” Clarice states. “They will spend tomorrow deliberating, but they cannot fail to find them guilty of Crimes Against the Cartel. By Sixth Day, the new preeminence of Grey Spear will be named.”

  “Not yet,” Tabitha interrupts, selecting a small bite. “After Monsignor Sebastian’s outburst and Demitrov’s testimony, they have petitioned Sinead’s Shrine for a Disordered Mind ruling.”

  “Think you it will prove?” Vicenza asks curiously.

  “Probably,” Lilian answers. “Monsignor Sebastian is highly placed among Sinead’s devoted and will undoubtedly provide significant shrine offerings in return for his care.”

  “The Grey Spear seigneurs will embrace it,” Douglas adds. “A Shade Ridden Preeminence cannot be permitted, but such a ruling will do much less damage to Grey Spear prestige than criminal findings.”

  “Speaking of which,” Vicenza interrupts, “Douglas, what say you? Will it be Seigneur Hercules for the new preeminence?”

  More than Sebastian Mehta’s madness, it is the question that is the most discussed in the Cartel.

  “That is the most likely case, although Seigneur Damocles is making a determined bid.” At his friends’ shocked gasps, Douglas continues, “It is not as outrageous as one might think. Security-privilege is one of Serengeti’s most important functions. He has familiarity with all aspects of Grey Spear and Serengeti and is well known within Grey Spear. His advocacy for Monsignor Sebastian and Seigneur Garwynn has him at the forefront of the seigneurs’ awareness. And, particularly among the younger seigneurs, Seigneur Hercules is viewed as a bit stodgy.”

  “Monsignor Lucius considers Seigneur Hercules thoughtful and reasoned,” Lilian interjects, catching Douglas’s eye. “Such would be a pleasant change from the erratic and irritable manner of Monsignor Sebastian. What thinks Seigneur Aristides?”

  “My seigneur concurs with Monsignor Lucius.” Douglas smiles and nods at Lilian. “He already paints stodgy as reliable. I believe thoughtful and reasoned are good additions.”

  “Then Seigneur Hercules is all but confirmed,” Vicenza remarks. “There are few in the Twelve Systems who are Seigneur Aristides’ match in manipulating opinion.”

  “I would it were so simple,” Douglas returns soberly. “Seigneur Damocles has several strong supporters who already believe it in their best interests that he be confirmed. More than manipulation may be needed.”

  With his last remark, Douglas sends a pointed glance at Lilian. She has already voiced Lucius Mercio’s will in this. Perhaps some aid may be had.

  Lilian exchanges a long glance with Rebecca, and they both turn to Tabitha. They cannot reveal that Damocles helped Sebastian Mehta use powerful commercial advantage for spite against an apprentice without exposing Seigneur Nemilis to scandal, and by association, Blooded Dagger.

  Reaching into the plate of small bites, Tabitha says, “Seigneur Trevelyan is remarkably resourceful.”

  “And Monsignor Lucius is remarkably clever.” Lilian’s lips curl gently. She does not know how milord and Trevelyan will accomplish it, but they will find a way to give Aristides the evidence of Damocles’ complicity in the Gil affair without risking Blooded Dagger. Looking over at Douglas, she notes, “After all, Blooded Dagger did outmaneuver Monsignor Horatio over the Mercium vote last dry season.”

  “Yes, they did.” Douglas sits up sharply. He well remembers how Blooded Dagger used the evidence of Horatio’s poor commerce judgement to manipulate that vote.

  While Vicenza and Tabitha look on in confusion, Rebecca’s frown turns to a grin. “I believe we can be sure a means will be discovered.”

  At Lilian’s confirming nod, Douglas’ grin matches Rebecca. ‘Discover a means’ is an irreverent term for the Apprentice Protocol. Rebecca and Lilian have all but promised that Blooded Dagger can and will aid Aristides in defeating Damocles’ bid for preeminence.

  Knowing they can discuss the matter no further, Douglas turns the topic. “What of Demitrov and his family?”

  “Demitrov and Benedict have been severed from the Blooded Dagger Cartouche,” Lilian declares. “Their property is forfeit. They go to serve in the plantations on Sparta. I do not expect either will care for the work of fertilizing.”

  Lilian makes no attempt to hide her satisfaction at the outcome. She is also certain that Seigneur Trevelyan is correct. If Demitrov knows the location of the missing Laser Sting, a season mired in filth will shake free the information. After that, while Trevelyan has not spoken it, Lilian does not expect Demitrov will survive for long.

  “I did not realize Benedict was a Blooded Dagger retainer,” Clarice puts in.

  “He’s not,” Tabitha replies, “but he is deeply in debt to the decadents dealers and Odds Managers. He can join Demitrov in the filth or trust to their mercy. He chose fertilizer.”

  “What of Demitrov’s family?” Vicenza inquires.

  It is common practice to rid the cartouche of all near kin of a traitor, even should there be no evidence of involvement. Blood ties equate to loyalty. In such circumstances, only the lowest and most menial positions will be available.

