Moon's Artifice

by Tom Lloyd

  Lord Martial ald Har returned the Wyvern nobleman’s bow and turned to where Rhe sat. ‘The investigation is to be conducted by Lawbringer Rhe and so I turn matters over to him.’

  A murmur of anticipation seemed to run around the Investigators and novices assembled on the gallery. A public interrogation was a rare thing, most especially of high-born individuals.

  ‘Lord Weyerl,’ Rhe began gravely as he reappeared in Narin’s view, ‘when were you first informed of these events ?’

  Weyerl folded his hands together and remained standing as he spoke. ‘A runner came to the gates of my home around dawn. It is no secret within Dragon District that I am a member of the goshe, so the master of the Shure I attend did not hesitate to contact me. How he heard I do not know, but city rumour seems to have carried the news far.

  ‘I sent messages to my colleagues here,’ Weyerl said as he turned slightly left then right to indicate those beside him, ‘and we met within the hour, realising the gravity of the situation. We agreed we should come straight to the Palace of Law and wait on your convenience rather than be summoned.’

  ‘These are all the members of your ruling council ?’

  Weyerl frowned slightly at the term, having been at pains to downplay their power, but he did not argue the point. ‘All the members within the city, yes.’

  ‘Which of you has jurisdiction over the free hospital ?’

  ‘None of us.’

  ‘There is another who does ?’

  ‘Jurisdiction has never been necessary,’ Weyerl clarified. ‘The free hospital in Raven District is still a Shure with a master. The training there is merely of a different form to most Shure. My colleagues and I would only ever interfere if such a thing was requested by members of the Shure.’

  ‘The name of the master for the free hospital ?’

  ‘Addenalai.’

  Rhe paused a moment, perhaps having expected to hear the name Jehq as Narin had. ‘Father Addenalai ? And where is he presently ?’

  Weyerl pursed his lips. ‘Assuming what I heard is correct, you arrested him last night.’

  ‘Do you know why ?’

  There was a fractional pause. ‘I do not. I have been told the Shure was searched and its doors locked, that is all.’

  ‘But you come here to preclude the possibility of a conflict rather than demand an explanation ? You are a most restrained man.’

  The goshe inclined his head. ‘Self-control lies at the heart of our teachings. Whether instructed in science or the martial arts, one is a danger to those around one without control.’

  ‘Tell me about the master in Moon District,’ Rhe said, moving away from the topic as though they were merely exchanging pleasantries.

  ‘I … I do not know him. I have been told Shure Master Nemeke was a teacher who commanded great respect among his pupils, but that he had a personal dispute with a former member of his Shure.’

  ‘Oh ? And that was ?’

  ‘One Estan Tokene of House Shadow.’

  ‘Do you know the nature of the dispute ?’

  Weyerl shook his head. ‘Only that it was over a woman, nothing more.’

  ‘You said former member ?’

  ‘I am told Master Tokene ceased attending the Shure after an argument with the Shure Master – one that involved threats.’

  ‘From both sides or just one ? Surely a Shure Master possesses your remarkable calm ?’

  Weyerl merely blinked at that. ‘We are all human, we are all fallible.’

  ‘Do you know what the argument was about ?’

  ‘No. However I do know Master Tokene has been involved in other disputes. He has been described as paranoid and erratic, prone to drink and bouts of aggression. He was for a time treated at an asylum run by the Order, afflicted with an imbalance of the mind, but after the argument with Master Nemeke he disappeared and has not been seen since. It is the opinion of the goshe that we have failed him and still consider his care our responsibility.’

  ‘Most noble of you,’ Rhe said in a level voice. ‘Is this a common thing – to show such care for the more erratic and aggressive members of your Order ?’

  ‘We attempt to care for all who need it ; that is a founding principle of the Order,’ Weyerl said carefully.

  ‘So an aide at the free hospital named Perel, he is also your responsibility ?’

  The nobleman blinked. ‘I, ah, I do not know the name. If he is … we have many working at the free hospital, I know only very few of them. If there is a man of that name there, I’m sure the Order would embrace him also.’

