And he still needed to think out just how he could trap Ryel.
45
By Mardi morning, Charyn still had not figured out anything beyond his general plan for dealing with his uncle. After breakfast, he met with Norstan only to discover once more, not to his surprise, that there were no requests for meetings. No one sees any point in meeting with you, not when most who might seek an advantage by meeting with you believe you’ll be dead within weeks.
Then Dylert and Kaylet each stopped by his study and reported on what they had discovered and were doing. Four guards were missing, and the assistant stablemaster had vanished before he could be dismissed.
Charyn doubted any of the five would ever return to the chateau.
Shortly after eighth glass, Maertyl rapped on the study door and announced, “Minister Aevidyr, sir.”
“Have him come in.”
After glancing at Howal, seated at the conference table, perusing lists of supplies purchased by Norstan, Charyn donned a pleasant smile, but remained seated behind the goldenwood desk. He gestured for Aevidyr to take one of the chairs in front of the desk, then waited.
“Your Grace, while you informed me about the loss of the old palace in Solis yesterday, I did not understand the extent of the loss until I received a dispatch from the governor this morning. Regional Governor Voralch has absolutely no suitable … situation … from which he can conduct the tasks of being regional governor.”
“Could he not take a study in the navy headquarters in Solis?” Charyn knew that wasn’t feasible, given that the navy compound was walled and guarded, but wanted to see Aevidyr’s response.
“Your Grace, High Holders and factors cannot be expected to submit to waiting outside a guarded gate.”
“I suppose that’s true enough, although any tariffs he collects might be safer. His message to me said that he was ensconced in the summer villa of High Holder Garleuch. I cannot imagine it is that cramped a dwelling.”
“It is a summer villa, Your Grace. It is midwinter.”
“It doesn’t even snow in Solis … almost never, anyway.” Charyn shook his head. “Voralch wants an immediate replacement dwelling at his convenience and at my cost. There are two aspects to the problem, Aevidyr. First, Voralch needs a suitable domicile from which he can function as regional governor. Second, for reasons of history and politics, the old palace needs to be reconstructed. The first needs to be taken care of immediately. The second can wait.”
“Governor Voralch knows that golds are scarce. He has proposed merely taking one part in ten of the tariffs he collects and applying them to the reconstruction.”
“While having me purchase or lease a suitable domicile for him?”
“Ah … I believe that is what he has in mind.”
“At present, his suggestions are not feasible.”
“Your Grace … he is only looking out for your family heritage.”
“Aevidyr … think about this. Both the factors and the High Holders are complaining about tariffs. I’ve just told them there aren’t golds to build enough warships to protect their ships and cargoes. If I even hint about spending golds to rebuild a palace for a regional governor, I’ll have undone everything … and I’ll never work out anything with the councils. You are not to encourage this foolishness, either through commission or failing to tell Voralch that he is limited to five hundred golds for the purchase of a governor’s domicile or a hundred to lease one for the next year.”
“That sum…”
“Will easily purchase a handsome dwelling, and we both know it.” Charyn tried not to show that he was losing patience with Aevidyr. “Draft a letter for your signature saying that he can have one of those two options, and to let you know which one he chooses. We’ll have the navy vice-marshal in Solis provide the golds when he has a written agreement for purchase or lease. I’ll add a few words below your signature and sign and seal the letter as well.”
“That is … not customary.”
“Perhaps not, but I want it clear that you’re carrying out my wishes.” Charyn smiled pleasantly. “That way, Governor Voralch can blame me, not you. After all, it is my decision.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Good. I trust you’ll have the letter ready by early this afternoon. And, if you would, have Alucar come see me.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Although Aevidyr’s voice was pleasant enough, Charyn could tell that Aevidyr was anything but pleased. That alone suggested that the Minister of Administration might need to be replaced, and that his ledgers as well might need to be audited. But do you want to do that right at the moment? With no idea of who might be a good and an honest replacement? Charyn was well aware that by acting quickly when he didn’t absolutely have to might cause him even more difficulties, especially since he didn’t even know anyone remotely qualified to replace Aevidyr, at least not anyone who wasn’t an imager.
He was still mulling that over when Alucar arrived.
“You requested my presence, sir?”
“I did. Please sit down. As I mentioned yesterday, Regional Governor Voralch needs a domicile and a place from which he can collect tariffs and handle his other duties. He also sent Aevidyr a letter suggesting that I rebuild the old palace.”
“That would cost more than several warships.”
“I know. I asked Aevidyr to draft a letter allowing Voralch five hundred golds to purchase another suitable dwelling or a hundred to lease one, but, in either case, to present documentation before we sent any authorization for the vice-marshal of the navy to release the funds.” Seeing the expression on Alucar’s face, Charyn stopped explaining and asked, “What did I miss or forget?”
“The old palace likely had much in the way of brick and stone, as well as metals that could be salvaged and sold. There might be more than a thousand golds of value there.”
“I’ll need to have him re-draft the letter, then, insisting that all valuable materials from the rubble be inventoried, including everything we can think of, and requesting an accounting of their salvage value before I can determine the amount he’ll receive for a lease or purchase.”
