Part 21 (1/2)
”Mister Cale was always more than that,” Tamlin said.
”A bodyguard, more like,” Vees said. ”At least from what I have heard.”
Cale recalled that the Talendar family had sent Vees to Waterdeep for an education and he had returned a priest of Siamorphe. Cale thought it strange that he did not wear a holy symbol openly. He knew also that the Talendars had financed the building of a temple to Siamorphe on Temple Avenue.
”How is construction proceeding?” Cale asked, to change the subject.
Vees looked surprised that Cale knew of the temple.
”You mean the temple? Quite well, Mister Cale. The Lady's new home will be completed soon.”
”Perhaps then you can give us a tour, at last,” Tamlin said with a laugh. He looked to Cale and said, ”The priests keep the place locked as tight as a Calis.h.i.+te Pasha's harem room.”
Vees smiled and explained to Cale, ”There are only two priests other than myself, and the sanctification rites require that the interior be open only to servants of Siamorphe until the process is complete. It is taking quite some time. You understand, I am sure.”
Cale did not, but nodded anyway. His G.o.d had no temples other than alleys. His G.o.d had knife fights with his Chosen.
”Vees could tell us that the rites required nude virgins dancing in the moonlight and I would know no better. Who has ever heard of Siamorphe? You will be pressed for wors.h.i.+pers, my friend.”
Vees only smiled. ”Perhaps. But we go where we are called.”
Irwyl entered with a bottle of Uskevren wine and three goblets.
”Ever timely,” Tamlin said. Irwyl distributed the goblets and poured. Cale allowed a fill out of politeness, though he did not intend to drink. Irwyl left the bottle on a side table. He noticed that the p.a.w.n had been moved on the chessboard, frowned, and returned it to its original position.
Irwyl asked, ”Will Mister Cale be staying in the manse?”
”Of course,” Tamlin answered, without consulting Cale. ”Mister Cale will serve as an advisor to the hulorn, if he so pleases.”
Tamlin looked the question at Cale and Cale nodded. Tamlin said to Irwyl, ”See to it that a room is prepared.”
”Will your old quarters suffice, Mister Cale?” Irwyl asked.
”They are tiny!” Tamlin said. ”I will not hear of it.”
”I would prefer it, my lord,” Cale said. ”That would be fine, Irwyl.”
”I will see to it,” Irwyl said, and turned to Tamlin. ”Will that be all, my lord?”
”Yes, Irwyl,” Tamlin said, drinking his wine.
After Irwyl left, Cale decided to move directly to business. ”Lord Uskevren, your message asked for my hurried return to the city.”
Tamlin set down his goblet and his face grew serious, as serious as Cale had ever seen it. ”Kendrick Selkirk is dead. Mirabeta Selkirk has been elected temporary overmistress. Endren Corrinthal of Saerb is accused of murdering Kendrick, but our contacts in Ordulin are not certain of the truth of it. There was some kind of fight in the High Council and Endren was arrested. Zerin Terb was killed.”
Vees shook his head. ”A shocking, shocking state of affairs.”
Cale knew Terb's name. He had been Selgaunt's representative in the High Council for over a decade. Tamlin continued. ”In any event, the council has called a moot to elect a new overmaster. I am traveling to Ordulin-”
”My lord?” Cale asked, surprised. The hulorn had always appointed an agent to represent Selgaunt in the High Council or a moot, but never attended personally.
”I cannot tell what is happening there from here,” Tamlin said. ”Some of our informants there say that Endren's son is raising an army to depose Mirabeta. Others believe that Mirabeta arranged all of this. I need to see it personally before I ask the entire Old Chauncel to journey to the capital for the moot. Something is afoot and I need someone I can trust at my side. You. I want you as my wallman, Mister Cale. What do you say?”
Cale answered immediately. ”Of course, but ...”
”But?” Tamlin asked.
”My lord, Selgaunt is ... in difficulties. How will it appear if you leave it? Who will govern?”
”We will not be away for long. Two tendays, perhaps three. Vees will speak for me, if needed, but the bureaucracy runs itself. The Old Chauncel will operate by consensus in my absence. In truth, that is another reason that I want to go alone, despite the call for the moot. If the entire Old Chauncel left the city at once, it would be ... ill perceived. Once I have a handle on events in Ordulin, I will send for the key members of the Chauncel.”
”A wise course, Hulorn,” Vees said.
Cale was not so sure. Selgaunt felt ready to erupt. Tamlin had called him an advisor, so Cale decided to start advising. He took care to frame his speech appropriately. He had been removed from the niceties of station for some time. The words did not come as easily to him as they once did.
”My lord, may I make a recommendation or two? Actions that you might take before leaving the city?”
Vees snorted into his goblet. ”The man is returned for a day and already has suggestions.”
Cale stared at Vees. Vees took another sip of his wine and averted his gaze.
”You are my advisor,” Tamlin said with a tip of his goblet.
Cale nodded. ”The city is overcrowded. The people are hungry.”
”There is food in the market,” Vees said.
”Little, and it is priced so high that none but the rich can afford to eat,” Cale said, trying and failing to keep the coolness out of his voice.
Vees made an uncaring gesture. ”Unfortunate, but true. But this is Sembia, Mister Cale. The market is what the market is.”
Cale barely resisted the impulse to punch the n.o.ble twit in the face. Despite his best efforts, shadows leaked from his skin. The room dimmed.
Tamlin noticed and looked alarmed. So did Vees but he looked more puzzled than afraid.
”I will explain later, my lord,” Cale said softly, and with an effort of will, caused the light to return and the shadows to subside.
Tamlin nodded slowly, eyes wide. Vees took another sip of his wine and studied Cale over the rim.
Cale said, ”My lord, if your answer is the same as that of Lord Talendar, you will soon have riots. Hunger makes people desperate.” Cale thought of Skullport and said, ”I have seen it before.”
Vees harrumphed. ”That is why the Helms are on the streets.”
Cale ignored Talendar and addressed Tamlin. He decided to be candid. ”If I am going to be of service to you, this all must end right now.”
Tamlin looked confused. ”I do not understand, Mister Cale.”
Cale gestured at the parlor, at Vees, at Tamlin. ”This. All of this. The polite speech. The discussions over wine. The clothes. The city is in a crisis, my lord. From what you have told me, all of Sembia is in crisis. We are not discussing a contract for trade. May I be fully candid or not?”
”There is no need for panic,” Vees said.