2.14 In Which the Dark Lord is the Lesser Evil

2.14 In Which the Dark Lord is the Lesser Evil

In keeping with the established pattern of everything good on Ephemera being horribly tainted somehow, my first hug from Aster was delivered at high velocity while she was wearing chain mail.

Oof! I actually staggered under the impact; Nazralind reached out to steady me with one hand on my back, which Im pretty sure was a gesture of pure mockery since it should have been obvious I was in no danger of falling.

Hugs are nice, but chain mail is hard. I couldnt help wincing, even as I tentatively raised my arms to give Aster a light squeeze in return and pat her on the back. Actuallychain mail aside, this was okay. Now that I thought about it, I hadnt had a hug from anybody since my last girlfriend, which was A year ago? No, two. Two and a half? Something like that. Id read somewhere that humans require physical contact from other humans to maintain their health, but I suspect thats one of those Internet Facts based on clickbaity bullshit. Japan is one of the least huggy places on Earth and its not like were all depressed and miserable.

We are not separating again! Aster declared, pulling back just enough to glare at me, grab my shoulders and give me a violent shake.

I gently pried her fingers loose. Well, well, look whos suddenly barking orders at whom.

Oh, no you dont. This is not an area where you get to pull rank! She leveled an accusing finger at my nose from distressingly close. No matter who you are, there are two people you dont outrank if you want to live: your doctor, and your bodyguard!

Captain Norovena emitted a little huffing noise that might have been a cough or cleared throator suppressed chuckle. I shot him a look, catching the man biting down on a smile.Follow current novels at novelhall.com)

I never have inquired about your home country, Lord Seiji, but in every military and aristocratic hierarchy in every society Im familiar with, that is indeed the rule. Its good advice, too. Miss Asters capable head is surely as valuable an asset as her sword.

He was definitely having some fun at both our expense. I decided to let it slide. Look, Aster, Im fine. It all worked out! Just ran into some unexpected difficulties, that all.

And my job is to be between you and the unexpected difficulties! Do you have any idea how worried Ive been? The gangsters we rounded up were saying youd died! Never again, Lord Seiji!

You know, if you keep yelling at your employer like this in public with no regard for rank and decorum, the Captain here is going to assume were sleeping together.

Aster finally fell silent, apparently out of pure outrage. She was so obviously throttling me inside her mind that I could practically see it reflected in her eyes.

We are not, for the record, I added to Norovena. Its just thatwell, youre right, Captain, she really is very good at her job, plus other miscellaneous tasks. I find the quality of Asters service well worth putting up with her backtalk. Which is unending and spicy.

Yes, Ive been quite positively impressed by her capabilities during this whole operation, he said in a diplomatic tone. Anyway, glad as I am to see you two reunited, this situation is still ongoing and I asked you to accompany me for a reason, my lord. If you would follow me, please?

At my nod, he led the way out of the main area of the middle ring guard headquarters in which Aster had intercepted us. The place looked busier than usual, as I might have expected given what was going on; soldiers were scurrying about, and there were unmistakably others present, including an obvious noble directing small groups of men, plus several well-dressed middle-aged middleborn whom I took for government bureaucrats. The one whod been shadowing us all the way through the city stepped aside to speak with the aristocrat, while the Convocation priest peeled off down a side corridor. Those two hadnt said one word in my hearing, which I couldnt help but think was ominous.

The civil service types were all business, but several of the passing soldiers were grinning at us as Aster and I fell in line behind Norovena, Nazralind bringing up the rear. What can I say, even when its not my idea, I put on a good show.

In the corridor outside, I carefully leaned over to nudge Aster with an elbow. She shot me an inquisitive look, and I gave her one right back, raising my eyebrows in a silent question. Comprehension dawned in Asters eyes, and then she flicked them significantly toward Nazralind behind us, tilting her head infinitesimally.

Naz, noting the tiny gesture, waved cheerfully. I couldnt actually see whether she was grinning behind that big fake beard, but it wouldve been on brand.

I gave Aster a nod and a thumbs up. She grimaced faintly, expressing her doubt about our new ally, but did nod back and pat the bulging exterior side pocket of her overcoat, the one in which she kept a semi-permanent nest of cloth scraps.

Even as I looked down at it, the flap shifted just enough for Biribos tiny black snout to poke through. He flicked his tongue out at me once and then disappeared back into hiding.

Good. Finally, we had the gang back together. Aster was entitled to a lot more explanations, but they would have to wait till we had a modicum of privacy.

Norovena led us through a set of heavy doors, from behind which a horrific din exploded as soon as he opened one. Wincing, I repressed the urge to cover my ears as I followed him. Behind was a sizable hallway crossing with wide corridors branching out to both sides and directly ahead; along one wall was a smaller door, but the rest were lined with metal bars.

The citys prison. I was a little surprised to find myself suddenly here, having expected to descend into a dungeon to see this, but I immediately realized how foolish that was. Ephemerans were afraid to dig or go underground, I already knew that. My habitual patterns of thought were going to get me in real trouble one of these days, but there was just so much to adjust to on this weird-ass planet.

