They returned to the Kaiark's chambers; Destian's effects had been removed.
Efraim touched the button to summon Agnois, who, upon entering, performed a stiff bow, which almost imperceptibly seemed to lack respect. Efraim smiled.
"Agnois, I plan many changes at Benbuphar Strang, possibly including new staff.
You may let it be known that I am carefully evaluating the conduct of everyone, from top to bottom."
"Very good, Your Force." Agnois, bowing again, displayed considerably more verve.
"In this regard, why have you denied the Noble Lorcas suitable fires? I consider this an incredible failure of hospitality."
Agnois grew pink in the face; his lumpy nose twitched. "I was given to understand, Force - or better to say - in actuality I must plead guilty of oversight. The matter will be repaired at once."
"A moment, I wish to discuss another matter. I presume that you are acquainted with the affairs of the house?"
"Only to the extent which might be considered discreet and proper, Your Force."
"Very well. As you may know I have been victimized in a most mysterious manner, and I intend to get to the bottom of the business. May I, or may I not, rely upon you for total cooperation?"
Agnois hesitated only an instant, then seemed to heave a doleful sigh. "I am at your service, Force, as ever."
"Very good. Now, let me ask you, is anyone overhearing our present conversation?"
"Not to my knowledge, Force." He went on reluctantly: "I suppose that such a possibility might be said. to exist."
"Kaiark Jochaim kept an exact chart of the castle, with all its passages and mirk-holes." Efraim spoke at sheer hazard, on the assumption that among so many records and so much careful lore, a detailed chart of the castle's mirk-ways must inevitably be included. "Bring this article to the table; I wish to examine it."
"Very well, Force, if you will furnish a key to the Privy Case."
"Certainly. Where is Kaiark Jochaim's key?"
Agnois blinked. "Perhaps it bides with the Kraike."
"Where might I find the Kraike at this moment?"
"She refreshes herself 4 in her chambers."
Efraim made an impatient gesture. "Take me there. I wish a word or two with her."
"Force, do you order me to precede you?"
"Yes, lead the way."
Agnois bowed. He swung smartly around, conducted Efraim out into the Great Hall, up the stairs, along a corridor into the Jaher Tower, and halted before a tall door studded with garnets. At Efraim's signal he thrust the central garnet and the door swung wide. Agnois stood aside, and Efraim marched into the foyer of the Kraike's private chambers. A maid appeared, and performed a quick, supple curtsey. "Your orders, Force?"
"I wish an immediate word with Her Presence."
The maid hesitated; then taking fright at Efraim's expression disappeared the way she had come. A minute passed, two minutes. Then Efraim pushed through the door despite a muffled exclamation from Agnois.
He stood in a long sitting room hung with red and green tapestry, furnished with gilt wood settees and tables. Through an opening to the side he sensed movement; he went on swift strides to the portal and so discovered the Kraike Singhalissa at a small cabinet built into the wall, into which at the sight of Efraim she thrust a small object and slammed the door shut. Swinging about she faced Efraim, eyes glowing in fury. "Your Force has forgotten the niceties of conduct."
"All this to the side," said Efraim, "I desire that you open the cabinet."
Singhalissa's face became hard and gaunt. "The cabinet contains only personal treasures."
Efraim turned to Agnois. "Bring an axe, at once."
Agnois bowed. Singhalissa made an inarticulate sound. Turning to the wall she tapped a concealed button. The door to the cabinet opened. Efraim spoke to Agnois. "Bring what you find to the table."
Agnois, gingerly brought forth the contents of the cabinet: several leather portfolios and on top an ornate key of iron and silver, which Efraim took up.
"What is this?"
"The key to the Privy Case."
"And this other matter?"
"These are my private papers," declared Singhalissa in a voice of metal. "My contracts of trisme, the birth documents of the Kang and the Lissolet."
Efraim glanced through the portfolios. The first showed an intricate architectural plan. He glanced at Singhalissa who stared back coldly. Efraim signaled to Agnois. "Look through. these documents; return to Her Presence the effects she describes. All others, set aside."
Singhalissa settled herself into a chair and sat stiffly. Agnois leaned his heavy back over the table, peering diffidently into the documents. He finished and pushed one group of papers aside. "These concern the personal affairs of the Kraike. The others more properly belong in the Privy Case."
"Bring them along." With the coldest of nods to Singhalissa, Efraim departed the chamber.
He found Matho Lorcas where he had left him, lounging in a massive leather-backed chair, examining a history of the wars between Scharrode and that realm known as Slaunt, fifty miles south. Lorcas put aside the volume and rose to his feet, "What did you learn?"
"About what I expected. The Kraike has no intention of accepting defeat - not quite so easily." Efraim went to the Privy Case; applied the key and threw wide the heavy doors. For a moment ha regarded the contents: sheaves of documents, tallies; certificates, handwritten chronicles. Efraim turned away. "One time or another I must examine these. But for now" - he looked across the room to where Agnois stood, stiff and silent as a piece of furniture. "Agnois."
"Yes, Your Force."
"If you feel that you can serve me with single-minded loyalty, you may continue in your present post. If not, you may resign at this moment, without prejudice."
Agnois spoke in a soft voice: "I served Kaiark Jochaim many years; he discovered no fault with me. I will continue to serve the rightful Kaiark."
"Very good. Find suitable materials and prepare s sketch of Benbuphar Strang, indicating the chambers used by the various members of the household."
"At once, Force."
Efraim went to the massive central table, seated himself, and began to examine the documents he had taken from Singhalissa. He found what appeared to be a ceremonial protocol, certifying the lineage of the House of Benbuphar, beginning in ancient times and terminating with his own name. In crabbed Old Rhune typescript, Kaiark Jochaim acknowledged Efraim, son of the Kraike Alferica, from Cloudscape Castle5, as his successor. A second portfolio contained correspondence between Kaiark Jochaim and Kaiark Rianlle of Eccord. The most recent file dealt with Rianlle's proposal that Jochaim cede a tract of land known as Dwan Jar, the Whispering Ridge, to Eccord, in consideration of which Rianlle would offer the Lissolet Maerio in trisme to the Kong Efraim. Jochaim politely refused to consider the proposal, stating that trisme between Efraim and Sthelany was under consideration; Dwan Jar could never be relinquished for reasons of which the Kaiark Rianlle was well aware.
Efraim spoke across the table to Agnois. "Why does Rianlle want the Dwan Jar?"
Agnois looked up wonderingly. "For the same reason as always, Force. He would build his mountain eyrie on Point sheen where the way is convenient to and from Belrod Strang. The Kaiark Jochaim, you will remember, refused to indulge the Kaiark Rianlle in his urgent caprice, citing an ancient compact with the Fwai-chi."
"The Fwai-chi? Why should the matter concern them?"
"The Whispering Ridge harbors one of their sanctuaries,6 Force." Agnois spoke tonelessly, as if he had decided never again to display surprise at Efraim's vagueness.