Endgames

by L. E. Modesitt Jr

  Charyn considered asking about the instance where a seller knew he was misrepresenting quality. But how could anyone prove that … and how many patrollers would it require … how many hearings before justicers? He wanted to shake his head. Instead, he just nodded and said, “I think you’ve made your points very clear. Is there anything else anyone wishes to bring up?”

  Charyn surveyed the table, then said, “We’ll meet at first glass on the eighteenth of Agostos.”

  After everyone had left, except Maitre Alastar, Charyn took a deep breath.

  Alastar offered an amused smile. “That went as well as could have been expected.”

  “For now, anyway. At least I’m not getting death threats anymore. There was one question I did have. With all the damage in Liantiago and Westisle…”

  “You’re wondering if the imagers at Westisle could help?”

  Charyn nodded.

  “The Collegium there was also damaged, but I sent word to Maitre Arion to offer help once the Collegium was restored.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I appreciate your asking privately.”

  “That would serve us both better, I thought. How is Aloryana coming?” Charyn didn’t want to talk any more about all the problems he faced.

  “She’s very close to becoming a third. She might master what she needs for that by Erntyn, but it’s likely to take her a little longer.”

  “She and Lystara are still getting along?”

  “Like sisters.” The Maitre laughed softly. “Some squabbling, but more harmony. It’s also required Lystara to be more patient and given her a greater appreciation of Malyna. Aloryana can be very determined.”

  “It runs in the family.” Charyn paused, then said, “I do have one more question that came up from Chorister Saerlet, along with some information you might find interesting…”

  “Interesting usually means trouble…”

  “It might.” Charyn went on to explain about the True Believers. “… and while there haven’t been that many incidents, they’ve occurred all across Solidar, and that troubles me.”

  “It could be trouble … or it could die out. I’ll ask Maitre Arion and Maitre Taurek if they’ve heard anything about these True Believers.” Alastar started to rise.

  “There is one other thing…”

  Alastar offered an amused smile and settled back into his chair.

  “It’s more personal, but Chorister Saerlet made the point that I haven’t been seen at services in months. He was kind enough not to point out that it was six months. I’m a little worried about appearing anywhere where my presence might be anticipated…”

  “How might the Collegium fit into this?”

  “I was thinking about attending services, unannounced and occasionally, at perhaps both the Anomen D’Rex and the Anomen D’Imagisle…”

  “With your sister, and possibly Lystara?”

  “Well … yes. When we go to the Anomen D’Rex, I could pick them up in the regial coach. Other times, I could be driven to your house and walk with her. I’d also like to arrange a dinner for what might be called the extended family, you and Alyna, Lystara, Malyna, and Calkoran and his wife…”

  Alastar nodded. “Aloryana has been at the Collegium long enough that it’s reasonable for her to visit close relatives. As a member of the regial family, she needs protection. But it has to be her choice. If she agrees, she can certainly attend with you. I’d prefer her escort to be Malyna or Lystara, but that has to be their choice as well. If they decline, although I doubt they will, the Collegium will provide an escort. I will let you know if Aloryana is willing to join you at the Anomen D’Rex. You are always welcome at the Anomen D’Imagisle.”

  “Thank you.” Charyn rose, as did Alastar.

  Once the Maitre left, Charyn made his way to the music room.

  There, he seated himself at the clavecin and began to play, beginning with Farray’s Nocturne Number Three. After that he got up and went to the music cabinet and took out the music for another Farray piece—“Pavane in a Minor Key.” He’d never played it, but Palenya had, and he’d liked the way it had sounded. That also means it’s likely harder than anything you’ve tried before.

  Then he sat down in front of the keyboard. In moments, he realized that he had a great deal of work to do if he wanted to master that particular Farray piece. A very great deal of work.

  But then, with the Chateau largely empty, he had more than enough time, and learning music was certainly less stressful than presiding over Council meetings. He also hoped Aloryana would agree to attending services, and not just for Charyn’s own sake.

