Markan Sword

  "What could they have possibly missed?" Basren wrung his hands in despair. "We'll not find anything!"

  "You might be surprised," replied Sallis, draining his alovak. He caught the serving sylph's eye. "The bill, please."

  The sylph scampered inside with a tinkling of bells.

  "Why would we be surprised?"

  "You, I said," grunted Sallis. "I've worked alongside the guard a quarter of a century and nothing would surprise me about them any more."

  The sylph returned with Sallis's bill and grumped when he overpaid her.

  "If you don't want to keep the change, offset it against tomorrow's charge," Sallis told her, when she insisted on making him wait. Despite his words, the sylph refused to let them go until she had sorted the bill.

  Sallis raised his eyes heavenward. "Sylphs," he muttered.

  "Don't you have any?" asked Basren.

  "Not that I keep in Marka," replied Sallis, as they walked towards the library. "I bought four to help on my father's farm many years ago, and he has a lot more than that now. In fact, he makes more money from sylphs than he does from sheep."

  "You don't look much like a sheep farmer," grinned Basren.

  "And you don't look much like a librarian," retorted Sallis, "but it doesn't change the fact that you are one."

  "Something I'd like to know," said Basren, feeling emboldened. "The records suggest you move lodgings often. If you're worried about enemies finding you, why do you always come to the same alovak house?"

  Sallis stared at the boy for a long moment before he barked a quick laugh. "You see well, Basren. The people who run lodging houses are innocent and I do not want my enemies to use them to get to me." He gestured with his arms. "Here, my enemies can come to me direct and we can sort out our differences."

  "Have your enemies ever used other people to get to you?" asked Basren.

  Sallis's dark eyes went flat and cold. "That is part of my history and none of your business," he replied.

  They walked the rest of the way to the library without a further word.

  When they reached the library steps, Sallis ended their uncomfortable silence. "When you kissed goodbye, which way did Kaira go?"

  "That way." Basren pointed.

  "Towards the palace."

  Basren nodded.

  "All right." Sallis began walking the direction Basren had indicated. "Nice, well populated street."

  People about their daily business hemmed them in on all sides.

  "If something happened here, someone would have seen," said Basren.

  Sallis shrugged. "People are very good at not seeing things," he replied. "They try not to involve themselves, which means they pretend to see nothing. Most even convince themselves that is the truth. But sylphs... Nothing gets past them; they see everything."

  "You mean to question them?"

  "Only those who are here all the time," said Sallis. "They will see anything out of place and remember it. Very reliable creatures, in that way."

  He glanced down each alleyway and carefully noted what stood opposite. He walked on, turning left into Victory Parade, at the end furthest from the North Gate, then left to the palace.

  "Did you notice anything?" asked Basren.

  "I suspect she may have been lured into one of the alleys," replied Sallis.

  "I hope none of them are shortcuts." Basren looked shocked. "Anything might be down here."

  "And usually is," muttered Sallis. He raised his voice. "I'll ask around. You'd better go back to work. Don't be surprised if you see me hanging around when you finish. I am supposed to be keeping an eye on you after all."

  Basren nodded and hurried away, soon swallowed up in the crowds swirling along the street. Sallis ignored the crowds and began to look for sylphs. He would get answers, one way or another.

  ***

  "We have a problem," said Marcus, closing the door to his inner room and shutting out his children. Zandra and Jenn stayed with him, the infertile pouring alovak for them both before sitting crosslegged on the floor to one side.

  Faint sounds came from the children enjoying themselves in some game, probably with poor Galenna as a victim.

  "A new problem, or an old one?"

  "We cannot locate the record confirming Rono's marriage to Maudla," said Marcus. "Which throws my legitimacy into question."

  Zandra lifted an eyebrow and Jenn sat straighter.

  "One of my ancestors forced a secret law through the Senate a thousand years ago, which insisted that to be Emperor, any claimant must have been born within wedlock."

  "You were," said Zandra.

  "According to the records, Rono and Kylist were not." Marcus sniffed. "Which means I'm not as far as the law is concerned."

  Zandra closed her eyes and sighed. "This is nonsense," she replied. "Of course they were married. Just because some old fool lost the record doesn't change facts."

