Assassin's Price

by L. E. Modesitt Jr.

  Druesyl’s petition had been the third one he had read. Charyn cleared his throat. “He’s claiming that the judgment against him is not legal because a ship is the same as a factorage. Since the Jariolan privateers sunk the ship and seized the cargo, he states that this year’s tariff levy was based in part on assets he no longer possesses, and he paid according to what assets he actually has. He’s also complaining that a penalty of five hundred golds on top of what he did not pay is excessive.”

  “What does the law say?” asked Sanafryt.

  “That buildings and other assets lost or destroyed will be deducted from the tariff rolls in the year following the destruction.”

  “Why might that be?”

  Charyn didn’t know, and didn’t want to admit it. So he said nothing and waited for the minister to say something.

  “Precedent, based on experience,” declared Sanafryt. “Too many factors in the past suffered factorages that burned ‘accidently.’ Rather than tear down an old facility, they somehow discovered that such factorages just happened to catch fire. Such fires were timed so that the new facility was not completed until after tariff assessments in the next year. It was a way to lower tariffs for an extra year.”

  “I don’t think losing a ship and its cargo is exactly a scheme to reduce tariffs,” said Charyn.

  “Nor do I, but the law is the law. Once a rex starts making exceptions, the petitions for exception will multiply like coneys in a harvest field.”

  “What about the penalty?”

  “The same is true of penalties as well. The penalties are there to discourage such creative bookkeeping.”

  “How many petitions are like this in a year?”

  “A score or so at present, but there were more than a hundred just from High Holders before the revolt. That happened because your father hesitated in denying the first ones immediately, and that delay encouraged more petitions of all sorts.”

  “But these three are from factors.”

  “That’s because they haven’t seen what happens when laws are flouted the way they were before the failed High Holders’ revolt.”

  Charyn nodded. It was likely to be a very long afternoon … and after he left the minister’s study, he doubted that he’d learn what happened at the council meeting his father had held with the factors and High Holders, not any time soon.

  13

  Over the next few days, Charyn didn’t see much of Malyna or Aloryana, except at dinner, and under his parents’ eyes, it was difficult to find out much more about the very polite but quietly enigmatic young woman, especially since it seemed as though his sister wanted to spend every possible moment with the High Holder’s daughter. He did keep up his own routine, working with both Minister Alucar and Minister Sanafryt, almost always after visiting the exchange where he checked prices, listened, and asked occasional questions of the men who handled the bids and prices at various stalls—always when no other factors or agents were present.

  He couldn’t say that he was anywhere near knowledgeable enough to trade on the exchange, but he was beginning to get some understanding and some feel, especially when he looked at the futures slates. He hadn’t understood why the prices of timber went up in Ianus and especially Fevier and Maris, until he heard two agents talking about when they thought the River Aluse would freeze over north of Rivages … and when the ice would break and how the price of straight pine had gone up in the year when the river remained frozen solid well into Avryl.

  He also wondered when would be a good time to meet with Factor Estafen about his plans, but he couldn’t do that, not until he at least provided certain information to his father … and at a time when all was relatively calm.

  He also practiced his part of the duet when no one was in the music room, as well as other pieces that he knew he did well, or well enough that only Palenya would find fault with them. But then, he doubted he’d ever play well enough to avoid having her suggest improvements.

  On Samedi morning, since the exchange was closed, and since neither Sanafryt nor Alucar was available, and since he was awake early, he ate and made his way to the music room, where he played for close to a glass before Palenya entered.

  “You’ve practiced more in the past two weeks than in the previous two months. It shows. You might even become good if you keep it up.”

  “You’re so encouraging,” he said dryly, looking up from the keyboard.

  “You’ve never liked false praise … in anything. Including your grooming.”

  Charyn tried not to flush. He still remembered her gentle praise about his wispy mustache—and the fact that he’d shaved it off as soon as he could.

  Palenya lowered her voice. “You have said that you prefer honesty.”

  “Gentle honesty.” Charyn tried to look sheepish.

  Palenya offered a wry smile.

  “What do you think about Malyna D’Zaerlyn?”

  “What should I think?” replied Palenya. “Other than it appears she is here for you to observe and see if she might be a suitable match?”

  “I don’t think so. She’s very polite, but somehow she’s not like any High Holder’s daughter I’ve ever met.”

  “I’m encountered a few,” said Palenya. “She is kinder than most, in little ways. When she plays, she makes no mistakes, except a few with naturals or ritards. Her fingering is good. She does not play the most difficult pieces, it is true. What she plays, she plays well … although … she has not played that much recently, I would think. She is not a natural musician, but her technique is sound.”

  “You’re saying that no one but a High Holder’s daughter could play that way.”

  “No one else would pay to train someone without great natural talent so well.” Palenya paused. “She plays like Heldryk, if not in as accomplished a fashion.”

  “Heldryk?”

  “He was a great clavecinist. I heard him once when I was very young. No one could understand why he left L’Excelsis to live in Rivages.”

  Charyn nodded. “That would follow. Malyna’s father’s holding is in Rivages.”

  “He must be wealthy indeed, if Heldryk was his musician.” Palenya glanced from Charyn to the door of the music room.

