Madness in Solidar

by L. E. Modesitt Jr.

  Alastar nodded and waited.

  At that moment, the study door opened, and a serving girl entered, with a tray on which were a beaker of dark lager and a goblet of a sparkling white wine. Wordlessly she placed a dark brown porcelain coaster on the table before each man and then set the goblet and then the beaker on the appropriate coaster, leaving as silently as she had come.

  “To a better understanding between the Council and the Collegium.” Haebyn lifted his goblet.

  Alastar had the feeling that the toast was as much command as toast, but merely lifted his beaker. “To understanding.” He took a sip of the lager, good, but not so good as that offered by Vaun. “Very good.”

  “I’ll take your word. Lager’s never been to my taste.” After setting his goblet on the coaster, Haebyn cleared his throat. “What is the most interesting is that when Maitre Fhaen selected the second-ranking imager at Westisle as his successor, there was quiet objection until you arrived, and then an absence of opposition. That suggests you are more than you appear … although Maitre Zhelan had mentioned that you were gifted. That was some years ago.”

  “You’re obviously familiar with the Collegium in Westisle.”

  Haebyn smiled disarmingly. “Not really. My father knew Maitre Zhelan from before. I met him as a younger man. He would have been the heir to Dueralt.”

  “He was the eldest son of Souven D’Alte?”

  Haebyn nodded. “Souven the elder, the Nameless bless his passing, had three sons, but I think Zhelan would have made an excellent steward of Dueralt.”

  “Maitre Zhelan has been most effective in restoring the effectiveness of the Collegium in Westisle. I learned a great deal from him.”

  “It’s interesting,” mused Haebyn. “An imager with no background, no education before the Collegium, and no … acquaintances in L’Excelsis appears to have calmed the waters by his mere appearance. The only one who appears not to have been calmed is the rex.”

  “I’m under the impression that he is not the type to be easily calmed.”

  Haebyn laughed softly. “Such understatement.”

  “He is rather firm in his beliefs about what should be done.”

  “As is the Council … about what should and should not be done.”

  “That was certainly the impression I received from High Holder Guerdyn.” Alastar thought he detected a slight reaction from Haebyn, but what exactly that meant he had no idea.

  “He would know better than I.”

  “He’s been head of the High Council for two years?”

  “Two and a half.”

  “He was raised close to L’Excelsis, I assume, since his holding is near. Do you think that provides an advantage to the High Council?”

  Haebyn considered the question before replying. “The advantage is that he has been exposed to more of what occurs here. That could also be seen as a disadvantage.”

  “He doesn’t seem exactly enthralled with the rex.”

  “Is anyone with a modicum of intelligence? As short a time as you have been here … what do you think?”

  “I worry that he is perhaps too precipitate in deciding.” And that is a great understatement.

  “Pleasantly and politically said. I suppose that is necessary, given that the Collegium is, shall we say, beholden to the rex.”

  “Financially, that is so, especially since the factors and the guilds tend to frown on imagers attempting to create anything that might infringe on their perquisites.”

  “You must have considered that, to say so that openly.”

  “It is what is. We are looking into ways to reduce that dependency in a fashion designed not to create difficulties.”

  “You do not think that might create other difficulties?”

  “There are always difficulties. If there is no rain, crops die in the fields. If there is too much, they rot before harvest. If the weather is perfect, the harvests are so plentiful that the growers make less. If tariffs are too low, Solidar becomes weak. If they are too high, people suffer. If the rex is strong, everyone complains. If he is weak, the land suffers, and people still complain.”

  “How do higher tariffs do anything but weaken Solidar?” demanded Haebyn.

  “If the tariffs are spent wisely, on better roads or harbors, or on port inspectors to make sure foreign shippers pay their tariffs, or on ships to stop smugglers, Solidar benefits. Even if some are spent on wines or fine furniture for the rex, vintners and cabinetmakers benefit.”