  "The Senate has been reminded of this secret concord and shown the document. I've seen the document myself."

  Jenn stood up, face concerned and her earpoints slanted forwards.

  "Where has this suddenly come from?" demanded Zandra. "If people were aware of this concord, they must have checked it and the marriage documents before now."

  "You think it has been stolen?" asked Marcus.

  "Of course it's been stolen!"

  Jenn flinched, looking from Marcus to Zandra and back again.

  "The information came by pigeon from Sandester," said Marcus.

  "And how did Nazvasta come to be the first to realize this?" Zandra shook her head. "It's him behind this, stirring up trouble."

  "We've got to sound out our supporters," said Marcus. "I'll grab the Senators and Councilors, you deal with the wives."

  "Tread carefully," warned Zandra. "This might not be the problem you think it is."

  "I hope you're right," said Marcus. "Jenn! More alovak please, and tell Galenna to keep the children occupied for at least another hour."

  Jenn's mouth twisted in distaste, whether about the new crisis or having to speak to Galenna, Marcus did not know.

  "How long before you see the wives?" Marcus asked Zandra.

  "I'm seeing the guildwives tomorrow," replied Zandra. "Political wives the day after."

  "Any chance you can bring that forward? I'm going to see Senators and Councilors this afternoon. Starting with Aelfrec. I might very well wring the man's neck."

  Zandra shook her head, but smiled. "I do hope that's just temper speaking," she said. "I don't know what affect killing a Senator would have on your claim."

  "When we get that throne," replied Marcus, "I'll have to find an excuse to stretch his neck."

  "I suspect you'll leave the poor man alone."

  "The librarians tell me that nobody has ever asked for the secret concord or to view marriage documents in their lifetimes," continued Marcus. "Then some librarian from Sandester breezes in and asks for them. Why now? And how did he know what to look for, what to ask for?"

  "There are plenty of books regarding the law available," said Zandra. "This librarian obviously researched it. Why not ask him?"

  "He fled, without even paying for his lodgings." Marcus sighed. "It all seems very sudden."

  They shared a short silence, broken only as Jenn entered the room with alovak.

  "That girl says she'll keep the children busy," said the sylph, still refusing to refer to Galenna by name. "And if you want to know about the law, why not ask Zenepha? He knows all sorts of things."

  "Were you listening, Jenn? We had a little chat some years ago about eavesdropping, remember?"

  Jenn colored and her earpoints wilted for a moment. "Your voices were not discreet," she replied, eventually. "I could hear from a good distance."

  Zandra laughed, but Marcus wore his stern stare a few moments longer.

  "We also had a little chat about fibbing," he added.

  Jenn's earpoints wilted further, declaring her guilt to the world.

  "Well," sai
d Marcus, once Jenn looked sufficiently contrite, "I'll see Zenepha after I've spoken with the politicians."

  "I'll see what I can do about bringing my meetings foward," promised Zandra. "We must kill this one before it takes root and strangles us."

  ***

  All the Senators who formed Zenepha's advisory council were present, together with Captain Crallin, Marshal Mansard, and Olista representing the Supreme Council. Anybody from the Council could attend these meetings if they wished, but usually only Olista bothered. Well, the room couldn't hold all sixty-one Councilors.

  The Senate Leader had sent his apology, as had Lance General Kestan. Both gwerins were in attendance, the reason why Marcus had brought Eleka with him, instead of Jenn. Well, one of the reasons, the other being punishment for lying and eavesdropping.

  Zenepha breezed into the meeting room a minute early, with Captain Fared of the shadow riders at his side. Marcus hid his smile. Of all the people here, Fared might well be the only one he trusted fully. Except for Eleka of course, but even her first loyalty lay with Belaika.

  "Good afternoon everybody," said Zenepha, opening the meeting by taking his seat.

  A rumble met his greeting, except from the two gwerins, who made eyes at Eleka.

  "Just our usual weekly summary," said Zenepha. "I do not think there is much change from last week."

  "Actually, Majesty," began Aelfrec, before being cut short.

  "Captain Crallin," interrupted Zenepha, "we will start with you."

  Marcus stared at Aelfrec, but the Senator pretended not to notice.

