The Cartel

by E G Manetti

  On Settlement Day Lilian executed the arrangements to transfer her funds to the kitchen crafter upon completion of the repairs. Can she sell the puppets before then, she need not empty her accounts. Lilian has been near panic at the notion that such a large charge would call scrutiny from the authorities. Now, she will be able to repair the kitchen, and avoid review.

  “Maman, will the Shrine act for you in this?” Lilian inquires.

  There is no restriction on Lilian’s right to sell what little is left of her property. They will achieve a better price if Sinead’s Shrine acts as intermediary. The Shrine may also transfer the proceeds directly to the crafter without anyone taking notice.

  “If that is your wish,” the Seer confirms.

  As Lilian carefully gathers the fearsome sea-demons, Helena collects the homely puppet with bark-like hair. Thrusting it at Lilian, Helena insists, “You must keep your tree-troll in your chamber where he may aid you.”

  After a moment’s consideration, Lilian nods her assent. There is no benefit in distressing her mother. The tree-troll is the least valuable of the puppets. He will not bring sufficient funds to be of use.

  »◊«

  “How did you find Mistress Lilian and Sinead’s Seer?” Lucius inquires from his seat in the back of the transport.

  Lucius gave Lilian into the care of his driver to protect security-privilege. A chance remark of counterfeiters, traitors or synthetics was not to be risked. Nor did he wish the challenge of a protocol violation. Chin will voice naught of Lilian’s disrespectful remarks about the Apprentice Protocol. There are some in the Cartel who would relish offering an indictment.

  Only after George exited with Lilian, did Lucius realize he had finally succeeded in getting an agent within Lilian’s home. The previous day’s account of the household penetrated one aspect of the enigma that is his apprentice. Lucius now knows why Lilian avoids discussion of her mother and sister.

  “I was unable to pass beyond the entry hall. When we arrived, the Seer and Mistress Katleen were training in the courtyard. It is a barren place, monsignor, bare of any ornament.

  “The Seer is as deranged as rumor describes. She evidenced no concern over her daughter’s state or untimely return during a commerce day. Instead, the Seer engaged Mistress Lilian in a discussion of children’s fables. It was the young sister who demanded to know what had befallen Mistress Lilian and who accepted the instructions for Mistress Lilian’s care.”

  In the space of breath, the Shade Ridden woman went from incomprehensible to lucid. Insisting that Lilian required her chamber, Helena escorted Mr. George from the house.

  Lucius knew from Lilian’s description of her stone training chamber that the courtyard would be stripped of the plants and exotic fish it was designed to hold. Nor did he expect the fountain to be in use. The maintenance of such a display is well beyond his apprentice’s resources.

  Of more interest is the discourse on Lilian’s mother and sister. All is not well in that house. In the absence of Lilian, the survival of her mother and sister unquestionably rests with the child.

  “Is there aught else, George?” Lucius wished every scrap of observance. He released the notion of lacing Lilian’s wine with Chin’s potion almost immediately. Even if Chin could be convinced to participate in such a reprehensible act, Lucius will not violate his honor. His apprentice will answer any question he asks. He must discern the correct question. Nor can he simply demand a full biography. To display such interest in an apprentice is unseemly.

  Unable to articulate his impressions of the odd household, George offered little else, “The security is sound. Mistress Lilian and her family are safe within the house.”

  This day there is little more. George replies, “The Seer was nowhere in evidence. Mistress Lilian was well and enjoying a meal with her sister.”

  From his vantage by the stairs, the canny driver had not failed to note the tray abandoned on a stone bench. After a moment George adds, “They were seated in the courtyard for their meal.”

  Lucius is fascinated. The child is at home and the mother not. Why the sisters would be dining in a barren courtyard is another oddity. “The courtyard, George?”

  “Aye sir,” George acknowledges. “I expect it is the brightest spot in the house. The shutters cast a heavy gloom in the rest of chambers. I could discern naught beyond the archways.”

  Sevenday 11, Day 5

  Beginning the day with Chin is nowhere near as enjoyable as starting it with the view of Lilian’s long legs and her precise and solemn summary of activity. Pushing aside his irritation, Lucius focuses on the Medic’s report.