“Given Governor Voralch’s tastes, perhaps you should only allow him a few golds for a temporary lease, and require him to purchase something within the next two seasons. Also, you might have Marshal Vaelln instruct the sea marshal to oversee the salvage and inventory. Some of the smaller and more valuable items are doubtless already in others’ hands. Scavengers were likely there before the embers cooled, and I doubt that Voralch even considered that.”
“I suspect some are already in Voralch’s hands, and he’ll doubtless claim that they were lost in the fire,” said Charyn sourly, wondering if Voralch might already be an accomplice of Ryel. Except it would be hard to arrange all those explosives and oils without it being noticed by the governor’s palace staff. More likely, Voralch wouldn’t have been a party to it simply because he wouldn’t have wanted to be discommoded. And Ryel wouldn’t have trusted anyone whom he couldn’t control absolutely.
He was beginning to see why his father had trusted no one and why he’d tried to keep everything he could to himself. But that didn’t work in the end, either.
Managing a pleasant smile, Charyn said, “Thank you for the advice and observations. I’ll make sure they’re included in the final version of the letter.” That likely meant another draft, but Howal could do that.
As soon as Alucar had left, Charyn turned to Howal. “Could you draft that letter to Marshal Vaelln?”
“How strongly do you want to convey your wishes?”
“Have the sea marshal exert all possible efforts to reclaim and account for any valuables, building materials, and other items of value … or words to that effect.”
While Howal set to work drafting the letter, Charyn looked at the single new petition that had somehow found its way to his desk. Because Sanafryt doesn’t want to talk to you any more than absolutely necessary?
The petition
seemed straightforward enough. One Factor Barryl operated a gristmill just north of Piedryn. The same waterwheel that powered the mill also drove his looms, which were part of a factorage where cloth was woven and dyed. The problem was that, upstream of Barryl, one of High Holder Haebyn’s tenants had begun to operate a large hog farm, and the runoff from the hogs made the water unusable for washing and dyeing the cloth. Barryl had pled his case before the regional justicer and been denied. Regional Governor Voralch had upheld the denial.
That didn’t exactly surprise Charyn.
He sighed. He’d need to talk to Sanafryt, whether Sanafryt wanted to talk to him or not. So he had Maertyl send for the Justice Minister.
Sanafryt entered the study a half a quint later with a faint smile.
Charyn waited until the older man had seated himself before speaking. “I read the petition you had placed on my desk. How can Haebyn’s tenant get away with fouling the stream to such an extent?”
“There’s no prohibition against allowing waste into streams. It’s never been a problem before,” stated Sanafryt.
“So this High Holder Haebyn can turn the water filthy, and there’s no law against it?”
“No, Your Grace, there is not. I would advise against writing one at present.”
“Why?”
“Because there is no way to enforce such a law. Farmers all over Solidar do the very same thing. Many factorages do as well.”
“That doesn’t make it right.”
“No, Your Grace, it does not, but laws must not only prohibit evil, but also be able to be enforced. If they cannot be enforced, then the idea of law itself becomes mocked and disregarded. It would take a veritable army to scour the countryside to make sure that such a law was obeyed. How would you pay for that?”
Charyn knew the answer to that question. He handed the petition to Sanafryt. “Write him a kind letter denying his appeal.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Charyn just sat there for a time after Sanafryt left, a short time. He still needed to come to a decision about Keithell. Finally, he said, “Howal, please send someone to find Dylert and tell him that I’d like to see him, but he’s not to interrupt anything he’s doing.”
“Yes, sir.”
Less than half a quint after Howal gave the word, Dylert was in the study. “Sir?”
“I’ve decided what to do about the stablemaster. Under the law, he could be executed for what he did. With everything that’s been allowed around here…” Charyn shook his head. “He will be dismissed and flogged with an order to remain far from the chateau … on pain of execution. If you’d have someone bring him here, I’ll tell him the sentence myself.”
Dylert nodded. “That might be best.”
Charyn wasn’t sure whether Dylert thought Charyn’s pronouncing the sentence was best, or that the sentence was the best possible under the circumstances. He didn’t feel like asking.
Another quint passed before Dylert returned, along with Keithell and two guards.
Charyn stood and looked squarely at Keithell. “You have stolen from me and from the chateau. You have stolen so much that, under the law, you can be executed. Had you stolen even a fraction of what you took, you would lose your right hand. You have beaten and abused stable boys. You have not done the job for which you were responsible. Worst of all, you have had the temerity to insist you have been loyal. For all that, you owe me your life.”
Keithell shuddered as if Charyn had struck him physically. “Please … Your Grace … if it please you, I have done much less than others…”
“Who besides Churwyl and the traitorous guards has done worse or stolen more?” asked Charyn evenly.
Keithell looked down.
“Name them.”
Keithell only said, “Please … Your Grace.”
