With amused admiration, Renfrow said, “Masterful, Lord Arnmigal. Masterful.”
Helspeth demanded, “Are you two playing a game without including the rest of us?”
Renfrow replied, “Every day, Majesty. Every day. But it’s just boys will be boys. Now, unusual as Lord Arnmigal’s adventure was, there are other things that need attention. For example, the question of what to do with Anselin of Menand.”
Helspeth said, “I foresee serious concessions from Arnhand in exchange for his return.”
The Grand Duke grumbled, “Sell the pretty shit.”
“Milord?”
“Do what that absurd Stain meant to do. Put him on the auction block. Isabeth of Navaya might cede Calzir and Shippen in exchange. The Connectens, if they had anything, would beggar themselves to claim him. And his mother might be forced to finance your Enterprise. Make her pay. Make her pay big. Keep her paying till she bankrupts Arnhand.”
Renfrow observed, “Anselin is worth a fortune in political capital just sitting here doing nothing, too.”
Helspeth said, “I want your thoughts, Ferris, but first I have a question for Lord Arnmigal, which is, do we still have issues enough with Bronte Doneto to demand that his person be part of Anselin’s ransom?”
“Entirely your decision, Majesty. You know what your sister would want.”
“Yes. All right. Ferris.”
“If you’ll reflect, Majesty, I’m sure you’ll see a number of ways that Anselin could be of more value held here.”
Hecht observed, “The Compte de Longé seems almost hysterical lately.”
Helspeth said, “He’s a fool with an impossible assignment. Anne sent him here to get him out of Salpeno. The Empire was sure to collapse if it was ruled by Lothar, Katrin, or Helspeth Ege, so Alten Weinberg looked like a good place to get him out of the way. But now they want him to develop an improbable case of competence and pry Anselin loose. At no cost.”
Archbishop Brion spoke up again. “The succession. Yes. That must be addressed at the earliest possible opportunity, Majesty.”
The men looked at Brion, amazed. Where had that come from? Though it was a fine question. Helspeth said, “But not right now. It will be dealt with in the customary manner, in the course of time, when I produce a son. Or a daughter, if that be God’s Will. Till then, my father’s Bill of Succession remains the law.”
“But that means that if something happens to you your mad aunt Aneis becomes Empress.”
“If that terrifies you, Brion, make absolutely certain that nothing happens to the Empress you have now.”
Renfrow said, “Majesty, this reminds me that there is much to be considered concerning the situation in the Connec.”
Hecht smiled. That was hardly a finesse. He was interested, though. Absent the Shining Ones all he knew about what was happening elsewhere was what Carava de Bos and Rivademar Vircondelet gathered from travelers.
“Strange things,” Renfrow said. “As strange as what happened in Hovacol, plus local problems resembling those plaguing our good Archbishop.”
“Ferris, don’t you dare…”
“Majesty?” Renfrow was taken aback.
“Sorry. I mistook what you were saying. Proceed.”
“Of course. So. These are the bare bones facts. Kedle Richeut has become a serious problem for Arnhand. Calling themselves the Vindicated, she and her men have been wasting the Arnhander countryside. They have raided within forty miles of Salpeno. They are kind to no one but are especially cruel to anyone who participated in any incursion into the Connec. Any holding belonging to Anne of Menand becomes a desert.”
Hecht interjected, “The woman wants her message made clear.”
“Profoundly. The Countess of Antieux is nearly as mad. She has been involved in several Vindicated actions, sometimes after having been seen in Antieux the same day,” Renfrow said.
“Really?”
“Really.”
“That bears examination.”
“I don’t have the skills. That would be a task for your Ninth Unknown.”
“Or one of our new associates. None of whom have turned up lately.”
Helspeth asked, “You two do realize that this isn’t a private consultation?”
Renfrow said, “Yes, Majesty. We’ll save that for another time. To Richeut. Though she has no falcons there are similarities between her operations and those of our esteemed Lord Arnmigal.”
Hecht raised an eyebrow. “No falcons? How, then, similar?”
“Richeut routinely bests larger forces by catching them when they’re vulnerable. She always knows where they are, how they’re disposed, and what they plan. She won’t engage unless she’s confident of the outcome. When she retreats she does so deftly, avoiding complications. And, as happens with Lord Arnmigal, prodigies and miracles attend her.”
This female captain had her own Instrumentalities?
“What kind of prodigies?” Helspeth asked.
“A giant bird often turns up wherever she is, only by night. A similar genius is sometimes seen over Antieux, also only at night.”
Brion muttered, “More traffic with demons. You should have exterminated those people, Commander.”
“They wouldn’t let me, Archbishop. They were stubborn about it.”
Helspeth asked, “Are these people a direct worry, Ferris? We have done the Connec no harm.”
“No threat. Those starving bitch wolves only take Arnhanders and the occasional Churchman.”
Archbishop Brion wanted to protest but knew he would get no sympathy.
Renfrow said, “Society brothers they treat the way the Society treated Connectens till last spring.”
The Archbishop pleaded, “May I step out before I suffer another stroke, Majesty?”
“You may not. Continue, Ferris.”
“That’s it. Except that Antieux is suffering a rash of church desanctifications as widespread as ours.”
“What is it? What causes it?” Helspeth asked.
“I don’t know. I’ll find out.”
Hecht felt uncomfortable when Renfrow said that.
* * *
Hecht found Renfrow waiting outside the palace, following his own last private minute with Helspeth.
Renfrow said, “She’s growing into the role.”
“Fast. I just enjoyed an exhaustive review of my failings as Commander of the Righteous. So far. She’s sure there will be many more.”
He was not dissembling. Helspeth was not pleased that her Hammer of God could call terrible Instrumentalities to the battlefield.
“I think your job is safe.”
“I’m not worried. It is troubling to be misunderstood, though.”
“Isn’t it? I’ll walk with you a way. If you don’t mind.”
“I don’t. But there are some sharp ears, round about.”
Hecht’s lifeguards had been waiting, as well. Every man of the Righteous wanted to know what was going on with the boss.
“They’ll just hear mumbling. I’m wondering if you understand why the Widow is so successful,” asked Renfrow.
“There’s one easy conclusion, isn’t there?”
“That she is favored of the Night.”
“Anne of Menand will make the claim. Her own people will believe that she is beloved of God. Meaning the Good God of the Maysaleans.”
“You got all the revenants when you were cleaning up out there, didn’t you?”
“All of the ones we knew about. Rook was tough. I couldn’t guess what might be loose out there now.”
“Nor can I. I’ll keep watch but it isn’t critical.”
Hecht said, “It can’t hurt to have those madwomen suck the blood out of Arnhand.”
“No. But it might be useful to have its wealth and manpower behind you if you do launch the Enterprise.”
“That will happen, though I’m starting to wonder if we can be ready this summer. We keep getting distracted by political stuff.”
“That’ll still be true if you live a thousand years. If three people have a goal two will try to subvert the third because they think they have a better idea. Or because they see a chance to line their pockets. Or because they’ve been subverted by the object of the operation. Or because they’re just plain stupid. Stupid is what I see the most.”