Empire of Avarice (76 page)

“They ought to have big war machines that bash the walls
down. Mr. Sen has models of them I play with!”

“Perhaps they didn’t have the right sort of wood to make
them, or the people to do that. You need special people, engineers. We don’t
have any here. Perhaps they’ve all gone?”

Argan thought on that for a moment. “I’ll have to ask
Mr. Sen. He knows lots about war. He says we used to be the biggest and best
empire ever. I would like us to be that again. I’d like us to have all this map
as ours!”

Amne smiled at her younger brother. “It would take lots
of hard work – and lots of wars. I don’t think that’s possible. Nobody thinks
we can do it, and everyone else doesn’t like us.”

Argan pouted. “They’re silly. They don’t like our gods. Father
will show them we’re not to be pushed around, won’t he?”

“Oh yes,” Amne nodded. “He’s got the Bragalese rebels on
their knees. He’s going to win that war. It’s what happens after that I worry
about, Argan. Mazag and Venn both think they’re stronger than we are, and I
believe they’ll try to fight us for our lands before long.”

“Father will win against them, won’t he, Amne?”

There was a slight tone of doubt in Argan’s voice so
Amne reassured him. “Of course! But he needs a strong and big army to help him
and all the people of Kastania supporting him – and us. We have to support
father and work hard to help him and mother in getting Kastania strong again. Those
horrid Fokis and Duras families have caused terrible damage to us over the past
few years.”

“I’m going to grow up into a big strong general and will
help father win his wars. I will,” Argan nodded emphatically.

Amne hugged Argan. “I know you will. But you’ve got to
learn to ride and fight, and to be a good administrator.”

“What’s that?”

“Administrator? Someone who tells people what to do the
right way, someone who makes things happen the right way, puts the right people
in the right jobs, has the best people to do the job and gets rid of the bad
ones. Lots of things, really. I’ve been given the job of administering part of
Kastan City. So I’ve got to go out now and see for myself what it’s like. It’s
no good, Argan, running a place if you have no idea what it’s like or how
things are there. So I’m going out with Lalaas to see. When you’re given a job
like that, you make sure you see for yourself what the place is like, and not
rely on the words of advisors around you, for they might not be telling you the
truth.”

Argan nodded, taking in her words. “I must go soon to
Panat to learn more sword fighting. Kerrin is with me then. He’s as good as me!
One day he hopes to be my bodyguard, like Lalaas is to you.”

Amne slid off the table and helped Argan get down. “I’m
sure he will. But Argan remember, there is more to being a prince than being a
good warrior. You have to be a good administrator too. Wars cost money. If
you’re at war all the time it’ll cost too much money. You must look to create
jobs, make better buildings, grow more crops, look after the people. Without
people you can never be a prince.”

“I’ll remember that, Amne. It’s been good talking with
you again. I missed you!”

She hugged the boy, then opened the door to the chamber
and they left, she escorting him to the courtyard where Panat and Kerrin were
waiting in the frost. Amne spoke briefly to Panat and Kerrin before making her
way to Vosgaris’ office nearby. The captain looked up sharply as Amne entered
the room. He put down his quill and waved the sheet of parchment to dry the
figures he’d been scribbling down. The number of guards had been kept constant
since the Koros had come to power but with more people in the palace these
days, there was a need to increase them and he’d been doing a quick cost
analysis. He thought it could be justified. He stood up and bowed. “Your
highness.”

“Relax, Vosgaris. I didn’t mean any insult to you
earlier,” she smiled. “I just think it’s silly that Argan is shadowed closely
by you all the time. I’m going to have a word with mother about that.”

Vosgaris nodded curtly.

“And I think your duties as guard captain are onerous
enough without being asked to follow Argan here and there and everywhere.”

“Security is my remit, ma’am. Should anything happen to
him, then my head would be on the block. We’ve already had an attempt on his
life, remember.”

“I do remember being told about that. But now he’s
seven. He should be allowed greater freedom. Mother is a fussy old fowl.”

“May I point out that you have a shadow, too, ma’am.”

