“But he wasn’t at table last night. You wish to know why?”
“It might be useful,” replies Lerial dryly.
“There are two reasons. First, he is a Kaordist. Second, he and Aenslem cannot stand each other.”
“But you said … Fhastal’s consorted to his daughter.”
“That doesn’t matter. His daughters are consorted to the two most powerful men in Afrit, besides himself.”
How can it not matter? And a Kaordist? A follower of the dual god/goddess? “Is his dislike so strong because of Fhastal’s belief?”
“Partly, I suppose. Aenslem says that order and chaos just are, and to make a deity out of them is just foolish. For your information, he doesn’t believe in the Rational Stars, either.”
“If belief is only one reason…”
“The other is that Fhastal has advanced credit to several merchanters in difficulty at a time when, had they failed, Aenslem could have purchased their merchanting houses for a fraction of their worth.”
“But his daughter would benefit.”
Rhamuel shrugs. “I don’t pretend to understand.”
“He can’t have only advanced credit to those whom Aenslem wanted to buy or take over.”
“No … Fhastal has a few more—I wouldn’t call them enemies—but those less charitably inclined.”
“Who else might be foremost? Perhaps Maesoryk?”
“Why do you think that?”
“From his position at the table, he must be one of the more powerful and wealthy merchanters. He’d have the golds to do the same thing.”
“Thanks true. He’s certainly one of those who doesn’t view Fhastal as favorably as he might. He wanted to buy some timberlands west of Baiet from an old landholding family. They were heavily in debt to a countinghouse out of Estheld. Why there, I never knew. Shalaara got wind of it somehow and advanced golds so they could pay off the debts. No one else would, and she had to borrow the golds she advanced from Fhastal. Maesoryk must have wanted the lands badly. The family had already had a few spot fires, possibly camma trees, since the lands weren’t that well managed, but Maesoryk ended up buying the lands anyway. It cost him more, and he’s not forgiven either Shalaara or Fhastal.”
“Why did she do it? Were they friends?”
Rhamuel shakes his head. “More golds. They got a quarter more than they would have, so I heard, and she got a fifth of that plus the usury charges refunded.”
In a way, Lerial has to admire Shalaara, even as he reminds himself that trusting any of the Afritan merchanters is chancy … and dangerous … as witness what happened to Valatyr … although he still has no idea which merchanter had hired the assassin … or why, except possibly to weaken Rhamuel. “Why did Maesoryk want the lands? Do you know? I thought he was into kilns and ceramics and tiles. Or did he need to provide for a younger son … or heir?”
“He’s never said, except that he thought they’d pay off in time. It couldn’t be for a younger son. He only has one. Three daughters, though. Maybe he worked out something on transport with Alaphyn. Those two are close.”
“So … one way or another, Fhastal’s credit has cost both Aenslem and Maesoryk golds, and likely resulted in Fhastal getting some of the smaller merchanting houses anyway because they couldn’t pay him?”
“He wins either way. He either gets the usury or whatever they put up to get the golds.”
“That suggests that he’s as wealthy as Aenslem.”
“He may be wealthier. He’s not as powerful. Too many people dislike him.”
Lerial nods. “Thank you. I see.” What he doesn’t see is why Rhamuel maintains a close relationship with Fhastal, or one that seems close. Keeping close to a potential enemy of the duke … or cultivating an ally not close to Atroyan and Aenslem … just in case? He does have one other question. “How does Aenslem feel about Jhosef?”
Rhamuel laughs softly and sardonically. “Not at all. Neither does Atroyan.”
“But why…?”
“Favor at table results in lower prices for the palace. Jhosef knows the feelings, but wants the position. He’ll be here this evening, although you’ll only see a brief encounter between him and Aenslem. Fhastal will be also, but he and Aenslem may not even meet. If they do meet…”
“It will be most cordial and polite.” Because neither will give the other the satisfaction of being upset or giving way to poor manners.
“Everything will be polite and cordial this evening.” Rhamuel stops outside the open door to the dining room. “There will only be the four of us eating.” Then he leads the way inside.
Two men stand near a serving sideboard on which are arrayed several platters with food, although Lerial cannot see what that might be from the other side of the chamber.