  ‘Would your responsibility extend to his attempted murder of a young woman on the orders of a doctor there ? One Father Jehq, I believe.’

  The pause was slight, but Narin was listening for it. ‘We cannot be held responsible for a man’s crimes,’ Weyerl said stiffly. ‘A man’s actions are his own and the Emperor’s law must be upheld.’

  ‘I’m glad we agree there. Do you know the whereabouts of Father Jehq so we can question him directly ?’

  ‘I do not – I know the name only. I have never met him, but I find it difficult to believe he could order such a thing.’

  ‘Why not ? You’ve never met the man.’

  ‘He is a healer, not a killer – and why would he order his aide to murder anyone ? What possible motive is there ?’

  ‘Motive is my concern,’ Rhe declared. ‘In the meantime, put the word out that he is to turn himself in for questioning immediately.’

  ‘Do you have evidence for this ?’ Weyerl asked. ‘You believe Fathers Nemeke and Jehq acted in collusion ? On whose testimony ? This woman’s?’

  Rhe paused. ‘I note you assume it was the same young woman in each instance. As a matter of fact it was, but let us return to the principal matter at hand – the assassination attempt committed last night at an Imperial compound by at least ten members of the House Moon Shure.’

  ‘Ten ?’ Weyerl asked pointedly. ‘I had only heard that Nemeke sent his most easily swayed pupils to murder a young woman. I had assumed that meant two or three of the youngest members who, regrettably, are often more focused on the martial disciplines and obedience than the spiritual ones that accompany them. Might I be permitted to inquire why the woman was at an Imperial compound in the first place, and how she survived if there were ten attackers ?’

  ‘She was not alone there – the young woman had impressed upon us a fear for her life, having arrived at the Palace of Law bloodied and bruised after the first attack on her. Furthermore, Investigator Narin took a number of precautions against attack and, as official record will testify, is not a man unfamiliar with being outnumbered.’

  Narin winced, not daring to turn his head and see what Prince Sorote’s reaction would be to the assertion.

  ‘It was this Investigator’s own rooms,’ Weyerl asked with studied confusion on his face, ‘rather than this secured premises ?’ He gestured to the great hall they currently stood in and Narin heard a mutter from all around the gallery as others wondered the same thing.

  ‘She was not under arrest,’ Rhe said, ‘and she was concerned that associates of Father Jehq might assume she had come into our care and seek her here. As last night has shown, the more fanatical among your Order are not dissuaded by any authority.’

  ‘But no assassins would breach the Palace of Law, surely ?’ Weyerl insisted. ‘So why remove her from its safety ?’

  Rhe did not respond immediately – instead he gave the nobleman a long look before turning to Law Master Sheven. Whether he got any sort of response from the Law Master, Narin couldn’t tell.

  Prince Sorote nudged Narin’s elbow. ‘As much as I’m enjoying the show, why is Weyerl pressing our famous Lawbringer on this ?’

  Narin scowled, but forced himself to face the man. Before he could speak, Rhe finally replied to the question.

  ‘There was a concern that her attackers had some sort of assistance from demons, that she might not in fact be safe from all assaults on this Palace.
’

  Prince Sorote and Weyerl gasped in the same breath, as did most of those watching. Despite the man’s dark skin, Narin thought he could detect a flush of anger in Weyerl’s cheeks. But as the nobleman spluttered and blustered about the increasingly farcical nature of these claims, Sorote’s attention became only more fixed.

  ‘Demons ?’ he whispered.

  Narin didn’t respond, but Sorote jolted his elbow once more, pointedly this time, and repeated the word. With a sinking feeling, Narin explained.

  ‘Lawbringer Rhe is misrepresenting the facts,’ he whispered, ‘rather than accuse them outright of conspiracy.’

  ‘The goshe within the Lawbringers,’ Sorote said in a knowing tone. ‘It would cripple you, to accuse your own.’

  ‘What did you say ?’

  The Imperial nobleman smiled smugly at him. ‘I deal in information, whatever form it comes in. I’ve known for a while there are goshe within the Lawbringers – I could provide you with a few names even, if you wish. That you suspect their allegiance is with the goshe rather than the Lawbringers, however, I find interesting.’

