Bright Star

by E G Manetti

  Taking in the chamber at a glance, Lilian assesses the moods; milord is hunting? Marco and Rachelle seem pleased. Solomon reveals naught. Elenora is watchful, Kemeha and Herman equally so. Sebastian is angered and Garwynn is indifferent? Surely not. Damocles is . . . He is hungry? Repressing the chill caused by the security-privilege seigneur, Lilian quickly notes the synthetics projections displayed on the reviewer.

  I am the sum of my ancestors. Without a word, Lilian takes her place behind milord’s left shoulder.

  “Lilian, Seigneur Garwynn has some questions about the models. Answer as he instructs.” Milord’s voice is quiet, emotionless, bored. Bored?

  “Yes, milord. Seigneur Garwynn, what is required?” Cool, even tones. Breathe. Answer. Do not volunteer. I am the foundation of my family.

  “Let us begin with the demand curve. What data sources did you employ?” Garwynn’s regard is intent and impersonal.

  “A number of historic data samples ranging from fifty to three hundred years.” Lilian pauses and turns to milord. “Milord, it will be more efficient to demonstrate than to explain. With milord’s permission?”

  At milord’s nod, Lilian leaves his side in order to display her slate to Garwynn.

  Lucius is pleased. Lilian has accurately assessed the situation and determined the most effective path to resolution.

  As Lilian displays her slate to the financials seigneur, there proceeds a rapid discussion of sample strength, constants, variables, and derivative curves. At Garwynn’s request, Lilian changes some of the variables and constants. The impact on the end results is negligible or positive. After thirty minutes, Garwynn puts aside his slate and regards Lilian dispassionately. “You have used a very conservative approach.”

  “Yes, Seigneur,” Lilian acknowledges.

  “Why have you failed to project for the drop in Vistrite consumption in the primary systems when the synthetic is introduced?” Garwynn interrogates, harshness entering his tone at the oversight.

  Monsignor Sebastian, whose glower deepened as it appeared the forecasts would not be discredited, straightens with anticipation.

  Lilian glances at milord for permission and then responds to Garwynn. “I did so, initially. Monsignor Lucius instructed me to remove it. During the forecasted period, the synthetic will only be available in the underdeveloped systems. I did calculate the impact of the inevitable smuggling, but it was so minor that Monsignor Lucius had me remove it. I retained the calculations, should the seigneur wish to evaluate them.”

  It is a cartel. They cannot be compelled to serve a market or set any particular price for a product.

  Garwynn nods, satisfied. “The forecast is reasonable. I will require some time to understand the cost projections and other details, but they are of secondary consideration. Should they prove less conservative than the demand profile, the overall benefit remains considerable.”

  As Garwynn has been speaking, Lilian has returned to her place at milord’s left shoulder.

  Before Sebastian can respond to Garwynn, Elenora speaks. “Monsignor Lucius, this is a remarkable venture. I move we proceed with all diligence.”

  “However, I am not convinced. It requires a unanimous decision for Serengeti to launch a venture of this magnitude.” Sebastian is smug in his recalcitrance.

  Lilian can almost feel the anticipation radiating from milord. Whatever Sebastian’s intent, milord is prepared to counter it. What is interesting is Garwynn’s response to Sebastian’s spite. The seigneur is excited?

  “Sebastian,” Milord’s voice is dangerously silky. “I believe you misunderstand the situation. If Serengeti does not choose to exploit this opportunity, Blooded Dagger will find other partners for the manufacture and distribution of the synthetic.”

  “You cannot! The Cartel Agreement forbids it.” Sebastian is eager. Any attempt by milord to violate the Cartel Agreement will unseat him from preeminence.

  Milord’s voice tightens. The silk contains an edge of steel. “The Cartel Agreement is specific to Vistrite. The substance under discussion is Mercium. All patents, technology, and commerce rights for the synthetic to be known as Mercium belong to Blooded Dagger. I would prefer the cartel to participate, as the rewards will be greater, but I do not require it.”

  There is a pause as the chamber waits for Sebastian’s response. Lucius, Marco, Rachelle, and Solomon are relaxed and confident. Elenora, Herman, and Kemeha are tense, expectant. They do not want to lose this opportunity to Sebastian’s rivalry with Lucius. Garwynn is almost humming with excitement while Damocles remains impassive.

