Assassin's Price

by L. E. Modesitt Jr.

  The second encounter took place on the ninth of Ianus, offshore from Caena. Two Jariolan frigates were bearing down on a Solidaran spice merchant, when the Aegis, one of our older third-raters, intervened. She drove off one privateer and sunk the other, but suffered enough damage that she had to return to Solis for refitting and repair.

  The last conflict was off Tobiara, the second-largest of the Abierto Isles, on the twelfth of Ianus. A Jariolan flotilla attacked and then boarded four Solidaran merchanters when they refused to heave to and attempted to escape. The merchanters were escaping from two frigates when they were trapped by three other ships of the line, consisting of two second-raters and a third-rater. The Jariolans sacked three ships and then sank them, and dumped most of the crew onto the fourth ship, except for a score of seamen they declared were Jariolan deserters. The Jariolans claimed the sackings and sinkings were reparations for the practice of Solidar factors using Jariolan deserters to crew their ships. Marshal Tynan enclosed a letter of protest from the shipowners affected. They are demanding greater protection around the Abierto Isles …

  Charyn continued on to the end of the long dispatch. Although the Solidaran Navy was doing well against the Jariolans, it was more than clear that Solidar needed more ships sooner than it was possible to build them, either that or settle in for a long and sporadic naval conflict.

  Do you have any choice? Even if you deal with Ryel, will the rest of the factors and High Holders follow your lead?

  Notwithstanding Ferron’s letter, Charyn had strong doubts about whether they would.

  A second question came to mind, one that he’d entertained more than once. Should you call a special meeting of the councils, earlier than the scheduled date? Tempting as that was, as it had been the first time he’d thought of it, he shook his head. You don’t want anyone thinking there’s something out of the ordinary about to happen. Matters were tenuous enough as they were.

  57

  Nothing had changed much by Vendrei afternoon. On Jeudi, there had been light snow, on and off, and the air was slightly warmer, “slightly” meaning that it took a good quint outside before the cold seeped into the bones instead of mere moments. Palenya was still working on the clavecin at the Collegium, although she had assured Charyn that her work would be done by Vendrei evening. And Chelia had added a few more names to the personal invitation list for the Spring-Turn Ball, some of whom were totally unfamiliar to him.

  Given that little had happened, except for the large story in Veritum detailing the continuing losses of Solidaran merchant ships to the Jariolans, Charyn was surprised when Moencriff, who had replaced Maertyl as one of the study guards, announced, “Maitre Kaylet to see you, sir.”

  “Have him come in.”

  Kaylet entered, wearing heavy imager grays and holding an envelope. “Maitre Thelia asked me to deliver this to you personally.”

  “Thank you.” Charyn stood and took the envelope, then asked, “Since you’re here, how are you coming with the stables and barns, and all the ostlers and others?”

  “Right now, Aedryt and the others could handle things better than they were before. I’d feel much more comfortable being here another week or so.”

  “I’ll leave that to your judgment.” Charyn smiled. “I’ve also noticed that the courtyard, the stables, and everything to the rear of the chateau looks to be in much better condition. Personally, I also appreciate your coming up with all the replacement firewood.”

  “Some of the trees in the hunting park should have been trimmed years ago. Most needed pruning. Johran and I have worked out a plan for dealing with that in the future. He’s the one that Aedryt and I decided would do the best job of taking over the maintenance of the hunting park. No one really had the responsibility for that.”

  Charyn nodded, although he had long since gotten the impression that there had been a number of areas where that had been the case. You’re going to have to take a much more active look at everything … unless you want matters to return to the way they were.

  “Is there anything else, sir?”

  “I’m sorry, Kaylet. My thoughts wandered. No. Thank you again.”

  “My pleasure, sir. I’ve learned a lot.”

  “So has everyone you’ve worked with.”

  After Kaylet had departed, Charyn broke the plain seal and took out the single folded sheet of paper. It contained nine names, with notations after each, nothing else. The writing was in standard merchant hand, although, somehow, it looked just a shade different from that used with the threatening letters. The way the information was presented suggested that Thelia didn’t want it obviously traced back to the Collegium.

  Why? Because if any paper with that information was linked to the imagers, it might reveal how much they knew and could find out?

  Charyn studied the listing carefully:

  High Holder Basalyt

  Four estates between Kephria and Loha

  High Holder Fhaedyrk

  Estate north of Tilbora

  Breweries in Midcote, Tilbora, and Nacliano

  High Holder Khunthan

  Estate northeast of Eshtora

  Part owner of Khellan Trading, 15 ships [Eshtora, Ouestan, Kherseilles]

  High Holder Ryel

  Estates in Tuuryl, Laaryn, Tacqueville, and Rivages

  Owner Solisan Traders [Solis], 21 ships, purchased interest of High Holder Oskaryn after Oskaryn’s death

  Warehouses in Solis and Kephria

  Factorius Elthyrd

  Timber factorages in L’Excelsis and Asseroiles

  Canvas/Rope factorages in L’Excelsis and Solis

  Factorius Harll

  Brick Kilns [Montagne]