Amne’s lips twitched. “Ah, Lalaas, you mean? You don’t
like him, do you? May I ask why?”

Vosgaris hesitated, reluctant to speak his mind.

Amne made an impatient gesture. “Oh, come on, Captain,
you can speak freely to me! I won’t tell anyone.”

“Very well, ma’am. He’s a risk. I run security here and
he’s outside my control. I also….hear that you and he are…. close.”

Amne’s eyes narrowed. “Close? Like you and mother?”

Vosgaris felt his face reddening. “Ma’am – that is false
rumour.”

“Oh, is it?” Amne glided round the table and stopped
next to Vosgaris. “Close, like this?” She pressed against the captain. “I know
of the rumours. If, as you say, they are false, then they are no different to
those about Lalaas and me. If, however, you believe the rumours about us, then
surely they are equally true of you and mother. Should enough people believe
them, then your head would roll. You do know that, don’t you, Captain
Vosgaris.”

Vosgaris was having trouble breathing properly. Amne was
too close, and her femininity almost overpowering him. She was impossibly
beautiful. A scheming woman, yes, but beautiful. Maybe that was one of the
attractions about her. She was dangerous. Doubly so. It was almost like an
aphrodisiac. He nodded, sweating despite the coldness of the winter’s day.

Amne smiled sweetly, something that meant quite the
opposite, as both knew. “Then you shall do your utmost to keep those – rumours
– quiet. You shall also tell me who exactly tries to spread them. I shall keep
Lalaas under control. You can be assured of that, Captain. Do we understand
each other? Keep me sweet, and by the gods I’ll be sweet to you.”

“Y-yes, ma’am.” Vosgaris looked over her blonde head. He
had to keep his mind on other things. She was far more dangerous than he could
have guessed. What had made her this way had definitely happened on her journey
to Bragal and Valchia. She certainly hadn’t been anything like this before. He wasn’t
sure if he preferred the old Amne or this new, more exciting but dangerous
version.

“You’re a very young, strong and handsome man, Vosgaris
Taboz. I might even have been happy to marry you, had your family been more
powerful. Think about that, Vosgaris. Be nice to me, and I’ll be nice to you. And
stay away from my mother.”

Then she was gone, leaving Vosgaris groaning to himself
quietly in his room. He sank into his chair and put his head in his hands. How
in all the gods could two powerful women equally appeal to him at the same
time?

Amne swept up to her chambers. Lalaas was standing
outside, his face reflecting disapproval. Amne caught his look. “What?”

Lalaas glanced up and down the silent and empty
corridor. “What exactly am I doing here, ma’am? If I’m not to be your
bodyguard, I see no point in me being here. I’m not happy with that captain’s
attitude, and this place has a terribly suffocating atmosphere. Half the people
here don’t want me around, and the other half couldn’t seem to care less.”

“I want you here, Lalaas,” Amne said assertively. “And
my opinion counts more than all the others put together.”

“Even that of the empress? I think she has greater
powers than you, ma’am.”

“Phoeey. She’s got far too much to worry about than to
be fussing over one man. Anyway, she’s agreed you can stay, so have no fears
about her. As for Captain Vosgaris, I’ve spoken to him and he’s going to leave
you alone. I’ve taken care of everything.” She opened the door into her
chamber. Both Kiri and Selana were there, waiting. Lalaas hesitated at the
doorway. “Oh, stop hanging about like a herd beast. Come on in!” Amne waved him
in.

“Should I be here?” Lalaas said, but came in
nonetheless, shutting the door.

“Kiri and Selana are here. They are my chaperones to
make sure you don’t lose control of yourself and ravage me senseless. Isn’t
that right?” she asked the two women.

“Yes, ma’am,” they chorused, looking at Lalaas with
amusement.

Lalaas shrugged and looked about the chamber.

“Oh, cheer up, Lalaas. You’re like a bored child!” Amne
unfastened her jacket. “I’m going into my bathroom to change into my riding
gear. Are the equines ready?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Good.” Amne slipped off her jacket and it fell to the
floor. “I want you to be waiting with them ready for the two of us in the rear
courtyard in a quarter watch’s time. We’re going to visit the Turslenkan Gate
district and see for ourselves what it is like.”

