“It does happen when someone fires bombards at you and stones crash down around you and your family.” I settled into one of the chairs in front of the desk, waiting for Artois to sit down.
He did, smiling genially, although his brown eyes remained flat and expressionless. “You may recall I once said that you could be a very powerful imager. Apparently, I was correct.”
“Ability does help some in survival.” I smiled politely, waiting to see what he might say.
“I understand that you may have other duties now.” Absently, one hand brushed back short gray hair that held but a few remaining strands of brown.
“Maitre Dyana is now the Maitre of the Collegium, and she has changed some duties. I will be taking over those handled by Maitre Dichartyn. In that regard, I would greatly appreciate it if I might receive any listing the Civic Patrol has of the structures damaged by explosions.”
“We’re still compiling that, but I will be happy to send that listing once it is complete.”
“Are you aware of any attacks on large manufactories or the barge piers or the ironway stations or freight terminals?”
“I haven’t seen any reports on those.” He frowned.
“Thank you.” I wasn’t about to explain. Not at the moment. “It appears that you face some of the same difficulties here, given the injuries to so many Civic Patrol captains.”
He nodded slowly. “We have lost some good captains.”
“You have some good lieutenants, some of whom would make solid captains.”
“You know, Maitre Rhennthyl, I have often asked myself what makes a good Civic Patrol officer. Is it ability? Intelligence? Or dedication? Motivation? Ambition? Ideals?” He paused and looked at me. “You have been a captain for five years. What do you think?”
I offered a smile. “If it were only the case of a single quality. Dedication is important, but it depends on what the captain is dedicated to. Ability is certainly necessary, but it’s not enough. Ideals are vital, but which ideals? Intelligence, but only if it is coupled with practicality.”
“You accomplished much in Third District, but you did so with abilities and contacts that no other officer possesses, and that leaves a certain problem.”
“That is true, and it would be true if you choose to promote another officer to captain over Lieutenant Alsoran.”
“Why do you think that?”
I shrugged. “It’s known that I favor Alsoran. It’s also known that Alsoran believes in patrolling the Third District in the same fashion as I did. Regardless of what my future duties to the Collegium may entail, I still retain certain ties to Third District. Lieutenant Alsoran, were he to become captain, could call on me upon occasion. Because he is a loyal and dedicated officer, he could not and would not do so if he remained as lieutenant under a new captain. If he were to be transferred to another district, the knowledge he has of Third District would be lost. You, of course, are the Commander and will make what ever choice you think is best.”
Artois shook his head. “You sound more like your predecessor than the captain of Third District.”
“It is your choice, Commander,” I pointed out.
He reached into the top drawer of his desk and withdrew a sealed envelope, then extended it to me. “That is his promotion to captain. While I could I do nothing else, I did wish to discuss the matter with you. I assume you would like to present it personally.”
“You mean that you wanted some commitment that I would retain an interest in Third District.” I took the envelope and slipped it into the inside pocket of my waistcoat.
“Of course.” He smiled.
“And in the Civic Patrol,” I added. “What is the worst probable fate for the Patrol?”
His smile vanished. “I would have thought-”
“What I think is what I think. You have been Commander for ten years. I would like your views. You have had mine on Third District.”
He frowned.
I waited.
“The worst fate?” He paused. “The worst fate for the Patrol would be to accept injustices as a necessary part of life in L’Excelsis. Injustices are often not preventable, but they should never be regarded as necessary for some good.”
“You have certainly made that clear. How might the Patrol come to accept injustices as necessary?”
“There are likely many ways. The Council could reduce our funding. That would result in accepting more injustices. Patrollers could become less honest and accept favors and worse. Patrol officers could become beholden to those with golds. All those have happened in the past, and the outcomes were never good for the Patrol or for L’Excelsis.” Artois shrugged.
“Or officers could just become more accepting of injustices among those without guild connections or golds?” I suggested.
“That is also possible, and perhaps the most likely if care is not taken.”
“It’s been suggested that justice in the cities has not always been to the benefit of the High Holders.” So far as I knew, I was the only one who had even voiced that, but I wanted a reaction from Artois.
Again, for a moment, he did not speak. “I had not thought of it in that way, but it is likely so. When there is more equal justice in the cities, those on the great estates may well have greater incentive to depart.” He paused. “Justice does not lie merely in the law, but in all aspects of life. A patrol officer cannot change what is beyond the law, and he cannot interpret the law differently because of what he cannot change. You understand that. That does not preclude legal action to improve matters. Your actions have shown that. Others have been critical of such actions, you realize?”
“I’m aware of that.”
“I shouldn’t keep you, Maitre. You might want to have a word with the subcommander before you leave.”
“I should. Is Alsoran’s promotion effective?”
“It is. As of today.”
“Thank you. I’m sure we will talk in the future.”
“I would hope so.”
After leaving Artois, I made my way down the upper hall to the next study, rapping on the door and then stepping inside.
Subcommander Cydarth rose from behind his desk. “I hear you may be leaving us.”
“In the more direct sense,” I replied. “I’m replacing Maitre Dichartyn.”
“I was sorry to hear about his death, but you have much more hands-on experience with the Patrol. That could benefit both the Patrol and the Collegium.”
“I would hope so.” I thought about adding something about benefit being in the eye of the beholder, but decided against it. “Have you had any success in tracking down any of those who destroyed so many buildings?”
“No. I can’t say that we have. The only ones we’ve ever caught were the ones you killed and those found dead in Third District. It was a pity you couldn’t bring one in alive.”
Those found dead in Third District? I’d have to ask Alsoran about that. “I did bring in some of the druggers. They were poisoned here in headquarters. That was a pity, too.”
“They wouldn’t have said anything.”
“We won’t know that, though,” I replied.
“No, we won’t.” He laughed in that deep rumbling voice. “There are always things we won’t know.”
I smiled. “There are things we can’t prove. That doesn’t mean we don’t know them.” I smiled. “I just wanted to let you know about the change personally. Oh, Alsoran has been promoted to captain of Third District, and, of course, I’ll be advising him as he feels necessary.”
“Of course.”
“I’m sure I’ll see you from time to time.” I smiled, nodded, and stepped out of his study, down the hallway and down the steps to the main entrance.
When I left Patrol headquarters, occasional flakes of snow were drifting out of a light gray sky. Even with my heavy gray winter cloak over an equally heavy waistcoat, I was grateful that the duty coach was waiting. Lebryn
