Madness in Solidar (37 page)

A chorister of sorts … who did not believe?

That thought kept coming back to Alastar through almost another glass of reading, perhaps because the next fifty pages were exceedingly boring, with mention after mention of Maitre Quaeryt, all of which were routine and unrevealing. He finally went up to bed and managed to drop off sometime close to midnight, worrying about Ryen and the High Holders … and exactly what treachery Desyrk had in mind, because he had no doubts that the errant Maitre D'Structure had something in mind that would not bode well for either Alastar or the Collegium.

 

22

The first thing Alastar did on Mardi morning was to dispatch a messenger to the Chateau D'Council, requesting yet another meeting with High Holder Guerdyn, and one to Factor Elthyrd requesting a similar meeting early on Meredi morning. Then, at just before seventh glass, Alastar escorted Alyna into the conference room that held the other senior imagers—Cyran, Obsolym, Akoryt, and Taryn.

“I'd like you all to welcome Maitre D'Structure Alyna.”

“It's about time,” said Akoryt warmly.

Alastar noted that even Obsolym nodded, and not grudgingly.

Alastar sat at the head of the long table, another reminder that there had likely once been far more senior imagers, and cleared his throat before beginning. “As I've mentioned to some of you, Rex Ryen, our dearly beloved ruler, has declared that if I fail to change the decision of the High Council of the High Holders by fourth glass tomorrow afternoon, he will regard the Collegium as having sided with the High Holders, and we will feel his wrath. You may know that Maitre Desyrk has abandoned the Collegium for reasons he has not made known to me, or, so far as I know, to anyone. Did he say anything to any of you?” He looked down the table.

Obsolym moistened his lips, then said, “Several days ago, he said that he felt you had no understanding of the Collegium and that he hoped he was not here when that became apparent.”

“Did he say anything else?”

“No. Nothing that I heard.”

“He obviously planned his departure in advance because his family is also gone. Does anyone know if his wife has relatives in L'Excelsis?”

“She was a major's daughter. That's all I know,” said Taryn.

The others shook their heads.

“Now … we need to get back to the tariff problem,” declared Alastar. “For better or worse, Rex Ryen is known to be a man of his word. That suggests that we most likely won't see anything happen until at least fourth glass tomorrow. Maitre Akoryt has been sending out trusted seconds and thirds as scouts to see if Marshal Demykalon might be moving army companies anywhere in preparation for attacks on either any High Holders or on the Collegium.” Alastar turned to Akoryt. “Have you heard anything?”

“Late yesterday afternoon, one of the thirds saw four wagons headed out from army headquarters. They were heavy. They took four dray horses for each. A mounted squad went with them. What was in them was covered with canvas. The third followed them. He used a partial concealment.” Akoryt looked apologetic. “That was the best he could do.”

“A blurring shield?”

Akoryt nodded. “He didn't want to go too far, but he followed them far enough that it was unlikely they were going toward Imagisle. They were headed out the Boulevard D'Este, and at the Plaza D'Nord, they didn't turn on Saenhelyn. They took the pike away from L'Excelsis.”

Toward Nacryon's chateau or Guerdyn's … or both?
“Did they see anything else?”

“No, sir. Not so far. I had them all report back by seventh glass, though. There aren't that many thirds, even older seconds that I can use.”

“We may want to post one near the Nord Bridge and the West River Road.”

“I have a second there now, sir.”

“Good. Change them every three glasses, and have someone there until close to ninth glass tonight.”

Akoryt nodded.

“Maitre Akoryt has also developed a plan for moving everyone on Imagisle to the north park, if the marshal begins an attack with cannon or if it appears likely. I've had copies made for each of you…”

“There's no shelter there…” began Obsolym, before breaking off his words. “Do you really think Demykalon would carry out orders against us?”

“From my one meeting with him, I suspect he would enjoy doing so.”

“He's also not fond of High Holders,” added Alyna, “according to a letter I recently received from my older brother.”

