Assassin's Price

by L. E. Modesitt Jr.

  A quint before the first glass of the afternoon, Dylert arrived in the study. “All the guards except the ones at the gates and the palace doors will be in the grand ballroom when the chimes strike. Oh … and the two with your brother.”

  “What have you told them?”

  “Just that you’re going to announce the improvements to the Chateau Guard.”

  “But Maertyl and Faelln know?” Charyn knew that Dylert had talked to each, but he still wanted confirmation.

  “They know. Each said the other should be guard captain, but you’ll be able to tell that they’re both pleased. They get along. That was another reason I suggested those two.”

  Charyn nodded. The last thing we need is dissension among the guards.

  Shortly before first glass, Dylert and Charyn left the study and walked along the north corridor, then turned and made their way to the ballroom.

  “The rex!” Norstan announced from the door as Dylert and Charyn entered.

  The two then made their way to the dais and up the short side steps before turning and standing facing the assembled guards.

  Charyn waited several moments before saying a word. “What has happened in the last few months showed several things. First, it showed that those of you who remain are loyal and hardworking. It also showed that many of you are not paid enough and have not been paid according to your abilities and your time as a guard. And finally, it showed that there was no clear line of command from me to the guard captain to you. Acting guard commander Dylert and I have worked out a better organization and pay structure for the guard. In addition, there will be a new guard captain and the new position of guard undercaptain. There will also be three new lead guards, each in charge of a section of guards.” Charyn paused for several moments to let the guards think about what he had just said.

  “Your new guard captain is Maertyl. Your undercaptain is Faelln. The three lead guards are Reynalt, Charseyt, and Woelt.” From what Charyn could tell, the murmurs seemed to be generally of approval, and he didn’t see any unhappy faces. “The new pay rates will mean everyone will get some sort of increase. It won’t be much for those of you who are new, and it will be significant for those of you who have been guards for more than ten years.” Charyn turned to Dylert. “Would you like to add anything?”

  “There isn’t much I can add,” said Dylert with a smile. “Except for one thing. The whole idea of improving matters for you came from Rex Charyn. I and some others helped with the details, but the idea was his.”

  “He helped a great deal,” said Charyn quickly and loudly, adding, “There aren’t any other changes. I’d like to see the guard captain and undercaptain right here.”

  Maertyl and Faelln immediately came up onto the dais.

  Maertyl grinned as he faced the guards. “My first order as guard captain is simple. Those on duty, back to your posts. Those of you off-duty may go.”

  Charyn saw more than a few smiles among the departing guards. He just watched as the guards left. When the ballroom was empty, he turned back to the other three.

  “Your Grace,” offered Maertyl, “I wish to thank you for your confidence in me.”

  “It wasn’t just my confidence,” replied Charyn. “It was also Maitre Dylert’s recommendation.”

  Maertyl turned to Dylert. “Then I thank you as well.” He turned to Charyn, then swallowed before he spoke. “Your Grace, I’ve been a chateau guard for more than ten years. This is the first time a rex has taken the time to address us all, or even a few of us. It’s the first time anyone has said words about the time we’ve served. And it will be the first increase in pay many have ever seen.”

  “It’s long overdue, and if times weren’t so bad, the pay increases would have been more.”

  “It’s probably better that times are hard,” said Faelln. “We all know times are hard. Any time that a rex gets attacked so often, times are bad.”

  To that, Maertyl nodded. “Getting a small increase in bad times means more than a big increase in prosperous times.”

  “There is one other matter,” said Charyn. “I’ll meet with the guard captain or the undercaptain first thing in the morning most mornings. I’m sure those meetings will be brief, but necessary.” He smiled sheepishly. “I might not be too regular on Solayi mornings.”

  Maertyl chuckled; Faelln grinned.

  “Is there anything else either of you wants to tell me or thinks I should know?”

  “Not at the moment, sir,” replied Maertyl.

  Fhaelln shook his head.