  For a moment, Lilian believes that the Grey Spear preeminence will allow his vanity and spite to dominate his commerce judgment. In the end, Sebastian capitulates with an ill-tempered “Fine, fine. Let us proceed with the Mercium. Are we done here?”

  Dismissed by milord while the governors’ meeting completes, Lilian taps out a cryptic alert to Tabitha warning the other apprentice to expect a foul temper from her monsignor.

  »◊«

  “Right, Elysia, turn it to the right!” Raphael is shouting from the terrace that separates Lucius’ mansion from the gardens. Handing his satchel and jacket to Sabri, Lucius follows the shouts.

  “Too fast!” Raphael cries out. “Slow it down!”

  Picking up his pace, suspicion turning to certainty, Lucius exits the house in time to witness Elysia ineptly pilot Raphael’s new speeder through a flower bed and into a green hedge, where the dense brush holds it captive, wheels spinning. As Elysia ineffectively attempts to reverse course, Raphael races forward and grabs the controls, cutting the power. As Lucius advances, he can hear Raphael complain, “I never should have agreed to this. If you have damaged the speeder, Father will not be pleased.”

  “I will be even less pleased if Elysia has sustained damage,” Lucius corrects his eldest. “What derangement has possessed you, Raphael? Elysia is two years shy of eligibility for a speeder.”

  Yielding the speeder to her brother, Elysia turns a pleading countenance to Lucius. “Please, Papa, do not be angered. It was only here on the terrace and at the slowest speed. I so wished to try it.”

  “You were well above the slowest speed when you hit that hedge,” Lucius states.

  Suddenly fascinated with the terrace stonework, Elysia whispers, “I slipped.”

  “And then you were fearful and panicked,” Lucius adds softly.

  “No, Papa!” Elysia raises an indignant countenance. “Raphael started yelling. It distracted me and before I knew it, there was the hedge. I was never fearful!”

  For a moment, Elysia is so very like an outraged Estella that Lucius cannot speak. With a small groan, he pulls her into his arms. “Of course you were not frightened, only distracted.”

  Looking over Elysia’s golden head, Lucius turns his attention to Raphael, who is carefully inspecting every inch of the speeder he has freed from the hedge. Under the weight of his father’s gaze, Raphael releases his beloved vehicle and comes to attention.

  “Raphael, what say you?” His father’s tone holds a dangerous thread of silk.

  With a sigh, Raphael acknowledges, “I erred, Father. I should not have agreed. I do not know how she does it, but Elysia can convince me that the most outrageous ideas are sane.”

  At a slight sound from Elysia, Lucius releases her in time to catch a brief smirk. She is well aware that she should not have teased Raphael into this error and is pleased by her ability to do so.

  Considering both his children, Lucius thinks for a moment. “Raphael, for the next three sevendays, you are confined to the house except for your studies and forbidden entertainment, including the speeder.”

  As Raphael starts to protest, Lucius holds up his hand. “I doubt it will teach you wisdom, but you will be less readily beguiled by Elysia the next time she wishes something demon devised.”

  At Raphael’s morose nod of acceptance, Lucius turns to his daughter, who is regarding him with wide eyes and tightly laced fingers. She is the picture
of repentance and dread. Lucius believes it not. He frowns down. “As for you, young woman, it is ill done to take advantage of a brother’s love. For the next three sevendays, you will tend to Raphael’s speeder, washing and polishing it until it sparkles.”

  Mouth dropping open in preparation for protest, Elysia is forestalled as Lucius continues, “You will enjoy no entertainments each day until you have executed this duty, or you will be forbidden all entertainment for the next three sevendays. Am I clear?”

  Wisely, Elysia’s open mouth utters, “Yes, Father.”

  Sevenday 42, Day 3

  “Is there aught else?” Lucius is relaxed, enjoying his view of Lilian’s lovely legs beyond his ebony desk. He continues to savor the success of the prior day’s governors’ meeting.