  “There is a sister and a cousin who held associate positions within Blooded Dagger interests. Those positions are forfeit,” Lilian responds. “The sister will join the militia force Seigneur Thorvald is establishing for the Mercium plant on Troy. The cousin will go to Troy as well and work at the foundry. What other kin there is either already labors in common positions or is not within the Cartouche.”

  “Monsignor Lucius is unusually magnanimous,” Vicenza cannot help but remark.

  Shrugging, Lilian responds, “Troy is remote. It makes it difficult to acquire skilled labor. Why toss aside what can be useful to the Cartouche? They will be watched. It is not as though they directly offended Monsignor.”

  “Unusual forbearance,” Clarice notes. “I would have thought Monsignor Lucius more vengeful.”

  Lilian quickly searches for a rebuttable. It will not serve to have it suggested that milord shows comp
assion to his enemies. “Monsignor is sufficiently vengeful when warranted. Seigneur Solomon succeeded in locating the refinery tech who stole the Laser Sting and gave it to Grey Spear.”

  “That was Monsignor Lucius’ design?” Rebecca chimes in. “I thought it Seigneur Solomon’s work.”

  “Seigneur Solomon had a voice in it,” Lilian allows.

  “Well, tell us!” Douglas demands. “What of the tech?”

  “Scouring the sanitation conduits in the Great Crevasse is foul and dangerous work.” Lilian gives a cool look, twirling her wine glass. “Very few survive five years. The tech has been sentenced to ten.”

  “Now that sounds like Monsignor Lucius.” Douglas nods. “Which makes me ask, what is to be the outcome of Martin’s Third System protocol review?”

  In response to the question, Lilian’s face becomes stoic. The results were not as she would have wished. “The fines will be heavy, and there is to be a public caning with the minimal sentence of ten strokes.”

  “Ten strokes?” Douglas challenges. “That’s it? He assaulted Monsignor Lucius’ conservator. I would have expected twenty, if not thirty.”

  With a wry grimace, Lilian explains, “With the Disordered Mind judgement pending against Sebastian Mehta, Martin’s father convinced Grey Spear and the Third System judges that Martin was under duress. The heavy fines for Martin’s assault on Lucius’ conservator are to be paid partly from Grey Spear coffers and not strictly by Martin’s family. Martin will return to his father’s operations in the Seventh System.”

  “He’s not to be severed from his cartouche and banished from his home?” Clarice interjects. Warriors who bring this level of shame to their cartouche are usually shunned.

  “As to that,” Lilian’s lips tighten, “Martin’s father is the preeminence of a cadet branch of Grey Spear, and his textile interests are outside the sphere of Serengeti. He has a place for Martin, and none can challenge it since Martin retains his cartouche affiliation.”

  “Pity that,” Rebecca comments. “Any number of weavers, cutters, and tailors are going to endure that crevasse-crawler’s viciousness.”

  “Does he continue his malicious ways on Sedona, mayhap someone will push him into a textile press,” Douglas suggests with a relish that indicates he would not hesitate to do so, given the opportunity.

  Sevenday 87, Day 6

  It is a rare event for Lucius to find two-thirds of his seigneurs present in Crevasse City. The last occasion was a decade gone, when they convened to reorganize after the defeat of the pirates. For the past sevenday, the Serengeti Garden Center Guesthouse has been given over to the visiting seigneurs of the Cartel. It infuriates Lucius that the elegant facility is sealed to Serengeti security-privilege but not to Blooded Dagger security-privilege.

  His is preeminence of Serengeti. Cartel and Cartouche security-privilege should be synonymous. It will not be so until Lucius succeeds in replacing Damocles with Trevelyan. Until that much-anticipated date, Lucius’ mansion is the most secure Blooded Dagger facility on the planet. The elegant reception salons have been opened into one large, cotillion-sized chamber. It is filled with forty-one of his seigneurs, their master associates, and their protégés. All told, over one hundred of the Cartouche elite are gathered together at second bell past midday.

  At Estella’s signal, servitors circle the chamber, providing light appropriate for those who will continue to labor at commerce until sixth bell. After sixth bell, those spouses and consorts who are within the city will join the throng, and the event will turn to entertainment. Estella is well pleased. It will provide a valuable opportunity for her children to engage with those who will one day owe them loyalty.

  Lucius has proven prescient once again. Sebastian has been retired, and Monsignor Hercules has taken up his duties behind the bronze door. That Lucius’ prescience was aided by a quiet drink between Marco and Aristides on Third Day is known only to a few. To disqualify Damocles, Aristides needed only a snippet from one of Lucius’ private monitor records.

  Lucius’ voice speaks, “Corruption of Serengeti justice is treason. I believe you agree, Sebastian?”

  “Damocles, what have you done?” Sebastian’s voice holds shock and sorrow.

  “Monsignor, I regret I did not inform you of my plans,” Damocles returns earnestly. “With Monsignor Lucius absent the Cartel, I could not be certain my judgement would prove.”

  “What say you, Damocles?” Sebastian inquires, eager hope in every syllable.

