He was just about to take a second look at the more urgent stack, when Sturdyn rapped on the door.
“Guard Captain Churwyl, sir.”
“Have him come in.”
Churwyl entered.
Charyn thought the guard captain looked worried, as worried as he’d ever seen the man, although that was certainly understandable. “You look worried.”
“Yes, sir. I’ve found out more about last night. You might recall that the assassins weren’t the guards assigned to the staircase?”
Charyn nodded, waiting.
“Vaelsyk and Andomart were standing guard at the foot of the grand staircase. They were relieved at precisely tenth glass by Bolomyrt and Chastant—the two assassins. The two guards who were supposed to be the reliefs were missing. We found their bodies a glass ago, in the rendering yard. I think they were given sleeping draughts at the evening meal, because each had a single stab wound to the heart.”
“Trained assassins,” mused Charyn. “But they clearly knew they were going to die. Why would they accept that kind of job, even as assassins?”
“Someone made them an offer they could not refuse. Possibly offering immediate death if they refused, or their families were threatened. It could have been both, along with the payment of a great number of golds.”
“What about former Commander Murranyt?”
“I sent a guard to Civic Patrol headquarters. He hasn’t returned yet.”
“What did Vaelsyk and Andomart have to say?”
“Bolomyrt told them that the assignments had been changed. It has happened when guards were ill or injured, and, well, guarding the stairs has usually been almost a ceremonial function.”
“Should it have been considered such after the shootings and the burnings?”
“Burnings, sir?”
Father didn’t tell him? “Twenty grain silos near Tuuryl were burned, and some exploded. That was over a week ago. There was another threatening missive left. Didn’t you know about that?”
The stunned expression on Churwyl’s face left little doubt of the answer.
“No, sir.”
Charyn could also see that the events of the past day seemed to have aged Churwyl, who was not a young man, by any means. He said quietly, “Let all the guards know about that as well, and let me know when you hear more about Murranyt.”
“Yes, sir.”
After Churwyl left, Charyn just sat there for several moments. Why hadn’t his father let Churwyl know about the granaries? Because he didn’t want the guards to think matters were out of control? Because he didn’t think it related to safety at the chateau?
Charyn had no idea, and doubted he’d ever know.
He knew he should probably be doing something besides react, and study papers, but he had no idea what that might be. Order the army to protect the chateau? That wouldn’t have prevented the assassination and likely wouldn’t prevent another attempt.
“Maitre Alastar is here, sir,” announced Sturdyn.
“Have him come in.” Thank the Nameless. Once more, Charyn felt awkward about using the chamber he always thought of as his father’s study, perhaps because he’d always been ushered out when Maitre Alastar arrived. But you’re the rex now, like it or not. And you need to give an impression of being in control … or not being out of control.
Unlike his father, he deliberately stood as the white-and-silver-haired Maitre crossed from the door to the chairs before the goldenwood desk.
“My deepest condolences on your loss, Rex Charyn.” Alastar’s voice was mellow, but sounded as though he meant what he said.
“I appreciate that, Maitre. Thank you for coming. Especially on a Solayi.”
“It was the least I could do. Your father and I did not always see eye-to-eye, but he tried to do the best he could under very difficult circumstances. You do know, I hope, that the Collegium had offered more protection?”
“I didn’t know until this morning. I also have to tell you that Malyna saved all the rest of us. She was able to shield us, immobilize one assassin, and kill the other, all at the same time. I don’t know how she reacted so quickly.” Charyn paused, then added quickly, “Before I forget or get distracted, she needs to see you before you leave the chateau. She said to tell you it was an important imager matter.”
“I can do that.” Alastar paused. “You didn’t summon me.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Might I ask why?”
“It would have been terribly presumptuous,” Charyn admitted.
“That hasn’t stopped any of your predecessors,” replied Alastar wryly. His voice turned warmer as he added, “I do appreciate the courtesy.”
“Thank you.”
“Before you say anything else … have you heard about High Holder Oskaryn?”
“The High Councilor? No. What happened?”
“He was shot and killed shortly after the end of the ball as he stepped out of his carriage under his own portico at his L’Excelsis dwelling. The shots came from a rifle, according to the Civic Patrol.”
The Civic Patrol? So the Collegium had close ties with the Civic Patrol? Or closer ties than the Chateau D’Rex does. “Oskaryn was the High Councilor most opposed to building more warships to deal with the privateers and the Ferrans.” Charyn didn’t know much more except that Oskaryn had vehemently opposed higher tariffs for any reason. “But he was only one of five High Councilors, and none of them are all that fond of higher tariffs.”
“Could it be exactly because he was the most outspoken?”
“I don’t know. I’ve not meet with either the High Council or the Factors’ Council. I’d rather not make a judgment until I do. That could be the reason, but there could be others.”
“The Collegium would prefer that matters not deteriorate into another situation similar to the High Holders’ revolt.”
“So would I, Maitre. At the same time, it’s hard to know what to do when my father already promised to build more ships and make greater efforts to protect Solidaran merchant shipping … and he was still assassinated. He’d taken steps to make certain everyone knew that.”
