The Blood of the Land by Noel-Anne Brennan

Author:Noel-Anne Brennan [Brennan, Noel-Anne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy, Fiction
Publisher: Sander Press
Published: 2011-06-20T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

Raphat glanced over the top of the report he was reading, to look at his secretary. Gigrat was an excellent worker, smart and motivated. He was also uncannily aware of everything that went on around him, even though he tried to project quite the opposite impression. Raphat never let on that he wasn’t fooled.

“Gigrat, I want that report, the one from Lord Frult.”

“I have it here, my lord, somewhere.” Gigrat knew exactly where it was, but he made a pretense of searching for it. He had been aware of Raphat’s scrutiny, and it disturbed him. What disturbed him was not so much the scrutiny itself, but that he could not judge whether the character of Raphat’s attention had changed. Raphat had always scrutinized everything in his reach; the man was addicted to detail. It seemed to Gigrat, however, that Raphat had been paying him extra attention since he had returned from Saeditin. He hoped it was only his imagination. Raphat should have had no idea that Gigrat had been to Saeditin, because if he so much as guessed, Gigrat would be dead. He had never been truly afraid before, but he was now. Perhaps First Minister Essit had been right, and it was time for him to consider leaving Runchot, and leaving this dangerous game he played. The thought disturbed him so much that he was truly flustered as he finally handed the report the prince.

“Here it is, Lord Prince,” he said.

Raphat took the proffered paper without a word, leaving Gigrat to go back to his work, which at the moment included making two copies each of the prince’s recent correspondence, including letters to Lord Frult of the south, requesting payment on a loan, with interest. As he copied, Gigrat committed details to memory. He was certain Sae Essit would be interested in the fact that Raphat needed money, and in why Gigrat thought Raphat needed the money. Raphat wanted to pay for troops, troops to commit to the cause, not of Sithli sae Melisin, the former SaeKet and his current mistress, but to the cause of Kepit sae Lisim. Gigrat had overheard a certain conversation. He was aware that Raphat watched him as he worked, but he decided that there was nothing unusual about the scrutiny after all.

“Gigrat, have you seen the report on Kirra? I thought I had it here, but now I cannot find it.”

“It’s right here.” Gigrat made no pretense of having misplaced this.

“It is unfortunate that she had the Princess Phara in her hands without having the remotest idea who she was.”

“Can that really be true?” Raphat had seemed to be talking to himself, but Gigrat could not let this interesting tidbit go, so he risked the question.

“If I thought otherwise, even for the briefest of moments, Lady Kirra would no longer walk with the living.”

Despite himself, Gigrat shuddered. Raphat’s tone gave no doubt that he meant exactly what he said. The man had a considerable reputation, which Gigrat had good reason to know was justified.

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