he has weathered the explosion of the Puryon Temple in the taudis and assassination attempt after assassination attempt.”
“I might add,” interjected Jhulian, “that with more than five years as a Civic Patrol captain, he has a solid knowledge of the laws of Solidar. That is far more than his predecessor had when he assumed the position. Rhenn also served, if briefly, in the security detachment of the Council Chateau.”
“He also has access to intelligence sources that were not available to his predecessor, as I have already discovered,” added Maitre Dyana.
Rholyn smiled warmly. “I am very glad to know how thoroughly you have looked into the situation, and I will certainly do my best to provide what ever information and support that Rhenn may need.”
“I know that you will,” replied Maitre Dyana pleasantly, but there was cold iron behind the warm tones of her voice.
It was more than clear that no one wanted the position, including Rholyn, but that he didn’t want me to have it. That was likely because he knew I had some contacts among the High Holders and that I would not have to rely on him totally.
“Now…the pressing issues are what stand the Collegium should take with regard to the Council, how much we should make known of our position, and to whom in the Council should that information be conveyed.”
“We have always conveyed our support of the Council,” observed Rholyn.
“That is a given,” replied Dyana.
“Might I raise an observation and a question?” I didn’t want to, but I wasn’t certain anyone else would. I didn’t give any of the others a chance to object, not that they would have. So I said quickly, “Over the past few years, we’ve seen a conflict growing between the freeholders and the larger and wealthier factors and the High Holders. It’s become almost open civil war at times, especially over water rights, grain shipments, and the like. There are only a few more High Holders than the minimum required for the balance of power to shift to the factors and freeholders, that is, in terms of who becomes the Councilor in charge of the Executive Council. My question is: Can we afford to ignore this by merely observing?”
“Exactly what do you have in mind, Rhenn?” asked Rholyn dryly. “Having enough ‘accidents’ occur that there are fewer than a thousand High Holders? That would certainly change matters.”
“Actually, I had something else in mind, perhaps letting it be known that the Collegium is opposed to any change in the Council through violence…perhaps strongly opposed.” I smiled. “A good number of High Holders are already borderline and may not be able to retain lands and assets sufficient to meet the requirements for being a High Holder. The more successful factors involved in fabrication and the larger freeholders are beginning to out- compete them in many areas. So long as the change occurs through economic and social forces, it should be allowed to occur.”
“How can you track down the perpetrators of violence?” asked Rholyn. “Either side has the resources to hire agents.”
“We don’t have to. Just let the Collegium’s position be known. Sooner or later, either a High Holder or a freeholder complaint, with evidence, will find its way to us. If it’s a legal issue, I’m certain that Maitre Jhulian will find a way to bring it before the High Justiciary of Solidar. And if it’s evidence of another kind…well, as you noted, illness and accidents befall us all.”
“You’re rather cavalier about it,” suggested Rholyn.
“I’m not at all cavalier about it,” I replied. “I’ve watched, and I’ve experienced personally the use of unchecked High Holder power to destroy families and individuals. I see no virtue in standing back and allowing High Holders to fight change with their powers and resources until this civil war gets to the point where everyone on both sides is either poisoning or shooting. That will only weaken Solidar and encourage Ferrum and others. What I’m suggesting is a quiet message that says that everyone can compete economically and legally, but that the Collegium is highly opposed to the use of violence by either side.”
“Even if you’re prepared to do the same?”
“I bow to your expertise in debate, Maitre,” I replied, “but since the enemies of the Collegium have already shown that they are willing to strike at individuals, it’s not as though I would be the one who first employed the technique.” I managed a smile. “As Master Dichartyn once pointed out, if it looks like an accident or a natural death and there is no evidence to the contrary, then it must be an accident or a natural death.” That wasn’t quite what he’d said, but it was close enough.
Jhulian laughed. “He has a point there, Rholyn. He isn’t proposing that we be the ones to start singling out individuals, nor that we use overt violence.”
“More to the point, Rholyn,” said Maitre Dyana, “do you have a better approach?”
That question led to more discussion, but, in the end, no one did, and Maitre Dyana closed the discussion by saying, “That’s settled. Maitre Jhulian, if you would see that the Collegium rolls are changed to reflect that Rhenn is a Maitre D’Esprit. Maitre Rholyn, while I understand that you have some concerns, I trust that they are not major enough that it will prevent you from arranging a meeting for you and me with Caartyl and Glendyl here, and preferably tomorrow or as soon as Glendyl returns from Ferravyl. Meet them and escort them past the ruins of the three senior imagers’ dwellings before you bring them here.”
“Ah…”
She smiled coolly. “I’m certain that you can manage.” Then she stood. “That is all. We have much to do.”
28
Seliora and Diestrya were waiting in the first floor study in the administration building that had belonged to Master Dichartyn.
“Beleart said this was the best place to find you,” said Seliora. “How did the meeting go?”
“As Maitre Dyana intended.” I took the chair behind the desk, empty of anything. There were a few books in the bookcase-three volumes on jurisprudence, the legal codex of Solidar, all fifteen volumes, and a black bound book that held Council procedures.
Diestrya investigated the empty shelves. Fortunately, the heavy volumes of the codex were beyond her reach.
“We got another letter back from your mother, by private courier. Beleart gave it to me. She wrote again how much she appreciated my sending that note by courier to let her know that we were all right. She also said that the fires in Kherseilles missed the factorage there, and that Khethila was fine. Oh, Klysia has already begun to clean up the dust and grit in the house. It should be ready by supper time.”
“They’ve repaired it already?” I almost shook my head at the stupidity of my question. Imagers who could form perfect machine parts could certainly re-image a house back into shape, especially in a few days if a score or more of them were involved.
“You’re effectively the second-highest imager in Solidar,” Seliora pointed out. “You also saved most of them.”
“No one’s said anything.”
She smiled. “All anyone has to do is look. Three dwellings are destroyed. There’s a large hole in the fourth. It’s ours. Well…they see it as yours. Nothing was destroyed after that, and the barges with the bombards exploded immediately. Also, the word is out that you’ve been made Maitre D’Esprit.”
“It is suggestive,” I admitted. “Not conclusive, but suggestive.”
“More than suggestive,” Seliora countered.
“What can you tell me about Fhernon? Anything at all.”
Seliora frowned. “Why? We’re still working on his commission. You know that.”
“Suyrien was shot and badly wounded. He may not recover. The High Holders have selected Fhernon to take his Council seat…but not to serve on the Executive Council.”
“Poor Kandryl….” Seliora shook her head.
I noticed her sympathy didn’t extend to Frydryk, but said nothing.
“Fhernon has always been polite and very formal. He knows I’m married to you, and he knows who you are.
