by Howell, Rob
“Why Maja?”
“Piri has convinced us that Maja will benefit by entering my service. I have sworn her bencriht this very morning.”
With a raised eyebrow, Vukasin looked at Piri.
“Interesting,” he rumbled. He paused. “But irrelevant to your request.”
“Yes. I only mentioned her because she is one of my responsibilities now.”
He nodded. “If I grant you this favor, you will swear that you will not hurt the Dassaretae or any of their interests.”
“Yes, unless I am unaware I am doing so.”
He tapped his book in his lap. “Very well. Piri was correct. I can and will provide your spies. I will have them, or at least a contact, come to you at the Faerie. Can you organize them properly?”
I shrugged. “I doubt it. Or, rather, I have no doubt you or someone from this city can organize them better than I can. I have led small groups of men in battle, but this is not a type of war I’m familiar with. However, I do plan on relying on Piri and, when he gets back, Sebastijan.”
He nodded. “That’s probably wise. I can help with that, too.”
He looked at Piri and added, “And you can station a squad at the Faerie. I assume you’d prefer it normally be a Pathfinder squad?”
“Yes, but we’re still understrength.”
“Set up a rotation.” He paused for a moment. “Tell Dominik to assign Vojin to lead whichever Feroun happen to stay at the Faerie. Edward knows him slightly, and he needs more command experience anyway.”
She nodded. “One more question, Uncle.”
“Yes?”
“How likely is it that an organization, a large organization, might be active in Achrida without your knowledge?”
“Why would you ask me that?”
We detailed our thoughts and reasoning from earlier in the day. He listened calmly and took a few moments before answering.
“I must admit that I do not think it likely. However, I would not have guessed that Andreas would disregard my instructions, and yet he did so.”
“Have you found out who prompted him to do so yet?”
Vukasin shook his head.
“No, Sevener, I’m rather frustrated to say that I have not.”
“Who else would he obey?”
“Theoretically, he would obey instructions from the Emperor.”
“Theoretically?”
“Most of the time, governors know that to actively disobey a zupan in Achrida, even against the will of the Emperor, will put a kink in their normal activities.”
“Normal activities?”
“Gathering every dinar they can by whatever corruption seems reasonable into their own coffers. They serve for five or six years, and they all aim to earn more than they can squander in the rest of their lives.”
“Have you disrupted Andreas’s collection of bribes?”
“Yes.”
So might an earthquake answer in the affirmative.
“You said ‘most of the time.’ You’re saying governors have at times ignored the will of the zupans?”
He nodded. “Occasionally, an Emperor will make instructions that brook no discussion. Governors get nervous when Imperial headsmen are looking their way. However, that did not happen this time.”
“You know the instructions they’re given?”
“Yes. That is to say, I know all his kurioi tell him and the Emperor, and I usually know what the dispatches sent back and forth say.”
“It’s possible that such an instruction came to him, though.”
“I suppose, but the chances are low.”
“Yet Andreas held me for enough time to prepare ambushes from Lezh.”
“Yes. And somehow someone managed to convince Andreas to do so. I still don’t think such instructions came from the Emperor—though I’ll admit it is possible, because someone did convince him.” He rumbled laughter as a thought struck him. “However, I can tell you the Emperor is quite interested in you.”
“Me?”
“Yes. He’s eager to meet you after what happened to Pal.”
I shook my head in amazement.
“You should have no problems attaining a station in the Imperial Guard when that time comes. But that time is ahead of us, and we still have this problem to resolve.”
“You’re saying that you are no closer to determining who got to Andreas now. And while you don’t think a large organization could exist in Achrida without your knowledge, Gibroz’s kral could easily be manipulated without your knowledge.”
Vukasin nodded. “Achrida is my home, and to an extent my domain. It is both my responsibility and the requirement of my station to remain vigilant here.”
“But the krals...”
“But the krals are challenging for me to penetrate at times. Of course, some Mrnjavcevic and Dassaretae enter the krals. Some work for both of us, as their positions may not have any conflict between my expectations and one of the kraljevics. Nevertheless, I know less of what happens in the krals themselves than I do with the Enchelei. Again, partially that is because of their people, and partially that is because our domains do not always cross each other.”
“So if there were a large organization working in Achrida outside your knowledge, it would be more likely a kral instead of the Enchelei.”
“Exactly. I will investigate your questions. And I will not allow potential competitors to thrive.”
“I’ve no doubt of that.”
I looked at Piri. She shrugged, so she apparently had no more questions either.
“Thank you for your help, Vukasin.”
“I expect to know anything you find out.”
“I expect your people will tell you, anyway.”
He laughed. “They’d better, but I want to hear it from you, too.”
I rose to leave.
Vukasin looked up at me with a small smile. “Swift hunting, Sevener.”
Chapter 39
Evening, 2 Simmermoanne, 1712 MG
When we entered the Faerie’s taproom I was happily surprised to see Sebastijan sitting at my table, drinking Ragnar’s ale.
