Treachery's Tools

by L. E. Modesitt Jr.

  “You seem to be justifying violence on the part of the factors, Maitre.”

  “I could say that you seem to believe that High Holders have the right to kill anyone who bests them at gaming. I trust that’s not what you meant.”

  “I never said—”

  “No … it’s your instant reaction. Enrique D’Hulet was also likely killed by young Laevoryn, and Laevoryn shot Factorius Hulet, who was unarmed, in cold blood. Rather than ask why all these High Holders felt that they had to kill factors, you immediately focused on the violent reaction to the killings. The High Holders involved acted as if the laws didn’t apply to them. Isn’t it rather coincidental that a significant number of High Holders have petitioned or supported the petitions to exempt High Holders from justicing—except before the High Justicer when the matter is between High Holders?”

  Meinyt started to say something, then stopped.

  Alastar waited. When Meinyt did not speak, Alastar went on. “On Mardi we tracked the brown-shirts back to High Holder Laevoryn’s estate. Because the brown-shirts had already attacked Imagisle and the Chateau D’Rex, Marshal Wilkorn dispatched troopers to deal with the brown-shirts. Rather than surrender, they attacked the troopers. When the troopers defeated the brown-shirts, High Holder Laevoryn appeared and immediately walked up to the army captain commanding the troopers. He insisted that he had every right to use the brown-shirts as he saw fit and to kill any lesser factor or individual who infringed on what he saw as his rights, those being the ancient rights before they were limited by the Codex Legis. Then he aimed a pistol at the captain and fired. The troopers with the captain returned fire and killed Laevoryn. The captain was fortunate enough to survive.”

  “Laevoryn was being extreme, it does appear.”

  “So was Paellyt’s son, and so was Paellyt.”

  “Many High Holders feel that Rex Lorien has applied the provisions of the Codex Legis in a fashion that will destroy them and their heritage over time.”

  “For all his faults, and those of his sire, both of which are many, neither has exceeded the limits of the Codex. Nor have there been any recent increases in tariffs. What has occurred is that as factoring and manufacturing methods have improved, many High Holders have not adopted those improvements. As a result, those High Holders have debts they cannot repay, often to factors. Their response is to blame the rex and the factors … and at times the Collegium.”

  “Has the Collegium changed so much, Maitre?”

  “Not so much as I would prefer, and not so much as will continue to happen, but we now have a factorage, and we are selling goods to the point that we require far fewer golds from the rex. We’re also not blaming others for the changes that have occurred.”

  Alastar waited once more.

  Finally, Meinyt spoke. “I was not fully aware of all the circumstances that led to High Holder Paellyt’s death, but the manner of his death disturbs me nonetheless. Yet I can see that the death of the younger Naathyn and the deaths of nearly all his family are even more disturbing. What would you suggest to the High Council that will succeed me in the months ahead to prevent more such misunderstandings? Even as I understand that revenge fueling further revenge can only make matters far worse, I also see that many High Holders only see their futures as less prosperous than their past.”

  “I don’t have a simple answer to that,” Alastar admitted. “I do believe that some of these issues need to be resolved between the High Council and the factors without recourse to violence, and I believe they could be if the factors of Solidar created their own equivalent of the High Council. That is something that you suggested. I think it is a good suggestion, and I will press that upon the Factors’ Council of L’Excelsis. Perhaps also, the High Council and the factors could agree on the rates of interest that would not be considered excessively usurious … as well as other matters.”

  “That might be a start … assuming that Rex Lorien can put down the armed insurrection of the most disgruntled High Holders.”

  “Another part of the solution, of necessity,” added Alastar, “may have to be the dispossession of High Holders who refuse to accept the limits of the Codex Legis … and perhaps a change in the requirements to be a High Holder so that the amount of land required might be offset by other physical assets. If factors felt that some possibility for acceptance…”

  “That would set ill, initially, but I can see the possibilities…”

  Almost another glass passed before Alastar left Meinyt’s comparatively modest mansion.

  After Alastar mounted the gelding and he and Coermyd rode out through the open gates, he said, “We’re headed to Factor Elthyrd’s factorage.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Alastar had planned to meet with Elthyrd in any case, but now he not only had to brief the acting head of the Factors’ Council but also try to lay the groundwork for what would follow the revolution. Assuming that the High Holders don’t prevail.

  Because Elthyrd’s factorage was less than a mille south of Imagisle on the East River Road, it was simpler to take the West River Road, then cross the river at the Sud Bridge, and turn south on the East River Road. Again, Alastar studied the clouds, which covered almost a third of the sky and seemed darker than they had earlier.

  Before long, they were entering the compound that held Elthyrd’s factorage. Over the thirteen years that Alastar had known Elthyrd, the factorage had changed little. At the center was the small building flanked by large two-story warehouses, although a third warehouse had been added several years before, south of the southernmost warehouse, and one pier had been widened, where men were using a crane Alastar had not seen before to unload one of the low barges tied there, and lowering lengths of timber onto a flatbed cart with two mules in traces, ready to carry the timber to one of the warehouses.

