by E G Manetti
Lilian nods wordlessly. With Bright Star and Mercium to advance and routine Cartel intrigue to thwart, milord cannot take on the scandal and effort of laying such a charge against one of Monsignor Sebastian’s rank and influence. She expected no more. “Seigneur, what of Mistress Tabitha?”
Trevelyan’s response is unequivocal. “I will have her, Mistress Lilian. I have wondered how she has done so well given her completed assignment history. To have accomplished so much under such duress, imagine of what she might be capable. I will have her.”
“My thanks, Seigneur.” The grave formality is unable to completely mask Lilian’s relief.
With a sharpening of his gaze, Trevelyan focuses on Lilian. His rage contained, intellect takes over. “How knew you to seek this?”
The question is not unexpected. Lilian’s answer is honest, if not complete. “Mistress Tabitha continues to pass Seigneur’s trials. I did not expect her to manage for more than six sevendays.”
Seigneur Trevelyan’s commanding glance is almost as effective as milord’s. With a mental shrug, Lilian elaborates, “Seigneur trains me. The more I succeed, the harder Seigneur tries me. When I manage thirty-five minutes before a fall, the next bout I can barely stay afoot twenty. Seigneur would try his associates similarly. Yet Mistress Tabitha has not fallen. There must be a reason. I sought it.”
There is a moment’s quiet while Seigneur Trevelyan regards the young woman, mentally debating. In the end, he determines that Lucius is best served with truth between Trevelyan and Lilian. “I doubt it required many minutes for you to solve the puzzle, Mistress Lilian. Monsignor Lucius has informed me that you are more than exceptional. You need not disguise your ability with me.”
“If the seigneur pleases, what specifically did Monsignor voice?” Lilian is contained, polite. It will simplify her interactions with the spymaster if he is fully within milord’s confidence. Lilian is not reluctant to deceive when it serves milord or to protect herself and her family. She dislikes withholding from Trevelyan, who has always treated her fairly.
“Prodigy, Mistress Lilian, the word was prodigy.”
Shades’ Grace. She need not dissemble. “As Seigneur voices.”
That settled, Trevelyan presses, “Speak truly, how knew you to seek this?”
Capitulating with a nod, Lilian responds, “There is much Serengeti offers in the way of education does one seek it. When I first came to the Cartel, Monsignor wished me to proceed slowly through the training, to mask my abilities. Needing to fill the periods, when confronted by what seemed a clever training trap from Master Nickolas, I did not acknowledge it immediately. I used the extra bells to discover how such a clever trap could be laid. It is how I discovered the fraudulent scrubber contract.”
“You knew from experience that one could acquire capability through exploration,” Trevelyan marvels.
“Yes, Seigneur. That Tabitha could accomplish what she does meant experience beyond the record. I knew what to seek. I was not long in discovering it.” Lillian gladly shares her insight.
“Mistress Lilian, had you not another path to walk, you would make a devious spy.” Trevelyan smiles with his accolade.
“My thanks, Seigneur,” Lilian says, acknowledging the compliment.
Sevenday 47, Day 2
“Lilian, recite the twenty-fourth apprentice stricture.” Milord’s face and voice are harsh with displeasure.
“Th-the bonded will not wager or benefit from wagers,” Lilian stammers slightly in her shock. It is the first time in months that milord has been harsh at eighth bell. Not since Damien St. Gervais’ intrigue.
“Forbidden to participate in any manner?” Milord pursues, his fingers steepled, gaze searching.
Wagering is a common and well-regarded pastime. The stricture forbidding apprentice wagers is a matter of discipline. The indentured come from the lowest levels of society with little or no credit. During the bond term, they are educated in personal finance and frugality. The prohibition also ensures that the bonded remain dependent upon their bond payments and bondholders.
“Yes, milord.” The steepled fingers are an ill omen. I am the sum of my ancestors. It is not as bad as Damien. Milord’s tones hold none of the silk that heralds true danger. I am the foundation of my family.
“Then how is it that Master Martin complains that you illegally aided Master Nickolas with odds management?” Milord’s irritation is unmistakable.