  Down on the floor of the chamber Lord ald Har rapped a smooth-edged stone on the table top, a fist-sized chunk of rock that tradition dictated was used as a gavel in this chamber. Almost immediately the muttering voices subsided, but Lord Weyerl’s clear voice filled the gap.

  ‘Lord ald Har – now we have accusations of demon-worshipping thrown at us ? It seems to me this is at best the ravings of a handful of disturbed individuals – at worst your Lawbringer has naively allowed himself to be swayed by an orchestrated attempt to discredit the goshe Order !’

  ‘You will lower your voice,’ the Lord Martial replied coldly, ‘and calm yourself before you level accusations you cannot rescind.’ The old man had half-stood in his anger – but it was not reserved solely for Weyerl, given the glare he afforded Rhe.

  Narin found himself leaning forward in anticipation. The credibility of the Lawbringers was the Lord Martial’s highest priority, he knew that. With the Emperor only a titular figure and the Lawbringers existing on sufferance of the Great Houses, their authority was a precarious currency.

  While it certainly wasn’t the existence of demons that was in dispute, Narin couldn’t think of any plausible account of humans acting in collusion with them. At best there were only brief, isolated instances of possession that bore little resemblance to current events.

  ‘Lawbringer Rhe,’ ald Har continued, ‘your allegation is grave. Do you have evidence to support it ?’

  ‘I am investigating the allegations of others,’ Rhe replied with a respectful bow to the Lord Martial, ‘I make no such claims at present, but merely explain my actions in calming a frightened woman who wished her location to be a secret from those trying to kill her.’

  ‘Others ?’ Weyerl echoed, seizing upon the word. ‘What others ? Have you Master Tokene in your custody ? Or were you bringing the girl to her lover and Nemeke had her followed all the way ? Is that where this madness comes from ? Two disturbed lunatics whose madness the Lawbringers have foolishly believed and encouraged ?’

  ‘The only individuals I have in custody are those arrested at the free hospital, and none are mad that I am aware.’

  ‘Then I demand they are immediately released.’

  ‘Demand ?’ ald Har growled. ‘You do not make demands in this place !’

  Weyerl bowed just as Rhe had done. ‘My apologies – I request they are released, unless you have other testimony to support such fanciful claims ?’

  At Narin’s side, Prince Sorote suddenly gave a purr of pleasure. ‘You’ve got this supposed madman,’ he whispered to Narin, delight clear in his face. ‘He’s the one making these claims, isn’t he ? Stars above, what secrets can he tell – could you take down the entire goshe Order ?’

  Narin pursed his lips. ‘And your interest in all this is ?’

  ‘Oh please, do you think I would be sitting here if I was a goshe agent ?’ Sorote muttered scornfully. ‘I’d offer to show you my tattoos if I thought it would prove anything, but credit me with a little more grace than that, my friend.’

  ‘I’m not your friend.’

  Sorote tensed at the anger in Narin’s voice. ‘Perhaps not, but a little civility would still be appropriate, Master Narin. The look on your face tells me you’re far more out of your depth than you realised yesterday – just how far I wonder ? I smell secrets here. When Lawbringer Rhe himself makes false claims before the Vanguard Council, the stakes must really be high in this game. Just remember that he’s the golden boy of the Lawbringers and a nobleman too – you’re neither. If a wave comes crashing down on you all, might be you want to have a friend able to throw you a lifeline.’

  ‘And I should trust my future to the good graces of an Imperial prince I barely know ?’ Narin asked. ‘Hoping he’s not just readying me for a fall ?’

  Sorote’s smile faded. ‘You’ve readied your own fall,’ he said sharply and rose to leave. ‘I could discredit your investigation right now should I want to, but I’m not your enemy, despite your obvious misgivings about my caste. You would do well to remember that, Investigator. Until we meet again, Master Narin.’

