I Read What?!

So last time, Seregil had Alec break into his own house and then got arrested at his own party. Because he's like that.



So anyway, Alec and Micum are heading toward the Oreska House, when they get interrupted by a message from Thero, who summons them to the Cockerel (Seregil's inn house) instead. Alec is rather surprised to see that Thero knows how to get into the rooms, but I'm not. It seems clear, to me, that Thero and Seregil's relationship is 95% sibling rivalry as opposed to a genuine hostility. But then, Alec had a pretty isolated upbringing, so it's reasonable that he doesn't see it that way.

Anyway, Nysander's with the Queen right now, and everyone's really alarmed. Especially because, for once, the Queen didn't actually consult with Nysander before doing this.

Oh, now that's an aspect no one really considered. They were thinking about Seregil's value as a target based on his race and familial ties, but he's ALSO Nysander's favorite son. The Lerans could well use this to undermine confidence in Nysander himself.

Which means that maybe, just maybe, giving a forger some very useful items to be used against you, when you already know that they're out to get you, was a bad idea, SEREGIL.

Thero thinks it's a good sign that they kept the arrest discreet, and Alec realizes belatedly that Thero is a watcher too. This makes Alec certain that it's this, "rather than any personal feelings for Seregil, which engaged [Thero's] interest now."

I'm not sure I agree with that. I see why Alec thinks that way, of course. But I think the relationship is a little more complicated than that.

That said, Thero IS still a dick:

“Do you think they’ll—” Memories tightened coldly in Alec’s chest. “Do you think they’d torture him?”

Thero arched an eyebrow, considering. “That would depend on the severity of the charge, I suppose.”

“The bailiff said treason.”

“Ah. Yes, I’d say it was quite likely.”

“Damn it, Thero, show some sense!” Micum growled, catching at Alec’s arm as the boy went pale. “Steady now, there’s no use thinking like that. Nysander would never allow it.”

“I doubt Nysander could interfere,” Thero countered, oblivious to Alec’s distress. “The Red Tower is protected by magic as well as bars; Nysander and I did some work in there ourselves. Not only that, but given Nysander’s close association with Seregil, he can’t afford any suggestion of interference with the law.”

“What are we going to do?” asked Alec.

“We’re going to sit here and wait for Nysander, as ordered,” Micum said calmly. Giving Thero a dark look, he added, “Meanwhile, there’s no use wasting time in idle speculation.”

Poor Alec. But Thero's dickishness amuses me to no end.

We seen shift to Nysander. He's relieved to be led to the Queen's private audience chamber rather than the Great Hall. It means that this won't be as formal. But there is an element of warning in her body language. (We also learn Nysander has known her since infancy.)

So he asks about the arrest, and the evidence.

Called it:

“Lord Barien received this earlier today.” Idrilain pushed a rolled document across to him.

He recognized the opening lines; it was based on one of the half-finished letters Seregil had sold to Ghemella. Like the last, it had every mark of being authentic except its contents. Handwriting, signature, ink—all were consistent.

Dumbass.

Anyway, Nysander asks Idrilain's opinion:

“So far no evidence of tampering, magical or otherwise, has been discovered on that parchment.”

“And yet you must have doubts or I would not be sitting here with you now,” Nysander suggested gently.

The regal mask slipped just a bit at that. “I don’t know Seregil well, Nysander, but I know you. I know that you’ve been worthy of my trust, and that of the three queens before me. It’s difficult for me to believe that anyone you hold in such esteem could be a traitor. If you know anything about this, you’d better tell me now.”

I like Idrilain. She's calm and practical. I kind of imagine her as Kate Mulgrew. Kate Mulgrew would be a great older badass warrior Queen.

So Nysander comes clean. He shows her the intercepted letter. Idrilain seems willing to hear him out, but can't really understand why someone as comparatively unimportant as Seregil would be a target.

Nysander points out the Lerans, but she's pretty skeptical. They've been nothing more than a "political bugbear" for a long time.

Nysander has a different perspective though, and honestly, it hits a lot harder now than it did when I was a kid:

“So it is generally believed, my lady. Yet you must remember that I was a boy at the wedding of your ancestor and namesake, Idrilain the First, when she took the Aurënfaie, Corruth, as her consort. Seven generations later, who but a handful of old wizards recall the shouts of anger outside the temple during the ceremony? Yet I tell you, my Queen, that at this moment I hear them as clearly as I did then. ‘A Skalan lord for the Skalan people!’ they screamed as the Queen’s Horse rode out with swords and clubs. And it was not only the rabble who protested, but nobles, as well, who felt their honor usurped by foreign blood. I saw these same nobles stand by Queen Lera through her oppressive reign. I watched the public protests when her half sister Corruthesthera took the throne after Lera’s death.”

When I read this the first time, I'd never seen footage from a rally with modern day people shouting "Jews will not replace us." Now...it hits harder.

Idrilain points out that there never was a revolution afterward. Nysander points out that two queens died under mysterious circumstances. History records an unrelated cause of death for each, but Nysander remembers the rumors otherwise.

Idrilain points out the lack of proof. Moreover, she points out that by giving her the second letter, Nysander makes Seregil look even guiltier. But Nysander says he gave it as a pledge of good faith, or "watch a man I love as my own son executed in the most horrible fashion." Seregil's in custody already, Nysander just wants time to prove innocence.

