The Malazan Empire, page 403
He completed the exercise, then lingered to see who left the chamber and who remained to practise on their own. Most remained, and Brys was pleased. The two who had left were, he knew, the queen’s spies in the bodyguard. Ironically, everyone else knew that detail as well.
Brys sheathed his sword and strode over to Turudal Brizad. ‘Consort?’
A casual tilt of the head. ‘Finadd.’
‘Have you found yourself at a loose end? I don’t recall ever seeing you here before.’
‘The palace seems strangely empty, don’t you think?’
‘Well,’ Brys ventured, ‘there’s certainly less shouting.’
Turudal Brizad smiled. ‘The prince is young, Finadd. Some exuberance is to be expected. The Chancellor would have a word with you, at your convenience. I understand you are fully recovered from your mysterious ordeal?’
‘The King’s healers were their usual proficient selves, Consort. Thank you for asking. Why does the Chancellor wish to speak with me?’
The man shrugged. ‘I am not the one to ask. I am but a messenger in this, Finadd.’
Brys studied him for a moment, then simply nodded. ‘I accept Triban Gnol’s invitation. A bell from now?’
‘That should suffice. Let us hope for all our sakes that this will not mark an expansion of the present feud between the Chancellor and the Ceda.’
Brys was surprised. ‘There is a feud? I hadn’t heard. I mean, apart from the, well, the usual clash of opinions.’ He considered, then said, ‘I share your concern, Consort.’
‘Does it ever strike you, Finadd, that peace leads to an indulgence in strife?’
‘No, since your statement is nonsensical. The opposite of peace is war, while war is an extreme expression of strife. By your argument, life is characterized as an oscillation between strife during peace and strife during war.’
‘Not entirely nonsensical, then,’ Turudal Brizad said. ‘We exist in a state of perpetual stress. Both within ourselves and in the world beyond.’ He shrugged. ‘We may speak of a longing for balance, but in our soul burns a lust for discord.’
‘If your soul is troubled, Consort,’ Brys said, ‘you hide it well.’
‘None of us here lack that skill, Finadd.’
Brys cocked his head. ‘I have no inclination to indulge in strife. I find I still disagree with your premise. In any case, I must take my leave of you now, Consort.’
On his way back to his chambers, Brys reflected on Turudal Brizad’s words. There might well have been a warning hidden in there, but apart from the obvious suggestion that all was not as it seemed—and in the palace this was taken as given—he could not pierce the subtlety of the consort’s intentions.
Stress lay in the cast of the mind, as far as Brys was concerned. Born of perspective and the hue through which one saw the world, and such things were shaped by both nature and nurture. Perhaps on some most basic level the struggle to live yielded a certain stress, but that was not the same as the strife conjured by an active mind, its myriad storms of desires, emotions, worries and terrors, its relentless dialogue with death.
Brys had realized long ago what had drawn him into the arts of fighting. The martial world, from duelling to warfare, was inherently reductionist, the dialogue made simple and straightforward. Threats, bargains and compromises were proscribed by the length of Letherii steel. Self-discipline imposed a measure of control over one’s own fate, which in turn served to diminish the damaging effects of stress, more so when it became clear to the practitioner that death fought using blind chance when all else failed, and so one had no choice but to accept the consequences, however brutal they may be. Simple notions that one could reflect upon at leisure, should one choose—but never when face to face with an enemy with blades unsheathed and dancing.
Physical laws imposed specific limitations, and Brys was satisfied with that clear imposition of predictability—sufficient to provide the structure around which he built his life.
Turudal Brizad’s life was far less certain. His physicality and its attractiveness to others was his singular quality, and no amount of diligence could hold back the years that threatened it. Granted, there were alchemies and sorceries that could be mustered to stand in the breach, but the dark tide was reluctant to bargain, for it abided by its own laws and those laws were immutable. Worse yet, Brizad’s efficacy was defined by the whims of others. As professional as he might be, his every partner was, potentially, a fathomless well of raw emotions, yearning to grasp hold of Brizad and ensnare him. Outwardly, of course, there were rules in place. He was a consort, after all. The queen already had a husband. The Chancellor was bound to ancient laws denying him formal relationships with man or woman. Turudal Brizad possessed virtually no rights; the children he might sire would be without name or political power—indeed, the queen was required to ensure such pregnancies did not occur, and thus far she had held to that prohibition.
