L. E.Modesitt - Imager’s Intrigue

“The Council honors us,” I replied.

“Few will admit it,” he said, his voice lower, “but resolving the differences between the Councilors will be far easier now.” He straightened slightly and said in a normal voice, “Do enjoy the Ball.”

“We intend to.”

As we moved out into the hall, and toward the music and those dancing, I thought Ramsael’s words and smile held a certain relief.

The announcements continued to boom out across the hall.

“Councilor Alucion D’Artisan and Madame D’Alucion!”

“Fhernon D’Alte and Madame D’Fhernon…”

Since I didn’t see anyone that I knew, and since Dartazn and Veroniqua had stopped to talk to Martyl, I led Seliora right onto the dance floor. As we danced, others continued to arrive.

“Shendael D’Alte and Madame D’Shendael.”

“The Honorable Dharios Harnen, Envoy of the Abierto Isles, and Madame Harnen.”

“Ryel D’Alte and Madame Ryel.”

“Suyrien D’Alte and Madame Suyrien.”

Seliora and I finished the dance and slipped to the side of the floor, knowing that, this time, Iryela and Kandryl would come to find us immediately.

They did. Iryela wore silver trimmed in black, but with a blue scarf that kept the silver from washing her out, and Kandryl again wore the Ryel colors of black and silver.

We half-turned and waited as Iryela and Kandryl approached.

“Thank you again for the invitation,” offered Iryela. “We couldn’t resist, especially after I heard what you said to that mule Sebatyon.”

“Where did you hear that?” I hoped it wasn’t that widespread.

“Juniae D’Shendael heard it from Caartyl. He said he was glad you didn’t hide behind useless traditions. He also said it was clear there would be change, and that it was about time.”

“I’d appreciate it if you kept that fairly close.”

“Oh…we only told Frydryk and Alynkya. She was amused. He was a bit concerned.”

I could see why. He would have to license some of the rights he’d paid dearly for, but I wasn’t about to make exceptions for friends, not when it affected everyone’s future.

“He’ll get over it,” said Kandryl.

“Oh,” added Iryela, “Frydryk won’t tell you this, but Alynkya was exceedingly grateful for the invitation to the Ball.”

Seliora nodded knowingly.

It took me a moment to understand why, and then I nodded. “I will be happy to do so again, and you can tell her that.”

“That will please her no end, and Frydryk as well.” Iryela’s eyes flicked to Kandryl.

“Might I have a dance?” Kandryl asked Seliora.

Seliora offered me a knowing smile. “I’d love to.”

As they swung out onto the dance floor, I offered a hand to Iryela. “Might I?”

She nodded. Once we were dancing, she said, “Thank you for setting up everything about Johanyr.”

“I’m sorry it had to end that way.”

“Given Johanyr, I’m not sure it could have ended any other way.”

“How is your mother taking it?”

That brought a bitter laugh. “How would I know? She keeps her own house at Ryealte. I sent her a letter, but she never replies to anything. We haven’t spoken in years. She won’t see me, and I won’t force it.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I’ve discovered that sometimes women are the worst of all in thinking that men should be in charge of everything. When it’s your own mother, it’s unbearable.”

I couldn’t help but think that Khethila and Seliora were both very fortunate in that regard.

“I’ve been seeing Juniae lately. Much as people deride her, I think she’s right.” Iryela looked up at me, not quite confrontationally.

“So do I. I’ve read several of her books, you know? My sister introduced me to her work.”

“It’s too bad more men don’t listen to their sisters and wives.”

“Kandryl does, you said.”

“You and he do. Sometimes, Frydryk does, but that’s only because Alynkya is quietly willful, and her father is Chief Councilor. Most men don’t.”

That was another statement I couldn’t really dispute, either, not for most men, although I had no doubts that Betara was always listened to.

As the music died away, I escorted Iryela back to Kandryl, and then reclaimed Seliora.

“What did she want?” asked my wife.

“To thank me for arranging to let them claim Johanyr’s body, and to complain about the fact that too few men listen to their wives and sisters. She’s begun to talk to Juniae D’Shendael.”

“Good.”

“Maitre Rhennthyl, Madame,” came a voice from our left.

I turned to face Commander Artois, accompanied by his wife, a muscular woman with iron-gray hair, almost as tall as her husband.

“Berthe and I wanted to pay our respects and offer thanks for the invitation.”

“The Commander of the Civic Patrol certainly belongs here,” I said cheerfully.

“As you are the first to know,” Artois said with a faint smile, “what should be and what is are seldom the same. We do appreciate your sense of propriety.”

“You are too kind,” I replied.

“That’s a word seldom applied to me,” said Artois.

Berthe turned to Seliora. “You are most beautiful, as always.”

“Thank you.”

“I understand that the Council may be making some changes,” ventured Artois. “Might any of them apply to the Civic Patrol?”

“Anything the Council does applies to everyone,” I said with a slight laugh. “It’s likely that all Civic Patrol Commanders will eventually be required to submit more standard reports to the Council. The Ferran sabotage revealed a certain lack of information.”

“If the Council limits it to that, we can all deal with it.” Artois nodded. “A pleasure to see you both looking so good. We will not keep you.”

After they stepped away, Seliora looked to me “There will be more of that.”

“So long as it’s that circumspect…” I laughed softly and took her hand.

We danced for a while longer, and then, just before ninth glass, joined the others gathered around the table where the Chief Councilor would make the traditional toast. I could hear murmurs around us.

“…think he’ll say something different?”

“…Suyrien never did…”

“…you talk to Maitre Dartazn?”

“…seems likable enough…impressive in a quiet way…”

I nodded at the last.

As the bells of the glass began to strike, Chief Councilor Ramsael eased away from where he was talking to Haestyr and Regial and their wives. He stepped toward the table, and the music stopped. Then came the drum roll and a quick trumpet call.

A uniformed server brought three bottles to the table, still corked and sealed, as was traditional. The Councilor said something, then gestured. The server removed the foil and cork from the bottle Ramsael had pointed out, then set a goblet down and poured the sparkling white wine into it.

Ramsael picked up the goblet, raised it, and declaimed, “First, with special thanks to Maitre Dartazn, without whose skills and courage this would be a far more somber occasion, and second, for Solidar, for the Council, and in thanks for a successful end to conflict!” Then he lowered the goblet and took a small swallow.

“For Solidar, for the Council, and in thanks for a successful end to conflict!” came a low echo from the bystanders. The response was far more enthusiastic than at past balls, perhaps because of the relief at the way the war-officially only a conflict-had ended.

Ramsael turned from the toasting table, and his eyes fixed on me. He nodded ever so slightly, then moved on, smiling at his young wife, and then at Alynkya, whose smile in reply appeared strained, at least to me. Frydryk seemed not to notice.