Honor is my blade and— What said he? Odds management? Totally dumbfounded, Lilian blurts, “I have no notion.” Lackwit, be careful. “Milord.”
Martin, that crevasse-crawler, what intrigue does he have in hand now? It has been three months since Sebastian’s protégé returned to the Cartel after his temporary exile. It was too much to hope that the vicious warrior would refrain from tormenting Lilian indefinitely. This latest attack indicates he has gained in subtlety. It is not Martin’s first attempt to place Lilian on the wrong side of stricture. Has he succeeded again?
Lilian’s stunned expression and graceless defense indicate she had no intent to violate stricture. Not that it matters. A violation occurred. The woman cannot seem to stay out of trouble. Since she appears to be unaware of her transgression, Lucius quickly taps his console, releasing Lilian’s voice. “Certainty in racing is impossible. I estimate the likelihood he will place in the final trial to be seventy-nine point six seven four.”
At the sound of her voice, Lilian’s eyes widen in surprise and then narrow in recollection. “Milord, Master Simon posed a question. No privilege attached, so I answered as required. I had no notion such could be considered odds management.”
It is a valid mitigation. Unless restricted by security-privilege, an apprentice is required to answer any question posed by a superior as honestly and completely as she is able. Lucius will be able to moderate the required correction.
Lilian’s eyes lose focus, indicating she has turned inward, analyzing, searching for answers. In a moment, her chin comes up, her gaze sharpens. “Milord, in my recall, my response to Master Simon occurred after the wager was laid between Master Nickolas and Master Martin.”
“How long was this interchange?” Lucius turns back to his techno array.
“I am uncertain, milord,” Lilian trembles. “Not long, I think. Well within the respite restrictions.”
Lucius knows Lilian is careful with her respite allotment, rarely using it in its entirety. There is more to this than documented in Martin’s complaint.
“If milord pleases, I would check my slate.”
At milord’s nod, Lilian ignites her slate. After a few taps she offers, “No more than ten minutes. Five is more likely.”
Without a word, milord accesses the monitor records. For a few moments, milord’s rapid tapping fills the chamber as Lilian forces calm. Honor knows not fear. Honor en—
“What think you, Mistress Lilian?” Master Nickolas’ voice echoes from milord’s techno group, interrupting Lilian’s prayer. Replay confirms her version of events.
“Not intending an infraction does not relieve you of responsibility when one occurs.” Milord is stern, relentless.
“Yes, milord.” Honor endures. It is not a caning offense. Lilian can endure humiliation.
“In this instance, Master Martin’s indictment lacks validity. Your response to Master Simon occurred after the wager was laid. However, that response could be construed as odds management in other circumstances.” Milord’s implacable tone and face have Lilian locking her spine against the coming judgment before she understands that she is released from fault. Unsure of how to respond, she waits.
“Be more careful. A second claim will not be so easily dismissed,” Milord instructs.
“Yes, milord. My thanks, milord,” Lilian affirms.
Milord’s stern expression softens into speculation. “Eighty percent, Lilian?”
“Yes, milord,” Lilian confirms.
With a “Very well, you may go,” Milord releases her.
»�
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“Well met, Mistress Lilian.” With a brilliant smile, Fletcher greets the Raven as they wait in a small conference chamber to be joined by Seigneurs Marco and Kemeha. The charismatic protégé remains within the glow of triumph. The Seventh Day past, he earned a place in the Moon Race Final Trial.
The upset victory has been all over the reviewers, along with excerpts from the festival brawl depicting the gallant warrior rushing to the aid of the Serengeti apprentices. In all instances, Fletcher was identified as a member of Bright Star, which in turn initiated media streams on Serengeti’s extraordinary venture into stellar exploration. Lilian is rapidly joining Douglas in his admiration of Seigneur Aristides’ ability to manage the media.
“Well met, indeed, Master Fletcher,” Lilian returns politely, if distantly. She has yet to recover from her unsettling eighth bell with milord.
