Back From Chaos (10 page)

Brensa hoped that she and Nellis would not be sent away. They squeezed each other’s hands as they approached the table. When they advanced close enough to overhear, she learned that those allowed to stay needed some skill that could be used in the castle. And they had to have held positions there before the invasion.

Still others had left under guarded escort. This often led to shouting and angry outbursts. But the guards remained firm. Only once had someone completely refused to obey them. This man pulled a knife from his boot and attacked a soldier. The response was swift. The guard ran him through and ordered two of Catania’s own citizens to carry his body out to the pyre that still burned in the square.

“
We were so frightened, my lady.”

When it came their turn to explain themselves to the official it concluded very quickly. They had no positions at the moment for ladies in waiting.

“
My heart sank, then. I felt certain you must be dead.”

They gave Brensa work in the laundry, and in helping restore the rooms, to make them habitable. Nellis was told to rest for two days, then light work would be found for her. They assigned the women two cots in a narrow room down the hall from where the late lord’s family had slept. The other four cots were already occupied.

“
You remember Narga and Meera from the kitchen, my lady? They are here. Narga told us we would have fresh bread come morning, as the kitchen would be running again.”

By the time they had settled in, darkness had fallen. All the women were called to a large meeting room where they were given cheese, bread, dried apple slices, and ale.

Back in their room, Brensa had lain on Nellis’ cot with her until she fell asleep before climbing into her own. There had been little conversation among the women. Fatigue claimed them as soon as their heads hit their pillows.

Brensa brought herself back to the present. “How shall I dress your hair, my lady?” The question came after Brensa helped Marja get her gown back on, and she had seated herself in one of the chairs. “The knots are all combed out now.”

“
Just a simple braid, Brensa. It is soon time for bed. Thank you. I feel so much better, and your news is most encouraging ...” Marja looked suddenly apprehensive. “I expect Lord Gaelen may come back tonight. You may share my bed until then.”

~ 16 ~

NEW ORDER

“
Come in and be seated, my friend.” Gaelen could not help noting that Argost looked grey with exhaustion and that he had lost weight. No doubt he, himself, had done so as well. They had had little time to sleep and less for eating. Yet, Argost held himself as erect as ever, and his eyes remained clear and alert. Thank Earth he had not been killed. No one else could be trusted to govern Catania with his wisdom and heart. Gaelen would be lost without him.

“
Tell me how Catania fares.” Gaelen pushed a mug of ale and a platter of meat and bread toward Argost. “What is the mood among the people? How are they responding to my amnesty?”

“
I think you will be pleased, my lord.” Argost’s face creased into a weary smile, and he sank into the chair across from Gaelen. Gaelen noted with approval that he took a good swig of ale and began to slice meat before he spoke. Formality here would only stilt the frankness Gaelen needed from Argost. He had so little time before he must return to Bargia, and he needed as much information as possible.

As Gaelen listened to Argost’s report he said very little, interrupting only when he needed clarification. What Argost related confirmed Gaelen’s own observations. His plan appeared to be bearing fruit.

At first, people had straggled in fearfully in ones and twos, distrusting Gaelen’s promise of amnesty. When it became apparent that he was indeed sincere, they returned in larger groups and more quickly. By the end of the first day, long lines of people formed, awaiting their turn to make the oath of allegiance to the new lord.

“
Maybe this one will have more honour than Cataniast,” the talk went.

“
Look, that shop is open.”

“
He said we could go home!”

Furtive whispers had given way to open astonishment. Slowly, an element of hope crept into the conversations Gaelen’s men overheard. As soon as the people realized no soldiers would stop them, many returned to their homes and set to work making repairs. Men who had come back alone, fearing for the safety of their families, went to retrieve them. Slowly, the city showed signs of behaving like a community again.

The bakeries reopened the second day, as did the cheese stands, the ale shops and the wine sellers. They had customers to feed and coin to make. Those who had secretly stowed provisions when the invasion began retrieved them to sell or to use themselves. Butchers set out the cured meats they had stored and began carving fresh carcasses.

“
This is only the third day, my lord, and but for the signs of fire a stranger might think Catania has always been this way. Already many windows and doors have been replaced. Most roofs have at least temporary covers.”

Gaelen noted the pride in Argost’s voice and nodded, smiling. “I am very pleased with what I see. There has been so little unrest that I no longer fear returning to Bargia. I am confident that I have placed Catania in good hands. I am in your debt, Argost.”

“
Your plan is sound, my lord. I, too, am confident it is working.” He went on with his report.

Even soldiers need to eat. When the shops reopened, they were among the first to demand fresh provisions. To their credit, or rather by Argost’s orders, they did not steal what they needed, something Catanians might have expected. Instead, they paid what they would have in Bargia, not trusting the people to charge a fair price. Though food remained scarce, everyone ate, and few complained. Most agreed this was fair.

Argost had also sent several men among the citizens to gather information. “Find out who might incite false rumours, create unrest. Who wishes to profit from the chaos? And who among the wealthy and powerful had schemed behind Cataniast’s back?” He wanted to let Gaelen know who might attempt to use the present disorder for their own ends.

Argost’s spies had been carefully selected to blend in, so they appeared virtually invisible. They had skills in gaining trust, in getting people to take them into their confidence. A handful were also trained assassins. These were men who could get rid of influential enemies quietly and efficiently, in ways that brought no blame to their lord. During times of peace, assassins were rarely used. Argost regretted they were necessary now.

“
I took this decision upon myself, my lord. There have been only three deaths. We apprehended two planning your assassination. The other carried a message from an informant, with details about castle, and where you and your lady have your chambers.”