But it was rumoured that Janall had given her heart to Brizad. And that Triban Gnol might well have done the very same, with the potential consequence of tearing apart the old alliance between queen and Chancellor. If so, then Turudal Brizad had become the unhappy fulcrum. No wonder the man was plagued with stress.
Yet what were the consort’s own ambitions? Had he too surrendered his heart, and if so, to which lover?
Brys entered his room. He divested himself of his belt and armour, then drew off his sweat-damp undergarments. He layered himself in scented oil which he then scraped off with a wooden comb. Dressing in clean clothes, he set to donning his formal armour. He replaced the heavier practice sword with his regular longsword in the scabbard at his waist. A final moment scanning the contents of his modest residence, noticing the misplaced brace of knives on the shelf above his bed, indicating that yet another spy had gone through his room. Not one careless enough to leave the knives in the wrong position—that had been done by whoever had been spying on the spy, to let Brys know that yet another search for who knew what had taken place, a weekly occurrence of late.
He moved the knives back into their usual position, then left.
‘Enter.’
Brys stepped inside, then paused to search through the crowded, cluttered chamber.
‘Over here, King’s Champion.’
He followed the sound of the voice and finally caught sight of the Ceda, who was suspended in a leather-strap harness depending from the ceiling. Face-down and close to a man’s height above the floor, Kuru Qan was wearing a strange metal helmet with multiple lenses fixed in a slotted frame in front of his eyes. On the floor was an archaic, yellowed map.
‘I have little time, Ceda,’ Brys said. ‘The Chancellor has requested that I attend him in a short while. What are you doing?’
‘Is it important, lad?’
‘That I know? I suppose not. I was just curious.’
‘No, the Chancellor’s summons.’
‘I’m not sure. It seems I am to be increasingly viewed as some kind of pivotal player in a game of which I have no comprehension. After all, the king rarely asks for my advice on matters of state, for which I am eternally grateful, since I make it a point not to involve myself with such considerations. Thus, I have no opportunity to influence our Sire’s opinion, nor would I wish to.’
‘By this means,’ Kuru Qan said, ‘I am proving that the world is round.’
‘Indeed? Did not the early colonizers from the First Empire make that evident? They circumnavigated the globe, after all.’
‘Ah, but that was physical proof rather than theoretical. I wished to determine the same truth via hypothesis and theory.’
‘In order to test the veracity of the methods?’
‘Oh, no. Said veracity is already a given. No, lad, I seek to prove the veracity of physical evidence. Who can trust what the eyes witness, after all? Now, if mathematical evidence supports such practical observation, then we’re getting somewhere.’
Brys looked round. ‘Where are your helpers?’
‘I sent them to the Royal Lens-maker for more lenses.’
‘When was that?’
‘Sometime this morning, I believe. Yes, just after breakfast.’
‘You have therefore been hanging there all day.’
‘And turning this way and that, without my own volition. There are forces, lad, unseen forces, that pull upon us every moment of our existence. Forces, I now believe, in conflict.’
‘Conflict? In what way?’
‘The ground beneath us exerts an imperative, evidenced by the blood settling in my face, the lightness in the back of my skull, the unseen hands seeking to drag me down—I have had the most exquisite hallucinations. Yet there is a contrary, weaker force seeking to drag me—another world, one which travels the sky around this one—’
‘The moon?’
‘There are actually at least four moons, lad, but the others are not only distant, but perpetually occluded from reflecting the sun’s light. Very difficult to see, although early texts suggest that this was not always so. Reasons for their fading as yet unknown, although I suspect our world’s own bulk has something to do with it. Then again, it may be that they are not farther away at all, but indeed closer, only very small. Relatively speaking.’
Brys studied the map on the floor. ‘That’s the original, isn’t it? What new perspective have you achieved with all those lenses?’