Alastar nodded. “There were even reports in the newssheets.”
Newssheets? After a long moment, Charyn said, “I have to confess my ignorance.”
“For the past several years, Veritum has been printed twice weekly. There are reports on everything from the Civic Patrol to murders or drought or flooding. Last year a second newssheet was started. It’s called Tableta, and it reports once a week more on factoring matters. Both of them reported on your father’s effort to safeguard Solidaran ships. As I recall, Veritum suggested his acts were a good beginning. Tableta repeated what many factors believe, that tariffs were already too high, and that the rex needed to find another way to finance any shipbuilding, or even road building.”
After a moment of silence, Charyn said, “I had thought to ask you about the possibility of allowing Maitre Malyna and the other two imagers to remain here at least for a few days, if not longer.”
“How long did you have in mind?”
“At least until the meeting of the High Council and the Factors’ Council on the eighteenth of Ianus.”
“That might be possible. Do you think that the meeting will change matters?”
“I have hopes, but hopes are hard to bring to pass, and more easily dashed by those who do not see the value of aspirations.”
“You’re cynical for one so young.”
“Not cynical enough for one raised in the Chateau D’Rex, I suspect. Would my outlook be different if I had been raised on Imagisle?”
“Different, I have no doubt, but imagers also tend to be skeptical, sometimes cynical.”
“Also, as I mentioned to Maitre Alyna, I would still like to visit the Collegium.”
“We’d welcome you at any time.”
“It will have to be after Samedi. That’s when the memorial service is scheduled. I trust you will be there. That brings up another problem
. I can’t very well hide, but appearing in the Anomen D’Rex…” Charyn looked to the Maitre.
“You feel you’d be inviting another attempt?”
“I understand the last memorial service required your efforts to save my parents.”
“Alyna and I would be happy to stand behind you at the memorial service. That is close enough to shield you.”
“I would appreciate that greatly.”
“It’s also to our self-interest. Solidar doesn’t need to lose another rex any time soon.”
Charyn decided he would have to think over the implications of Alastar’s words. “Let me have someone summon Maitre Malyna. I’ll step out, and you can talk to her here.” Charyn smiled. “I won’t eavesdrop. Neither will the guard.”
“Thank you.”
“Sturdyn!”
The door opened.
“Yes, sir?”
“Would you find Maitre Malyna, and convey her here. I’ll be quite safe with Maitre Alastar.”
“Yes, sir.”
As the door closed, Alastar smiled. “You say that quite confidently.”
“After what I saw last night, if you wished to harm me, there is no power on Terahnar that could save me. You also don’t strike me as a man who would let harm come to me while you are sitting here.”
“Do you think you’re that good a judge of a man you scarcely know?”
Charyn smiled ruefully. “I’m likely a terrible judge of character. I have to judge people by their actions and hope I interpret the actions correctly.”
“There is much to be said for that.”
“And much to be cautious about, as well.”
After a rap on the door, Sturdyn announced, “Maitre Malyna.”
“Have her come in.” Charyn stood. “Sturdyn and I will be down the corridor.”
Malyna entered the study, glancing toward Alastar, who had also stood, and then Charyn.
Charyn gestured to the chairs. “I’ll leave you two until you’re finished. Just let me know.” He had no worries about the papers on the desk. He doubted there was anything in them that Alastar didn’t already know, except for the legal petitions, and he doubted any of them would concern the Maitre. He also doubted Alastar would look at a single one. He closed the study door as he left, then motioned for Sturdyn to accompany him.
He stopped some ten yards toward the grand staircase. He hated waiting, but he didn’t want to be too far away.
Less than half a quint later, the study door opened, and Malyna stepped out.
“Are you done?”
“We are, Rex Charyn.”
Charyn walked back, noticing that Malyna had immediately reentered the study. He closed the study door behind him, walked back to the side of the goldenwood desk, and turned to face the two maitres. He did not sit down. “You both look very concerned.”
“I dislike adding to your problems, Charyn,” said Alastar, “but I’m afraid I must.”
“Now what?” Charyn tried to soften the words, but only partly succeeded, he feared.
“The imager problem Malyna mentioned? It is indeed a problem, but it’s partly a regial problem, too.”
Charyn found himself frowning. “Could you explain a bit more? You’re being a bit cryptic.”
“There’s no way around it. Your sister Aloryana is an imager.” Alastar smiled sadly.
Charyn just stood there. Aloryana an imager? How could that be? He remained silent, thoughts spinning, remembering … the broken silver hair clasps … that she wore … unbroken.
“She will need to come to Imagisle. That will take care of her safety, but…”
“How do you know she’s an imager?” Charyn still wasn’t sure he believed it.
“She told me,” said Malyna. “Then she showed me.”
“There’s never been…” Charyn broke off his protest, then asked, “Was Vaelora an imager also?”
“Yes. It’s not widely known, but she was. She also had farsight, and that’s something your sister also has, apparently.”
