The Invisible Hand

by Chris Northern

"Exactly. A shadow. Not me or you or Treleth or any of our soldiers. It will be enough to cast doubt and that will have to do. Can you find him?"

  He thought about it for a moment. "I'd recognize him if I saw him. I checked the boy was alive, put him on his side and left him there. Silgar and I had made enough noise to wake a few locals and they would have taken charge of him." He nodded. "There is a path to be followed that will lead me to him."

  "Find him then. I'll be fine," I added as he hesitated. "No one is going to burst in here and try and kill me."

  He didn't look convinced.

  "There isn't much time for this," I reminded him, keeping my voice calm and even.

  Finally he moved, heading for the door. "It might not take long," he said, his tone of voice dry.

  For a moment I didn't see his point. He opened the door and held it wide, admitting the full force of noise from the crowded hall, offering a view into a riot of movement and multifarious activity that was in part a consequence of my own orders from the day before. Bring the orphaned children to hall, I'd said. And there they were. A score or more of children mixed in with the children of Orlek's household and those of the hostages who were also my guests. I'd become used to the background noises of the hall and hadn't noticed the steady increase in the level of activity.

  A few faces were turned to the open door; expressions a mix of hesitant, curious or questioning. They were all people I had to see, who wanted to report, had questions, felt they required something of me to further their own aims. Everyone wanted something. The demand for my attention only increased as some semblance of order developed from the chaos that Darklake had been. Self-interest was the prime motivator, as always. I wondered how strong thoughts of competition had become in the minds of these people. When I left here, how soon would it be before they each moved to secure a dominant position? How long before the knives were drawn and murder done? How many would die before one strong leader emerged from the fray? If I left today, would they wait longer than a day before making the first move? I'd thought I had a year to create a stable society. Now I had just a few days. It was an impossible task.

  Taking a slow deep breath I stilled my thoughts. The door was open. I had to admit someone and deal with some one thing. One thing at a time. Just one.

  "Vedat," I called out, catching his eye and waving him forward.

  Sapphire cleared the doorway and Vedat strode in, looking pleased with himself. He now had men to command, I reminded myself. I remembered that in Learneth each magistrate had command of twenty soldiers. Here, only he had men to command. He would believe that that fact put him a rung above the other magistrates. He would feel it as a shift in the balance of power. I took in his new air of confidence as he entered the room and knew I had made a mistake.

  I poured a glass of wine for each of us as he took the seat opposite. I knew the wine wasn't much of an answer to the problem. I knew I needed a better one. But it would just have to wait.

  "I want you to sit in judgement today," I told him as I passed him a glass.

  As he accepted it Vedat looked even more pleased with himself.

  I resisted the urge to swear out loud. It took more self-control than I thought I had.

  Closing my eyes, I rubbed at the stone set in my forehead for a moment, thinking fast and seemingly more clearly than I had in a while. "It is a duty that will fall on each of the magistrates in turn." Spread the power. I watched his expression stiffen as I continued. "Just as there will be vigils under the command of each magistrate." Spread power as thin as you can. "For now, at least."

  His eyes narrowed. "For now, Patron?"

  It takes some self-control to frown thoughtfully when you want to smile. "The situation here cannot remain as it is, Vedat. Darklake is overpopulated, don't you think?" I watched the wheels turn for an instant before I continued. "I noted that some took the earliest opportunity to return to Learneth." I left it another moment. "There will need to be government there, of course." Vedat stirred in his seat. "As with Hederan," I frowned in thought. "And the lands formerly occupied by the Necromancers cannot be left ungoverned."

  Vedat cleared his throat. "Patron, I see the scope of the problem."

  You see the scope of the opportunity, I thought, which was exactly my intent. "Perhaps one or two of your clients might be of use?"

