Princeps

50

By late afternoon on Vendrei, Quaeryt had to admit that he was tired. He’d ridden through Extela on several occasions over the past two days with Ghaelt, the post engineer, looking at buildings and locations, before finally deciding on building a new structure on an empty lot a mille north of the post. Obtaining the land had cost another fifty golds from the treasury, but the plot was close to the existing sewers and aqueduct extensions, and Dhaeryn and Ghaelt had set to work on drawing up plans. Quaeryt had also spent glass after glass going over the tariff listings. When he had noted that some of the factors he’d come in contact with, such as Hyleor and Lysienk, weren’t even listed, he sent Baharyt out with the task of walking the main streets of Extela and jotting down every shop and factorage. That would mean, when the clerk finished, that Quaeryt and Jhalyt would have to go back and check the tariff listings against Baharyt’s list. It would also likely result in greater tariff collections.

Quaeryt hadn’t heard from Bieryn, either, and didn’t expect to until the following week, but he admitted to himself that he’d hoped he would. Pharyl had reported another ten recruits were undergoing training as potential civic patrollers, and the number of evening patrols had increased by two. Even so, it wasn’t likely that full evening patrols would be possible until late summer or early harvest.

No one had contacted him about Lysienk or even mentioned the factor’s name again, except Shenna. Quaeryt had told her to wait to hear from the factor for several days, and if she didn’t, to pursue other suppliers and factors. On Vendrei morning, Shenna reported to Vaelora and Quaeryt, just before he had left for the post, that Lysienk had died on a morning ride, and that his wife was selling off everything that she could.

Quaeryt leaned back in the chair inside the small post study, reflecting that it would be good to have a place where he could actually feel as though he was the governor, but, he reminded himself, he’d essentially had to rebuild not only parts of the city, but most of the provincial governing structure, and he was still a long ways from completing that task.

“Governor?”

“Yes?”

“Justicer Tharyn here to see you.”

Tharyn was one of the last people Quaeryt wanted to see, but he forced a cheerful tone into his voice. “Have him come in.”

When Tharyn stepped into the small study, Quaeryt motioned him to a chair. “Good afternoon, Tharyn. What can I do for you?”

“Governor, I noticed that you are still acting as justicer.”

“For the time being.”

“I also heard that High Justicer Aextyl was helping you, and he died right after.”

“High Justicer Aextyl had been in frail health for some time. That was why I did not consider him as a possible justicer. I did consult with him to make sure my decisions and recommendations were couched in the proper legal terms. I was very sad to learn of his death.”

“Other folks, maybe some in places like Solis, might not see it that way.”

“Oh?” Quaeryt kept his voice genial. “Justicer Aextyl was very helpful, and I was most careful not to tax his health. How would anyone think it otherwise?”

“There are always those who’d believe the worst, especially if those who didn’t receive the most favorable decisions … recommendations … wanted to cause trouble.”

“There are always those who want to cause trouble.” Quaeryt smiled, trying not to seem false, but fearing that he did. “I do appreciate your concerns. You’re being most thoughtful.”

“Thank you, Governor. I always try to be thoughtful … and grateful to those who give me reason to be grateful.”

“I’m certain you do.”

“Seeing as you haven’t yet decided on who you might be appointing as justicers here in Montagne, I just thought I’d stop by and see how you were coming on making those decisions. I mean, I know you’re looking for experience, and you’d likely be wanting those who know how things are, and wouldn’t be wanting to cause you difficulties.”

“That’s very true,” replied Quaeryt. “I am considering those very things, and I appreciate your bringing them to my attention.” He paused. “Who would you say the most effective advocates in Extela are?”

“Be depending on what you mean by effective, Governor. Advocate Warolyt, he’s been good at representing the High Holders around Extela. Advocate Caesyt … he’s kept many a poor man from being branded when he shouldn’t have been…”

Quaeryt listened for close to half a quint before Tharyn came to an end.

“… and that’s why I really think I could do you some good as a justicer, knowing like I do which advocates do what.”

“You make a very convincing case, Tharyn, and I’ll keep your words in mind when I finally make a decision.” And Quaeryt would … if not exactly in the way that Tharyn might have hoped.

When Quaeryt finally reached the villa that evening, Vaelora greeted him as he stepped onto the portico, out of the light drizzle that had oozed out of the northwest and over Extela that afternoon.

“You look more cheerful,” observed Quaeryt.

“We finally got an invitation to a dinner.”

“Where?”

“High Holder Aramyn’s. It’s a week from tomorrow.” Vaelora paused. “We don’t have a coach or even a wagon.”

Quaeryt studied her face. “I take it that you have located a coach? Where?”

“Ah … there are two for sale, through the livery stable on the south avenue. The more … suitable one belonged to Factor Lysienk.”

Quaeryt nodded slowly. “Shenna had said his widow was selling many items.”

“She wishes to leave Extela. He had two coaches. She will keep but one.”

“What about a team?”

“Two grays come with the coach.”

“How much?”

“Thirty golds for coach and team.”

“I suppose we should purchase them.”

“Good. I already did. They will be here tomorrow.”

“You didn’t have to … A governor does deserve a coach.”

Vaelora smiled. “I know. I thought you, the treasury, more properly, could reimburse me.”

Quaeryt laughed ruefully. “What’s for dinner?”

“Stuffed fowl and sundry other accompaniments.”

“Sundry other?”

“Maize and mushroom stuffing, early asparagus, and lace-fried potatoes.”

“That will be good.” He extended his arm, and they walked across the portico and into the governor’s villa.