“Are there any other factors whose acquaintance might be, as you put it, a dubious pleasure?”
“In recent years, there have been more than a few. Aerambyr, Thaltyn … and, of course, Lysienk and Pulam.”
“Why should I look out for from them?”
“The usual … overcharges, delays in goods or substandard goods, and, occasionally, accidents to retainers or relatives. Your predecessor had a tendency to turn the other way, with his hand out, I suspect.”
Quaeryt managed not to wince a second time. “I see. What do you know about a patroller first by the name of Jaramyr?”
Aextyl shook his head.
“What do you know about a Captain Faastyl?”
“Only that you would be best not to have him in the Civic Patrol, although I have heard he has left Extela.”
“Are there any other factors or High Holders with whom I should be especially cautious?”
“High Holder Cransyr is known to be especially partisan, as is Suletar. For the factors, besides Hyleor, it might be wise to handle several others with care, Assoul and Dyetryn in particular. Factoria Grelyana can be vicious if she believes her interests are infringed, as can Lysienk.”
“Any others?”
“All of them will be your friend to your face and whatever is necessary to advance their interests when your back is turned or your eyes are elsewhere.”
Justicer Aextyl definitely had a skeptical, and probably realistic, view of people, reflected Quaeryt. “I suspect that is true of every governor.”
“Indeed.” Aextyl coughed, then lifted a large handkerchief to stifle the paroxysm that followed.
Quaeryt waited until the coughing spasms ceased before standing. “I will not take more of your time, but I do appreciate your advice and the loan of the law treatise.”
“My pleasure, Governor. I trust it will do more good in your hands than on the bookshelf here.”
Quaeryt inclined his head. “Thank you.”
Then he turned and walked to the door, opening it, and started toward the entry hall.
The narrow-faced daughter met him there. “Governor … I hope you didn’t press him. He’s not well. Being a justicer took years off his life.”
“I asked if he would sit beside me for the first few hearings and advise me. He said he would think about it- and only if I read this treatise.”
Her eyes went from the thin book Quaeryt carried to the scholar’s browns. “You’re going to read it, aren’t you?” Her tone was almost despairing.
“He made it rather clear that whether or not he decided to advise me, I needed to read it to have any chance of following the proper procedures. I’m taking his advice.”
“Would that others had, sir.” Gently as the words were spoken, bitterness suffused them.
“Sometimes, good men are treated ill by the times and their peers, but I do greatly appreciate his counsel and advice … and your courtesy in allowing me to see him.” Quaeryt inclined his head, then left.
As he rode away, he considered what Aextyl had said about Grelyana … and that concerned him, especially given how they had pressed the factoria in dealings over the villa.
Upon his return to the post, Quaeryt checked to see if he had received any dispatches, but there were none, and he made his way to his study. There he wrote down the names of the factors mentioned as difficult by Aextyl. Once Pharyl was a bit more settled in as chief, Quaeryt wanted to have the chief make a few inquiries about each of them.
Almost a glass later, as he finished reviewing the master ledger showing expenditures, the duty ranker knocked on the door of the small study. “There’s a fellow here to see you, sir. He claims he was a justicer, gave his name as Tharyn Ashsyn.”
“I’ll see him.”
A few moments later the door opened, and a slender man stepped inside, wearing a tailored gray tunic and matching trousers. His polished boots were gray, and he wore a large gold ring on his right hand. He inclined his head. “Governor.”
“What can I do for you?” asked Quaeryt, gesturing to the pair of chairs before the desk.
The man sat down and smiled, revealing slightly yellow teeth. “I heard that you’re looking for justicers, Governor. I might be able to help you out.”
“In what way?” asked Quaeryt politely.
“Being that I was low justicer for Extela under Governor Scythn, I bring some experience that might be helpful to you.”
“I’ve heard your name, but not much more.” Quaeryt smiled. “Why don’t you tell me about yourself?”
“I grew up west of here in a little place called Wesron. My da was a smallholder, and I was the youngest. So when I was old enough I came to Extela and became a patroller. Worked my way up to patroller first.” Tharyn shrugged. “That’s just the way it happened.”
“What have you been doing lately … since the eruption?”
“Waiting to see what happened. I was thinking about moving to Solis, but I heard you might need a justicer or two.” Tharyn smiled broadly. “If you know what I mean.”
“When did you become a justicer?”
“I was a patroller first for Chief Besant. That was under Governor Thailwyt. I told Governor Scythn that he needed someone who understood patrolling for the low justicer position. He thought about what I said, and then he appointed me.”
Quaeryt doubted it had been anywhere that direct or simple. “From a justicer’s point of view, how do you think the Civic Patrol was doing under the last chief?”
“The chief really kept ’em in line. Have to say that.”
“I’d heard that the size of the patrol decreased some.”
“No … it was always the same size, like around six patrols … leastwise while I was a patroller.”
That was interesting, if true, thought Quaeryt, and it suggested that the previous chief hadn’t changed matters so much as continued past practices. “Where did most offenses happen? In what part of Extela?”
“Oh … the southeast … all those Pharsis … always a problem…”
Quaeryt continued to ask questions for another quint before he finally said, “Thank you for coming in. I haven’t made any decisions yet, and it was good to have the benefit of your experience.”
“You’re kind to see me, Governor. I would make a good head justicer. Knowing what I know, if you know what I mean.”
“I do indeed.” Quaeryt stood. “I do.”
Once the door closed, he sat down with a long deep breath.
Tharyn hadn’t exactly impressed Quaeryt.
The encounter reminded Quaeryt that he still had to do something about the case involving Hyleor, and that meant he had to talk to the factor. Another thing to take care of on Jeudi.
After a moment he looked down at the thin maroon-bound volume on the desk.
39
With Vaelora occupied in supervising repairs and cleaning of the governor’s residence, as well as trying to locate kitchen equipment, pots, pans, and sundry other necessities for turning the villa into a functioning residence, Quaeryt left the post early on Jeudi to visit Hyleor. The only problem was that the spice factor had been traveling in the mountains to the north to purchase early spring herbs-or so his wife claimed-and was not expected to return until sometime late that afternoon or evening.
Quaeryt then rode to see how the repairs were coming on the east bridge and was gratified to see that the
