What have you done with your day?" Nee asked, her fan spread in the attitude I recognized from our fan lesson as Harmonic Discourse.
"We had a bout with the group at the garrison, had a squint at some horses brought from up-mountain. Danric answered mail, and I went over to town with Calder to look at the plans for paving the streets."
This was Tlanth business. I said, "Did you talk to the elders? They want part of their taxes to go to that."
Bran nodded. "It's a fair plan," he said; and I sat back, relieved.
Nee put her chin in her hand. "'Answered mail,' Vidanric? Is he referring to that formidable bag your equerries brought in this morning?"
"We're finishing the last of the dispersal and reassignment of Galdran's army," Shevraeth said.
"Dispersal?" I repeated, thinking immediately of my plans for evaluating his forming government. Surely it would raise no suspicions to ask about it, since he had introduced the subject. "You've dismantled that gigantic army?"
"A huge standing army with little to do is both--"
"'--a financial burden and a threat,'" I said. "I recognize the quote--and I agree," I added hastily, seeing consternation on Bran's face. "I just…wondered what was happening to them," I finished rather lamely.
To my surprise, Shevraeth said, "I shall be happy to discuss it with you. My decision did not meet with universal approval--there were advocates for extremes at either end--and some of my nearest associates grow tired of the whole affair." Here he saluted Bran with his wineglass, and Bran grinned unrepentantly. "It's boring," my brother retorted. "And I can't even begin to keep it all in my head. Tlanth's affairs I see as my duty. Dealing with the affairs of the kingdom I regard as a narrow escape.
"We had a bout with the group at the garrison, had a squint at some horses brought from up-mountain. Danric answered mail, and I went over to town with Calder to look at the plans for paving the streets."
This was Tlanth business. I said, "Did you talk to the elders? They want part of their taxes to go to that."
Bran nodded. "It's a fair plan," he said; and I sat back, relieved.
Nee put her chin in her hand. "'Answered mail,' Vidanric? Is he referring to that formidable bag your equerries brought in this morning?"
"We're finishing the last of the dispersal and reassignment of Galdran's army," Shevraeth said.
"Dispersal?" I repeated, thinking immediately of my plans for evaluating his forming government. Surely it would raise no suspicions to ask about it, since he had introduced the subject. "You've dismantled that gigantic army?"
"A huge standing army with little to do is both--"
"'--a financial burden and a threat,'" I said. "I recognize the quote--and I agree," I added hastily, seeing consternation on Bran's face. "I just…wondered what was happening to them," I finished rather lamely.
To my surprise, Shevraeth said, "I shall be happy to discuss it with you. My decision did not meet with universal approval--there were advocates for extremes at either end--and some of my nearest associates grow tired of the whole affair." Here he saluted Bran with his wineglass, and Bran grinned unrepentantly. "It's boring," my brother retorted. "And I can't even begin to keep it all in my head. Tlanth's affairs I see as my duty. Dealing with the affairs of the kingdom I regard as a narrow escape.
( Sherwood Smith )
[ Court Duel ]
www.QuoteSweet.com