Antiagon Fire

14

After dispatching a ranker with a water bottle to the upper lock house, Quaeryt went to find Skarpa. The submarshal was standing in the shaded lane beside the archway Quaeryt had imaged closed with stone. Predictably, by then, Vaelora was also there, if guarded by Voltyr, Lhandor, and Khalis, as was Meinyt.

“So far as I can tell, there aren’t any explosives around the locks or in the lock houses,” Quaeryt announced. “They did tie up one lockman and left him. He could have died, for all they seemed to care. He has no idea who was behind it, except that the head lockman, named Pharn, said they were closing the canal for repairs. When the lockman protested and said that they didn’t need repairs, before long three men he didn’t know grabbed him and bound him to a chair, then chained the lock-house door.”

“It was planned, then, here in town,” said Vaelora.

“By the factors. That’s the way it looks.”

“Your factors haven’t tried to break out,” said Skarpa, adding with a straight face, “I could see that they might have trouble, though. The troopers rounded up close to fifty bravos with clubs or truncheons and a score or so of factors, mostly younger men.”

“We’ll have to talk to all of them,” said Quaeryt. “Well … maybe not all the bravos, but all the factors. I think we need to find a good inn and use a chamber there. I’d suggest we start with the younger ones first … and leave the factors inside the warehouse for now.”

“They won’t be happy.” Skarpa grinned.

“That’s the idea. I don’t think they understand what they did. Or rather the seriousness of what they did.” Quaeryt paused. “Either that, or they thought that in the disruption following the conquest of eastern Bovaria, no one would notice.”

“Why did they do it?” asked Meinyt.

“If grain shipments to Variana are stopped, the price of grain will go up. The factors will receive more when they resume shipping,” Quaeryt said.

“Why didn’t they just refuse to ship?”

“They could do that, but grain likely comes down the River Laar from other growers, factors, and High Holders. Unless they take control of the canal, the shipments go on, and the prices stay lower than they desire.” Quaeryt shrugged. “Then when we showed up they spread the story that mutineers did it … and, well, if the mutineers ran off when we approached or got tired and gave up, who’s to know?”

“Why didn’t they just stick to the story about repairs?” asked Meinyt.

“I’m guessing that they’re saving that for all the future times when Bhayar doesn’t have an army near. Even if people suspect, who is going to accuse any group of factors who can raise enough muscle to seize the canal? The High Holders won’t care. The price for their grain goes up as well. Besides, there’s grain and flour here in Laaryn, and the local price will likely go down for a time, and most people don’t care that much if it costs more somewhere else.”

“Real bastards,” offered Meinyt in a low voice.

Vaelora nodded.

“We need to find an inn and quarters for the regiments,” Skarpa announced.

Close to another glass passed before Skarpa, Vaelora, Meinyt, and Quaeryt stood just inside the entry hall of the Canal Inn, located on the east side of the square set just to the east of the point of land that overlooked where the canal joined the River Laar. The inn was not that ancient as Bovarian inns went, Quaeryt judged, likely only thirty years old and probably built not that long after the Great Canal had been completed. The three-story squarish structure with the dull red brick walls that seemed so prevalent along the canal boasted a large public room, two plaques rooms, one larger and more elegantly appointed than the other, a good-sized entry hall, and an imposing facade with stone columns flanking the entry, and two covered side porches.

Khaern remained in charge of the canal area, and Zhelan and first company had taken over the exterior of the warehouse imprisoning the local factors, with Voltyr in charge of the imager undercaptains, who remained there in order to assure that the factors remained behind the walls.

“How do you think we should handle this?” asked Skarpa, looking to Quaeryt.

“You shouldn’t be the one questioning all the factors. That makes them feel too important. They should be almost beneath your notice-at least until their punishment is announced.”

“What about justicers?” asked Vaelora.

“Blocking the Great Canal isn’t a matter for a local justicer, assuming Kharst even had them. Besides…” Quaeryt smiled.