‘An important question? Probably, but in an indirect fashion. I had the map in my hands, lad, but then it fell. None the less, I have been rewarded with an insight. The continents were once all joined. What forces, one must therefore ask, have pulled them apart? Who forwarded the Chancellor’s request?’
‘What? Oh, Turudal Brizad.’
‘Ah, yes. Such an errant, troubled lad. One sees such sorrow in his eyes, or at least in his demeanour.’
‘One does?’
‘And he said?’
‘He spoke of a feud between you and the Chancellor. A, uh, new one.’
‘There is? First I’ve heard of it.’
‘Oh. So there isn’t one.’
‘No, no, lad, I’m sure there is. Be good enough to find out about it for me, will you?’
Brys nodded. ‘Of course, Ceda. If I can. Is that the extent of your advice?’
‘So it is.’
‘Well, can I at least help you down?’
‘Not at all, lad. Who knows how many more insights I will experience?’
‘You may also lose your limbs, or pass out.’
‘I still have my limbs?’
Brys moved directly beneath the Ceda, positioning his left shoulder below Kuru Qan’s hips. ‘I’m unstrapping you.’
‘Be assured I will take your word for it, lad.’
‘And I intend to have a word or two with your assistants once I’m done with the Chancellor.’
‘Go easy on them, please. They’re woefully forgetful.’
‘Well, they won’t forget me after today.’
Hands clasped behind his back, Triban Gnol paced. ‘What is the readiness of the military, Finadd?’
Brys frowned. ‘Preda Unnutal Hebaz would be better equipped to give you answer to that, Chancellor.’
‘She is presently indisposed, and so I would ask you.’
They were alone in the Chancellor’s office. Two guards waited outside. Votive candles exuded a scent of rare Kolanse spices, giving the chamber an atmosphere vaguely religious. A temple of gold coins, and this man is the high priest…‘It is a mandate that the army and navy be maintained at a level of preparedness, Chancellor. Supplies and stores sufficient for a full season’s campaign. As you know, contracts with suppliers stipulate that, in times of conflict, the needs of the military are to take precedence over all other clients. These contracts are of course maintained and will be rigorously enforced.’
‘Yes yes, Finadd. But I am seeking a soldier’s opinion. Are the king’s soldiers ready and capable of war?’
‘I believe so, Chancellor.’
Triban Gnol halted and fixed Brys with his glittering eyes. ‘I will hold you to that, Finadd.’
‘I would not have ventured an opinion were I not prepared to stand by it, Chancellor.’
A sudden smile. ‘Excellent. Tell me, have you taken a wife yet? I thought not, although I doubt there’s a maiden among the nobility who would hesitate in such a coup. There are many legacies one must live with, Finadd, and the means in which they are answered are the defining features of a man’s or a woman’s life.’
‘I’m sorry, Chancellor. What are you getting at?’
‘Your family history is well known, Finadd, and I hold deep sympathy for you and indeed, for your hapless brothers. In particular Hull, for whom I feel sincere worry, given his predilection for involving himself in crucial matters which are, strictly, not of his concern. I admit to fretting on his behalf, for I would not wish sorrow upon you and your kin.’
‘It strikes me, Chancellor, that you are too generous in assembling your list of concerns. As for legacies, well, they are my own affair, as you no doubt appreciate. For what it is worth, I suggest that you are according Hull too much power in these matters—’
‘Do you imagine I am here delivering a veiled warning?’ Gnol waved a hand dismissively and resumed pacing. ‘It insults me that you believe I am as crass as that. Does a seal-hunter warn the seal of the net closing round it? Hardly. No, Finadd, I am done with you. Rest assured I will waste no more sympathy upon you and your brothers.’
‘I am relieved to hear that,’ Brys said.
A venomous look. ‘Please close the door on your way out, Finadd.’
‘Of course, Chancellor.’
Outside, walking alone down the corridor, Brys sighed. He had failed to learn anything of the purported feud between Gnol and Kuru Qan. It seemed he had achieved little more than adding himself to the Chancellor’s list of enemies.
A second, deeper sigh.
