Treason, p.35
Treason, page 35
part #1 of Treason and Truth Series
“Landis?”
“I’d agree, Your Majesty. We don’t know what is planned and there is always the chance that Gad’s immediate employers will simply find another operative and carry out the plan that way. We don’t even know if Gad will execute the next plan.”
“Are we certain there is one?”
Wynfeld answered, “I think so, but I haven’t got a clue what, sir. Hob Fullerton certainly thought there is one. We might be lucky and find out some other way, but Gad keeps plans close to his chest. We know that from Hillbeck’s experience.”
Adeone made the decision. “Right, then I think, at least for today, we’ll leave him free; however, if you find he’s giving you nothing at all he is to be arrested. Is that understood, gentlemen? I’m not leaving him free unless he is giving us something.”
Wynfeld and Landis both agreed, and Merchant Chapa raised an eyebrow slightly. Adeone signalled dismissal to Wynfeld and Landis, and when they’d gone, turned back to the Chief Merchant.
“You know, cousin, I have the feeling that decision wasn’t the wisest.”
“If it’s any consolation, I think your father would have made the same one, Sire. He was all for removing threats, but he did like to get information from them first.”
“I know. I’m sorry Gad came to you though.”
Merchant Chapa shrugged. “It’s not a problem, sir. If he’d gone elsewhere, we’d never have known he was impersonating Fullerton.”
“That’s true I suppose. Thank you for informing me.”
“I didn’t intend to, Your Majesty. I intended to ask why observation had been started on visiting merchants. That was all.”
Adeone regarded him shrewdly. “They have been following the real Hob Fullerton since he entered Oedran because Jones in Garth alerted Wynfeld to the fact that he was feeling aggrieved…” Adeone carried on explaining before saying “We only watch people we’re concerned about. Ninety-nine per cent of merchants in Oedran remain unmolested. Fullerton was a bit of an exception to the rule. Gad was probably trying to find out how much you knew.”
“Nothing. That would have come across plainly enough.”
“Good. Right, was that all, cousin?”
“As I’m here, Sire…”
Adeone inwardly sighed. He liked his mother’s cousin, he really did, but he wished that once, just once, the answer to his question would be ‘yes’.
The Chief Merchant finally left and Adeone put the list he’d made to one side. He’d consider the suggestions when he had a couple of days to spare. Ones like setting up a yearly trading fair, like the Frander of Byfa, would take that long on their own.
Chapter 60
UNCERTAIN PLANS
Imperadai, Week 25 – 4th Ralal, 4th Ralis 1210
Inner Office
AN ALUNA-MONTH LATER, Adeone called everyone back together. No-one had been idle in those four weeks. Gad had stopped looking over his shoulder so regularly. He had led them to several houses of apparently law-abiding citizens with dual personalities. Given time, Wynfeld would investigate them. Merchant Chapa had been left alone, as had his family. Adeone was relieved; he didn’t need his cousins targeted.
He asked, “Do we know what Gad is planning yet?”
Wynfeld answered honestly, “No, Sire. We’ll find out though.”
“What about Hob Fullerton? Has he been of any use?”
“Some, sir. Gad hasn’t approached him again, but he has been watching him. He hasn’t heard we pulled the merchant in for questioning. He, himself, was attempting to deceive the Chief Merchant at the time, but he hasn’t found out subsequently. We think if he had, he’d have killed Merchant Fullerton and gone to ground.”
“As an aside, do we know if the Chief Merchant is planning to retire?”
Wynfeld said, “From what we can find out, it is certainly on the cards. I think his eldest son might be able to tell Your Majesty.”
“Then I’ll talk to Nicholas. I need to know, but I’d also like to know why he hasn’t told me himself.”
“I doubt it’s for any nefarious reason, Sire,” replied Landis. “I expect he doesn’t want a fuss. He’s been Chief Merchant for many years.”
“Quite. Right, how long will you request I leave Gad free for this time?”
“I’d say until the middle of spring, Sire. He might lead us elsewhere.”
“Wynfeld?”
