Merchant family has been peddling illicit substances for a long time,’ Hawkeye noted. ‘You would be taking responsibility for drug production. Are you certain His Eminence would really honour the lease?’
‘His Eminence is aware of the arrangement. The affairs of the worldly have no interest for us. Besides, the lease has only two years to run before it is up for renegotiation.’
Hawkeye smiled. ‘You leave no stones unturned, do you?’
‘It is written that, “He who bargains without understanding the consequences from all sides of the table, bargains with nothing.” His Eminence has carefully considered this matter,’ said Law calmly.
Hawkeye leaned back into the soft folds of his armchair and sipped at his porter. ‘Tell His Eminence that the king will also carefully consider this matter. The production of euphoria has long been an enigmaticissue, one neither encouraged nor discouraged, for many reasons, and I would hate to have its access to the masses terminated outside of my control.’
Law allowed himself to smile knowingly as he replied, ‘His Eminence fully understands both the fiscal and legal ramifications for Your Highness and he would expect there to be productive dialogue in relation to these matters.’
Hawkeye nodded. ‘And the personal matter?’
This time Law leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and his chin on his fingertips, and lowered his voice. ‘This matter is—we should say—very delicate, and His Eminence has instructed me to tell Your Highness that what I say after this point is both circumspect in intent and a conversation that never actually happened.’
Hawkeye mimicked the Seer, leaning forward in like fashion, almost in mockery. ‘I’m intrigued. Be circumspect then.’
Law’s expression flashed indignation at the king’s mockery, but he let the emotion pass and said, ‘The Seers have little interest in the worldly affairs of men, but His Eminence believes that when the time of succession comes, the title of King Ironfist the Third would best suit your second son. Prince Shadow is a man of Jarudhan virtue, a worldly prince whose spiritual integrity greatly pleases Jarudha. This I haven’t said,’ he concluded and sat back as if expecting his message to need no response from the king.
Hawkeye did not move for several moments, as if ruminating on the statement’s worth, but then stood. ‘I’m sorry to hear that you’re no longer able to share my excellent wines, Law. Shame really. I’ve received some wonderful varieties from the latest Ranu shipments.’ He waited for Law to also stand and continued speaking as he ushered the Seer from hischamber. ‘I hear the younger Seers are spreading the Word among a wider number of the population. It’s good to see someone actively encouraging the poor Shessian wretches to embrace the civilised world. I’m glad to hear also that the prayer sessions are being conducted in the official language. Someone has to guide these lost souls towards enlightenment. Please give my warm regards to His Eminence and your colleagues, and assure them that I’ve heard their requests and will deal with them in due course according to their merit. May Jarudha bless your days.’
He left the Seer in the company of his guards in the main hall and retreated to his chamber where he poured another measure of porter and sat again in his chair, staring at the painting of the old Kerwyn capital, Storm, pondering the Seer’s latest political manoeuvres. ‘No interest in the worldly affairs of men,’ he muttered and snorted before downing the porter in a single swallow.
CHAPTER NINE
S potting the ragged beggars sitting against the rough stone wall of the cooper’s store, Seer Prayer crossed the road, but when he reached the other side and realised his acolytes had stopped to talk to the beggars he shook his head and watched the sorry scene unfold. The beggars, three Shessian orphans in their early teens, always sat outside the
‘His Eminence is aware of the arrangement. The affairs of the worldly have no interest for us. Besides, the lease has only two years to run before it is up for renegotiation.’
Hawkeye smiled. ‘You leave no stones unturned, do you?’
‘It is written that, “He who bargains without understanding the consequences from all sides of the table, bargains with nothing.” His Eminence has carefully considered this matter,’ said Law calmly.
Hawkeye leaned back into the soft folds of his armchair and sipped at his porter. ‘Tell His Eminence that the king will also carefully consider this matter. The production of euphoria has long been an enigmaticissue, one neither encouraged nor discouraged, for many reasons, and I would hate to have its access to the masses terminated outside of my control.’
Law allowed himself to smile knowingly as he replied, ‘His Eminence fully understands both the fiscal and legal ramifications for Your Highness and he would expect there to be productive dialogue in relation to these matters.’
Hawkeye nodded. ‘And the personal matter?’
This time Law leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and his chin on his fingertips, and lowered his voice. ‘This matter is—we should say—very delicate, and His Eminence has instructed me to tell Your Highness that what I say after this point is both circumspect in intent and a conversation that never actually happened.’
Hawkeye mimicked the Seer, leaning forward in like fashion, almost in mockery. ‘I’m intrigued. Be circumspect then.’
Law’s expression flashed indignation at the king’s mockery, but he let the emotion pass and said, ‘The Seers have little interest in the worldly affairs of men, but His Eminence believes that when the time of succession comes, the title of King Ironfist the Third would best suit your second son. Prince Shadow is a man of Jarudhan virtue, a worldly prince whose spiritual integrity greatly pleases Jarudha. This I haven’t said,’ he concluded and sat back as if expecting his message to need no response from the king.
Hawkeye did not move for several moments, as if ruminating on the statement’s worth, but then stood. ‘I’m sorry to hear that you’re no longer able to share my excellent wines, Law. Shame really. I’ve received some wonderful varieties from the latest Ranu shipments.’ He waited for Law to also stand and continued speaking as he ushered the Seer from hischamber. ‘I hear the younger Seers are spreading the Word among a wider number of the population. It’s good to see someone actively encouraging the poor Shessian wretches to embrace the civilised world. I’m glad to hear also that the prayer sessions are being conducted in the official language. Someone has to guide these lost souls towards enlightenment. Please give my warm regards to His Eminence and your colleagues, and assure them that I’ve heard their requests and will deal with them in due course according to their merit. May Jarudha bless your days.’
He left the Seer in the company of his guards in the main hall and retreated to his chamber where he poured another measure of porter and sat again in his chair, staring at the painting of the old Kerwyn capital, Storm, pondering the Seer’s latest political manoeuvres. ‘No interest in the worldly affairs of men,’ he muttered and snorted before downing the porter in a single swallow.
CHAPTER NINE
S potting the ragged beggars sitting against the rough stone wall of the cooper’s store, Seer Prayer crossed the road, but when he reached the other side and realised his acolytes had stopped to talk to the beggars he shook his head and watched the sorry scene unfold. The beggars, three Shessian orphans in their early teens, always sat outside the
Similar Books
