The Void of Muirwood (Covenant of Muirwood Book 3) (11 page)

Privy Council

W
hen they did find Crabwell, it was at the bottom of Pent Tower, dead.

The next morning, Maia listened with a queasy stomach as the lord mayor recounted the news to her in the throne room. The hall was empty except for Justin and Suzenne and a pair of guardsmen posted by the door. Although Maia was exhausted, she dared not sleep. As soon as she had dozed off the night before in her room in the palace, a feeling of blackness had seeped into her, accompanied by frightening whispers. She had summoned Suzenne for company, and the two had walked the palace all night, fighting to stay awake.

“Are you feeling well?” the mayor of Comoros asked her, pausing in his narrative of Crabwell’s demise. “You look as if you did not sleep soundly last night.”

“I did not sleep at all,” she replied. There were so many ghosts in this palace still, so many things that reminded her of her father. Many of the Leerings, she had discovered, especially in his personal chambers, had been chiseled from the walls or defaced so that they would not work. Almost as if he had been unable to bear them looking at him. “Go on, Justin. I am sorry.”

“What I was saying is the evidence of what happened is unclear. Was Crabwell pushed off the tower, or did he jump? There was a hastily written confession that implies he killed himself, but that could also have been forged. Or he may have been duped into writing it.”

Maia sighed and glanced at Suzenne. Her friend frowned, indicating she too had trouble believing it was a suicide.

“So there is no evidence he was murdered or by whom?” Maia asked.

“None,” the mayor replied, shrugging. “My lady. Let me say this delicately. People feared Crabwell. No one loved him. I really do not think it worth the bother of an inquest. No one cares how he died, only that he is no longer the chancellor. It is a relief that he met his end by a hand other than yours, and will not oppose your coronation.”

Maia gave him a stern look. “But should we not order an inquest into the murders, Justin? My mother, my father, and the chancellor have all died in rather short order. If we do not follow due process, someone may one day try to assign the blame to
me
.”

He looked shocked. “No one would dare accuse you!”

“I told you this earlier. Lady Deorwynn, I understand, was the one who hired a kishion and allowed him to enter the realm. He then was the headsman at her own execution. I want him found, Justin. If not for him, my bones would be moldering in an ossuary right now. He will never meet his fate by my hand, but I cannot permit a kishion to defend my throne. He is acting on his own motives, I believe. I would send him away in peace, and with my gratitude, but he needs to go if he will not abide by the laws and rules that govern my life and my reign. I fear it will be difficult to hunt him.” The thought of losing such a staunch ally and friend grieved her, but she was determined to see her purpose through to the end. Of course, exiling such a wily predator would not be easy, and she knew it.

He frowned, looking at her seriously. “My men are frightened,” he said softly.

She nodded. “They should be. He is dangerous, but he is only a man.”

There was movement at the head of the hall as one of the soldiers responded to a knock on the door, and to Maia’s immense relief, her grandmother came striding into the audience chamber. Maia broke away from the mayor and Suzenne and rushed across the hall to pull her grandmother into an embrace.

“I am so grateful you are here!” Maia said, nearly bursting from joy and relief. “Word arrived that the refugees from Assinica have come to Muirwood. I had hoped to visit you there tonight through the Apse Veil.”

Sabine clung to her for a long moment before pulling back and tipping Maia’s chin up with her finger and thumb. “You are exhausted.”

“Sleeping here is dangerous, I have discovered.” Maia shuddered involuntarily. “Suzenne kept me company all night, but it is taking its toll on her.”

“What about Gideon?”

Maia winced at the pointed question. “He does not want the people to worry he is controlling me, so he has been giving me room to rule. He is making arrangements to return to Dahomey by ship. There is trouble in his kingdom, incursions by Paeiz and now Mon. We have not seen as much of each other as I would like. He does not stay in the palace at night.”

Sabine gave her a weighing look. “He is your husband, Maia.”

She nodded. “I know. You can understand that this entire situation is rather unusual.” She smiled wryly. “My husband holds my heart, but there are so many problems pulling us in opposite directions right now. Would that we could both escape somewhere and spend time alone.”

Sabine hooked arms and led her back to the bench near the throne, where Suzenne was dozing.

