Quaeryt was more than glad for the “light fare” provided by Fhaedyrk, because he and Skeryl and the squad didn’t return to the palace until after eighth glass on Meredi night. Although he was exhausted from holding shields almost all of the way back, it was close to midnight before he finally got to sleep. After breakfast on Jeudi morning, he made his way to his study, where he wrote his weekly dispatch to Bhayar, and then started in on another letter to Vaelora, spurred in part, he had to admit, by the strange similarity of expression between Laekyna and Bhayar’s sister.
Are you sure you’re not recalling what you wish to recall?
That was a question for which he had no answer, because, as in so many things, he just did not know. What he did know was that he needed to write her again, for more than one reason.
Mistress Vaelora-
Over the past week I have met with two High Holders, and both were very respectful of the governor. Unfortunately, neither was especially pleased with the views expressed by the local community of scholars, and in particular, both were displeased with rumors about the acts of a very few senior scholars. As a result, tomorrow I will be making an official visit to the Ecoliae, with a company of cavalry at my back. The governor, the princeps, and I all hope that such a force is unnecessary, but it appears as though there may be certain ties between some of the more senior scholars and the hill holders who have created continual difficulties for the governor.
This situation, unhappily, reinforces my belief that scholars serve best when seen as advisors and sources of information. An advisor who is perceived as an instrument of action, either for or against a ruler, whether or not that perception is correct, loses the imprimatur of impartiality, just as an administrator or governor who acts in his own interests, rather than in the interests of the lord of the land, loses the lord’s trust. Scholars are more vulnerable, alas, because we lack the power of those who can marshal arms, men, or golds. That is why it is important that any perception of illicit acts be removed as soon as practicable. This must be accomplished in an open manner, while limiting the corrective actions to those who are indeed guilty of such transgressions. I can only hope that I can be of some service to both Lord Bhayar and the honest scholars in this matter.
In your earlier missives, you had discussed the role of those who advise, and the limitations and circumstances that affect how such advice may be received, but I fear the greatest limitation may be that of distance, except, of course, when the advice is lacking in quality and thought, and then distance becomes a blessing … but I hope that my distance from you and Lord Bhayar never becomes that particular blessing.…
After attempting humorous comments on advice, Quaeryt added a few lines about the weather and Vaelora’s kindness in continuing the correspondence, then closed and sealed the letter.
At just before the third glass of the afternoon, Vhorym summoned Quaeryt to the princeps’s study. As the scholar entered, Straesyr motioned for him to close the door and sit down. Quaeryt did both … and waited to see what the princeps had to say. Not for the first time, Quaeryt had the feeling that Straesyr wore his tunic and trousers-both always crisp-as if they constituted a uniform.
“You are going to see the scholars tomorrow-with a company at your back. This may create certain difficulties, but then, as you have pointed out, the scholars have created a host of other problems. While neither the governor nor I anticipate your having difficulty with the scholars, you are empowered to act with the authority of a battalion major if anything should go awry. If there are significant difficulties, you are not to hesitate to use that authority.”
That means you have some expectation of trouble. “Yes, sir.”
“There are times when it is best to deliver a message and depart. There are times when it is best to go beyond that. The senior officer present has to decide. Tomorrow, you will be that senior officer. Because you are not normally placed in such a position, I wish to make that clear.”
“Yes, sir.”
“That’s all.”
When Quaeryt returned to his study, he was more than a little concerned. He also didn’t know whether Straesyr’s instructions were designed to make him more vigilant or a subtle way of assuring that he would overreact.
By the time he left his study, he still had not been able to discern what lay behind Straesyr’s instructions, but he did remember to stop by his quarters and don his undress jacket to wear to mess night. That took longer than he’d anticipated, and he had to hurry to reach the officers’ mess before the governor appeared.
“You had quite a ride the other day, sir,” observed Haestyn as Quaeryt approached. “The jacket makes you look like a scholar officer.”
“I think that was the princeps’s idea,” replied Quaeryt with a smile.
“Skeryl was impressed with the fare that High Holder laid out for them.”
“High Holder Fhaedyrk was kind and courteous-”
“All rise!”
Since he was still standing, Quaeryt merely stiffened.
“As you were,” called out Rescalyn. “Please be seated. I do have a few words.”
Chairs shuffled as the officers seated themselves.
“As some of the battalion majors know, the holders in and south of the Boran Hills have been quiet lately. Those of you who have been here a time know that, usually, but not always, such quiet is often followed by some sort of action by not just one holder, but by a number. I would like to say that the hill holders are finally accepting that they are a part of Telaryn. I doubt that I can. If this is like other times, we may need to send reinforcements to Boralieu. I am merely offering you an observation at present. I do hope that it remains such.” Rescalyn smiled ironically. “In the meantime, enjoy your fare.” He seated himself.
In the momentary silence, Quaeryt poured himself a lager rather than wine, then took a swallow. It wasn’t a fraction as good as what Fhaedyrk had served.
For a time, as the meal progressed he mostly listened.
“It seems like every year we’ve got a problem with the hill holders,” said Dueryl. “I still don’t see why.”
“It goes way back,” replied Haestyn. “Years ago, my uncle said, except I guess it was hundreds of years back, there weren’t any High Holders and hill holders. There were only holders. The Khanar offered special privileges to those holders who recognized and supported him, and who limited the number of men-at-arms. He also pledged to defend them against any other holder who attacked them. He called them High Holders. The hill holders and some of the others refused to reduce the size of their forces. They claimed the Khanar couldn’t protect them.” The captain shrugged. “I don’t know if it’s true or not, but that’s what he said.”
“You’re a scholar,” noted Dueryl, looking to Quaeryt. “Is that true?”
“I don’t know. There’s nothing in the histories I’ve read…” He paused. What was it that he’d read? He tried to remember for several moments before it came to him. “There is something called the Charter, but I never found anything about what it contained.”
“That’s what he called it,” interjected Haestyn. “Now, I remember.”
Quaeryt wanted to hit himself alongside his head. That explained a great deal about the hill holders, but it raised more than a few other questions, such as why the governors hadn’t tried to include the hill holders in the similar arrangement later offered to the High Holders. Or had they, and been refused?
He couldn’t help wondering if he’d ever understand all undercurrents that swirled through Tilbor.