Nysander hesitated an instant, then reached across the table and clasped her hands in his. “Grant me two days, Idrilain, I beseech you. Tell Barien whatever you wish, but give me time to save a man more loyal and valuable than you know.”

By this last, Idrilain realizes that Seregil is a Watcher. She is shocked, but she does grant two days. She does say something really interesting though:

Idrilain shook her head doubtfully. “I hope you never have cause to regret those words, my friend. He was a traitor once; we both know that. What you’ve just told me—that could be a double-edged thing.”

Interesting.

--

So Nysander gets to the Cockerel. He fills them in:

“It is as we feared,” he told them. “A second forged letter has been delivered to the Vicegerent, this one dated the sixth of Erasin. Ironically, the original was one that Seregil handed over to Ghemella as part of his scheme to entrap the forger.”

“The sixth of Erasin?” Alec counted back. “That’s just after we met. We were still out on the Downs then.”

“Bloody hell!” growled Micum. “Either the bastards know about Seregil’s work or they struck lucky in the dark. Either way, they’ve fixed it so he either has to rig up some lie or reveal himself. And that could prove a death sentence in itself.”

Clever.

Alec offers to say that Seregil was at Ivywell, but Nysander doesn't think that would hold up against a real investigation. And then Alec would be in danger too. Their only real option is to continue Seregil's work, but it could take them weeks. Unfortunately, their expert in these matters is in the Tower of London. So to speak.

Interestingly though, Thero has an idea:

“It occurs to me,” said Thero, who’d been quiet for some time, “that Alec’s absence at Wheel Street this evening will surely have been remarked upon. Perhaps an appearance at the prison would not be out of place—expressions of outrage, bewilderment, and the like? While it would not be politic for Nysander to be seen there, who would question Lord Seregil’s young ward bringing his protector a few necessities for the night? A blanket, perhaps, and some clean linen—”

“A lock pick!”

Thero spared Alec a withering glance. “Only if you want to guarantee your place on the gibbet beside him. My thought was that if they allowed you to see him, he might be able to pass along some helpful information. If not, what have we lost?”

“You’ve a bit of the spy in you after all,” said Micum.

Thero looked slightly offended. “It’s simple logic. My thinking is unclouded by emotion in this matter.”

You know, I kind of wonder if Thero isn't meant to be autistic. It'd explain a lot.

So they have a plan. Nysander warns them if anything goes awry, they'll lose any credibility they have with the Queen and could all end up in the Tower of London. But everyone's still in on it. He also warns that any mistake they make could reflect badly on the queen and strengthen the Lerans. So they better be very careful.

--

So Alec and Micum go to pay a visit. We get a description that sounds unpleasant:

A dank wind whipped up from the harbor as Alec and Micum rode up to the prison near the southern wall of the city. The main tower was a squat, ugly structure ringed by a bailey wall. Dismounting in the outer yard, Alec wrinkled his nose at the dismal stench of urine and burning tallow that hung over the place.

Alec plays sweet and innocent and bribes his way into a visit. They can only speak through a tiny grille, but the guard does give them some privacy. They exchange some words. Seregil, outloud, says "it's a dead end", but he finger signs to tell Micum "silver fish". Poor Alec doesn't understand. Seregil gives him some reassuring mentor words:

“Don’t fret,” Seregil replied, locking eyes with him. “There’s a lucky moon tomorrow night. Fortify yourself with prayers to the Lightbearer and all will be well. In the meantime, I entrust you to the care of Micum Cavish. Heed his wisdom; he’s a man of many parts.”

Alec repeats "silver fish" with his fingers and gets a confirming nod. It's time to go. On the plus side, the guard is kindly enough, and Alec makes note of a potential ally later.

Fortunately, the meaningless words aren't meaningless to Micum. Silverfish is an insect, and it's actually their plan of attack.

So they go back to the new fancy house. We get a look at Alec's room:

“It’s very—Mycenian.”

“Is that what you’d call it?”

The cabinets, chests, chairs, and tall, carved bedstead were all brightly painted with garish fruit and game motifs. The bed hangings, though faded, were richly embroidered with a pattern of pomegranates and wheat. The overall effect was rather overwhelming, even to Alec’s untutored eye. The only familiar objects in the room were his sword and bow, which lay across the bed.

“I supposed I’ll get used to it,” he sighed, drawing a chair up to the fire. “Now tell me about the silverfish.”

Heh, I love how both men hate Seregil's taste.

Anyway, Silverfish was the name of a slippery blackmailer, whose cache Seregil had found. Alec thinks the lucky moon comment was instruction as to when to do the burglary. They consider who to bring any evidence to: Alec probably won't be believed. But Micum thinks they can bring the evidence to Myrhini, the friend of Princess Klia, who Alec met during his tour of the city.

The chapter ends with our heroes doing a bit more planning.

I really do enjoy how Seregil's stupid decision has such instant and obvious consequences. It a bit repetitive in one sense: we have Seregil out of commission again, so Alec can advance upward in his competency and independence. But honestly, this version is much more fun. And Seregil isn't completely out of it: he's able to weigh in as well. So it'll be fun to see where this goes.