“Churwyl is dead, and he would have died regardless. Still … as you point out, much laxness has been allowed. For that reason, you are to be flogged, with twenty lashes. You are dismissed … and if you are ever found within a mille of the chateau, for any reason, your life is forfeit.” Charyn looked at Dylert. “Take him away. Have him flogged in the rear courtyard within the glass, in such fashion as you think most suitable. Announce his crimes first.”
“Yes, sir.”
Charyn could see the fear … and the anger in Keithell’s eyes before the man was dragged out. Perhaps you should have executed him. A second thought struck him. Had someone else, besides Churwyl, done worse? And if so, why had Keithell not named them? Even greater fear of someone else? Or had his words about others just been an attempt not to be executed?
When the study door closed, Charyn looked to Howal. “Answer me honestly, Howal. Was I too lenient?”
Howal did not answer for a moment, then said, “You were too lenient on Keithell, but executing him for what he did would have been seen as too harsh by most in the chateau. He may try to cause trouble when he recovers from the flogging.”
“In short, there was no good punishment.”
“No, sir.”
“Thank you.” Charyn moved to the window overlooking the courtyard and pulled back the hangings. He stood there, thinking and waiting, for nearly two quints while much of the chateau staff assembled and two guards set up the flogging frame.
The flogging itself took less than a quint, and by the end, Keithell sagged against the ropes that bound him in place.
Charyn could see several of the stable boys watching intently, their faces seemingly impassive. He wondered what they might be thinking when they finally left the courtyard. He let the hangings drop, turning to look at Howal.
“How do imagers punish their wrongdoers?”
“For imager students, small mistakes merit extra work and confinement to Imagisle. For imagers or students, any more severe offense brought before the senior maitres requires blinding or death.”
Charyn stiffened.
“Imagers cannot afford to have any imager seen as a wrongdoer,” said Howal quietly. “Wrongdoers lose their ability to image and their freedom, or they lose their life.”
“How often does that happen?”
“Not often. I’ve seen four blinded since I’ve been at the Collegium. The Maitre killed all the rebel imagers, I’m told, during the last battle of the High Holder revolt.”
Charyn managed a nod. “I’m going down to the music room for a time.”
“Perhaps I should accompany you until…”
“Until you get word from Kaylet and Dylert that they have matters under complete control? Especially after what just happened?” Charyn didn’t mention that he was carrying the pistol he’d used on Churwyl all the time now. There just might be a time when Howal couldn’t protect him.
“Yes, sir.”
“That suggests that Dylert has discovered more about some guards than anyone knew, except Churwyl.”
“One of the four guards who departed the chateau in less than a quint after the explosion was a cousin of Churwyl.”
“Dylert mentioned that. Is Kaylet having the same sort of trouble?”
Howal shook his head. “Everyone in the stables and carriage houses is more than pleased that he’s there. He’ll likely need to be here longer than Dylert, though. It’ll take time to teach some of them how things really should be done, and there’s no one else there who can do that.”
That sounds like we’ll need a few experienced men from outside the chateau … or that Kaylet will be very, very busy.
For all of Howal’s concerns, Charyn saw no one except Howal during his walk down the grand staircase and as he made his way to the music room.
Howal settled into a corner chair as Charyn walked toward Palenya, who was seated at the small secretary desk. It appeared that she had been copying music.
“I hope I’m not interrupting anything important.”
She smiled faintly. “With Aloryana gone and Bhayrn less inclined to want any instruction, I have a great deal of time. I thought I’d use it productively and make copies
of some of the music that is worn.”
“I hope you’ll make copies for yourself as well.” Charyn immediately realized that his words could be misinterpreted. “No, you’re not leaving. I just thought it would be a pity if you didn’t take the opportunity to increase your personal music library while you have the opportunity.” He paused. “I believe the Farray nocturne music is yours, and, if you have time, I would greatly appreciate having a copy of my own.”
Palenya’s smile widened. “I already made one for you.”
“Then I would like to use it, with your instruction.”
“Now?”
“Now. I need a break from … regial tasks.”
“You watched … didn’t you?”
“I had to. I ordered it.”
“You may have been too merciful. The stablemaster was not as good a man as he might have been.”
“That may be, but he was allowed to be that way.” Charyn didn’t want to explain more. He thought Palenya would understand. “The nocturne?”
Her smile was sad as she walked beside him toward the clavecin.
46
By Meredi morning, Charyn was again worrying about just how he could implement his vague plan to deal with Ryel … as well as who else might have been doing worse than Keithell that he might not even know about. Was he becoming as preoccupied as his father had been with who was loyal and who was not?
How can you not worry?
Again, Norstan had informed him that there were no requests for appointments with him. Was Norstan summarily refusing appointments? Or was his situation perceived as so precarious that no one even wanted to meet with him until they were certain he would remain as rex?
Both Dylert and Howal were in the study waiting when Charyn arrived, even though he was there well before seventh glass, a time when his father had barely roused himself.
“Since you’re both here, I get the feeling that there are more changes needed in administering the chateau guards.”
“There are some improvements that would be helpful,” replied Dylert with a smile.
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