by Liam Carrack
I had to get into this conversation and soon. Some of Fistall’s plans had some serious flaws that he needed to be aware of. I painfully switched the strangled choking noise to one of an interruption cough to gain the floor.
“With what funds do you plan to purchase land may I ask?” It was all very well if he had money, but without an overwhelming amount of it he would never be able to purchase anything but table scraps from these bigoted Phiraien.
“I have my troops guarding the last of the King’s treasury. They will let nothing befall it as they know it is our last hope. If you say it is the babe’s money and must be saved for him …” His thoughts ranged far from the mark, and I waved such a notion away, though his temper and the high color had returned to his face. All of which strangely made me more comfortable with the situation. Watching him calmly sit there while a woman gave him even a little advice was disconcerting knowing who, and what, he was.
“No. No. I would say nothing such as that. What I wish to impart is far more troublesome. I doubt anyone will sell you the land, at least not at anything close to an affordable price. They will say that they don’t want fighting in their backyard, as many of these fools believe our enemy has some grudge against us in particular, and not just greed for land, but in reality it will be their prejudice against our ‘dirty, thieving, lazy’ people. They think we are slow of mind, and choose to steal instead of work an ‘honest day’ and so will not employ us either. The situation here for our people is a bitter one.”
Fistall looked ready to put his fist through the table, a feat I had seen him commit more than once in Dynal, when Llanalla again reminded us all of what was really important. “Let us first deal with what we can do tomorrow before worrying beyond that point. Perhaps the Horsetraders will make a portion of their plains available for your use. They have always been more alert to outside threats than any of the other guilds.” She looked a little flustered by my words herself, but not angered. As for the Horsetraders, I doubt they will have much more foresight than any other. Yes, they were more sensitive to the battles and wars of surrounding peoples, but only as it pertained to the sale of their precious horses. Seeing war on their own horizon was another matter altogether.
Byrn spoke up again at this first lull in the conversation. I expected some outrage at my flat offering of the Phiraien people’s disapproval of the Dynally, but apparently he chose to dismiss, or accept, my version of reality, as he asked about the Heir instead. Before either myself or Lord Fistall could answer Llanalla did. Horice followed her words with his own assessment of his parentage, but gave the last word to Fistall. The old sage was more diplomatic than I would have given him credit for.
“He died gloriously in battle, taking several with him.” Fistall did not face those across from us as he said it, but I suspected that was because he was hiding his sorrow. It only occurred to me later that it did not answer the question of parentage.
All in all I had to say that this meal had gone better than I had any hope of expecting. Fistall had generally behaved himself, and Llanalla was being more gracious than I, or any of the underground freedom movement would ever dream of, let alone believe. I think Garvyn would be more than proud of her, though in this present political climate he may have acted much differently. She was a beguiling woman, and I was praying that she meant what she said, and was not delivering us into some horrible fate.
“Gemsman Tobbyrn, what say you of these lofty plans they set before us?” Horice was certainly playing it safe at the moment. He wasn’t scheming with the rest of us. Instead he had an eye to ground our ambitions in reality before we bit off more than we could chew.
“Unfortunately, I think Aahurn is right.” That wasn’t confidence inspiring, but honest and refreshing at least. “Many of my fellow countrymen feel that the Dynaly people are lazy, brutish, and untrustworthy. I mean no disrespect, Lord Fistall, but you must know that some of this sentiment was held before this war began filling our streets with refugees. They have long seen your people as easily angered and shortsighted. Women have much more say in the goings on of this realm than you might imagine. They even hold seats in our governing bodies, such as the council. And your treatment of women has not been exemplary, especially in their estimation. You will face at least 4 women tomorrow at the Guild Council Hall, and at least two of them delight in playing on your dislike of women in power. They will bait you as an individual, and you must be prepared for that. With all the poor and homeless filling our streets our people have become more and more hard-hearted, and less forgiving. I am loath to say so, but there has been much discussion about laws that will prohibit the employment of Dynaly in some fields, and general sentiment leans toward throwing many of the Dynaly beyond our borders, and not giving them a second thought. I do not personally subscribe to any of these sentiments, but I fear I am in the minority.”
Lord Fistall was again sitting too calmly and quietly through all that was being laid before him. I was glad that he was not shouting and throwing things, but his behavior was disconcerting. Frankly, it was giving me the creeps.
“What fields?” He was looking blandly at Byrn, but his fists were clenched beneath the table, and somehow that relieved my fears a little. Perhaps he was practicing being unperturbed by what was being said around him. This could be a very good sign for tomorrow if he was, though I would have to find a way to hide his hands if this was the best he could do.
“Excuse me?” Byrn looked totally confused for a moment. It was like watching him on the training grounds all over again. He had been so lanky and uncoordinated when he began. He was always looking for an explanation and often confused when he got it.
“What occupations do they wish to keep my people from?” his words were frosted but calm.
Byrn looked thoroughly embarrassed, but pressed on. “Smithing, Cooking or food delivery, Messenger… the list goes on, but essentially any thing that might put a Dynaly in any position where they would have a chance to practice at arms, poison someone of rank, or carry sensitive material, regardless of the fact that many suffer under the delusion that your people are completely ignorant.”
