Recluce - Colors Of Chaos Part 100

Cerryl knew Kochar from when he had been an apprentice but had never heard of Kydasl.

"Kydasl was an a.s.sistant in Renklaar, but Gorsuch thought he might better serve the Guild in Fairhaven, and Sterol suggested he could one day take over the sewer cleaning and training."

Redark nodded. "He is inclined to be most fastidious."

Cerryl concealed a wince. "I think we all disliked sewer training, but it is necessary." He smiled at Redark. "If you have some thoughts on exactly how we might improve that training, I would find them most welcome."

"I will think on it," promised Redark. "There is also the question of whether the tariff structure for gate medallions might best be improved so as to raise the revenues ..."

The last thing Fairhaven needed to do was discourage farmers and traders from entering the city. Cerryl nodded. "Perhaps you could prevail upon Esaak to show what revenues might be raised with changes at both higher and lower levels and how that might affect the number of wagons entering the city."

"Esaak ... he is inclined to lower the tariffs." Redark frowned.

"I see." Cerryl paused, then added, "Ask him to show all the possible numbers and golds received so that we might review them. And the numbers for past years as well."

Redark nodded. "I will."

Kinowin covered his mouth for a moment.

"We also need to consider refurbis.h.i.+ng the Guild Hall..."

That's the last thing golds should be spent on ... "Perhaps dealing with that would seem too presumptuous for a new High Wizard." Cerryl knew the meeting was going to last far, far longer than he wished-or needed.

He could sense the smile hidden behind the bland expression of interest shown by Leyladin, but he nodded at the ginger-bearded overmage to continue.

CLXVII.

Cerryl felt exposed as he sat in the front row of the Council Chamber. He could feel Anya's and Fydel's eyes on his neck... and countless others' as well. Never imagined you'd feel this alone amid so many mages...

Kinowin, erect and broad-shouldered still, despite the gauntness of age, marched up the side steps and then to the center of the polished gold-shot marble dais of the Council Chamber. Behind him by several steps followed Redark, his eyes s.h.i.+fting nervously from the marble floor to Kinowin and down again.

The two waited for the whispers to die away.

"The first order of this meeting is to affirm Cerryl as High Wizard." Kinowin nodded toward Redark.

The second overmage smiled quickly and faintly, as though he would rather have been anywhere else.

"Is there any member of the Guild who wishes to propose another member as High Wizard?" questioned Kinowin.

A few murmurs followed the inquiry, and Cerryl wondered who speculated about what but did not turn his head.

"Does any member of the Guild propose another for High Wizard?"

In the silence that followed, Kinowin surveyed the chamber, looking methodically from the gold oak desks and red-cus.h.i.+oned gold oak seats at the front to the white granite columns at the sides for any who might be standing under the swagged crimson hangings. Finally, he announced, "Seeing as no other candidate has been proposed, as overmages and representatives of the Council we declare that the new High Wizard is the most honorable Cerryl." The aging blond mage motioned for Cerryl to take the dais.

Cerryl forced himself to rise deliberately, calmly, and mount the dais. Once before the a.s.sembled mages, he bowed, noting in pa.s.sing that with each meeting the numbers were fewer, the ages younger. Which is why you stand here and why you need to do something.

He straightened, forcing himself to pause, to let the silence draw out before he spoke, to survey the mages as though he could look into each heart. Finally, he spoke. "It is right and customary for a High Wizard to thank the Guild for its support, and I do so with grat.i.tude."

He waited for another moment, his eyes studying the chamber once more. "We, all of us, face a time of change in Candar. We did not seek that change, but we must address it. The overmages and I will be seeking your a.s.sistance, and your wisdom, in continuing to undertake the steps necessary to strengthen the Guild and to ensure that all of Candar respects you. This was the goal of both Jeslek and Sterol, and it will be my goal."

Cerryl bowed slightly again. "I will not deceive you. The Guild faces dangers greater than any known in recent years, and we must work together in overcoming them. I am most confident that we possess the will and the power to do so. And we will." He waited, knowing there would be questions, hoping he could defuse them.

"Honored High Wizard," began a figure in the back, one Cerryl did not know, "can you tell us exactly how effective all the golds poured into the trade blockade have been?"