  “Then I’ll see one of you in the morning.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  As Charyn and Dylert left the ballroom, Charyn said, “You did say that you’d be here for a day or so.”

  “I did.”

  “Good. I imagine you’ll be glad to get back to the Collegium, but I do appreciate all that you’ve done. It had to be done, and it’s not something I could have done nearly as well.”

  “Maitre Alastar said that for it to work someone else had to be the one working with the guards. You can’t be too familiar.”

  Charyn understood what Dylert wasn’t saying—that Charyn had to be both firm and fair, while still showing that he cared about the men.

  56

  Meredi morning Charyn was up earlier than usual, and he dressed in heavier woolens for the day, because he wanted to be there when Palenya and Kaylet left the chateau with the clavecin. Neither his mother nor Bhayrn was in the breakfast room, nor did either arrive before he finished and stopped by Norstan’s study.

  The seneschal stood as Charyn stepped into the small space. “Sir?”

  “I don’t suppose anyone wishes to see me?”

  “There are the choristers, but I’ve told them you will let them know when it is convenient. Factor Roblen asked for an appointment. He’s a wool factor.”

  Charyn didn’t mention that he knew Roblen, even as he wondered why the factor wanted to see him. Certainly not about cloth or tailoring. At least, he hoped not. “That might be interesting. Arrange a time for next week.”

  “Also, you did receive a letter from Ferron D’Fhernon-Alte. It just arrived.” Norstan bent over the desk for a moment, then picked up an envelope, which he handed to Charyn.

  Charyn took it, and slipped it into his jacket. “Thank you.”

  From Norstan’s study, Charyn headed toward the duty desk in the alcove off the main entry, judging that Dylert might be there. He did want to see the imager maitre off, and wish him well in front of the chateau guards on duty.

  Dylert was in fact standing just outside the alcove, wearing his imager grays, as he had been from right after the time he’d announced his replacement, but in addition to the gray visor cap and the heavy gray riding jacket, he had a thick gray scarf loosely around his neck. He smiled as he saw Charyn walking toward the front entry.

  “I do hope you’re leaving by the front,” Charyn said.

  “Maertyl wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  “You look prepared for the weather.”

  “I hope so.”

  “As I’ve said before, I very much appreciate all you’ve done.”

  Dylert smiled, not quite sheepishly. “I appreciate being given the opportunity to do it for you, sir. I learned quite a bit along the way.”

  Charyn laughed softly. “So did I.” After a moment of silence, he added, “You better get on your way, or I’ll be tempted to keep you here.” As if you really could, but what else can you say? “And Thelia would not be happy with me for that.”

  Dylert grinned. “No, sir.” After inclining his head to Charyn, he turned and walked out through the doors, one of which was held by Maertyl.

  As Dylert stepped out the front entry, a score of chateau guards appeared, forming up into two files, one on each side of the center of the steps.

  “Honor! Arms!” snapped Faelln from the bottom of the white stone steps.

  Twenty rifles went to presentation, and remained there as Dylert walked down
the steps toward his mount, held by Woelt, one of the three recently named lead guards. The imager mounted, then raised his arm in salutation, and then urged his mount down the drive.

  When Dylert reached the ring road, Faelln called out, “Order arms,” followed several moments by, “Dismissed to duties.”

  Maertyl joined Charyn. “I can see why you called on the imagers, sir. They’re good. They’re also tough. He started a morning exercise program—in the covered courtyard. He led everyone. He had a lot of the men gasping. It didn’t even seem to make him breathe hard. A couple of times, the other imager joined him, and he led the exercises while Maitre Dylert went around making sure everyone did them right.”

  “You’re keeping that up, I trust?”

  “Yes, sir. One session for the day guards, one in the afternoon for the night guards.”

  “Good.” Dylert had mentioned the exercise program to Charyn, almost in passing, but had said nothing about his leading it.

  After leaving Maertyl, Charyn hurried to the rear courtyard. He saw Palenya, well wrapped in her heavy scarf, leaving the barn as one of the stable boys began to open the doors. Charyn immediately crossed the courtyard to where she waited while the horses were hitched.

