Ordermaster

XXXIII

On fiveday afternoon, Kharl stood to the right of Hagen in the audience hall, a half pace back, watching as Lord Deroh walked toward Lord Ghrant, who remained seated in the high-backed chair. Unlike the last time, Ghrant was attired almost entirely in black, with but just enough green trim that he would not be mistaken for a mage.

The angular and dark-bearded Deroh stopped several paces short of the dais and turned his head. He stared directly at Kharl, and his face seemed to narrow. After a long moment, he spoke, in a hard and deep bass voice, “Are you going to strike me dead, mage? The way you did Guillam.”

The sardonic words seemed to fill the chamber.

Kharl looked steadily back at Deroh. He felt no guilt about what happened to the corrupt chief factor, and his eyes did not answer.

“Lord Deroh,” said Ghrant, his voice thin by comparison, “you answer to me, not to my mages.”

“Of course, your lordship.” Deroh turned and bowed deeply, then took two more steps and bowed again.

Kharl understood exactly what Deroh had done. In a way, he had to respect the lord for making that statement, and in another way, it irritated Kharl, because it implied that Kharl was just a tool of execution. The mage repressed an ironic smile as he realized that irritation had also been planted by Deroh’s question. Once more, Kharl had gotten a lesson in the halls of power.

“I am here at your request, your lordship.” Deroh inclined his head after his words.

“Your presence was commanded because of your apparent support for the late and rebellious lords. Rather than begin with questions, I give you leave to explain, as I am most certain you will, Lord Deroh.”

“My support, as you termed it, my lordship, was more apparent than real. I did not provide armsmen or lancers. Nor did I encourage any other lord to become disrespectful of your lordship or rebellious.”

Kharl watched and listened. Only the last words bore a hint of untruth, but those preceding them had felt accurate to Kharl.

Hagen glanced sideways at Kharl.

The mage leaned forward and murmured, “He tells the truth. So far.”

In turn, Hagen nodded ever so slightly to Lord Ghrant.

“Why did you grant such apparent support, Lord Deroh?”

“What choice did I have, your lordship? Malcor and Hensolas had armies at my door. Your forces were far removed from my lands. I dared not profess open loyalty, not after I saw what happened to Vertyn and Lahoryn.”

“Would you have provided such apparent support if you had not been so coerced?”

“Why would any sensible lord do otherwise?” A touch of sardonicism edged the dark and lean lord’s words.

“I do not believe you answered my question, Lord Deroh.”

“No. Matters as they had been were much to be preferred over what those rebelling promised.”

Again, Kharl could sense some equivocation, and he definitely had the impression that while Deroh probably had to have been coerced, it had not taken much pressure. Still … the lord was being fairly accurate as to how he had acted and felt.

“That is less than a ringing declaration of support for your lord.” Ghrant’s voice dripped acid.

“It is support, your lordship. I had great fondness for your sire, but I had not had the chance to come to know you.”

“I did not notice you hurrying to Valmurl to pay your respects, Lord Deroh.”

“No, your lordship. Before I could, I found Lord Malcor and Lord Hensolas on my doorstep.”

That statement rang as true as anything Deroh had said, if not more so, and Kharl whispered that to Hagen.

“Yet you did not warn me?”

“Had I risked sending a message such as that, your lordship, I risked everything. They had four white wizards, and none knew then of the power of Lord Kharl.”

“That is true. None did. A sad thing it is when the lords of a land mustweigh power over duty. We shall make sure that none of you ever face that choice again.”

Deroh paled slightly at Ghrant’s words, but did not reply.

“We will consider your statements, Lord Deroh, and reflect upon them overnight. You will remain here as our guest until I offer my judgment in the morning.”

Deroh bowed. “I await your judgment, your lordship.”

“You may retire.”

After Deroh had left the chamber, Lord Ghrant rose, without another word, and departed as well.

Kharl followed Hagen back to the lord-chancellor’s study. Neither man spoke until after Kharl had closed the door, and they were seated across the table desk from each other.

“What is your feeling about the most honorable Lord Deroh?” Hagen’s voice was dry.

“He cares little for Lord Ghrant, but he cared far less for Malcor and Hensolas. He was loyal, I would judge, only so long as it suited him.”

“That could be said of many lords over the history of Austra, indeed, of any land.” Hagen leaned back in his chair, just slightly, but his eyes never left Kharl. “What would you do?”

