Treachery's Tools (15 page)

“
Locus dominatus
?”

“It's an old Tellan legal term meaning the total legal right to all justicing. I had to have Sanafryt look it up.”

“That was invalidated by the Codex Legis. So they're trying to…” Alastar broke off.

“What? I hate it when you get an idea and leave me hanging.”

“It's all a legal ploy to get back what they think are the rights of low justice, and the right to answer effectively to no one on their own lands.”

“The High Council claims that trying a High Holder infringes the rights of all High Holders.”

“As you have told me,” Alastar said evenly, “Lenglan found his wife and her lover asleep and beat them so badly with a blunt sword that the wife died and the young man is crippled. I have difficulty with seeing how that equates to self-defense.”

“I agree,” replied Lorien wearily. “The problem is that the High Council is staking out a position to establish that practically nothing they do can be tried before any court, even the High Court.”

“This is only the first step,” Alastar pointed out. “They're trying to put you in a position where each action you take will anger more and more High Holders.”

“I won't have it. You can't have it, either.”

He's right.
“Have you received any other petitions or communications from the High Council or any High Holder?”

“What does that have to do…?” Lorien frowned. “High Holder Ruelyr has requested the right to reinstate tolls on the section of the roads built on his causeways. That's the only one.”

“I'd wager that levying tolls on the rex's highways that pass through their lands was another privilege revoked by the Codex Legis.”

“Then you believe they will besiege me with all manner of requests and petitions? That each will seem reasonable to other High Holders?”

“It would not surprise me,” replied Alastar cautiously.

“Nothing all those greedy bastards would do could surprise me.”

Certainly nothing that some High Holders might do would surprise Alastar, especially Cransyr or Haebyn, or their allies, but he wasn't yet willing to image all of them ice black.

“They might even raise an army against me,” declared Lorien. “I have little more than a regiment of troopers remaining in L'Excelsis. Six battalions at most.
That
is what comes of following your ‘advice,' Maitre.”

“Over two thousand men. That should be more than sufficient, considering that none of the High Holders can raise more than a few hundred.”
And if they raised a force large enough to be a threat, they'd spend more time arguing over who would lead it than planning what to do.

“If they turn the Civic Patrol against me?”

“They won't. The Patrol has less than two hundred men.”
And enough of them know what imagers can do.

“You have an answer for everything, don't you? Except all your answers haven't solved the problem. Why not?”

“Because the times are changing again. The High Holders haven't lost power, but they can see that they will. That's making them angry. The factors and merchanters can see that they aren't being treated fairly, and if matters continue as they are going, they'll get even angrier. If matters are made more fair, then the High Holders will get even angrier. If you or the Collegium acts in a way that greatly favors either side, that side will attack you. If you try to suppress both … or do nothing, they'll eventually unite, if only temporarily, and attempt to remove you.”

“You're saying anything I do will make matters worse! So what am I supposed to do?”

“Nothing for the moment. We need to let them play a plaque or two.” Alastar just hoped he could find a way to turn those plays into ways to channel or deflect the anger into something less destructive.

“I don't like it, Maitre. I'm getting petitions from factors in Estisle and Nacliano. They're complaining that High Holders are refusing to pay for goods in a timely fashion, waiting seasons, even. All of this is just another set of trials … one after another.” Lorien sighed, then looked toward the open north window.

By the time Alastar finished listening to Lorien and then rode back to Imagisle, it was well past fifth glass, and he rode directly home, where he dismounted, and let Konan and Borlan take the gelding back to the stables.

Alyna was waiting for him in the front hall. “There's a pitcher of dark lager waiting for us in the study, with biscuits. Dinner won't be ready for another glass, and you look like you need both.”

“That good?”

“I knew you met with Factoria Kathila and with Lorien.”

Alastar followed her into the study, where a platter of biscuits, two beakers, and a pitcher were set out on a tray. They took the two chairs in front of the desk.

Alyna poured the lager. She said nothing until Alastar had taken a long swallow. “I imagine it's been a very long day.”

Alastar nodded and took another swallow of the lager before replying. “I have the feeling that matters will get worse.”

“Because of what Kathila said … or Lorien? Or both?”

“Both.”

“What did you discover from Kathila, and what did it cost you?”

Alastar told her, beginning with Kathila's observations about Hulet, and the threats apparently made to the grain factor, and the debts owed by various High Holders as well as all the other details … “and in the end, I did promise to image a set of ornate silver boot buckles, sometime before year-turn.” He paused. “I'd appreciate it if you'd make a design. Something uniquely geometrical.”

“I can do that, but I'm not so certain I shouldn't accompany you on your next visit.”

“That might be for the best,” Alastar agreed. “I'm also worried about Dareyn and some of the young imagers. The green flux has showed up, and Dareyn has it. He's not a young man.”

“Neither are you. You should stay away from him until he's well.”

“I'm a good fifteen years younger than Dareyn.” Alastar decided against mentioning that he'd already had the green flux.

“And you've been working harder for all of those fifteen years.”

Alastar wasn't about to argue when her voice turned that firm. “There's also something else you should know. It's something I think we should discuss with your brother when he arrives. The High Holders are in effect petitioning for the return of their standing above the law of the rex…” He went on to explain what he and Lorien had discussed.

Alyna waited until he finished before saying, “They want to turn Solidar into fifteen hundred little rexdoms. That would destroy Solidar.”

“And in time, the Collegium,” added Alastar. “What do you think?”

“It's likely.”

“What do you think we should do?”

“Nothing … for the moment.” She paused. “Nothing obvious. Isn't that what you've already decided?” The mischievous smile he enjoyed seeing appeared, but immediately vanished.

“Unless you had thought otherwise.”