“High Holder Zaerlyn?” asked Cyran.

Alyna nodded.

“Perhaps I'm missing something,” said Obsolym, “but couldn't the Collegium work out something with the High Holders and require the rex to accept it?”

“Anything the High Holders would accept without our using force,” replied Alastar, “wouldn't raise tariff payments enough to support the Collegium without cutting the amount that goes to the High Command. The marshal doesn't like imagers anyway…”

“I see. That … does pose a problem.”

“What about the avenue work?” asked Cyran.

“I'd like you and Maitre Alyna to take a smaller party and extend the new avenue another fifty yards, a hundred if you can, but not to work much past ninth glass, noon at the latest.” Alastar saw Obsolym's brief puzzled frown and added, “Should we be attacked, it's important that we not be seen to have given any provocation to anyone, and our continuing work on the avenue is evidence of our good faith. For the same reason, I'll be making another call on High Holder Guerdyn before Ryen's deadline, hopefully today.” Alastar turned to Akoryt again. “You estimated that, besides the senior imagers, we have roughly thirty imagers capable of some level of imaging combat at a distance of fifty yards or less. How many of them could image iron darts or the equivalent across the river?”

“No more than fifteen at most. That's a guess.”

“Why that distance?” asked Obsolym.

“Because I would guess that, if Demykalon actually attacks, he'll attempt to use his cannon on the bridges, then use rifles against anyone trying to cross what bridges remain or any that we image into being. That will limit the number of imagers who will be useful to those who can image at a distance, maintain shields sufficient to withstand bullets, or who can hold a concealment while doing other imaging.”

“Ryen and Demykalon could be bluffing,” suggested Obsolym.

“They could be,” admitted Alastar, “but that's another reason why we can't afford to act first. If they're not, we have to be able to react quickly.”

“What did the Collegium do to deserve this?” asked Obsolym.

“Absolutely nothing,” replied Alastar dryly. “Unfortunately, the Collegium has not exercised any visible power, nor has it recently, until the past few weeks, done any imaging of any noticeable benefit outside of Imagisle. We're no longer regarded as either helpful or something to be feared.”

“But we're imagers…”

“It's been a long time since any imager has demonstrated openly great power. People forget quickly … or they believe that today's imagers don't have the power of the great ones of the past. In any event, we are where we are, and that's what I wanted all of you to know.”

“What are you going to do now?” asked Obsolym.

“Go over preparations; talk over the avenue work with Cyran and Alyna; and then meet with High Holder Guerdyn as soon as I can.”

“You said they won't accept any increase.”

“That's what he says, but we have to try to change their minds without actually using force.”
Until they do.
“In the meantime, I'd like you, Taryn, and Akoryt to try out the movement plans Akoryt has worked out. Change them if there's a problem. What's important is that if there is an attack, we need to get all those imagers and others who cannot fight away from the buildings and then to have an imager party at the Imagisle end of each bridge in case Demykalon does send troops across. I have my doubts that he will, but it's better to be prepared. Are there any questions?”

There were no further questions, and in moments, only Alastar, Cyran, and Alyna remained in the conference room.

“There's not much else besides what I said earlier,” Alastar began, “except I want you to be careful and keep an eye out for anything or anyone who might be a danger.”

“I'm not quite sure why—” said Cyran.

“Why we need to keep working on the avenue? First, it's good hard imaging that will strengthen those doing it. Second, we made a commitment. Third, even if it was Ryen's idea, it was a good one. Fourth, we need to be more visible all the time so that we don't get put in another position like this ever again. Fifth, we're showing we're working while they're arguing and maybe doing worse.”

Cyran turned to Alyna. “You see why I usually don't argue with him.”

“Good words can hide a bad idea,” replied Alastar. “What's wrong with what I said? If you think so, let me know what.”

“Will anyone really care?” asked Cyran.

“Most won't. Not right now. I'm thinking about what happens if we're successful. If we fail, it won't matter because there won't be a Collegium before long. If we're successful, we have to have everyone understand that we only do drastic things when we're threatened or endangered, and even then, we don't forget our obligations.”

