CLXVII
Cerryl felt exposed as he sat in the front row of the Council Chamber. He could feel Anya’s and Fydel’s eyes on his neck… and countless others’ as well. Never imagined you’d feel this alone amid so many mages…
Kinowin, erect and broad-shouldered still, despite the gauntness of age, marched up the side steps and then to the center of the polished gold-shot marble dais of the Council Chamber. Behind him by several steps followed Redark, his eyes shifting nervously from the marble floor to Kinowin and down again.
The two waited for the whispers to die away.
“The first order of this meeting is to affirm Cerryl as High Wizard.” Kinowin nodded toward Redark.
The second overmage smiled quickly and faintly, as though he would rather have been anywhere else.
“Is there any member of the Guild who wishes to propose another member as High Wizard?” questioned Kinowin.
A few murmurs followed the inquiry, and Cerryl wondered who speculated about what but did not turn his head.
“Does any member of the Guild propose another for High Wizard?”
In the silence that followed, Kinowin surveyed the chamber, looking methodically from the gold oak desks and red-cushioned gold oak seats at the front to the white granite columns at the sides for any who might be standing under the swagged crimson hangings. Finally, he announced, “Seeing as no other candidate has been proposed, as overmages and representatives of the Council we declare that the new High Wizard is the most honorable Cerryl.” The aging blond mage motioned for Cerryl to take the dais.
Cerryl forced himself to rise deliberately, calmly, and mount the dais. Once before the assembled mages, he bowed, noting in passing that with each meeting the numbers were fewer, the ages younger. Which is why you stand here and why you need to do something.
He straightened, forcing himself to pause, to let the silence draw out before he spoke, to survey the mages as though he could look into each heart. Finally, he spoke. “It is right and customary for a High Wizard to thank the Guild for its support, and I do so with gratitude.”
He waited for another moment, his eyes studying the chamber once more. “We, all of us, face a time of change in Candar. We did not seek that change, but we must address it. The overmages and I will be seeking your assistance, and your wisdom, in continuing to undertake the steps necessary to strengthen the Guild and to ensure that all of Candar respects you. This was the goal of both Jeslek and Sterol, and it will be my goal.”
Cerryl bowed slightly again. “I will not deceive you. The Guild faces dangers greater than any known in recent years, and we must work together in overcoming them. I am most confident that we possess the will and the power to do so. And we will.” He waited, knowing there would be questions, hoping he could defuse them.
“Honored High Wizard,” began a figure in the back, one Cerryl did not know, “can you tell us exactly how effective all the golds poured into the trade blockade have been?”
“For the most recent details we would have to ask Sedelos and Gorsuch, since they observe the largest ports in eastern Candar,” answered Cerryl, trying to ignore the veiled sarcasm of the speaker. “From what I have seen, the blockade has been most effective in keeping goods from Recluce out of Lydiar and Spidlar and, more recently, from Hydlen. The Council and I will be looking into ways to reduce the cost of such efforts.”
“High Wizard,” asked Fydel, his voice blunt, “nearly a score of mages have been assassinated by agents of various rulers. What do you plan to do to redress such wrongs?”
“We have totally destroyed dissident traders and their Council in Spidlar. We have replaced the larger local traders there with traders from Fairhaven loyal to the Guild. We have begun to obtain tariff golds for the first time in years. In turn, we will address the wrongs of other lands.” Cerryl smiled.
“Honored Cerryl,” asked Huroan, the second in command of the Patrol, “folk have said that you started a Patrol in Spidlar. Is that so?”
“That is so. The Patrol has worked well for Fairhaven, and it seemed that it would work well for Spidlaria. Fairhaven has much to offer Candar, and for those offerings it should be repaid.”
A smile flitted across the Patrol mage’s face before he sat down.
The thin and angular Broka rose, almost languidly. “Your words bespeak both the need for action and a certain… caution, High Wizard. Which can we expect?”
Cerryl managed to keep from choking or even showing his surprise at the double-edged bluntness of the question. “How about caution when it is merited and action when it is necessary?” He offered a self-deprecating grin. “I’m sure that you and the overmages will make your feelings known about which course you feel is appropriate when.” Before another question could come up, he bowed again. “I thank you all for your interest, and your support, and I would ask that any of you who have recommendations or advice let the overmages know, and we will address them as we can.” He stepped back and nodded to Kinowin.