The captain replied levelly, “That’s about what I thought, Sire. Then review the situation again. He’s not slipped through our fingers for weeks now. I’ve our scryer keeping an eye on him at times as well.”
“Good. All right, Captain, keep me updated. That’s all for now.”
Wynfeld saluted and left, leaving Landis and Adeone eyeing each other.
“He’s still doing a good job,” remarked Landis.
“I know. Which is why I’m leaving him there for the moment. Without discussion on the matter, Festus.”
“I can take a hint.”
“So, it’s true, there is a first time for everything.” Adeone got up and passed his friend a drink before easing himself into a comfortable chair, looking into a low fire.
“Won’t it seem a bit odd if you speak to Nicholas Chapa?” asked Landis. “You always deal with his father these days.”
Adeone said, “I suppose I do. Do you have any reason for sending for Nicholas yourself? He is one of your tenants.”
“I’m sure I could find something, Sire. If I let you know when, would you unexpectedly drop round to see your nearchildren?”
“I’ll take a headache cure first. How is everyone?”
“They’re fine. The twins are counting down to their fifteenth birthday and young Ira is proving she’s voluble. I can hardly wait until she learns to talk.”
“I’m sure it will be sooner than you think possible.”
“You might be right there. Where are the years going?”
“Into the past but at least we’re living them.”
Landis laughed. “Pragmatist.”
Adeone smiled smugly. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“One should always compliment the King. Apparently, it’s the way favours work.”
“Then whoever says that needs a quick lesson in my perceptions. I can spot smooth-talking a mile off. Talking of ‘a mile off’… Don’t you have things you need to be doing?”
“There’s always things I need to be doing. It’s why I appreciate your company, Sire. It gives me an excellent excuse for not doing the things which need doing.”
* * *
A week later, Backery showed Nicholas Chapa into Lord Landis’ more-than-comfortable study and he inclined his head to his landlord. Landis could see puzzlement clear in the merchant’s eyes. He smiled in welcome and dismissed Backery with a glance.
“Come on in, Master Chapa. I’ll apologise for this very unconventional meeting in advance, but there are good reasons for it—”
There was a knock at the door and William announced Adeone and Richardson. Landis rose and Nicholas turned around, surprised.
Adeone entered, saying lightly, “Festus, you’ll have to forgive me. I didn’t want to be late, but I do still have a couple of urgent documents to deal with, so you’ll have to talk to me as I read and sign them. Nicholas! How are you?”
“Erm, perfectly well, Your Majesty. I hope you are also?”
“Well enough, cousin. Landis, shall I make myself scarce?”
Inwardly appreciative of the King’s acting, Landis said, “No, Sire. I don’t think that will be necessary. I’m sure I can trust your discretion.”
Adeone crooked an eyebrow at Nicholas. “You have a jester for a landlord, cousin.”
“I’ve known that for years, sir. We simply smile out of kindness.”
Adeone laughed. “I’m not the only one then. Right, I shouldn’t disturb your meeting. Richardson, have you got that information from the Chief Yeoman?”
Landis avoided the administrator’s eyes. “Nicholas, what is the truth of the rumour that your father plans to retire?”
Nicholas grasped that the King’s presence wasn’t a coincidence. “There have been rumours for years, my lord.” He glanced at the King who seemed to be absorbed by the report he was reading.
“Yes. Is there any truth in them?” enquired Landis.
“My father seems to be a law unto himself, sir. I wouldn’t like to say.”
From behind him, Adeone glanced at Landis and the glance clearly said, ‘Don’t accept that.’
“Master Chapa, obviously your father would have told you if he planned to retire. I’m asking you to tell me if he has,” explained Landis.
“I don’t know if I can, sir,” replied Nicholas.
Adeone looked over his shoulder at his administrator and Richardson left. The click of the door made Nicholas turn slightly.
Adeone regarded him shrewdly. “Cousin, you’re stonewalling. Your landlord asked you a question. It is normally polite to answer it without such tactics.”
Nicholas swallowed. “My loyalties are torn, Sire. If my father’s asked that I don’t mention matters of business, who am I to break that confidence?”