The mayor stepped back and bowed. “High Seer, greetings. Your arrival was unexpected.” He scratched the little strip of beard on his bottom lip and then snapped his fingers. “I will summon some refreshment for you. Cider and cheese?” He clapped his hands, motioning for a servant lingering in the doorway to approach.

“Thank you, Lord Mayor. I came to speak to my granddaughter.”

“Of course,” he said, and excused himself with a gracious bow. Suzenne, who had gathered her wits, rose to greet Sabine, though she seemed uncertain of how formal their greeting should be. They had all been on familiar terms at Muirwood, but it was different at the palace.

Sabine reached out and took Suzenne’s hands, smiling at her. “Thank you for your loyalty to my granddaughter. Please stay with us.”

Suzenne returned her smile. “She is my friend, and now she is my queen. She will always have my loyalty.” The three women sat down on the bench for a quiet conversation.

“Yes, my dear,” Sabine said. “Now what news, Maia? How can I help?”

Maia shook her head. “Tell me of the refugees? How many are there? Where are they?”

“I brought them all with me to Muirwood,” Sabine said. “Most of the families were originally from Comoros and Pry-Ree. Some of those with Pry-rian roots are already asking to travel across the Bearden Muir and start for home.”

“I imagine Jon Tayt has volunteered to guide them, by Cheshu!” She smiled as she thought of the abbey hunter and his pointed beard.

Sabine smiled. “Of course. There are thousands of refugees, Maia. We knew they were coming, and still we were not prepared for the numbers. There are tents and supplies enough at the abbey to support them for the moment, but they cannot all stay in Muirwood Hundred. As you can imagine, they are nervous and anxious.”

“How many children? I worry about the little ones. They will not understand what has happened. How can I help them?”

“I think seeing you would be a blessing, not just for the children but for all of them. It would help calm their disrupted lives a little,” she answered. “I was hoping to persuade you to come back with me for a time.”

“Yes!” Maia said with a grin. “I would see them. Do they have a ruler?”

“I was wondering that as well,” Suzenne said with curiosity. “We have been separated for so long. How different are their traditions?”

“They have no kings or queens or earls. There are no ranks among them. They have Aldermastons, as we do, and they are considered the rulers. The chief among them is a wise Aldermaston named Wyrich.” She paused, and Maia could tell there was more she wished to say.

“Tell me,” Maia said, taking her grandmother’s hands. “Please.”

“Aldermaston Wyrich is strong with the Medium,” Sabine said. “I do not know how it will work, but I feel quite impressed that he should be an Aldermaston here in Comoros. The people look up to him and follow his example.” She paused, considering. “I can
feel
that these people have many Gifts of the Medium, Maia. They have lost everything, yet they do not brood on it. They are anxious to help, asking always for ways they can serve us. They consider themselves indebted to this kingdom for preserving their lives. Such meek people. In all my journeys throughout the realm, I have found few who could equal them. They are a worth more than treasures or ransom.”

Maia nodded, anxious to meet them herself. “Grandmother, I wish to discuss something with you as well. Actually, several things.” The servants arrived with trays of food, which they arranged in a sumptuous array. Maia nodded to dismiss them once they were finished, and after the throne room doors closed behind them, she quickly related the story of how she had come to Comoros in an attempt to stop Lady Deorwynn’s pending execution. She described the upheaval in the government and the many nobles who had clawed at each other’s throats as their ship sank.

Sabine’s countenance changed as she shared the story, her look darkening.

When she was done, Maia said, “I need your counsel. I need the Aldermaston’s counsel! I cannot rule this great realm by myself. From morn to dusk, I am beset by people seeking my direction and approval. I need a chancellor who understands the way I think, one who will act on my behalf and help restore faith in the Medium in Comoros. When my father drove the Dochte Mandar from the realm, he did nothing to fill the void they left. Even the Dochte Mandar believed in the wisdom of the maston tomes. Even though they did not fully understand our ways, they attempted to live by that wisdom and to live by virtue. When that virtue was removed and replaced with the immoral sycophants favored by my father, it drew the Myriad Ones upon us like a plague.” She pressed her lips together and shook her head. “Grandmother, I would like Richard Syon to be my chancellor. I know I can trust his guidance and integrity.”

