5.Death of Chaos
XLIV
Nylan, Recluce
THE MAN IN the tan uniform bows and remains standing before the curved black wood table. His wide brown leather belt bears only a short blade on the left, a small purse, and a lighter-colored patch of leather on the right, where a scabbard would rest for a cross-drawn left-handed blade.
Just inside the door the two soldiers in tan, with the orange starburst on their right shoulders, remain motionless.
“Welcome, Ser Rignelgio.” The silver-haired Talryn gestures to the chair. “Would you have a seat?”
“I may not be here that long.” Rignelgio offers a self-deprecating smile.
“You asked to see us?” asks Heldra.
“That is correct, Ser Heldra.” The envoy shifts his weight on the hard black oak to face the three councilors.
The sound of the high surf ebbs and fades, ebbs and fades. Maris glances at the open window to the south, then back to the Hamorian envoy.
“The Emperor has become more and more concerned about the continuing lack of stability in Candar of late...”
“As are we,” offers Talryn.
“But not, we believe, for precisely the same reason.”
“Oh?” Heldra inclines her head.
“Some have led the Emperor to believe that Recluce has come to foster disorder as a means to increase its own order. The Emperor would like to believe that such a charge is baseless. He would also dearly like to believe that Recluce has merely confined its attentions to its own lands and that the chaos that has developed in Candar is without the interest and blessing of Recluce.” Rignelgio holds up a hand, as if in apology. “You understand, I am the mere messenger of such concerns.”
“We do understand your position as a messenger, Ser Rignelgio,” answers Talryn smoothly.
Under the edge of the tabletop, Maris rubs his thumb and forefinger together. His other hand strokes his beard for a moment, even as his eyes stray to the two soldiers in the functional tan cotton uniforms.
“Then you can also understand why I might have some concerns about not being understood.”
Heldra and Talryn nod.
“Understanding is often only the first step.” Talryn's low voice almost rumbles. “Even when two parties understand what is, they may not agree upon the meaning of that understanding.”
“Yes, there is that. Perhaps that is not necessarily so great a barrier, however. At times a course of action can be agreed upon without a sharing of understandings or motivations. The Emperor would be most pleased if the amount of untoward chaos in Candar were to decline.” Rignelgio smiles politely.
“Untoward chaos-that is an interesting term,” says Maris. “Might there be such a thing as 'toward chaos'?”
“Probably not, which is why we might reach an understanding.”
“What sort of understanding?” Heldra's voice is diffident, almost detached.
“Why... you are the wizards of the black isle. Understanding I must needs leave to you. I can only say that the Emperor, like you, is most interested in the enhancement of order, throughout the world, but particularly in Candar. He is most concerned, and he wished you to know that.” Rignelgio smiles and rises. “I said I would not be long.”
“A moment, Ser Rignelgio,” says Heldra. “You have expressed the Emperor's concerns, but you have failed to suggest what might allay those concerns.”
“Hamor has always been interested in free and open trade, and disorder hinders such trade.” The envoy bows. “As I said before, I would not presume to suggest specific actions.”
“I would presume,” says Maris coldly, ignoring the sidelong glance from Talryn. “You hint, and you bow, and you talk about open trade. In my experience, Hamor's 'open trade' means open only to Hamor, with restrictions on Recluce or Austra. Are you telling us that Hamor intends to make Candar a trade colony and not to interfere?”
The smile leaves Rignelgio's face, and his expression is blank as he replies. “As I indicated earlier, the Emperor has expressed his concerns. I would not presume to go beyond my charter in conveying those concerns.” He bows stiffly.
“We appreciate your concerns about exceeding your charter, and your diplomacy,” acknowledges Talryn, rising in turn. He is followed by Maris and Heldra.
“And I yours.” Rignelgio's voice remains cool.
The soldiers by the door stiffen as the envoy turns.
After Rignelgio has left, Heldra reseats herself and looks at Maris.“Was that called for?”
The trader walks to the window, looking down at Nylan. “Yes. I can't play word games.”
“Well... that was interesting,” reflects Talryn. “I suspect something more than the usual is going on. Rignelgio clearly didn't want to deliver an ultimatum, and someone wanted him to.”
“The Emperor?” asked Heldra.
“Telling us to please stop meddling in Candar?” suggests Maris. “We're supposed to let Hamor take over control of all trade.”
“I didn't get much hint of a request there,” rumbles Talryn. “I think we'd better look more closely into how the Emperor plans to accomplish this. Rignelgio isn't at all comfortable with his position, and that could mean trouble.”
“We can't afford to knuckle under to him,” says Heldra. “I won't knuckle under.”
“Your attitude and your blade, even your squad of marines, can't stop the changes in the world,” observes Talryn. “Or the entire Hamorian fleet.”
“The old values are important,” responds Heldra. “If they aren't, why are we here? Are we just supposed to be facilitators of trade?”
“Don't sneer at it, Heldra,” replies Marts. “Trade pays the bills.”
“You both have good points,” interjects Talryn. “We do need to remember that the Brotherhood doesn't exactly have the world's largest standing army, and, even with our armed merchant ships, Hamor's fleet greatly outnumbers ours.”
“Most of them half a globe away.”
“They won't stay that far away.” Maris rubs his thumb and forefinger together.
Talryn nods. “Perhaps not.”
“Traders...” mumbles Heldra, mostly under her breath.
Maris and Talryn exchange glances.