“You’ve acted as a justicer for Bhayar,” she finished.

“And you’re a full commander,” added Skarpa.

“We’ll just take over one of the plaques rooms and bring them in one at a time,” said Quaeryt. “By the time I finish with the younger ones, the ones in the warehouse might be getting a message.”

In less than a quint, Quaeryt was seated behind a table in the more luxurious of the plaques rooms, waiting.

The first of those captured to appear before Quaeryt, escorted by two solid rankers, did not look much older than Khalis, the youngest of the imager undercaptains, a beardless youth with well-trimmed brown hair and matching gray trousers and jacket … not to mention a bruise along his left jaw and a slight scabbed cut on his forehead. His hands were bound behind him.

“Who are you, and what were you doing with the bravos who were blocking people from getting near the canal?” asked Quaeryt.

“Might I ask who you are and what your authority over me is?”

The question was worded politely enough, but the condescending arrogance behind the words grated on Quaeryt. He smiled politely, projecting absolute authority and total contempt before he uttered a single word. “I’m Commander Quaeryt Rytersyn, scholar, former justicer, and officer in the Telaryn Southern Army. My authority comes from Lord Bhayar and the nine regiments that have occupied Laaryn after some group unlawfully blocked the Great Canal. Now … answer the questions.”

The youth staggered back a step, then swallowed. “You can’t…”

“This is wartime. You were part of a group that was caught blocking a canal to cargo and supplies. That’s treason. If necessary, I can order your execution. I will if I have to. I’d rather not, because you’re not worth the time or effort.” Rather than say more, Quaeryt waited.

“I’m Coryal D’Coryt. I was trying to get to my father’s warehouse when your men snatched everyone in sight. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Quaeryt sighed, loudly, then looked to the two rankers. “Put him in the empty cellar. We’ll take care of him later, along with the others. Have the major send in a few of the bravos.”

“You will be sorry,” said the youth.

Quaeryt shook his head sadly.

The next man was a broad-shouldered bravo in brown, with a wide leather belt and well-trimmed hair and beard.

He’s too well groomed for a typical bravo. “Your name?” asked Quaeryt.

“Huddn.”

“Why were you blocking off the canal?”

“Why not? The swells paid half silver a day for me to hold a truncheon and keep folks off.”

“Did they tell you why they wanted the canal blocked?”

“Yesterday, it was for repairs. This morning they said it was because Lord Bhayar’s army was coming.”

“Who do you work for?”

“Whoever pays me.”

“Who paid you yesterday?”

Huddn shrugged. “Don’t know his name. Young fellow dressed like a factor. Blond, short beard. Probably not old enough to grow more. Didn’t give his name. Paid all of Voryn’s crew.”

Quaeryt asked more questions, but it was clear that Huddn knew little more than he’d revealed at the beginning. The same was true of the next five bravos. The sixth gave his name as Voryn.

“So you have a crew,” said Quaeryt. “What do they do for you?”

“Work. Most times, we load or offload the canal boats. Other times, we’ll keep order for factors, like when they have a fest for their help.”

“Or when they want people kept away from the Great Canal?”

Voryn nodded, his wide-spaced eyes wary.

“How often does that happen?”

“Not often. Maybe three-four times in the past few years. Called in more muscle this morning, though.”

“Who pays for you and your crew when that happens?”

“Factors’ council.”

“Who’s on the council?”

“Don’t know them all. Old factor Coryt … Aelsam, Yudrow … Barkudan. Those are the ones I know.”

“What other factors use the canal for shipping, enough to need a crew…”

Quaeryt continued with his questions.

Three glasses later, Quaeryt decided he’d heard enough. He’d also finished quick interrogations with those the rankers had rounded up-more than ten young factors or factors’ assistants, and more than a score of hired bravos or loaders.