Apologies for the noise, my lord. Captain Norovena had to raise his voice to a near-shout to be audible at all, what with the constant roar of men yelling from in their cells, and guards shouting back and occasionally whacking at the cell bars with clubs. Were full well past capacity, and these animals are about the only people having a worse day than my men.

On the contrary, I suspected everyone in the Gutters was having a worse day than either, considering theyd done nothing to deserve it. That wouldve been a pointless thing to say in this company, however, so I took the excuse of the noise to just nod at him without answering.

The Captain marched straight to the sole door and opened it, beckoning us after.

Inside was an office. The walls were covered with blueprints of the prison section and various charts I didnt try to read in detail, save for the wall behind the sole heavy desk, which was a floor-to-ceiling rack of pigeonhole shelves mostly full of scrolls. At the desk sat a heavyset middleborn man in a Kingsguard uniform without armor, looking up at the interruption with his bushy eyebrows drawn together in an intense scowl. I couldnt blame him; all four of us had just trooped into his office uninvited, and Norovena had shut the door behind us.

He pretty much had to if he wanted to carry on a conversation in here. We could still hear the roar of the prison through it, just muffled.

Warden, said Norovena. Apologies for the interruption, but Ill need to borrow your office for a few minutes.

Captain, the Warden replied, scowling even harder. If you havent noticed, Im having a rather busy day.

Were all having the same day, Warden Divanno, Norovena said in a tone that invited no further commentary. Nor am I asking you to twiddle your thumbs in the hall. I need to have todays guest of honor moved from the secured cells to an interrogation room. Given who else is packed into all your crates this morning, Id be happier if you tended to that personally and make sure nothing goes awry.

With some effort I kept my mouth shut. The secured cells? Then what the hell were the rest of them?

Divannos eyebrows lowered further, the eyes beneath them narrowing to slits as they darted across the three of us. You are talking about the informant? Lamm?

The same.

Hmf. Well, its not as if Im making any headway here, he finally grunted with ill grace, tossing his pen down atop the papers on his desk and rising. If youre planning to have that matter tied off itll be at least some of this bullshit squared away. By your leave, Captain.

We cleared a way for him to reach the door, resulting in a momentary squeeze against one wall.

If I could prevail upon your servants, Lord Seiji, Norovena said, raising his voice above the hubbub as Warden Divanno stepped out, perhaps if they watch the door and inform any visitors that the Warden is not in, it will spare us any interruption.

Norovena turned away again, this time staring at the wall of scrolls behind the desk. He was silent for such a long span of seconds I opened my mouth to prompt him when he abruptly spoke.

You have noticed, Im sure, that at least a quarter of the Gutters is abandoned. Close to a third, by some estimates. Gwyllthean had a significantly larger population recently enough that all those buildings have not had a chance to completely decay.

I have, I said slowly.

That event I spoke of, Norovena continued, his voice unusually soft against the muffled background noise of the prison outside. The feud between Clans. It was Olumnach and Rhaednyl, specifically. The whole thing happened just after the harvest. Just after Archlord Caludon ascended to the high seat of Clan Aelthwyn and the fief of Gwyllthean. His first act as Archlord, while the feud was escalating, was to have all the harvest brought into the middle ring and stored in warehouses there, to protect it from unrest. That was not popular with anyone, of course, but at the time it was justan inconvenience and an odd decision, the sort of things the Clans do all the time. No one considered it worth raising a fuss over. None of us realized what he was planning. He hesitated, rolling one shoulder as if it had stiffened. Then came the truce, and the crackdown. And then there were mobs and riots. And then Caludon closed the gates.

Norovena turned back to face me directly, staring right into my eyes.

He not only secured Gwylltheans defenses as if its lowborn population were a besieging army, he mobilized the Kingsguard and Clansguards loyal to Clan Aelthwyn to secure the landbridges off Dount. All except the northern bridge out of Dlemathlys entirely. And then, with no way to escape the island and all the food locked behind the walls with the upper classeshe waited.

For once, it was I who was spellbound listening to someone elses performance. He wasnt even all that great a storyteller, but the sheer horror of what unfolded kept me transfixed while the Captain recalled the details for me.

It took nine weeks, all told, for him to relent. Time enough for the food to run out, for people who had just expected to benefit from the recent harvest to begin starving. The Clans were forewarned what was happening, and to a one they immediately hoarded everything they could in their fortresses and sealed their gates, instead of even trying to share with the common people. Many of those common people died trying to storm the fortified landbridges, or Clan fortresses. Many died because they fled north to Godspire, which either kept them outside the city walls in squalid refugee camps or used them as fodder for gladiators in their Grand Arena. Theres no telling how many attempted to survive in the wild khora and were killed by beastfolk or the dark elves, who would have considered that an invasion. Obviously, a lot just starved. The Convocation tried to intercede and were rebuffed. The King attempted to send food aid to the people; Archlord Caludon turned the caravans back at the landbridges. This was before Lord Vanderhoens reforms; the King was much weaker then than now, far too unsure of his authority to risk forcing the issue.

