Alchemy

by Camille Oster

  “I deal with realities, not dreams,” she said sharply. She went to push past. He stood his ground, but didn’t touch her. Still, she forced him to step out of her way. She walked straight for the door. Whatever her intentions were, this had all been a mistake. They weren’t interested in listening, giving to their anger instead of trying to make things better.

  “Don’t you feel like a traitor?” the man asked as she was leaving. “Dressed up in their silks and finery, coming here to bestow your charity.”

  “This isn’t about charity. It’s about taking the opportunity to make thing better.”

  “Only wiping them out would make things better.”

  “Wallowing in self-pity doesn’t achieve anything,” she said tersely. “If you find you have an actual problem to solve, you know where I can be found.”

  She wasn’t sure why she had offered that. Perhaps just to make a point that she was the better person. Being a creature of court, harsh words and unfriendly sentiments didn’t devastate her. In fact, they had no sway on her whatsoever. She did what needed to be done and if people didn’t have a habit of cutting off their noses to spite their faces, perhaps things would be vastly improved for everyone.

  Chapter 24

  The attitudes of the villagers both shocked and didn’t at the same time. The broader community had been resentful since Raufasger’s victory. They had every right to be, but he was gone now—dead. Now was the time to make strides forward to a brighter future. What she couldn’t abide was when people wanted revenge more than they wanted to improve the lot of the community around them.

  What exactly was it they hoped would happen? That the Naufren would simply disappear? That was never going to happen. It wasn’t as if they could expel them and live happily ever after. It was immature and unreasonable to insist on something that could simply not happen. The mature thing to do was to make things better, to push for more equality, and to create a society that was fair and tolerable for everyone. But nothing would happen at once. It wasn’t as if they could reset the land and everyone would be happy tomorrow. It was a process, and not participating in it was idiotic.

  It only proved how important this council was. It was the only way to give people a voice, a means to address grievances. A king would mean they were stuck with that person’s view of the world. A council, later a parliament, would provide the means of bringing in other voices. A king would result in that the Naufren dictum would be the only one going.

  The return back to the castle went by in a flash. The townspeople’s belligerence only fired her blood. She was more motivated than ever to ensure this council worked and stayed. Maybe because in their anger and resentment, the townspeople were unable to bring change on their own. It was a shame they had to indulge in such short-sightedness.

  What she didn’t quite know was what was next. The wheat market needed to be established. Could Woord be trusted with doing so, she wondered. Perhaps it was best that the council met every day to discuss the matters at hand. There was so very much that needed doing.

  Some, like Fiedra, would probably fall away very quickly, too uninterested to deal with issues like commodity prices. Justice was also an issue. It had been the purview of Raufasger, as hap hazardously applied as it had been, but they needed to establish some other mechanism. And security. They would descend into chaos if they lost control and hungry people were desperate. No, food was paramount.

  All these thoughts were running around her head as she walked back up her tower to her apartments. The trip to Tondoke had been concerning. People were angry and resentful. The accusation of her of being a traitor to her own people wasn’t something she had come across before. On some level, she understood why they would say that, but she was also now in a position to do some good. If they had any intelligence, they would jump on this opportunity. She was a voice for them.

  “Where have you been?” Lorcan asked, startling her as she walked in the door. He sat on the sofa, looking relaxed.

  “How did you get in?”

  “I asked nicely.”

  Ashra faltered. Someone had simply let him into her apartments? Did everyone simply have access to her apartments if they asked nicely. “Asked who?”

  “I squeezed a page until he conceded. You really should do something about your security. I could have gone through and poisoned everything in your apartment by now.”

  “I thought your wife was the poisoner.”

  “Or anyone annoyed by your insistence on our collective community service.”

  “You, of all people, should know how necessary it is.”

  By his silence, he grudgingly conceded. “I saw you leave.”

  “Spying on me?”

  “We’re all spying on each other, these days.”

  “I went to Tondoke to see how things were for myself. I’m not sure Niesen Woord can be trusted to convey the true situation to us.”

  Lorcan sighed and rubbed his hands over his face. “You shouldn’t leave the citadel unguarded, traipsing throughout the countryside.”

  “There was never any concern for my safety,” she lied. There actually had been. Things could have gone differently; she saw that now. “But I will take more guards if I leave again.”

  Lorcan watched her with cool eyes. For a moment, it looked like he wanted to argue this point further, but he finally let it go. “And can he be trusted?”

  “I don’t think he is quite conveying how angry people are.”

  “Your wheat market should help,” he said and rose from the sofa.

  Ashra wasn’t entirely sure the anger would be swayed by food alone. “I think more comprehensive changes are needed.”

  “There are always people who want changes. There will always be haves and have nots. Or are you ready to hand over your estate for the collective good? If that is the case, you might as well marry me.”

  “How would that serve the collective good, exactly?”

  “Any crown land is used to serve the people.”

  Ashra shorted. “How much of the crown’s resources have been used to throw lavish balls?”