  He covered his surprise well but couldn't control the instinct to glance at me to read my expression, which I kept neutral. It had been a guess, but I had noted that Vedat had borrowed from the treasury. He must have been using the money for something. "If you will take my advice, you will spread the advantages of your patronage with an even hand, Vedat. You will find that raising one above the others will cause disputes that you yourself will then be called upon to resolve."

  He made a show of considering the point. "That could become awkward," he allowed.

  The door opened and we both glanced up. Sapphire stood in the open doorway for a moment. He shook his head. I barely had time to shrug before he was gone again, closing the door behind him.

  So, the boy wasn't in the hall.

  There was still time.

  "Perhaps you should discuss the matter with your fellow magistrates and formulate a plan of action that I can review in due course."

  It took a moment for Vedat to take my meaning. He flushed slightly, attention drifting back to the glass in front of him as he turned it this way and that. "I will be sure to raise the matter, Patron."

  "At your next scheduled meeting; which will be when, by the way?"

  Vedat cleared his throat and shifted in his seat. "The matter of regular meetings has not been formalized, Patron."

  "Then perhaps you should raise that issue, also." That, I decided, would do for now. "As regards the trial, have you familiarised yourself with the procedure?"

  "Indeed I have, Patron." He said. "There is the matter of sentence..." He almost made it a question.

  "Which will be settled as part of the proceedings, as is normal. The prosecutor will call for a sentence, as will the defence. "

  "And I will decide between these two extremes," he said, making a study of my expression, looking for a hint as to my desired outcome. "I have studied the procedure, Patron."

  "Good," I picked up a random piece of paper and began reading. "Then you are as prepared as you need to be.

  Vedat hesitated then cleared his throat again.

  "There's something else?"

  "The accusations against..." he gestured vaguely.

  Against me. He was right. There was more. "Not a trial, an inquiry. Call those you wish to speak in any order you choose. They may then present whatever information they wish. When all is done, you will make a declaration..."

  He raised a hand to stop me. "Begging your pardon, Patron. I understand the procedure. My concern is more for the mood of the people..."

  I let him struggle with it for a moment. "Yes?"

  "There is a great deal of interest," he hesitated. "My..." he hesitated over the word still, "clients have reported a certain amount of restlessness. Questions have been asked, concerns expressed," gestured to the closed door. "It seems the... inquiry will be well attended, yet the courtyard can only accommodate so many..."

  I kept my expression neutral as my mind raced. Six thousand people. That was potentially a lot of restlessness. With the west gate still closed and a potential enemy camped beyond, a degree of fear and uncertainty would be added to the mix. I suddenly had a burning need to turn to someone for advice; only there wasn't anyone. I had to make a decision and I had no clue what to do for the best. I imagined keeping a mass of people from witnessing the trial and subsequent inquiry. That image rapidly degenerated into chaos as the press of the crowd filled the courtyard. Not an option. It could get ugly before the trial had even begun.

  Vedat was waiting. "I see your point," I said.

  But I didn't have a solution for it. If Seldas returned swiftly enough - at once I resolved that proceedings would wait until he
did return - and if Resh Ephannan was the man I thought he was and was playing the game I thought he was, then I might have an opening to proceedings that would relieve the fears of the crowd somewhat. Calm them for the trial itself; show clemency to my would-be assassin, if all things went well. Then display my witness, the boy Sapphire searched for, and deflect the accusation made against us.

  I found myself nodding as I thought it through. "Then the trial must be held more openly," I said. For this to work I needed everyone to hear all that happened.

  "Perhaps that might be wise, Patron." Vedat sounded relieved.

  There was only one place inside the walls before which a crowd realistically could gather. Before the temple of Hesta there was an open space large enough to accommodate one or two hundred people; then dwellings and shelters and animal pens would break up the crowd to some small degree. If things got ugly, which I intended that they would not, then there would be a line of retreat through the temple and Caliran's quarters. I gave Vedat a more decisive nod and told him what I had in mind.

  He seemed relieved. I had no idea if that was a natural reaction. I'd been in this situation precisely once myself.