“How did you get here so quickly?”
“I rode faster than you did.”
“Surely you did not ride alone?”
“No, but for some of the way it was only myself and Ylli’s man, who rode Deor alongside. When we received Hristo’s message about the ambush, I gambled and left the caravan the next day. We made good time.”
“Deor?”
“Eirik was feeding him apples last I saw. Your armor and weapons are in your room. And I have this.”
He handed me my saex and the belt its scabbard hung from. With great relief I buckled it around me. My sigh of happiness drew a round of laughter.
Mugs had arrived for Piri, Maja, and me, and we welcomed the moment to share ale with comrades. Maja looked envious. Piri noticed but kept quiet, though she and I shared a look. I nodded a vow to do my best for her. At that Piri smiled broadly.
I turned to Sebastijan and said, “I’m sorry about Radovan. Is there any news today?”
Sebastijan grimaced. “We got a Helper in to work with him.”
“Good. Is he any better?”
“Some, but it will be a long process. Wounds that are usually mortal take time to recover from, even with a Helper.”
“I’ve no doubt. It took Bedarth months to heal my wounds after the battle between Penwulf and Cynric.”
“You will lose much of your new income for a while paying for him.” He smiled ironically.
“Whatever the price.”
“I know, Sevener. I know.”
“What new income?”
“Well, Piri, with Sebastijan’s help I have started a trade route, arranging with a relative in Brunanburh to sell Sevenish armrings here in the Empire.”
“And places farther east, too,” added Sebastijan.
“Indeed?”
“Our plan to meet Ylli was based on a legitimate business opportunity. Sebas
tijan simply made sure that I followed through and set it up. Now Ylli and... what was her name?”
“Pala.”
“Pala are arranging the details. Sebastijan assures me they will send me a sizable amount of money each month. We’ll see if that happens or not.” I turned back to Sebastijan. “Should it not, I shall sell what I need to pay for Radovan’s service.”
“I know.”
“I am sure I owe you money for your service to me, as well, given all that you have done.”
Sebastijan thought about it. “Perhaps. Pay for Radovan’s return to health, and we shall continue to serve you until this mess is cleared up.”
“You just said you knew I would do that anyway.”
“Let us say that we will collect a different debt by helping you.”
“See, Sevener, another ally.”
I glanced at Piri and looked back at Sebastijan.
“You may change your mind when you hear what Piri has convinced me to do.”
“Yes?”
“Rather than continuing as we have been, we have asked Vukasin for the manpower to trail Gibroz, his people, Andreas, and Pherenike.”
Sebastijan leaned back and thought. “Piri is right. This is now a war of knowledge, and you don’t know enough.”
Piri and I laughed.
“That’s exactly what she said,” I admitted.
“Good. I’m better at this kind of war than yours anyway.”
Piri spoke up. “You’re probably better at this kind of war than I am, in fact.”
Sebastijan shrugged. “I suspect that, between us, we can devise a worthy plan.”
“Yes.”
“We’ll devise the plan after dinner.” I pointed at Zoe, who was carrying plates our way.
Tonight was an old favorite, goat grilled with rosemary, zucchini strips with butter and their own rosemary, and pieces of fresh bread with the salty cheese melted atop them. Far simpler than the fare provided by either Andreas or Ylli, but, to an armsman such as myself, far tastier.
“Besides, Sevener, you feed me and mine better than most of our employers.”
I grinned briefly at Sebastijan and focused on the meal.
Zoe returned later and placed a platter holding seven of Soraya’s plum tarts on our table. “Here’s the last of them.”
“Tell her thanks.”
“I shall.”
“Please also tell her that I truly do not mind playing with Ludmilja when I can. I will send her back when I need to focus on something else.”
“I will, but she’s nervous. You are lordly in your bearing and wealth, and she is terrified of offending you.”
“I know.” I sighed.
Piri chuckled. “Tell her she can recover from any misstep by making tarts for the Pathfinders. If he gets angry, we’ll protect her.”
With fervent nods, we each grabbed a tart.
“Here’s a lesson for you, Sevener.”
“Yes, Piri?”
“You have a problem.”
“I do?”
“Yes. There are four of us, but only seven tarts.”
“Three now.”
“Yes. Exactly.”
“A good leader should forego a tart so that each of his helpers can have one. Otherwise, his helpers are wracked with dissension.”
I chuckled. “Indeed? Well, we can’t have you three fighting amongst each other. Please, help yourselves.”
They did not argue. I wistfully watched them enjoy the last of the tarts.
“Was that the lesson?”
“No. The lesson is that we of Achrida are unscrupulous when it comes to getting the last plum tart.”
I could not help but laugh at Piri’s smug and sticky smirk.
“Now, Piri, how about you and Sebastijan create a plan to get the information that I’m going to need?”
“How many people do we have?” Sebastijan asked.
“I asked Vukasin for forty.”
“That’ll do nicely.”
“What do you have in mind?”
