Part 11 (2/2)
”I thought that I'd been clever,” he said sadly. ”I did everything through third parties and I paid them well to keep their mouths shut.”
”Oh, you did very well for an outsider. The truth cost me far more than I was originally prepared to pay. It wasn't so much your money that did it as fear that if you found out, you'd cast some terrible spell.”
”Youthful follies,” Jarrod said with a shake of the head and a small smile. ”Mind you, I don't regret it and I could well afford it.” What he did regret was that he hadn't been able to find Samanthina. At least Olivderval didn't know that.
”No doubt.” Olivderval's tone was smooth. ”But it wouldn't look too good if it got out now.”
”Ah, the arm twisting.” Jarrod was back in control of himself again. He knew where she was heading. ”A 61.
gamble on your part, of course. Disclosure can always work more than one way. Now, what about the brib- ery?” He raised his eyebrows.
”You're a cool customer, Jarrod. I somewhat under- estimated you, though I still think that, if it came down to it, you would protect your reputation. The public doesn't like its heroes buying brothels.”
”Oh, I don't know,” he countered with a purse of the lips, ”it might humanize me, don't you think?” It was his turn to smile.
”You're really very good.” Olivderval allowed her eyelids to droop, producing a calculating look. ”Nev- ertheless, you're a sensible man and I know that you see the merits of our position.”
”I might if I knew what your position really was.”
”Internationally guaranteed access through Son- guard and the new Songean territory.” Her lips tight- ened. ”Administration and communication will still be enormous problems, but we're rather better at func- tioning a long way from home than is the rest of the world. The Umbrians will have to abandon Bandor, that goes without saying. That'll bring the Songeans to our side.
”On the other hand, Songuard isn't exactly a ia^v- abiding place. It wouldn't take the mountain tribes long to figure out that there is more profit to be made by raiding Isphardi caravans than by herding their rono- ronti. That means that we shall have to provide military escorts and that would mean building fortified guard- posts on Songean soil. That in turn would mean friction with the government-if they get themselves a proper government by then.”
”And how do you propose to finesse that?” Jarrod was beginning to enjoy himself, but he remained wary.
”The valleys would have to be patrolled by a force composed of Paladinians, Arundelians and Talismanis.
62 t JOHN LEE
The Songeans will have to provide us with a base at or near Bandor.” Olivderval paused and shot him a mea- suring look. ”The cost to be borne by the Umbrians and ourselves.”
”And you think that the Umbrians will agree to give up Fort Bandor and pay for your security.” He allowed himself to sound skeptical.
”I don't see why they shouldn't,” Olivderval replied offhandedly. ”After all, we have been paying for their garrison at Bandor for a very long time.”
”I see.” Jarrod was noncommittal. ”And what does the Discipline gain by supporting this plan?”
Olivderval shrugged. ”The Discipline has no interest in major territory and this arrangement wouldn't cut into your t.i.thes.”
Jarrod s.h.i.+fted in his chair and sipped his drink. ”Not nearly good enough,” he p.r.o.nounced. ”Had it not been for the Discipline, there would be no new territory. Peo- ple have forgotten how close the Outlanders were to victory, but I am sure that your fellow Oligarchs are not unmindful of the effects of peace upon commerce.”
”It has fostered compet.i.tion is what it's done,” she rejoined. ”You did us no favors by obliterating the en- emy. Most of the best and brightest men were engaged in the war; now they are bored and they have turned their skills to making money. Your friend Marianna of Gwyndryth is a case in point. She has invested in s.h.i.+ps and is doing a thriving business exporting the produce of her region. She has factors at Seaport and at Belen- gar.”
”She's never said anything about that and neither has her father.”
”Of course not. They're an old aristocratic family and commerce is supposed to be beneath them. However,”
and an admiring note crept into OlivdervaPs voice, ”that young woman has access to a very large amount of cap-
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