The Wizard of Anharitte (2 page)

‘You’re surely not suggesting that he actually is proficient in the black arts?’

‘No. And neither is he mad. I’ve a different and more dangerous picture of the current
Imaiz
, Dion-daizan. All the evidence points to the fact that he’s cunning, ruthless, academic—and probably of Terran origin.’

‘The devil!’ said Vestevaal. ‘I thought that out-worlders weren’t permitted to hold land titles on Roget.’

‘They aren’t. There’s some sort of subterfuge at work here. But the fact that he’s succeeded in becoming a holder is a measure of the man we’re up against.’

‘On what sort of evidence do you base your conjecture that he’s a Terran,’ asked Vestevaal. ‘You’ve surely not been able to study the man himself?’

‘No. We’ve had to content ourselves with observing Zinder. She’s genuine
Ahhn
stock—but there’s no academy on Roget that could give her the type of education she possesses.’

‘But that still leaves the possibility of the
Imaiz
being from one of the other prime worlds.’

‘True,’ admitted Ren. ‘But the Society of Pointed Tails is thorough in investigating such matters. During their inquiries they uncovered a most significant fact. When calculating, Zinder works in decimals—to the base ten—then converts the answers to the galactic duodecimal system.’

‘That’s nothing special,’ said Magno Vestevaal. ‘I do the same myself.’

‘My point entirely, Director. Your primary education was on Terra and you can’t get out of the habit. Whoever trained Zinder had a similar habit. And Terra’s the only planet in the universe that still clings to the base ten.’

‘Point taken, Tito. Your efficiency does you credit. It won’t go unrewarded, I promise you. But it does look as though there’s a hell of a storm brewing for Free Trade on Anharitte. From your observations, does this look like part of a deliberate takeover by the House of Magda?’

‘No. Far worse than that. It looks like interference with the social structure by an inveterate do-gooder more interested in the welfare of the bottom four-fifths of the population than he is in legitimate profit.’

‘ “Curse all saviours of the human race—for they are responsible for most of the blacker parts of history!” ’ quoted Vestevaal despondently. He moved back to the window and began to watch the tall slave girl again, now examining her every movement with a wiser interest. ‘Damn it, Tito, you know we can’t let this happen, don’t you?’

‘I know it,’ said Ren. ‘That’s the reason I called you in. I want permission, financing and backing to organize an opposition to the
Imaiz
.’

‘Interference with the internal politics of an independent planet is an extremely dangerous business.’

‘But it wouldn’t be the first time it has been done. Nor is what I propose strictly interference. It could rather be viewed as assistance in maintaining the existing balance of power. The Lords Di Rode and Di Guaard and the Lady T’Ampere are scarcely going to side with the
Imaiz
and risk their income if not their lives if a revolution comes. Di Irons is the city prefect. He’s a bit of an unknown quantity in this, but he’s responsible for law and order, so I doubt if he’ll reject our assistance in maintaining the
status quo
. Most of the societies grow fat under the present regime, so they’re not going to welcome change either. And I’m sure the planetary government would love to have us thwart a provincial uprising for them—if it were done with discretion. That puts the major percentage of wealth, influence and interests on our side. Give me the facilities and I’ll crush the
Imaiz
without leaving even a ripple on the surface.’

‘Not so fast, Tito. We’re not the only Company affected—or even the largest. And we’ve the merchant worlds to consider. Before we take any action that might affect the future of Anharitte as a free port we’re going to need the approval of the Free Trade Council—most particularly as insurance in case the venture goes sour on us. And before I dare approach the council I have to be absolutely certain that what you’ve told me is the truth. Not that I’m doubting you, of course, but it would be embarrassing if we were being manipulated into doing the dirty work for somebody who had a simple grudge against the
Imaiz
.’

‘I appreciate your caution. If you wish I’ll arrange for the senior scribes of the Society of Pointed Tails to meet you so that you can question them directly.’

‘No need for that,’ said Magno Vestevaal. ‘I think I can satisfy myself more easily.’ He moved toward the door.

‘What had you in mind?’ Ren rose to follow him.

