CHAPTER 34
Lucan ended up waiting longer than he’ed expected. Considering the surprise he’d just delivered them, he’d expected the council to jump into the venture with relish. Yet it seemed like they had much to discuss in there. He kept himself occupied with some of the exotic fruits at the table and a book that a servant thankfully brought for him. It was about the history of the Union, and while Lucan had read some works on that front, he wouldn’t claim to know all that there was to know.
After the midday bell, Mistress Yanna entered the chamber. She seemed anxious, if not disheartened. Lucan stood up and gave her a nod.
“Lord Zesh,” she said, dipping her head. “We must speak, and quickly.”
“Is something the matter?” Lucan raised a brow. “Could it be that what I said wasn’t enough to buy their agreement?”
She smiled. “Oh, it was. More than enough.” She sighed. “Even when a particular fool spoke of your young age, five wiser, or greedier, councilmen jumped in to speak on your behalf, telling him of your exploits, delving deeper into the Wilderlands than any before you, rescuing your father, burning down the Daughter.” She paused, giving him a grim smile. “No, Lord Zesh, their agreement is no challenge. However, now that the extent of this undertaking has come to light, Fendrel is even more determined to steal a bigger slice of the pie.”
Lucan tilted his head. “But you were the one to bring the guild this proposal. This means that you have some rather particular privileges, does it not?”
“Indeed, it does,” she said. “I did not just bring them your venture, but I also gathered nearly all the allies that will be joining it on our side. Fendrel cannot wrest what is mine away from me in the council. However, as guildmaster, he has the right to speak for us, and he will wish to speak to you before the matter is sealed. Without a doubt, he will attempt to sway you. He will want you to change the agreement, perhaps offering you some benefits or privileges. If he succeeds in taking the reins of this undertaking into his own hands, I will be swiftly pushed aside.”
“I see.”
Mistress Yanna fixed him with a hard look, though it was only a shell for what hid beneath. In a way, she was imploring him. “I hope you are a man who keeps his word, Lord Zesh.”
“I have not once dishonored my predecessors, Mistress Rhoswen,” Lucan said gravely. “I don’t intend to do so today.”
Her hard look persisted for a moment longer, then she dipped her head low. “After he finds no leeway with you, a charter and an agreement will be signed, and the matter will be sealed. However, we must still speak afterwards. There is much to discuss.”
Lucan nodded. “So we shall.”
Mistress gave him a grateful smile and bowed before leaving.
As the door closed after her, Lucan frowned. Her promise of further conversation brought him unease for some reason. He didn’t get much time to think, as the door opened swiftly and Fendrel Mercer stepped in.
The guildmaster gave him an assured grin, striding forward and executing an elegant bow as he came up to Lucan. “Lord Zesh. I hope you have found our hospitality adequate.”
“I have.” Lucan gave him a polite smile.
“That is most fortunate,” the guildmaster said, his drawn smile never slipping off his face. “The council is amenable to your proposal, but some concerns are still keeping my fellows from pledging themselves to this venture.”
“What may those be?”
“Well.” Fendrel Mercer took a breath. “Some worry that our alliances in this undertaking might not be strong enough to rely upon, I am afraid. You see, Mistress Yanna is not truly a forger of alliances. She has won them, of that I would not deprive her. However, that does not mean that they will stay by our side once the hyenas come for our prize.”
“And what do you propose?”
“I have my own friends among some of the greatest guilds of the Union,” Fendrel said. “Perhaps a proper plan can be set and stronger alliances forged.”
Lucan huffed, giving him a quirked smile. “I thought it was a common belief here that friendships did not ascertain reliable alliances.”
Flustered, the guildmaster laughed lightly. “Lord Zesh, these are trustworthy and loyal fellows, whom I have had many dealings with.”
“Of course,” Lucan said. “I do not doubt them or you, Master Fendrel, but I would rather not forsake what is for what may be. We already have allies, one of which I have brought to you myself. Let us stay our course.”
“I see,” Fendrel said, straining to keep his smile. “If you will allow me, I have some questions I had delayed.”
