“The material seemed to be the same as that used for palace guard undertunics. He questioned and prodded. In the end, one of the villagers led him to the swampy lake. They found some remains. The stun lizards and cats hadn’t left too much. Perhaps six or seven, but all were palace guards—except for a young woman.”
“The serving maid?”
Rhamuel shrugs. “Most likely. There were still wagon tracks in places—just one wagon.”
“Someone familiar with the area. How far is it from Lake Reomer?”
“A short day’s ride. It’s also a short day’s ride from Lake Jhulyn, if in a slightly different direction.”
“So what merchanters have summer villas on Lake Jhulyn?” asks Lerial. “Or Lake Reomer?”
“Reomer is the duke’s lake. Khamyst, Nahaan, and Jhosef—among others—have villas overlooking Jhulyn. Maesoryk has a much grander villa on his own lake, midway between the two. Jhosef and Maesoryk are not in Swartheld.”
“You mentioned Maesoryk wasn’t here earlier. What about Alaphyn?”
“We knew his villa here was empty, but he also left word at his factorage that he was removing himself and at family to Dolari.”
“In Heldya. That explains all his ships leaving Swartheld last sixday.” Lerial pauses, then asks, “You want me to go visit those villas? Is that it?”
“Not yet. Not until Ascaar arrives. I did want you to be able to think things over. Once he arrives, if all goes well, I thought Norstaan could take my personal squad and escort you and one of your companies on a tour of the lakes area.”
“A company?”
“It might make matters easier.”
“Especially if Afritan Guards aren’t used against Afritan merchanters?” Lerial raises his eyebrows.
“There is that.” Rhamuel smiles grimly. “I did send out the proclamations that Aenslem suggested … and declared official mourning for Atroyan and Natroyor. It will be days before they’re posted even everywhere here in Swartheld, and longer before they get to Shaelt and Luba and the more out-of-the-way towns and hamlets.”
“Then you’re both duke and arms-commander.”
“For what it’s worth, considering I’m not exactly able to move around much.”
“What about Aenslem’s suggestions?”
“They’re good, but I don’t see much point in struggling to get into a coach until most of the people have a chance to learn they have a new duke.”
Lerial can see the wisdom in that. “Have you heard anything from His Mightiness Duke Khesyn?”
“No. Do you think we will?”
“Did your father or Atroyan?”
“Very, very seldom.”
“Then it’s unlikely. What could he say? Accuse you of untoward conduct after he’s invaded Afrit? Complain about the destruction of Estheld after he’s attacked Luba, Shaelt, and Swartheld?”
For a moment, Rhamuel smiles, then looks at the stacks of papers, as well as a thick ledger. “I have to get ready for a meeting with Cyphret.”
“Cyphret?” Lerial frowns, trying to recall where he has heard the name.
“Cyphret is minister for merchanting, and senior minister. He controls the duke’s wallet, so to speak. I have no doubt that we are woefully short of golds.”
“Can’t you seize Alaphyn’s villa and assets?”
“That won’t likely be enough.”
“Aenslem said that you need to raise tariffs.”
“I’ll have to, but they aren’t paid until midfall, and that means I’ll have to borrow golds from Fhastal.”
“Suggest that he forgo usury as a public duty.”
“I might at that.” After a pause, Rhamuel says, “There is one other thing.”
“Yes?”
“You haven’t seen Kyedra lately.” The new duke’s words are blandly uttered.
“Not since last eightday. Haesychya has quietly kept her out of sight.”
“Perhaps you should pay her a call. She may think you don’t think much of her because you only talk to her when you go to see Aenslem as a healer.”
“Will her mother let me?”
“Whether Haesychya approves of your seeing Kyedra or not, she can’t afford to refuse you so long as your behavior isn’t untoward, and I doubt that yours ever would be.”
“I’ve been reluctant to impose … given…” Lerial shakes his head.
“Matters have changed greatly over the past season. More than you’ve considered.” Rhamuel smiles. “Let’s just say that I don’t want my niece to think badly of you.”
“Neither do I,” admits Lerial.
Since there is nothing else pressing, at least not until Ascaar arrives, once Lerial leaves the palace, he and his squad head for Aenslem’s villa, where the guards admit them without question.
Lerial is just about to enter the villa when Haesychya steps out.
“Why might you be here today?”
“I came to see Kyedra.”
“What if she does not wish to see you?”
“Then she can tell me that herself. Or whatever else she may wish.”
Haesychya smiles at his last words. “When you say that to a woman, you risk much, Lerial.”
Her tone is so humorously ironic that he cannot help but laugh, if softly. “Thank you for the observation, but I’d rather know what a lady I appreciate thinks than have to guess.”