  "No real change in crime," said Crallin, gruffly. "We think there is a murder case, but we have no body, yet."

  Marcus winced. Kaira.

  "She has not returned?" Zenepha's silvery eyes held compassion as he looked at Marcus.

  "Not a sign."

  "Any suspects?" Zenepha swung back to Crallin.

  "Just one," replied the guard commander. "We're keeping an eye on him."

  "Good." Zenepha worked his way through his cabinet one by one. Senator Ollan reported no problems with food distribution; the lively and young Senator Dlavan reported Marka's population to be fully employed. Marshal Mansard had nothing to add to the discussion, while Senator Maben reported the city's coffers were full.

  Senator Aelfrec seethed. Twice he tried to interrupt, and twice rebuffed. Senator Elvert reported the guilds all seemed happy enough and Senator Panan said the justiciary had no problems for the Emperor to solve.

  "Now, Senator Aelfrec." Zenepha finally turned to him. "You have some important news. Concerning new acquisitions for the empire?"

  "No Majesty," said Aelfrec. "I think we have acquired all we shall in the short term. But I must speak concerning Marcus Vintner's claim to the throne."

  Here we go, thought Marcus.

  Eleka and the two gwerins stared at Aelfrec.

  Olista looked at Marcus and shrugged.

  Senator Elvert, a supporter of Branad's claim and who now wanted to see Verdin take the throne, leaned forward on his elbows.

  "Very well." Zenepha nodded, after a quick glance at Marcus.

  "It has been brought to the Senate's attention –"

  "By you," murmured Marcus.

  "– that the marriage manuscript for Emperor Rono the Second cannot be located. That in turn calls into question the legitimacy of certain claimants to the throne." He smiled at Senator Maben, who used to support Hingast. "Including your old friend."

  "No friend of mine," grunted Maben.

  "However, it does include the claimant sitting in this very room."

  All heads turned to Marcus Vintner.

  Samrita tapped a finger against her teeth, deep in thought.

  "Even if this is true," said Marcus, "and there was no marriage between Rono and Maudla, illegitimacy is no bar to inheritance in Marka."

  "With one exception," said Aelfrec.

  "Yes, silly me." Marcus smiled. "The secret concord of 705. I believe that came into existence to keep the squabbling Goldeagles from the throne, rather than debarring claimants in perpetuity."

  Aelfrec spread his hands. "A law is law."

  "And who brought this one to your attention?" asked Marcus.

  Aelfrec scowled.

  "I'll tell you: Sandester. And how did Nazvasta come by his information? Did somebody come here to research it?" Marcus leaned forward, aggressively. "And this researcher; how do we know she or he did not steal the required documents?"

  "The law –"

  "– is sometimes not amended when it ought to be," interrupted Marcus. "Your secret concord exists only because of needs that were peculiar to the collapse of the First Empire and establishing the Preceptory. That was a thousand years ago."

  Zenepha pursed his lips. "But it is still the law," he said. He vaguely recalled reading the statute. "We cannot just turn it aside for convenience."

  "I was not born illegitimate," protested Marcus. "Nor my father. How can anybody prove beyond that? Can Nazvasta prove that all his ancestors were born within wedlock? I doubt that. It is Nazvasta's money you're taking?"

  "That is a slur." Aelfrec's dark blue eye flashed with anger.

  "Well, Senator Aelfrec-in-Nazvasta's-employ, can you prove Nazvasta's legitimacy?" Marcus smiled. "Well?"

  "It is the Emperor's legitimacy that is important," said Aelfrec. "Not what happens in between."

  "Nonsense, the whole point of the secret concord had to do with what happened in between." Marcus kept his voice calm and quiet. It would not do to lose his temper. "Either birth out of wedlock is a problem in perpetuity, or it is not. I argue it is not, else all claimants must be able to prove their legitimacy dating back to the first civilization."

  "Now that is a nonsense," spluttered Aelfrec.

  Senator Cleran, the Principal Chancellor, tapped on the table. "This must be debated within the senate," he said. "Not here."

  "And am I permitted to come and defend my position?" demanded Marcus.

  Cleran considered. "That decision will lie with the Senate Leader," he replied. "You must ask him."