Once the last of the assistants was out of the chamber, he sent word to Zhelan to have the imagers open the sealed warehouse and to bring all those inside to the inn for questioning. Then he requested that Skarpa and Vaelora join him. He was pacing around the plaques table when they arrived and closed the door behind themselves.

Skarpa said nothing, just looked at Quaeryt inquiringly.

“I’m sure we don’t know everything. From what I’ve heard, this isn’t the first time the factors have closed the canal. They’ve done the same thing before, once for almost two weeks.”

“Just to keep their prices higher?” asked Skarpa.

Vaelora only nodded, sadly.

“The one thing that’s strange is that someone called in more bravos-and paid them-this morning. None of the bravos knew who had paid. They didn’t recognize the man who had the silvers.” Quaeryt frowned. “That doesn’t make much sense. Why would they do that with Southern Army marching toward Laaryn?”

“Maybe someone else did,” suggested Vaelora.

Quaeryt shook his head. “Of course.”

Skarpa glanced from Quaeryt to Vaelora and back again. “Of course?”

“Someone who’s not happy with the canal closings paid for more bravos … either to make things seem worse than they were or to make certain we did something to stop the closings.” Quaeryt shrugged. “We may have trouble finding out who that was. I think it’s time to talk to the factors we walled up. I’ve already sent for them.”

“Do you want either of us there?” asked Skarpa.

“Not now. I might need Vaelora before long, though.”

“Me? A mere woman?”

Quaeryt managed to avoid wincing. “An envoy and sister of the mighty Lord Bhayar, far more prestigious than a mere commander, of whom there are many.”

Vaelora did smile. “I’ll take my leisure in the other plaques room.”

“That’s a very good idea … but not until we get word that the factors have arrived.” He turned to Skarpa. “What do you think about the whole matter?”

“From what I’ve seen, the factors here are wealthy. They were surprised that we offered no deference to them.”

“I don’t think many of them have ever seen troopers,” added Vaelora. “The children peer out of windows at them.”

Quaeryt found himself frowning. How had Kharst kept order, especially given the nature of his High Holders?

“There are also no High Holders close to Laaryn,” added Skarpa. “The scouts report that the closest high holding is fifteen miles north.”

The silence that followed was broken by a knock. Then Zhelan eased the door open. “Sirs, Lady Vaelora … the captives from the warehouse are outside on the porch.”

Skarpa rose, as did Vaelora.

“Send in the white-bearded town councilor first,” instructed Quaeryt as he rose, “after the submarshal and Lady Vaelora leave.”

“Yes, sir.”

Vaelora gave Quaeryt a parting smile. Skarpa shook his head as he left.

A short time later Moraes-the white-bearded town councilor-stepped gingerly into the plaques room. He peered at Quaeryt, then shuffled forward. “Sir … you’re the officer who walled us up. I tell you, sir, it wasn’t my idea to close the canal.”

“This time or all the other times?” asked Quaeryt dryly.

Moraes was silent.

So was Quaeryt.

Finally, the older man cleared his throat. “What would you have me do, sir? No one dares go against the factors’ council.”

“Why not?”

“Things … happen to those who do. Unfortunate things … dwellings burn … dray horses sicken … accidents happen to children … shipments of goods vanish…” Moraes did not meet Quaeryt’s eyes.

“Who serves on the factors’ council?”

“The wealthy factors.”

“Who?”

“Aelsam, Fuadan, Coryt, Barkudan, and Yudrow.”

“Just five men?”

“There have always been five.”

“Moraes … do you have civil patrollers here in Laaryn?”

The councilor looked totally confused. Finally, he asked, “How did you know my name?”

“I’m good at listening. About the patrollers? Do you have them? I didn’t see any.”

“Yes, sir. We do.”

“Why weren’t they blocking off the canal?”

“The piers and warehouses in the town alongside the canal belong to the factors’ council or to various factors. The patrollers only keep order on the streets.”

“The factors’ bravos were on the streets blocking access to the canal. Where were the patrollers?”