Lucan nodded for him to ask them.
“Have you spoken of tolls and taxes with Yanna?”
Lucan shrugged. “It was a brief matter to discuss. She has agreed that the alliance’s edicts are fair.”
“Yes, but you were the one to forge this whole undertaking, perhaps even the alliance itself as well.” Fendrel gave him a knowing look. “A man such as yourself surely deserves different consideration.”
Lucan was the one to chuckle this time. “What do you intend then? To offer me a purse of coin?”
Fendrel matched his chuckle, answering the accusation in Lucan’s tone with mirth. “I would never demean you so, Lord Zesh.” He paused, deepening his smile. “However, your estate in Barwalis deserves recognition for what it has wrought for the realm, the South, and your alliance. I would make certain that The Golden Wheel’s friendship is felt in Silvergate. Our merchants would store their goods in your town and only in your town. We would make buying goods from your city paramount in all our dealings. You have salt, do you not? Yours will be the first bought from here to Pontis. Your grain will feed our folk before any other. Your craftsmen will never have enough goods to sell. Your shops will never know the lack of a ware again. Your armories will welcome the best arms and armor in the east and the west. You need only say the word.”
Lucan couldn’t stop his countenance from changing once he heard what the guildmaster was willing to offer, even if that didn’t mean he was willing to betray Mistress Yanna’s trust. Still, the merchant saw the opportunity and latched onto it.
With unblinking eyes, he leaned forward. “We may also buy some land in your estate, for mercantile purposes of course. And though having the guild do such a thing would not be simple, my own family would be privileged to own land in your territory. My brothers and their children lack a proper place to summer. Yes, it would be most welcome to have.”
Pressing his lips, Lucan smiled. “Master Fendrel, I am thankful for your offer; however, I shall keep to my word and to my promises. Perhaps we shall have other dealings in the future.”
Fendrel pulled back, his face twisting for a moment, though he fixed it with a smile in a blink. “Of course, of course, Lord Zesh. That is understandable.”
“My thanks.” Lucan thinned his smile further. “Now, would you give me your council’s answer?”
“Well,” Fendrel said, his unchanging smile like a mask on his face. “I am glad to say that our guild is amenable to this arrangement, though we must assemble with our prospective allies before this matter is sealed. Only then may we begin work in earnest.”
“Very well,” Lucan said. “I shall await this assembly.”
“It should not be long, your lordship,” Fendrel said. “Until then, I must return to my duties.” He gave Lucan a much shallower bow than his previous one, and Lucan gave him a nod in response. Then the guildmaster left.
As though she’d been waiting at the door, Mistress Yanna rushed in with her daughter moments after her guildmaster’s departure. She was all smiles, and Lucan even saw a quirk of the lip on Elayne’s face, which he’d come to believe was eternally afflicted by a scowling disease.
“Lord Zesh, I must thank you,” Mistress Yanna said. “From the look on Fendrel’s face, one would have thought he’d just swallowed the bitterest of medicines.”
“I only did what I ought to.”
“Still, it is rare for one to avoid the snare of true benefits, even for the sake of their honor,” Mistress Yanna said.
“Well, now you know who I am,” Lucan said.
“Now I do.”
“I suppose this matter is all but sealed then?” Lucan said.
“Not quite.” Mistress Yanna sighed. “We have a few days at least before it truly is. Unfortunately, you can expect The Silver Blades to hear about it by sunset.”
Lucan narrowed his eyes. “How would that come to be? Would your rivals in the guild go so far as to conspire with your enemies?”
“No,” she said, again sighing. “Our rivalries are not so bitter as to hazard betrayal, at least not foolishly enough to imperil ourselves. No, all the guilds have ears among their rivals’ people. They will hear of this, maybe sooner rather than later if some of my peers make it easier for them by spreading the word in the guild.”
“And would your peers do such a thing?”
“There is no certainty that they would or would not,” Mistress Yanna said. “We will be better served by preparing for the worst. I would advise caution. The tavern is safe. It is under my protection and the guild’s. I will also post more guards to ward off any mischief.”
