Death in Winter - Michael Jan Friedman [36]
“I have observed the praetor,” was all Eborion said in the end, “and I am confident in her abilities.”
“I wish I were so confident,” said Obrix. A ripple of laughter followed on the heels of his remark, turning Eborion’s cheeks a hot, dark shade of green.
“What about the rim worlds?” asked Claboros, mercifully turning the conversation in a different direction. “Braeg seems to mention them often enough in his diatribes.”
“They are in turmoil,” said Obrix, “by all accounts.”
“However,” said Rijanus, “our exposure there is minimal. We have few interests on the planets in question.”
“What if the spirit of rebellion spreads?” asked Obrix. “We have interests on planets in the next tier.”
Rijanus shrugged. “Rebels are always poorly armed and poorly organized. They are not visionaries. They are simply opportunists, taking advantage of the confusion that inevitably follows a change in regime.”
“So you discount them as a threat?” asked Claboros.
“To our house,” said Rijanus, “yes.”
Cly’rana shook her head, loosening her nest of braided black tresses. It was all it took for her to gain everyone’s attention.
“Need I remind you,” she asked Rijanus sweetly, “that what affects one house often affects another? Three of our closest friends among the Hundred will be profoundly affected by what transpires on Kevratas.”
Rijanus laughed scornfully. “We have no allies with substantial holdings on the rim.”
“I did not say they were our allies,” Cly’rana replied in the same inoffensive tone. “I said they were our friends. What else would you call someone who furthers your interests and adds to your wealth… whether he is aware of it or not?”
Claboros nodded, then looked around the table, wordlessly soliciting further comment. No one spoke-Eborion least of all. He was not about to make the same mistake twice.
“It seems,” said Claboros, “that the situation on the rim worlds requires investigation. Braeg as well, if he is as formidable as some of us appear to believe.”
“You will receive full reports on both matters at our next meeting,” promised Tinicitis, presuming to speak for everyone at his end of the table.
Eborion wanted to rebuke him, to tell him what a sniveling rodent he was. But he held himself in check.
“I am glad to see you take the initiative,” Claboros told Tinicitis. “However, considering the urgency of these matters, I think we would be ill advised to wait until our next scheduled meeting.” He looked around the table. “I will see you all back in this chamber in four days.”
It was not the first time Claboros had convened the family on short notice. However, it was a rare occurrence, and a measure of his concern. Of course, that was how their house had risen to prominence and remained thereby dealing with problems before they became full-fledged disasters.
“Until then, good health to you all,” said Claboros, “and long live the Empire.”
“The Empire,” everyone echoed.
The meeting was over. In twos and threes, Eborion’s relatives pushed their chairs out and got to their feet.
Only Eborion remained in his chair, reluctant to face the patronizing looks he knew he would get from his relatives. He had been made to look the buffoon because he couldn’t divulge his dealings with the praetor.
But that would not be the case forever. Eventually, he would let them know what he had accomplished. And after that, he would be listening to business reports instead of giving them.
As he thought that, Eborion felt a hand alight softly on his shoulder. Turning, he saw that it belonged to Cly’rana.
“You appeared overeager today,” she noted, looking at him askance. “It was unlike you, nephew. Usually, you are much more measured in your actions.”
Eborion swallowed. “It seems I was not myself.”
His aunt looked at him a moment longer. Then she said, “That is one explanation,” and walked away.
She suspects something, he told himself, as the hiss of Cly’rana’s slippered footfalls marked her departure. I must be more circumspect in her presence.
He remained seated