Modesitt, L.E - Saga of Recluce 15 - Mage-Guard of Hamor by Modesitt L.E

Author:Modesitt, L.E [L.E, Modesitt,]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-09-17T15:00:43+00:00

“Did anyone in your household?” “Absolutely not.”

That meant Gorsyn had forbidden it, and that suggested a very clever man. By paying his tariffs to Chyrl and winking, so to speak, he had made sure that he'd remain in a good position, no matter what happened.

“You're a very clever man, ser Gorsyn.”

“I'd like to think so, Majer, but that's something time will tell, won't it?” He smiled again. “Is there anything else you'd like to ask?”

Rahl could have asked more questions, but he'd sensed enough from Gorsyn to know that he'd find little more than what he'd already discovered, and nothing that would amount to proof of treason. “No. You've been most helpful, and I thank you.”

Those were the first words that created unease within the distiller, but Rahl merely smiled and stepped back. “Good day, ser Gorsyn.”

“Good day, Majer.” The door closed gently, but firmly.

Rahl walked back to the fourth squad and the gelding, then mounted. He still had four others to run down.

In the end, he found all four, and his conversations will all four were remarkably similar to the one he had held with Gorsyn. All insistedtruthfullythat they had given no golds or support to the rebels and that they had only paid their lawful tariffs to the town clerk, trusting in his sense of duty. That meant that they'd all talked about how to handle the situation, and that, in a way, Chyrl had been partly set up, if willingly, to be the only true rebel in Lahenta.

He did not return to the square to meet Drakeyt until close to sunset. Along the way he did discover just how highly the distilleror the distillerywas regarded. A paved lane ran from the distillery building on the south side of Lahenta to the highway leading to Nubyat, and it appeared to Rahl that from that point on, the road was stone-paved.

“What did you find out?” asked the captain.

“The town clerk handed all the tariffs for the past two seasons over to Golyat's tariff administrator. He was active in supporting the revolt and knew full well that the tariffs went to support the rebellion, but none of Lahenta's wealthiest did anything but pay their tariffs, and none of them did anything to support Golyat or the rebellion.”

“They had to know.” "I'm sure that they did, but you can't administer justice against someone because he didn't stop a minor

functionary from abusing an official position.“ ”What about the clerk?"

“He rode off with the rebels. He left enough records that he can be charged with treason. That's if he survives and we ever find him.”

Drakeyt snorted. “The wealthy snots knew, and they'll get away with it.”

Rahl nodded. “I can't administer justice against someone who only suspected a crime and didn't look further.”

“I can see that...but it's still wrong.”

“It is, but it would be more wrong to punish them. That way, we'd have to punish all of Nubyat and Sastak, and a good third to half of all the people in Merowey near the coast around those cities.

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