Scholar

65

Even though he had eaten modest portions and limited himself to two glasses of the tasty but powerful white wine, by the time Quaeryt and the governor were riding back to the Telaryn Palace, the scholar felt as though he wouldn’t need to eat for days.

It wasn’t the quantity, but how rich the food was. And that richness was something to which he was unaccustomed.

What Quaeryt didn’t understand was why the entire luncheon and meeting had been set up as if to bring up the matter of the local scholars, especially when Rescalyn had been avoiding dealing with them for years.

It’s not good, because he’s planning something. Quaeryt also couldn’t help but worry about Rhodyn’s sons, especially young Lankyt, and how they might fare if matters went badly. Yet, at the moment, Quaeryt had no idea what Rescalyn had in mind, and that concerned him more than a little. A great deal more than a little, in fact. For that reason, he said little for the first quint after they left Freunyt’s estate, and the governor did not press him, as if Rescalyn were doing some thinking of his own.

Then, as they followed the road westward around the base of a hill and the Telaryn Palace came into view, with the sun hanging just above it, Rescalyn asked, “What do you think of High Holder Freunyt, scholar?”

“He’s very knowledgeable and cultured … especially about wines and history. He also seems to know his lands and his people well.”

“That’s why he’s a successful High Holder. Most of them are educated, and exceptional. They wouldn’t stay High Holders if they were not.”

“You’ve met with all of them. Freunyt is the only High Holder with whom I’ve ever conversed. Would you say he is one of the most astute, or are others more or less astute?”

“I would say he is among the more astute, but there are others just as intelligent, and very few who are incapable of directing their holdings.”

“It doesn’t appear as though the High Holders have a particularly good opinion of the local scholars, either.”

“Either?”

Quaeryt couldn’t sense if Rescalyn’s gentle single word question happened to be lightly probing or an ironic comment. “At the princeps’s reception for factors on Samedi, I overheard a few remarks suggesting the local scholars are not held in great esteem by at least some factors. It was clear I was meant to hear such.”

“I had thought so from your request to visit the scholars. It will be interesting to see how they receive you on Vendrei. I would stress to you that you must not allow the scholars to in any way demean the authority you represent. That is one reason why I agreed with the princeps’s recommendation that you be escorted by a full company. The officer accompanying you will be ready to have his men use arms … if necessary. While I do hope such is not necessary, you should be aware of the possibilities.”

“I must say that I was troubled to hear that one of the scholars had been involved in supporting the Pretender. That suggests the hill holders have some influence there.”

“That is something you will have to determine. I would find it most useful if you could determine the extent of such influence. So, I suspect, would Lord Bhayar.”

“I will do my best, sir, but I am a scholar, not a cavalry officer or an envoy or minister.”

“I would scarcely know a true scholar from a false one. You, as a scholar, may well see what others would not.”

“That is possible.” How could Quaeryt disagree with that observation?

At the same time, another aspect of the luncheon with Freunyt bothered Quaeryt. The governor had asked Quaeryt to accompany him well before Quaeryt had raised the matter of the scholars to the princeps … and Quaeryt had scarcely mentioned the scholars at all until the Lundi after the reception. He decided to say nothing more, and since Rescalyn did not inquire further, they rode for a bit longer before the governor spoke again.

“We will be detouring through the vale on the way back to the palace. The vale is an unfortunate necessity, one my predecessor didn’t understand. Some of the men, usually the younger ones, do need a place away from the palace grounds in order to feel relaxed or to obtain some measure of female charms … To keep matters in order, I need to appear there upon occasion…”

“I’m certain your presence provides a certain reminder…”

Rescalyn laughed. “It appears to have a salutatory effect. My officers insist it does, and I heed their observations, especially in matters involving their men. I do not always do as they recommend, but I do listen and understand the spirit behind those recommendations. You cannot lead armies if you do not understand those you lead.”

“I suspect that is true of anyone leading anybody, sir.”

“Indeed, it is.” Rescalyn laughed again.