  3

  By Jeudi morning at seventh glass, Charyn had already exercised, washed, dressed, eaten, checked with Guard Captain Maertyl, gone over the day’s schedule with Norstan the seneschal, and written a letter to his mother, and another to Aloryana, explaining both about his wanting to attend services with her and the idea of some sort of “family dinner” that would include her. Having done that, he was pacing back and forth in his study, mulling over the latest petition complaint that he’d received, one that had been forwarded to him because the position of regional governor of Telaryn was currently vacant. High Holder Douvyt, from Cloisonyt, was outraged that one Factor Camarouth had built a textile manufactorage upriver from his flax plantation, because the effluent from the dyeworks so contaminated the river that the water couldn’t be used to irrigate the fields in times of drought.

  In one sense, it was amusing, because little more than a season earlier, Charyn had rejected a similar petition—except the petitioner had been a factor whose textiles couldn’t be washed in the river water tainted by runoff from a High Holder’s hog farm.

  Finally, he sat down and wrote a brief note to Sanafryt, asking him if it wouldn’t be wise to revisit the issue and consider a change in the Codex Legis. He doubted that his Minister of Justice would want to consider that, but then, he might, now that it was a High Holder who was the aggrieved party.

  He’d no more than finished the note when Moencriff announced, “Lady Delcoeur is here, sir.”

  “Have her come in.”

  Officially Lady Delcoeur D’Priora, the woman who entered the study was half a head shorter than Charyn, muscular rather than petite, her hair a black that was no longer naturally occurring, with a slightly oval face and dark green eyes. She stopped short of the desk and asked, “Do you actually have anything for me to do, Rex Charyn?”

  “Charyn in private, Aunt Elacia. And yes, I do. I need you to set up some dinners—”

  “Dinners? In midsummer? In L’Excelsis?”

  “I’m sure Ferrand would come, with whatever young lady he might prefer.”

  “He can’t invite a marriageable woman by herself, and you can’t afford to have him invite one who’s not.”

  “Fine.” Charyn sighed. “Can you find out who among young women he’d find acceptable is actually in or near L’Excelsis and would be available for dinner, including her parents, of course, a week from Samedi evening—”

  “Two weeks would be preferable.”

  Charyn nodded to that. “I’d also like to invite Alyncya D’Shendael-Alte and her father for the same evening.” At Elacia’s quizzical expression, Charyn added, “He’s widowed, and she’s the heir.” He managed not to smile and went on. “Also Ferron D’Fhernon-Alte, Shaelyna D’Baeltyn and her parents, and one other pleasant and intelligent High Holder heir.”

  “I’d suggest one more young woman.”

  “Do you have one in mind?”

  “No. But there should be an odd number so that it’s not obvious who might be invited for whom. Do you plan entertainment?”

  “I thought it would be less formal. I will play something on the clavecin and invite anyone else to play.”

  “That’s not usual.”

  “Good.”

  Elacia did not quite frown, but said, “You should consider some music in addition to anything you or any of the guests play.”

/>   “Let me think about that. I’d also like a dinner a week from Samedi, since that date is now available, for certain High Command officers and their wives, Marshal Vaelln, Vice-Marshal Maurek, Commander Chaalt, and Subcommander Luerryn, those who can attend.”

  “They will all attend,” said Elacia dryly, adding, after a pause, “A subcommander?”

  “He was particularly helpful to me, and it’s a way I can tell him that without infringing too much on Marshal Vaelln’s prerogatives. I’d also like you to attend, standing in for my mother, as it were.”

  “That’s very kind.”

  Charyn smiled ruefully. “No, I’d like you to be your conversational self and later let me know if you heard anything I should know.”

  “You know, Charyn, that’s even kinder. I’m very much enjoying being helpful here.”

  “I’m glad you are.” He pursed his lips. “There is one other thing. While you’re at it, I’d like to set up a very small dinner on Meredi, the eighteenth of Agostos, for High Holder Calkoran, and his wife, if she is in L’Excelsis, which she may not be, Maitre Alastar and Maitre Alyna, and Maitres Malyna and Lystara. And Imager Second Aloryana.”