  “Are you expecting Aloryana or Bhayrn?”

  “Lord Bhayrn, and then I have to prepare to play for an afternoon affair for Lady Chelia.”

  “Wives of High Holders?”

  “That I was not told, only that a glass of background music would be required while her guests take refreshments.”

  Charyn nodded. While his father remained aloof from the High Holders, his mother never had, and still occasionally entertained friends and acquaintances from her younger days, if quietly, and always in the afternoons. “Then it shouldn’t be unpleasant.”

  “No. The choice of music is mine, and there are even a few who offer compliments when they leave. I don’t hear them, but your mother is kind enough to repeat them to me.”

  “I won’t keep you.” Charyn rose from the bench. He really didn’t want to be in the music room when his brother appeared.

  Palenya smiled knowingly as he left.

  After departing the music room and hoping he might encounter Malyna somewhere—and failing—he finally found Churwyl on the front steps of the Chateau D’Rex. “How are Malyna’s guards working out?”

  “If they’re any indication of his personal guards, I’d hire any of them. One of them broke up a fight in the rear courtyard—two teamsters—so quick that it almost didn’t happen.”

  “How did he manage that?”

  “I don’t know, but both of them were very subdued when they finished unloading and were ready to leave. I asked Kaylet—that’s his name—and he just said that the two had had a misunderstanding. Both of them kept looking at him when they left.”

  “He must have hurt them badly and quickly.”

  “Just hard enough to make it clear that he wouldn’t tolerate any fighting. I think he used the butt of his rifle like a trunc
heon, but it was so fast no one else saw anything at all.”

  “You think they’re former army rankers?”

  Churwyl shook his head. “They’re too sharp and disciplined for that.”

  Too disciplined for army rankers? Charyn didn’t disguise his puzzlement.

  “They’re more like junior officers who came up through the ranks, but they’re both too young for that.”

  “Do you think High Holder Zaerlyn has a force to put at Father’s disposal?” That might well explain his father’s willingness to guest Malyna.

  “I couldn’t say, Lord Charyn. Neither of his guards will say much except that they’re here to make sure Malyna is safe.”

  “As they should. Has there been any sign of other … possible assailants?”

  “No, sir.”

  “That’s good.” And even more worrisome in other respects.

  While Charyn did not exactly prowl through the chateau, he certainly made an effort to find a time when he could approach Malyna. That took until second glass of the afternoon, when he discovered that she was alone in the upstairs parlor.

  He paused in the doorway. “Good afternoon.”

  “Good afternoon, Charyn.”

  “I haven’t seen much of you, except at dinner.” He eased into the parlor, standing beside an armchair.

  “Aloryana has kept me busy.”

  “She been very glad of someone she can relate to, especially someone not her brother.”

  “You’re hard on yourself. She’s fond of you both.”

  “When you were her age, were you close to your brothers?”

  “Not by then. They were trying to prove themselves to Father. I suppose all children do as they grow up. Or they rebel.” Malyna offered a pleasant smile.

  “And you? Rebel or pleaser?”

  “A little of both. I always wanted to be myself, but I never wanted to displease. What about you?”

  “The rebel came first. Then … not so long ago … I realized I needed to know more before I could do either. So I guess I’m still learning, not knowing exactly where it will all turn out. You play the clavecin well, Palenya says. Was that a way of pleasing?”

  “Proving. I play adequately, but not truly well.”

  “Was Musician Heldryk your teacher?”

  “How did you know that?” Malyna looked surprised.

  “Palenya said your playing reminded her of him. She mentioned that he had left L’Excelsis years ago, when she was young, and gone to Rivages. So…” Charyn shrugged. “I thought that might be possible.”

  Malyna laughed softly. “What else have you deduced?”

  “That there’s more to you than being merely the youngest daughter of a High Holder. I just haven’t figured out what.”

  “Isn’t that true of all of us? Aren’t you more than the eldest son of the rex? Don’t you have interests that he does not?”

  “I’m trying to find out about you,” Charyn replied lightly. “You’re making it difficult.”

  “There’s not that much to find out. I’ve led a very sheltered life. Haven’t you, compared to even the sons of High Holders?”

  “That’s necessary.”

  “Why do you go to the exchange? Do you trade there, or just observe? Aren’t you the first one in your family to do that?”

  Charyn managed not to frown. Who had told her that? “Right now, I’m just observing. I don’t exactly have golds to lose.”

  “And?”

  “I’m the first one, but part of that is that the exchange didn’t even exist, I don’t think, when my father was my age. The change in prices can show things that people won’t always tell the rex … or his son.”

  “What are some of those things?” Malyna’s voice showed more than casual interest.

  “The future prices of spices are rising. That shows that traders are losing ships on the way to or from Otelyrn … well … it shows that spices are getting to be in short supply, and the most likely reason is because fewer ships are returning, either because fewer traders are taking that risk or because the Jariolan privateers are seizing cargoes and sinking ships.”

  “That’s good to know. Can you give me another example?”