  “Those who pay the tariffs might feel otherwise, Maitre.”

  “That is true. It’s the nature of ruling that those who pay tariffs do not believe they receive value for their golds. That is because they do not reckon what additional expenses they would incur.”

  “The Collegium receives golds from those tariffs. What benefits does it provide?”

  “It saves the lives of people who would otherwise die or live miserably. In turn, they create roads. They balance the power of those who would abuse it. The Collegium has often served as a check on the power of the rex, and such a restraint is far less costly than a revolt against him. The Collegium has built walls against rivers to reduce floods, and most recently, we have repaired a rather grievous break in the sewers in L’Excelsis. We also buy goods from factors and High Holders and crafters.”

  Haebyn nodded. “It might be said the benefits are sparse, given the costs.”

  “In this year, perhaps, but what about three years ago, when the river walls kept the worst of the flooding from L’Excelsis. Or when five imagers put down the Solian revolt and spared the lives of tens of thousands. Only a man excessively concerned about today’s coins reckons his losses and benefits in single year … or even a few.”

  “But a man may lose all in a year.”

  “Only a fool or an imprudent man loses all in a year, and if he does, it is the result of years of foolishness come due.”

  “The same could be said of a rex.”

  “It could,” admitted Alastar, “but it might be better to guide such foolish rulers than undertake acts that result in deaths and devastation.”

  “And who might take responsibility for such guidance, so that it might be heeded?” Haebyn’s tone held an edge of skepticism, and possibly scorn.

  Alastar smiled pleasantly. “Who indeed?”

  “Is that a veiled promise, Maitre?”

  “I can only promise that the Collegium will not stand by idly if Solidar is threatened, or if the order that has protected generations of imagers is threatened.”

  “What has that to do with tariffs?”

  “Everything has to do with tariffs,” replied Alastar, “as we both know.”

  “The rex has let it be known that he wishes to increase tariffs by a copper on a half silver. That would be ruinous.”

  Alastar managed to keep his mouth shut. An increase of one part in five? That would be ruinous … and insanely stupid. “What increase would not be ruinous?”

  “A copper on a gold would be the most any would consider reasonable in these times, and many would find that excessive.”

  One part in a hundred? Equally ruinous from Ryen’s point … and likely the Collegium’s. “Until this moment, I was not aware of either the scope of the rex’s proposal or of the likely feeling of the High Council.”

  “That should surprise me. It does not, unhappily.” Haebyn shrugged. “You might see why the Council is skeptical of what the rex wants.”

  “I can see both sides on this matter. I have heard that there has not been an increase in tariffs for a good ten years. Did I hear that correctly?” Alastar suspected it had been longer than that, but didn’t know.

  “Why should there be an increase?”

  “With more people and more repairs needed for both the roads and the army, with more ships needed against pirates, more tariffs are required.”

  “The factors are the ones who demand more ships.”

  “High Holder Guerdyn seems to think that the same tariff levels nee
d to apply to both factors and High Holders.” Alastar was stretching things, but wanted a reaction.

  The hint of a frown appeared on Haebyn’s face and then vanished. “I thought imagers could create coins.”

  For a moment, Alastar wondered from where that statement had come, before realizing it was Haebyn’s way of avoiding more talk on the issue of tariffs. “Only a limited number, and only if an imager is near a place where the proper ores are in the ground.” That wasn’t precisely true, but Alastar didn’t want to get into details. “Otherwise, no rex or Maitre would ever have had need of tariffs.”

  “That is a pity.”

  “It is what it is, alas,” agreed Alastar with a slight laugh. “As are so many things.” He took another swallow of the dark lager.

  Haebyn smiled. “I will not keep you longer. I do appreciate your seeking to meet all the members of the Council.” He shifted his weight in the chair as if to indicate he was about to rise.

  “I appreciate your seeing me. Your words have given me food for thought.”

  “I trust that this will not be the last time we meet.” Haebyn stood.

