“Lord Van Laven, thank you for agreeing to meet with me on such short notice,” he said, his voice a full rich baritone. He waved toward a chair on his left. “Please have a seat.”
Comron kept his eyes fixed upon him as he slipped into the chair. “When the Imperial Inquisitor requests a meeting, it certainly demands one’s attention. May I ask what this is all about?”
The question hung in the air unanswered as Grusonious’ gaze locked on Comron. Yes, the inquisition had begun. Grusonious would make use of every means of observation and deduction, starting with how Comron reacted to uncomfortable silence. Fine, Comron relaxed back into his chair and clasped his hands together over his stomach—a stance that said I can wait as long as you can, and all you’ll have learned is that you’ve wasted your time.
“Why do you think the Imperial Inquisitor has made a specific trip out here to see,” he poked a stylus at him, “you, Lord Van Laven?”
“I don’t know,” Comron shrugged. “Maybe you were simply in the mood to be annoying.”
Grusonious’ grim face, turned even more so, the scar at his left eye was placed prominently in Comron’s view. Was that one of the reasons he had Comron sit on his left? To intimidate him with his hideous battle scar? What a piece of work he was.
“Where were you on the night of Paugan 28th?” Grusonious whipped the question out.
“Paugan 28th?” Comron said, gazing at the ceiling as he tapped his chin. “Ah, that was the day after your, I mean the botched, assassination attempt on the Empress’ life.” He levelled a dark gaze at Grusonious. “Where were you on the night of Paugan 28th?
“We can do this here, or I can take you in for questioning,” Gruesonius said calmly. “Where were you on the night of Paugan 28th?”
“I was here at the Lion Palace along with the empress’ friends, keeping vigil at her bedside, praying for a speedy recovery. What did you pray for that night?”
He lifted his eyes from the com-pad and glared at Comron. “Can anyone corroborate your story?”
“Only half the palace guard.”
“Anyone else, someone more objective?”
“Surveillance recordings are about as objective as you can get. I’m certain the empress would release them if you require them.”
“I’ve already seen to that, along with a number of other items,” he said, his eyes carefully scrutinizing Comron’s every reaction.
“Then I hope you find what you’re looking for.” He placed his hands on the table as if he meant to leave. “If there is nothing else.”
“I will let you know when this meeting is over, Lord Van Laven,” he said tight-lipped, though his voice remained low. “I’m just getting started.”
“Imagine my excitement,” Comron said, his expression as flat as his tone.
“How long have you known the empress?” he asked as he tapped a button on his com-pad.
“I made her acquaintance about eleven months ago on Patheis,” he said, divulging information that was now public knowledge. “We survived a transport crash together. Very exciting stuff, really.”
Grusonious’ expression was stone, inscrutable. “So impressed was she by your jungle exploits that she decided to appoint you her Private Economic Strategist?”
“Well, when you say it like that, it does sound rather silly, but, yes.”
“Where is your primary residence, Lord Van Laven?”
“I have a place in Chelsea Sound.”
Grusonious glanced at his notes. “Yes, with your wife, correct?”
“Yes, she picked it out herself,” he shrugged, “I just paid for it.”
“Spend much time there?”
“As with most of the Imperial Advisors, I spend most of my time in residence at the Lion Palace but, at the week’s end, I head out to Chelsea Sound.” And by I, he meant Crausin. That was certainly one benefit to having a virtual twin on hand to make occasional appearances at their Chelsea Sound home. He never thought he’d be so pleased to know Crausin was making time with his so-called wife.
“All of your hard work really seems to be paying off,” Grusonious glanced at his records again. “The empress’ holdings have more than tripled in less than a year. The Imperial Treasury has never been in better shape.”
Comron flipped a salute in acknowledgement of his accomplishments. “Taking pride in one’s work usually does pay off, sir.”
“Too well, perhaps. With all those uncanny instincts compelling you to make lucrative trades at just the right time—and a few lousy ones just throw us off a bit, some have concluded that you’re either a very lucky man or a very smart criminal. I don’t believe in luck, Lord Van Laven.”
“Even after that,” Comron said, pointing at his scar. “You were lucky you didn’t lose your eye when that mortar struck you.” Comron noted the slight tensing of his jaw. “But that was nothing compared to learning you’d been set up by someone very dear to you. Damn, but that had to hurt.”
Grusonious’ stone veneer cracked for a split second. “How could—” Grusonious stopped himself realizing what he’d given away.
The public story involved fighting insurgents and coming out victorious against the would-be destroyers of our great society. Only one person could have possibly revealed this to Comron, Grusonious would be thinking. Let him believe his former wife had betrayed him yet again.