  #

  I didn't like the look of it.

  Standing well back from the window, the gloom of the room itself allowed me to observe the crowd without being seen. It was a bright day. A slice of sunlight cut into the room. I kept well clear of it. The eyes of the crowd would be adjusted to the light. They would not see me so long as I stayed back from the window, out of the light.

  "I don't like the look of it." Parast stood behind and beside me. His words echoed my thoughts.

  No one could hear us. No voices were raised among the crowd, but there were thousands of them. Their combined voices rising and falling in natural rhythms; easily enough to mask our voices.

  "Are we ready?"

  I heard Parast shrug. "As ready as we are going to be."

  My gaze ran over the crowd, picking out individuals and details. A couple talking; the man looked my way and nodded as his woman bent his ear. He looked grim. A pair of children pushed through the crowd, playing, laughing. The gaze of one man followed them as they moved before him, his expression thoughtful. A heated discussion between two men who ignored the crowd around them. The turn of a head to look at a well-built man who held a smith’s hammer casually in one hand. The smith looked calm, almost indifferent. He wasn't the only man carrying what was, in fact, only a tool of his trade, but what might also be considered a weapon. There were not many, not many that I could see. I could not get an angle on the crowd that stood before the temple. The composition and mood of that section of the crowd was denied me. I could only infer that it was little different. The expressions of those who looked in that direction were resentful, I thought. Disapproving, perhaps. Offended. Angry. They varied in kind and in degree. There were soldiers on the steps of the temple and the people didn't like it. I was only surprised by how many didn't like it. I had not expected there to be so many. A sea of people with tides and currents, ebbs and flows. Not a storm. Not even choppy. But still a sea.

  I didn't like it.

  There was no sign of Sapphire. It was past noon. Seldas had long since returned with word from Resh Ephannan. Public words and also a brief private letter. Both suited me well enough. From the letter I gleaned that my guess had been correct. He was using the situation to raise his profile among the clans. I had his assurance that he sought no armed conflict, yet would not shrink from such a confrontation should it prove necessary. I was content with that. The gates were open; protected with half the available force. People could return to the fields. They hadn't done so. They waited.

  I could feel the tension rising as the crowd became impatient. They also knew it was past noon. I could not let them wait longer.

  "I suggest we do not wait longer," Parast said, reading my mind again.

  I didn't like that either.

  "I agree," I said. Yet for a moment I still didn't move. I'd prepared as well as I could. Sapphire had not returned with or without the boy he sought. I was under no illusion that the crowd had gathered for the trial of my would-be assassin. The accusations against us had spread. They had gathered to hear our answer. Such as it was, I would have to give it soon.

  "Now," I decided, and turned away from the crowd that could not see me, and moved toward a place where they could.

  Parast followed me through the office. I let him pass me to open the door to main hall. A ripple of motion as those who waited turned to face me. Hald Epwhel, chieftain of Twobridges, then the magistrates: Vedat of Learneth, Orasin of Learneth, Seldas of Learneth, Mielkan, Anista of Darklake. I intended their presence to be a show of unity; representatives of all the people of Darklake. They parted as I moved forward, and gathered behind me as I passed, the guards at my door falling in behind. Beyond, the hall was quieter than it had been. Those who were at liberty had gone to join the crowd. Those who were not had made themselves scarce for the most part. Some small subdued groups remained. Only the youngest of children were unaffected by the mood of the adults with them. At the entrance to the hall the witnesses to the assassination attempt waited between the two guards. They also moved out of our way and then fell in behind us.

  I hooded my eyes against the glare of the sun in the courtyard where we had previously held trials. There were more guards than usual and no one else was present, save Vesan. They looked our way as we emerged into the light. Veterans, all. They were fully equipped, yet in their hands they held practice swords, their blades sheathed. Vesan broke off from that group and joined us as we made our way through the courtyard to the small archway that led to the gardens. We would pass through Caliran's quarters and the temple, I had decided, rather than push through the press of the crowd.

