“Then there must be someone you’re not getting – someone behind it all. You said to me you thought Aidelia was too simple-minded to come up with a plot on her own, but that she could be manipulated. I gather that idea still holds with you?” Franz ventured.
“Yes. Kaymar has made detailed reports on the subject. He sees Aidelia when he goes to Court. She doesn’t have the brains for this, so someone is putting her up to it. We can’t get close enough to find out who it is without drawing attention to ourselves.”
Franz was silent for a moment.
“You said you were ‘removing’ people. I usually don’t pry into the details of your operations, Menders, but… does that mean what I think?” he ventured.
“Not necessarily,” Menders replied calmly. “When a plot is uncovered, we carefully collect information, not just about those involved, but those they know as well. We look for weaknesses of character or situations we can exploit. Each person identified as a conspirator is assigned a rating as to their degree of involvement in a plot.
“The more timid ones and those on the fringe of things are often dissuaded by threats, intimidation, blackmail. A bloody handprint on a door does wonders for some. For those more deeply involved there are various options. Some find themselves framed for crimes and are dealt with by the courts – this is one reason why we look to exploit character weaknesses. For those who are the greatest threats, yes… they may be removed by physical means. Some have unfortunate accidents. A person might be removed by obvious assassination only if there is no other way. It draws unwanted attention.”
“I had no idea it was so involved,” Franz said. After another pause, he continued tentatively.
“You said someone might be exploiting Adelia. Suppose, just theoretically, you were to remove Adelia?”
‘That may shut down that avenue of opportunity for our mystery conspirator, but I doubt we could get away with it, not without retribution. Remember, removing Aidelia would put Katrin in the position of being Crown Princess.”
“Yes, yes… I know your reservations about that. But at times when I look at the ancestral lunacy that plagues the Royal Family, I sometimes think Katrin might be Mordania’s brightest hope.”
Menders sat back and stretched.
“Doctor, despite our disagreements over the years, I do value your opinion,” he replied. “Tell me honestly, what do you think of the Princess?”
“Well, she’s considerate, caring. She’s a credit to your training and to how you’ve raised her.”
“Go on.”
“What else? Perhaps a little prone to procrastination, inclined to self-indulgence, but very intelligent with a keen inquiring mind.”
“Would you say she’s gentle-natured?”
“Oh yes, for the most part. She showed a jealous side back when she scared Borsen to death, but overall, she’s a gentle girl.”
Menders sat forward, fixing Franz with a firm gaze.
“Now, if I removed Adelia – and I have thought of doing so more than once – Katrin would become Crown Princess, placing her at even higher risk from enemies of the Royal Family. That would force me to take the next step, removing not only the Queen, because she’s a weak link, but all her allies and enemies as well. I would have to remove anyone who might oppose Katrin in any way and place her on the Ruby Throne myself.”
“But she’s not sixteen. She couldn’t reign in her own right,” Franz protested.
“Correct. So I would have to act on her behalf as Regent. If I did that with a free hand until she reached sixteen, I believe I could remove anyone who might oppose her rule. I would hand her a country that was governable and worth governing. But Doctor, that two year period would be a reign of bloodshed the likes of which this country has never seen - not even during the Surelian Occupation.”
Menders stood slowly, tugged his waistcoat to straighten it, then went on. “I’m just the man to do it, too. I could gladly eliminate a thousand of Katrin’s enemies.”
Menders unlocked the large, black cabinet in the corner of his office, swinging the doors wide.
Doctor Franz saw that it was filled with hundreds of dossiers, neatly stacked and sorted.
“There you are, Doctor. Names, dates, places. Information on everyone who has had ambitions toward the Crown or aspirations to manipulate the Crown in the last fifteen years – and anyone connected with them, all cataloged and cross-referenced.
“Right now, if I released the information in these files, I could have several hundred people found guilty of treason and sent to the gallows, the block or the roasting spit.”
Franz looked away. Menders closed and locked the cabinet, then sat at his desk again.
“A drink, Doctor? You look a little pale.”
“I had no idea,” Franz mumbled.
“Most people don’t. Secrecy is very important.”
Franz took the brandy and knocked it back, his hand shaking.
“If I tampered with the royal succession it would mean Katrin would have to know everything, as I’d be acting in her interest and in her name,” Menders continued. “So Doctor, your honest opinion… do you think our Princess has the ruthlessness or the desire to rule to tolerate such a thing?”
“No,” Franz answered firmly, looking up. “No, I don’t see that as being in her character.”
Menders sat back slowly, looking suddenly weary. “My thoughts exactly. Now you see part of my dilemma.”
Franz nodded. “Is Katrin safe here, do you think?”
“Safer than anywhere else,” Menders answered. “As long as I’m here, I don’t think anyone will move against her. It’s frustrating for me to do everything at a remove, but I don’t dare leave her.”
“What’s the next step?” Franz asked. He set the empty brandy glass on Menders’ desk.
“As always. We watch, listen and wait. Kaymar and Ifor are in Erdhan and a couple of the others as well.”
“Is there danger to Hemmett and Eiren?” Franz asked, his face going rigid.