At that moment one of the women serving us replaced my half eaten meal with a rather elaborate sugar cake. I was impressed with the caliber of chef Llanalla had in her employ, but let my feelings go unnoticed as I delicately shattered the sugar sculpture on top of the cake and began eating slowly, relishing each mouthful. Little else of consequence transpired as we were all too enamored with the confection. Even Fistall complimented Llanalla and her chef. Normally after such a meal I would be stuffed to the gills, but I had eaten so little of each course, save the soup, as to only feel adequately fed. Lord Fistall stood to excuse himself, and Llanalla bid him sleep well, though I am sure she knew he would be up half the night planning just as she would.
I stood as well. “Lady I must bid you farewell, as Lord Fistall and I have much to discuss. When do you wish to speak with me, as we must do so before setting out for your Council Hall on the morrow?” Fistall turned in the doorway waiting for me to follow but I waited at the table’s edge for her reply.
“Please meet me in the self same office we met Gemsman Tobbyrn in, in approximately two candlemarks if at all possible. If you are to be delayed,” she turned to face Fistall questioningly, “please send your valet with a message.”
“I will endeavor to have concluded my converse with him before that time Mistress Llanalla,” his response was so eloquent and polite, especially considering the bow he added at the end of it, that I didn’t balk at the fact that I was being traded about like a servant. My time was my own, and always has been, even in this city.
I then followed him down the hallways and corridors that led to his guest quarters. He walked through the first room and on into the bed chamber. I closed the doors, and fell into a chair in one of the corners.
“Do you know how much she is offering, and how much trouble this could get her into?” He was standing close to the wind
ow, staring out at inky blackness. It occurred to me that I had not seen such a dark sky since I had arrived in this city. There should be blinking lights for miles, not to mention stars.
“I was just thinking the same thing. I promised her father that I would always look out for his children in all our dealings. As the owner of a large estate with much amber I had expected those dealings to be that of seller to buyer or vice-versa, but this is something else altogether. She would endanger herself, and the lives of people she obviously cares for, to help me. I understand now what you meant earlier. She is giving freely with no expectation of reward, something I thought these Phiraien incapable of.” Toward the end of this statement he turned toward me, and began leaning against the bedpost.
“You will be dealing with people outside of this compound tomorrow. You barely held your temper in check tonight. How do you plan to do so before the council?” It was time for the hard questions. I may be acting as his lowly council, but with all that had happened our ranks were most likely indistinguishable. I wasn’t going to let him off easily when it came to the most important worry I had about tomorrow.
“Well for one, I plan to sleep. I have not slept through the night in at least two months, and the last three days I have gone without sleep completely. After that meal it is all I can do to keep myself from falling into this bed here and now. I meant what I said to the Lady. I will not keep you long if I can help it.” His shoulders sagged as he said it.
“Unfortunately I must keep you from that bed a few moments longer, though may I suggest that you dress for bed while we talk, that you might dive in the moment I take my leave?”
“Wise. You are wiser than your years.” He turned to make his way over to a clothes press into which I assumed he would lay out the vestments she had so kindly made available. “Are you sure you won’t take offense?” He turned again and faced me. He looked decidedly exhausted.
“You are a general, and I subordinate council. Please.” He acquiesced, and began disrobing. “I have become Aahurn, and not Margrave Aahurn Sorvil, and certainly not with any of my other titles attached. Please remember this. Do you recall that I have always been good at reconnaissance work?”
“What I recall is that you were always a sneaky little know-it-all.” He was finally attempting humor. I hoped this was a good sign, and I laughed a little.
“Well, I have continued in my sneaky ways. By day I work as a delivery boy in a middle class seamstress’ shop. In front of the public she treats me as her patrons expect, and she raises few eyebrows. I play the part of a well-trained servant and errand boy, but it is all a cover. By night I roam the streets lifting purses from those fortunate enough to be from the upper echelons of this country. I also pilfer their ‘sensitive information,’ as my friend Gemsman Tobbyrn so politely put it, right from their own desks, and use it to blackmail the right people. I do not do this out of personal greed, but in an attempt to collect what funds I can for the good of our people. We, the organization I am a part of, work to feed as well as slowly and quietly find homes and jobs for many of the refugees filling this city, and others. The plight of our people may be greater than you know. There are hundreds of craftsmen, farmers, and skilled fighters littering the streets out there.” I pointed to the still blank window with emphasis. “The network that we have set up here includes some Phiraien and Jorish sympathizers as well as a great many Dynaly.”
“I have first hand knowledge of what bargaining for land for Dynaly is like in this country, and I was only attempting to set up a home for the old and wounded, not looking for a training grounds. As for Tobbyrn’s information on those hateful laws, the only reason they have not yet gone into effect is the pressure this City’s Council is receiving from Councils farther from our border. It will come soon, and I fear it will be the death of us as a united people. Many of our people are already broken. It is a heart wrenching sight to watch, and watch it I do, every day.”