“My thanks, Mistress Yanna,” Lucan said.
“Please,” she said, dipping her head. “Lord Lucan, call me by my name.”
Lucan gave her a deep nod. “Yanna.” She smiled.
There was a beat of silence, and then Lucan brought forth something that had been on his mind. “If I may ask about your family?”
“Of course.”
“I understand you are handling family affairs in your husband’s absence?” Lucan said leadingly.
“I am,” she said, voice even. “He is bedridden.”
“Should he awake, will there be concerns about our arrangement?”
Yanna shook her head. “He has been bedridden for two years, kept alive by the efforts of healers, medicants, and surgeons. It is unlikely, perhaps beyond belief, for him to reawaken.” She paused, as though pondering something. “Though there is always hope.”
“I see,” Lucan said. “I am not one to be harsh, forgive me, but if he is more likely to pass than awaken, then our arrangement is set in stone. This is an assurance, even if I am not glad to admit it.”
Yanna’s face changed. “That is…”
“My apologies,” Lucan said.
“That is not what I…” She took a breath and said, “You have been honest with me, so I shall do you the same courtesy, my lord.” Lucan nodded for her to continue. “Should my husband pass, his side of the family stands to inherit part of his fortune. To this day, they still persist in their attempts to take him away from me and into their care.”
“I see, I see.” Lucan rubbed his chin. “So it would be in our interest for him to wake up instead.”
She pressed her lips, her countenance tightening. “Not quite, Lord Lucan. Forgive me, talk of this matter is rather distressing for my daughter and me. Suffice to say that as matters stand, our agreement is as solid as these walls.”
Lucan grew silent. If he understood these circumstances, then Mistress Yanna’s and his interests were better served by her husband’s continuing ailment. He was rather perplexed by her lack of concern for her dying husband. Eventually, his thoughts relented, and he said, “Very well, I shall not press this matter further.”
“Thank you.” She let out a breath. “Now, I must be on my way, for there are many matters to handle now that the gates of this affair are open.”
“I will have to precede you in this departure,” Lucan said with a soft smile. “Since you’ve laid this knowledge at my feet, I must prepare myself too.”
Yanna nodded. “Then fare thee well until we next meet, Lord Lucan.”
Lucan nodded back and headed towards the door, unwittingly brushing Elayne’s shoulder and hand. In truth, she’d been loitering in the wrong place for an attendant, which is a child’s place when they follow their sire. Her incompetence didn’t surprise him, but the wide eyes and vicious scowl as she reared back did. He gave her a tilted look, and she didn’t relent until her mother reached out with a hand, moving her behind her.
Lucan huffed and continued to the door, finding Tomis and a servant. The servant then led them both out of the guildhall. Out in the streets, they melted back into the crowd, heading back to the tavern. There was some daylight yet by the time they were back, and Lucan turned to his man-at-arms at the door.
“I want you to begin looking into these Silver Blades,” he said. “Today, you need only find whatever triviality you can about them without kicking their nest. On the morrow, Ryder will accompany you, and you can be more thorough.” Seeing his man-at-arms looking hesitant to leave his side, Lucan chuckled, looking around the outer walls of the building. True to her word, more of Yanna’s men had arrived to stand guard, more than he’d expected. “There are more than eight men standing guard around the damned tavern. This place can survive a cavalry charge. Move, Tomis.”
The man-at-arms relented at last, giving him a shallow nod and departing.
Lucan sighed, walking into the common room and spotting Venn at one of the tables. The boy perked up as he approached him, but Lucan gestured for him to stay seated. “I need to rest and think. I will be in my room. Do not leave the tavern, I say.”
Quelled, the boy sank into his seat and nodded, though his agitation was only hidden beneath the obedient surface.
Lucan huffed with some amusement. “My thanks.”
He took the stairs up to their room, sealing the door behind him. Grateful for this moment of peace, he lay down on the bed. Of course, it was too wishful to think he would be getting more than that moment. In truth, it was no surprise when Venn burst into the room like an angry warhorse. Though what he said was a surprise.
“Georg sent word. They’ve found Lyanna!”