Waylander sat in the shade, staring out at the fishermen casting their nets in the bay. ‘Call in the loan on Vanis,’ he said. ‘This is the third time in a year he has furnished an excuse for non-payment. His debts have not prevented him buying three racing stallions and extending his eastern estate. Increase the funds to Mendyr Syn and tell him he should have requested help much earlier. And send a message to Lady Lalitia that I will be delighted to attend her celebration. Purchase a diamond pendant from Calicar and have it delivered to her on the day.’
‘Yes, sir. Might I point out two things? Point one: Vanis has many friends in House Kilraith. Foreclosing his debt will bankrupt him and be seen as a slight upon the House.’
‘If he has that many friends,’ said Waylander, ‘let them pay his debts. Now, what was the second point?’
‘If memory serves me correctly is this not the third birthday that Lady Lalitia has had in the past fifteen months?’
Waylander laughed. ‘Yes, it is. Make it a small diamond pendant.’
‘Yes, sir. By the way, the young woman you brought in has been put to work with Norda’s team. Do you wish for any special treatment towards her?’
‘Give her a little leeway for she has suffered much. She is a strong girl, but even so she has witnessed the murder of her family, been treated cruelly and threatened with death. It would be remarkable were she to suffer no after-effects. Watch her closely and give her a little support. If she does not prove to be a good worker, dismiss her.’
‘Very well, sir. And what message shall I send the Chiatze Lady?’
‘No message, Omri. I will go and see her presently.’
‘Yes, sir. Would it be considered a discourtesy to ask her how long she and her retainers plan to stay?’
‘I am more interested to know why they came here – and how,’ said Waylander.
‘How, sir?’
‘A priestess in robes of embroidered silk, with three retainers, appears at our gates. Where was the carriage? Where were the horses? From where did they come? They did not stay in Carlis.’
‘Obviously they walked from elsewhere,’ said Omri.
‘And yet attracted little dust to their clothing, and showed no sign of weariness.’
Omri made the Sign of the Protective Horn. ‘Regardless of the discourtesy, sir, I would gratefully appreciate knowledge of their departure date.’
‘I do not believe there is any need to fear them, Omri. I sense no evil in her.’
‘That is good to hear, sir. But some of us have little choice concerning what we fear. I have always been a frightened man. I don’t know why.’
Waylander laid his hand on the old man’s shoulder.
‘You are a gentle soul and a good man,’ he said. ‘You care about people and their happiness. That is rare.’
Omri looked embarrassed. ‘I would have liked to have been more . . . manly, shall we say? I was a terrible disappointment to my father.’
‘Most of us are,’ said Waylander. ‘Had my father seen what I have done with my life he would have burned with shame. But that is neither here nor there. We live in the now, Omri. And now you are a steward, valued and respected – even loved by those who serve under you. It should be enough.’
‘Perhaps,’ said Omri, ‘but then you are loved and respected by those who serve you. Is it enough for you?’
Waylander gave a rueful smile, but did not reply. Moving away, he climbed the terrace steps towards the North Tower.
Minutes later he reached the top of the circular stair to the largest of the library rooms. It had originally been designed as a large state room, but as his collection of ancient scrolls and books grew, so too did the need for added space. There were now five smaller libraries within the palace, as well as the huge museum in the South Tower. Pushing open the door, he stepped inside and bowed to the slender woman sitting at the long, oval table, scrolls spread out around her. He found himself marvelling once more at her beauty, the pale gold of her flawless skin, and her finely boned Chiatze features. Even the shaven head only emphasized her exquisite good looks. She seemed almost too frail to bear the weight of the heavy robes of red and gold silk adorning her body.
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