‘I’m going downstairs, of course. To have a word with Zinder.’

Ren’s eyebrows rose. ‘I wouldn’t advise it. And for God’s sake—remember she’s well protected.’

‘It was the truth of that proposition I wished to test. If the fact holds true, then the rest of the story holds true.’

Tito Ren sighed and reached for his sword belt. He paused only to fasten the ornate buckle before he followed the director out into the street.

The emergence of the two outworlders into the brilliant sunshine at the edge of the square—the director purposefully striding toward Zinder, and Ren following—caused an immediate thrill of interest to run through the market place. There was a quieting in the pace of the bargaining, though each man pretended still to be about his business, The agent sensed rather than saw the evasive group of figures who moved to strategic positions in the crowd, prepared for trouble. Worst of all was the unspoken wariness of the merchants, traditionally neutral in political affairs. If Vestevaal forced the incident into an affray, then even the dour men of small commerce seemed likely to side with Zinder.

Ren normally had complete confidence in Vestevaal’s ability to contain a crisis. However, Ren was from habit more attuned to the local undercurrents in Anharitte than Vestevaal could be. Purely from lack of ‘feel’ of the situation the director might provoke an explosive incident. Under his tunic Ren could feel the comforting weight of his blaster. He would hesitate to use the weapon in such a populated place, but, if necessity demanded, he could drop a dozen men with a single charge.

‘You there! Girl—come here.’ Vestevaal was approaching Zinder, calling imperiously. She turned her head and waited for him, her face composed, as if the meeting were an event not unexpected.

The director stopped suddenly as he realized she intended that he must be the one to walk the intervening distance if he wished to speak with her. She plainly did not propose to come to him.

‘I said come,’ said Vestevaal, knowing the delicate dictates of slave etiquette.

She looked him up and down with shrewd appraisal, then turned back to the merchant at whose stall she was and continued her transaction. The director sensed that all eyes were upon him and wondered how he would resolve the offered slight. It was unthinkable for any slave other than Zinder to have disobeyed a public command from a man so obviously a prominent outworlder. Vestevaal realized that he had trapped himself into an open contest of wills. He could not afford to let the’ matter pass.

He strode angrily across the remaining distance and caught hold of her left wrist, on which the slave mark was indelibly written, At close quarters she was attractive rather than beautiful in the classic sense. Her dark hair framed a strong face, which displayed an unassailable character. But more impressive was the rich by-play of emotions continuously monitored in her eyes.

‘I thought so—the House of Magda.’ Vestevaal was emphasizing the aspect of bondage, trying to draw a reaction. ‘Your master will be hearing from me. You’re the one they call Zinder, aren’t you?’

‘But of course, Director Vestevaal. But then you knew that before you came across here. Indeed, I am the reason you came.’ Her voice was clear and melodious, modulated with a subtle artistry. Her speech was perfectly articulated Terran in which the attractive lilt of the native
Ahhn
accent had been carefully preserved. ‘But I’m glad you did come. Peering from behind a curtain is rather undignified for a man of your standing with the Free Trade Council.’

‘Damn!’ said Vestevaal, knowing that he was now the center of an attentive audience. ‘You take much on yourself, girl. Not only do you open wounds, but you also apply salt.’

‘Salt? Only to the wounds of enemies,’ she answered easily. ‘Among friends salt is for sharing at table. If I’ve offered salt, Director, it’s you who have chosen how to use it.’

In her deep eyes was no fear or displeasure, only an engaging challenge. Behind the eyes were limitless funds of resourcefulness. Though her lips were smiling slightly, they showed neither insolence nor arrogance. She was meeting him on an equal level and both of them knew it. What had started as a deliberate confrontation had ended in a rout for Vestevaal. His wry smile of admiration turned into a great gust of laughter and he reached this time for her right hand and kissed it.

‘As you so rightly said, Zinder, it was I who chose how to use the salt. But whereas a man can mostly chose his friends, circumstances choose his enemies for him. There are times when one could wish the reverse. Please present my compliments to the
Imaiz
—and tell him that if ever he wishes to dispose of your bond he will find myself an eager purchaser.’