  “Timber prices are higher for the next three months. I listened and heard that was because the northern reaches of the River Aluse have already frozen over, and the timber flatboats can’t come downstream…” Charyn paused, then added, “Sometimes, the prices rise or fall, and no one knows … or they’re not saying.”

  “But there has to be a reason, doesn’t there?”

  “There does. From what I’ve observed, most traders and agents keep that information to themselves, but the changes in prices show that something is happening. I still have a lot to learn.” Even as he spoke the last words, Charyn wondered why he’d admitted that.

  “A tutor I had said that people die inside some if they don’t keep learning. What do you think about that?”

  “I wouldn’t argue against him or you.”

  “What should a ruler do if what he learns changes his views so that he doesn’t believe in his own laws?”

  “It’s easy to say he should change the laws, but it might be better to decide what the effect of the change would be and whether the change would work the way he thought it might.” Charyn was thinking about the petitions he’d read earlier in the week.

  “You look like you’ve considered that.”

  “I’ve been studying with Minister Sanafryt and Minister Alucar.”

  After the slightest hesitation, Malyna said, “I’m afraid I’ll sound ignorant, but what ministers are they?”

  “Sanafryt is the Minister of Justice, and Alucar the Minister of Finance.”

  “How many ministers does your father have?”

  “Just three, plus the Marshal of the Army. Vaelln counts as a minister.”

  “Then who is the other minister?”

  “Aevidyr. He’s the Minister of Administration. That’s for roads and ports and other things. Why are you interested in all that?”

  “Why shouldn’t I be?”

  Charyn felt off-balance. In fact, he’d been off-balance most of the time they’d been talking. “Most young women aren’t, but it’s clear you aren’t most young women.”

  “Do you tell all High Holders’ daughters that?” The words were gently humorous.

  “I’ve never said that to any of them. None of them are like you.” He laughed. “I’ve been trying to find out more about you, and you keep throwing questions back at me.”

  “Isn’t that what well-bred High Holders’ daughters are supposed to do … to encourage men to talk about themselves?”

  Charyn shook his head, ruefully, then laughed again. “You’d know far better than I. You weren’t really brought up that way, were you?”

  “Until I was thirteen, and my father realized it wouldn’t do any good. After that, I was allowed to pursue studies in history and other subjects.”

  “What subjects?”

  “History and mathematics, including geometry. That helps with surveying and planning buildings or refurbishing rooms.”

  “There you are!” Aloryana swept into the parlor, then looked at Charyn. “Mother has something for Malyna and me to do.”

  “Then you both should go.” Charyn turned from his sister back to Malyna. “I enjoyed talking with you.”

  “And I you.” Malyna stood, with a grace that was both athletic and feminine, Charyn realized.

  He watched as the two left, well aware that he’d found out almost nothing about Malyna, despite all his questions … and he still hadn’t had a chance to talk to his father, not alone, about what had happened with the High Council.

  14

  Shortly before third glass on Solayi afternoon, Charyn joined Aloryana, Bhayrn, Malyna, and Palenya in the anteroom adjoining the music room. Aloryana wore a plain blue dress, while Malyna wore a teal dress that looked familiar to Charyn, although he could not have said why. Charyn and Bhayrn wore da
rk green trousers and matching jackets.

  Palenya looked over the four, then said, “Your mother has requested that Aloryana play first, then Bhayrn, Malyna, and finally the duet with Charyn and Aloryana. Once everyone is seated, you will enter and sit in the chairs before the window. Aloryana will sit in the chair closest to the east wall, with Bhayrn next. Charyn will sit closest to the audience.”

  Charyn glanced through the open archway into the music room. Four upholstered but armless green chairs were set in a row in front of the window, while the clavecin was in its usual place, roughly a yard from the goldenwood-paneled east wall, and positioned an equal distance from the outside wall and the corridor wall. Charyn was surprised to see two rows of armless green chairs set in a gentle arc centered on the clavecin, with a good three yards separating the nearest chair from the instrument.

  An audience for a family recital? He wasn’t certain whether playing before an unexpected audience bothered him more … or the fact that he’d not been told anything about it. He pushed away that thought as he waited.

  After less than half a quint, the hall doors to the music room opened, and Lorien and Chelia led a number of others toward the chairs. Charyn immediately recognized the three ministers and Marshal Vaelln. He presumed that the women who accompanied them were their wives. Lorien and Chelia took seats roughly in the middle of the front row.

  Once they were seated, Palenya nudged Aloryana, who led the four who would play into the music room and toward the chairs set before the window. Charyn brought up the rear.

  Aloryana did not sit, but paused before her chair and then proceeded to the clavecin.

  As the other three seated themselves, Charyn covertly studied the audience. All had pleasant expressions, not particularly intent, but without any trace of overt boredom, unsurprisingly, given the setting and the fact that the performers were primarily from the regial family. Charyn could feel a cold draft from the windows behind him and was glad his jacket was relatively warm.

  Aloryana took the bench, positioned her hands, and began to play.

  Charyn had to admit that, after a shaky opening bar or so of the Serkuyn prelude, Aloryana settled down and played better than he had heard before, especially the second piece, an étude by Devor. After she finished, all ten of the listeners applauded politely.