Suzenne looked shocked by the suggestion. This was not a secret Maia had confided in anyone but Collier. She had wanted to determine her grandmother’s willingness first.

As ever, Sabine’s expression was more difficult to read. “No Aldermaston has ever been chancellor before, Maia.”

“I know,” Maia replied. “And no queen has ever ruled Comoros either. I can tell the mayor wants the position. He has not asked for it yet, but every day he assumes more and more authority and seeks to insinuate himself with me. His help has been invaluable, and yet I am not willing to choose him for the job. The chancellor will lead my Privy Council. The only other person I would trust to do it is yourself, and you are the High Seer.”

Sabine smiled at the compliment and cupped Maia’s cheek.

“Must I persuade you?” Maia said, wringing her hands in her lap. “I truly feel it is the Medium’s will.”

Sabine looked over at Suzenne, who was listening to them with great interest. “You agree, Suzenne?”

She nodded vigorously. “I have the utmost respect for Aldermaston Syon and his wife, Joanna. I have secretly mourned the thought of leaving Muirwood to begin my life anew. To have them here at court would be a comfort. And a constant example of honor. The people here would respect them. They have no false humility.”

Sabine nodded in agreement. “Truly, you could not have named two more capable people. While Richard would be an admirable chancellor, his wife’s counsel would be valuable as well. And since the Ciphers are spread throughout the realm, they are very well informed about the realm and its needs. They are wise without being cunning, and they will be a help to you.” She stroked Maia’s arm. “I have also felt the Medium prompting me. Now I can see why. As you know, Aldermaston Kranmir must be replaced. Augustin will be without a ruler, and it is close to the port city of Doviur, which is one of the greatest centers of commerce in the realm. It is a proud abbey and needs to be chastened with a gentle hand. When I met Wyrich after crossing over to Assinica, I felt strongly that he should become the Aldermaston of Muirwood. There is much unsettled land in the Bearden Muir. It is a swamp that can be drained. Muirwood would remain the seat of the maston order in Comoros, but under Wyrich’s gaze. I would make Richard and Joanna the Aldermastons of Augustin, with Joanna fulfilling the majority of the abbey duties so that Richard could serve you. That abbey is closer to Comoros, and he could travel by Apse Veil between the two places to perform his dual roles. Yes, and there is wisdom in not having your chancellor also be the highest Aldermaston of the realm. While I do not believe Richard is corruptible, it is better not to tempt a man when you can avoid it. He is getting older, so it will be hard on him. But he could at least serve you until you are established.”

Maia clung to her grandmother again, smiling. “Thank you!”

“It is the Medium’s will,” Sabine said, nodding. “I can feel it now. Who else do you hope to have on your Privy Council?”

Maia glanced at Suzenne before returning her attention to her grandmother. “Suzenne and Dodd. I plan to invest Dodd as the Earl of Forshee. The incumbent has fled to the north and must be dealt with in due course. I have promised him a pardon if he surrenders, but word has likely not reached him yet. I was also planning to name my husband as Earl of Dieyre, of course.”

“Naturally,” Sabine said, nodding in agreement.

“I seek to reward the Earl of Caspur for his loyalty, and I was also going to name Lord Paget of Bridgestow. He served in my grandfather’s Privy Council, and I knew him when I lived in that city. He was one of my most trusted advisors.”

Sabine nodded. “I know him well.”

“And I plan to include the mayor of Comoros. He played a crucial role in supporting me when others sought my death.”

Sabine smiled. “He is self-serving, to be sure. But it is not unwise to align his interests with yours. Who else?”

“Anyone you would recommend?” Maia asked. “I am still learning a bit about the existing power structure. I do not intend to strip all of my father’s supporters of power. That would doom me before I start.”

“It would. You can always make additional selections after your coronation, but you should announce your choice of chancellor after you have spoken to Richard so that word can go out. Let your enemies consider their position before you bring them to heel. And you must set the date of your coronation immediately. Once you are the anointed queen, it will change the nature of their defiance.”

Maia smiled. “I am so grateful you are here. Will you stay in Comoros?”