‘I will convey your words to Dion-daizan, I’m sure he’ll be both amused and flattered.’

‘And also tell him that I mean to stop him by every means at my disposal.’

‘That isn’t news, Director Vestevaal. Had he not been convinced of it he would not have bothered sending me here today.’

‘He anticipated this meeting?’

‘The chance of this or something like it was highly probable. He felt it only fair you should know the character of the opposition.’

‘He could scarcely have made the point more strongly.’

‘What else would you expect of the wizard of Anharitte?’

She bowed respectfully and moved away like a colorful flower among the stalls, the barest hint of triumph on. her lips. The tension that had held the cluttered market in a long hiatus drained slowly away and the noisy chatter of bargaining returned. Ren, who had been silent to this moment, moved to the director’s elbow.

‘I told you I didn’t advise it,’ he said critically.

‘You were right, Tito,’ Magno Vestevaal told him. ‘I should have listened to you more carefully. Mark that round to the credit of the
Imaiz
. If that’s a sample of his tactics we’ll be needing more than moral support from the Free Trade Council.’

“Then you’re satisfied with my assessment of the situation?’

‘Send word to have the shuttle readied for blast-off as soon as I reach it. I’ll be calling an emergency session of the council and asking for their backing with all the facilities we need. With the evidence I shall give them I doubt there will even be a debate. In the meantime, you’re in charge here. You have my authority to draw whatever Company funds you need. Stop the
Imaiz
, neutralize his policy or just plain kill him—I don’t mind which. But if he turns many more slaves like Zinder loose in Anharitte, we’re surely going to have another democracy on our hands. And what will become of Free Trade then?’

To understand the function of the societies in Anharitte it was necessary to view them against the background of the uneasy truce local feudalism maintained, The burgeoning space technology barely thrust outside the city’s limits. Almost alone among the institutions of Anharitte, the societies had been forced to adapt to the twin pressures and now formed a precarious link at once joining and keeping separate the rival ways of life.

Historically the societies had been clans of skilled mercenary soldiers who offered their services to any who found it beneficial to use hired arms rather than maintain their own forces. In either attacking or defensive roles, the clans had played a great part in the early formation of the ‘kingdoms’ from which the great Houses of Roget had emerged after the adoption of central government.

With the coming of less turbulent times the societies had found new exercise for their warlike crafts. When the thriving communities had outgrown the protection offered by the great castles on the three hills, the merchants outside the citadels had become exposed to attacks by Tyrene pirates who came up the broad Aprillo river. Many merchants had then found it expedient to use the armed services of the societies to protect their homes and warehouses. From this had evolved the contract system whereby a merchant engaged a society for protection but paid for the service only as and when it was required. This function, too, sharpened the efficiency of the societies themselves, because the best protection contracts went to the clans with the proven ability to preserve the life and wealth of their patrons.

As piracy became a less profitable profession, the idea of contract protection remained. Always adaptable, the societies were swift to monitor the change and quick to evolve new services to offer. Slave control in the expanding estates was an obvious extension. The passing of two disastrous plagues brought about the introduction of society hospitals. Frequent fires in the huddled wooden buildings caused the initiation of society fire services. Thus the outworld concept of insurance found a more personal and practical analogue in Anharitte.

Yet the warrior function of the societies was not forgotten. A man with the price might still arrange for the skilled disposal of his rival or the waging of a feud with an enemy. While the taking of life in Anharitte was not necessarily a crime, disturbance of the peace of the city was an offense. The societies learned to conduct their affairs with great discretion under the grim and scowling eyes of a prefecture which neither approved nor disapproved of what they did—provided the quiet life of the city was maintained.

The coming of the spaceport had further enhanced the societies’ role. No outworlders were permitted to hold property titles on Roget—a necessary precaution for a culture intending to preserve its own identity in the face of commercial outworld interests—but there was nothing to stop outworlders entering into contracts with a society and leasing buildings held in the society’s name. The same applied to slave-bonds and to every other form of transaction that had to be registered with the prefecture. Thus the societies, inextricably part of the old culture, became also the bridgehead of the new.