Part 22 (1/2)
”We do what we can. I should have spent more time with Jimbob when he was at Elheld, but I trusted Galen. Now...” Jecks shrugged, then seated himself on the brick window ledge closest to the writing table, ignoring the chairs.
”You suggested we needed to deal with more than a few things.” Her nose still wrinkled at the smell as a gust of wind swirled from the windows through the chamber. ”There's who gets the holding.” To whom could she entrust the custody of Lord Arkad's lands? Arkad had no heir, not according to Jecks. None of her would-be proteges were old enough nor experienced enough. ”And what else?”
”You should settle that soon,” Jecks said. ”I also question whether we should continue to Synope.”
”We have a day or two to consider that. First, we have to deal with this mess. We can't just leave Synfal without someone in charge,” she mused. ”What do you suggest?”
”You could rightfully administer it,” Jecks answered. ”You could have someone act as saalmeister or seneschal.”
His emphasis on ”rightfully” did not escape her and confirmed what she had in mind. ”No. It has to be someone clearly perceived as being of Defalk. Right now, it has to be a man.”
”You were considering a woman?”
”There will be ladies in the future, but I doubt Defalk is ready for such a shock for the first lord I replace.
Besides, I can't even find someone to run my own estate.” She lifted her right hand to set it on the table, and managed not to wince. She didn't think any muscles or tendons had been out, but it still hurt. ”I was thinking that we'll need both an heir and an administrator.”
”Both?” Jecks lifted his white eyebrows.
Anna smiled. ”What about Jimbob as the heir?”
”What?”
”Make Herstat the saalmeister and administrator in Jimbob's absence.”
”My Herstat?...” Jecks laughed. ”You will take every talent I possess.''
”Not every one.” She made a gesture that she cut short as the combination of double vision and pain reminded her of her wounds-seen and unseen. ”These are rich lands, and they will give him income and a greater impression of independence...”
”He is young....”
”They're his upon his maturity. Have Herstat present a yearly report to me and to any lords interested enough to come to Falcor to hear it. Any changes or improvements Jimbob wants to make will have to be approved by you and Herstat.”
”Not you?”
”Definitely not me, and everyone should know that.”
”Again, Lady Anna, you surprise me.”
”Why? One of Donjim's and Barjim's problems was that they didn't have enough income and were too beholden to the Thirty-three.”
”When others discover your intentions...”
”It will only confirm what they want to believe,” Anna said wearily. ”Besides-tell them that Jimbob benefits, not me.” She cleared her throat. Something in the air was affecting her allergies. Brill's youth spell hadn't taken care of that problem. ”I dbn't think we should announce it for a time, maybe not until we return to Falcor. I should be considering who will be the heir.”
”Some would find that indecisive.”
”Let them. If I announce Jimbob right now, everyone will say that it's all a pretext for me to take over lands of the old guard and use Jimbob as a puppet. That's another reason why you'll need to get Herstat here quickly, before I announce the new heir.” She rubbed her nose, hoping she wouldn't sneeze. ”Did you find out who was Fauren's second in charge, or whatever?”
”His name is Halde,” Jecks ventured, his voice thoughtful. ”He waits in the corridor.”
”You sound puzzled.”
”Best you speak to him first.”
Anna nodded. Jecks wanted her to form her own view. Halde was dark-haired, with a trimmed beard that concealed his comparative youth. He couldn't have been much past his early twenties. ”Lady Anna, Lord Jecks.” He bowed, deferentially, but not obsequiously.
”What was your position here in Cheor?” Anna asked.
”I was an a.s.sistant to Fauren, the saalmeister, lady.” Halde's light gray eyes met Anna's. ”I did as he asked.”
”What sort of duties?”
Halde glanced warily from Anna to Jecks. ”Whatever Fauren asked. I was in charge of the account books, and the strongbox room. And of all the supplies for Synfal. lrkiik, he was the one who inspected the fields and collected the tariffs. He also could use the scrying gla.s.s a little. Onnbor maintained the armory and trained the guards.”
”Did you agree with Lord Arkad's decision not to pay liedgeld to the Regency?”
”I was not in a position to question the lord, lady. Fauren would caution us that even the saalmeister dared only so much.”
”Where is your family?” asked Anna.
”My mother lives with my uncle in Cheor. He is a cooper. I have no consort.” Halde offered a quick and wry smile. ”Fauren did not leave us much time for dalliance.”
”What do you think should happen to Cheor?”
'You must decide that, lady. I would hope that those who served will not be punished severely.”
Anna nodded to herself. Whether they knew it or not, all those in Synfal had indeed been punished. Her spell would bold for all but the mad, at least as long as she lived. ”I hold Cheor until a new lord is appointed. For now, Halde, you will act as ... saalmeister.” Anna struggled for the word. ”Someone must ensure Cheor continues to prosper If it does, and you perform well, I will find some suitable reward.”
”You are most charitable, lady.”
”No. Despite Fauren's faults, it is clear that Cheor was well run. People know their business and seem happy. Generally, that means a good... saalmeister. I will let the hold know.”
”Thank you, my lady.” Halde turned to Jecks. ”Grace to you. Lord Jecks.”
”What do you think?” Anna asked after the door closed behind Halde.
”It is the best choice for now.”
”Once Herstat takes over, and learns all he needs to know, we'll have to replace Halde, I think.”
”You would punish him?”
Anna shook her head. ”Find a job for him in Falcor or somewhere. I just think that the top people here should be loyal first to Jimbob, and then to Synfal.”
Jecks rubbed his chin. ”That will take time.”