“I haven’t agreed on that name, let alone anything else.” Bhayar did not snap, but his voice betrayed exasperation.
“No … you haven’t. And I agree that you shouldn’t … not until you’re convinced that either I’m right, or that I’m wrong and you have a better plan. You asked me for my views and plans. I’ve told you. You’re the ruler.”
“You’re the most powerful force in all Lydar … and you say I’m the ruler? I’m not exactly dense, Quaeryt.”
“No, you’re not. Let me ask you this. Why are the imagers so powerful?”
“Because of what you all can do.” Again, Bhayar’s voice took on an exasperated tone.
“Vaelora told you what happened in Liantiago. You saw what happened here in Variana and what happened in Ferravyl. Just how long would any of us imagers survive-after those battles-without your support? You can disband the imagers. Just let them return to their homes and families … or remove them quietly over time. Then Vaelora and I will be essentially your prisoners, living on your sufferance.”
“You’re exaggerating.”
“Am I? Can I remain awake every glass of every day and night? Into what tower would I have to barricade myself to be able to sleep? Every imager living outside the Collegium would face that. Most of the imagers alive today are either schoolboys or younger or not much older, recluses or those hiding their abilities, or those with powerful protectors. What makes the imagers powerful is being able to protect each other. But even in the Collegium, they would be vulnerable. They have wives, and some have children. Some could not protect themselves for long.”
“Just why and how would such a group defer to me? How, pray tell, will you assure that?”
“I’ve already begun. I’ve pointed out time and time again that they already have more freedom than imagers anywhere else in Terahnar. They’ve seen that you’ve paid them. They’ve also seen and heard how badly imagers were treated by Aliaro. They all know imagers who were killed or chased away. Most of them aren’t stupid, either. They understand”-and they will, one way or another-“that only under your protection can they be truly safe.”
“But how will I be safe from them?” asked Bhayar, his tone ironic.
“By making certain that all imagers to come understand their vulnerability and their debt to you and your successors. We’ll need a council and a strict code of law and behavior for imagers-both for their protection and for protection of those who are not imagers. By making the Collegium a scholarium as well, you’ll also be creating a place of learning, and that’s never a bad thing. The Collegium could offer a gold or two for every young imager who comes to the Collegium … just as you did to build the undercaptains of first company. That way, imagers go to a place where they’re welcome, and people know where the imagers are. If they wore uniforms as well, gray perhaps … that would also reinforce the sense of discipline, as well as let people know who the imagers are.”
“This bears thinking upon.”
“It does,” Quaeryt agreed. “Would you be agreeable to the imagers beginning to build quarters on the isle of piers?”
“The isle is currently devastated, and only beggars and riffraff haunt the place,” mused Bhayar. “I can’t see that making it an orderly place would hurt. But not a word about this Collegium business or anything else we’ve discussed.”
“Yes, sir. Would you mind if the imagers, as they can, improved some of the roads to the isle from here?”
“That wouldn’t hurt. Neither would a better bridge across the Aluse.”
“We’ll see what we can do.”
“Good.” Bhayar smiled. “That brings up another matter. Now that you have returned … and there are no more battles to win … at the moment, there is another difficulty you are uniquely qualified to handle.”
Quaeryt tried not to stiffen. “Yes?”
“You have been a princeps and a governor. None of my senior officers have that experience, especially not in dealing with factors and setting up ledgers and clerks and keeping records. There are almost no records remaining, and I fear far too many golds are being spent unwisely.”
“How does Marshal Deucalon feel about that, if I might ask?”
“He agrees something needs to be done.”
“Who is handling supplies right now?”
“Some majors under Subcommander Ernyld.”
“And what’s left of the treasury of Bovaria?”
“The same group.”
“Do you want me to use Ernyld’s clerks, find more, or gradually switch to clerks reporting to me and to you?”
“Come up with a plan and let me see. No later than Lundi morning. At seventh glass. We’ll meet with Deucalon after that.”
Quaeryt nodded. “Do you want me to control the Bovarian treasury, subject only to you, once you approve of a plan?”
Bhayar leaned back in his chair and cocked his head to one side. After several moments he leaned forward and looked at Quaeryt. “It won’t work if you don’t … but Deucalon will be furious. Don’t mention that part of it when we meet with him.”
Quaeryt had no intention of discussing anything he didn’t have to with the marshal. “If this is going to work, I’ll need an official position and title, or I’ll spend more time arguing with commanders than dealing with problems.”
“I’d thought about something like Minister for Bovarian Affairs.”
“How about Minister of Administration and Supply for Bovaria? That is a less threatening title. Along with maître of the Collegium, of course.” Quaeryt grinned.
Bhayar sighed … not quite explosively. “IF … if I approve of this Collegium plan, then you can call yourself ‘Maître’ … but not a word about that, either, until I do.”
“Might I ask what progress Submarshal Myskyl has made with the High Holders of the north?”
“His last dispatch said he had met with three.”
“That was in the fall, was it not?”
“There is snow in the north, unlike the south.”
Rather than pursue the matter, Quaeryt merely nodded. “Has he encountered any High Holders reluctant to pledge allegiance to you?”
“He has mentioned none.”
“How is Aelina coming in ruling in your absence in Solis?”
Bhayar smiled. “She has had no difficulty, and she would not hesitate to let me know … like someone else I know.” The smile vanished. “I think I’ve tasked you enough.” He gestured toward the study door. “Go.” The last word was delivered humorously.
Quaeryt rose, then bowed. “We will begin with road repairs and bridge building while I consider how to accomplish the greater task.”
“Limit yourself to what I requested. I know that’s difficult for you, Quaeryt. But for now, it will be more than sufficient.”
“Yes, sir.” Quaeryt bowed again before turning and leaving the study.
He thought he heard a soft sigh behind him, but he wasn’t about to turn and look.
17
Quaeryt had to ride quickly in order to make it by ninth glass to the headquarters building of the Telaryn armies in Bovaria-what had once been the Variana estate of the late Holder Paitrak, and then the temporary residence for Bhayar. Quaeryt’s first meeting was with Khaern, Calkoran, and Zhelan. All three were waiting for him when he walked into the small study Skarpa had once used in the outbuilding. From the dust in places, and the grime on the sole window, it was apparent that the study had been seldom used since, unsurprisingly, since roughly half the Telaryn regiments that had comprised the force to take Variana were currently either in the north or in Antiago, with perhaps ten remaining in and around Variana.
“I’m sorry,” said Quaeryt as he sat down behind one of the two desks, the one formerly used by Skarpa. “My meeting with Lord Bhayar lasted longer than I thought it would.”