“I’m certain they were there somewhere.” Moraes wet his lips nervously.

Quaeryt couldn’t help but wonder if some of the bravos were actually patrollers, especially given how suspiciously well groomed a number of them had been. He decided to keep those thoughts to himself. It wouldn’t have been the first time patrollers supplemented their pay by using their skills in other capacities. Or that those with wealth or power subverted the patrollers to their own ends. “How is the town council chosen?”

“The guilds choose two members, and the factors three. It’s always been that way. As long as I can remember.”

“You were chosen by the factors, I take it?”

“Yes, sir.”

“And the factors tell the town council when to close the canal?”

“No, sir. The canal in Laaryn is under the authority of the factors’ council.”

More inquiry revealed little new, but that might well have been because he didn’t know enough to ask the right questions, and he finally dismissed Moraes back to custody. The next factor-thin, brown-haired, and intense in his expression-gave his name as Phaelan.

“What was your role in closing the Great Canal?” asked Quaeryt.

“My role, sir? I had none. The factors’ council decides when to close the Great Canal.”

“And you agreed with that decision?”

“I didn’t question the factors’ council, sir.”

“Why not?”

“Because they’re the council.” Phaelan’s expression conveyed a very definite message that questioning the council just wasn’t done.

“Which factor is the head of the council?”

“There’s no head. I suppose Barkudan has the most influence.”

“Were they all caught with you in the warehouse?”

Phaelan shook his head “Barkudan and Coryt were there. I didn’t see Yudrow or Fuadan. Aelsam wasn’t there. He’s recovering from a flux, I heard.”

“Who pays the patrollers?”

“The town council.”

“Where do they get the funds?”

“Most of the silvers come from the canal passage tariffs.”

Quaeryt questioned Phaelan for another quint, then sent him back to the other captives.

The next two captives he saw were the two bravos who’d escorted Moraes. They had little to add, except that they’d been paid to protect the councilor. Quaeryt had some thoughts about what was meant by “protection,” but both men insisted that their only task had been to accompany Moraes and to escort him back to report to Barkudan … and Barkudan was among those Quaeryt had not yet questioned.

After that, a younger factor with bruises on his face appeared. While Quaeryt couldn’t be certain, he thought the man was the one who had attacked him with a blade.

“Your name?”

“Yudryt, Commander.”

At least he recalls what I am.

“Can you tell me why the factors thought to deceive us about the reason why the Great Canal was closed?”

“They were worried. They thought that you might delay in arriving if you thought there were armed men holding innocents.”

“Why were they worried?”

“I could not say.”

That’s a lie. “Why might they have been worried?”

“There was word that when people resisted, Lord Bhayar froze them to death.”

That’s not much better. “If they believed that, why did they not immediately just say that the canal had been closed and would reopen shortly?”

“I don’t know. No one said. They were worried, but no one could say why.”

“Are you the son of one of the factors on the council?”

For a moment Yudryt was silent.

Again, Quaeryt waited.

“Yes. Yudrow is my father.”

“And he didn’t tell you why the council had the councilor tell the submarshal the lie about rebel Bovarian troopers?”

“He didn’t tell me anything except to meet him in the council warehouse.”

Quaeryt strongly doubted that.

Young Yudryt had very little else to reveal, and Quaeryt dismissed him.

The next factor was Coryt, the man who had pulled the pistol on Quaeryt.

“Why did you tell the submarshal that stupid story about rebelling troopers?”

“I didn’t. Barkudan told Moraes to stall-”

“Why?”

“We didn’t expect a Telaryn army marching along the Great Canal and demanding that it be opened immediately. If Lord Bhayar wanted to change the way the canal is operated, he should have let us know.” Coryt’s tone was polite, with an undercurrent of puzzlement, and a faint hint of the accusatory.

“He did. He sent us. Instead of saying that you’d open the canal immediately, you came up with a stupid story and tried to stall us. When I announced who I was, you tried to shoot me.” Quaeryt smiled coolly.

