Django Wexler - The Shadow Throne

This is Princess Raesinia? He’d have guessed her for a teenager at first glance, though he knew the princess had been preparing to celebrate her twentieth birthday before the king had taken ill. She looked as frail as spun glass, and her head barely came level with his chin. He couldn’t imagine this fragile creature as a queen. No wonder Orlanko has taken so much power for himself.

“Count Mieran,” she said, her voice surprisingly strong. “It is a comfort to have you at court. My father thinks very highly of you.”

“His Majesty honors me with his trust.” Janus’ gray eyes caught and held Raesinia’s. “I only hope to be able to perform the services he asked of me.”

The princess blinked and nodded. Something had passed between her and Janus that Marcus couldn’t follow.

After a moment’s silence, Janus gestured at Marcus. “May I present my captain of Armsmen, Marcus d’Ivoire?”

Raesinia inclined her head, silk rustling. “Captain. I have heard tales of your exploits in the Khandarai campaign.”

“All exaggerated, I’m sure,” Marcus said, following Janus’ lead. “I’m honored to serve my lord Mieran.”

“I imagine you’ve been quite busy of late.”

Marcus wasn’t sure what to make of that. He sipped coffee to cover his confusion.

“With the near riot in the Exchange,” she went on. “And the problems at the banks.” Catching his look, she flashed him a quick grin. “Even princesses can read the broadsheets, Captain. And I’m not entirely impervious to rumor here in my ivory tower.”

“Of course, Your Highness. And to answer your question, yes, we’ve been very busy keeping the peace. Especially during your father’s illness, public order is paramount.” Marcus lowered his eyes. “We all hope for his swift recovery.”

“Long may he reign,” Janus murmured, and the princess’ guards echoed it in a low chorus.

“Long may he reign,” Raesinia agreed. “And I am sure I’m keeping you gentlemen from important business. If you’ll excuse me.”

She nodded again, getting another deep bow from Janus and Marcus, and glided past.

“She’s lovely,” Marcus said, when she was out of sight. That seemed safe enough.

“Indeed,” Janus said. “And. .” He shook his head. “Later. Come on, they’re waiting for us.”

“I don’t see what all the fuss is about,” said Count Torahn.

Marcus suspected he was being deliberately obtuse to needle Grieg. If so, it worked. The Minister of Finance was almost visibly steaming under his high, tight collar.

“After all,” Torahn continued, “it’s just a bank. These things happen, eh? Market goes up, market goes down. Everyone knows the only proper thing to do is keep your nose out and leave it to those who know about such things.”

Grieg made a visible effort to control himself. “Speaking as one of those ‘who know about such things,’ I wish more gentlemen would follow your advice. However, under the circumstances, the Second Pennysworth is not ‘just’ a bank. It is-”

“-a Borelgai bank,” Orlanko cut in. “And that makes this a political matter.”

“Exactly,” said Grieg. “The solvency of this government depends on our ability to tap the Viadre markets to borrow against future revenue. That, in turn, depends upon the conviction of the Borelgai that we are willing to do whatever is necessary to safeguard their investments. As such, this affair represents a serious threat to the Crown.” He turned from Torahn to Janus, who had been silent thus far in the proceedings. “I call on the Minister of Justice to take appropriate measures.”

A frown flickered across Orlanko’s face, there and gone again in an instant, like one of Janus’ smiles. It was impossible to read his eyes behind those enormous spectacles, but Marcus saw the slight inclination of his head toward Grieg. Puppet not dancing properly, is he? Strings get tangled up?

“I would advise against any. . precipitate action,” Orlanko said. “Danton Aurenne has become an extremely public figure. The reaction of the commons might be unpredictable.”

“Where did this fellow come from, anyway?” Torahn complained. “I’d never heard of him until the broadsheets started shouting about this Deputies- General nonsense. Could he be a spy?”

“If so, he’s an exceptionally poor one,” Orlanko said, with a hint of strained patience. “Seeing as he’s brought himself so thoroughly to our attention. Our investigation into his background is still proceeding.”

“I’m not worried about his background,” Grieg snapped. “I’m worried about what he’s going to do next. I’m already hearing rumblings from over the straits. And His Most Esteemed Lordship the ambassador has already been to see me and made himself clear most emphatically on the subject.”

“I’m not saying nothing should be done,” Orlanko said. “I’m saying we must be cautious, in order to avoid provoking a backlash worse than the initial problems. There are better ways to deal with Danton than tossing him in prison.”

Or tossing him in the river, Marcus added silently.

“Such as?” Grieg said.

“Buy him,” the Last Duke said bluntly. “Everyone has a price. Find out what his is, and give it to him.”

Grieg snorted. “He was giving away Second Pennysworth bonds to help start the panic. I don’t think a bit of coin will turn his head.”

“Not all prices are measured in eagles,” Orlanko said. “Perhaps he craves some honor from His Majesty. Or an introduction at court. Or”-he paused significantly-“a seat on the Cabinet.”

Grieg looked pale and angry.

There was a long silence, which Torahn broke with a loud harrumph . “Make him Minister of State, I say. Almire hasn’t bothered to turn up to a meeting in years, and that just means more work for the rest of us.”

Grieg and Orlanko both ignored him, preferring to glare at each other. They broke off and looked up only when Janus gently cleared his throat.

“Surely,” he said, “the issue is whether Danton has committed a crime or not.”

Both Grieg and Orlanko seemed stunned by this assertion, and Marcus suppressed a laugh.

“After all,” Janus said, “we are a nation of laws. Freedom from arbitrary arrest was one of the rights Farus IV fought the Great Purge to win.”

“Indeed-” Orlanko began, but Janus spoke right over him.

“Danton has given a speech in the Triumph. That is not, as far as I am aware, a crime. There is a long precedent of tolerance there, except in cases of direct incitement to treason. Speaking against a foreign bank can hardly be treason, I’m sure you’ll agree.”

“It can be treason if it goes against the interest of the government-” Grieg said.

Janus ignored him, too. “Danton has also distributed a large number of Second Pennysworth bills to underprivileged citizens, in a laudable act of charity. This, too, is not a crime. We should always encourage the most fortunate among us to extend a hand to the least.”

Orlanko was smiling now, and Grieg clenching his teeth. Janus put on a thoughtful look.

“And yet,” he said, “the combination of these two acts and the content of his speeches certainly makes it appear as though he is engaged in a deliberate attempt to defame or injure a commercial enterprise, namely the Second Pennysworth Bank. And that, I’m afraid, is a crime. It remains to be proven, of course, but there are certainly grounds for an arrest, and I’m sure the truth will come out in the trial-”

“Don’t be stupid,” Orlanko snapped. “Arresting him is bad enough, but if you bring him to trial the streets will go mad.”