  Charyn enjoyed Elacia’s second look of surprise, then explained, “Calkoran will be in L’Excelsis because that’s the day of the joint Council meeting, and Calkoran and Maitre Alyna are cousins. So it will be a family dinner, or as much of one as I can manage at the moment. Bhayrn is certainly welcome, but he’s not obligated to come.”

  “Is such a dinner wise?”

  “Some would say it isn’t, but Father kept too much to himself, and I’ve found myself sinking into that pattern. I’m going to try to be more social and open. I’d like you to think it over and let me know if you have any suggestions for other events. That’s all I have for now.”

  “You will keep me busy,” said Elacia, inclining her head before leaving and making her way to the study that had once been Charyn’s sitting room before he had moved to the Rex’s apartments, and redecorated them, at Palenya’s request, after she had left.

  Less than a quint later, Charyn was in the unmarked coach, heading down the Boulevard D’Ouest to the Nord Bridge and across the River Aluse into the heart of L’Excelsis … and the Banque D’Excelsis, with its exterior barred windows and its interior guards.

  Charyn knew that there was some risk in leaving the Chateau, but, so far as he knew, at the moment, very few people, outside of a handful of High Holders and imagers, even knew what he looked like. The driver and the coach guards all wore unmarked brown livery, rather than the regial green, and Charyn wore dark blue trousers and a maroon jacket with a cream shirt and a cravat that matched the jacket. The pin that granted him access to the commodity exchange, and marked him as a factor, was also fastened to his jacket lapel. He carried a concealed pistol at all times, one he could quickly fire. It had helped save him twice, but he hoped it wouldn’t be necessary again. And that may be hope against hope.

  When Charyn walked through the doors of the banque, Estafen immediately moved to meet him, greeting him warmly, “Welcome, Factor Suyrien.” Then the banking factor guided Charyn into a small study, quickly closing the door and saying, “You didn’t have to come here, sir.” He motioned to the circular table with the two chairs, then waited for Charyn to sit before seating himself.

  “I won’t be able to keep doing this for too long, and everyone will know in days if you come to the Chateau. That’s why I’d prefer to come here, now, while I can. Now … about the ironworks. Have you thought over my proposal?”

  “Might I ask why you’re so insistent on purchasing the ironworks?”

  “If certain projects I’m interested in work out, I’ll need an ironworks. Even if those don’t, I’ll likely still require control of such a works.”

  “I have to say that I don’t understand why, with all the troubles you’ve had, you want to add to them by acquiring an ironworks.”

  “It really is about a project that will require an ironworks.”

  “If your sire had said that … but you … so far…” Estafen smiled ruefully. “Still, if you purchase it, and that becomes known, more than a few factors and High Holders will be less than pleased with either of us.”

  “You because you sold it to me, and me because they don’t want the Rex competing with them?”

  “I’d say that’s a fair summary.” Estafen absently scratched his neck below the square-cut black beard.

  “I’m not interested in using my position to gain an unfair profit. I am interested in obtaining the ironworks not only for the projects I have in mind, but also to prevent others from taking advantage of me as those projects become known. I still worry about the rifleworks at the ironworks. I’d like to know who’s buying rifles and why. As Maitre Alastar and my father discovered, the lack of information about that cost thousands of men and quite a few imagers their lives.”

  Estafen fingered his beard. “Do you think I would withhold that information?”

  “No … but I’d rather not be dependent on goodwill. You received the ironworks for the settlement of a little over six thousand golds. As I said before, I’ll offer the same, six thousand five hundred golds, and allow you to retain a ten percent interest, in terms of net income, with no liability for losses. If you don’t find that arrangement satisfactory after a year, I’ll pay you another thousand golds for your interest. That’s almost a twenty percent gain with no risk and the possibility of additional income.”