  “I would hope not.” Alastar smiled pleasantly and also rose from the table.

  Once he had left Haebyn’s L’Excelsis dwelling and was riding back toward the Collegium, Alastar went over the conversation. What he found most interesting was that Ryen had proposed such a massive increase in tariff levels as if it were the most reasonable idea, and that Haebyn had clearly been startled by Guerdyn’s insistence on the same tariff level for both factors and High Holders. Alastar thought Guerdyn was right, and he wondered if Haebyn had considered the unrest that would follow if Ryen proposed a higher tariff for factors.

  You’ll have to see what Nacryon says … or doesn’t.

  Dareyn was waiting when Alastar returned to Imagisle and entered the anteroom to his study, but did not speak immediately.

  “What’s happened in my absence?” asked Alastar. “You have that worried look.”

  “The rex wishes to see you tomorrow at eighth glass. I already sent a message to Factor Elthyrd. He was amenable to coming at the first glass of the afternoon.”

  Likely not happy, but amenable. “Anything else?”

  “You have an appointment with High Holder Nacryon on Jeudi morning at ninth glass and with High Holder Moeryn that same afternoon, at third glass. I’ve rescheduled some of your meetings with students.”

  Which are going to take longer than you thought with everything else that’s happening. “Just work them in as you can.”

  “That paper you gave me … It’s better than what we’ve been using.”

  “Keep using it, and let me know. It’s less expensive, and if it works out, we could save more than a few golds.”

  “I will, sir.”

  What else could we image of a common nature…? wondered Alastar as he entered his study, not quite groaning as he saw the master ledger.

  Later, after eating his evening meal in the dining hall—mutton cutlets and boiled sliced potatoes drowned in brown gravy—he returned to his dwelling and the private study there, where he just sat behind the desk, thinking. How on Terahnar did you end up here, the only person in a mansion that could easily house a score or more? Even with his comparatively few needs, the dwelling still required a full-time maid and a gardener, not to mention occasional repairs. And you feel guilty …

  Thealia would have laughed, but even then her laugh would have had an edge, something he had realized in the years since her untimely death. Alastar was still pondering over that—and everything else—when he finally fell asleep in the stillness of the spacious bedroom in the Maitre’s dwelling.

  9

  Alastar was at the Chateau D’Rex at a quint before eighth glass, but had to wait in the corridor until two quints past the glass before Ryen summoned him into the study, where he sat, broodingly, behind the wide desk, piled with stacks of papers, stacks that appeared to be the same ones Alastar had seen on his previous two visits.

  “Good morning, sir.” Alastar checked his shields, in case Ryen became even more volatile than usual.

  “It’s not morning, except for those who lie in bed. It’s midday. It will likely rain later.” Ryen smiled broadly. “I expect you to begin work on the new boulevard by next Lundi.”

  “You have acquired the property or consent for that?”

  “I have done everything necessary. Now, you must do what I order.”

  “If we are to do it properly, I will need a map of which shops and dwellings we are to remove and a proclamation of your grant of authority to the Collegium.”

  “You’re questioning my word? How dare—”

  “Sir, I’m not questioning your authority. But when we start to remove dwellings and shops, without an official document, we will face great anger, and people may even attack us. Then we will have to defend ourselves, and people will be hurt. That will take time, and you wish the avenue to be completed as soon as possible. Matters will go far more swiftly with a proclamation and a route set on a map … and notices to those along the route.”

  Ryen glowered. Then he nodded. “I can see that. I don’t like it, but I can see it. You will have the proclamation and map on Vendrei.”

  “Thank you, sir. That will allow us time to prepare.”

  “No more about the avenue. It will be called the Avenue D’Rex. How far have you gotten with the High Council?”

  “I’m working on that. Just how great an increase in tariffs are you going to propose?”

  “Are you planning to be my finance minister as well?”

  “You want me to change the minds of High Holders. That’s hard to do when I don’t know what you want from them. None of them will agree in advance to anything you intend to implement without knowing what it is.” Even knowing, they likely won’t.