"For the most recent details we would have to ask Sedelos and Gorsuch, since they observe the largest ports in eastern Candar," answered Cerryl, trying to ignore the veiled sarcasm of the speaker. "From what I have seen, the blockade has been most effective in keeping goods from Recluce out of Lydiar and Spidlar and, more recently, from Hydlen. The Council and I will be looking into ways to reduce the cost of such efforts."

"High Wizard," asked Fydel, his voice blunt, "nearly a score of mages have been a.s.sa.s.sinated by agents of various rulers. What do you plan to do to redress such wrongs?"

"We have totally destroyed dissident traders and their Council in Spidlar. We have replaced the larger local traders there with traders from Fairhaven loyal to the Guild. We have begun to obtain tariff golds for the first time in years. In turn, we will address the wrongs of other lands." Cerryl smiled.

"Honored Cerryl," asked Huroan, the second in command of the Patrol, "folk have said that you started a Patrol in Spidlar. Is that so?"

"That is so. The Patrol has worked well for Fairhaven, and it seemed that it would work well for Spidlaria. Fairhaven has much to offer Candar, and for those offerings it should be repaid."

A smile flitted across the Patrol mage's face before he sat down.

The thin and angular Broka rose, almost languidly. "Your words bespeak both the need for action and a certain ... caution, High Wizard. Which can we expect?"

Cerryl managed to keep from choking or even showing his surprise at the double-edged bluntness of the question. "How about caution when it is merited and action when it is necessary?" He offered a self-deprecating grin. "I'm sure that you and the overmages will make your feelings known about which course you feel is appropriate when." Before another question could come up, he bowed again. "I thank you all for your interest, and your support, and I would ask that any of you who have recommendations or advice let the overmages know, and we will address them as we can." He stepped back and nodded to Kinowin.

"The High Wizard having been selected, and there being no other business before the Guild, the a.s.sembly is ended."

Cerryl shook Redark's hand, then Kinowin's. "Thank you both." Kinowin's eyes twinkled. "The year ahead will be most interesting." Cerryl feared he was right, all too right.

CLXVIII Cerryl sat with his back to the window, Leyladin in the seat to his right and Anya across the table. The shutters were closed against the rain and the damp, chill air.

Cerryl ma.s.saged his forehead once, then forced himself to keep his hand from his throbbing forehead.

"What do you plan to do about Recluce, Cerryl?" The heavy scent of sandalwood and trilia drifted across the table from the redhead. "Now that you are High Wizard?"

"Make preparations as I can." Cerryl shrugged. "First, we need to raise more golds."

"Raise the tariffs, then." Anya waved off the need for golds.

"Perhaps I should put it more clearly, Anya. I do not like Fairhaven suffering.

We are suffering because we must maintain the roads and some of the ports. That costs golds. We are short of golds not because the tariffs were too low, but because Certis, Spidlar, and Gallos were not paying all they owed. Spidlar is paying now, and the revenues are increasing every season. To obtain the golds necessary to support an attack on Recluce-even a sea battle to destroy their s.h.i.+ps- we need more golds. I cannot obtain more golds by raising tariffs rulers do not pay. I cannot fight another war that will cost more golds than we have to obtain golds."

"Then what will you do," Anya snorted, "cautious Cerryl?"

"What Jeslek wished to do and Sterol did not understand. Gain control of the major trade ports and thus raise more golds."

Anya raised her eyebrows. "Oh?"

"Between Sedelos and the trader Wertel in Lydiar we have almost doubled the tariff golds there in the last season. And I am working on a plan to increase the tariffs that Certis pays."

"We will have golds in a year, but no power."

"If we have no golds, Anya, we shall be powerless even sooner."

"At least, you have the right idea." Anya turned to the healer. "You should encourage him to act, Leyladin."

"I am sure he will act," the healer said gently. "And he will weigh your words most heavily. He always has."

"From you, those words have great meaning, and some small comfort." Anya frowned as she stood. "Very well, I will bide, and tell Fydel and the others that you are raising the funds necessary to confront the Blacks. I can also tell them that you have been hampered by Sterol's extravagances which left the Guild's coffers near empty."

"They were indeed near empty," Cerryl affirmed. If not precisely for those reasons.

"And it is good you do not plan to tax further our own traders." Anya bowed.

"They will appreciate that." She turned. "By your leave?"

"I would hope so." Especially Jiolt.