  Quarries [Mont D’Point, Mont D’Fleuve, Epignard]

  Factorius Hisario

  Family shipping [10 ships] Westisle

  Warehouses [Westisle, Liantiago, Kherseilles]

  Factorius Jhaliost

  Salt Mine [Khelgror]

  Coal Mine [Ghoran]

  Coke Works [Kherseilles]

  Factorius Thalmyn

  Fishing fleet [18 boats, Tilbora]

  NOTE: The largest of merchant fleets owned by a High Holder are the twenty-eight “Diamond” ships of High Holder Ghasphar, out of Estisle

  The only councilor’s name missing was that of High Holder Oskaryn, and he couldn’t have been involved, not when he’d died the same night as Charyn’s father, but the fact that he’d been involved with Ryel seemed more than a little strange.

  There was something … something about the list. Except it wasn’t the list. He looked over the list again, but he just couldn’t think what it might be that he was missing. Finally, he refolded the paper and slipped it into his jacket. “I’ll be back in a bit.”

  “I’ll be here,” replied Howal. “I’m still trying to make Norstan’s ledgers simpler.”

  Charyn walked from the study to the south side of the upper level and to Chelia’s “new” sitting room, which now contained the same furnishings as her previous sitting room.

  Chelia looked up from her desk and a stack of papers, possibly the personal invitations for the Spring-Turn Ball. “What is it, dear?”

  Charyn didn’t answer immediately, but lifted a side chair and moved it closer to the desk before sitting down. “Where did your brother’s wife come from?”

  “That’s a rather blunt question, as if she came from nothing. She didn’t. She is Oskaryn’s much younger sister. The late High Holder Oskaryn, that is.”

  “The one who was shot on Year-Turn Eve?”

  Chelia nodded.

  “Did you know that he and Uncle Ryel owned a shipping business and that Ryel bought his interest right after his death.”

  “That’s not surprising. Brother dear’s interest in Solisan was Doryana’s dowry. Oskaryn’s father never had much besides his estates and the shipping. His son probably had to sell, and at a loss.”

  Charyn nodded, but his thoughts were racing. Ryel gets Oskaryn shot, diverts a
ttention from himself, and then buys his interest … But that still left questions. “Then, with Uncle Ryel marrying Doryana, did he spend any time in Solis?”

  “Far too much, to hear him talk. Father put him in charge of the warehousing there almost right after their wedding. I’m not so sure that Doryana really didn’t do a great deal of the work. He couldn’t wait to get back to Rivages when Father died. Neither could Doryana. Do you think this bears on the rest of it?”

  Of course, it does! At that moment, Charyn recalled exactly what he’d been trying to remember—what his uncle had said at the Year-Turn Ball, that almost no High Holders were involved in shipping. How had he known that? Because of his years in shipping, and that meant he could position the “factors” as the ones behind the assassination and attempts on Charyn.

  “Dear … you look so pensive.”

  “Oh … I was just thinking. You once said that Uncle Ryel didn’t like dirty coins because of his early years. Did you mean the shipping?”

  “Yes. And you think that means something?”

  “I’m sure that it does.” Charyn shrugged. “It’s just that there’s no way to prove it.”

  “There never was any way with him … even in the most despicable acts. He always had someone to vouch for his presence elsewhere. Or people disappeared without a trace. Or wouldn’t speak.”

  “What? He had his own private army?”

  “Oh, no. He would have regarded that as wasteful.”

  Charyn counterfeited a deep frown.

  “I always thought he had his own assassins’ guild. Not that I ever saw anything that ever pointed to it. There were just too many people who always died when it benefited him … or disappeared when they might have made life difficult. Brother dear has never liked those who might have … caused complications.”

  “Is there anything else?”

  “Should there be, dear?”

  “Probably, but I don’t know enough to ask what it might be.”

  “I’m sure you’ll think of something.”

  “Are those invitations?” Charyn gestured.

  “They are. They will keep your post riders busy for a few days.”

  Looking at the stack as he stood, Charyn didn’t doubt her words in the slightest. He was still thinking about Ryel when he returned to the study.

  And he was still worrying about his uncle and the forthcoming meeting of the councils when he heard a coach enter the rear courtyard. Knowing that could only mean that Palenya had returned, he hurried from the study and down the grand staircase and from there to the rear foyer, where he waited until she trudged up the steps and into the chateau, carrying a large and obviously heavy satchel.

  “It’s done.”

  “Does it play as well as you hoped?”

  “A little better, I think. I try not to expect too much. Aloryana was the first one, besides me, to play it. She looked so pleased.”

  “Good.” Charyn reached for the satchel, and took it from her. It was even heavier than it looked. “All your tools?”

  She nodded.

  “You look exhausted.”

  “I am.”

  “Why don’t you just rest or take a nap? I’ll arrange for a late dinner … if you’d like that.”

  “I would, if you…”

  “I do. I definitely do.” He took her arm and began to walk with her toward her quarters. He couldn’t help marveling at the weight of her tools.

  After settling Palenya in her room, on the lower level, he returned to the study.