  Alastar reined up in front of the small building, where he dismounted and handed the gelding’s reins to Coermyd. “I hope this won’t take too long.” Then he walked into the small building and found the anteroom empty. Recalling where Elthyrd’s study was, he moved toward the doorway behind the long counter. While the door was open, Alastar could see that no one was in the small study that held little more than a table desk, a small bookcase filled with what looked to be ledgers of some sort, and three chairs—two in front of the desk and one behind it. He turned just as Elthyrd hurried through the front door.

  “You might give a poor factor some notice, Maitre.”

  Alastar could sense a slight irritation behind the humorously spoken words. “I thought you’d rather meet sooner without notice than later with notice.”

  “You’re right about that.” Elthyrd walked past Alastar and into the study.

  Alastar followed and closed the door behind himself, then sat in one of the chairs in front of the desk. “I’ve spent most of the day with Lorien and High Holder Meinyt.”

  “What do you have to tell me?”

  “Where the rebels are and how many of them there are, and other developments here in L’Excelsis.”

  Elthyrd nodded. “Go on, if you would.”

  “The rebels have nearly three full regiments and supporting cannon. They’ll be leaving Nordeau to march on L’Excelsis shortly, if they haven’t already. They outnumber Lorien’s forces three to one, if not more.”

  “Can you imagers make up the difference?”

  “We hope to, but cannon make that more difficult. The other problems lie in what has happened with the High Holders here in L’Excelsis. Have you heard about Paellyt?”

  Elthyrd nodded.

  “Then I won’t repeat that. I will tell you about the remaining brown-shirts here in L’Excelsis and what happened…” Alastar went through all the events, including what he had learned about Murranyt. When he finished, he asked, “Has anyone ever looked into the events surrounding the death of Murranyt’s predecessor?”

  “Not in the way you have.” Elthyrd frowned. “I don’t doubt you. But the proof’s not exactly iron-plated, if you kno
w what I mean.”

  “You might want to look at this.” Alastar took out the card that he had removed with the others from Laevoryn’s study and laid it on the desk in front of Elthyrd.

  “It is suggestive,” Elthyrd said as he looked up.

  Alastar reclaimed the card. “For the moment, I’d just like you to think about it. There’s no point in pursuing it until after we deal with the rebel High Holders.”

  “You talked to Councilor Meinyt?”

  “Earlier today. He’s not a happy man. He mentioned again his suggestion that all the factors across Solidar need to form their own council.”

  “Be hard on those selected.”

  “It might be, but it would give you all a voice directly with the rex, and you’d have more power because he’d know that all the factors were behind you.” Alastar smiled. “That can wait a bit … but not too long, not if you want to reduce the influence of the High Council.”

  “Sounds like you don’t think it’s a choice.”

  “That’s up to you and the other factors.”

  Elthyrd sighed. “You make a suggestion, and going against it never works out.” He took another deep breath. “I’ll talk to the others on the council.” After a pause, he asked, “You have any more news or suggestions?”

  “I’m afraid that’s all.”

  Elthyrd stood. “By the way, appreciate your advice to Estafen.”

  As he rose, Alastar replied, “I appreciate what both of you have done.”

  “The same to you, Maitre.”

  Alastar nodded, turned, and walked out of the building to where Coermyd waited.

  “Are we headed back to Imagisle, sir?” The imager third glanced up at the dark clouds that covered almost half the sky.

  “I’m afraid not. We need to visit one more factor this afternoon. If we’re fortunate, we might be able to finish before it starts raining again.”

  Alastar felt in some ways that he was just riding back and forth, since this time they rode back north to the Sud Bridge, across it, and then south to Kathila’s factorage, a ride that took just over a quint before Coermyd and Alastar reined up before the low brick-walled building just off the West River Road. This time Alastar did not see the young girl in gray, and he made his way inside by himself, slipping his visor cap under his arm as he did so.

  The older woman smiled and nodded as Alastar appeared. “Maitre, I’ll tell her that you’re here.”

  As she stood and walked down the corridor, Alastar had the feeling that his arrival was not entirely unexpected, especially when she returned and gestured in the direction of Kathila’s study.

  This time the factoria did not rise from behind her jet black desk when Alastar entered the study and closed the door, but merely gestured toward the chairs.

  “You were expecting me, I see.” Alastar eased into a chair.

  “I thought it was likely.”

  “Have you talked to your daughter recently? In the last few days?”

  “Not since this morning,” replied Kathila almost acerbically. “She did mention that she spent much of the evening with you at High Holder Laevoryn’s.”

  “Then I presume you know what we found there?”

  “Outside of arrogant High Holders and rebel troopers? No. Thelia never discusses anything that is not known outside the Collegium unless she’s been instructed to.”

  “I had thought as much, but I’ve never told her that.”

  “I doubt that is often necessary,” replied Kathila dryly.

