3
After recovering their luggage, the knights were led to a back room to the left of the audience chamber. It had the same carpeting as the main chamber, and its walls were covered in a single panoramic mural depicting the final battle Ryniuz fought to gain his kingdom. The red matched the carpeting.
Jaksen was clearly a hands-on manager. He preferred to assign the palace knights himself rather than leave such menial duties to others. He moved a chair from a corner to the head of the room, and instructed them to line up in front of it as he sat down.
Bathis stood ahead of Tayron in line, and when he gave Jaksen his name, the councilor visibly cringed. There was no doubt in Tayron’s mind that the high noble would find his own family name even more interesting.
Bathis was assigned to the main court security detail, an inconspicuous position that the savvy knight looked smug about. Tayron had no idea what position was best, and could only hope he was tasked to main security as well. Yunas and Karitan were behind him, so he had no idea where they would be placed. He doubted they had a better idea of what was preferable than Bathis anyway.
“Name?” Jaksen said in a warm tone.
“Alevan Tayron, sir.” Tayron was not sure if “sir” was necessary. He was now a knight, and there was no official chain of command outside the academy except by royal decree. His position at the palace was technically a civilian job, with knighthood being his only qualification.
“Really?” Jaksen mused, but his surprise seemed almost disingenuous. “Well, I hope you realize how fortunate you are.”
It lasted only a second, but Jaksen’s stare pierced right into Tayron, judging his character.
“You’re an honest and intelligent man, Tayron - and lucky - an intriguing combination. You will be assigned to guard me.”
“To guard . . . you, sir?” said Tayron, forgetting himself.
Jaksen grinned childishly. “I’m an important person, you know. Many enemies. One of my guards was killed last week by . . . mysterious circumstances,” Jaksen raised his eyebrows comically, but by the thin tone of his voice, he clearly regretted the loss. Seeing the apprehensive look on Tayron’s face, Jaksen said, “it’s not usually that dangerous. It’s the food testers that have the high fatality – but we don’t use knights for that. Are you up to it? I don’t want a guard that isn’t sure he even wants the job.”
“No, sir . . . I mean, yes, I’m up to it,” Tayron stumbled.
“Excellent. If you’ll wait close by, I’ll discuss your new duties after I’m done with the rest.”
Tayron moved off to the side and found Bathis loitering around. They distanced themselves from Jaksen. Bathis started whispering.
“Got to get going to the palace barracks, but I couldn’t help myself. Always want to get the last word in, you know,” Bathis muttered, grinning in close imitation of Jaksen. Tayron almost laughed. “So, Jaksen picks you to be his guard. Told you, didn’t I?”
“You did,” Tayron readily agreed. “I didn’t think Jaksen was speaking loud enough for you to . . .”
“I’ve got sharp ears.”
“You’re a bit creepy, you know.”
“Granted.”
“But not as creepy as him,” Tayron said as softly as possible, indicating Jaksen.
“Definitely not,” Bathis nodded admiringly. “That’s pure genius right there.”
“Does genius always come with . . .”
“In the inbred environment of the court, sure. Hold it. Here comes Yunas.”
Yunas approached them as soon as he left Jaksen’s audience. “Bathis,” he said as softly as his excited voice could manage, “you know a lot about this stuff. How’s the messenger service? Is it a good position?”
“One of the best. Not as good as the one Tayron got, but still important. Just remember, when Jaksen asks you about messages other people have sent, seem hesitant to tell him and make it clear that you’re only telling because its him. Make it clear that you’re an honest messenger that would only talk out of loyalty to him.”
“B . . . but I’m not supposed to tell anybody about messages . . . am I?”
“Technically, no, but practically, yes. Jaksen will put you in a lower position – like door guard – if you don’t. Trust me.”
Yunas’ skeptical eyes said that he would never trust Bathis, but would heed the advice. Tayron spoke up. “The messenger service doesn’t sound like something they’d need knights for.”
“Oh, it is,” Bathis said with convincing awe, “because the nobility has a habit of hiring assassins to kill messengers that they don’t control. Speaking of which, Yunas, don’t piss anybody off.”
“. . . coming from you . . .” Tayron grumbled.
“But it is a terribly dangerous job that only us knights would survive.”