  Lilian, in her meticulous manner, returned the used wafer sleeves to the wafer box. The Master Medic tested the remaining wafers and found several with three to five times the normal dosage of stimulants. The residue in one of the used packets was similarly overdosed. Chin is certain how it could be accomplished.

  “Someone dissolved a number of stimulants in wine and then applied the concentrate to several of the wafers in that box. After that, the tainted box was exchanged with an untainted one. Lilian kept the box in her worksite console until she started to use them.”

  “To what end, Chin?” Lucius frowns, unable to immediately discern a motive.

  “To bring the girl to grief, Lucius,” Chin responds patiently.

  Chin cannot fathom how the clever man could miss something so obvious. The Cartel is rife with such cruelty directed at the apprentice. Lucius cannot be unaware of it. “In someone without Lilian’s sensitivity, the overdose would appear wafer abuse; jitters, anxiety, paranoia. In some circumstances, such behavior could place her on the wrong side of stricture, could it not?”

  “It could indeed. However, the perpetrator would have no way of knowing when or even if, Lilian would use the wafers.” Lucius is very well aware of the level of despite endured by his apprentice. What he cannot fathom is how a malicious agent could rely upon such an act to bring the desired result.

  “It was likely enough. Even the standard associate workload creates stress. They all have recourse to the wafers at some point or another. It is why the Dispensary provides them.” Chin will risk no questionable or tainted pharmaceuticals within the Cartel.

  “So Lilian is not sensitive to stimulants?” Lucius inquires. The notion brings on relief. His apprentice is already too vulnerable.

  “She is sensitive, no doubt there,” responds the master medic, dispelling Lucius’ relief only to return it with his next words. “It is not an unusually severe sensitivity. One or two in succession will have the regular result. Should Lilian consume more, she will find they make her sleepier rather than less so, as the toxins build up. That is likely why Lilian consumed that last one so early in the day. It is definitely why she fainted so abruptly after consuming the one with the extra dosage.”

  “Have you a means to identify the source?” Lucius glowers. He would very much like to retaliate against the perpetrator.

  “None whatsoever,” Chin responds glumly.

  The medic shares Lucius’ ire at such a dangerous prank. “There is no way to trace the box. The monitors reveal only the maintenance staff around her worksite. Their duties regularly block a clear view of the drawers. Any one of them could have accepted a bribe to make the exchange.”

  Thinking for a few moments, Lucius comes to a frustrating conclusion, “There is no reason to consider this other than a petty associate intrigue. Lilian is well aware that many hold her in despite. Thank you, Chin.”

  “As you will,” Chin responds. Recognizing dismissal the medic rises and exits.

  At the three warning pings, Lucius releases his contemplation of Chin’s report. It has not been a pleasant morning and Lucius has no expectation that it will improve with the next interview.

  The scarlet door slides open and Nickolas enters to be motioned to Chin’s recently vacated chair. “Good morning, monsignor. What is your will for me?”

  Lucius considers his protégé somber
ly. After three years, Lucius has come to regard his protégé as a reliable, if uninspired, associate. Nickolas achieves results through diligence and effort. He shows little of the creativity or daring Lucius anticipated. Nickolas’ greatest virtue is unswerving loyalty to Lucius and Lucius’ will. Both diligence and loyalty are faltering in situations where Nickolas’ responsibilities require interaction with Lilian.

  “My will, yes. Over the years you have proven diligent and loyal in executing my will,” Lucius begins.

  Nickolas owns the wit to be noticeably uncertain even as he offers the proper response, “It is my honor to serve, monsignor.”

  “Of late your diligence has faltered. It has even deteriorated into negligence.” The protégé sits straighter in chair, if possible, and waits for Lucius to continue. “I am referring to your responsibilities to supervise the training and commerce activities of my apprentice. Nickolas, why did you fail to terminate Mistress Lilian’s Cartel assignments after she completed training?”

  “Did I fail to do so? I beg your pardon, monsignor. I was remiss.” Nickolas is mentally scrambling. His words are correct. He recognizes his actions have been negligent.