Once the door closed, Leyladin shook her head. "She wants you to attack Recluce."

"I can't do it now, even if I wanted to. She knows that."

"She will keep pressuring you."

"Of course. That is how she will destroy me. She will make the Blacks the enemy, as Jeslek did, and if I fail to destroy them, then she will blame me for the traders' woes and those of the Guild and find another High Wizard." Unless you can turn her schemes.

Leyladin reached for the goblet of water. "She may, even with your understanding."

"I know. I can only do what I can, and I can do nothing without more golds and tariff coins."

"Father and Lyasa sent more than you expected."

"Nearly a thousand golds, but that will be all until next summer, I fear. The ice grows now on the Northern Ocean. Tyrhavven will stay clear of the ice for another few eight-days, perhaps longer if the weather remains not too cold."

Leyladin reached out and squeezed his hand. "You didn't think it would be this way, did you?"

"I knew it would be, but I had hoped otherwise." He took a sip of water, then stood. "I need to walk through the Halls. I cannot remain cloistered in the tower, not when so few know or recall me."

"I will return to the house. It would not be well for a Black to accompany you."

She paused as she rose. "I do expect you for dinner, and you are not sleeping here."

"Yes, dearest lady." He had to smile.

Leyladin returned the smile.

CLXIX.

Cerryl turned in the chair and glanced out the Tower window. The winter clouds threatened cold rain or wet snow, but nothing was yet falling from them, nor was his head throbbing.

"The mage Heralt," declared the guard outside the door.

"Please have him come in." Cerryl stood, moving from behind the table, still amazed after more than a pair of eight-days that he was the High Wizard and that people were deferring to him. Except they defer to the t.i.tle and the position, not to you.

Heralt looked much the same as when Cerryl had last seen him-short brown curly hair, olive eyes, and a trace of diffident shyness. There were the beginnings of lines in his forehead and dark circles under his eyes. "High Wizard."

"Please sit down. Would you like some wine?"

"Please."

Cerryl poured a half-goblet of the white-for some reason it kept in the tower better than the red or the rose-then sat down. "I appreciate your making the trip here at this time of year."

"As the High Wizard commands."

Cerryl wanted to sigh. Instead, he said, "Please save the ceremony for the public. You're still Heralt, and I'm still Cerryl, and I need your help."

"Mine?" The surprise in Heralt's voice shocked Cerryl. "What can I do? I'm not that powerful. You know that. That's why they sent me to Ruzor to count s.h.i.+ps and cargoes and be Shenan's a.s.sistant."

"I need every mage's help, but you have skills that will be most useful in the seasons ahead. These are skills few mages have."

"I cannot say what those might be," confessed the olive-eyed young mage.

"Heralt, is your father still trading?" Cerryl found himself standing, then pacing back and forth across the stone floor of the High "Wizard's apartment, still half- bemused that the quarters-and the position-were his.

"No, ser. He died last spring."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know. And please... I'm just Cerryl here. I know the proprieties have to be observed in public... but this isn't public."

"It's hard ... the High Wizard."

"You didn't expect a friend to be High Wizard so soon?"

"No." Heralt grinned. "I thought you might be one day, but not so soon."

"I'm High Wizard because the Guild is threatened and weakened. Whether the Guild survives or not depends on whether we can enforce the tariffs throughout Eastern Candar. I've sent Lelyadin's father to Spidlaria, and Lyasa and Syandar are working with him to rebuild the trading and factoring system there. Between Duke Estalin's debt to Leyladin and my support of Wertel-"

Heralt looked blank at the name.

"Another trader from Fairhaven, and Leyladin's brother," Cerryl explained.

"Lydiar is obeying the tariff rules, and the Guild has taken the port of Renklaar.

East of the Westhorns, that leaves three places- Ruzor, the two smaller ports of Hydlen, and Tyrhavven. Now, if we can ensure the tariffs are collected in Tyrhavven, that will give the Guild control of all tariff coins across the whole north and east coasts, except for Worrak, and the blockade s.h.i.+ps can be used for other things-controlling smugglers ..."

"And an attack on Recluce?"

Cerryl shrugged.

"I'd rather go on one of the s.h.i.+ps."

"Heralt... you understand trade. When we were both apprentices, you explained it to me. The Guild needs you in Tyrhavven. I need you there. I need someone who can understand things and keep the traders in line."