  “She’s repaired the clavecin at the Collegium,” Charyn told Howal. “Aloryana seems to be pleased. I hope the Maitre is as pleased as his letters indicated.” He walked to the window and looked out. Nothing had changed.

  Then he settled behind the desk and tried to think about the implications of the information provided by Thelia and whoever her sources might have been. All of it was like everything else, indicative, but not really proof. How many indications do you have to have before it’s proof? Sanafryt would have been the first to have told him that proof was proof, and indications counted for little in law. Which is why Ryel has gotten away with it … and with probably more than you’ll ever know. Most likely many feel exactly as you do … but are they enough?

  If he couldn’t get better proof, Charyn knew, he’d have to gamble with what he had because, sooner or later, one of the assassination attempts would be successful … unless he remained holed up in the chateau with an imager nearby for the rest of his life—or Ryel’s.

  Finally, he went to the kitchen and arranged for dinner at two quints past sixth, and then went to Palenya’s room. She wasn’t there, but he found her in the music room, just sitting at the small table desk.

  “I’ve been looking for you.”

  “I couldn’t sleep. So I washed up and changed and came here. I’ll miss it. It’s so beautiful and peaceful here in the music room.”

  “You’re not going anywhere yet.”

  “Let’s not spoil dinner.” She smiled. “What are we having?”

  “Fowl in a cream sauce over noodles. The only thing special about dinner is you.”

  “Just be that sweet to whoever you marry, and you’ll be happy.”

  “You make that easy for me.”

  “The right lady will do that. If she doesn’t, don’t marry her.”

  Charyn took her hand, and she stood. He didn’t say anything as they walked up the grand staircase. They arrived in the regial sitting room to a table fully set, with hot breads under cloth already in place, and two full pitchers of wine, white for him and red for her.

  “Not special?” Palenya raised her eyebrows.

  “Not as special as you.”

  “Charyn…” She shook her head.

  He smiled as they sat down, and Delya and another server appeared with covered dishes. Charyn immediately poured the wine

  “You need to eat,” he said. “You’ve been working hard for days. I’d also wager that clavecin sounds better than the one in the music room.”

  “No. It’s almost as good, but the one downstairs is one of the best.”

  “Only because you worked on it. Don’t argue. Have some of the chicken.”

  “I am hungry.”

  “How could you not be? You haven’t had anything to eat since this morning.”

  Palenya took a small swallow of the wine, then a mouthful of the fowl, then a second.

  Charyn smiled, then had some of the fowl and noodles. The cream sauce was good, and best of all, still warm. He broke off a chunk of the dark bread and then eased the basket toward her. “The bread’s still warm.”

  She finished the mouthful she was eating before replying. “Thank you.” Then she had another sip of wine. “This is good.”

  “You’re welcome. Only the best for you.”

  “More flattery … but you’re being very sweet.”

  Because Charyn wasn’t quite certain what else to say that wouldn’t repeat what he’d already said or would have been something about papers, petitions, or the threats that still hung over him and his family, he said nothing for a time, enjoying both the food and looking at Palenya.

  “You’re quiet,” she finally said. “Attentive, but quiet.”

  “I was just enjoying being with you … and the food.”

  “You do flatter me.” She paused, then said, “You really do need to start looking for a wife, Charyn.”

  “I’m not all that interested. You’re far more intriguing than most of the High Holders’ daughters.”

  “I can see that you mean it. I’m incredibly flattered, but you’re the ruler of Solidar. Rulers need heirs—blood heirs. You owe it to everyone. Rulers without heirs leave chaos behind.”

  Charyn knew what she wasn’t saying, that Solidar had already suffered enough chaos and bloodshed and didn’t need any more.

  “Also, I’m older than you. Enough that I’ll get fat and gray while you’re still young and handsome.”

  “I’m not a
ll that handsome, and you’ll never be fat and ugly … and you’re a wonderful musician.”

  “No. I’m a very good musician, not a wonderful musician…”

  In the end, much, much later, Charyn just held her as they drifted off to sleep, his thoughts on how he’d never find anyone to compare to her …

  58

  Samedi and Solayi passed slowly for Charyn, not unpleasurably, because he spent more time than he had in recent weeks with Palenya, including several glasses of intensive practice on the clavecin learning to play—correctly—several of the more intricate passages in the Farray nocturne. He still couldn’t believe that it only had a number, and not a real name—just Nocturne Number Three.

  Lundi morning was gray and cold, but not quite so cold as the previous week, under high gray clouds, when Charyn met with Maertyl at the duty desk, as he had done every day except Solayi since Dylert had left. “Have any of the guards noticed anything unusual?”

  “No, sir. It’s been very quiet.”

  Although Charyn nodded, that bothered him, because he had the feeling that something was bound to happen sometime soon. It had just been too long since the last attempt. “Thank you.”

  “You’re worried, sir?”

  “We haven’t discovered who’s behind it all. I don’t see them stopping now.”

  “I’d thought that, too, sir. Fhaelln and I both think they might try again. We’ve told all the guards to watch for anything that seems out of sorts.”

  “I appreciate that. Oh, there will be a Factor Roblen coming to see me.”