  The gardens were as quiet as the hall and courtyard; not much to hear beyond the murmur of the crowd and the buzz of the bees in their hives. Scattered groups of children and women confined to the hall watched us pass. The guards at Caliran's doorway were also armed with practice swords. The door to Caliran's quarters was opened for me as I came close, and I entered.

  The doorway to the temple stood open but that made little difference to the light. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust to the darker interior. Two guards stood close by the prisoner. He held a cup in both hands, sipping from it, eyes darting. He was not bound. His guards were alert. He had nowhere to go. His gaze locked onto me as I entered and he glared at me over the rim of the cup. Beside him stood Caliran.

  The priest glanced my way, smiled a thin welcome as I moved into the room, then he turned back to the prisoner. "Are you not thirsty?" Caliran asked, his tone of voice solicitous.

  The prisoner drained the cup and passed it back to him without looking. "Thank you, your reverence."

  Caliran turned to face me more fully as I led the way to the open door opposite. His artificial eyes glittered coldly. "I understand you wish me to attend..." he half turned and gestured vaguely to the open doorway that led into the rear of the temple.

  "I do," I told him, giving him the barest nod and not so much as pausing.

  He gave the merest hint of a bow as I passed him by, my thoughts on the crowd that awaited us. Hoping I'd got things right. In the city the people treat trials pretty much the same way as they treat politics; primarily as entertainment. I knew attitudes were different here, but human nature is the same everywhere. I hoped for the best, but had planned for the worst.

  The temple was cool and lit only by the sun streaming between the pillars at the far end of the chamber. Beyond, the crowd was clearly visible. Ten soldiers stood beyond the pillars, facing the crowd. They carried shields and had sheathed swords; practice swords held casually. Unknown to the crowd there were more soldiers inside the temple. Only twenty more, but every soldier was enhanced by the magic of Vesan. I hoped they would not be needed. Their orders were clear; no one was to be killed even if the crowd turned into a mob. They knew as well as I that those ord
ers would only hold for so long. The crowd were many and they were few. If the crowd turned into a mob, people would die.

  Hald Epwhel and I stepped aside as we passed through into the temple, making space for those who followed to pass. I had led them this far but the order of precedence changed here. Vedat, as judge, would go first. The magistrates would follow, acting as impartial witnesses to the proceedings. The accused would follow, under guard. Then the witnesses to the case would join the magistrates. Finally, the prosecutor and the defence, myself and Hald Epwhel, would follow and the trial would begin.

  "You owe me for this," Hald said, eyeing the stature of the god Hesta.

  My attention followed his, taking in the details of the statue with one disinterested glance before turning away. Only the face of the statue showed any real attention to detail; an expression of furious concentration focused on a glass sphere held in both hands. I guessed the sphere represented the world that Hesta strove to comprehend. Good luck to him.

  "Depending on the result," I reminded him.

  Hald didn't answer. His attention was still on the statue. He touched one hand to his forehead and then reached out to the glass sphere.

  "No!" Caliran's voice made me start and turn. I hadn't realized he had followed us. Still, he would be needed later.

  "Your pardon, Hald Epwhel," Caliran said, moving calmly to stand between us and the statue. "It is a holy day, the day of Sivara'El, a day when Hesta may not be questioned."

  I shrugged and turned away. The noise of the crowd had risen as Vesan stepped into view. The magistrates followed and the voice of the crowd rose further but sounded almost calmer. "It's time," I said and started across the chamber floor, Hald keeping pace with me. "We speak in turns," I reminded him. "The judge sets the charge, he will invite me to speak; from there we speak in turns and call witnesses as we see fit."

  "I remember everything you told me," Hald growled. "You citymen make everything complicated."

  "The principle is the same wherever there is any semblance of justice," I said. "When I am done I will suggest the sentence I would prefer to see, should he be found guilty..."