Ordermaster

XXXVII

Lord Ghrant did not summon Kharl until twoday afternoon.

In the meantime, Kharl had taken the time to work out an arrangement with Hagen that, the next time one of Hagen’s ships ported in Brysta, he would pay for someone to travel to Merayni’s and Dowsyl’s with a message for Warrl-and passage to Valmurl, or if possible, to Cantyl itself. He still had no word on whether his earlier message had reached Peachill.

“You realize that my man can’t force the boy?” Hagen said.

“I know, but if his aunt knows I have lands here …”

“They may not agree.”

Kharl had taken a deep breath. “I know, but I have to try.”

“We’ll do what we can,” Hagen had replied.

Kharl could only hope that it would suffice.

After taking care of that detail, all he could do was study The Basis of Order and wait for the meeting with Lord Ghrant. When he was summoned, he was surprised to find that their meeting was not in the audience hall, but in Ghrant’s private study, a room that was far larger than the sitting rooms of some mansions, Kharl realized as he glanced around a chamber measuring a good thirty cubits in length and twenty in width. Dark wood paneling covered the walls, except for the ceiling-to-floor bookshelves on the long inside wall, shelves of the same dark wood as the paneling. The outside long wall was mainly of windows, separated by stretches of bookshelves, also floor to ceiling.

Ghrant was seated at an ornate desk of black oak and lorken. The pedestal legs were ornately carved with figures that Kharl did not recognize. Kharl sat in a wooden armchair upholstered in dark green, directly across the desk from Ghrant. None of the lamps in the study had been lit, despite the heavy gray clouds and the sullen drizzling rain that had fallen most of the day. Ghrant’s face was in shadow as he looked at Kharl, although the mage could see the lord clearly enough.

“Ser Kharl … all of Austra should be most grateful to you. Most willnot be, but I am a grateful ruler.” A faint smile crossed the younger man’s face.

“I did what I thought was best, ser.”

“That is to your credit, and to our benefit.” The slender lord coughed once, then cleared his throat. “The lord-chancellor has conveyed your concerns. Those concerns also speak well of you. Still … I must honor you, if only for my own sake, foremost as an upper lord, and with tangible reward as well.” Ghrant forced a laugh. “I cannot allow it to be said that I was a lord who did not reward the mage who saved his land.”

Kharl nodded, knowing from whom those words had come.

“Your actions in defense of Austra were greater magery than has been seen in generations, and even I know that such magery risked your life-and more. Your skill and courage kept Austra from falling under the mailed fist of Hamor. While I respect your modesty and prudence, I must reward you. You have expressed fondness for forests. I inherited a great woods from my late brother. I have had little time to treat it as it should have been. In fact, until recently, I was not even aware that it had come to me. Since it adjoins Cantyl, and I have no other holdings nearby, it would seem to be a perfect match for me to transfer that woodland to you.”

“Your lordship is most generous. Most generous.”

“I’m not generous at all, Lord Kharl. But these are hard times for Austra, as you have recognized, and I am happy to be able to reward you in a manner that is good for us both. Your modesty and forbearance are also received with great gratitude. For those, not only will you receive my thanks, but also a purse of five hundred golds to help you and your retainers in taking over and managing the forest. Lord Hagen will provide that to you.” Ghrant smiled. “And I will listen most favorably to any reasonable request you put forth, either now or in the future.”

“Thank you, your lordship.” Kharl inclined his head.

“What had you thought to do, now?”

“I had thought to return to Cantyl, your lordship. I had scarcely time to learn of the lands, before … this.”

Ghrant laughed, more warmly than before. “That is true. You have been so great a help that it is hard to remember that you are not from Austra. But your loyalty is far greater than that of many whose families have lived and prospered here for many generations.”

“I have seen justice abused, your lordship. I saw wrongs committedbecause a lord had greater power than others. I could do nothing about it in Nordla. I would not see that happen here in Austra. You should have the right to rule justly.”

Ghrant smiled-faintly once more. “Between you and my lord-chancellor, I doubt that I will have much choice but to rule justly. I am fortunate that your support has allowed me that ability.”

Kharl realized that Ghrant had read more into Kharl’s words than the mage had meant. “I fear you misunderstood, your lordship. I had only meant to say that your heart told you to rule justly, but that others would have preferred an unjust rule so that they could gain from it.”

Ghrant’s smile widened slightly. “You speak as you believe, ser Kharl, and that is rare indeed in dealing with rulers.”

“That is also dangerous, ser, and as I have learned, not always to your benefit.”

“You have learned, and that is more than most in these days.” Ghrant nodded and rose.

Kharl quickly stood, bowing slightly.

“I wish you well on your return to Cantyl. I trust that will enjoy your lands without interruption and hope that I will not soon need to call upon your talents.”

“Begging your pardon, ser, I hope the same. I wish you and your family a warm spring and a pleasant summer, and I thank you for all that you have provided for me.”

Kharl could feel the lord’s eyes on his back as he left the study, but he did not sense either anger or chaos.