L. Modesitt - Scholar

“That is indeed a question. The old Khanars maintained a guard strong enough to defeat any two or three High Holders, but it was not large enough to deal with even a handful of them at once. So the Khanars tended not to upset the High Holders.”

“What happened to the Guard?”

“When the Pretender was defeated in battle-just below the palace, in fact-he attempted to retreat behind the walls, but the Guard closed the gates and left the Khanar and his clan followers to face Lord Chayar. The Guard commander claimed that the Pretender wasn’t the true Khanar of Tilbor. That made matters easier for Lord Chayar, even though he privately deemed the Guard unworthy. He didn’t want to execute all that were left of the two thousand. So he disbanded the Guard and exiled the officers to either Bovaria or Antiago … well, also Khel, but that was just before Kharst began his campaign to take over Khel.”

“Did any of the Guards take up arms against Lord Chayar later?”

Straesyr shrugged. “I doubt it. Some of them may have, but if they did, it had to be with the backwoods holders.”

“None of the High Holders caused trouble?”

“Only one. He refused to pay the overtariff Lord Chayar imposed. Chayar pulled down his holding and killed him. He had me sell off half the lands to pay the tariff and the costs of the attacks, and left the rest to the widow and heirs.”

That was a slightly different story than the one Quaeryt had heard from Sarastyn, but he nodded. “After that I take it no one refused to pay tariffs.”

“Not so far.” The princeps gave a short laugh. “Not in the nine years since.”

“How have the merchanters, factors, crafters, and growers done with their tariffs?”

“They pay them. Sometimes a few are late. There were more who were late until the governor-that was Governor Fhayt, the one before Governor Rescalyn-sent armed squads to collect.”

“I’d heard that there have been attacks on soldiers.”

“There have been,” admitted Straesyr.

“On men alone at night?”

“Oh … there have been a few killed by thieves and brigands. That happens everywhere. No. The attacks by their so-called partisans have been on squads on collection duties in the backlands.”

“Have you lost any entire squads?”

“Once, last year. Now we send out at least a company. We rotate the companies, except in the winter, when we use those trained in the snow.”

“Have you captured any of these partisans?”

“None who know anything. When we have, they’ve changed their meeting places.”

“What sort of weapons do they use?”

“They prefer to pick off soldiers with arrows or quarrels, rather than fight close at hand. That’s one reason why the regiment has few archers.”

Quaeryt couldn’t help frowning. The princeps’s statement seemed to make no sense.

“I see I’ve puzzled you. Tilbor is different. The towns are farther apart. Even the trees in the forests are farther apart. Their archers hide in trees or fire and run. Against these tactics, archers, even mounted archers, are mostly useless. Archers are far more effective against massed bodies of men, especially on foot and in the open. Cavalry or mounted infantry that can move quickly through the woods or on the roads are less of a target and are more effective at chasing the brigands down. The regiment does have one company of archers, but they’re seldom used.” Straesyr smiled tightly. “I’ll talk to the governor when he returns about letting you read the dispatches. I don’t see a problem, but that has to be his decision.”

“Thank you. Do you or the governor meet often with any of the High Holders?”

“We hold a reception here once every season. I think every single one and his wife have attended at least one a year. Every so often the governor is invited to dinners at the local High Holders’ estates, and he makes announced and unannounced visits with a cavalry company to different High Holders on a continuing basis. They do come to meet with the governor when they have problems with a ruling from the governor or Lord Bhayar. I’m the one who meets more often with factors and local merchants.…”

Quaeryt listened, asking a question now and again, for almost a glass.

“… that’s about all I can tell you. Do you have any questions that bear on your duties?” Straesyr finally asked.

“Scholars are respected in Solis, if warily, but in Nacliano, they are driven out. How have you seen them regarded here?”

“They have a school and a Scholars’ House to the southwest of here. I would say that they are regarded as in somewhat the same fashion as in Solis. Why do you ask?”

“I will need to ride through Tilbora and perhaps farther to gather information. I would rather not be a target.”

“You may be anyway, once others discover you are attached to the governor’s staff.”

Quaeryt laughed softly. “That is possible, but I doubt that most Tilborans would go out of their way to try to find out if one scholar is the one working for the governor as opposed to however many are not.”

“You do have a point there, until they come to recognize you.”

“Did the Khanar have a library as well, something that might have histories of Tilbor?”

“That’s on the first level, and it’s open to all officers. There’s a guard there, but only to make sure no volumes vanish.”

“Are there any records of how the Khanar dealt with the High Holders and…”

“There’s an entire archive. That’s also guarded, but you’re welcome to look there. Do you really think…?”

“There’s always a possibility. It’s probably small, but since you wished me to remain within the palace until after the governor’s return, I thought it couldn’t do any harm.” Quaeryt offered a smile. “And scholars are supposed to dig into old books and records.…”

“Ah … quite so.”

“That’s all I can think of for now, sir.” Quaeryt waited.

“There is one other matter. You will need a study here in the palace … for those times when you are not actively pursuing your tasks or need a place to write where I or the governor can conveniently find you. There is a small vacant chamber three doors to the right as you go out of the anteroom. It is little larger than a small storeroom, but it is suitably appointed and has a window. I expect you to be there at seventh glass from Lundi through Samedi unless you have previously informed me otherwise. I also expect brief written reports weekly, to be on my desk on Lundi morning … again, unless you are traveling or otherwise occupied.”

“Yes, sir. There may be certain matters not best put in ink.…”

“Then just write in the report that you need time to brief me on a matter relating to your duties.”

“Yes, sir.”

Straesyr smiled wryly. “I had always heard that some seamen were almost as disciplined as soldiers, and I’m pleased to see that you appear able to fit into the regiment. I do hope you will not disappoint the governor and me in that regard.”

“Yes, sir.”

“That’s all I have. Vhorym will show you your study.”

“Thank you.”

Straesyr nodded a dismissal, and Quaeryt stood, inclining his head before turning and leaving.

The aide who had been seated at the table desk in the anteroom rose. “Sir … the princeps asked me to show you your study.” He handed the scholar a brass key.

“I’d appreciate that. You’re Vhorym?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I assume I give my weekly reports to you so that you can put them on the princeps’s desk?”

“Yes, sir. I do that for the officers who report to the princeps.”

After only a day at the Telaryn Palace, Quaeryt found himself thoroughly reminded just why he’d left the sea and returned to the scholars.