“Do you think they'll remember?”

“They will if we keep reminding them, quietly and persistently … and if every young imager is trained to understand that.”

Cyran looked to Alyna. She nodded.

The Maitre D'Esprit grinned sardonically. “Then I guess we'd better start in on reminding them.”

As soon as Alyna and Cyran left the conference room, Dareyn hurried over.

“You have a message from High Holder Guerdyn. He said to tell you that, although there's nothing to discuss, except the rex's acceptance of the Council's terms, he can spare a half glass at the first glass of the afternoon.”

“Send back a messenger saying that I'll be there.”

Once the messenger was off, Alastar took a walking tour of the east side of Imagisle, checking the width of the river as he did. Even so, he had time to work on other preparations, and then ride to the Council Chateau and arrive half a quint before first glass.

He had to wait until nearly a quint past the glass. That didn't surprise him in the slightest, since he doubted Guerdyn wanted to see him … and likely wanted to put a certain arrogant Maitre in his proper place.

When the footman finally escorted Alastar to the study, Guerdyn rose almost languidly from behind the desk and only walked to a point barely even with the wooden front. He wore black hose and red and black doublet.

“Good afternoon,” offered Alastar with a pleasantness he did not feel.

“Why are you even here? I did say that there was nothing to discuss … or didn't you get that part of the message?”

“I got it. That's one reason why I'm here. The Collegium is still attempting to find a middle ground.”

“There is no middle ground, as you put it. The High Council will not accept any increase in tariffs. Neither will the High Holders. The ones who have to come to agree are the rex … and you, Maitre Alastar.”

Alastar smiled coldly. “I don't think you understand, Guerdyn. Ryen is prepared to bring force against the High Holders if you do not accept his higher tariffs. He has new cannon and more than seven thousand troops here in L'Excelsis.”

“And you will not stop him? How very kind of you to inform us.”

“Why should we? The High Council certainly won't support the Collegium willingly, and there aren't enough golds in the Treasury to pay the army, the Collegium, and everything else that is required.”

“Then all of you should require less.” Guerdyn made a sound between a sniff and a snort. “You can bluff all you want, Alastar. We will not accept any increase.”

Alastar pointed to the crystal vase on the side table. “Is that terribly valuable?”

“Not especially. It's Council property.”

“Good.” Alastar concentrated. Instantly, the vase vanished, and five crystal knives were buried in the marble of the table.

Guerdyn looked amused. “Parlor tricks.”

“Look at your jacket.”

Guerdyn looked down. A sixth dagger rested in a strap directly above his heart.

“Be careful,” cautioned Alastar. “It's sharper than any blade you have. You might notice that the knives are buried in the marble tabletop. Marble is much harder than flesh.”

“I have no doubt that you and other imagers could kill me. Then what? That won't change the minds of the others. You don't dare kill enough High Holders to change everyone's minds. None of you have the nerve. And if you did, all Solidar would turn against you.”

Alastar remained silent.
He's half right.

“You see? If you intended to kill me, you would have.”

“Are you going to agree to an increase in tariffs?”

“Of course not. Why would we? Now that I've made that clear … again … either kill me, or I'll show you to the door.”

“I can find my own way.” Alastar paused. “Tariffs will be higher, and they will be paid.”

“Words, Maitre. Words. Only deeds change what is.”

Alastar smiled. “You're right about that, but you've forgotten one thing. Good day.”

Guerdyn didn't say a word as Alastar left the study.

Cyran was waiting when Alastar returned to the administration building at two quints past second glass.

Alastar looked from Cyran to Dareyn. “Find Maitre Alyna and have her join us.”

Then he motioned for Cyran to go into the study. “I'll be with you in a moment.” Turning to Dareyn, he asked, “Have we heard from Factor Elthyrd?”

“He will see you at his factorage at eighth glass tomorrow morning. I have directions in case you haven't been there.”