5.Death of Chaos
LVIII
East of Lavah, Sligo [Candar]
AFTER STEPPING INSIDE the cottage, the man in the tan uniform carefully folds the heavy brown cloak over his arm and offers a half-bow. “Honored Mage, might I introduce myself?”
“You might.” Fire glitters on Sammel's fingertips, then fades.
“D'ressn Leithrrse, envoy of His Imperial Highness Stesten of Hamor.” Leithrrse bows again.
“My, that is an impressive series of titles.” Sammel offers an exaggerated bow in response. “How could this poor seeker of knowledge possibly offer anything to such an exalted personage?”
“You already have rendered some services to the Emperor, at least indirectly.”
“Ah, through Duke Colaris... I cannot say I am surprised.” The fire flares momentarily on Sammel's fingers, then vanishes. “And I am vain enough to appreciate a little recognition of the power of the knowledge I provided.”
“The Emperor does recognize the power of knowledge. Knowledge can change the world, and doubtless that is what you hoped, even expected.” The envoy sets his carefully folded coat across the back of the crude wooden chair. “In fact, you might even have been said to have ensured it.”
“It was clear that Begnula was on your payroll. Knowledge I provided somehow appeared in Hamorian form before it was ever used in Freetown, and that says a great deal when that knowledge must travel the oceans.”
“I am what I say, an envoy of the Emperor,” mock-protests Leithrrse.
“Who was born in Recluce and who has adopted the Hamorian form of naming.”
“I remain the envoy of the Emperor.”
“Then, perhaps you will do me a favor.” Sammel turns his back to Leithrrse. “Take one of those metal cartridges and place it on the hearth-away from the fire.”
“As you wish.” The shorter, slender man extracts the metal cylinder from his belt and sets it on the stone, stepping back past the chair that holds his cloak.
Sammel's eyebrows lift, and a thin funnel of white appears around the cartridge.
Wwhhhhssstttt!!! A cone of flame flares upward and vanishes. White smoke swirls around where the cartridge had been. When the smoke dissipates, no sign of the cartridge remains, only a smear of blackness on the stone.
Although a film of perspiration coats Leithrrse's forehead, he does not reach for the linen handkerchief folded inside his tunic.
Sammel smiles. “Now, you may continue.”
“For all your recent wealth and for all your power”- Leithrrse gestures around the cottage-“this is still a cottage, and only a handful of people know of your prowess.”
“Public reputation is scarcely desirable for a mage,” returns Sammel dryly. “Private recognition and remuneration, yes, but not public acknowledgment.”
The envoy's brows knit for an instant, before he laughs. “You surprise me. I thought you would protest. I thought you would claim you do what you do solely for the love of knowledge.”
“Love of knowledge and a desire for remuneration do not exclude each other.” Sammel walks toward the hearth and frowns. The black splotch on the stone vanishes. “Especially as one grows older.”
“I understand that,” admits Leithrrse, holding up a hand. “And so do you. Recluce does not. Let me be frank, since you appear to appreciate that. If you remain here, certainly Recluce will send someone after you. How many times in the past has knowledge been discovered, and then extinguished by the black isle?”
“More than a few.” Sammel's voice remains dry. His eyes flicker to the tube gun mounted on the wall.
“In fact,” continues Leithrrse, his eyes following Sammel's, “it appears that the black mages may have preceded me.” He clears his throat, then continues when Sammel does not speak. “Powerful as you clearly are, alone you are vulnerable. You have to sleep at some point. Now... the Emperor is a great supporter of knowledge, and Hamor would be far more receptive to what you offer.”
“At least so long as my knowledge furthers his conquests?”
“My, you are cynical.” Leithrrse inclines his head slightly.
“No more so than you. Recluce does breed a certain caution.”
“You wish to see knowledge available to all, and you wish some limited recognition and more than limited remuneration. Why not help accomplish all these at once? Become the head of the great Library at Luba.”
For a moment, Sammel continues to look out upon the land beyond the window, where areas of browned grass are beginning to appear through the snow. “If the Emperor's other voice-the other envoy-is willing to make such a proposal, I might... might consider it.”
“I will have to discuss it with him.”
“Do so.”
“I will, Honored Mage. In the interim, you might consider that the Library would be less able to afford a new supervisor if the cost of the conquest of Candar becomes prohibitive.” Leithrrse bows, then extends a leather pouch. “A token of esteem and recognition. Just a token.”
“I am honored.”
“The Emperor would hope that you would honor him.” The envoy reclaims his cloak.
“You speak well, Leithrrse, and so does your coin.” Sammel laughs softly.
“Knowledge is always valuable, and only a fool disregards its value. The Emperor has high regard for knowledge, and is certainly no fool.” The envoy smiles. “After all, I am here, offering recognition of such a regard.” Leithrrse rums at the doorway and bows a last time.
“I appreciate your interest, Honorable Envoy.” Sammel inclines his head. “I do, and look forward to your return.”
“Good.”
As Leithrrse walks toward his mount, and the troops who have waited, Sammel nods and speaks to himself.“Head librarian... a title better than most... Talryn, you think knowledge can be buried?” He closes the door and laughs. “Or that mages must bow to Recluce or remain penniless?”