  Chapter 13

  To observers of the politics of court there is one marked oddity in these delicate and ephemeral dealings. The lords of Leviathan are rare presences and their islands far less populous than any other Great House, yet when they are present, the respect they are offered borders on the painstaking. Without the economic or apparent military power to warrant this, one must wonder what marvels and horrors those seafarers have encountered as they plumb the ocean depths.

  From A History by Ayel Sorote

  It was not long before Lawbringer Rhe had finished questioning the goshe’s leaders. They left without fanfare ; stiff thanks offered by Lord Martial ald Har and Rhe, curt bows from the goshe – with the exception of the Imperial woman, who merely swept out the door without waiting. The entertainment over, most of those watching from the gallery filed out, discussing what they’d heard in urgent whispers.

  Before long there remained only three men in the chamber below : Rhe, standing regally at the Emperor’s end of the table, Law Master Sheven, and ald Har, head bowed and leaning heavily on the opposing end as though old age had rushed upon him. Narin stayed where he was, unsure whether to go or stay, but Rhe’s attention was on the Lord Martial of the Lawbringers alone.

  They stayed that way for a long while, long enough for Narin to be sure the room below was empty. Finally, there came a deep rumble from the throat of Sheven.

  ‘Did they think bringing an Imperial here would cow us ?’ the bearded Law Master growled. ‘Are they so certain of their position ?’

  ‘It means we must take care before we proceed, my friend,’ ald Har replied wearily. ‘They brought her as a warning and it served its purpose.’

  ‘What ? You can’t be serious, Lord Martial !’ Sheven said furiously.

  Ald Har raised a hand to cut off his colleague’s protests. ‘The warning is what it is ; I cannot choose to pretend it does not exist.’

  ‘It does not change the law !’

  The Lord Martial smashed a fist down on the stone table. ‘Do not lecture me about the law ! You think I could forget it so easily ?’

  ‘Then this changes nothing,’ Sheven said in a more restrained voice. ‘Lawbringer Rhe’s investigation exists under my purview – you cannot order me to cease matters simply because it may lead to all strata of society !’

  ‘Have I asked that ?’

  Sheven hesitated. ‘No, but …’

  ‘Then do not put words in my mouth, old friend,’ ald Har advised. ‘Now – this investigation is closed by your name. Rhe will pursue it without providing account to any other than yourself. I will trust you have sufficient reason to do this and I shall not ask why, but the fact remains – this may tarnish Imperials and nobles. The royal family may be vast, but the Emperor values the station even of those he doe
s not know by name. Delicacy is called for unless you would enjoy being summoned to the Imperial Palace. Am I clear ?’

  Sheven grunted, his fiery nature blunted by the man’s words. ‘As you command, Lord Martial.’

  ‘Thank you. Lawbringer Rhe, what resources will you need to pursue this matter ?’

  Rhe took a long breath and a brief blaze of scarlet from the stained glass above illuminated his pale face. ‘I could employ every Lawbringer, Investigator and novice we have ; search every Shure and hospital belonging to the goshe without finding the man I seek. And so I ask for nothing.’

  ‘Nothing ?’ Sheven and ald Har echoed together.

  Rhe inclined his head. ‘As you have recognised, it could be damaging to the Emperor and society as a whole if we blindly tarnish the names of all goshe. What is served by acting as though a conspiracy exists when our evidence is a single unverified account ?’

  Narin gave a cough of surprise at what his uncompromising mentor had just suggested. He’d always thought Rhe would let the Empire burn in the name of the law.

  Are we all prisoners to our caste after all ? Even Rhe ?

  The Lord Martial looked from Sheven to Rhe, but neither man seemed willing to provide an explanation for the apparent turn-around.

  ‘We are all servants of the Emperor’s law,’ ald Har said at last, his tone making it sound a warning as much as a reminder.

  ‘And I intend to see his justice done,’ Rhe replied with a bow, ‘but how I go about it must be mine alone. The Lawbringers may be better served if I act alone.’

  After a long pause it was clear from the Lord Martial’s face that he recognised the sense in Rhe’s words. They all knew the death-sentence that awaited any Lawbringer abusing their position, so ald Har chose not to speak further. Trusting the judgement of his long-time friend, he turned and left without another word.