Bond Proof

by E G Manetti

  To his shock, a warm smile greets him, and she compliments Elysia on the success of her recognition cotillion and Cesare on his recognition as heir. Next to her, Gilead is charming, complimenting Elysia on her appearance and asking Cesare about his plans for advanced studies. As the next set of guests arrives, Moira says, “Need you respite, please me and make use of my table.”

  As with all cotillions, refreshments and informal seating are available throughout the reception chambers. Moira’s personal table is reserved for her most intimate friends, and this is the first occasion Lucius has been invited to make use of it. Thanking the governor, he leads his children within. Elysia’s eyes are glowing, her smile true as she crows, “Jenica has never had an invitation to the governor’s table.”

  Shades be praised. Whatever lingering resentment he has harbored toward Moira evaporates at the resurgence of Elysia’s high spirits. Nickolas appears from the crowd and she goes to meet him, eager to inform him of her triumph and have his attention. She may have outgrown her childish crush on his protégé, but he remains a handsome, charming, and honorable warrior. Watching Nickolas sweep her onto the dance floor, Lucius leaves Cesare to find his own way and goes to greet Apollo, already seated at the governor’s respite table.

  »◊«

  Horatio’s arrival in Crevasse City was timed to allow his attendance at the Governor’s Cotillion. As the single most powerful warrior in the Twelve Systems, his welcome is never in question, his positive relationship with Governor Moira assured by his patronage of Gilead. Not only is he Lord Patron of Jonathan’s sect, for over a decade he has ensured that Gilead holds the role of spiritual blade in the Governing Council and the leadership of the Shrine votes. It also provides him with the leverage to keep Lucius Mercio subordinate even within the Third System, fostering the governor’s distrust of the man. Horatio takes a great deal of pleasure in these events where he, and not Lucius, is seated at the governor’s table.

  Entering the palace with Moira and Gilead, Horatio’s eyes go to the side of the chamber opposite the governor’s table, where Lucius and Estella will have set up a competing power center. Lucius is not there. Rimon’s dungeons. Lucius is at Moira’s table engaged with Lord Apollo, both men rising at their approach and giving Horatio time to school his countenance. Something significant has changed in the Third System. Horatio’s innuendo that Lucius’ unconventional ways carry the seeds of anarchy will no longer be well received.

  An experienced strategist, Horatio determines to watch and learn. Knowing the topic will be of interest to all, he mentions the Nightingale command crew and the training for the voyage to the Thirteenth System. As he hoped, Moira is delighted at the topic and wishes advanced details about the launch to the beaconless expanse a year hence. When he offers the hospitality of the house he is building in Fort Rimon, the governor thanks him, but she is to be a guest at Jonathan’s Shrine Quarters. At least she is not to guest with Lucius. He suspects that the shrine quarters will also host Lord Gilead, allowing the pair to conduct their liaison with discretion.

  Gilead leads Moira to the dance floor, leaving Horatio to continue with Lucius and Apollo. Now is not the time to raise the issue of Raleigh’s gray-market dealings and Lucius’ kinship. That will wait until the morrow when he can use the knowledge to advantage, gaining release from the honor debt incurred by Fenrir and securing a place in the Mercium trade. In the meantime, he has other knowledge he can use to unbalance his rival. “I notice Seigneur Trevelyan is absent. It seems he takes an uncommon interest in your apprentice.”

  Crevasse swallow it. Lucius should have known Horatio would have some intrigue to disrupt the successful evening. Until Horatio mentioned Lilian, it could not have gone better. Elysia’s bright personality emerging under the attentions of his protégé and his friends, Horatio discomfited to find Lucius on good terms Moira, and the governor’s clever avoidance of a show of favoritism by residing with neither of them at the Nightingale launch. Now at the mention of Trevelyan, Lucius’ mind goes to the extraordinary measures the spymaster put in place to protect Lilian. They are all justifiable, but if Horatio wishes to raise the specter of excessive consideration, he has the power to do so. Lucius is not a lackwit and he has sparred with Horatio for a decade. He will not be lured into offering aught that could be used against Lilian. “Uncommon? How so?”

