Return to Kinthaldith

Return to Kinthaldith, Chapter 13

Jesh arranged his belongings in the dresser in the bedroom, except for his notes and the few books he had borrowed from Lujen. He set the papers on the desk. Near it was a small empty bookshelf; he put the books there.

After examining his apartment again, Jesh went out into the hall, wondering where Lord Risser was. He should report to him now, being under his authority.

Jesh went up the hall to where he knew Lord Risser's rooms were. He hesitated before knocking on the door. He didn't want to do anything to anger the young lord. Finally, he knocked. There was no reply.

Jesh wandered back down the hall, thinking back to his childhood when Lord Demmin lived on this floor. There were small servant rooms where Jesh had slept. He stopped in front of a large set of double doors--Lord Demmin's personal library. Jesh turned the handle and found the room unlocked. He opened the door and went in.

The room was much as he remembered it--still full of books, almost as though untouched in the last eleven years. Lord Demmin had loved to read, unlike his son. He had spent long hours in the library reading.

Jesh picked up a book on the table and opened it. Lord Demmin had allowed him to read in the library. While Lord Demmin studied, Jesh had read some of the easier books. Lord Demmin had always been pleased with Jesh's love of books.

"What are you doing in here?" a voice demanded. Jesh turned to see Lord Risser in the doorway, his face forbidding.

Quickly, Jesh put the book down. "my lord..."

"This is my father's library. Who gave you permission to come in here?"

"No one," said Jesh, moving toward the door. "Forgive me, my lord."

"Get out!"

Jesh hurried out through the door. Lord Risser followed him out and closed the door. Jesh despaired; again, he had angered the Heir. How did he always end up offending Risser?

The Heir stopped and studied Jesh with distaste. His anger was evident, but he said nothing. Risser paced around Jesh as though considering him. Jesh wondered now if he meant to punish him. And there was no way for Lujen to intervene.

Risser circled him and stopped in front of him. "You won't go in my father's rooms," said Lord Risser at last.

"Yes, my lord," said Jesh. The Hasson lord regarded Jesh silently for a moment.

Taking advantage of the silence, Jesh blurted out: "My lord, I shouldn't have run from you last night or fought you. Please forgive me." He bowed his head.

Risser hesitated, his face unreadable. "I was drunk last night," he said in what Jesh realized with surprise was an apology. "Perhaps I frightened you. Never mind it."

Jesh stared at him. He hadn't expected this. He wasn't sure he'd ever heard Lord Risser apologize for anything. Ever. "Thank you, my lord," said Jesh.

"You've found your room?"

"Yes."

Risser nodded. "Tell me more about the gun. Why did you think it belonged to the Prenth?"

Jesh's heart beat a little faster. This was the first interest the Heir had taken in the Prenth since he'd arrived. He'd been trying to think how to get into such a conversation. "Because the technology suddenly improved. These guns are so much more efficient and deadly than any other until now, and they are also much cheaper. Maybe mass produced. The circumstances are very suspicious."

"Mass produced," Risser repeated the unfamiliar term.

"In a Prenth factory. Machines make them."

He saw Risser shiver at the mention of machines. He knew that the Heir greatly opposed science and innovation. "But why would the Prenth want us to fight each other?" Risser asked.

"Because it would divide the Court of Lords."

"Why do they care what happens to our Court of Lords?"

"The only way you have to keep control of Kinthaldith is to unite the Court of Lords and pass a resolution requesting self government. If the Alliance grants it, then Prent will have no power over us."

"That's a contradiction. Why should we ask distant strangers to permit us self-government? We already rule Kinthaldith." Lord Risser frowned.

"If the Alliance grants the Prenth's request for territorial status, Prent has the authority to take over Kinthaldith. The Court of Lords will cease to have authority."

"If the Prenth came here, we would fight them," Risser said darkly.

He knew Risser would react this way and that many Kinthaldan lords would share this opinion. He feared such an attitude would be the downfall of the Court of Lords. "You can't win. They're too powerful."

"If all the Houses of Kinthaldith fought them, then surely we could keep control."

"You couldn't." How could he convince Risser?

"And what do you know of such things?" demanded Risser. But Jesh said nothing, but the answer was obvious. Risser scowled. "Well, we can discuss this later. We leave for Farhoven this afternoon, and we need to get ready. I need your help."

With that, Risser turned and headed down the hall, and Jesh followed him. Risser entered his own quarters, which were huge, taking up half of the floor of the west wing. He stopped in the inner sitting room. On a chair were several outfits of Risser's clothing laid out. On the floor were other things that looked like he was arranging for the trip.

"I've selected the clothes for the trip and a winter cloak, in case it gets cold. And you can pack these things as well," Risser said, pointing to the collection of stuff on the floor. "Go to the kitchen and have them make me up a special sack--jerky, some fine cheese, wine, and sausages. Pack them with the rest of my things. I'll show you my bags."

Jesh stared at him in disbelief. "You want me to be your valet?"

Risser looked at him. "Yes. You were trained for that before you went to Prent, correct?"

Jesh's heart sank. "Yes, but--" Is that why Risser'toranth wanted him? Not for his vast knowledge of Prent and the threat they posed?

"And hasn't your family served my family for generations as valets?" It was true; his ancestors all served the Hasson lords as valets, and it had always been a high honor to them. As a child, Jesh had imagined no greater honor he could accomplish in his life. But now he had traveled so far and learned so many strange and new things. It was no longer enough to satisfy him--perhaps Risser knew it. Was he mocking Jesh?

"They have," said Jesh, feeling his cheeks grow hot with anger, but he kept it in control. "But...I thought you wanted my counsel."

"I do," said Risser. "After all, this way, you'll always be close to me, and it will make it easier for me to confer with you, won't it?" Jesh considered this silently. He seemed sincere, but it was hard to read him. Once Jesh had known him, but they'd been separated since childhood.

Was it an attempt to humiliate Jesh, or did he not trust him out of sight? Still, he had a chance to win the Heir's trust if Jesh was near him. And there would be opportunities to talk to him. He took heart at the thought. "Yes, my lord," he answered, containing his resentment. "Why don't you write out a list, and I'll take care of it."

"You can just remember it," Risser said, slightly offended.

"Yes, my lord," said Jesh, hoping Risser wouldn't be this easily annoyed for the whole trip.

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