Caludon Aelthwyn himself made a daily ritual of standing on the outer walls of the middle ring and throwing bread. Not enough bread, of coursejust enough to make people fight for it. And he demanded that they fight, brawling in the streets like animals. If the amount of bloodshed satisfied him, he would throw more bread. If the people tried to exercise some solidarity and share what little there was, there would be no bread the next day. He played similar mind games with the nobles inside the walls. Those who participated in his littlediversions earned favor. They would pelt the commoners from the battlements with mixtures of food, offal, and chunks of masonry, just to earn a smile from their Archlord. Any who refusedwell. There are consequences for being out of favor with the ruling Clan.

It took nine weeks for the pressure to mount on all sides to the point that he was forced to relent. That was enough time for his point to be made. Dount has still not recovered, as you can plainly see by walking through the Gutters. Economically, productively This is a rich island in terms of the luxury goods it can produce, but were not nearly where we were before Caludons Siege. The Radiant Convocation has never forgiven Clan Aelthwyn and that causes him no end of political trouble. Absolutely nothing good resulted from the whole disaster. And his Lordship still speaks fondly of it as his greatest success.

It was a few seconds after he stopped talking before I could find words.

Wow. Thats

The most evil thing Ive ever heard of, and Ive met the actual Goddess of Evil.

creative.

Norovena tilted his head slightly, studying me. In a number of ways, Lord Seiji, you remind me of Archlord Caludon.

Captain, all I know about the man is what youve just told me, and I have to say, my feelings are hurt.

Oh, you are far more personable than he. I suspect his Lordship has never considered anyones opinion to have enough value that learning to be personally charming was worth his time. But you do have notable points in common. The same flair for drama and disregard for convention, a certainhighly flexible imagination. When your plan was presented to the Archlord in the middle of last night, he was absolutely delighted by it.

And wasnt that just the kick in the balls I didnt need right now.

To answer your question, the Captain said, shaking his head, no, I am not worried about riots. Even if this were not a population who are vividly aware of the consequences of resistance, that kind of pressure takes time to build up. All morning I have been under observation by various bureaucrats and Clan representatives, and diligently creating the impression that this mornings business is reaching its natural endpoint. So long as I get clearance to pull my men back before noon, I think things will settle down. But you understand, I cannot suggest that, even by implication. It would only make me a target for the malice ofwell. All I can do is understand what the people watching me value, and guide their perceptions to the conclusion that its in their best interests to stop. But in the meantimeno. They wont riot.

I nodded slowly. Three percent.

Norovena cocked his head again. My lord?

Sorry. Never mind. Its just a statistic I read once. So, no riots, justchamber pots?

Oh, there will be plenty of anger after today, he grimaced. But they know better than to express it in any organized fashion. It will be smaller, individual outbursts, delivered from hiding wherever possible. And always at fellow lowborn in uniform who represent the Clans, never any of the highborn themselves.

And thus do the Clans remain in power.

They have it down to a science, he nodded.

The office door cracked open, emitting a torrent of noise, which was actually good timing. We were pretty much done here, and I could use a break to process what Id just heard. Nazralind poked her disguised head inside.

Beggin ya pardon, me lord, Capn sir, but th Wardens back, aye aye he is.

The door swung the rest of the way open and Warden Divanno pushed in past her, giving Nazralind the most vivid what the hell is this idiot supposed to be look Id ever seen. Apparently he didnt dare express that verbally in front of his superior officer and his superior officers rich friend, though.

The prisoners moved to an interrogation room as you requested, Captain, Divanno reported. Good instincts, sir. I dunno how they got wind but the scum jamming up the cells seem to know who ratted on em. Just moving him through the corridors required a full soldier escort and its got those animals riled up something fierce.

I honestly couldnt tell from here; the noise sounded about the same.

Ugh. Norovena bared his teeth in a grimace. I dont have any more men to spare you, Warden, but as soon as I can pull a squad back Im going to station crossbowmen at the prison wings entrance. Those riffraff arent destined for anything better than the whipping post if theyre lucky and Ive no time to play gently with them. At the first sign of one of those cells bursting open, I want everyone in it dead.

Ill see those orders relayed, sir, the Warden said, nodding. Might come to that, but I dont think so. Thank the Goddess we just had that renovation; all the bars are sound as of last year. Not for nothing did the Kingsguard spring for iron fixings.

All right, well give you back your office, said Norovena, ushering me toward the door with a gesture. Lets go see to our man, Lord Seiji. And, my lord, concerning what I just told you

Yes?

He fixed me with another serious look as we passed back out into the noisy hall, raising his voice just enough to be heard. Archlord Caludon was very interested in learning about the man who devised last nights strategy. You have his attention, Lord Seiji. I gather hell be keenly following your progress in the future.

Nazralind stiffened up visibly, raising her head to give me a clear view of the suddenly terrified look in her eyes under that floppy hat. Even Aster tensed, instinctively reaching for the handle of her huge sword.

I didnt need those signs, or Norovenas significant tone, to recognize that that had not been a compliment, but a warning.