The Councillor’s samke was a startling sight to Penrys. The forecourt gravel was raked and clean, and the iron of the gates showed no trace of rust. The main domicile had a charm and balance that was enhanced rather than diminished by the additions that had accreted over time, and the sound of running water from some unknown source overlaid the whole with a sense of peace, despite the noise of activity outside the walls.
Tak Tuzap’s clothing identified him as a prosperous, if over-young, citizen of Gonglik, but she felt decidedly dowdy in her own ill-fitting clothes, and Dzantig looked the modest student-priest that he was. At least Najud looked suitably exotic, if travel worn.
Too bad we couldn’t do this tomorrow, in our new clothing.
Najud caught her eye and smiled. “You should see Yenit Ping,” he murmured. “This place is a backwater, in their eyes.”
Tak headed their little party as they walked up the steps, and the door opened before he could tap on the wanbum. A grave and dignified elder servant bowed them in and led them through a wide hall into a large and comfortable room, clearly a place for receiving guests. They found two men waiting for them there, one of them in Rasesni military clothing.
One of the officers quartered in Kor Pochang’s residence?
Kor was a thin man with an intelligent face. His confidence and self-composure reminded her of Tun Jeju.
Not much escapes him, I bet.
The officer bore a long scar down his face. It originated in the scalp above, and the hair refused to grow along that line.
Honorable wounds. A traditional officer, or a politician?
Kor bowed. “Thank you for coming so promptly. Allow me to introduce one of the officers who does me the honor of residing here. This is Menchos, currently seconded to Commander Tlobsung.”
Menchos said, in impeccable Kigali-yat, “We have a superfluity of senior officers scattered about Gonglik and the rest of Neshilik. Alas, I am one of them. We have imposed upon the hospitality of Councillor-chi, here.”
I never saw a less superfluous person. I wonder what his role really is.
Tak Tuzap performed the introductions for his guests, and the entry of servants bearing trays with steaming cups of bunnas and small pastries reduced the formality of the atmosphere, as Kor directed them to backless, silk-upholstered single benches matched with small side tables, clustered in the center of the room.
Penrys made sure her lips were clear of crumbs, and then addressed the affable Menchos. “Can you tell me, zendo, why the regular Rasesni army did not crush The Voice? Surely overwhelming force…”
His eyes strayed briefly to her chain before returning to her face. “His warriors rarely separated from him. When they did, it was always in superior numbers to the opposing force, as you recently saw.”
He set his own cup down on the table next to him. “When he was present, our wizards died or were captured, and he slew his way through our men, beginning with the unit commanders directing the actual fighting. Once the fighters were leaderless in the field, he worked his way up and down the ranks, killing more senior officers when he could, or returning to destroy what was left in arms if necessary. He killed thousands. Thousands.”
The room was silent, held by the cold intensity of his voice.
“We couldn’t get within ten miles of him, not our army, not our spies, and not—as you know—our wizards. To preserve our army, we had to send it elsewhere, to protect our other borders and to put as much of a protective cordon around him as we could afford, knowing we would lose it if he turned in its direction.”
And he’s talking to me calmly, in this room, though he obviously assumes I could do the same thing to him and this entire city, if I tried. A brave man, if he thinks this. And it’s true, isn’t it. If not me, then someone else—if there are two of us with chains, there must be more.
He continued as if he had never been concerned. “Both Kor Pochang and I wanted to greet the heroes of the battle at the fork. The wizards have told us how you did to the Khrebesni what Surdo did to us.”
Her heart thumped at that comparison and she felt her skin chill.
No, I’m not like that. I gave the power back.
But I could be.
Before she could say anything, Menchos cocked his head. “I don’t know exactly what the wizards are dithering about now—not my concern. But I did want to tell you—we in the army remember our friends. As long as they stay our friends.”
Penrys felt that narrow edge of balance, that the relationships could change in an instant. Without changing expression, she scanned the room and felt the presence of men positioned unmoving all around the outside. Her imagination conjured up images of hidden holes in the wall, and arrows.
I should have known this could be a trap.
Time for her to make what case she could.
“I admit the comparison, zendo, but I did not know your enemy, nor where he came from, nor what he wanted. I didn’t even recognize his native language.”
Dzantig broke in. “Our own mage council has reason to believe her, zendo.”
“Perhaps,” Menchos said, as he studied her. “What do you want?”
“I plan to travel to sarq-Zannib with my friend and colleague. What I want…”
She sighed. “In the long run, I want to learn more about the origins of this.” She flicked her chain with a finger. “I spent the last three years not destroying Ellech, and I think sarq-Zannib, and Kigali, and Rasesni are reasonably safe from me, too.”
She half-laughed. “Hard to prove it, though, isn’t it?”
Cocking her head, she challenged him, directly, “Perhaps you should kill me now and be sure.”
Her deliberate provocation froze everyone in the room.
Menchos made a tiny shake of his head, and the moment passed.
Kor broke the tension. “Najud, I understand you have plans in sarq-Zannib that involve us, is that so?”
Najud laid out his scheme to start a Zannib caravan over the High Pass, with Dzantig as his factor working with Tak Tuzap.
Menchos asked, “You would take it on to Dzongphan, if the Rasesni leave Neshilik?”
“I think it would be a good plan. New market, new goods, excellent trade. What do you think? Will it be allowed? Licensed?”
“It is an interesting thought,” Menchos said. “I will consider it.”
He slapped his thighs and stood up. “Meanwhile, good host, may I trouble you for writing materials. I will give them both a safe conduct for Neshilik, if they will wait a few minutes.”
Tak muttered, “I don’t think anyone will stop her,” and Menchos pretended he didn’t hear it.
Kor clapped his hands and summoned a portable desk for Menchos, who took a deliberate position in their midst to do his work.
Doesn’t want someone outside the room to shoot anyway? I saw that head shake.
While he pressed his seal to the bottom of the second document, he glanced up at Penrys.
“Where can we find you, brudigna?”
“I’ll be with Najud for some time,” she said. For how long?
“Tak Tuzap or Dzangabtig will be able to reach me,” Najud added.
He pocketed his safe conduct and turned to Kor, with a smile on his face as though no threats had been implied or acknowledged.
“Now, can anyone tell me where I can buy some donkeys, suitable to breed mules from our sturdy horses?”
Tak lighted up. “That’s a specialty of ours, as I told you. I will show you our very best.”