He had nothing of Hull’s stolid determination. Nothing of Tehol’s cunning. He had but some skill with a sword. And what value that, when his attackers employed insinuation and threat in some verbal knife-game? Seeking to deliver wounds that time did not heal?
Reluctantly, he realized he needed advice.
Which meant another duel, this time with his own brother.
At least Tehol had no desire to wound. Errant bless him, he seems to have no desires at all.
‘What I desire,’ Tehol said, scowling, ‘is a meal that actually began with real food. Sort of a founding premise that what one is to eat is actually sustaining at its most basic level.’ He lifted one of the dark, limp leaves, studied it for a moment, then forced it into his mouth. Chewing, he glowered at Bugg.
‘There are apes, master, for whom banana leaves constitute an essential source of nutrition.’
‘Indeed? And are they extinct yet?’
‘I don’t know. I am only recounting a sailor’s story I heard once at a bar.’
‘He was a drunkard and a liar.’
‘Oh, you know him, then.’
Tehol looked round. ‘Where’s Ublala? I need him here, so Shurq Elalle can gauge his…’
‘Length?’
‘Worth. Where is he?’
‘On the roof. Pining.’
‘Oh. The roof is good. Pining is not. Does he need yet another talking to, do you think?’
‘From you, master? No.’
‘Some more leaves, please. Don’t skimp on the sauce or whatever it is.’
‘Right the second time.’
‘Whatever it is? You don’t know?’
‘No, master. It just leaked out. Maybe from the leaves, maybe from something else. It reminds one of—’
‘Tanneries?’
‘Yes, that’s it exactly. Well done.’
Tehol paled and slowly set down his bowl. ‘I just had a thought.’
Bugg’s eyes widened and he too put his bowl down. ‘Please, master, do not pursue that thought.’
‘It keeps coming back.’
‘The thought?’
‘No, the supper.’ He rose suddenly. ‘Time for some air.’
‘Mind if I join you?’
‘Not at all, Bugg. Clearly, during the course of preparing this meal, you worked hard at ignoring whatever impressions you may have had. I understand that you might well be exhausted by that effort. And if not, you should be.’
They turned at a sound from the alley, then the curtain across the entrance was swept aside.
‘Ah, Shand, we were wondering when you would arrive!’
‘You’re a liar and a thief, Tehol Beddict.’
‘It’s the company I keep,’ Bugg muttered.
Rissarh and Hejun followed behind Shand as she stormed into the small room.
Tehol backed to the far wall, which wasn’t nearly far enough. ‘Needless to say,’ he said, ‘I’m impressed.’
Shand halted. ‘With what?’
He saw that her fists were clenched. ‘Well, your vigour, of course. At the same time, I realize I have been remiss in directing your admirable energies, Shand. It’s now clear to me that you—all three of you, in fact—require a more direct involvement in our nefarious undertaking.’
‘He’s doing it again,’ Rissarh growled.
‘We’re supposed to be beating him up right now,’ Hejun added. ‘Look what he’s done. Shand, less than a bell ago you were saying—’
‘Be quiet about what I was saying,’ Shand cut in. ‘Direct involvement, you said, Tehol. Finally. It’s about time, and no games, you slippery bastard. Talk to save your life.’
‘Of course,’ Tehol said, smiling. ‘Please, make yourselves comfortable—’
‘We’re comfortable enough. Talk.’
‘Well, you don’t look comfortable—’
‘Tehol.’
‘As you like. Now, I’m going to give you a list of names, which you will have to memorize. Horul Esterrict, of Cargo Olives. Mirrik the Blunt, eldest of the Blunts, owner of Blunt’s Letherii Steel and Blunt Weaponry. Stoople Rott, the grain magnate of Fort Shake. His brother, Puryst, the ale brewer. Erudinaas, queen of the rustleaf plantations at Dissent. The financiers, Bruck Stiffen, Horul Rinnesict, Grate Chizev of Letheras, Hepar the Pleaser, of Trate. Debt-holders Druz Thennict, Pralit Peff, Barrakta Ilk, Uster Taran, Lystry Maullict, all of Letheras. Tharav the Hidden, of room eleven, Chobor’s Manse on Seal Street, Trate. Got those?’