  Between Bright Star and Mercium, Lucius has cemented Elenora’s loyalty. While he cannot expect her agreement on all matters, on the routine ones, she will not trouble to question him. Dealing with Sebastian is an ongoing trial, but the end to that is in sight. Lilian is looking delectable. He will enjoy peeling her down to silver silk and lace at midday. He should ask her what she thought of the governors’ meeting. As it happens, Lilian introduces the topic.

  “Yes, milord, may I be permitted to know? Would milord truly have done it? Taken Mercium from the Cartel?” Lilian was very impressed by that threat. She had not anticipated such an eventuality.

  “It would not have been necessary. That I could was sufficient. Had Monsignor Sebastian failed to agree to such an extraordinarily beneficial proposition, he would have been forced from the Cartel’s governors’ council and replaced with someone with better commerce judgment. He would have lost his place as preeminence of Grey Spear as well.”

  With milord’s words, Lilian sees a glimmer of an answer to another question from the previous day’s meeting. “Milord, if Monsignor Sebastian were unseated, is Seigneur Garwynn the most likely successor to Grey Spear preeminence?”

  “Yes, why ask you that?” Lucius is intrigued. He had not expected Lilian to be so sophisticated in her understanding of Serengeti governing politics.

  “Seigneur Garwynn was disappointed at the result of the meeting. I could not understand why.” Garwynn wishes to be governor. Will that please milord?

  “What makes you say so?” Lucius is now fully intent on Lilian’s words.

  “Seigneur Garwynn presents an unremarkable demeanor, particularly when Monsignor Sebastian is present. Thus was his bearing when I entered the Governors’ Hall. During milord’s discussion with Monsignor Sebastian, the seigneur gripped his slate so tightly that his fingertips went white and his face was so still he was not blinking. When Monsignor Sebastian agreed to develop the Mercium, the seigneur’s hand relaxed and he averted his face for a moment. Then Seigneur Garwynn returned to being unremarkable.”

  Lucius is very interested in the direction the conversation has taken. Sooner or later, Lucius will sweep Sebastian Mehta from Serengeti. Knowing Garwynn, Lucius expected that the financials seigneur would wish Sebastian’s seat and not resist Lucius’ manipulations. Now Lucius wonders if Garwynn has started to actively labor toward the removal of Sebastian. Garwynn intentionally called Lilian into the governors’ review, where her presence seemed to fuel Sebastian’s rage. Did Garwynn hope to drive the already-enraged Sebastian into such a fit that he would make a mistake? Garwynn requires more watching.

  “Very observant, Lilian,” Lucius says approvingly. “Seigneur Garwynn may well have been disappointed that I did not clear a path for him. Was there aught else?”

  “If milord pleases, is milord finished with Damien St. Gervais?” Lilian asks with bright anticipation.

  With the Bright Star agreement ratified, Damien’s utility has ended. Lucius has no more need of the man. He is curious as to how Lilian will deal with the shadeless scum. With a smile, Lucius releases Damien to Lilian’s retribution. “Yes, quite finished. Between the Troy saltmarshes and the gains in the Bright Star shares, Damien has contributed significantly to our success. You are free to take his head.”

  The sparkle in Lilian’s eyes and the lightness of her countenance do not bode well for the crevasse-wallower. “Is it permitted to expose his perfidy to Monsignor Horatio?”

  At Lucius’ nod, Lilian offers a flicker of a rare smile. “My thanks, milord.”

  »◊«

  Released from milord’s presence, Lilian turns down the corridor not to the riser banks, but to Master Nickolas’ office. “Master Nickolas, may I beg a moment?”

  What does she? Nickolas could not be more surprised by Lilian’s unscheduled appearance at his office. These days, her work is supervised by Marco, Rachelle, and Trevelyan. After viewing her Mercium projections, Nickolas was forced to acknowledge there is very little more he can teach her. Nor can he blame Lilian for avoiding him. His hostility and disdain contributed to her peril on more than one occasion. Running a finger along the pocket that holds the Mercium rod of synthetic Vistrite, Nickolas waves Lilian to a seat.

  What does he? Lilian quickly masks her shock at the unprecedented courtesy as she settles into the chair.

  If Nickolas noted her well-justified surprise at his courtesy, he ignores it. “What brings you here?”