“We didn’t believe you, I’m sorry to say, but brigands have tried ruses for years.”

“I take it that you close the canal whenever prices get too low in Variana?”

“No. Just when we believe that closing it will stabilize prices and keep grain and flour from flooding the market.”

“And Rex Kharst was aware of this?”

“Of course. We’d have been fools to do something he didn’t approve of.”

Kharst approved of this? Quaeryt managed to keep his expression impassive. “Why did you order the lockman bound and chained in the lock house? He would have died.”

“The lockman was bound and chained? That’s not anything I know about.”

“You didn’t know? And you’re on the factors’ council?”

“The lockmaster handles things like that. I’ve told you what I know.”

Quaeryt had his doubts, but he didn’t know enough to ask the questions that would trip up someone as smooth and sharp as Coryt.

The last factor was the tall and stout graybeard, whom Quaeryt recalled from the warehouse by the brocade jacket and black trousers with a silver stripe. “You are?”

“Barkudan D’Factorius of Laaryn. Might I ask why you have treated us so shabbily?”

Quaeryt ignored the question and the condescension behind it, as well as an arrogance that suggested Barkudan was used to being able to order Kharst’s officers around. “Why did you close the Great Canal?”

“For the usual reasons.”

“The usual reasons?” asked Quaeryt ironically.

“To keep the price of grain and flour up. That way, Commander, Rex Kharst received more golds in tariffs when the goods were delivered and sold in Variana.”

Kharst agreed to that scheme? “The problem with that is that everyone else is inconvenienced, and those who are the poorest pay the most.” That had been one of the problems in Extela. And here it is again in a different guise.

“That is indeed a problem if one is poor, but we should not have to lose golds because there are those who are poor.”

Quaeryt decided to be dense. “Lose golds? How can you lose golds when you already have the grain? If the price is lower than what you purchased it at, all you have to do is wait.”

“We might wait months, Commander, and we still have to pay our warehousemen, our loaders, our drivers … We might have to let them go, and that means more people are poor and without food. No … it is much better to keep the prices as stable as we can … not that such would be a concern for a fighting man.”

“All of that makes sense from your point of view, but there are several things that don’t. For example, why was a lockman bound and gagged and left chained inside a lock house?”

“I doubt that was the case,” Barkudan replied smoothly. “If someone was there when the canal was closed, they should not have been. The man doubtless was drinking and fell asleep there. No one noticed him when everything was locked up. It would have been an unfortunate accident, except for the fact that your men came along. He should be most grateful.”

“Men who are drinking don’t tie themselves to chairs and gag themselves.”

Barkudan shrugged. “I wouldn’t know about that.”

Yes, you would, you slimy bastard. “To whom does the lockmaster report?”

“To the factors’ council. We pay them for doing their duties.”

“And you knew nothing about the lockman?”

“I knew nothing until you told me.”

Quaeryt could see that none of the factors were about to admit or acknowledge anything about the unfortunate lockman … or anything else, regardless of any pressure he could apply. He smiled, coldly. “You have repeatedly told the people of Laaryn and those trying to ship cargo from other places that the canal was closed for reasons that were untrue. You attempted to increase the golds in your coffers by lying. That is fraud, whether or not Rex Kharst approved or not. Doing so in war amounts to treason. The penalty for treason is death.”

Barkudan swallowed. “You … you do not have the authority … not when we were carrying out Rex Kharst’s wishes.”

“Assuming that happened to be the case, that argument only had validity until you were aware that Lord Bhayar wished otherwise, yet all of you did nothing to accede to his requirements. Instead, you compounded your failures by lying to Lord Bhayar’s representatives. As for authority, I have the authority of a senior officer commissioned by Lord Bhayar.”

“That should not apply to a civil matter.”

Quaeryt smiled once more. “I could dispute that. I won’t. Instead, I will ask Lady Vaelora Chayardyr, an envoy of Lord Bhayar, and also his sister, to pass judgment on the matter.”