  Marcus gritted his teeth. "What do the gwerins have to say?"

  Silmarila blinked at him. Samrita's earpoints twitched.

  "Our role is to advise the throne," said Silmarila.

  "Then advise him," said Marcus, a warning note in his voice.

  "Why? Right now there is no problem." Silmarila's dark brown eyes smiled, even if her facial expression looked solemn. "The throne is occupied and all is well in the city and Prefectures."

  Samrita nodded.

  "Thanks," muttered Marcus. He turned to Cleran. "Where is Rogort now?"

  Cleran smiled. "In the Senate," he replied.

  "Then I'll lie in wait for him there," said Marcus, rising to his feet. "If there is nothing else, Majesty?"

  Zenepha nodded his permission for Marcus to leave.

  "You might not have to wait long," called Aelfrec. "Rogort might ask you to renounce your claim instead."

  At the door, Marcus paused and looked over his shoulder. "Never," he replied.

  ***

  Fared Granton, Captain of the Shadow Riders, pulled off his boots, wriggled his toes and relaxed into his easy chair with a sigh of contentment.

  "Troubles of the world on your shoulders?" asked Telisa, gray eyes twinkling as she set her embroidery aside.

  "Not exactly."

  Their quarters in the palace were not large, but sufficient for his small family. Keeping with Kelthane custom, Fared had only one wife. A family room, where they relaxed and ate, a study where Fared dealt with his administration, and five bedrooms.

  A man needed no more, except perhaps a secretary to help with his administrative work.

  None of his three children had yet returned from their various tasks. Heleen, the oldest, still worked on her nursing skills, doubtless with two sharp eyes open for a prospective husband.

  Sion, struggling with advanced mathematics and weaponry, demanding to kno
w when he might be allowed to join the shadow riders. And Nena, the youngest, who spent a lot of time with the palace librarians and soaking up knowledge like land drank water after a drought.

  "Had we known how busy Zenepha keeps you, we might have been better off staying in Kelthane."

  Fared barked a quick laugh at his wife. "I feel almost ceremonial," he said. "The lads do most of the hard work."

  "It's good you're seen at his side," continued Telisa. "A constant reminder that he is the Emperor."

  Fared nodded. Most of his problems were caused by sylphs. Zenepha, Emperor of Marka, yet wracked with self-doubt and suffering a crisis of confidence. Yet he could see good metal in him.

  And Ojasan.

  He had acquired her by accident. The Eldovan infertile had been traveling home with Mirrin's army when captured by the shadow riders and the Markans. Still young, her owner dead in a riding accident, she had been seeking to bond with a new owner.

  Unknowing and unsuspecting, Fared had let the sylph help with keeping his kit clean and tent tidy. Before he knew it, Ojasan began regarding herself as his sylph and refused to hear any different.

  The sylph in question padded into their quarters, carrying an alovak can. She smiled at Fared and Telisa.

  "Thank you, Ojasan," said Telisa, accepting the first mug of alovak.

  Fared nodded to the infertile as he accepted his alovak, though he eyed the narrow strip of leather around her neck with distaste.

  Sylphs were not slaves in Kelthane. They served and did what they could where they could, but none were property. He and Ojasan had never rowed about her collar: he commanded her to remove it and she obeyed, only to replace it the moment he turned his back.

  They had finally compromised on that narrow strip. Ojasan seemed unduly proud that her name had been embossed on the leather and refused to remove it in his presence.

  Fared had decided to let it pass. After all, most sylphs wore similar neckwear here. Ojasan should not have to stand out, as if she were a wild sylph.

  "It seems that Marcus Vintner has hit a new problem in his quest for the throne," said Fared, once Ojasan took her usual place at his feet, another strange eastern practice. Fascinated, she stared at his wiggling toes.

  "Yes, the palace is full of chatter. Half the servants seem relieved that Zenepha will stay and the rest upset." Telisa sipped her alovak, embroidery forgotten for the moment.

  "Zenepha cannot stay Emperor for ever," said Fared. "But the shadow riders serve the throne always."

  "And if the Senate decide that the rightful claimant is Nazvasta Vintner?" asked Telisa.