  “Are you sure you have all the tools you’ll need?”

  “They’re already in the wagon.” Palenya gestured.

  “I’ll send the coach for you at fifth glass.”

  “I won’t be done by then.”

  “When would you like the coach, then?”

  “Fifth glass,” she replied, with a glint in her eyes that suggested her well-covered mouth was smiling. “I’ll have to go back tomorrow, and possibly on Vendrei.”

  “You’re rebuilding that clavecin, aren’t you?”

  “Oh, no. Just replacing the strings and the broken parts, and revoicing all the plectra. What any good musician would do.”

  “Any really good musician.”

  “You’re going to freeze out here. That jacket’s not heavy enough, and you don’t have a cap or a scarf. I don’t want to be responsible for making the rex of Solidar sick.”

  “I’m the only one responsible for that. Besides,” said Charyn, pointing toward the barn, “Kaylet and the ostlers have the horses hitched, and he’s bringing the wagon out. I’ll see you tonight.” He stepped back and watched as Palenya climbed up into the seat beside Kaylet, and then as the team and wagon slowly headed down the drive.

  Charyn turned and made his way back into the chateau. His ears were burning by the time he reached the grand staircase and started up. He hadn’t realized that they had gotten that cold. When he reached the top, he found Chelia standing there, clearly waiting for him.

  “Mother…”

  “Thank you for the list of young ladies. I trust you will not mind if I also add a few other names that have come to my attention.”

  “Of course not. I would not wish to overlook anyone.” Or to give any High Holder offense, especially now.

  “I thought you might feel that way. How is Palenya faring?”

  “She and Kaylet just left to take the clavecin to the Collegium. From what she said, it will take her days to put the clavecin to rights.”

  “It took longer than that for her to get the one in the music room to sound right. Your father didn’t want any musicians in the chateau that he couldn’t control. He didn’t have much of an ear for music, although he never admitted it.”

  Charyn almost said he hadn’t recalled that it had taken that long, but managed to reply, “The one she found is a good instrument, but without the elaborate finish of ours.”

  “Do you think what you have in mind will work out?”

  “We’ll have to see. There’s no harm done if it doesn’t.”

  “She does like you, Charyn. I hope you understand that.”

  “She’s also said that it can’t possibly work out. I just wish…” He shook his head. “She’s so much … more than…”

  “Than some High Holders’ daughters?” Chelia laughed gently. “You haven’t met the right ones. Remember, Malyna is a High Holder’s daughter. So is Maitre Alyna. And yes, Palenya is special. It took me more than a year to find her. She has been good to you and good for you. That’s why, whatever happens, you will treat her very well. Very well.”

  “But … why…?”

  “I didn’t want you ending up like all the other men in my life. That’s why.” Chelia smiled pleasantly. “I do like some of the names you gave me. Very much. I won’t keep you, dear.” With another smile, she turned and headed down the grand staircase.

  For several moments, Charyn just stood there. All the other men…? His uncle, of course, but … He swallowed. Finally, he resumed walking toward his study, still thinking over what his mother had said.

  Once he was settled at his desk, he retrieved the letter from his jacket and slit the envelope with the miniature letter knife that Howal had imaged.

  Your Grace—

  I would like to offer my deepest condolences, belated as they may be, over the untimely and truly unfortunate death of your father following the Year-Turn Ball. In this time of unrest and disruption, he attempted to guide Solidar on a middle course, one that took into account the more pressing needs of both High Holders and factors, while not requiring massive increases in tariffs on either group. Such moderation should have been commended by all responsible individuals, rather than have become a cause for a violent act that will benefit neither group in the end, and possibly only one individual, whoever he may be, and only in the immediate times, certainly not in the years to come.

  I would hope that you would continue the moderate stance that you have thus far presented, despite what must be many challenges and possible dangers from those of intemperate mind and possibly a Namer-like penchant for unseemly personal notoriety, or contrariwise, a secretiveness that may never uncover his identity, leaving only the evil of his deed …

  Charyn frowned. What in Terahnar does he want?