  “I grant you the point, but surely you don’t have an expectation that we should all live like paupers? Are you a radical martyr, Lady Greve? If that is the case, then we need to be wary of your council, don’t we?”

  “You know very well that I am trying to make things better, to make things more fair.”

  Lorcan smiled. She knew he thought she was an unrealistic dreamer, but so far, her council was the only thing functional around here.

  “In fact, I think we need to hold the council meetings every day.”

  “Seek to subdue the entire court through boredom?”

  “Only those willing.”

  “We don’t actually have to do the administration’s job for them. It’s what they’re there for.”

  “After what I saw in Tondoke, I’m not sure I trust them to do it.”

  “Singlehandedly trying to save the world, Lady Greve. Are you sure you’re not throwing your hat in the ring for ruler? We could join forces. We could both achieve what we want that way.”

  Ashra smiled. “Oh dear, is the emotional development strategy not working out?”

  “We could be king and queen. You would have the leeway to make the improvements you wish.”

  “Except I wish to do away with the king.”

  “Unfortunately, I don’t think anyone else at court agrees with your sentiments. But I won’t work against you. You will see that things are the way they are because they have to be.”

  “You’re wrong.”

  His eyes traveled lower to her belly. “You shouldn’t be out gallivanting around the countryside in your condition.”

  “I am pregnant, not disabled.” The truth was that she was exhausted from the journey, and it had been more perilous than she had ever anticipated.

  “Next time, let me escort you.”

  “Perhaps, but for now, it’s time for you to go. As interesting as it was
having you break into my apartments, I must ask you to leave. I need to rest.”

  “Then rest,” he said gently. “I will have a guard stand duty outside.”

  “I really don’t think that is necessary.”

  “Perhaps not, but it would certainly make me feel better.”

  Ashra wasn’t sure what to make of this protective streak in Lorcan. Granted, she did carry what he saw as his heir, and hence precious cargo.

  She needed to rest; she had so much planning to do the remainder of the evening. The evenings were long now that they didn’t have events to attend. Simply the time to dress was onerous, and she had an untold amount of time on her hands now.

  There had been an invitation to a dinner party, but she wasn’t up to it—partially because it would be three hours of discussion on the succession, and she had better things to do.

  Sitting down heavily on her bed, she forced off her shoes with her feet. The things she’d seen at Tondoke was concerning. Discontent was evident and would only rise if they didn’t get their act together. The accusation that she was extending it by not throwing her support in with one camp or another bit. It wasn’t as if she was the key to anyone’s claim to the throne. There were plenty of people who didn’t want to see either Lorcan or Wierstoke rule over them, and would work to oppose them. Her support wouldn’t guarantee anything, but she had to concede that it could make things easier for the person she chose.

  Lorcan offered her the role of queen. She would have power to make things happen then, but it was a massive compromise, a power granted by one man, a ruler. In truth, she feared Lorcan having that kind of power. He would be relentless and unstoppable. Anything he wanted would be his. Any objection she had would simply be overruled.

  On the other hand, Wierstoke would see her and her baby as a threat if he managed to vanquish Lorcan.

  There were no good scenarios there, which was why this council had to work. Otherwise, she, like the people, would be utterly vulnerable again, forced to comply with the dictates of their new liege.

  With a heavy sigh, Ashra lay down. She simply had to succeed. The benefits of her council would be something she would have to promote. In order to do that, she had to fight for it, and not hide away in her apartments. It was time for tea parties and dinner invitations. Unfortunately, with this pregnancy, it was the worst time for that kind of activity. Her belly was getting heavier and more cumbersome, and her energy was flagging earlier and earlier each day. But this was the future she was fighting for.

  Chapter 25

  The council had started meeting each day. It had been a simple thing to achieve. Woord was ordered to report on a specific issue the following day and a time was given. People turned up to hear, or simply to not miss out.

  The numbers did diminish as some saw no reason for their further contribution. That was what Ashra had hoped for and now they were down to a group who wanted to take part. Representatives of the main houses were there, and those ambitious enough to see this as a means of having a voice at this court.

  “We still need to be compensated for the wheat we are forced to contribute to this program,” Lord Varstig stated when a report on the wheat market was delivered. Behind closed lids, Ashra rolled her eyes. This same topic was brought up every time they met, courtiers squealing like stuck pigs because they had to contribute some of their wealth to the common good. Why did they have to harp over this again and again?

  “Compensation from whom?”

  “The crown.”

  “We are the crown now. Collectively, we are the crown. The nation needs this wheat. It is time to act responsibly.”

  “How is it responsible if they cannot work out how to feed themselves,” Varstig said pointedly, his contempt evident in his tone.

  “Because Raufasger came and stripped them of their land and away from their means of feeding themselves. Now they are starving. Do we not take any responsibility for that, simply ask them to starve?”

  “They lost.”