  Damocles explains, “Monsignor Lucius, we discovered that Master Gil was enamored of the Blooded Dagger Media Management Seigneur, Nemilis, and self-slaughtered in despair. Had it become known, the scandal would have damaged the Cartel. An apprentice can be corrected without drawing notice. I sought only to protect Cartel honor.”

  “You indict a Blooded Dagger seigneur?” Trevelyan interjects coldly.

  “Not directly, no,” Damocles admits with a heavy sigh. “I am certain she did naught to encourage Master Gil’s unnatural attachment.”

  Naught in the recording could be used against Blooded Dagger or Nemilis without exposing Grey Spear’s malice and corruption of Cartel justice, but it was proof that Damocles helped Sebastian waste a potentially powerful commerce weapon for personal spite. Presented to Damocles’ three strongest supporters, it turned the vote to Hercules.

  Seigneur Garwynn has returned to Serengeti and Grey Spear, but he is no longer the Serengeti Financials Seigneur. With the agreement of Monsignors Elenora and Hercules, that position belongs to Blooded Dagger and Seigneur Hadrian. It is not all Lucius wills, but for the moment, it is enough.

  Damocles, you are next. With that thought, Lucius turns his attention to pressing matters of the Cartouche. Among those affairs are the expansion and increased security-privilege of Blooded Dagger operations on Fortuna, the only habitable body in the Fourth System and the construction site for the SEV1.

  32. A New Season

  After three centuries of strife, history pivoted on the point of a blade. Would the balance tip to Order or Anarchy? Societal advancement or annihilation? Marauders bedeviled all Three Systems while mighty warlords battled for supremacy. In the First System, Socraide Omsted was supreme; in the Second, Rimon Ben Claude. Both weighed the conquest of the Third System against the risk of leaving their realms vulnerable to each other. In the Third System, Jonathan Metricelli worked tirelessly to fortify his Vistrite holdings.

  Versions vary and each Sect prefers its own perspective. All concur that what tipped the balance from Anarchy to Order was a man’s desire for a woman. Socraide Omsted became enamored of Adelaide Warleader, Jonathan Metricelli’s chief retainer and possibly his consort. Eager to detach Adelaide from Jonathan, Socraide engaged his ally, Mulan Tsao, to negotiate on his behalf.

  How the next series of events unfolded is shrouded in the mists of time, but the result is certain. Not only did Socraide and Mulan negotiate with Jonathan, they included Sinead. At that eventful meeting, a contract was formed. The four warlords would cease to use military conquest to fulfill their ambitions. Instead, they would advance their designs through negotiation and treaty. It was Mulan Tsao, the Third Warrior, who provided the framework for the new order with a charter derived from the advanced society of the Ancients. Later known as the Code of Engagement, it is the cornerstone of the Order of the Five Warriors. ~excerpt from The Origins of the Five Warriors, a scholarly treatise.

  Sevenday 87, Day 7

  “Adelaide’s Thorn!” For the third time, the utility tool slips off the bolt and nearly out of Lilian’s hand. Flailing in the harness, Lilian dangles four stories above the stone courtyard, desperately juggling the tool back into her grasp.

  Shades’ Grace. Gripping the tool firmly, Lilian swings back to the side of the house. Grabbing the control mechanism for the courtyard covers, she braces her feet against the wall by the open fourth-storey window. Before the ruin, the secondary mechanisms inside the fourth-storey chambers were well maintained, and servan
ts routinely opened and closed the covers during the rainy season. Now, only the primary mechanism is maintained, and it is used only twice each year, first to close the covers with the rains and then to open them when the rains depart.

  The first bolt came loose without protest. The second is stuck. Tucking the tool into her apron, Lilian feels around inside her pocket until she identifies the cylinder of metal lubricant. Once thoroughly doused, the recalcitrant bolt yields to the tool.

  Securing the tool, Lilian wipes her sweaty forehead with the back of her hand. The area under the eaves is stuffy and warm, increasingly so as the weather improves. Opening the covers opens the house to the prevailing breeze, as well as the sun. Grasping the control mechanism, Lilian prays the counterweight system has not deteriorated during the months of the rainy season. To Lilian’s relief, the wheel turns without protest. Three turns later and there is a two-foot gap in the covers over the central courtyard. Eighteen feet to go. With each turn, more light and air enters the long-enclosed house, lifting Lilian’s spirits with the gloom.

  “Lilian!” Katleen races into the courtyard, the stole of her acolyte vestments flying behind her. Skidding to a halt, Katleen glances around the sunlit courtyard and then up to where Lilian is hanging in the harness.

  “Katleen,” Lilian calls down, “I am almost done. Change for your race training, and I will meet you in the kitchen.”

  “Hurry, Lilian!” Katleen calls back. “Wait until you hear what happened at the shrine!”

  As soon as Katleen disappears into the interior of the house, Lilian returns her attention to the courtyard covers. Within minutes the covers are fully furled and the mechanism once again secured with the bolts. Task complete, Lilian swings her feet up and through the open window, landing on the dusty floor of the empty chamber that once served as storage. Minutes later she is in the kitchen swallowing cold water as Gloribelle looks up at her hopefully.