At her cool response, Fletcher’s glow visibly diminishes. This day. Fletcher deserves better. She cannot offer congratulations. It is presumptuous. Carefully proper recognition is all that is acceptable even with her conservator status. Recall that Master Martin is now one thousand poorer brightens Lilian’s aspect as she yields Fletcher his due. “All of Serengeti celebrates your triumph, Master Fletcher.”
The increase in Fletcher’s grin is sufficient to offset Lilian’s knowledge that Martin’s lost wager will further harden his antipathy toward her. Lackwit. Martin could not possibly despise you more than he already does.
“Mistress Lilian, I understand from Master Nickolas that you had more faith in my skill than many. Have you similar faith in my chances for the final trial?” Fletcher inquires.
“I have faith in your determination, Master Fletcher. On your chances, I have no opinion, although I do hope for your victory.” Taking milord’s warning to heart, Lilian is very careful of her response. Before the conversation can proceed further, the seigneurs arrive and commerce commences.
After more than a period, Kemeha releases control of the reviewer to acknowledge, “Seigneur Marco, I must admit, I am impressed. When you first introduced the Leonardo Society as the engineering lead for the stellar exploration vehicle, I thought it a risky selection.”
At Marco’s raised eyebrows, Kemeha inclines his head and continues, “Admittedly, their propulsion systems are without peer. I was doubtful that Monsignor Angus’ cohort held the skills and contacts to lead SEV development. With these initial plans, I must acknowledge the brilliance of the decision.”
Kemeha is known for his integrity and reluctance to praise. Such generous approbation is unprecedented. Kemeha has no need of Marco’s favor; his rare enthusiasm is another indication that Iron Hammer has moved closer to Blooded Dagger.
The next governors’ meeting will prove interesting, Lilian thinks. She regrets she will not attend.
Responding to Kemeha, Marco offers, “Monsignor Lucius was months considering potential partners for this role in the consortium. Initially, Leonardo was targeted as an acquisition to gain control of the propulsion technology, not as a consortium partner. Monsignor Angus was relentless in his determination to convince Serengeti that the Leonardo Society was fit for the task. It was only a sevenday prior to the formation announcement that the final decision was made.”
Leonardo. Unknown. Unlikely. The bright haze of Lilian’s insight obscures the chamber and the conversation. There is a question. As conservator, Lilian is not required to wait to be addressed, at least not with this particular set of the elite. “Seigneur Marco, if I may speak?”
At his nod, Lilian asks, “How did Monsignor Angus come to know the Leonardo Society was an acquisition target? At that time, everything associated with Bright Star was deep within Monsignor Lucius’ security-privilege.”
“You are correct, Mistress Lilian.” Marco’s tone is approving. Lucius’ apprentice is remarkably sharp. “Monsignor was not pleased to learn that Leonardo had knowledge of the Bright Star endeavor and even less pleased to learn that they acquired it through a leak from one of the potential Bright Star partners.” With a grim smile, Marco adds, “As you may guess, the source of the leak was eliminated from contention for a Bright Star position.”
“My thanks for the instruction, Seigneur.” You have been wondrously helpful. A long-sought pattern has begun to emerge.
»◊«
Hastening across the scarlet threshold in Seigneur Trevelyan’s wake, Lilian’s gaze immediately finds milord before the windows. She absently notes the clear blue sky with two partial, pale green moons. The season has advanced quickly. A year gone . . . No! Do not dwell on it. Lilian pushes back her recall of the events that surrounded her family’s ruin.
Of far more import is that it has been six months since the night of the traitor, and they may finally have discovered a pattern.
Milord turns, dark energy flickering in his eyes. Milord scents prey. “What have you, Trevelyan?”
Trevelyan halts by the conference table, Lilian a pace behind.
“We suspect that Monsignor Angus Blackthorn corrupted a member of Serengeti in order to acquire the information he needed to convince Monsignor to include the Leonardo Society as a partner in Bright Star.” Trevelyan is succinct and to the point.
Angus? Lucius attempts to digest the outrageous thought. It is so far from the various dire purposes they have suspected over the past six months that even Lucius’ clever and devious mind requires a moment to reorient itself.
“I am listening,” Lucius responds tersely. Lilian has found the wrong thing. Her gaze is bright, anticipation hums in her form.
