Modesitt, L.E - Imager Portfolio 10 - Treachery's Tools by Modesitt L.E

Author:Modesitt, L.E [Modesitt, L.E]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

23

When Alastar finally reined up outside the administration building on Jeudi afternoon, it was already two quints past fifth glass, and he found Alyna striding out to meet him even before he began to dismount.

“Are you all right?” she asked immediately.

“I’m fine. A bit sore.” And that’s an understatement. Alastar wouldn’t have been as sharp as he was, he suspected, if he hadn’t drunk the entire second water bottle of dark lager on the way back from the chateau.

She studied him intently. “You’re stiff. I can see that, but your eyes aren’t pink. That’s good.”

“I was good. I managed to drink my lager. What about you?”

“No more attacks since we routed the riflemen in midafternoon.”

“Good.” Alastar turned to Cyran. “Since there haven’t been any more attacks here, have everyone ride to the stables, and then return here for a brief meeting. Oh, and gather as many senior maitres as you can find.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Ah … would you mind taking the gelding and have the ostlers unsaddle and groom him.”

Cyran laughed. “I think we can manage that.”

“Thank you.” Alastar handed over the reins, then turned back to Alyna. “We might as well walk to the conference room.”

“We can. Now … what happened at the chateau?”

“Not as much as could have…” From there Alastar gave her a brief account of all that had happened, as well as what he had learned from Wilkorn’s message and from Major Luerryn, ending up with, “All that suggests an effort well planned by a High Holder not on the High Council.”

“By someone who at least half-expected the possibility of you removing the High Council,” replied Alyna. “That means they’ve thought this through. They may even have wanted the council removed because that would leave the High Holders leaderless … and willing to follow whoever was ready to lead.”

“Which means I’ve been set up.” Again.

“Removing Cransyr and that lot wasn’t the worst thing that could have happened to Solidar,” commented Alyna dryly as they walked toward the administration building.

“No … but it suggests that our real problems may be just beginning.”

“There’s another aspect to that,” Alyna said slowly. “Bettaur is missing. So is Ashkyr.”

Alastar just raised his eyebrows. He wasn’t totally surprised, not the way matters had revealed themselves over the past few days. But Bettaur? Right now? “Are you certain he left? That something didn’t happen to him?”

“Two horses and riding gear are missing.”

“Why would he go now?”

“It has to have something to do with this revolt. It’s the only thing that makes sense.”

“When do you think he left?” Alastar opened the door for Alyna.

“Sometime soon after you did. Petros noticed the extra mounts were missing, and he came and asked how many imagers were with you. It took about a glass to discover who wasn’t accounted for.”

“You think his asking to be transferred to Westisle was just a blind of some sort?”

“It could be…”

“Have you talked to Linzya?”

“Only briefly. I thought it might be better if we both did. She didn’t know that he was gone until I told her.

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