“I don’t believe so. Their association with Katrin isn’t that well known. As slick as this new party behind this plot is, I doubt he has the means to find that out. However I will take extra precautions.”
Menders rose quickly and went Ifor’s office where Haakel was working behind the desk.
“I want you to go to Erdahn now,” Menders said without preamble. “Our plotters are back in action. Meet with Ifor, tell him I want you to cover Hemmett until further notice. Ifor is to watch over Eiren exclusively.”
Haakel rose immediately, nodding.
“I’ll have letters for you to carry within half an hour,” Menders continued, before turning back to his own office.
My Darling Eiren,
I’ve just heard from Kaymar that there is someone actively plotting against Katrin’s life. am sending Haakel to keep an eye on Hemmett. Ifor will stay with you.
I own a house in Erdahn, as you know. Please relocate there and set up house, looking as if you are living with Ifor. It will give the neighbors something to talk about, if you get my meaning. Since I know you can take care of yourself admirably, I am not overly fearful, but please, do not leave Ifor’s sight. When Ifor needs a rest day, Kaymar will stay with you.
Fear not my dear, these are just precautionary measures. For your safety, however, please burn this note.
I will write you a long love letter this evening. For now I must write to Hemmett and get these letters and our friends in position out quickly.
Love, love, love,
M
Menders sealed the letter and sat back, suddenly feeling weary. He would have to tell Hemmett of this soon. The boy was no fool and would sense Haakel’s presence sooner or later. For now he would delay. It was bad enough that the hint of such doings upset the smooth running of everything else!
This damnably frustrating business! Whoever had infiltrated the Court seemed to possess the wits and guile required to manipulate the Royal House while remaining hidden
from sight. That was a serious new threat. Most conspirators got caught because they were bold and brazen, or self-righteous – and some were just plain stupid. Not this one. He was pulling strings from the shadows offstage.
***
Darling Menders,
I am settled with my new lover in our new abode and find that life has become quite interesting. Ifor is convinced that his duties include bringing me breakfast in bed every morning, which is spoiling me utterly. He also helps me study and is most solicitous of my welfare. When he’s having a rest day, Kaymar is here, and has been insisting we put on a charade of me having two lovers rather than one, which is a bit more drama than I care for.
The neighbors seem to be divided between outrage and amusement. At first I wondered why you should want this subterfuge. Then I realized you wanted me watched by many eyes – and I certainly am! The neighbors are very keen to see the latest comings and goings at 21 Hodenstrassen, so I am under continual surveillance. No doubt you will be hearing about your scandalous tenant from other sources.
Kaymar suspects that the person of interest might be drawn by evidence of naughty doings, so he has been sleeping over with Ifor several times a week to make it look as if I am an insatiable lady who entertains two men at a time. I have taken to wearing my most daring outfits, to disguise the fact that I’m just a simple maid from the country.
Kaymar and Ifor tell me they are aware of a certain character they have seen loitering in the vicinity. We are acting all unknowing, but they are watching closely, as am I. Nothing much to tell you yet, only that he dresses terribly. It sets Kaymar’s teeth on edge.
I am sending this letter with Kaymar, who will tell you more about this individual. I have seen Hemmett this week, and he continues as cheerful and funny as ever, very glad that you have finally ‘brought him in on this’. He promises not to do anything bold or rash. He has also seen the same person hanging about, so I believe that we’re on the right track.
I miss you so much, and all joking aside, you’re a much better kisser than either Ifor or Kaymar.
Your Eiren
Menders looked up at Kaymar, still weather stained from the boat trip and lounging comfortably in Menders’ favorite armchair. Menders shook his head.
“Entering into the spirit of the thing, are we?”
“Use the right bait to catch the fishie,” Kaymar answered flippantly. “I think I have an idea who the fishie is too. He’s been a hanger-on of Aidelia’s for a while. He’s not always at Court and he’s not Mordanian. Looks Artreyan to me, though the rumor is that he claims to be Surelian. Goes by the name of Therbalt. I haven’t been able to get near him. Whenever I approach he manages to vanish, as if on very important business – and of course, I can’t be overly persistent.”
Menders scowled. He’d never heard the name. He flashed a look of betrayal at his cabinet – thousands of names, but where was the one he wanted?
“You’ve seen him around the house then?” Menders asked.
“I can’t say for sure. If he’s our loiterer, he’s in disguise. We’ve only caught glimpses. Hemmett describes someone similar hanging about, but again, only glimpses. He’s wily.”
Menders leaned back in his chair and put his feet on his desk. “The name sounds contrived.”
Kaymar took a piece of paper and pencil and began writing. Menders knew he was experimenting with the name, to see if it might be an anagram.
“What does Bartan say?” Menders asked, wondering if the Court Assassin had garnered more information. He was at Court far more often than Kaymar was. “Bartan tries to stay away from those freaks clustered around Aidelia,” Kaymar answered. “Big man, dark, about twenty-two years of age. Dresses like a fop, plush jackets, jewelry, oiled hair worn in curls. Speaks with a fake Surelian accent. Disappears for days at a time but always turns up again. At times I suspect he’s there without us knowing it. Bright, though he doesn’t act it.”