“Is there any of your pilfered knowledge that might come in handy tomorrow?” He was already clothed for bed in a quite amazingly comfortable looking Salissarian silk pajama set that, though no longer was in fashion. It was probably worth more than everything in Mennia’s shop. I could tell he wanted desperately to fall into the plush pillows and have a good night’s rest.
“It will keep ‘til the morrow. Sleep well, and wake rested in the morning. We have a trying day ahead, and I cannot accompany you.”
“Very well. It is good to see you are fighting still, if I do not completely condone your tactics forgive me. I am an old man these days.”
I snuffed all but his night candle, and left him snoring behind me. I marveled at his ability to function on so little sleep especially at his age. It had not occurred to me until I saw him turn to face me in his rooms, but he was no longer a young man. I could probably piece together his age if I tried. Let me see. He was nigh on twenty years the King’s senior and the King’s 25th birthday had coincided with my 18th. That was eleven years ago. He must be nearing his 60th year and still on campaigns that would kill many men in their twenties, had killed many men, regardless of their age.
Perhaps he should play the age card at tomorrows meeting. If we convinced him to go bare headed, and without his mail he would probably appear nearly every inch his fifty some-odd years. The Council might afford him more respect that way. To a man who expects respect from all he will be in for a bumpy ride.
I walked to the rooms that had been made available to me, and found Scuf half under my bed, legs swinging randomly. I closed the door with a slam and cleared my throat. He audibly thumped his head on the bed frame, and then began wriggling out softly cursing his injury.
“Whad-ya do that fur?” He was comically rubbing his head. He stood and faced me with red cheeks, and eyes for the floor.
“Mind your speech please. This may not be the mission I would have chosen for your first, but that can’t be helped now. Did you do as I asked and get my message to Mennia?” I wasn’t looking at him while I said all of this; instead I was focused on the cuff links holding my shirtsleeves closed. I hadn’t worn such things in so long it was almost nostalgic. When I heard a ruffle of paper instead of an answer I quirked an eyebrow, and looked up at a folded piece of paper instead of the boy’s face.
“Mistress Mennia said give you this. She didn’t look happy neither.”
“I doubt she would, but I hope she can see the possibilities in this, this, mess we have found ourselves in. What is your assessment of our present situation?” I used higher language than usual. I had also taken the ornate dinner jacket off, and was attempting to hand it to him. He stared from it to me dumbly.
“What?” I walked over to the clothes press and began gingerly placing it inside. In my former life I may have worn similar vestments, but their care had never been my responsibility. Though I wanted Scuf to think so, I hadn’t the least idea what I was doing.
“Not running at the mouth? This is odd.” I moved to touch his forehead with a wry grin. “Are you feeling all right?” He backed away quickly and shook me off.
“Coll. Git off me. I’m fine. It’s just …”
“It’s just what? What is your opinion of what is going on?”
“Well, I’ve been working awful hard doing all this stuff for them with a grin and a wink, just like you taught me. I expected a couple a coins, but the Cook lady says sit down and eat, at her table, with all them others. Then I remember that she has been askin’ all this time, not tellin’, you know how I mean. And the work hasn’t been easy, but then it weren’t that hard neither. I like them. All except maybe that one lady, she seems kinda sour, but she didn’t snub or nothing’, so I guess she ain’t all bad”
I was smiling, without realizing it, he had given me some very important information. Llanalla’s staff, like herself, was open-minded, and kindhearted. Llanalla could be playing to us for some reason, but she couldn’t change the predispositions of her staff. As for the “sour” lady I could easily guess who th
at was. “Yes, but what of our situation?”
“How do you mean?” He cocked his head to one side, and let his hands drop.
“How could what we do here help all those out there? I don’t mean gathering information either. You can probably guess for yourself how much outside contact the people in this amazing compound have.”
He snorted. “Not much. Otherwise they’d probly act like all those other high-and-mighty types.”
“Exactly, so they are less likely to have any of the sort of information that we find useful. So, what can we gain by being here, and playing the roles we have been asked to play? Speaking of which, your abilities as a valet are lacking.” I had given up trying to make the jacket look unrumpled in its current housing and began looking for something less confining to wear for the planning session I was growing easier and easier about.
“Well, how do I know what a vallAY does?!?” he flopped on the bed obviously exasperated.
“He does not flop about on his masters bed. He stands straight and tall at all times. Speaks when spoken to. Keeps his responses to concise and useful answers. He lays out his master’s clothes, helps him dress, and disrobe. Helps his master bathe, and generally keeps his master’s rooms tidy. He fetches what his master needs, not to mention keeping his master on schedule.” I glibly ticked off the responsibilities of a good valet, while Scuf’s mouth fell open wider and wider, then snapped shut and his eyes narrowed. “Don’t give me that look. I don’t expect much of any of that from you, especially not in private. I do expect you to continue to be polite and helpful in any way you can to the staff here, no matter where their errands take you. While out in public, and by public I mean any time we are not alone together, I expect you to act deferentially toward me, and try to anticipate what you think I want, then do it quickly and quietly. I know that won’t always be easy, but since you are here, I will be relying on you heavily.”