  “They aren’t simply going to vanish because of that. Now we must be gracious.” Ashra couldn’t believe they were still having this conversation. There was no empathy among some of the courtiers for the people beyond their families, or they refused to see beyond their own benefits and losses—be damned anyone else.

  With the deepest offense, Varstig stormed out of the hall, some people cheering as he went. Others were scowling. Luckily, Varstig wasn’t a very powerful member of the court, but he wasn’t the only one who felt they had no responsibility to the people vanquished by the war. Did they not understand that there would be revolt if they didn’t sort this? People didn’t just lie down and starve to death because others wished it.

  Again, Ashra wished she could be exclusive with who was picked for this council.

  “I think Lady Greve is right,” Wierstoke said. “We need to be circumspect about this. The wheat market must go ahead. Anyone who doesn’t participate should leave this court.”

  A gasp was heard around the room. She would perhaps not have suggested such finality, but Wierstoke did understand what was at stake. Perhaps he was right. They couldn’t risk a full revolt and hence chaos, because some of the courtiers didn’t feel like parting with some of their crop.

  “I don’t see why I should pay more than anyone else here,” Heiege said. “That is unfair.”

  “How is that not fair?” someone else challenged. “You have more land, hence more crop. Why shouldn’t you pay more?”

  With a sigh, Ashra felt like giving up, but she couldn’t afford to. “The issue of the wheat market has been decided on,” she said sharply, “and no further inquiry is needed.”

  That did silence the dissenting voices.

  “Now,” she continued. “Captain Burgess is here to discuss raising more men for security. We have all been saddened by the horrid news of Lord Nustro so savagely being murdered during a robbery a few days ago.” The news had shocked her when she’d heard it. Lord Nustro, one of the lesser nobles, had been traveling from his estate to the citadel and had been accosted by highwaymen on the way, his throat slit. Even now, it sent a shiver of revulsion through her. Again, Lord Nustro had been an uncompromisingly unpleasant man and Ashra could fully see him goading the men into it. Still, it was an unforgivable crime and such occurrences had to be stopped.

  Burgess stood up. “We have deployed more of the guard to patrol the roads, but there is more than we can cover. At this point, only the main roads can be secured. There are also reports of carts being robbed.”

  This only went to prove how badly this wheat was needed.

  “Press more men into service,” one of the older men said.

  “The more people we press, the less likely they are to be loyal to the crown. That creates risks all its own. We cannot afford a guard with questionable loyalty.”

  “If we pay them enough, I am sure they can perform,” Lorcan said. He was usually quiet in the meetings. The tension between him and Wierstoke was always evident.

  “That would mean more of the crown’s funds being redirected to security,” Wierstoke said tartly in response.

  “We have nothing if we don’t have roads to safely travel,” Lorcan replied.

  “My carts are heavily guarded as it is. I have no problems. Perhaps, instead of deploying men along the roads, we deploy it to the cargo that travels the roads.”

  “That won’t solve the problems of lawlessness,” Ashra pointed out.

  “Nustro shouldn’t have scrimped when it came to his own security. He has no one to blame. Who of us doesn’t understand that these are difficult times?”

  “An even stronger reason to regain control,” Lorcan said.

  “Nothing is ever improved by draining the coffers.”

  The tension in the room always rose when Wierstoke and Lorcan squared off. They were both using the council to grandstand their positions. Their fundamental personalities showed through in their policies. Wierstoke solved the problem at hand with complet
e focus, ignoring less important things, while Lorcan sought to control first, then solve problems.

  “Gentlemen,” Ashra cut in. “The question at hand is if we divert more funds to Captain Burgess for more men. Let’s place it to a vote.”

  The vote was right down the middle. Half with and half against. Quite a few were abstaining. It occurred to Ashra that this vote reflected the side people were on. Increasingly, they voted Lorcan or Wierstoke instead of on the issues, lending their voices to their alliances. And there wasn’t a majority. They were split down the middle, which only showed how long and drawn-out this leadership contest would prove to be.

  Ashra groaned. They needed to deal with security, but Lorcan and Wierstoke were opposing each other’s views, hence placing them continually in a position where nothing prevailed. She could see Captain Burgess’ frustration as well.

  Chapter 26

  The invitation to an evening gathering at Lord Harl’s apartments came as a surprise as he’d been so awful to her when she’d first arrived, openly dismissive of anyone who wasn’t Naufren. Still, the invitation had arrived. It appeared the awful Lord Harl was another who couldn’t deny that she was too powerful to ignore in these circles.

  As much as she wanted to ignore it, now was not the time to leave these people to their own devices. It was a precarious time and if she had to smile and make nice with a pig like Harl, she would.

  With a strained smile, she received his greeting and the stiff kiss on her knuckles when she arrived, noting the effort he had made to dress that night. Harl preferred a more decadent way of dressing, silk and lace, which Ashra felt made him look effeminate. The sheer wealth encapsulated in his very clothes were astounding, and that was perhaps the point.