(eng) L. E. Modesitt - Imager Portfolio 09 by Madness in Solidar (retail)

Author:Madness in Solidar (retail) [Solidar, Madness in]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

22

The first thing Alastar did on Mardi morning was to dispatch a messenger to the Chateau D’Council, requesting yet another meeting with High Holder Guerdyn, and one to Factor Elthyrd requesting a similar meeting early on Meredi morning. Then, at just before seventh glass, Alastar escorted Alyna into the conference room that held the other senior imagers—Cyran, Obsolym, Akoryt, and Taryn.

“I’d like you all to welcome Maitre D’Structure Alyna.”

“It’s about time,” said Akoryt warmly.

Alastar noted that even Obsolym nodded, and not grudgingly.

Alastar sat at the head of the long table, another reminder that there had likely once been far more senior imagers, and cleared his throat before beginning. “As I’ve mentioned to some of you, Rex Ryen, our dearly beloved ruler, has declared that if I fail to change the decision of the High Council of the High Holders by fourth glass tomorrow afternoon, he will regard the Collegium as having sided with the High Holders, and we will feel his wrath. You may know that Maitre Desyrk has abandoned the Collegium for reasons he has not made known to me, or, so far as I know, to anyone. Did he say anything to any of you?” He looked down the table.

Obsolym moistened his lips, then said, “Several days ago, he said that he felt you had no understanding of the Collegium and that he hoped he was not here when that became apparent.”

“Did he say anything else?”

“No. Nothing that I heard.”

“He obviously planned his departure in advance because his family is also gone. Does anyone know if his wife has relatives in L’Excelsis?”

“She was a major’s daughter. That’s all I know,” said Taryn.

The others shook their heads.

“Now … we need to get back to the tariff problem,” declared Alastar. “For better or worse, Rex Ryen is known to be a man of his word. That suggests that we most likely won’t see anything happen until at least fourth glass tomorrow. Maitre Akoryt has been sending out trusted seconds and thirds as scouts to see if Marshal Demykalon might be moving army companies anywhere in preparation for attacks on either any High Holders or on the Collegium.” Alastar turned to Akoryt. “Have you heard anything?”

“Late yesterday afternoon, one of the thirds saw four wagons headed out from army headquarters. They were heavy. They took four dray horses for each. A mounted squad went with them. What was in them was covered with canvas. The third followed them. He used a partial concealment.” Akoryt looked apologetic. “That was the best he could do.”

“A blurring shield?”

Akoryt nodded. “He didn’t want to go too far, but he followed them far enough that it was unlikely they were going toward Imagisle. They were headed out the Boulevard D’Este, and at the Plaza D’Nord, they didn’t turn on Saenhelyn. They took the pike away from L’Excelsis.”

Toward Nacryon’s chateau or Guerdyn’s … or both? “Did they see anything else?”

“No, sir. Not so far. I had them all report back by seventh glass, though. There aren’t that many thirds, even older seconds that I can use.

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