“Well, Piri, why don’t we use me and my people as decarchs? We’ll report to the Sevener here consistently. That way, nothing will have obviously changed. Everyone already knows we’re working for Edward. Nobody will be surprised to see any of us here.”
“What about Radovan?” I objected.
“Hopefully we’ll be done with all of this before he’s completely healed.”
“No, I mean, who will protect him?”
“What do you mean?”
“Sevener, remember, he hasn’t been here,” pointed out Piri.
“Oh, right. Radovan got knifed because the person behind the attacks anticipated his presence and set an ambush for him.”
“For him specifically?”
“I don’t know for sure, but definitely for anyone coming to my aid during the second attack. They held two in reserve to attack any help.”
“He’s worried that his allies are getting targeted.”
I confirmed Piri’s statement with a nod.
“That explains why you sent them back to Radovan and Jovanka’s. I had wondered.”
“Yes.”
Sebastijan leaned back and mused. “I can protect Radovan and Jovanka without my men. That neighborhood is nearly all their family. If we plan to protect them, I think they’ll be safe enough.”
“There’s no doubt that you and your people would be very helpful, but I also don’t want to risk your people getting killed.”
“I appreciate that. Knowing that will change my plan slightly, but not drastically.” He thought for a moment. “Edward, who are we following, exactly?”
“Gibroz, Gabrijela, Andreyev, Markov, his other two thugs, Andreas, and Pherenike.”
Sebastijan thought through the possibilities for a moment. “That means the bulk of our targets are centered on Gibroz’s gambling den.”
“Yes.”
“Good, that makes things easier.” He started mumbling to himself. “Anzhelko likes to gamble and he’s known there already. I’ll pick a half-dozen... no, eight, of Vukasin’s people who also like to gamble. We’ll have them start gambling more often.”
His eyes refocused and he turned to me. “They’ll need money.”
“I’ll give you another armring before you leave.”
“That will be fine. In any case, at least one of them will be gambling all the time, watching what happens inside Gibroz’s den. They’ll pass on what they know to Anzhelko.”
Piri nodded. “Nine people rotating in and out should be enough.”
“Especially since Spiridon and I will have a score outside to follow any who leave.”
“What if Gibroz has secret ways out?”
“I’m sure he does, Sevener, but we’ll ferret those out as best we can. I’ll take those who are most familiar with the Stracara in my group. You told Vukasin who you want to follow?”
We nodded.
“Then I’m sure most of them will be familiar with and in the Stracara. Some will undoubtedly already frequent Gibroz’s den. Vukasin knows what you need.”
Piri agreed. “That he does, and he also knows that you know almost nothing, so he’ll anticipate what you want.”
“Then I’ll detail Veselko and the remaining dozen to focus on Andreas and Pherenike.” Sebastijan added.
“Will that be enough?”
“I suspect so. They don’t leave the Imperial building all that often. If it turns out he needs more help, I’ll either give him some of my score, or we’ll get more help.”
“I wish we could hear what was going on inside either Gibroz’s or Andreas’s office,” I said.
“You could ask Zvono and Kapric to report about Andreas.”
“I probably will, but I don’t know they’ll do it. Besides, their offices are about as far from Andreas’s as they could possibly be and remain in the same building.”
Piri nodded.
“However, there is one thing we can do,” remarked Sebastijan.
&nbs
p; “What?”
“We can keep our eyes open for opportunities to raid his office and steal their notes.”
“That sounds risky.”
“Keeping our eyes open is not.”
“No.”
“We won’t do anything like that except as a last resort.”
I nodded. “Yes. Right now, I just want them followed without them knowing I’m doing so.”
“What do you hope to discover?”
“Well, I want to know who is manipulating Andreas.”
“Yes.”
“I want to know if any of Gibroz’s people are acting abnormally.”
“Yes, as Ylli suggested.”
“Exactly.”
“So you want to know where they go and who they talk to.”
“Yes.”
“And then what?”
“I don’t know, this isn’t my kind of war.”
They laughed and Piri told Maja, “This will be one of your tasks. You’ll help the Sevener collect the information but more importantly help him figure out what will be important.”
She nodded.
“I’m guessing that most of what your people tell me will be unimportant.”
“Yes, Sevener, most will be irrelevant.”
I sighed. “No help for it, I guess.”
“No, not at all.”
“What else do you want to know?”
I thought for a while. “All this talk of following people reminds me that the day that Honker was beaten, I was followed to the Imperial building and back.”
“You were?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“I never saw him again, and he was not particularly adept at following me. I noticed him easily.”
Piri and Sebastijan leaned back to ponder this new detail, and Piri offered, “We’ll see if we can find out who that was.”
“If you can.”
Sebastijan nodded. “If he has decided to leave you alone, then I can’t imagine we will find him. What did he look like?”
“Workman’s clothes,” I mused. “Achridan style.
“Go on.”
“He had a beard and dark hair.”
“Yes, that will definitely help pin him down.”
