Sharon Green - Blending 02 by Deceptions

Author:Deceptions [Deceptions]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2011-12-28T13:54:33+00:00

Sixteen

“Well, that didn’t take very long,” Bensia observed with surprise as Sembrin entered the sitting room. She’d been reading, Sembrin noticed, but now her attention had been diverted. “Didn’t your meeting with the peasants go as well as it should have?”

“For the most part it went exactly as expected,” Sembrin answered, letting his annoyance take him over to the sideboard so that he might fill a glass with wine. “Two of those stupid peasants are already competing for my approval, but that third … A pity he’s the one with more followers than the other two put together.”

“Why is it a pity?” Bensia asked, amusement in her tone. “If the peasant lacks the proper attitude, the children can change the lack easily enough. You’ll just take them with you to the next meeting.”

“And use what as a reason for my children being with me?” Sembrin demanded as he turned to look directly at Bensia. “Even the first two peasants would be suspicious over that, and the third would certainly know I was up to something. The man is suspicious and demanding enough now; if he ever gets the idea that I mean to manipulate him, he’ll be gone so fast that everyone will think he disappeared.”

“The children don’t have to show themselves until after they have the peasant under control,” Bensia countered, her tone suddenly stiff. “And I would appreciate your not speaking to me like that again. I’m not a peasant you may be as rude to as you please, and if something is disturbing you then you might do me the favor of discussing whatever it is.”

Sembrin had had no intention of mentioning what really disturbed him, but suddenly he felt an overwhelming urge to put his feelings into words.

“After meeting those peasants, I’m … suddenly filled with doubt about how successful we’ll be,” Sembrin put forward gropingly after sipping at his wine. “After combing this city, our people were able to locate only three men who were unhappy with the new government and had any sort of following. Two of those three are the sort to talk rather than do, I think, and the third won’t commit his followers without solid guarantees proving they’ll get what I’ve promised. The first two had to be reminded to show me proper respect, and the third never did show respect. This isn’t the same city we left, Bensia, and the differences make all the … difference.”

“Nonsense, Sembrin, nonsense,” Bensia disagreed with a smile and then an encouraging laugh. “You’re simply tired, and that’s why you feel discouraged. You’ve forgotten that as soon as the other peasants see how well your chosen three do, they’ll begin to flock to our cause in order to do equally as well. When do you plan on seeing those three again?”

“I told them I’d send word, but I expect to contact them in the next day or two,” Sembrin answered, for some reason feeling less encouraged than usual when Bensia spoke to him. “We really can’t afford to waste any more time getting started with our campaign.

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