Adeone’s gaze didn’t change. “Am I to understand by that explanation that Merchant Chapa is retiring?”
“Your Majesty should, I’m afraid, draw your own conclusions…”
Adeone watched him for a moment then glanced at Landis, who simply left. Adeone smiled, unnerving his cousin. “Right, forget I’m King and deal with the fact I am also blood-kin. Does my first cousin once removed plan to retire? I wouldn’t be asking if I didn’t need to know.”
Nicholas sighed, defeated: as soon as the King pulled the family card, he’d lost. He tried one last time. “Why hasn’t Your Majesty asked him, sir?”
Adeone’s expression spoke a thousand words, including, ‘Do you really think that would work?’
Nicholas wrestled with his conscience for a short time before giving in to the inevitable. “Yes, my father does plan to retire. He doesn’t want anyone to make a fuss.”
Adeone motioned to a chair. Nicholas sank onto it, hardly reassured.
“That is an admirable Chapa trait,” observed Adeone. “If I said I didn’t mean to make a fuss, would you believe me?” Incredulity blazed across his cousin’s face. “Then I won’t bother. I won’t hide from you that I wish to honour your father’s work, but I have yet to determine what could be of use to him or a fitting reward for that work.”
“He would say it was his job and his duty to the empire, Your Majesty.”
“Does it follow that duty shouldn’t be rewarded?”
“Erm… I’m not sure he’d quite agree, sir.”
Adeone laughed. “I expect not. When does he plan to announce to the merchants that they have to elect another chief?”
“Sorry, sir, it might be one step too far. To change the subject, it is a few years since we saw you at the Guild Banquet.”
Adeone’s eyes narrowed. “Thank you. Should your father ever ask me how I discovered every detail, I shall never mention your name.”
“Thank you, sir. I do quite enjoy the thought of being his heir.”
Adeone chuckled. “The Chapa sense of humour has a lot to answer for. Now, everything before aside, how are things?”
“Perfectly fine, sir. Life seems to be progressing as ever. My eldest has decided not to set up on his own and is carrying on helping me.”
“Are you pleased?”
“Yes, I think so. His mother is anyway and if she’s happy…”
Adeone smiled sadly. “I remember that feeling well.”
“I can imagine, sir. Memories keep people alive, or so they say.”
“That’s true, I suppose. Time makes fools of all our memories though.”
Nicholas said, “Only of some, sir. How are your brood?”
A knock heralded Lord Landis. “Sire, I’m sorry to disturb you…”
Adeone looked at Nicholas. “But… There’s always a ‘but’…” he whispered conspiratorially.
“…but Richardson’s fretting about that information reaching the Chief Yeoman…”
“They like to keep me in my place, Nicholas. I suppose I’d better continue working. I’ll see you soon. You’ll have to come to dinner.”
Nicholas turned back to Landis as Adeone picked up the report he did have to read.
Landis shrugged. “Sorry for the subterfuge. I didn’t need to see you about anything. I am but the puppet of my King.”
Without looking up, Adeone remarked, “Yes, it’s just a shame most of the strings have a mind of their own. Never believe your landlord, cousin.”
Nicholas grinned. “I shall remember that, sir. I have a feeling it might come in useful. When he says he’s put the rent up, for example.”
Lord Landis shook his head, disbelievingly. “Now you have conspired with the King, I shouldn’t keep you any longer, Master Chapa.”
As Nicholas left, Richardson slipped back into the room.
Adeone looked at him. “Tell the Chief Yeoman I don’t want excuses then clear the rest of this lot away. I’ll see you in the morning and pencil in a dinner with Nicholas for me. I hardly had time to exchange news.”
Once Richardson had left, Landis raised a questioning eyebrow.
Adeone said, “He’s going to announce it at the Guild Banquet at the end of this year. All credit to Nicholas, he didn’t tell me straight out.”
“I doubt Henry will appreciate the subtlety.”
“I’m sure he will because he’s not going to find out from us that his son told me, is he?”