  “You have been more than remiss. Investment in an apprentice is not made lightly. I try Mistress Lilian as and when I will. It is not for you to try her.” Lucius’ silken tones would set Lilian trembling.

  Well aware of the threat contained in the silk, Nickolas is quick to deny the suggestion of such presumption. “Truly, monsignor, such was not my intent. She executes my assignments correctly. Monsignor has given no indication of displeasure with her other work. Beyond that I simply do not think of her at all.”

  “No, I suppose you do not,” Lucius allows, leashing his temper. “You cannot even voice Mistress Lilian’s name. You could have caught her could you not, Nickolas? I have sparred with you often. You are quick enough. You preferred to see Lilian fall rather than touch her. Your disdain for Mistress Lilian has caused me inconvenience and her harm. It could be viewed as a challenge to my judgment and will. Are you offering such a challenge?”

  During Lucius’ speech most of the color has leeched from Nickolas’ face. He hastens to respond, “No monsignor. I beg monsignor’s pardon.”

  “Reconcile yourself to my will in this, Nickolas. It will not be well for you if we must speak of this again.” At his protégé’s nod of acknowledgement, Lucius’ eyes narrow. He demands, “How is it that Lilian was known to you before she entered my service?”

  »◊«

  “I like this not,” Lucius meets Trevelyan’s hard gaze with his own. “Have you naught better to offer?”

  Trevelyan did not expect Lucius to be pleased by his report. The spymaster has confirmed that the broken attendance records were the result of an internal breacher assault. A breacher that they are unable to identify. It is uncertain if the scheduling records were the goal or collateral damage from an attempt at more deeply encrypted files. It matters not. The assault penetrated no further than the scheduling records. The next assault will fare no better and will catch the traitor in Trevelyan’s carefully laid traps. It is this last that causes Lucius’ concern. Trevelyan is not sealing Lucius’ files against further assault. He is leaving them vulnerable to another invasion.

  “Monsignor, I am well aware of how access to your movements could be exploited,” Trevelyan acknowledges. He has exploited just such data on Lucius’ rivals more than once. “Another assault will reveal the traitor. What has been stolen has been stolen.”

  Trevelyan and Lucius are seated in the armchairs of Lucius’ seating area. It is late in the day. Darkness covers the windows. With a scowl, Lucius demands, “You are certain that the traitor is not viewing my files as we speak?”

  “Yes Monsignor. Our traps are well laid. With the next assault we will have the traitor,” Trevelyan confirms with a predatory expression that Lucius knows well.

  Nodding his agreement, Lucius concedes, “It is better to trap the traitor than risk other attacks that we may not identify so quickly. Have you all you require?”

  “Yes monsignor.” Accepting his dismissal, Trevelyan exits, leaving Lucius to his thoughts.

  »◊«

  Ninth bell chimes as Lucius enters his home to find Chin exiting. “Chin, I had forgotten. Is all well?”

  “Your children are hale and hearty, Estella is resting but awake,” Chin replies with a smile. He is not offended that Lucius forgot the routine visit given recent events.

  Returning Chin’s smile, Lucius asks, “Have you dinned?”

  “I require naught Lucius,” Chin responds. “Attend your spouse. I will see you on the morrow.”

  “Poison, Lucius? How extraordinary,” Estella gratefully accepts the small glass of potent beverage from her spouse as he settles next to her on the lounge. “What else did you discover?”

  Sipping his own beverage, Lucius recounts the remainder of his investigation.

  “Such harshness from our honorable Nickolas defies expectation,” Estella comments.

  Nickolas’ recitation of his encounter with the child Lilian and his subsequent refutation of her had been brief. “I did not wish Mistress Lilian to presume. It was better to clarify matters at the outset.”

  Lucius lacks not imagination. He had no difficultly comprehending how Nickolas’ denial would have wounded his apprentice.

  Lucius settles his wife gently against his chest as he remarks, “Nickolas is as conventional as he is honorable. He is also diligent in his duty toward me. I had no notion he held Lilian in such disdain.”