  “Since you are a member of the Factors’ Council, I thought you might like to know more about what has occurred over the past few days, beginning with a series of brown-shirt attacks in L’Excelsis and Imagisle and our discovery that a number of brown-shirts were being quartered on High Holder Laevoryn’s estate in L’Excelsis…” Alastar went on to describe the boat attack on Imagisle, the destruction of Naathyn’s factorage and family, his meeting with Murranyt, and then the events at Laevoryn’s estate.

  “None of that surprises me greatly,” said Kathila.

  Alastar nodded. “Were you aware that Laevoryn likely had a … private arrangement with Murranyt?”

  “That would not precisely astound me, either.”

  “Considering that Sostryl, who was Murranyt’s predecessor, died of the red flux, I thought you might find this card, which I discovered in Laevoryn’s study, of some interest.” Alastar laid the card on the polished jet wood surface in front of Kathila. He watched closely as she studied it.

  The factoria’s eyes might have widened slightly, and she did look up with an amused smile. “Again, I cannot say I am greatly surprised. But then, I was opposed to Murranyt’s appointment as head of the Civic Patrol.”

  “Why, might I ask?”

  “He had almost no experience as a street patroller. He started as a clerk, and spent five years there. When I looked into his references, it turned out that most of them were older and had died, some even before he became a patrol clerk.”

  “And no one listened to you?”

  “They listened and nodded, and then pointed out that he had greatly improved the operation of patrol procurement and reduced the overall costs of operating the Civic Patrol without requiring fewer patrollers.”

  “Very factor-like requirements,” observed Alastar reclaiming the card.

  “I prefer factor-like requirements in a factorage. I would rather have safety and fewer malefactors on the streets and prowling the alleys.”

  “That would seem most reasonable, and I would agree. But I am not a factor.”

  “You run an efficient factorage, Maitre. I’ve seen that.”

  “I know enough to let those who can run it do so.” Alastar smiled. “In any case, you now know why I wished to see you.”

  “You’ve told me what you want me to know. That is likely not why you wished to see me.”

  “But it is. I wanted you to know what I discovered. I’ve also informed Elthyrd of what you know. Now … it has been a long day already, and I would like to return to Imagisle before another deluge pummels L’Excelsis.”

  “I certainly will not keep you,” said Kathila, standing and glancing momentarily toward the window, “but I have my doubts as to whether you will reach the Collegium before being drenched.”

  Alastar stood and inclined his head to her. “That may be.”

  In fact, it was.

  He and Coermyd had ridden less than half a mille north on the West River Road before a soft heavy rain began to fall.

  33

  The rain lasted until well after midnight, and, again, there were shallow ponds and puddles everywhere on Jeudi morning, as well as scattered fog and mist. Even so, Alastar and the others did manage the morning run, and he was soaked through and through from the warm damp and the standing water by the time he finished. Alyna and Malyna seemed to fly over the water while he and Lystara had slogged through it. At least, it had seemed that way to him.

  He’d only been in his study less than a quint when Dareyn brought in the first message of the day, delivered by army courier. Knowing it had to be from Wilkorn, Alastar read it immediately.

  Maitre Alastar—

  I have just received reports that on Mardi afternoon, the rebel forces set out from Nordeau. If they maintain standard pace, they will reach Caluse by Lundi around midday.

  We intend to depart headquarters at sixth glass tomorrow. That will allow us a day and a half to reach a point north of Caluse ideal for an attack on the rebels and another two days and a half to prepare. Should they decide not to take the west road north, we will be able to withdraw more quickly than they to L’Excelsis, since the East River Road north of Caluse is narrow and parts remain unpaved and rutted. Also, the ancient three-span bridge at Caluse is very narrow. We could easily shell it and destroy it, or render it unusable by other means, if we think it would be to our advantage.

  It would seem preferable for the majority of the imagers to be near the van, but the army will defer to t
he Collegium in the positioning of imagers …

  When Alastar finished reading the long dispatch, he had Maercyl summon Cyran, Akoryt, and Alyna. While he waited, he took out his maps and considered what Wilkorn had written. Should the imagers be that concentrated? Or would several groups be preferable?

  Two groups, not several.

  Alyna was the first to arrive. As she settled into the chair closest to the window, she looked at Alastar and said, “The High Holders are advancing on L’Excelsis, aren’t they?”

  “Moving toward L’Excelsis, at least. How did you know?”

  “Maercyl said you’d gotten a dispatch from the marshal, and you summoned me, Cyran, and Akoryt. That was the obvious conclusion. There are others, but, knowing you, none of the others were probable.”

  As she finished speaking, Cyran and Akoryt entered the study. Akoryt closed the door.

  Alastar gestured toward the chairs and then waited for the other two to sit down before beginning, “The High Holder force is moving toward Caluse. We’re leaving in the morning.”

  “I had a feeling it wouldn’t be that long,” said Akoryt.

  “Are you sticking with the same twelve imagers you picked earlier?” asked Cyran.

  “Unless something has changed that I don’t know about. Has it?”

  “Not that I know of.” Cyran smiled sheepishly. “I mean, much has changed, but nothing that you don’t know.”