Kharl didn’t want to answer directly. “All of those who joined the revolt are guilty to some degree. That includes those like Deroh who provided golds. He’s less guilty, by far. I’m not a justicer or a ruler, but if you punish them all, what reason is there for anyone to support Lord Ghrant? Yet, if he ignores their guilt, he might appear either weak or stupid. Also, if he pardons them, some might say that shows weakness.”

“After what you did to the white wizards and the four lords who spearheaded the revolt, some form of mercy might not be considered as weak as it might otherwise.”

“Then he should pardon them, but require some golds to repay him for all the costs of the rebellion.” Kharl offered a crooked smile. “After all, if they were willing to part with golds to those they did not support willingly, they should certainly be willing to help rebuild Austra and support the rightful ruler.”

Hagen laughed. “For a former cooper, ser Kharl …”

“How will Lord Ghrant deal with Deroh, do you think?” Kharl paused. “Or should I ask what you will suggest as punishment?”

Hagen shrugged. “As you have said, most of them are guilty. I wouldsuggest that Lord Ghrant find him guilty, technically, but pardon his actions because of the necessity facing him.”

“What of the others he will see?”

“Much the same. I would hope that he finds them all guilty, then pardons all of them, save Azeolis.”

“What of Azeolis? The last I heard, he was harassing Casolan.”

“Casolan, once he heard of your victory, turned and crushed Azeolis’s forces. He captured Azeolis and brought him to the Great House, trussed like a fowl.”

“I thought Azeolis had pledged to Lord Ghrant?”

“He did so in haste as Casolan was bearing down upon him.” Hagen laughed. “It is easy to do so when you fear worse.”

“Does he have heirs?”

“He has two sons living, and a daughter. His consort died three years ago. I imagine Lord Ghrant will be merciful and allow them exile. The lands … Lord Ghrant will grant as he sees fit.”

“Perhaps to Norgen or Casolan? Or split them between the two?”

“That might be too generous. The lands are extensive.” Hagen frowned. “He should keep some for a time. His coffers are near empty. Perhaps an eighth part each to his faithful commanders.”

“What if he suggested that he was holding that part only for a time? Perhaps appoint an honest custodian, but one not beholden to him. He could still take the golds until he bestowed the lands, and by giving some to Casolan and Norgen …?”

“That might be best.” Hagen nodded. “Lord Ghrant will reward you, as well.”

“I have enough land, with Cantyl,” Kharl replied.

“The forest to the south of Cantyl is now Lord Ghrant’s. It was Ilteron′s, and so seldom mentioned that I was not even aware that it had come to Lord Ghrant, and”-Hagen grinned momentarily-“I understand that there are a few squares where there are white oaks. Not enough for commercial timbering, but enough for a cooper. There is also a cherry orchard, which has been neglected.”

“I leave that in your hands, ser. I have been well rewarded.”

“A modest additional reward, and the gratitude of Lord Ghrant. That is not too much for the mage who saved a land for its ruler.” Hagen’s tone was firm. “A ruler must always be seen to be fair.” He rose. “I am to meet Lord Ghrant. We will talk later.”

After leaving Hagen, Kharl walked slowly toward the steps to the north tower. He needed time to think, in a place where he didn’t feel walls all around him.

His steps were slow as he climbed to the top of the tower, then crossed to the eastern side, from where he could see all of Valmurl.

He had very mixed feelings about greater rewards. By the standards of what he had done, what Hagen had proposed was fair. Yet Kharl couldn’t help feeling uneasy about it. He’d received what amounted to a fortune, albeit smaller than that of a greatholder, for destroying Ghrant’s enemies. He’d accomplished that through the twisted application of order, uses which he doubted that true order-mages would have approved. When he had been a cooper, providing honest crafting for folk like himself, he’d needed to worry over every copper. If he had not had to worry so much, then perhaps Arthal …

He shook his head. More coppers would not have changed what had happened or what Arthal felt.

Now he needed to worry about coins little, provided he was even halfway careful, although he had done little constructive, and great destruction. He paused in thought. Yet … was not preserving a land from rebellion and chaos constructive?

He shook his head. It had been the lesser of two evils, and he disliked having been put in that position. But was that what having power meant? In a way, he envied Lyras, with his berry bushes. Yet … the white wizards would have killed Lyras had Kharl not come to Austra and done as he did.

Kharl looked out over Valmurl, the afternoon sun on his back.