Princeps

48

Thankfully, Samedi evening and Solayi were uneventful. They were not without effort, not once Vaelora decided to try several different arrangements of furniture in the master suite on Solayi, and then, after a brief respite, in the receiving parlor.

Quaeryt also listened, commenting appropriately, as Vaelora talked once more about the lack of social invitations. He had to admit, if only to himself, that she might well be right, although he couldn’t understand why. He’d seen and read about the excesses perpetrated by other governors, and his attempts at rebuilding, reform, and reducing corruption seemed comparatively mild, almost harmless, by comparison … and he couldn’t believe that factors and High Holders would snub the Lord of Telaryn’s sister for marrying a mere scholar … would they?

Yet … if that were the reason, that suggested that he needed to find a way to implement his plans for improving the situation for scholars and imagers. All that would have to wait, of course, until he managed to get Extela back to a better semblance of order.

On Solayi evening, he managed a homily about vanity, and the fact that vanity was not merely about appearance and trappings, but about attitude … and some of the officers and rankers actually nodded in agreement.

He left the villa early on Lundi morning, and the first thing he did upon reaching the post and stabling the mare was to arrange with Heireg to have a wagon pick up Justicer Aextyl early on Mardi with a pair of rankers for an escort to the Civic Patrol station. The second thing he did was to check with the duty desk to see if any dispatches had arrived. None had. That bothered him almost as much as if Bhayar had sent orders for Third Regiment to move out immediately.

Why? he wondered, but he couldn’t answer his own question.

After that, he went from one task to another. He read several letters from young men who wanted to be clerks for the governor, and kept them for future use, because, before long, he was going to need more clerks, except at the moment he had no place for them to work, although that would change when Third Regiment left. He read through the schedule of Mardi’s hearings and the written report Pharyl had left for him. At the end of the report were a few lines about Factor Andryt noting that the factor had possessed a solid reputation for honesty and quality, if a certain stubbornness, and that Pharyl would pursue other inquiries as possible.

Especially in that light, Quaeryt couldn’t help but worry about Shenna’s meeting with Lysienk, but there was nothing he could do about that until Meredi. He also wondered when he’d hear from Dhaeryn on possible locations for a building that would house all the clerks and functions he needed to direct as governor. He pushed those thoughts away and began to reread the recommendation Aextyl had drafted in response to Caesyt’s petition. After a time, he began to write what he would say at the hearing. All in all, he was busy until he reached the villa late that afternoon … when he ended up moving recently delivered furniture in the salon, since Vaelora wanted to try several arrangements.

Mardi morning he left for the post early because he wanted to make sure that the wagon got off to pick up Aextyl, but Heireg had just sent it and two troopers off when Quaeryt rode through the post gates.

With that in hand, Quaeryt went to meet with Skarpa, and then with Dhaeryn, before returning to the courtyard almost two quints later. He mounted and rode out and down the avenue, and then to the Civic Patrol station, where he waited for about a quint until the wagon carrying Aextyl arrived.

He dismounted, handed the mare’s reins to the nearer ranker, and walked to the wagon as it pulled up. “Greetings, Justicer.”

“Good morning, Governor.”

Quaeryt extended a hand to help Aextyl down, then looked to the ranker teamster. “Shastyn, Justicer Aextyl should not be that long. I would judge it will be less than a glass, and I would appreciate your waiting nearby for him.”

“Yes, sir.”

Quaeryt and Aextyl walked from the wagon into the patrol station, past the receiving desk and the duty patroller and into the corridor behind the desk, where Pharyl hurried from his study to meet them.

“Chief Pharyl, this is former high justicer Aextyl. As I mentioned before, he will be assisting me in matters of the law this morning in the first hearing.” While Quaeryt had earlier told Pharyl, he repeated the information so that anyone who might overhear understood, as well as reminding the chief.

“I’m pleased to meet you, Justicer.”

“Thank you.”

“Could we borrow your study until the hearing begins, Chief?” asked Quaeryt.

“Of course, sir.”

Once inside the small study, Quaeryt had Aextyl sit down immediately, then handed him what he had drafted the day before. “Is this the proper way to introduce this?”

The old justicer took the sheet and read through it. “That’s acceptable. I would strike the phrase ‘who must be a High Holder.’ The high justicer always is, for the reasons we discussed earlier, and that wording is unnecessary.”

