L. E.Modesitt - Imager’s Intrigue

“Does he condescend to see me?”

“Only at the first glass of the afternoon, and only for two quints. He will expect you then, unless you send a messenger declining. He can see you on Mardi or Jeudi next week.”

“He’s playing position gaming. I’ll see him today. Timing’s more important than bureaucratic maneuvering.”

“If it were anyone but you, I’d suggest not seeing him until two weeks from now.”

“Waiting only benefits him, and he knows it. That’s what he’s playing for.” I couldn’t help shaking my head-again. I was doing that all too often. “Thank you for setting it up. I’ll let you and Kahlasa know what happens.”

When he left, I went and checked with Ghaend about Desalyt, but so far no one had reported any sign of him or his body. It was a certainty he was dead, and Ghaend had already talked to his wife, most likely his widow.

“It wasn’t exactly an accident, was it?” he asked.

“I don’t think so, but I don’t have any proof, either about whether it was or about who might have done it.”

“You were leaving Patrol headquarters, weren’t you?”

“I was. I’d just paid a call on Cydarth.”

“There are all sorts of rumors about him.”

“I know, but I’ve never found a single shred of proof to support any one of them.”

“Be nice if the Namer finally claimed him.”

I could agree with that.

When I left the Collegium in the duty coach at two quints past tenth glass, heading out to the Naval Command, I had a fairly good idea of what awaited me. I wasn’t that far off. When I reached the anteroom of the Sea-Marshal’s study just before first glass, I had to wait. Not long enough to be truly insulting, perhaps less than half a quint, but just enough, and when the door opened, a junior ensign emerged.

Valeun appeared behind the young officer, beaming. “Maitre Rhennthyl, I had no idea you were waiting.”

“Neither did I,” I replied with a smile equally false.

“Do come in!”

“Thank you.”

Once I was inside the study, the aide closed the door, and I didn’t bother with being invited to sit. I just took the middle chair across the desk and waited for Valeun to seat himself.

“What can I do for you, Maitre Rhennthyl?”

I waited a few moments. “What news do you have from the northern fleet?”

“I received a dispatch this morning. The Lyiena arrived in good stead on the evening of the fifth, and dispersal of imagers began on the morning of the sixth.” Valeun smiled politely. “If we assume that dispersal and positioning are on schedule, the attacks could have begun on Mardi. But we don’t know the weather or the state of Ferran defenses. It may be that Fleet-Marshal Asarynt will need to wait or that he commenced earlier.”

I nodded politely. “What about matters with Assistant Sea-Marshal Geuffryt?”

“That is a most delicate situation. You must understand that situations such as those cannot possibly be rushed, Maitre Rhennthyl. If there were more concrete evidence…it might be easier.” Another smile followed. “I had hoped that by now you might be able to present such.”

“You did receive considerable indication of the involvements and difficulties created for the Naval Command.” I kept my voice pleasant, almost dispassionate.

“Ah…but as you well know, Maitre Rhennthyl, those difficulties and involvements pose a problem only if they become known, whereas the replacement or removal of an Assistant Sea-Marshal only upon the recommendation of the Collegium might be construed as infringing on the prerogatives of the Council.”

“Not necessarily, and not if the Sea-Marshal did so on his own initiative.”

“To do so on his own initiative requires cause. Cause requires proof. In cases such as policy differences, the affected Assistant Sea-Marshal would be able to raise other issues, and the Sea-Marshal would be required to justify his actions to the Council. I do trust you understand.”

I did indeed. What Valeun was saying was that if he removed Geuffryt without hard evidence, he’d be questioned, and the questions would raise issues that would have him removed as well. Therefore, he had no intention of doing so without hard evidence. I could indeed force the issue, but forcing it would reveal that the Collegium was directly infringing on the Council’s territory. He was also implying that Geuffryt couldn’t be removed over differences in policy, because Geuffryt had no compunctions about bringing Valeun down.

“And I do understand,” Valeun went on smoothly, “that the Assistant Sea-Marshal has pointed out that he is in excellent health and most unlikely to suffer any natural ailments.”

“He is most astute, as I have known.” I smiled politely. “Perhaps we should defer such matters until after events in Ferrum have taken their course.”

“That would seem the wisest of courses.”

We passed a few more pleasantries before I departed.

When I returned to the Collegium, I went up to see Maitre Dyana, but she was out, and I headed back to my study. It wasn’t that long before Gherard appeared.

“Maitre Dyana can see you now, sir.”

“Thank you.” I left the latest reports unread.

Maitre Dyana remained behind her desk as I walked into her study and closed the door. “You went to see Valeun, I heard.”

“I did. He’s stalling on Geuffryt, and strongly suggesting that he needs some hard evidence. He doesn’t believe that we’ll let people know about all the strange occurrences that have involved the Naval Command.”

“We’d be better off if we didn’t.”

“He also made the point that Geuffryt has spread the word among the Councilors that he is in excellent health and very unlikely to suffer any strange or sudden illnesses. I have the feeling that Geuffryt may know things about Valeun.”

“That’s very possible.” She raised an eyebrow. “What will you do?”

“Nothing…not for a bit. We agreed to defer dealing with Geuffryt. It’s unlikely we’ll get any news on what’s happening in Ferrum for another week. It could be more. The imagers arrived safely and were being shifted to the fast gunboats at the time of the last message.”

“Do you think he was telling the truth about that?”

“Yes. That’s one thing he has no reason to lie about, and I don’t think he’s the type to lie without a reason that benefits him.”

She nodded. “Keep me informed.”

I would, although it was clear that I would have to take a different tack in dealing with Valeun, since he had once more proved that he was not to be trusted, not that I’d had any great faith in him to begin with, but that meant re-thinking a number of things.

Nothing of great import happened during the rest of the afternoon, and I was home by fifth glass, just after Seliora. For a moment, I almost called for Diestrya, before realizing she was spending the weekend at NordEste Design.

I had to admit that I took some time embracing her, enjoying the lack of interruptions. She definitely didn’t seem to mind, although she did finally disengage herself.

“I do need to get ready for tonight’s reception. Arriving disheveled is not a good idea.”

It was a very good idea, actually, but not for a reception.

As we walked upstairs, I broached another subject. “Dearest…I hate to ask yet another favor of your family…”

“I think we can manage that.” Her tone was wry.

“I need a Navy officer’s sidearm, one in good condition, with a full magazine.”

Seliora stopped at the top of the stairs and frowned. “You’re thinking about something very dangerous. Imagers don’t need sidearms.”

“I am. I hope I won’t need it, but…I have this feeling that it may be necessary.”