“I haven't.”

“You can see why I'd like to hear what your brother might say. Do you have any idea of what he might have in mind … besides Malyna?”

“Only that it won't be something trivial. He might have accompanied Malyna even if there were no other reason, but then he wouldn't have mentioned that he wanted to discuss other matters.” She paused. “In a bit we should join Lystara. She's dying to tell you about her day.”

Left unsaid, and emphasized by Alyna's setting matters up so that they could talk before dinner, was the fact they would maintain the practice of not discussing Collegium matters at dinner.

That was definitely for the best.

 

8

Alastar had no more than entered his Collegium study on Mardi morning and seated himself behind his desk than Maercyl appeared in the half-open doorway.

“Estafen D'Factorius is waiting outside, sir. He says that he knows he does not have an appointment, but that the matter is urgent.”

Estafen … and not his father? Still … given that Estafen headed the Banque D'Excelsis, whatever he had to say would likely be informative. “Have him come in by all means.”

Maercyl stepped aside and gestured.

A moment later, Estafen entered the study, then carefully closed the door. He looked to be a good ten years younger than Alastar, despite the well-trimmed black beard that well might have been cultivated to make him appear older. He nodded respectfully as he approached the desk. “I must thank you for seeing me without my making arrangements.”

As he gestured for Estafen to take a seat, Alastar couldn't help but contrast the politeness exhibited by Estafen to the abruptness with which his sire had plunged into the study years earlier. But there had been an honesty about Elthyrd, and Alastar had to wonder if that honesty existed in the son. “You're welcome. I'm glad I was able to see you. Maercyl indicated that the matter is urgent.”

“In more ways than one, I believe. On first glance, it might seem almost trivial, petty, in fact. I do not believe it to be so. The Banque D'Excelsis safeguards the funds of those who deposit them with us. We also lend some of those funds to others, but we require collateral in some fashion or another. Often that collateral takes the form of contracts to deliver grains, livestock, wool, timber, by a certain date, or at times, liens on such.”

“Still exchange contracts, in effect,” said Alastar, “since you're not a produce or livestock factor.”

“Exactly. I have a number of such contracts on grain, with liens on livestock … and other goods as collateral for loans. After last year's poor harvest, I made more loans to High Holders, and even more early in the spring. Now, quite a number will not pay. They even refuse to pay default interest. The interest is not usurious. The regional justicer won't make a judgment until Rex Lorien rules on a series of petitions that claim such disputes can only be judged if they apply to debts between High Holders…”

Between High Holders?
If true, that was something Lorien had conveniently forgotten to mention to Alastar.

“… more than a few factors are beginning to withdraw deposits. Rumors are circulating about the stability of the Banque. That's despite the knowledge that I have sound backers…”

“Such as your father?”

“Not just him. Others also. Over the past week, word is passing in various quarters that Weezyr's banque will fail as well. The failures wouldn't hurt the High Holders. They'd benefit because they could escape paying their debts.”

“Especially if no one but another High Holder could bring them before a justicer.” Alastar's voice was sardonically dry. “Just who are these High Holders?”

“I'd rather not name those involved. Not yet.”

“Is that because the loans were confidential, and the conditions included the stipulation that you not disclose their names publicly?”

Estafen nodded, if reluctantly. “It goes beyond the Banque, Maitre, well beyond…” Estafen looked meaningfully at Alastar.

Alastar wasn't quite sure exactly where the factor's hint was leading. “And if you don't have those golds…”

“What can I do? I cannot lend golds I do not have, unless I issue notes I may not be able to redeem.… Karl is talking about building another furnace to provide the coke to smelt the iron that Vaschet needs to make the tires and rifles that he has received orders for…”

Rifles?
Why would the army need more rifles when it had five thousand fewer soldiers than ten years earlier? Rifles hadn't changed that much.

“… Maartyn cannot purchase the horses and barges he needs to carry the clay for his bricks. Wylum cannot purchase the contracts on wool and cotton for his mills. Yet if I issue notes, without the golds I am owed by High Holders…” Estafen offered a dramatic shrug.

Alastar understood. He should have understood sooner. “Before long, the Banque D'Excelsis will fail. You, and possibly your backers, will be ruined, and many other factors will suffer.”

Estafen nodded again.

“You mentioned that Factorius Vaschet has received orders for what must be significant numbers of rifles … so many that Karl needs to expand his ironworks.”

“It's not just rifles. He makes wagon springs and the iron tires for the wheels, all sorts of parts.”

“He used to forge sabers for the army, too.”

“Not anymore. They put blades on the rifles, bayonets, they call them.”

Then again, maybe rifles have changed that much.
Still … “I wonder who else needs that many rifles.” Alastar had an idea, but wanted to see what Estafen might say.

“I don't know. I didn't ask Vaschet. He probably wouldn't have told me anyway. He keeps his plaques held close.”

“What exactly do you expect me to do?” Alastar asked quietly.

“Something about it, Maitre. At least, let Rex Lorien know what those high-handed bastards are up to. It can't be good for him if they think they're above his laws. They might not even be able to pay their tariffs.”

“He's been looking into that, but he hasn't mentioned the part about petitions that claim only debts between High Holders are subject to the jurisdiction of a justicer.” Alastar paused.
Except that
locus dominatus
amounts to the same thing.
“What about gaming debts? Do you think any who've borrowed from you have used the golds for that?”

“I don't lend to factors or their families without recourse.” Estafen shrugged. “You hear about factors' problems. Not all of them, but most. With High Holders … it could be poor harvests…” His smile turned crooked. “It's hard to say no to a High Holder or his son.”

“I assume High Holder Delcoeur has borrowed from you or Weezyr.”