  “If … if I agree to this, how will you keep it from others, since that would be to neither of our interests?”

  “You’ll sell the ironworks to Factor Suyrien D’Chaeryll. You’ll be paid in golds drawn from that account at the commodity exchange.”

  Estafen shook his head. “You thought this out some time ago, didn’t you?”

  Not as long ago as you think, but some time past. Charyn nodded.

  “It will take a week or so to work out the papers and come up with a final bookkeeping statement. I can send you a notice of when those will be ready.”

  “Excellent. I’ll look forward to that.”

  “It will be interesting to see what use you make of the ironworks.”

  “One way or the other, it’s a bit of a risk, but not so much as not trying it.” He paused. “I do have an unrelated question. You’re the oldest, but you’re not at the factorage.”

  “That’s because Thyrand is far better with timber and people. Father agreed with me, and provided some golds to help me start the banque.”

  “And that’s worked out for the best for both of you, it appears.”

  “I have to say that it has.”

  “You made it work, I suspect.” Charyn smiled as he stood.

  Once outside the banque, he told the driver, “Factor Paersyt’s down by the west river piers.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Charyn quickly entered the coach. With the purchase of the ironworks, he’d have the rifleworks under his control and a metalworking factorage that could be expanded for his other projects. Even if it did require a loan from Uncle’s holding. Then again, that was scarcely any recompense given the evils Ryel had perpetrated. And it’s only a loan. And a good part of the reason he needed a loan was precisely because Ryel had kept Charyn’s father from even assessing a modest increase in tariffs for years, despite the need for warships to protect Solidaran shipping.

  A quint or so later, the coach stopped just north of the barge piers. Charyn got out of the coach and walked quickly toward the brown stone building, noting the faint haze rising from the factorage chimney, suggesting that Paersyt was hard at work.

  Dhuncan, the guard accompanying Charyn, rapped on the factorage door, then opened it and stepped inside, looking around, then motioning for Charyn to enter.

  Several different forges filled the space, which was larger than it appeared from without, but only the main forge appeared to be fired, and that was where the wiry and gray-haired Paersyt stood, between the forge and
one of the workbenches, wearing his usual stained brown leathers. As he caught sight of the two inside the door, he turned and walked to meet Charyn.

  “Rex Charyn.”

  “Factor Paersyt. How are you coming on the larger steam engine?”

  “It will be ready in a week if matters go as expected. They likely won’t. So … say two to three weeks.”

  “How much will it carry?”

  “It should be able to propel the craft you provided upstream against the current, provided the total weight is less than two tonnes.”

  “How fast?”

  “I won’t know that until we put it in the boat and get it working. I’m also worried about the seals around the screw shaft. If I can’t make the seals work, we might have to use a paddle wheel.”

  “You use seals in the pistons, don’t you?”

  “It’s different. If steam or water leaks a little there, there’s more water in the supply tank to replace it. If shaft seals leak much, you could fill the boat with water, and before long you’d have water in the firebox.”

  Charyn nodded. “Let me know when you’re ready to have me see it.”

  “I certainly will, sir.”

  “We won’t keep you.” With a smile, Charyn turned and left the factorage. While he knew it was far better not to linger anywhere, since there was still a possibility of assassins, however small, he wasn’t looking forward to what awaited him back in his study, most likely a response from Sanafryt about the water effluents, and who knew what else. And he also was obligated to arrange for Craftmaster Argentyl to visit the Chateau to explain the problems with the petition.

  Still … in some areas, he was making progress … if slowly.

  4

  On Solayi afternoon, Charyn debated briefly on whether to take the regial coach or the unmarked one, but decided that there was little to be gained by taking the gilded coach. Word would get around that he had been at services, and there was no point in making himself a target, although there hadn’t been any more threatening letters since his uncle’s death.

  Then, while he waited for time to pass before he left to pick up Aloryana and whoever was her imager escort, he sat down at the clavecin and spent almost a glass, mostly working on “Pavane in a Minor Key.”