Part 33 (1/2)
”I've also made Lord Jecks agree to part with Herstat as part of the bargain, to be saalmeister here. Halde will stay on to a.s.sist him, but only for a time, until Herstat is comfortable.” Anna turned to Jecks. ”What have you discovered about Halde?”
”He is honest, according to all. He works hard. He does not appear to listen, but he does,” The white- haired lord shrugged. ”A courtier he is not. That is why he would have remained an a.s.sistant, I would judge.”
”The armsmen of Synfal speak of him in a like fas.h.i.+on,” added the Arms Commander. ”They respect him.
They do not like him, but they do not dislike him.”
”Well... let's get this over.” Anna raised the iron bell and rang it, wincing at the off-key clang.
Fhurgen opened the door.
”If you would ask Halde to come in...”
The dark-bearded acting saalmeister entered the chamber, closing the door gently but firmly, and bowed.
”Lady Anna, lords.”
”Halde,” Anna said, wondering how she was going to handle telling Halde he was about to be replaced.
”Yes, Lady Anna?” The black-haired young man bowed again.
”I will be naming the heir to Synfal shortly.”
”That is your right as regent.”
”The heir will have his own saalmeister.”
”That is his right.”
”Halde,” Anna repeated, adding slowly. ”Everyone in Synfal believes you are hardworking, good at the work of your job, and honest. Most find you cold and difficult to talk to. I promised you a good position if you worked hard and well, and I will honor that promise.”
”All say you honor your word.” Halde bowed his head.
”Halde...I have a request.”
”Your word is my command.”
Anna wanted to stamp her boots or slap the young saalmeister. Instead, she forced a smile. ”Herstat will be arriving to become saalmeister. He will need your a.s.sistance to learn all he needs to know about Synfal quickly. He would learn it in any case, but your a.s.sistance would make matters easier” Anna waited.
”I will offer all a.s.sistance I can,” promised Halde, his light gray eyes meeting Anna's.
”My request is that you also learn from him. Watch how Herstat talks to people, how he makes them feel good without giving away what he must not.” Anna's eyes focused on Halde, and she emphasized the next words slightly. ”If you will learn from Herstat, if you work at knowing people as you know the keep, then I will indeed reward you.”
For the first time, Halde appeared uncertain, and his hand went to the neatly trimmed dark beard.
”Lady...”
”You have talent, Halde, and I need talent. But I need someone who does not make people feel like tools.
People need to feel like people. That is not weakness; that is another skill.” Anna cleared her throat. She wasn't good at this sort of lecture, but she was desperately short of people who were good at what they did. ”Do you understand?”
Halde nodded, then swallowed. 'Might I ask. . . of the heir?''
”I'd ask you to say nothing until I make the announcement.” Halde nodded. ”The heir will be Lord Jimbob. The past lords of Defalk have been weakened because they didn't have enough coin or lands.
That left them unable to protect their people. After the heir is named, I will not have any part in the day- to-day running of Synfal. That will be up to you and Herstat. Now, and when Lord Jimbob visits in the future, as he will more frequently as he gets older, he will learn all he can.”
Halde inclined his head. ”In these times, few could fault your decision. Some lords may rage behind their walls, but few will say so where any can hear.”
”What of those in Synfal?” asked Jecks.
”Already, it is clear that the regent is fair and just. That is rare as well, and most call themselves fortunate.”
”Most?” asked Anna.
Halde smiled ironically. ”I have not found anyplace where all agree, even in my father's house.”
”Do you have any questions?”
”Do you know, lady, when I might expect this... Herstat?”
”Within the next two weeks, Halde. And no,” she antic.i.p.ated the question, ”I do not know how long he will need your a.s.sistance. I do know that he is just and fair, and as kind as he can afford to be.”
”Thank you, lady.” Halde bowed again.
”You may go, Halde. Thank you for all your help and hard work. I do appreciate it.”
After the door closed, Hanfor shook his head. ”He listened. I did not think he would. You are a wonder, Lady Anna.”
Anna just felt tired.
”What have you in mind?” asked Jecks.
”I need a saalmeister for Loiseau. and I need someone who can put it back together so that it works without sorcery.” She reached for her goblet and took a long swallow of water. ”I hope he can learn. I'm asking a lot.”
”He has skill,” Hanfor added.
”But can he learn about people?” Anna turned to Jecks. ”Was I right about Herstat? I only have met him once.”
Jecks smiled broadly and shook his head. ”One would never have guessed that. You described him well.
At times, my lady, you indeed astound me.”
”Then, let's hope he can teach young Halde.” Anna coughed. Her chest still hurt when she did, but it was far more of an ache than the stabbing pain it had been. ”We'll need to draft a proclamation or whatever's necessary to grant the lands to Jimbob....”
Jecks nodded.
”We'd better talk to Jimbob, first, too, before he hears something.”
”I will get him.” The white-haired lord, walked swiftly from the quarters.