Landis grinned. “Well, Wynfeld’s intelligence network does such a good job, sir, it was bound to reach your ears that he was retiring and the banquet is the obvious place to announce his intentions and Nicholas would never get cornered into revealing anything during a private dinner, would he?”
Adeone said, “Pity my mother’s cousin is shrewder than to believe any of that.”
“Now, Sire, your nearchildren are all currently awake, in one case screaming…”
“All right, I’ll submit myself to torture.”
Adeone entered the night nursery smiling, winked at Nursie and confidently picked up his screaming neardaughter. “Now, little one, what’s all the noise for? Eh? Why the crying? Are you too hot, too cold, hungry, thirsty? Or are you simply trying out those Landis lungs of yours? You’re certainly growing…”
She was watching his face and had all but stopped crying. Clear eyes met penetrating ones and were content to look at each other. Cats might look at kings, but young Ira didn’t know that she shouldn’t gaze at him quite that openly. Adeone never even noticed when Landis and Nursie left; he was still talking softly to young Ira, talking to her as though he was talking once more to Queen Ira, talking out the grief he’d hidden for so long.
Young Ira watched his face. Tiny fingers flexed and Adeone put his finger next to them. She took it in her hand and held it, content. Gradually, she fell to sleep.
After six minutes, to compose his face, Adeone got up and put her down into her cradle. He watched her for another couple of minutes – thinking of her future and his lost daughter – before walking out of the room, careful not to disturb her slumber.
Landis noticed his mellow mood. He simply nodded for Nursie to go back to her charge. Once alone, he asked, “How do you think your ears will stand up to the other five?”
Appreciating the tact, Adeone said, “Reasonably well. Then I really must greet Cornelia. I’ve hardly seen her since the birth.”
Together they entered the main nursery where the other five Landis children were annoying each other with an aplomb that showed they’d inherited traits from their father.
Chapter 61
GADDING ABOUT
Pentadai, Week 34 – 12th Bayal, 5th Bayis 1210
Oedran – Medlars Close
GAD SMILED TO HIMSELF as he looked around his room. Adson would have liked it, but that knowledge brought back the way his cousin had died. They’d tossed for the chance to attack Landis. Gad had lost, but he had begun to wonder if his cousin had cheated. Still, there would be revenge. He’d make sure of that.
Three years since he’d first been captured and he knew the rules: don’t try to escape, don’t get caught, don’t displease the overseer. They were simple. Brant had been unexpected but he was glad to be back in the city with its opportunities. He had as much freedom as anyone else if he was available to the overseer.
He glanced through the grimy shutter’s slats, taking stock of the faces in Medlars Close. It wasn’t a bustling thoroughfare, new faces were rare and yet, for the second time that day, a different beggar was sitting on a step at the mouth of the alley. Did they think he was stupid? True, there weren’t many things the watchers could do that wouldn’t draw attention. Begging was obvious, but real beggars tended to have poorer clothes and stick to the same spot, not the same step becoming home to multiple beggars with clothes just a bit too cared for. Oh, there’d been the sweeper – sweeping an alley that Lord Teran never cared about. That had been rather revealing, especially when his landlady had demanded to know what the man was doing. Maybe it was time to lead them another merry dance.
Being a vigilant was handy. He couldn’t be truly unseen or know he was being talked about, he couldn’t draw a map, or understand languages but he could know he was being followed if he concentrated. Almost like seeing threads in cloth, he could picture the lines tethering the watchers to him.
There was a burning flame of enjoyment as he concocted places to go. He had been told to avoid any Lord of Oedran or their families. That was fine. He didn’t want to get noticed by them because, after a failed attack on the King and Lord Landis, he didn’t know what they had been told or if they’d been asked to watch for a man of his description.
It was almost a shame he’d had to kill Vince. He’d been a very useful contact but, unfortunately, he had caught him passing information to his cousin. Still, there might be opportunities from what he’d learned. Other people who could be useful. He’d passed the details on rather than keep them to himself. The overseer knew more than he let on; when Gad hadn’t admitted to his hue, Adson’s sister had been beaten. They’d given up keeping secrets after that.
