Cataniast is no more. It is time to set aside old loyalties. We have all sworn allegiance to the House of Bargest now.” He spoke bluntly.
She recognized the ploy. He hoped to shock her back to her weaker position. She determined he would not see her back down. She, too, could play that game. She could refuse to speak at all, but that, too, would tell him something. She must tread carefully.
Marja bridled. “So I must show trust for this spy. What will you do, in your turn, that shows trust in me? I am your lady now … and his.” She put as much disdain into her voice as she could, and jerked her head back in Klast’s direction.
“ My lady, Klast has earned our trust over many years of loyal service. Our purpose today is to listen to you. For now that must be enough. Please be seated, so we can begin our discussion. This posturing achieves nothing. We all want what is best for Catania. The information you can give will help make that possible.”
“ I trust this not. Why did Lord Gaelen not inform me of this interrogation?” Marja practically spat it out, holding her chin high.
“ My lady, I am here at the suggestion of Lord Gaelen. He gave me his seal as proof.” Argost gestured to the ring again. “He had no time to tell you personally. We decided only this morning, and we have much to do before Lord Gaelen returns to Bargia. The information we desire from you is of the utmost importance for restoring order here in Catania.”
He paused, then added, “Perhaps I have been remiss in not explaining our purpose more thoroughly. The information you provide will allow us to place men of Catania in key positions, men who are familiar with the land and the people, men who may be trusted not to betray yourself or Lord Gaelen. Lord Gaelen is well aware that he has not enough men to rule here without the assistance of the people of Catania. He has great admiration for your political acumen and hopes that you will be willing to assist us.” Then he waited, silent.
“ And what is the purpose of having your spies here? It reeks of mistrust.” Marja was not about to drop her show of anger yet. Argost would have to do better than that.
“ A good question, my lady.”
Marja heard admiration creep into his tone, and allowed herself a moment of satisfaction. She would show him she could not be trifled with.
Argost continued. “They act as my ears and eyes. They leave me free to concentrate on the questions, while they remember the details, names, and stories that Erland has not enough time to record. They have done this work long, lady, and are very good at seeing what is not apparent. Their impressions will assist us in understanding the information you provide. I assure you it shows no lack of trust in yourself, or indeed your companions, who have shown themselves above reproach.”
“ I see. It seems I have no choice then, if I may also be considered above reproach. This is a test. So be it. Ask your questions. But do not delude yourself into thinking you have gained my trust. Lord Gaelen will hear of this. I will not submit to such treatment again.”
Argost ignored the bait. “Thank you, my lady. May we begin?”
Marja sat down and nodded curtly. “You may.”
For the next three spans, Marja, with the help of Nellis and Mikost, told them all she could remember of the people connected to Cataniast’s court, the guilds, the army officers, as well as any other person or group of any consequence who had lived in Catania prior to the invasion. To Marja’s dismay, she discovered that many of those she had considered loyal were among the slain. Those she had not trusted had fared less badly.
She was not the only one disappointed. Argost’s brow seemed to crease more deeply every time they discovered that a good man had been killed. She understood that his job would be more difficult with this imbalance. Throughout the entire procedure the two spies spoke not a word.
By the end, Marja developed a grudging
She recognized the ploy. He hoped to shock her back to her weaker position. She determined he would not see her back down. She, too, could play that game. She could refuse to speak at all, but that, too, would tell him something. She must tread carefully.
Marja bridled. “So I must show trust for this spy. What will you do, in your turn, that shows trust in me? I am your lady now … and his.” She put as much disdain into her voice as she could, and jerked her head back in Klast’s direction.
“ My lady, Klast has earned our trust over many years of loyal service. Our purpose today is to listen to you. For now that must be enough. Please be seated, so we can begin our discussion. This posturing achieves nothing. We all want what is best for Catania. The information you can give will help make that possible.”
“ I trust this not. Why did Lord Gaelen not inform me of this interrogation?” Marja practically spat it out, holding her chin high.
“ My lady, I am here at the suggestion of Lord Gaelen. He gave me his seal as proof.” Argost gestured to the ring again. “He had no time to tell you personally. We decided only this morning, and we have much to do before Lord Gaelen returns to Bargia. The information we desire from you is of the utmost importance for restoring order here in Catania.”
He paused, then added, “Perhaps I have been remiss in not explaining our purpose more thoroughly. The information you provide will allow us to place men of Catania in key positions, men who are familiar with the land and the people, men who may be trusted not to betray yourself or Lord Gaelen. Lord Gaelen is well aware that he has not enough men to rule here without the assistance of the people of Catania. He has great admiration for your political acumen and hopes that you will be willing to assist us.” Then he waited, silent.
“ And what is the purpose of having your spies here? It reeks of mistrust.” Marja was not about to drop her show of anger yet. Argost would have to do better than that.
“ A good question, my lady.”
Marja heard admiration creep into his tone, and allowed herself a moment of satisfaction. She would show him she could not be trifled with.
Argost continued. “They act as my ears and eyes. They leave me free to concentrate on the questions, while they remember the details, names, and stories that Erland has not enough time to record. They have done this work long, lady, and are very good at seeing what is not apparent. Their impressions will assist us in understanding the information you provide. I assure you it shows no lack of trust in yourself, or indeed your companions, who have shown themselves above reproach.”
“ I see. It seems I have no choice then, if I may also be considered above reproach. This is a test. So be it. Ask your questions. But do not delude yourself into thinking you have gained my trust. Lord Gaelen will hear of this. I will not submit to such treatment again.”
Argost ignored the bait. “Thank you, my lady. May we begin?”
Marja sat down and nodded curtly. “You may.”
For the next three spans, Marja, with the help of Nellis and Mikost, told them all she could remember of the people connected to Cataniast’s court, the guilds, the army officers, as well as any other person or group of any consequence who had lived in Catania prior to the invasion. To Marja’s dismay, she discovered that many of those she had considered loyal were among the slain. Those she had not trusted had fared less badly.
She was not the only one disappointed. Argost’s brow seemed to crease more deeply every time they discovered that a good man had been killed. She understood that his job would be more difficult with this imbalance. Throughout the entire procedure the two spies spoke not a word.
By the end, Marja developed a grudging
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