L. E.Modesitt - Imager’s Intrigue

“So how can you arrange an explosion without a rationale?”

“I don’t believe I said anything about arranging something like that. I was merely aware of it, as were you.”

There wasn’t any point in pursuing that. “I presume that you’re watching the Naval yards and piers closely these days.”

“Far more closely.” He smiled politely. “What else can we do?”

I changed the subject. “Just how capable are the Navy’s fleets in limiting the Ferran and Stakanaran…adventuring? I understand that there’s been some debate in the Council. Do you really have enough capital ships?”

“We do the best we can with what we have. For the past ten years, the High Command has been recommending an expansion of thirty capital ships to deal with the increased numbers of Ferran warcraft. We also need more smaller vessels. So far, although we’ve been outnumbered at times, our tactics and training have proved superior. We cannot count on that continuing.”

“What about the ten capital vessels under debate?”

“They would provide a good beginning for fleet modernization.” Geuffryt smiled. “This proposal has been brought up before, and it has been turned down on the grounds that the Council would have to increase taxes to pay for the construction and fitting out.”

“And the factors oppose any more taxes on finished goods, while the High Holders oppose Glendyl’s value-added tax?”

“The Navy does not take sides on issues before the Council, Maitre Rhennthyl. We only know what it takes to protect Solidar, and we convey that to the Council.”

“In short, the Council doesn’t seem to be listening?”

“The Council has received our reports and recommendations. It governs Solidar, and it must make the choices on how to raise revenues and how to spend them. We offer our best counsel and live with their decisions.”

Polite as his words were, Geuffryt obviously had some concerns with the funding for the Navy.

“Have the Stakanarans been increasing their fleets?”

“They’ve been building a substantial number of fast, shallow-draft gunboats in order to control the coastline of Otelyrn. They’ve also added ten or eleven capital ships.”

We talked for another half glass, but while I learned a bit more about the comparative strengths of other Naval forces around Terahnar and slightly more about the extent of his duties and sources of information, it wasn’t much more than I had already surmised…or learned.

When I returned to the Collegium, I put in another three glasses reading reports and trying to get a better feel of what had been happening all across Solidar. By the time I spent all that effort, not that I was anywhere close to being finished, my head was aching, and my eyes were burning, and I was ready to leave and walk home.

I just hoped that Seliora and Klysia were finished with the heavy cleaning…and that Diestrya was in a cheerful mood.

When I woke on Samedi morning, I could raise and hold my full shields without pain or extra effort, but I had the feeling that I’d be in more than poor shape if much impacted them. That decided, I lowered them and washed up, gingerly because all too many parts of my body were still sore, although the purple had faded to a faint, if hideous, yellow. Seliora had taken pity on me and had dealt largely with Diestrya for the past few days, but I did help in getting Diestrya dressed before we headed down to breakfast.

We were close to finishing when Seliora said, firmly, just short of sharply, “Rhenn!”

“What?”

“Your mind is somewhere else. I’ve asked you twice what you’re thinking.”

“Oh…” I managed a sheepish grin. “About…things.”

She shook her head. “Just finish up and go to your Collegium study and read all those reports you’re worrying about. Diestrya and I will be fine.”

“Is Shomyr’s party still today?”

Seliora looked at me. “Are you sure you should go?”

“Why not? All I’ve done is talk to people and read reports.”

“You’re not yourself yet…are you?”

“No…but I can hold my shields for a bit and do some imaging.” I grinned. “Besides, I’ll be with you, and you’re very good with the pistol.”

“Mother would appreciate it…”

“In other words, we really should go.”

“Then that’s settled.” She paused, then added, “I’ll have a mid-day meal around half-past noon.”

“I’ll be here. If you don’t mind, I’ll go back afterwards and work until a bit before fourth glass. That should give us enough time, shouldn’t it?”

She did smile.

Even with a break to eat, the day was long, and by the time I set aside the reports and replaced them in the cabinets at a quint before fourth glass, my head was aching again. I did feel that I had a better grip on what was happening in Solidar. Mostly, though, I had an even greater conviction that someone very clever had been working for years to set up and implement a large-scale plan to disrupt everything in Solidar, putting bits and pieces in place one at a time, with no one piece or part indicating much about the overall plan.

Seliora and Diestrya were waiting when I got back from the administration building.

“We’re ready.”

“Good.” We walked from the house across the Bridge of Desires.

We only waited a few moments before a newer hack appeared with a driver who wore a neatly brushed brown wool jacket and matching gloves and boots.

“Where to, sir?”

“Nordroad and Hagahl Lane.”

“Yes, sir.”

I opened the door and let Seliora climb up and in before helping Diestrya in after her and then following them.

“Did you find out any more that you needed to know?” she asked after the hacker pulled out onto West River Road, heading north to the Nord Bridge.

“Oh…I’m still trying to put the pieces together, but it’s getting clearer. We’ll have to see.” After a moment, I asked, “Do you think Odelia and Kolasyn will be there?”

“I’d think so. They were asked. But…after everything…”

“You have your doubts,” I said.

“I do.”

“Mama doubts,” said Diestrya.

“Yes, she does,” agreed Seliora. “You will, too, when you’re older.”

We crossed the bridge and were a mille up the Boulevard D’Este when the hack turned west onto Lyrique-away from the theatre district.

“He shouldn’t be turning here,” said Seliora.

“No. I think we’re in for some difficulty. Can you deal with the hacker?” I murmured. “If necessary?”

Seliora nodded.

The hack slowed as it jolted over uneven pavement in a narrow alleyway. Then it came to a stop in a what looked to be a vacant loading yard behind a ware house whose wagon docks were boarded shut. The hacker vaulted down and opened the door, stepping back. “There are some people who wish to see you. I do trust that you won’t make this any messier than necessary.”

As he spoke, I finally located four men standing in the shadows, dressed in the same light-absorbing garb I’d seen before. I nudged Seliora.

She shifted her weight on the coach seat, if to ready herself to step out, then said, “Oh…I wouldn’t want to cause you any trouble.”

As the brigand hacker started to smile, she fired her pistol. Once was enough, since the bullet went right through the middle of his forehead.

While she was engaged, I imaged small chunks of stone into the hearts of the four brigands with the wide-barreled weapons.

Even so…one of them did manage to fire his weapon, and a second weapon went off when the attacker dropped it on the stones before he pitched forward. The explosions were like small cannon…or so it seemed. My shields held…barely, and what amounted to small grapeshot rattled across the uneven stones of the loading yard. I was so dizzy that I had to put out a hand against the inside panel of coach to steady myself.