Menders shook his head. “Doesn’t sound familiar and if Bartan doesn’t know who he is, no-one in Mordania is likely to.”
Kaymar finished writing and pushed the paper across the desk to Menders, who picked it up and perused it.
Berthalt
Barthlet
Bartleth
Altbreth
“Those seem the most likely, without becoming very contrived. That’s assuming he’s using all the letters in Therbalt and isn’t making a combination of two names like I do,” Kaymar said. “Any jogging of memory?’
Menders shook his head. “Where’s that crossword game Ifor gave Katrin last Winterfest?” He went to his suite with Kaymar trailing, and rummaged around until he found the game box. He turned all the flat marble letter tiles face up, selected the ones he wanted and tried to make names. Nothing clicked. Kaymar sat opposite and idly pushed a few tiles around, spelling out obscenities.
“Stop that,” Mender said, glaring at him. “What if Katrin came in?”
“She’d probably tell me I’d misspelled this one here,” Kaymar replied with a grin. “She’s not a little girl now, Menders,” he added.
“I’m well aware of that,” Menders replied levelly. “Not only am I trying to keep her safe, educated, and actively involved in life, but she is also rapidly developing into a young woman and I would like to keep the atmosphere... Hells, I’m not discussing it. Stop what you’re doing. Now.”
Kaymar shrugged and rearranged the tiles. Doctor Franz appeared in the doorway.
“Games, at this hour, gentlemen?”
“Franz, you’ve been to Artreya haven’t you?” Menders asked.
“Yes, for my medical studies. Some years ago, before we started endlessly knocking heads with them.”
“Ah, the good old days,” Kaymar mused sarcastically. His intense dislike for Artreya and all things Artreyan was legendary.
“Does this look like an Artreyan name?” Menders asked, waving his hand across the tiles he’d arranged. He changed some of the letters around. “Or perhaps this? Or even this?”
Franz frowned. “They all could be, or just the same, they might not be. What’s Artreyan, really? It’s a young country compared to Mordania or Surelia. Most Artreyan names are derived from Surelian names, or Fambrian or Samorsan. A lot of Fambrians moved there after the revolution failed.”
“Explains where they get some of their half-baked ideas from,” Kaymar muttered. He was stacking tiles into little towers.
“So Cochini became Cochine, Devereau became Deverett, Brumnelli became Brumnel… that sort of thing,” Franz continued, ignoring Kaymar.
Menders frowned and added a few variants to Kaymar’s list of names.
“I’ll give them to Menck,” Menders said, setting the list aside. “He can start cross checking them. How is Eiren holding up, in reality?” He gave the idly fidgeting Kaymar a hard stare.
“It’s hard on her,” Kaymar said, looking up from his towers. “She doesn’t want to act as if we’re her lovers, so we try very hard to give her privacy when we’re not actually in public. She tries to laugh it all off, but she’s very much your wife, Menders.”
“I didn’t think it would come to her easily,” Menders sighed.
“No, she’s a decent lady,” Kaymar said sincerely. “I hope we get to the bottom of this soon so that she can get back to some sort of normal life. To be honest, she should stay at your house to finish out her school year and have one of us with her.”
Kaymar rose and went to the window. “Menders, I don’t think we’re going to catch this character. He’s terribly slippery, and he just disappears anytime Bartan or any of us get close,” he continued bluntly.
“All right,” Menders sighed. “Go let Cook feed you.”
He sighed with frustration as Kaymar and Franz made their way to the kitchen.
(48)
A Great Perfumed Fop
Dear Simple Maid from The Country,
It is a great relief to find that I am a better kisser than either Ifor or Kaymar. My dress sense is bet
ter than theirs as well. I’m sure you’ve noticed over the years.
Please be very cautious regarding this person, my love. Take no risks. I would rather not catch him at all than take any chance of harm coming to you.
We are continuing as usual here, looking forward to you and Hemmett being home for Winterfest. Katrin is presently plowing through several volumes of philosophy that I recommended. I assumed she would take them one at a time. She’s reading them all at once. Somehow her brain manages to sort everything out, so I say nothing. She is continuing with the music and art classes for the little ones at the school, and enjoys that.
Borsen is, as always, overworking. I heard a sound I couldn’t place when I was up late the other night and finally traced it to the workshop, where Borsen was sitting at his machine, practically asleep, sewing another suit. I ended up carrying him downstairs in my arms like a child to deter him from continuing his somnambulant tailoring. He was asleep the moment I put him on his bed, and slumbered through disrobing and tucking in. His ambition and passion for his work worry me more than a little bit. He’s still only a boy but pushes himself to the point where he would have no leisure if I didn’t see to it.
So far I have said little to Katrin and Borsen about the present situation, as I don’t want to cause needless concern. I only wish I didn’t feel that this is the sort of disaster that will prevent us being able to take them abroad as planned. Enough of that for now. No point in borrowing trouble.
Kaymar has assured me that you are very much my wife and I am proud to claim you. I miss you so very much, my brave Little Bird.
All my love,
M
Weaving Man: Book One of The Prophecy Series Page 63