Part 45 (1/2)
245.
”Destroy your record of this meeting. Leave us and do you tell the guard to summon the Lord Malum of Quern.”
”As Your Imperial Majesty commands.”
The scribe bowed again, sidled away to retrieve his papers and then backed from the Imperial presence to the door.
Varodias sat and waited, staring at the vacant chair, the fingers of his right hand drumming on the arm of the throne. She had threatened him. The insufferable woman had dared to threaten him. His mind fumed, contemplating revenge. She was d.a.m.nably well in- formed. The business about the Discipline was bad enough, but the challenge to the throne was crucial. If her information was right, however, and it mirrored his own, he had larger problems than an overweening priestess. If two of the Electors were plotting against him, there would be others. This operation was too sub- tle for the likes of Ondor and Flaxenholme.
Grandmere of Rotherbach? Possible. He had not been to Court in over a year and he had no kin at Angorn.
Baramia of Augspem? Too old to be an effective plot- ter. He cursed quietly under his breath. Where was Es- tragoth when he needed him? He should never have allowed him to go home. A thought struck him. The younger son had never returned to Court. He shook his head. No, not Estragoth. Nevertheless a pointed invi- tation for his son to resume his post would not be amiss.
There was a rapping at the door and Varodias came out of his reverie. The doors opened and the guard an- nounced Lord Quern. He watched as the little man, dressed all in black, save for a small ruff, advanced across the floor, limping very slightly. Quern came to a stop beside the chair that the Mother Supreme had abandoned and bowed.
”You sent for me, Imperial Majesty?”
246 ”We have just received confirmation from an impec- cable source that the Electors of Ondor and Flaxen- hoime are indeed plotting against the throne,” the Emperor said in a deceptively placid voice. ”Since you have charge of our intelligence, it pains us that we have come by our confirmation from an outside source.”
It was intended to shock, but Varodias saw no sign that the young man was disconcerted. A cool customer, he thought, not for the first time. Estragoth had chosen well.
”As Your Imperial Majesty knows, I was aware that the two Electors are supporting the man known as Sim- ian the Hermit, but that is in a crusade against the Mother Church. The Church has extensive estates in both Electorates and it is reasonable to suppose that they intend to annex them when the opportunity arises.”
”And did it not occur to you that an attack on one pillar of the establishment can easily be redirected against another? Once the populace has been induced to riot, rebellion can follow. Or had that possibility es- caped you?”
”No, Sire, it had not.” Malum's insides were trou- bled, but he kept his voice steady. It was obvious that the Emperor was in a bad mood, and he would have to tread warily. ”In fact I have agents in the field who are directing the popular animus against the Electoral Houses.” He forced a brief smile. ”I thought that the people were most easily aroused against the authorities that were closest to home, those whose actions most directly affected them. Those that have treated their folk well have nothing to fear. The rest will have less time for plotting.”
”Indeed?” Varodias sat back and his shoulders re- laxed. The falcon, sensing the change in its master's mood, ruffled its feathers and began to preen. ”We trust 247.
that those Electors who are loyal to us will not be dis- commoded.”
”The public beast is relatively easy to arouse and to turn, but difficult to direct with accuracy,” Malum said with more certainty than he felt. ”Those lords who have been good to their people and are perceived as being just should be relatively safe. Those who have op- pressed will be at risk, no matter how loyal they are to Your Imperial Majesty.” He shrugged. ”Of course,” he added, ”if the conflagration becomes general, madness sets in and n.o.body is safe. There are, at present, no signs of discontent in Your Majesty's own Electorate and the capital is quiet.”
Varodias smiled, the long, thin face warming briefly.
”We are happy to hear that,” he said. The face dark- ened again. ”Nevertheless, the fact remains that treason is afoot and we wish to know the particulars. Ondor and Flaxenholrne are too light of mind and will to carry it off successfully. There are others involved. We would know their names. With this we charge you.”
”As Your Imperial Majesty commands.” Malum bowed his head, knowing that he had been lucky. It was obvious that the Emperor's source was the Mother Su- preme; the question was, how accurate was her infor- mation?
”It has occurred to us that both these Electors have kin at Court. It might be well if they were moved from their quarters to a place where they could be more closely watched. What think you?”
”I would advise against it, for the moment, Sire,”
Malum replied. ”While it might dissuade one or the other from further action, it would signal our knowl- edge of the plot and that would undoubtedly make the others more cautious and hence harder to detect.”
”A good point.” Varodias nodded in approval. ”We concur.” He paused and looked at Malum. The boy
248 t JOHN LEE
had said nothing to him about a secret agreement be- tween the Isphardis and the Discipline. He may not have known about it or may have decided to keep the knowledge to himself. Neither prospect sat well.
Should he reveal his newly acquired information?
No, he decided. Better to hold it in reserve. The right hand came up, forefinger raised. ”We should hope that your spies are more efficacious in other areas,” he con- tinued, voice neutral and thus, to Malum, infinitely threatening.
Feeling like a novice, even after all these years with Estragoth, Malum dropped his gaze as the Emperor turned and made little mewling sounds to the bird.