  Lilian recalls Nickolas’ shame over his unwitting role in Damien’s nasty intrigue. The protégé was no more pleased at Damien’s manipulations than milord. This once, the handsome warrior’s pride will serve her purposes. “Monsignor Lucius no longer finds Damien St. Gervais useful. Monsignor desires retribution for that ugly intrigue at the end of the rainy season. Would you be willing to assist in the matter?”

  For the first time, the protégé offers Lilian a smile. “I would be pleased to assist in such a worthy venture.”

  »◊«

  “How fares Mistress Tabitha?” Chrys inquires as Lilian squeezes in next to Rebecca in the Fountain Café. The café is sufficiently crowded that their nearest neighbors pretend not to notice Lilian’s hasty and surreptitious arrival. When milord postponed midday attendance by a half period, Lilian raced to her consortium.

  Pulling a protein bar from her satchel, Lilian assaults the packaging as she responds, “Master Trevelyan will not commit, but I believe she must be passing. Otherwise, he would end the trials to spare her the effort.”

  Shaking his head at Lilian’s rare lack of wit, Chrys pursues, “Will being on restricted duty for five days delay her progress?”

  As Lilian predicted, Monsignor Sebastian was in an exceptionally foul mood after the governors’ meeting.

  “Not to hear her voice on the matter,” Clarice chimes in. “Apparently, the master medic will let her work on the associate master’s special assignments as long as she does not remain in the Cartel past fifth bell. Any remaining work must be performed from the comfort of her bed.”

  “Here, Lilian, you’ll choke without a drink.” Rebecca pushes her half-empty water vial to Lilian, who is shuddering in the attempt to swallow half a protein bar.

  As Lilian accepts the vial, Clarice offers a sweet glance and pointed question. “The master medic appears unusually accommodating; why is that, I wonder?”

  Glad for her protein-constricted throat, Lilian waves away Clarice as she dislodges the lump with Rebecca’s water.

  “More so than you think,” Rebecca interjects as Lilian swallows. “I had the distinct impression from Mistress Tabitha that her restricted duty had been padded.”

  Rebecca’s smile is a match for Clarice’s. “Lilian, have you any notion why the master medic would be so helpful?”

  “I could not say.” A warning ping from Lilian’s slate signals her brief respite is at an end. Rising with a nod that is as much relief as acknowledgement, Lilian explains, “Milord’s will.”

  »◊«

  “Lilian, are you certain you wish this? Tracking only, no alarms?” Rebecca attempts to comprehend what might be the most unusual archiving and encryption request yet. She knew when Lilian wished to have this conversation on the walkways o
utside Serengeti, free of monitors, that something exceptional was required.

  “Yes, Rebecca, I am quite certain. Although, should I wish it later, are you able to add the alarms?”

  “It is easier to add the alarms than to disable them. Send an alert when you would have it done. On this other, do you understand that to collect the data without leaving an identifier means the data cannot be proven true?”

  “Yes, I understand. It is no matter, truly.” Lilian is being very careful to provide Rebecca with as little information as possible. Lilian hunts a warrior. Should it turn against her, she does not wish her friend implicated.

  As they reach the Blooded Dagger entrance, Lilian sees Martin and Shoshanna approaching from the other direction. With Ann Hunter swept from the Cartel and Roger still banished, Shoshanna is Martin’s new favorite. During the benevolent green season, it is common practice for associates to enjoy respite with a stroll around headquarters. Lilian is certain that Martin and Shoshanna have been conspiring in the monitor-free area and not for the good of Blooded Dagger or milord.

  20. Preeminence

  Among warriors, reproduction is carefully negotiated and controlled. Two or three children are customary, although large families are not uncommon. Traditionally, declaration of the signet heir waits until the youngest is at least ten. Where there is but a single offspring, inheritance is assumed, although nothing in stricture requires that a declared heir be of direct descent.

  Once a second child is produced, prior to public announcement, the heir designation is sealed to the shrines to ensure an unchallenged transfer of the signet. Although the heir designation is readily altered prior to public announcement, it is rarely altered after the public declaration due to the inevitable strife it will cause within the family and cartouche. ~ excerpt from A Social History of the Twelve Systems, an instructional text.