After that, Aextyl made several other small corrections.

“Is there anything else I should be worried about?”

“There are a number of motions he could make, but we don’t have time to discuss them all. Besides, you’d likely get confused. At times, I got confused.”

While Aextyl’s remark was light and meant to be humorous, Quaeryt still worried. He wasn’t a justicer, and he definitely needed to find one he could trust to be honest and impartial.

After another quint, Pharyl rapped on the door, and Quaeryt and Aextyl walked into the chamber and to the dais. As he and Aextyl seated themselves behind the simple table desk, Quaeryt glanced toward Caesyt, whose face had registered a momentary frown, followed by an impartial expression.

Quaeryt picked up the sheet he had drafted the day before, the one Aextyl had corrected, and began to read. “The justicing hearing in the city of Extela, the province of Montagne, will commence. I am Governor Quaeryt, acting as justicer. The first hearing is the petition of Holders Yepryl, Huslup, and Graustyrk versus High Holder Aramyn in the matter of the use of the waters of Minawa Creek.” He looked up. “Who represents the petitioners?”

Immediately, the stocky Caesyt, again in the black robe of an advocate, stepped forward. “Caesyt Klaesyn, representing the petitioners.”

“The petition you have lodged requests that the defendant, High Holder Aramyn, cease and desist in diverting a fourth part of the waters of Minawa Creek, reserving those waters for stakeholders downstream, to wit, Holders Yepryl, Huslup, and Graustyrk. Is that correct, Advocate Caesyt?”

“It is, Honorable Justicer.”

Before Quaeryt could say another word, Caesyt immediately added, “In view of the gravity of the situation, with spring planting already under way, I would move, in view of the fact that the defendant has not responded to the petition, that you grant the terms of the petition in summary judgment.” The advocate smiled politely.

“Your motion is noted,” Quaeryt replied, then leaned toward Aextyl, murmuring, “denied, because the defendant has responded?”

Aextyl nodded.

“Advocate Caesyt, because the defendant has offered a rebuttal to your petition, your motion is denied.”

“Honorable Justicer, I move that the petition be forwarded to the High Justicer of Telaryn, without recommendation, on the grounds that, as governor, your interest in the resolution of the petition cannot be impartial.”

“Your motion is noted.” Quaeryt didn’t even try to suggest a response, but again leaned toward Aextyl.

Aextyl murmured a suggested response, and Quaeryt repeated it.

“Advocate Caesyt, your motion is denied, under the precedent of Gubernatorial Supersedense, which provides that a provincial governor may act as justicer for up to two months after his appointment.” Quaeryt’s eyes flicked momentarily to Aextyl, who watched Caesyt intently. “In accordance with the laws of Telaryn, which require any petition or case involving the person or the rights of a High Holder be referred to the High Justicer of Telaryn, I am hereby making such a referral, along with my recommendation for a finding. You will be provided a copy of that recommendation in due order, according to the laws of Telaryn.” He paused briefly, then added, “The hearing on the petition is concluded. There will be a brief recess before the next hearing.”

Caesyt looked hard at Quaeryt, then at Aextyl, before inclining his head briefly, then saying politely, “Good day, Honorable Justicer.”

Quaeryt offered Aextyl a hand to help the old justicer off the dais. “Thank you.”

“I did very little.”

“Your presence kept Caesyt from offering motions that I wouldn’t have known what to do with.” He paused. “I think I may ride out to see that young advocate you mentioned. Tomorrow, in fact.”

Aextyl laughed softly. “I wrote him that you might.”

“Good.”

Quaeryt walked slowly beside Aextyl, out through the Civic Patrol station, outside and then helped him onto the wagon. Once Aextyl was settled on the seat beside the teamster, Quaeryt handed a small cloth bag to the justicer. “Your fee, counselor.”

Aextyl eased open the bag, then shook his head. “That’s too much.”

“Not with Caesyt waiting to pounce on any legal irregularity it isn’t. I do appreciate your counsel and your presence. All I ask is that you ride home and get some rest.”

“I can do that, Governor.” Aextyl smiled widely.

“Good.”

Quaeryt waited until the wagon and the two escort troopers were on their way before turning and walking back to the patrol station. He was relieved that he’d dispatched the petition, but worried about how tired Aextyl had been. Still … without the advice of the former justicer, things might well have gone differently, and not nearly so well.

He still needed to hear the three other offenses.