“The High Wizard having been selected, and there being no other business before the Guild, the assembly is ended.”
Cerryl shook Redark’s hand, then Kinowin’s. “Thank you both.” Kinowin’s eyes twinkled. “The year ahead will be most interesting.” Cerryl feared he was right, all too right.
CLXVIII
Cerryl sat with his back to the window, Leyladin in the seat to his right and Anya across the table. The shutters were closed against the rain and the damp, chill air.
Cerryl massaged his forehead once, then forced himself to keep his hand from his throbbing forehead.
“What do you plan to do about Recluce, Cerryl?” The heavy scent of sandalwood and trilia drifted across the table from the redhead. “Now that you are High Wizard?”
“Make preparations as I can.” Cerryl shrugged. “First, we need to raise more golds.”
“Raise the tariffs, then.” Anya waved off the need for golds.
“Perhaps I should put it more clearly, Anya. I do not like Fairhaven suffering. We are suffering because we must maintain the roads and some of the ports. That costs golds. We are short of golds not because the tariffs were too low, but because Certis, Spidlar, and Gallos were not paying all they owed. Spidlar is paying now, and the revenues are increasing every season. To obtain the golds necessary to support an attack on Recluce-even a sea battle to destroy their ships-we need more golds. I cannot obtain more golds by raising tariffs rulers do not pay. I cannot fight another war that will cost more golds than we have to obtain golds.”
“Then what will you do,” Anya snorted, “cautious Cerryl?”
“What Jeslek wished to do and Sterol did not understand. Gain control of the major trade ports and thus raise more golds.”
Anya raised her eyebrows. “Oh?”
“Between Sedelos and the trader Wertel in Lydiar we have almost doubled the tariff golds there in the last season. And I am working on a plan to increase the tariffs that Certis pays.”
“We will have golds in a year, but no power.”
“If we have no golds, Anya, we shall be powerless even sooner.”
“At least, you have the right idea.” Anya turned to the healer. “You should encourage him to act, Leyladin.”
“I am sure he will act,” the healer said gently. “And he will weigh your words most heavily. He always has.”
“From you, those words have great meaning, and some small comfort.” Anya frowned as she stood. “Very well, I will bide, and tell Fydel and the others that you are raising the funds necessary to confront the Blacks. I can also tell them that you have been hampered by Sterol’s extravagances which left the Guild’s coffers near empty.”
“They were indeed near empty,” Cerryl affirmed. If not precisely for those reasons.
“And it is good you do not plan to tax further our own traders.” Anya bowed. “They will appreciate that.” She turned. “By your leave?”
“I would hope so.” Especially Jiolt.
Once the door closed, Leyladin shook her head. “She wants you to attack Recluce.”
“I can’t do it now, even if I wanted to. She knows that.”
“She will keep pressuring you.”
“Of course. That is how she will destroy me. She will make the Blacks the enemy, as Jeslek did, and if I fail to destroy them, then she will blame me for the traders’ woes and those of the Guild and find another High Wizard.” Unless you can turn her schemes.
Leyladin reached for the goblet of water. “She may, even with your understanding.”
“I know. I can only do what I can, and I can do nothing without more golds and tariff coins.”
“Father and Lyasa sent more than you expected.”
“Nearly a thousand golds, but that will be all until next summer, I fear. The ice grows now on the Northern Ocean. Tyrhavven will stay clear of the ice for another few eight-days, perhaps longer if the weather remains not too cold.”
Leyladin reached out and squeezed his hand. “You didn’t think it would be this way, did you?”
“I knew it would be, but I had hoped otherwise.” He took a sip of water, then stood. “I need to walk through the Halls. I cannot remain cloistered in the tower, not when so few know or recall me.”
“I will return to the house. It would not be well for a Black to accompany you.” She paused as she rose. “I do expect you for dinner, and you are not sleeping here.”
“Yes, dearest lady.” He had to smile.
Leyladin returned the smile.