  “Training garb from the finest tailor in Crevasse City? For her and her sister?” Horatio raises his brows. “Rather intimate, would you not say?”

  What says he? Lucius is stunned. He cannot imagine Trevelyan taking such liberty or Lilian permitting it.

  Apollo sputters wine. Waving a hand, he gasps, “Informant . . . error.”

  Although he appreciates Apollo’s quick defense, Lucius is not about to allow Horatio’s accusation to stand. Even a rumor could endanger the woman. “Have you evidence?”

  Horatio smirks. “William’s testimony. He encountered her and Trevelyan’s blonde at the shop earlier this day. She was absent from commerce well before sixth bell.”

  Demon shit. William is clever and ruthless, but he would not give a false report when it is readily disproven.

  “I cannot speak to the liberty,” Apollo finds his voice. “As to the garb, did your son witness Lilian acquire aught?”

  Horatio shrugs. “He witnessed the sister place an order and Lilian pay with funds they both acknowledged were Trevelyan’s. It is safe to assume that she also placed an order.”

  Apollo barks a laugh. “Seigneur William has little experience with Adelaide’s Thorn if he believes it is safe to assume aught about her. I have no doubt Trevelyan purchased Katleen’s garb. He is ever attempting to gift the seer and she will accept naught for fear it might come back on Lilian. Even the strictest interpretation of excessive consideration cannot be applied to a man gifting his lover’s child with garb that would not fit and could not be used by Lilian.”

  Ignoring Horatio’s stunned expression, Lucius turns to Apollo. “Lady Helena and Trevelyan? When did this occur?”

  Shooting Horatio a dark glance, Apollo answers, “Seigneur Trevelyan was a great comfort to the seer when Lilian was kidnapped by Fenrir and in its aftermath. I believe the intimate relationship began some time during the rains.”

  Horatio shifts at the mention of the Matahorn seigneur who kidnapped Lucius’ apprentice. “They have been discreet. I had no notion of the relationship, as it appears Lucius did not.”

  Surprise past, Lucius takes pleasure in Apollo turning the table on his rival. Before he can decide on an appropriate comment, Nickolas approaches. Beckoning his protégé, Lucius tilts his head for the private message. It is but two words, and it is all Lucius can do to maintain an impassive countenance. “Crevasse-crawlers.” Raleigh’s pirates have fallen into Trevelyan’s trap.

  Although anxious to monitor for updates, whether it is victory or failure, there is naught he can do about the pirates until the morrow. Tired of Horatio’s intrigues, Lucius rises. “The evening advances and I have yet to dance with my daughter.”

  11. Margov

  ians and Mercios

  Naught is known of Adelaide Warleader’s history before she took service with Sinead Standingbear’s militia at the age of twenty. Recognized as distant kin by the Fifth Warrior, Adelaide advanced rapidly to captain of the guard, where she attached the interest of Robert Dragon, Sinead’s steward. With no wealth, land, or soldiers of her own, Adelaide had naught to bring to a wedlock alliance, but as kin to Sinead, she attained a consort contract.

  Then as now, consort alliances were as honorable as wedlock alliances, allowing otherwise unequal matches to flourish and, in the modern era, maintaining the health of ancient warrior lines with the careful introduction of new genetics. As with wedlock contracts, provisions for offspring were as clearly defined as they are now, and the children eligible to be selected as heir. Also as in modern arrangements, property was not comingled and the contracts could be terminated at the request of either party. Adelaide t
erminated the alliance when Robert Dragon betrayed Sinead.

  Although there is some suggestion in the Fourth Warrior’s canon that Adelaide was Jonathan Metricelli’s consort, there is no record of a contract, and as there was no issue, it is impossible to know for certain. Adelaide’s consort alliance with Socraide Omsted is well documented. In the first few centuries of order, legends of lost Adelaide heirs arose, but none were proven, and property set aside for issue from her alliances with Robert Dragon the Betrayer and Socraide Omsted reverted to the estates of the Fifth and First Warriors. ~ excerpt from The Foundations of Order, a scholarly treatise.

