By the time he left his study, he still had not been able to discern what lay behind Straesyr’s instructions, but he did remember to stop by his quarters and don his undress jacket to wear to mess night. That took longer than he’d anticipated, and he had to hurry to reach the officers’ mess before the governor appeared.
“You had quite a ride the other day, sir,” observed Haestyn as Quaeryt approached. “The jacket makes you look like a scholar officer.”
“I think that was the princeps’s idea,” replied Quaeryt with a smile.
“Skeryl was impressed with the fare that High Holder laid out for them.”
“High Holder Fhaedyrk was kind and courteous-”
“All rise!”
Since he was still standing, Quaeryt merely stiffened.
“As you were,” called out Rescalyn. “Please be seated. I do have a few words.”
Chairs shuffled as the officers seated themselves.
“As some of the battalion majors know, the holders in and south of the Boran Hills have been quiet lately. Those of you who have been here a time know that, usually, but not always, such quiet is often followed by some sort of action by not just one holder, but by a number. I would like to say that the hill holders are finally accepting that they are a part of Telaryn. I doubt that I can. If this is like other times, we may need to send reinforcements to Boralieu. I am merely offering you an observation at present. I do hope that it remains such.” Rescalyn smiled ironically. “In the meantime, enjoy your fare.” He seated himself.
In the momentary silence, Quaeryt poured himself a lager rather than wine, then took a swallow. It wasn’t a fraction as good as what Fhaedyrk had served.
For a time, as the meal progressed he mostly listened.
“It seems like every year we’ve got a problem with the hill holders,” said Dueryl. “I still don’t see why.”
“It goes way back,” replied Haestyn. “Years ago, my uncle said, except I guess it was hundreds of years back, there weren’t any High Holders and hill holders. There were only holders. The Khanar offered special privileges to those holders who recognized and supported him, and who limited the number of men-at-arms. He also pledged to defend them against any other holder who attacked them. He called them High Holders. The hill holders and some of the others refused to reduce the size of their forces. They claimed the Khanar couldn’t protect them.” The captain shrugged. “I don’t know if it’s true or not, but that’s what he said.”
“You’re a scholar,” noted Dueryl, looking to Quaeryt. “Is that true?”
“I don’t know. There’s nothing in the histories I’ve read…” He paused. What was it that he’d read? He tried to remember for several moments before it came to him. “There is something called the Charter, but I never found anything about what it contained.”
“That’s what he called it,” interjected Haestyn. “Now, I remember.”
Quaeryt wanted to hit himself alongside his head. That explained a great deal about the hill holders, but it raised more than a few other questions, such as why the governors hadn’t tried to include the hill holders in the similar arrangement later offered to the High Holders. Or had they, and been refused?
He couldn’t help wondering if he’d ever understand all undercurrents that swirled through Tilbor.
68
Vendrei morning Quaeryt was up early. He wondered if he’d ever get back into a situation where he could sleep to a decent glass. Early as he was, at least half the regimental officers were already present when he entered the mess. Skarpa rose from where he sat alone at the end of the far table and beckoned to him.
Quaeryt joined the major and poured himself some tea before taking a helping of eggs scrambled with cheese and ham.
“Commander Myskyl ordered me to supply a company to support you today. He said you were going to visit the scholars.” Skarpa’s tone was even.
“Why does a scholar need such an escort?”
“Because the scholars are tied to the hill holders and backed the Pretender against the Khanara.”
Skarpa frowned.
Quaeryt waited.
“I was ordered-ordered, not requested-to send Undercaptain Gauswn and his company, and I don’t think that was the regimental commander’s idea.”
Quaeryt couldn’t say he was surprised and didn’t. “It’s likely it wasn’t.” He knew full well that the reason Gauswn had been chosen was that he was Tilboran, very junior, least likely to question Quaeryt, and expendable if anything went wrong. For that last reason alone, Quaeryt intended that nothing would go wrong. He also knew that intentions weren’t always realized.
“Why not? Do you know?”
“I don’t know. I do know the governor brought me to meet with a High Holder last Mardi. The only thing that was discussed was how out of step the scholars were with the High Holders and the people of Tilbor. That was after I went to a reception held by the princeps where I was meant to hear all sorts of comments about the scholars. None of them were favorable.”
“This stinks worse than week-old fish in high summer.” Skarpa’s voice was low.
“What would you suggest?”
“Besides keeping yourself and Gauswn alive? I don’t know.”
“Rescalyn’s remarks last night?”
“They could be a coincidence.”
Skarpa didn’t sound convinced, and Quaeryt certainly wasn’t. “They might be,” he offered cautiously.
“You don’t believe that.”
“Neither do you.”
Skarpa laughed, softly, but harshly. Then he shook his head. “Take care of Gauswn. He’ll make a good officer in time.”
“I’ll do what I can.”
There wasn’t much to be said after that, and Quaeryt and the major ate quietly and then departed on their respective ways.
Quaeryt gave his sealed envelopes to the dispatch rider and parted with another silver, reflecting as he did that he actually had a fair amount of pay coming to him, since he hadn’t drawn it the week before … something like thirty silvers, after the deductions for the mess. Except that he might not be back in time to draw his pay, not if matters at the Ecoliae were as he feared.
He shook his head as he walked toward the stables.
By a quint past seventh glass, Quaeryt and Gauswn were riding away from the lower gates of the palace toward the Ecoliae. Quaeryt carried the light shields that triggered into heavier shields. He was getting to the point where they felt natural and close to effortless, although the effort of maintaining the heavier shields was akin to that required for a fast walk.
“Can you tell me what this is all about, sir?” asked the undercaptain. “Major Skarpa said that there might be trouble with the scholars, and that I’m under your command.”
“I don’t know everything,” replied Quaeryt. “The problem lies with some of the senior scholars. They seem to have strong ties to the hill holders and have created problems with some High Holders. Neither the factors nor the High Holders trust them, and it shouldn’t be that way. We’re going there to look into the situation, because the governor thinks that I, as a scholar, should be able to see more.”
“What do you think you’ll find, sir?”
“Trouble of some sort. I’d be surprised if much force is required, except the force of presence of your company.” Quaeryt laughed. “But I’ve been surprised before, and that’s why you and your company are here.”
After a moment, Gauswn asked, “What are your orders and instructions?”
