Part 16 (2/2)

”Ondor and Beltran are virtually at war,” Malum continued. ”The Elector of Rodenlac has annexed es- tates belonging to Adelfras of Hodial; even the Church has not been immune from depredation. No one touches the Imperial holdings, but that, it seemed to me, had more to do with the strength of the Imperial Forces and the number of members of the major families who are His Majesty's 'guests' at Angorn than to any great rev- erence for the Crown.”

”You paint a disturbing picture,” the Elector re- marked, and sipped cautiously at his wine.

”It gets worse,” Malum said tersely. ”From Angom I headed south for Estragoth. People travel in armed groups these days. Bands of st.u.r.dy beggars are a con- stant threat. In fact, we came under attack nine times between Angorn and Estragoth.”

”And does the Emperor do nothing about this law- lessness?” the Elector asked.

”Oh, aye,” Malum said with bitter amus.e.m.e.nt. ”He hires out soldiers to provide the escort.”

The Elector shook his head and clicked his tongue in disapproval. ”Surely the roads in Estragoth itself were safe?” he said.

”They were. Mind you, with the tolls your son is charging, they d.a.m.ned well ought to be.” Malum knew the remark was impertinent, but it was an accurate re- flexion of the outrage his traveling companions had felt.

The Elector sat up and winced anew. ”Tolls?”

”Six vards per person every ten leagues,” Malum said dryly, ”with men-at-anns doing the collecting.”

The Elector leaned back again, his mouth drawn down in displeasure. ”Did you tell them that you were bearing messages from me?”

”Indeed I did. I even showed them your seal. They were most polite, but quite insistent.”

Estragoth's brow furrowed and a flush appeared on

88 his cheeks. Malum, knowing the signs, hurried on. ”The Margrave refunded my money as soon as I reached the castle.”

”And how were things at home?” The question came out in a low growl.

”Your son, the Margrave, keeps proper estate. His wife is charming and the children are noisy and healthy.

The Electorate seemed peaceful and it looks as if the harvest will be good this year. I was told that the coal trade was progressing smoothly, though profits are down because of the need to protect s.h.i.+pments.” He paused and drank some wine. ”Manufacturing is not doing so well because of disruptions in the supplies of raw materials from the other Electorates. This has caused some unrest in the towns, but not as much, I was told, as elsewhere in Umbria.” He stopped again to see how the old man was taking his recital. The lined face was impa.s.sive once more.

”I wonder if I might have some more wine?” he asked.

”Talking is thirsty business.”

Estragoth gestured to the tray and Malum got to his feet. He took the opportunity to extract an oilskin- covered package from his belt pouch. It was closed with the seal of House Estragoth. ”These are letters from your family,” he said, laying it on the Elector's lap.

”I'm sure that they will give you a much better picture of things than I can.” He stooped and poured himself another gla.s.s of wine.

The Elector turned the package over a couple of times and then set it aside. ”You did not mention Coppin,”

he said. ”As I recall, my youngest was a friend of yours.

You must have seen him at Angorn.”

”No,” Malum replied, taking his seat again, ”but I saw him at Estragoth. There is a letter from him among the others.”

THE UNICORN PEACE 89.

”Not at Angom?” The question came out on a rising note.

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