L. Modesitt - Ordermaster

“They trade everywhere you do, don’t they? Or did Furwyl think that they were there for other purposes? That they might be connected to the unsafe roads?”

“He did not say, other than that the Hamorians had ported two eightdays before the Seastag and had not yet made preparations to set to sea when he was about to cast off.”

“Do you think that the emperor has turned his eyes on Nordla? So soon?”

Hagen shrugged. “I do not know. Not for certain. From your experiences in Brysta, I would wager that those who would support Lord West-or his sons-might be fewer than the lord imagines. Or perhaps the son you ran afoul of is plotting something. Or Lord West is trying to enlist Hamorian support for some venture or another.” He took another sip of the red wine. “Most prefer the Rhynn, but for me, the red is far better.”

On that, Kharl had to agree with Hagen.

“You’re worried about your boy, aren’t you?” asked the lord-chancellor.

“Wouldn’t you be? He’s all I have. I’ve already lost Arthal.”

“You must have mulled over going back to Brysta,” suggested Hagen.

“I’ve given it some thought,” replied Kharl warily, not certain he liked the direction the conversation was turning. “Lord West would not like to see me back.”

“Lord West-or his younger son?”

Kharl smiled, faintly. “Egen, most likely. Lord West has probably forgotten that there was a cooper named Kharl who ever lived in Brysta.”

“If you could go back … what would you do there?”

“I still have the feeling that things ought to be set right.” Kharl shook his head. “Before I … became a mage, I’d thought about taking the Justicer’s Challenge.”

Hagen laughed. “You wouldn’t have to now.”

“I think I would. Still. Or do something about justice. Unless you are a ruler, people don’t much care for others using force or magery to get their way. Besides, unless you replace the justicers, how do you get better justice?”

Hagen cocked his head.

“You’re thinking about something, honored lord-chancellor.”

“I am. Would you consider being Lord Ghrant’s envoy in Brysta?”

“Me? Why me? What could I do? I’ve barely been a lord for half a year, if that. What if Lord West found out who I am?”

“There are good answers to your questions,” Hagen replied calmly, then paused and took another swallow from the goblet.

Kharl refilled it. As he did, he realized that he’d never seen Hagen drink so much so quickly. In the past, the lord-chancellor had barely drunk a full goblet.

“First,” Hagen went on, “you know more about Brysta than anyone else Lord Ghrant or I can trust. Second, Lord Ghrant has received some disturbing reports from Brysta, about Hamorian mercenaries being added to Lord West’s regular lancers, or something like that-and that they are being paid with Hamorian golds. Third, envoys traditionally cannot be held accountable for actions taken in the past. Fourth, there are reports of Brystan troops being moved southward.”

“Toward Lord South’s lands?”

“We do not know, and that’s part of the problem. There’s much we do not know.”

“Lord South is old … and he has no sons …” ventured Kharl. “Lord West and Egen are ambitious.”

“Lord South rejected an offer to consort his youngest daughter to one of Lord West’s sons, the one you encountered.”

“Lord West was offended?”

“We do not know, but what we have heard from other merchanters and factors suggest that the mercenaries began arriving after that.”

“Why does this concern Lord Ghrant?” Kharl asked, although he had a good idea.

“Lord South has never been a strong ruler, and the south is the weakest of the four lands of the Quadrant. All too easily, between the west and the south, half of Nordla could fall to Hamor. Once Hamor held half of Nordla, the rest would soon follow. Nordla’s ports are far closer to Bruel and Valmurl than Swartheld is.” Hagen took another swallow of his wine. “As envoy, you could find out more than others. Also, Kharl is not an uncommon name, and it is most unlikely that Lord West or his sons will connect an Austran lord from a small estate with a former cooper. If you shaved your beard, I doubt anyone would recognize you, save perhaps your son or a close friend.”

“This will take some thinking,” Kharl stopped. “Who was the envoy?What happened to him?” He recalled Hagen telling him once, but he didn’t remember who it had been.

“Lord Estloch had recalled Lord Hensolas,” Hagen said slowly. “He never told Ghrant why. He’d summoned Ghrant to talk over matters, but he was killed before they met.”

“Do you think that Ilteron was planning to topple his sire? That Hensolas was part of the plot?”

“That well might have been. Ilteron certainly resented Ghrant being named as heir, and many lords were not that happy under Lord Estloch.”

“You were not pleased with the way he ruled,” Kharl pointed out.

“No, I was not. I advised him against many things he did. He told me I did not understand what ruling was.” Hagen laughed, bitterness in the sound.

Kharl had another thought. “I have a few golds laid by, but you had told me that being an envoy was costly.”

“Lord Ghrant will send you with a purse, and with a draw on the Factors’ Exchange in Brysta.”

Kharl looked at Hagen blankly.

“On your signature, you can draw up to a thousand golds over each year, but never more than a hundred an eightday. Only for matters befitting an envoy, of course.”

Draw or take a hundred golds an eightday?

“Now … if you wish to consider this, you would need some education, and some protection.”

“Education? I’ll need much of that.”

“You know more than enough about most things. But, in addition to being Lord Ghrant’s envoy, it would be good for you to be a scholar of the law. That way, you can present yourself as a scholar as well as an envoy …”

“Since I know little about either,” Kharl pointed out, “it will seem as if Lord Ghrant appointed me to repay a debt.”

“That perception will be to your advantage,” Hagen said. “Also, if you do choose to undertake the Justicer’s Challenge, you will be prepared. If not, you will still be able to quote from the law as an envoy, and that is useful. Also, as a scholar, you can frequent the Hall of Justice in Brysta. Often more can be discovered there than in bedrooms or salons.”

“I still don’t see why Lord Ghrant … ” Kharl shook his head.

“After all that has happened here, he feels that he needs to know whatis happening in Brysta. He cannot send an envoy who might join forces with Lord West, or even Lord South, and he needs someone who can protect himself. You will, of course, have a secretary with you, and several lancers. I understand that Undercaptain Demyst is an excellent blade.”

“He is not bright enough to be a captain?”

Hagen shook his head. “He is more than bright enough. He will be devoted to you, and he is as honest as it is possible for an officer to be.”

“I have not said that I wanted to be an envoy,” Kharl pointed out.

“I have proposed to Lord Ghrant that you spend the next season studying with one of the justicer’s clerks in Valmurl.”

“But …” Kharl couldn’t help but protest.

“Lord Ghrant owes you everything. He didn’t pay you nearly what he owes, especially after the way you settled the rebel lords, and he would like to settle you with more. He could do that, if you acquitted yourself well as an envoy. He also needs you, because …” Hagen paused. “There is no one else he can trust.”

“No one?”

“You sat through the audiences. Did you see a single man you would trust in Brysta? One who is even a lesser lord? Or a factor?”