  … The ill-gotten fame of Naming that some men lust after while denying that they so do will overshadow any good that they may have accomplished and, without a strong rex in L’Excelsis, will blight all Solidar. May you continue a course of strong moderation in these troubled times, and know that those of our holding stand behind you in such an endeavor.

  I also wish to convey my profound appreciation to you and your family for allowing me to attend the Year-Turn Ball and for allowing me to make the acquaintance, however fleeting, of the most charming Malyna D’Zaerlyn …

  Charyn somehow managed not to burst out into raucous laughter. Smitten by Malyna. After a moment, he had to admit that he’d certainly been intrigued to begin with. After he swallowed his laughter, he kept reading.

  … whose whereabouts, despite my most heartfelt efforts, have eluded me. I was hoping that you might look favorably upon me and provide some assistance in this matter, since I was informed by your lovely sister Aloryana, and I earnestly hope that such information is accurate, that your attentions and affections were not devoted to Lady Malyna. If I have erred in this, please understand that I would not in the slightest …

  Charyn shook his head. For the courage alone—and the desperation—it must have taken to write such a missive, young Ferron deserved an answer. As he set down Ferron’s letter, he couldn’t help thinking that the letter also showed what Palenya had pointed out when he’d told her that Aloryana was an imager—just how invisible most women in Solidar were, even the daughters of High Holders. It also pointed out that Ferron and his family were not reading the newssheets, which had mentioned Malyna, and that showed how out of touch some of the High Holders indeed were.

  After finishing the letter, he immediately began his reply to the unfortunately smitten heir.

  My dear Ferron—

  My family and I thank you for your thoughtful and heartfelt letter of condolence, and we appreciate greatly those thoughts you expressed so carefully and warmly, as well as your thoughts for a moderate co
urse in the governing of Solidar. Certainly, that is what I have endeavored to provide in the comparatively few weeks that I have been rex … and what I will continue to work toward, even given the clear presence of the Namer in the hearts and minds of some men.

  Malyna D’Zaerlyn, whom my sister likely mentioned is a distant relative, is no longer guesting at the Chateau D’Rex. I must confess to a certain deception. Because Malyna never had the opportunity to attend a Year-Turn Ball, as a favor, my father allowed her to do so in disguise, if you will, since she is most properly Malyna D’Imagisle, and a Maitre D’Aspect at the Collegium Imago. For your information, she did tell me that she found you both charming and most polite …

  I have not informed anyone else of your letter, and this letter will be sealed and sent without another person seeing either your letter or mine …

  Charyn wasn’t totally pleased at continuing the deception about why Malyna had been there, but it was better left that way … at least until he was absolutely certain that the problems with Ryel had been fully resolved. Laid to rest, if you will.

  When he finished the letter, he signed and sealed it, and gave it to Howal to have sent. He really didn’t want any word of Ferron’s plea to be circulated anywhere that Ferron himself did not choose.

  Less than a glass later, just after the wind outside the study began to moan, he received another dispatch from Marshal Vaelln. Even before the courier left and Charyn opened it, its thickness suggested that the information within was anything but something he wanted to read. Nonetheless, he did.

  Your Grace—

  Just this morning I have received at headquarters reports of three additional naval incidents. The first occurred on the sixth of Ianus, north of the Strait of Anghyl, off the west coast of Ferrum. A Solidaran second-rate ship—the Chayar—was escorting three Solidaran merchanters away from Ferial when she was attacked by a two Jariolan second-raters and a frigate. The captain had position and dispatched the frigate before the Jariolan heavies could close. He then demasted one second-rater, and sank her, but took heavy damage. Apparently, he knew the Chayar would not survive, but he managed enough sail to ram the last Jariolan, which appeared to be sinking, along with the Chayar, when the three merchanters fled. They reported this when they ported in Kherseilles. We have no reason to believe otherwise.