Charyn swallowed. “That was why she wanted to go to the ball. She knew it would be the only one she’d attend. She sounded so certain.”
“We can make one accommodation that most entering imagers do not get,” Alastar said. “That is, if your sister will agree to it.”
“What is that?”
“She could live in the Maitre’s house,” said Malyna. “I lived there with Uncle Alastar and Aunt Alyna until last year. That was after I became a maitre. She’d have her own room, and she’d have company. Lystara is sixteen. It’s not the chateau, but it’s very spacious and comfortable.”
“She has a great deal to learn about imaging,” added Alastar. “If she doesn’t, she could hurt herself, perhaps seriously.”
“Does she have to leave … right now?”
“Soon…” said Alastar.
Then Charyn shook his head. “I suppose it doesn’t matter as much as I thought. I wanted Malyna to stay to protect her…”
“She needs a few days to get ready,” said Malyna.
“And the Collegium will need a few days as well,” added Alastar. “I would prefer that she arrive on Mardi.”
So soon? “Does she know … she must, I suppose, if she knew she wouldn’t be attending other balls.”
“I’ve told her,” said Malyna. “Even though I’m not living at the Maitre’s house, I’ll still be able to see her every day. And I think she and Lystara will get along.”
“They will indeed,” declared Alastar.
The Maitre’s tone left no doubts about that in Charyn’s mind. “I’ll need to tell her mother.”
“It might be better … if the three of us told her,” said Malyna. “You, Aloryana, and me.”
“You’re probably right about that,” conceded Charyn.
“I think I should wait … until after you tell her,” said Alastar. “Just in case.”
“That’s a good idea.” Charyn turned to Malyna. “If you would get Aloryana and meet me … Mother should be in her sitting room.”
“Aloryana is already there.”
“Then we should join them.” Charyn paused and looked to Alastar. “It might be easier if Malyna and I accompanied Aloryana to the Collegium. That way, we both could see it at the same time. If that would not pose a problem?”
“That might be for the best, in many ways.”
“Now … we need to tell my mother.” Charyn gestured toward the study door.
“I will come with you,” said Alastar, “but I’ll wait outside the sitting room, in the event my presence is required.”
Charyn nodded, then led the way from the study and out into the north corridor.
Chelia looked up from her armchair as Malyna and Charyn entered the sitting room. “Everyone looks so serious. We are obviously going to have a great revelation. Is it, perchance, the fact that Aloryana is an imager?”
Charyn managed to keep his jaw in place, but barely. “Did she tell you?”
“No. There have been hints and suggestions … and I did hear Malyna explaining certain aspects of the Collegium, far more than necessary. I wondered, and then when Malyna was summoned to meet with Maitre Alastar…”
“You’re not upset?” asked Aloryana. “You’re really not?”
Chelia smiled. “Anything but. You will have choices and more freedom than I ever have had, but when you can visit me safely, I hope you will.”
“Always!”
“No one else has been told,” Charyn said, “except Maitre Alastar. It will take a day or so to make certain arrangements. She will leave for the Collegium on Mardi. If Aloryana is agreeable, she will stay at the Maitre’s dwelling. She will have her own room. Maitre Alastar and Maitre Alyna have a sixteen-year-old daughter who is also an imager.”
“I spent most of the last six years with them,” said Malyna. “I came to the Collegium when I was about your age.”
“You’ll like their dwelling,” said Chelia. “It’s spacious, but very warm. So is Ma
itre Alyna.”
Both Aloryana and Malyna looked puzzled.
“Your father and I spent the night there many years ago, before you were born. That was just after Maitre Alastar saved us from the Antiagon Fire at your grandsire’s memorial service.” Chelia looked hard at Charyn.
“Maitre Alastar and Maitre Alyna will be standing behind me at Father’s memorial service.”
“I’m very glad to hear that.”
“You’re really not upset?” asked Aloryana again.
“I am not. You will be far happier. At least you will have the chance to be far happier. Whether you are is up to you.”
A broad smile appeared on Aloryana’s face, more relief than happiness, Charyn suspected.
After leaving the sitting room and walking down the grand staircase with Maitre Alastar and then to the main entry to see the Maitre off, Charyn then made his way down to Norstan’s study.
The seneschal bolted to his feet. “Sir … you could have summoned me.”
“I was nearby, and it was quicker to find you myself. I understand that there are two newssheets being printed in L’Excelsis. They’re called Veritum and Tableta. I want a copy of each, each time either comes out.”
“Your father … ah…”
“That was his preference. Mine is different. I expect them on my desk the morning after each appears, if not sooner.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Are you aware of any other pamphlets or other materials being circulated?”
“Ah … those happen all the time, sir.”
“I’d like to see them, all of them.”
“Sir … some of them … they’re awful.”
“That may be, but ignoring them isn’t going to make them go away.”
“Yes, sir.” Norstan’s voice contained more than a little acceptance … and resignation.
Charyn then returned to the study, and resumed his more detailed study of the reorganized papers. He actually had almost a glass to himself before Churwyl returned and entered the study.
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