  “It does much to explain the extreme level of insult she endures,” muses Estella. At an interrogative sound from Lucius, she continues. “Nickolas is your protégé. He could choose to view insult to Lilian as a challenge to your will. I doubt even Sebastian's protégé would be eager to confront Nickolas.”

  “And Lillian would suffer fewer challenges with nuance and custom did Nickolas provide but a hint or two,” Lucius remarks in turn.

  For a moment Lucius considers his options and accepts the inevitable. “In this I cannot compel him. It is matter of honor.”

  As much as Lucius dislikes having his will thwarted, Nickolas’ disdain for Lilian has not led him to violate Cartel or Cartouche stricture. Lilian is convicted of Guilt by Blood and discredited. None can be compelled to embrace her. All Lucius can do is exert his authority and property rights to protect her from sustained injury.

  “Without Nickolas' recognition, she must be very isolated. Owns she any allies?” Estella wonders.

  “Only her doxy friends and they offer as much harm as good. With Martin actively promoting despite, and Nickolas standing aloof, Lilian has been unable to trade on her brilliance to establish alliances.” After a moment Lucius continues, “It might have served better to install her in the Associate Quarters.”

  Serengeti Associate Quarters are designed to minimize associates’ requirements for personal housekeeping, thus freeing extra periods to devote to the Cartel. Quarters are small and spartan. A basic diet is available at all bells on all days. Within the densely populated structures Lilian would also have greater opportunity to build relationships.

  Lucius readily embraced the notion that Lilian reside with her mother and sister. The greater opportunity for acquaintance provided by the Associate Quarters also provided increased opportunity for Lillian's exceptional talents to be discovered.

  “Trevelyan vetoed that notion, with good cause as it transpires,” Estella interrupts Lucius’ contemplation. “He has maintained from the outset that he could not keep Lilian safe from malicious harm in that environ. Someone was able to poison her within the Cartel. What think you would occur in the Quarters?”

  At his wife's words, Lucius nods. The well monitored avenues and boulevards of the Garden Center District pose fewer hazards than the bustling streets and alleys of the Commerce District. Katleen’s house is well secured and readily monitored. There is little more Lucius can do.

  “Lady L
ynette has returned from Socraide Deuce,” Estella offers, distracting Lucius from his frustration.

  “Has she?” Lucius murmurs. “Well that explains Marco’s eagerness to depart for the Matahorn negotiations. Will she plague you dreadfully?”

  Lucius finds Marco’s spouse thoroughly unpleasant. It is a sentiment Estella and Marco share. The alliance was designed by Lucius’ father. Marco was unenthusiastic but obedient to the Preeminence of Blooded Dagger. Newly wedlocked and on the wrong side of his father’s will, there was little Lucius could do to aid his cousin.

  Once Marco had an heir from Lynette, he established his own household. To this day, Marco and Lynette avoid each other. Divorce is not prohibited in the Twelve Systems. It is uncommon. Among warriors it is almost impossible. Once property and genetics have mingled, they are not readily separated. Marco is not alone among the warriors in his separation from his spouse.

  “Lynette will not trouble me,” Estella responds. “She enjoys being an Art Museum patron.”

  With a smile, Lucius settles Estella more firmly against him. She is as formidable as the day they wed.

  Sevenday 11, Day 6

  Lilian’s eyes spring wide in the blackness. It is well after Dark of Night. Her hand seeks a blade even as the cause of her sudden waking solidifies into Katleen sliding into the bed.

  “Katleen,” Lilian whispers unwilling to risk disturbing Helena. The French door is open to the courtyard. Maman’s chamber is just beyond. “You know better than to enter in stealth.”

  “I beg pardon, Lilian,” Katleen reaches for Lilian’s waist. “I hoped you would not wake and send me away.”

  “Katleen, we have discussed this,” Lilian relaxes against the pillows and caresses Katleen’s hair.

  “Please, Lilian, you are much fiercer than maman,” Katleen pleads burying her head in Lilian’s shoulder.

  The young girl is prey to evil dreams. Awaking in terror, she seeks Lilian’s bed. It has been so since before the ruin. Whenever Lilian was in residence, Katleen sought her sister not her mother.