  “There hasn’t been a change in tariffs in fifteen years. My father had a Northern Army and a Southern Army. Now there’s just one, and it’s the size of the old Northern Army. The factors want warships to stop the pirates in the Southern Gulf. There aren’t enough extra golds to build one ship, let alone a flotilla. The factors claim not all goods coming into port are tariffed, and cheaper goods from Jariola and even Ferrum are priced lower. I can’t hire more port inspectors without golds…”

  Alastar listened while Ryen went through a long list of needs, including some, such as refurbishment of the old palace in Solis—or what was left of it—that it would be better not to mention to anyone. When the rex finished, Alastar said, “That’s quite a list. How great a tariff increase will that require?”

  “Two more coppers for every five collected now. They won’t accept that. I’ve let it be known that I’ll accept one.”

  “That’s an increase of two parts in ten.”

  “They can Namer well afford that after all these years of underpaying. Now you know. No more on that. Just get rid of their objections. Otherwise, what use is the Collegium?”

  “We can build roads.”

  “We’ll see about that. Go.”

  Alastar nodded politely, stepped back, and turned, making his way from Ryen’s study. At least he didn’t ask about the sewers. Yet.

  Once he returned to Imagisle from a shielded position, Alastar observed Obsolym teaching the younger primes the history of Solidar and of the early years of the Collegium. The older Maitre knew both and presented the information well. After the instruction, he waited until the primes left, dropped his shields, and then said, “That was impressive and well-presented.”

  Obsolym looked disconcerted for a moment, then smiled, “Thank you, Maitre. I do appreciate your taking the time to observe.”

  “I would like to have done so earlier, but there has been a great deal to deal with.”

  “I understand the rex has requested your presence often in the past few days. Has he said more about this avenue? You know that will create great anger among the crafters and factors.”

  “I know that. I asked him for
a regial proclamation declaring his intent and his ownership of the property we will have to raze. I told him that, without those, there would be unrest and possibly violence and that the work would be slowed. He was not happy, but he agreed to provide those.”

  “They won’t be enough.”

  “They may not be,” Alastar agreed. “But we’re in no position to refuse.”

  “I fear you’re right.” The old Maitre D’Structure shook his head. “He may bring down the High Holders, the factors, and the High Command on himself … and us.”

  “I’m working on trying to obviate the worst possibilities.”

  “The best of fortune in that,” replied Obsolym dryly.

  “For all of us,” said Alastar with a smile, before turning and leaving the classroom. He still didn’t totally trust Obsolym, but there was no secret about what Ryen wanted.

  At a quint before first glass of the afternoon, Dareyn announced, “Factorius Elthyrd,” and then had to step out of the way as the head of the factors’ council marched into the study.

  Alastar rose. “Greetings, Factorius.”

  “I had hoped that we would have been able to meet sooner, Maitre.”

  The way Elthyrd offered Alastar’s title was the second indication that the head of the factors’ council was less than pleased, the first having been the frosty glance he had offered when he strode into the study. Alastar gestured to the chairs before the desk and said, “I would have liked that as well, but as head of the Collegium I do answer to the rex, and he insisted on my presence at the chateau this morning.”

  “And what about yesterday?”

  “I had already arranged meetings with members of the High Council. Had you requested a meeting first, then I would have given you the same courtesy.” Alastar reseated himself. “You didn’t mention the reason why you wanted to meet.”

  “That should be obvious, I would think, but since it is not as obvious to you as to all of L’Excelsis, apparently, I will be blunt. Might I ask why you took it upon yourself and the Collegium to disrupt a Solayi morning in order to repair sewers?”

  “Because no one else was repairing them, and because the stench was affecting large parts of both L’Excelsis and Imagisle. It seemed the civic thing to do. We chose Solayi morning because there are far fewer wagons, coaches, and others using the East River Road then.”