“And when might this be?” asked Barkudan warily.

Quaeryt paused as the bells outside the inn began to ring-six chimes. Is it that late already? When the sound of the bells died away, he continued. “Shortly. Southern Army is escorting her to deal with the lands of Khel.”

Sweat began to bead on the factor’s forehead.

“Until then, you will remain in custody, and we will also seek out the other members of the factors’ council so that all of you may share in that judgment.”

Quaeryt could see Barkudan pale, if only slightly. He nodded to the troopers. “Take him out.”

For several moments Quaeryt just sat behind the plaques table. After glasses of questioning people, he still had far too few answers. You might have gotten more by using imaging … He shook his head. The factors were far too cold and too experienced to be affected by his imaging feelings at them, and using some form of force against people who weren’t using arms against him would only lead to more trouble than he wanted to deal with. He’d just have to find another way of discovering what he wanted to know.

He stood and walked to the door, opening it slowly and looking at the ranker outside. “If you wouldn’t mind asking the submarshal and Lady Vaelora if they would join me.”

“Yes, sir.”

Quaeryt just stood by the plaques table, waiting, until the other two joined him, then gestured to the chairs.

“What did you find out?” asked Skarpa after he and Vaelora had seated themselves.

“Not enough.” Quaeryt took a deep breath. “If I can believe what all of these factors are saying, their council has been closing the canal as they think necessary in order to keep supplies of grain and flour from flooding into Variana. I wouldn’t be surprised if the factors in Eluthyn might not have been doing the same thing, but we didn’t catch them at it. The factors I questioned all claim that Kharst approved of this because the cargoes are tariffed when they’re sold in Variana and he received more tariff golds that way…” Quaeryt went on to summarize what he’d learned, then waited for their response.

“It makes sense, in a way,” said Vaelora. “It doesn’t raise prices here. So people don’t get upset…”

“But what about goods headed here?” asked Quaeryt. “I’d think…” He shook his head. “You’re right. Most other things people need are made locally. Still … there’s something that’s not right about it.”

“More than something,” added Skarpa.

“What do you think we should do?” asked Vaelora.

“Summon the factors’ council and order them not to close the canal except for repairs, and then for as short a time as practicable.”

“If we’re not here,” said Skarpa, “they’ll just claim the need for repairs and do the same thing.”

“We may have to leave a company or a battalion,” said Quaeryt, “but I can’t see having the canal closed while we’re still dealing with possible holdouts, rebels, Khel, and the border with Antiago. Can you?” He looked to Skarpa.

The submarshal shook his head.

“There’s one other thing. These factors are hiding something. I don’t know what. I think the imagers and first company should search every warehouse along the canal around the locks.” For starters. He paused. There was something … something that wasn’t quite right, that he was overlooking.

“That will take time,” Skarpa pointed out. “Where should they start?”

The one boat! The only boat.

“What is it?” asked Vaelora.

“Have them start with the one canal boat below the locks and the warehouse across from it, then move west.”

Skarpa nodded.

It’s probably nothing except a concerned factor. Still …

“Oh … we need to find out if any smiths have been doing work on the canal locks lately.”

“Smiths?”

“Someone forge-welded one of the lock gates shut.”

“What about the factors’ council?” asked Skarpa.

“We need to round all of them up and have them meet us here at ninth glass tomorrow. We only caught two of them in the warehouse. Maybe by the time we meet with them tomorrow we’ll know more.” He shrugged. “If not, we’ll still likely have to be here another day.” He paused. “We might as well get something to eat. Have the officers and men eaten?”

“I took care of that while you were dealing with the factors,” said Skarpa. “It was the easier task. By far.”

Quaeryt didn’t argue. As he stood, he realized he needed to send one of the undercaptains to image away the steel plate on the lower lock, so that it could be used and the canal reopened. Among other things.