Gaelen grimaced before he replied. “Argost, you well know that I mislike such clandestine executions. But I chose you to govern Catania precisely because I trust you to make such difficult decisions. I have no doubt that these deaths were necessary.”

“
Indeed, my lord.” Argost bowed his head slightly in acknowledgement.

Gaelen preferred to think that most people could be reasoned with, but he had learned that some men never gave up plotting. They thrived on just such disorder as they now lived in. There was only one way to control that kind. It had been Klast who had convinced him several years earlier that such decisions could not always be avoided.

It was to Klast that Argost had given the special assignment of infiltrating the wealthy merchants and traders guild, where rumour had it many of the old conspirators met. Argost explained that it was Klast who had taken care of the first two.

Gaelen decided to talk to Klast about this. He knew that Klast loathed that part of his duties and that he would suffer from nightmares. He might welcome hearing that Gaelen understood that this had been necessary at this time.

One of the first things Argost had done, after giving orders to his senior officers, was to commandeer the castle and prepare an apartment there for Gaelen, next to the guarded room Marja occupied. The great hall now served as an assessment area for returnees.

“
My lord, you asked me to stay alert for possible attendants for the Lady Marja. It seems two of those who previously attended her have returned to the castle. I will have them brought to you if you wish.”

Gaelen laughed. “Would they be named Brensa and Nellis, perchance?”

Argost’s eyebrows rose in surprise. Then he, too, smiled broadly. “It seems you are ahead of me, my lord. Those are indeed the names of the young women. Have you met them?”

“
Brensa is with my lady now. I daresay theirs was a most happy reunion.” Gaelen chuckled at the memory of his encounter with Brensa. Seeing the questioning look Argost gave him Gaelen related how he had met Marja’s maid.

“
Well played, my lord.” Argost chuckled at the tale.

Gaelen felt relieved to see his friend relax. Another test passed. He started to rise, but another idea came to him, and he sank back into his chair. “One more thing, my friend. It strikes me that you will need men to fill positions, both in the guard and to run the castle. You will need servants, stable hands, blacksmiths, horsemen. Speak with Lady Marja. Take Klast and another spy to observe, and Erland to write down the names of those she thinks may be trusted and those she suspects cannot be. The information may prove invaluable. I will remain away, so that she may be less guarded in her speech.” Gaelen stopped a moment to think. “And did you not tell me that Nellis has a man? Perhaps he should be present as well as the two women. If her man can be trained as an informant, perhaps he and Nellis should stay behind when I leave.”

“
Yes, my lord. Her man’s name is Mikost. His arm received a bad burn during the attack. I will order him to come.” Argost stopped and Gaelen saw him hesitate. “What shall I tell Lady Marja when I see her? She will expect you to be present.”

Gaelen took off his seal ring and handed it to Argost. “Tell her I had not the time to prepare her. You will know what to say.” He gave Argost a confident smile. “Lady Marja is astute enough to understand the value of cooperation.”

He rose again, this time opening the door and leaving the chamber, Argost at his heels. As they strode out together, Gaelen added, “I will delay my departure a few more days, so that we can interrogate those Lady Marja suggests may be useful together. I want Klast there as well. I must take him with me when I leave. His opinions will be helpful in placing the men and their families.”

As Argost strode in the direction of the barracks, Gaelen returned to the castle. He wondered what they would learn from Marja. He expected she would be angry that he had not told her Argost was coming.

~ 17 ~

INTERROGATION

Marja rose abruptly, with a rush of fear, when her door opened, and Argost and three men filed in. Her heart continued to pound as she watched Erland seat himself at the small table with his writing materials and the two spies take up positions in the corners facing her chair.

With more courage than she felt, she demanded, “What is the meaning of this intrusion?”

“
My lady,” Argost handed her Gaelen’s seal ring, “Lord Gaelen regrets he did not have the opportunity to prepare you.”

Before he could finish, Marja spied Mikost following the others in, holding Nellis by the hand. As soon as Nellis spotted her lady, she broke away and rushed to her. Marja fought tears as they embraced. Mikost hurried to stand protectively beside them. Marja quickly got herself under control and saw that Argost remained standing, waiting to take back the ring.

She gestured to Mikost that he and Nellis should stand behind her. With more confidence than she felt, she said, “It is all right, Mikost. These men will not harm me.” She turned back to Argost. Examining the ring, she handed it back.

“
Explain, sir,” she ordered, hoping her voice did not betray her fear.

“
Lord Gaelen has need of information, my lady. He regrets that he cannot be present and trusts that you will tell us what you can.” Argost had given her a small bow as he spoke. Now she watched him scan the room until his eyes fell on Nellis. “This will take some time, lady. If you will permit, I will send for another chair for Nellis.”

Marja nodded coolly, waiting. Something important was about to happen. At the last, her eyes moved to the tall man standing relaxed and apparently indifferent in the far left corner. This one she recognized. He had been present with Gaelen when his offer had been presented. Now she remembered why he had seemed so familiar. He had spent time in her father’s court, a hanger-on, the kind who curried favour with those most likely to benefit him in some way. The kind who did not work for their bread, and who slunk around to take advantage of court intrigue for personal gain.

Marja bristled, then caught herself and walked over to stand purposefully in front of him. As he moved his hand casually toward his sword, Mikost made to stand between them. She held out her hand to deter him, eyes never leaving the man’s face, and said calmly, “It is all right, Mikost. He will not harm me. He knows I am unarmed.” Her eyes never left the man’s face.

“
I have seen you at my father’s court,” she challenged him icily.

He gave a small nod of acknowledgement, and Marja thought she detected a ghost of admiration cross his face. Then she decided she must have imagined it, as he looked as impassive as before.