"But… what would they gain?" murmured Lecoyat.
"What you may not know is that the Emperor is dealing with an insurrection in the province of Merowey, and that insurrection is tacitly being supported by the white mages of Fairhaven, we believe, as well as the Jeranyi. Had the destruction of Swartheld's harbor structures and warehouses been accomplished, the prices of Jeranyi goods would have increased markedly in value. More important, had you sent the black ships to Hamor, there would have been far fewer patrols to deal with Jeranyi pirates. As it is, the Emperor has been forced to cut back many of our patrols in order to shut down efforts to supply the rebels in Merowey."
"So you want us to take up the entire burden of dealing with the Jeranyi cutthroats?" asked Severyna.
"The Emperor would not wish to imply or impose any duty on Recluce. All we can say is that at present Hamor cannot deal as aggressively with such pirates as we have done in the past." Before any of the others could speak, Taryl stepped toward the long table and extended an envelope to Myanelyt. "This contains a more elaborate written version of what we have conveyed to you. It is a copy of the official and complete report on what occurred. The Emperor felt that you should have a copy as well." He turned toward Rahl. "Now, Mage-Guard Rahl will provide some of the details. These should be of particular interest to you." Taryl inclined his head to Rahl.
Rahl gave a polite half bow before speaking. "Magisters and magistra, as some of you know, I am an exile from Nylan, and I was sent as a clerk to the Nylan Merchant Association in Swartheld. At that time, Director Shyret was in charge there. I had not been there more than two eight-days when I became aware that the director was declaring excessive spoilage, then selling these 'spoiled' goods in local markets and pocketing the golds. The amounts were not small. At least, they did not seem so to me. On a single cargo, the director might declare two kegs of madder or indigo as spoiled, along with a bale or two of prime black wool. This was never less than thirty golds a cargo, and could be in excess of a hundred."
"Between thirty and a hundred golds a cargo?" asked Leyla.
"Yes, magistra." Rahl paused. "In addition, I discovered something else rather unusual. Director Shyret was receiving barrels labeled as Feyn River pickles and storing them at the warehouses, but these barrels were never shipped on Recluce vessels, but always on Jeranyi vessels…" Rahl went on to explain how he had been attacked one night, then drugged with nemysa only days later and lost all his memories and ended up in the ironworks, before Taryl had helped him recover his memories, then trained him and sent him back to Swartheld. He also told how he had realized that the barrels of "pickles" had actually contained cammabark packed in vinegar to keep it from exploding… and finally what had occurred after he had discovered the Jeranyi raiders and set off the cammabark in the Merchant Association courtyard. "… I managed to set off the powder in that one ship, but I had to jump into the harbor, and it took a while for me to recover."
The four exchanged glances. Finally, Leyla spoke. "You're admitting that you killed a superior officer and effectively destroyed our merchant compound?"
"Yes, magistra. Undercaptain Craelyt had already killed the captain, and he was working with the Jeranyi. If I hadn't set off the cammabark in the Merchant Association compound, we might have lost much of the harbor area."
After that, there were more questions.
"Can you be absolutely certain that Director Shyret was involved?"
"How did you know the Jeranyi were using these… pickle barrels?"
"Wasn't there any other way to stop them?"
"Why didn't you bring this to the attention of your superiors earlier?"
"Were there other indications that might have allowed earlier actions?"
Rahl answered each question as thoroughly and honestly as he could, trying not to become even more irritated by their skepticism and arrogance.
And finally, "Do you honestly expect us to believe this?"
At that point, Taryl cleared his throat. "You are all black mages. You all know that Rahl and I are telling the truth. You also should know that the Emperor would not send us across an entire ocean if he did not respect you and believe you should know the facts. We could easily have claimed that the fire and explosion were accidental and sent no one. Such fires do occur."
"Why are you here, then?" asked Myanelyt.
"To confirm for you that the Jeranyi were working through your own director, and, as Rahl tells me the magisters in Land's End have already acknowledged and acted upon, that the Jeranyi do not have the best interests of Recluce in mind. We also wished to confirm by our presence, and by our allowing you to question us as necessary, that they were using your facilities to strike against Hamor. We thought you should know this and that you should learn of it in a manner in which you could verify the truth for yourselves. It is well-known that no one can lie to the magisters of Nylan without it being more than obvious to them."
Finally, Myanelyt rose and bowed. "Envoy Taryl, you have been more than patient, and we appreciate your forbearance. We will convey these findings to the Merchant Association as well. While it is premature for us to make any decisions, not until we have evaluated what you have presented, if matters are as you have indicated, it would seem unlikely that we would wish to engage in any actions that would be interpreted as hostile. We wish you a speedy and safe return to Hamor."
"Thank you," replied Taryl. "It is likely that we will depart tomorrow, but that will depend upon the weather and whether Captain Jaracyn has been able to fill all the bunkers."
All the Nylan mages rose, concluding the meeting. Rahl followed Taryl from the chamber.
Tamryn was waiting in the corridor outside. "I would be happy to drive you back to your ship."
"I will avail myself of that offer," Taryl said.
As they walked out of the building, Rahl looked to Taryl, and said in a low voice, "Would you mind if…?"
Taryl laughed softly. "I thought you might. Just remember that Captain Jaracyn will wish to leave close to dawn tomorrow."
"Because the Ascadya is needed in Hamor? To deal with the rebellion?"
"And more, I fear." Taryl smiled. "There's a lady, isn't there?"
"She's a healer."
The older mage reached into his belt wallet, then extended a coin. "Take her to dinner, and be back on board before midnight."
Rahl almost swallowed as he realized Taryl had given him a gold. "You…"
"No, I don't, but you conducted yourself well, and we were provided coins in case of need. This is a need." Taryl nodded. "Nothing in life is certain, and you may never see her again. So give her something she can remember."
Rahl could sense Tamryn's amazement and concern, but he just smiled, then watched as the magister drove Taryl back toward the black ship piers. After a moment, he turned and began to walk toward the infirmary.
He could sense the puzzled gazes as he passed the mess and turned westward on the stone walk. When he entered the foyer, he recognized the younger healer. "Kelyssa?"
She looked at him, staring at the unfamiliar dress uniform, as if she could not remember but should. She started to frown, as if to suggest that he was not welcome.
"I'm Rahl. Is Deybri here?"
"Rahl?" Kelyssa's mouth opened, but she said nothing for several long moments. "Rahl?"
"The same one you had to pick up off the weapons training floor," he added. "Is Deybri around?"