“Should we not have a few more guards?” Lalaas queried,
worried that the district may be a poor one and as a consequence a princess
could be vulnerable.

Amne frowned, turned and regarded her bodyguard. “Are
you saying the streets are dangerous?”

Lalaas shrugged. Amne was half undressed and showing far
more of her physique than she should. Both Kiri and Selana were waiting
alongside, uncertain whether they should attempt to cover up her half revealed
breasts. Lalaas bit his lower lip. “Kastania is still not completely in favour
of the Koros, ma’am. There are rebellions still going on in Makenia and
Bathenia, many of the nobility are barely tolerating your father’s rule, and
the longer he’s away in Bragal the greater the risk someone may whip up trouble
here in Kastan City. And this district – I assume it’s not in the richest
quarter? Therefore its likely to be rough, and anyone passing through those
streets on equineback is likely to be viewed as a possible target for robbery. Kastan
has had a hard time in recent years, and people are short of commodities and
prices are high.”

Amne gave Lalaas a hard look. “Is this the same man who
fought off bandits and Bragalese rebels single-handedly? Lalaas, you’re
becoming as fussy as mother! What is this place doing to you?” She stepped
closer to Lalaas, looking up at him. He was aware of her; half dressed,
standing before him. He had a momentary urge to pick her up, take her to her
bed and make love to her; but it passed. She continued, very softly. “Are you
saying that even here in Kastan there are elements opposed to my family’s
rule?”

Lalaas nodded. “Don’t believe the Koros are universally
loved throughout the empire, Amne. Plots exist, and it’s the noble houses who
will decide whether you will remain in power or not. If they sense the public
opinion is running against you, then they may well switch sides and ride on
popular feeling to the throne themselves.”

“Who? Have you heard anything, Lalaas?”

“No – but I know there is opposition to you and your
family. For the moment your father has cowed all opposition, and he’s been very
clever in making sure who is to blame for the empire’s ills. As long as he
remains successful, then I believe the number of people opposed to you will
remain low. But if your father loses a battle, then things may change. I
wouldn’t be surprised if the Duras or the Fokis – or any one of a number of rival
houses – were secretly planning to arrange a military defeat of him.”

Amne stared hard at Lalaas. “Then your thoughts should
be taken to my father.”

“I’m sure he’s aware of them. He wouldn’t be your father
if he wasn’t.”

Amne thought for a moment, then suddenly turned. “Well,
I shall write to him this evening. In the meantime, get our equines ready!”

“Of course, ma’am.” Lalaas shut the door behind him and
left the two guards standing on duty by her room, walking down to the ground
floor, making for the stables in the courtyard. Vosgaris suddenly came out of a
room to the left and they bumped shoulders.

“Where are you off to?” Vosgaris asked, a hard edge to
his voice.

“The stables. The Princess and I are going riding
through Kastan’s streets.”

“Damned foolish,” Vosgaris commented. “You should have a
couple of guards.”

“I’m her guard.”

“Sure – and you’re able to fight off any threat.”

Lalaas faced the young guard captain. “I don’t like the
tone of your voice, Captain. At least try to be civil. I’ve no idea what I’ve
done to incur your enmity, but I’m getting tired of it.”

Vosgaris stuck his face into Lalaas’. “I don’t like the
idea of other guards here in the palace. They should be under my command. You’re
a security risk and that’s something I can do without, given the current
uncertainty in the empire. If you left tomorrow, I wouldn’t miss you.”

Lalaas stood his ground. “You’re far too uptight,
Captain. I’m no security risk, but your state of mind isn’t good for a man in
your position. If anyone needs to go to improve the situation around here, it’s
you.”

Vosgaris’ mouth turned down, and he pushed Lalaas hard
against the wall of the corridor. Lalaas bounced off the wooden panelling and
his right arm blurred in an arc, his fist catching a surprised Vosgaris under
the chin. The palace guard captain staggered back, bumping into a marble statue
of a long dead emperor which rocked slightly on its square plinth, and shook
his head, feeling the ache spreading under his jaw.