“Mistress Lilian, if you please,” Trevelyan nods. The revelation was Lilian’s. It is hers to voice.
“Yes, Seigneur.” Lilian brightens further in response to Trevelyan’s acknowledgment. Turning to milord, Lilian slips into her eighth-bell diligence. “Milord, there is a record of a meeting between milord and Monsignor Angus three sevendays after the first incident. Was it then milord discovered that Monsignor Angus was aware of milord’s interest in acquiring the Leonardo Society?”
Clasping his hands behind his back, Lucius nods for Lilian to continue, his anticipation rising in response to Lilian’s tightly repressed excitement. She has found the pattern.
Lilian continues, “Was it some twelve sevendays later, around the onset of the rainy season, that milord began to consider Leonardo as a consortium member? A sevenday after the second incident?”
Lucius is certain that Lilian has discovered the source of the traitor. She is trembling in her attempt to contain her certainty. Beyond brilliant. Eighty percent that Fletcher reaches the final trial when the odds managers offered less than fifteen. How is it possible?
Oblivious of milord’s internal musings, Lilian continues her precise and thorough dissertation. “Then there is a high probability that Monsignor Angus twice bribed someone to access milord’s files. On the first occasion, to discover why milord wished to acquire Leonardo. On the second, to identify what other enterprises were under consideration for Bright Star so that Monsignor Angus could craft an argument in favor of Leonardo.”
“Clever, Lilian.” Lucius paces before the vista of Crevasse City while he considers the ramifications of Lilian’s discovery. “Devious and clever, and Angus is both. The attacks ceased when Angus had what he wanted. He has probably abandoned his spy. As we know, such tools can easily be turned.”
Lucius is torn between satisfaction and anger. Knowing the purpose of the attack, and its relatively benign result, is a relief. Knowing that he has been played by one of his consortium partners is unpleasant. Recognizing that once-corrupted people remain corrupted, Lucius knows he has a traitor somewhere in his house. Turning to Trevelyan, Lucius demands, “How does this identify the traitor?”
Trevelyan’s reply crackles with expectancy. “Someone within Serengeti, and perhaps the Blooded Dagger, has wealth he or she should not have. Wealth that can be traced to Monsignor Angus. We will find that person. It will take some time. There are two hundred within Sereng
eti who have the skills for such a breach. There are another twenty who have exited the Cartel since the second incident.”
Trevelyan is as aware as Lucius of the danger a corrupted individual poses to Cartouche and Cartel. “Meanwhile, we leave our traps in place should Monsignor Angus, or some other agent, consider it worthwhile to try for more privileged data.”
26. Warbelt
With each decade of the Anarchy, raids against the Vistrite Crevasse increased, destroying labor and equipment. By the time Jonathan Metricelli claimed the Great and Southern Crevasse, Vistrite production was so perilously low that even minor thefts were mutilation or annihilation crimes. On the second planet, all three Crevasse were in danger of collapse.
Determined to preserve his heritage and control Vistrite, Jonathan entered a wedlock alliance with the heir to the largest Crevasse on Metricelli Deuce. From that vantage, he conquered the other two Crevasse, consolidating his control of Vistrite. His success provided the Fourth Warrior with power and wealth unprecedented in the Anarchy. It also cost him control of vast areas on both planets that were abandoned to provide the resources to protect the Crevasse.
Sinead Standingbear’s offer of an alliance and the gift of her battle captain in the wake of Robert Dragon’s betrayal could not have been more fortuitous. Adelaide Thornbearer proved a fierce warrior and, within five years, advanced to Jonathan Metricelli’s battle general. Under the leadership of Adelaide Warleader, Jonathan’s already-formidable forces completely subdued the Vistrite worlds. ~ excerpt from The Origins of the Five Warriors, a scholarly treatise.
Sevenday 48, Day 2
Removing her protective mask, Lilian lies back on the pavement and gazes up at the clear, bright sky above the courtyard. As her skin cools from her morning match with Maman, Lilian enjoys a brief moment of quietude. She has reached her twenty-fifth birth festival and completed almost a third of her trial and bond.