  Sevenday 143, Day 1

  Lucius sits at his techno array and plots. The adaptation of the Bright Star code to a unique Serengeti version received a battle trial in the trap for the Mercium pirates and has proven its effectiveness. By midday the day gone, Trevelyan joined Lucius in his private study. Together, they coordinated the review of the decoded alerts sent from Lilian and Rebecca who were stationed in Katleen’s kitchen. Tabitha and Malcon joined the free-traders at the Sparkling Vistrite, keeping them up to date and passing on the free-traders’ responses. While Raleigh and his retainers know of the code, they have not been given the keys, Trevelyan’s operatives on the decoy generated the alerts. Lucius will not yield such a powerful cartel weapon to his unproven kin.

  Three days out from Redemption and four gone from the Ninth System, the decoy was past the point of no return when it encountered the pirate transport. At that location, standard alerts would require two days to reach Crevasse City, not the twelve periods of the Serengeti code. The first arrived at tenth bell after midday and was relayed to Malcon, Lilian, and Rebecca. Malcon passed it to Mr. George, who alerted Nickolas. After the initial alert, an update arrived every half bell. By third bell after dark of night, they knew the pirates were defeated. The day gone, they knew Trevelyan’s operatives had evidence of Dark Axe complicity but not the nature of the evidence. Until he knows how strong that evidence is, his options are limited.

  With the pirates defeated and incarcerated, the decoy was diverted to Contrition and one of the governor’s secure facilities. They should arrive within bells and near-instantaneous communication will resume. Until then, Lucius must discover if Horatio has learned aught of Raleigh’s gray commerce and ancestry without revealing those secrets if they are not known. To that end, Lucius will employ the considerable talents of his spymaster and apprentice. Both are well versed in discovering unconventional means to execute Lucius’ will.

  As if summoned by his thoughts, Lilian crosses the threshold to the sound of eighth bell chimes, coming to attention in front of his desk. With the elegant and spare movements of her physical training, Lilian readies her slate. Lucius takes a moment to enjoy her length of leg, her lean, muscled form encased in severe black, and the composed and serene expression.

  It is an expression Lucius recognizes. His eyes narrow. Lilian is repressing emotion and masking her thoughts. It is as familiar as the prim gold posts that normally twinkle in her ears. Ears now set with ruby studs.

  Five Warriors take it. It is not unexpected, but it is inconvenient. Lucius has not had opportunity to enjoy his apprentice since the wild and crude coupling the past Fourth Day. Now it will be at least another three days. Although he has tasks for Lilian, there is another matter he wishes to address. “Why have you not voiced the liaison between your mother and Seigneur Trevelyan?”

  The gray eyes widen and her lips part. He has surprised her. Fair enough. “Milord did not know?”

  She knows better. “Do not answer a question with a question.”

  “I beg pardon,” Lilian says, blinking. “I thought— That is, it is not a secret and it is not for me to comment on a seigneur’s passions. I . . .” Breaking off, her shoulders square and her expression closes. “I beg milord’s pardon. I have no mitigation to offer.”

  Demon shit. She is right. It was not hers to voice. He could be Tiberius with his uncompromising adherence to custom. “Peace. You owe no contrition. The situation is unprecedented. Trevelyan should have said something.” At the softening of her shoulders, he asks, “How long have the seer and Trevelyan enjoyed a liaison?”

  “I learned of it the day before we departed for Fortuna,” she says, fingering her seal. “Katleen says it has been since shortly after the battle.”

  For all he appreciates Lilian’s reserve and caution, he lacks the time and will to drag the tale out of her. “Cease withholding. All you know and suspect.”

  “I know the seigneur was much concerned and visited her at the shrine after Fenrir and Gariten’s perfidy were understood.” Her fingers toy with the seal but do not clench. She is nervous but not distressed. “When we transited to Fortuna, Seigneur Trevelyan resided with Maman and took an interest in Katleen’s training. Since we returned, he has been to her house only when there are chaperones, as when we were given the toxin detector.”

  “The seer transits to his home in the River Quarter?” Lucius finds it hard to credit, knowing the seer’s reclusive nature.

  Lilian shakes her head. “No, milord. My mother has a private chamber in the shrine quarters where they meet.”