“Wow,” Yunas said, almost ecstatic, “assassination attempts. Imagine that. I’ll have to keep an eye out. Do you think our academy training will be enough?”
“Doubt it.”
“Great!” Yunas said, utterly enthusiastic. “Wouldn’t want it easy, right? That’s no way to prove myself. I’ll have to sharpen my skills, be a cut above the rest, and all.” For the first time, Tayron saw the edge that had made Yunas the best at the academy – a thirst for combat.
Jaksen had given out the last assignment by the time Yunas had finished speaking. Karitan had not joined them and none of them had overheard his appointment. Jaksen told the dozen knights who lingered in the room to “head immediately to your posts, don’t waste any time. It’s late already, and your new commanders will have to find a bunk for you. You don’t want to make them angry by waking them up. It’s not a good way to start. Tayron, follow me.”
Tayron gave quick goodbyes to Yunas and Bathis, and then followed Councilor Jaksen out of the room. The corridor they strode into was dimly lit with candles, making Jaksen’s next words even more eerie.
“That Yunas knight you were talking with, what do you know about him?” Jaksen questioned severely.
Tayron was taken aback. “Not much,” he answered without perceptible hesitation, “I met him just today, on the train.”
“First impressions can be telling. What were yours of him?”
“He was talkative, more or less likeable, definitely trustworthy . . .”
“That’s good enough. It matches my impression. Now, what of his knowledge of court and attitude toward me?” Jaksen spoke with a steely tone that made it all too clear that he sought a direct and truthful answer.
Tayron was in no position to refuse. “He had as little an idea of the court as I did. More or less nothing. I think he was impressed by you, as we all were.”
“Not all. What of that Bathis chap? He’s a seedy character, and his family is very inquisitive. Tell me about him.”
“I only just met him, too. He’s disagreeable, but he knows a lot about the court and is enthusiastic about it.” Feeling that the truth about Bathis’ attitude concerning Jaksen would satisfy the councilor more than any omission would, Tayron pressed on saying “he’s also very interested in serving you. His main advice to us was to stick close to you and to show our loyalty to you.”
Even in the semi-darkness, Tayron felt the full impact of Jaksen’s smile. “Good, good. Always err on the side of caution, I say. Even the best judge of character can make a mistake. But, it seems that my initial worries were unfounded. There are still some knights I’ll have to look into, but the lot seems a good addition to the palace complement.”
Then, guessing that Tayron wanted a better explanation, Jaksen added, “we can’t have questionable knights guarding the palace, can we? Here, even a slight reluctance can cause grave consequences. Outright disloyalty would be a clear danger to the entire nation. That Yunas graduated best in the academy, so he was a special concern of mine.”
Tayron nodded his agreement, though he knew that Jaksen’s explanation was less truthful than Bathis’. Still, Tayron knew the truth, so did not press the issue. Jaksen had given the explanation that was required for someone of Tayron’s rank. Only a man lacking nobility would have been given no explanation at all.
They reached a door that was plain wood, but locked. Tayron had not seen many locked doors in his time. It was yet another element of court life to get used to. This lock clearly belonged to Jaksen, and the councilor spoke the unlocking spell quickly, but loud enough for Tayron to hear it – “gods bless the land.” Tayron was allowed to hear it with the understanding that he would have to use it, but would take care that no one else would know it.
“This is the door to my rooms. You’re the fourth of my guards, and two rooms are allotted to all of you. There should be no reason for you and your roommate to be in the room at the same time due to the way your shifts are structured.”
They entered Jaksen’s living room and Tayron noticed a guard at the side of the door.
“One at the door and one standing outside my bedroom while I’m here. Both on-duty guards are with me while I’m out, except when, like tonight in the audience chamber, I choose to go unescorted. The two off-duty guards are free to do what they please. Your room is the second on the left there,” Jaksen pointed, “and you’re free from duty until sunrise tomorrow, which I’m sure you’ll appreciate considering the long day you’ve had. There is a great deal of sensitive material that must not leave these rooms, so while you’re around, keep an eye out. Understand?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good,” Jaksen said sharply, “get some rest.”
Tayron wasted no time getting to his bunk, unpacking and arranging some of his stuff, and getting to sleep.