The Travels of Anadrasata Nearabhigan: Elsewhere on Day 38
Another "Meanwhile, elsewhere" episode. In this case it's a glimpse of what Lord Elnaith is up to.
It runs to 1,000 words, and I hope that you enjoy it.
Index page.
Lord Elnaith bh'Sedloit, Esquire, Gentleman of the Emperor's Bedchamber at large, was occupying a comfortable armchair in a comfortable government office in Ghoatroil. He shared the room with the man whose office it was. On paper that man, Baron Pollux dh' Fhaighain, was an adviser to the provincial governor and a member of his staff. In reality he took his instructions from the capital and advised the governor on what the Empire and the Emperor required in various matters and situations. At the moment he was in the process of handing Lord Elnaith a file.
"Are you sure that you want to follow this young lady into the Confederation?" He relinquished the documents to the other man. "It's an interesting household that she's gone to."
Lord Elnaith raised an eyebrow as he held the unopened file in both hands. "Apparently so. I was introduced into the matter because of the elder Forbaigns' switch in allegiances during the War of Secession, but this is a considerable file if that is the only reason we're interested in them."
"It will be faster if you read the first few pages rather than have me explain it," replied Baron Pollux.
Lord Elnaith began to read. He turned back several times and reread sections as he put all the pieces into place. "So, the current head of the family is Tekatl Ghrus Forbaign Taytaistli. His eldest two sons are also in permanent residence, Tekatl Axolinchicyeicitalti Forbaign Taytaistli and Tekatl Chicumexipaltimiztli Forbaign Taytaueyoselotl. Tekatl Ghrus' wife is a younger daughter of a minor branch of the Huitlahuatli family, the major line of which includes the current Confederation Chancellor. Their daughter has married a gentleman, about whom we know little, except that his mother was also a Hutitlahuatli and his father was apparently what we would call a self-made man. A younger son is away at school. Tekatl Ghrus has two younger brothers and two younger sisters. Both sisters are married and live with their husbands and families elsewhere within the Confederation. The elder of his two brothers lives on his wife's estate somewhere between Zapohtitan and Tlemutsiko and is active in local politics and administration. The third brother, Mizti, was born after the War, and lives on his own estate somewhere inland of Zapohtitan and, if I understand the notation correctly merits his own file. Tekatl Ghrus and Tekatl Axolinchicyeicitalti are Obsidian Knights, I understand that and I believe I know what they do - observation of the current Confederation ambassador has been interesting in that way, but what is Tekatl Chicumexipaltimiztli and why is his Uncle Mizti so interesting?"
Baron Pollux replied soberly, "Mizti Forbaign is one of the Confederation's best code breakers. As often as not, it's our codes that he's breaking. He may be of Imperial stock, but he was born in the Confederation, has never lived anywhere else, and as the Forbaigns disowned his parents and their children when they remained in the Confederation, he has no loyalties outside the Confederation." He sighed. "We would very much like to get our hooks into him, or at least his household, but there's nothing there that we can work with for now. Tekatl Chicumexipaltimiztli is much simpler - he's a Jaguar Knight."
"An assassin?" Lord Elnaith raised his eyebrow again. He wasn't quite shocked, but he was almost surprised.
"It's a bit more complicated and nuanced than that," replied Baron Pollux. "When they operate in our territory, yes, they perform assassinations. In their territory it's more about putting down criminal behaviour vigorously and with force. The last one we had in this province apparently came in to deal with their Commercial Attaché at the consulate - he was running a skin trade ring under cover of his diplomatic immunity. There were deaths, and stolen children of both nationalities turned up on both sides of the border, and by the time we put all the pieces together, that quiet, mousy consulate clerk had escorted a group of stolen children home and hasn't been back here since."
Lord Elnaith summed up, "So, Tekatl Chicumexipaltimiztli is probably a dangerous man."
"Probably more so than the next man," agreed Baron Pollux. "How are you explaining your interest in following this young lady to Tlemutsiko?"
"She is a considerable heiress whose status is not widely known, while I am a younger son who is reliant on his stipend and an allowance." Lord Elnaith gave a deprecating smile. "As far as it goes, it's the complete and utter truth. I also like her, and I think we could be happy talking over the breakfast table every morning for years. I also think I value her, disregarding the inheritance, more than her closest family does."
"And these Confederation relatives?" Baron Pollux asked that with a smile.
"I don't know what they think of her, yet," replied Lord Elnaith. "However, Tekatl Ghrus and his brothers are Miss Nearabhigan's closest living male relatives after her brother, and he is the eldest one. Getting his approval of my courtship would be helpful. I expect my excellent family connections will be helpful - if he's astute as you've implied, a regular correspondence with my potential household could well be attractive to him and his eldest son. My biggest obstacle may be edging out any candidates they have for her hand."
The baron asked, "If the lady is a loyal citizen and subject, why would she want to stay in the Confederation? Wouldn't she want to come home to her family? I thought you said that she lives with her mother."
"The same mother who told her brother and guardian that she didn't need a maid or any other companion to travel from Umbrial to Tlemutsiko, the long way around?" retorted Lord Elnaith. "If we assume that any Confederation suitor is my equal in charm, looks, good humour, fortune, and connections, then his advantage may well be that if she marries him then she will never have to see, let alone live with, her mother again."