  Self-master. Lucius swallows the urge to laugh at the notion of the one-time Universalist engaging in passion in Sinead’s Quarters. The Shades own an odd sense of humor. Satisfied, he turns to the topic of Horatio. “Horatio Margovian did not arrive two sevendays early for the Five Warriors’ Festival to enjoy the Governor’s Cotillion and inspect the command crew’s training. He has a purpose. Until I know what it is, I will assume he is aware of the deacon’s gray commerce and mayhap that he is hedge kin. If that is the case, I must know what evidence there is against Dark Axe before that discussion. I need the Margovians distracted until we have the full report from Contrition.”

  »◊«

  Horatio is amused. Lucius’ distractions, while interesting, are an obvious design to avoid significant commerce discussion. Does Lucius suspect he knows of Raleigh’s pharmaceutical smuggling? That knowledge alone would gain only slight advantage. Gray commerce is readily bleached with sufficient funds, but criminal acts with a connection to the Blooded Dagger preeminence are another matter. Such acts could call into question the honor of the Mercio line. Horatio has exiled more than one hedge kin who evidenced similar failings.

  That Lucius’ hedge kinsman is also his agent in the Mercium trade means that Lucius cannot be free of the man without scandal. Raleigh’s record of valor in the pirate actions will not save him. If Lucius does not discard the man, Horatio’s price for silence will far exceed what he will demand in honor debt for the free-trader’s violation of Matahorn commerce rights. For one of Lucius’ preeminence, it will be beyond humbling.

  Nor can Lucius simply see to the man’s disappearance. There is the free-trader’s sister and the cousins in the Fourth System who serve the governor. Lucius is well and truly caught. Horatio is pleased to enjoy the moment, entertained by Lucius’ attempts to avoid the inevitable.

  He turns his attention to the execution of the group decision trial. For all it is clumsy and error-prone, it is as fascinating as the individual trial, which he has employed to destroy the Nightingale countless times. After two bells, the crew has yet to reach the edge of the beaconed systems.

  The midday meal is as much about continued avoidance as all else in the day. The lounge and dining salon reserved for the ranked of Serengeti is located on the east side of the thirty-fifth storey of the complex. It commands a view of the Garden Center and the elegant neighborhoods of the Garden Center District. At the height of the green season, the city sparkles in the sunshine and the Garden Center is a lush oasis of greens draped in multihued blossoms.

  With the inclusion of Elenora, Hercules, Cesare, Marco, and Aristides, Lucius has salted the table with those willing to discuss all but Blooded Dagger commerce. Having summoned Lorelei to join William and him, Horatio settles in to enjoy a pleasant meal. Conversation ranges from Bright Star
to the resolution of the Newton affair to the moon-race trials that begin on Seventh Day. Unable to resist, Horatio complains about the smuggling in the Eleventh and Twelfth Systems and asks Lucius if he has had any trouble with his Mercium agent.

  »◊«

  In the Fountain Café, Lilian spears a grilled vegetable, content to listen to Rebecca and Douglas discuss the moon-race trials, knowing they will avoid any hint of odds management.

  “I do not understand why Master Fletcher attempts the trials when he cannot participate in the race,” Rebecca says.

  The moon racer, along with the rest of the Bright Star command crew, departs Metricelli Prime immediately after the Five Warriors’ Festival.

  “For the enjoyment and the challenge,” Douglas replies. “The man enjoys racing and they are skills he will use piloting an explorer in the Thirteenth System.”

  “And his participation offers more media plays for Bright Star,” Lilian says. Fletcher’s race trials are another act in ongoing media management to keep Bright Star and the Nightingale in the forefront of the Twelve Systems’ collective consciousness.

  “As you voice.” Douglas nods. “It is a pity Monsignor’s will is so conventional where your matches are concerned. We could do much with your match with Caoimhe, if Monsignor would permit it.”

  “Monsignor prefers less attention, rather than more, be drawn to Serengeti’s free-trader alliance,” Lilian replies. “The free-traders are too often associated with the forces of anarchy. Bright Star has endured enough of such implied associations due to Newton’s deranged teachings.”