Meanwhile, Comron’s gaze weighed heavy upon Grusonious warning him that he was not one to be trifled with. “Let’s not waste each other’s time, General,” Comron said evenly. “We both know you have no evidence to bring against me, otherwise you’d be hauling me out of here in cuffs. You’re merely fishing and have come up empty. Really, as delightful as your company is, I’m afraid I have a great deal of business I must tend to,” he started to rise.
“Sit down!” Grusonious barked the order with military command as he pointed at the chair.
“You have five more minutes, General,” Comron said as he returned to his seat.
“I have as much time as it takes, so I suggest you clear your calendar for the afternoon,” he said evenly, but his icy veneer had been dissolved, the set of his jaw, the twitch of his eyebrow and the way he gripped his com-pad fiercely belied his outer calmness. It wouldn’t take much more to shred this man if the need arose.
“You and the empress are close friends?”
“Why? Is that a crime these days?”
“Answer the question,” he said as if bored.
“We helped each other through a very difficult ordeal. Most people would agree that the resulting relationship would be defined as close.”
“Her adoptive House is Bastionli, your mortal enemy, yet I see Van Laven ensconced here at the Lion Palace, but curiously no Bastionli.”
“Nothing gets past you.”
“Are you and the empress lovers?”
“No, we are not.” We are man and wife, something far superior.
“Were you ever?”
“What the hell does this have to do with anything you’re investigating?”
“Would you be willing to submit to a physiological veracity test?”
“Not without a barrister present.”
“Then you’ve something to hide.”
“You’re obviously on a witch hunt—anything I say could be misconstrued and used for your own purposes.”
“When was the last time you saw the Duke of Ti-Laros?”
For the first time, Comron felt himself off balance, Grusonious fired off the questions intentionally to do so. The image of Larrs jerking back and slumping to the floor flashed before his eyes.
“The last time would be about eleven months ago while en route to deliver the empress to Novoxos.” Comron was certain that truth had been circulating in certain circles for some time now.
“And you haven’t seen him since then? Are you certain?” Grusonious asked, the corner of his lip curled up as if he knew something. “Why don’t I give you a moment to reflect.”
So, Skarus h
ad made good on his threat to open an investigation into Larrs’ disappearance. The fact that he’d gone all the way to the Imperial Inquisitor and the case had been accepted by him indicated that House Van Laven was in the cross hairs of some very powerful players. It was only a matter of time before they came gunning for them.
Grusonious tapped his com-pad and a holographic display of the explosion site on Ti-Laros appeared over the polished table surface. With a few hand signals, the visual zoomed in to the footing of the destroyed building.
“This, in case you’re wondering, is the scene of the alleged terrorist attack,” Grusonious explained matter of factly. “You see these markings here and here. They are telltale signs of a high-grade torbin explosive. While it allows for very precise, elegant explosions, it’s far too expensive to be used by a ragtag band of local terrorists. And note here, remnants of the detonation device, melusium magalite. I’ve only seen this in military grade operations—special forces. Most of it was removed, but this was a very tiny fragment, almost impossible to get it all. All of this indicates to me that this attack was orchestrated and funded by a highly trained group of professionals with access to very deep pockets. My money’s on the guy who wants to stay close to the empress without having Larrs Bastionli around to muck things up for him. After all, not only are you making a small fortune as her Private Economic Strategist, Nethic stands to gain exponentially from its ties to the throne.” He shrugged. “That and I’m fairly certain you’re boning her.”
A slow grin spread across Comron’s face. “So, basically, much like the securities investigation, you have nothing but idle speculation. First, to lose your post as Supreme Bashar, and now this; how very sad for you, General.”
“You see, that’s where you’re wrong,” he said icily as he disengaged the holographic device. “You assume I have nothing to hang on you. To be honest, before yesterday I didn’t but, thanks to one pissed-off Bastionli, I have enough to keep you in court for decades.”
What had Skarus done?
“For starters there is a long list of securities violations and collusion charges, and bribery of state and regulatory agency officials,” he held a hand up. “Oh, I know, all those charges have been dropped, that usually happens when you buy off the local courts,” his tone was smug. “But, in case you missed the bulletin, there’s a new bad ass in office who can’t be bought. I’m reopening all those cases, and I intend to use them to establish a history of egregiously unethical behavior. If you were bending or breaking securities laws back then, you’re sure as hell doing it now given the shite load of profits you’re raking in.”
Comron leaned forward, elbows on table. “You sure you want a war with me, Gru?”
“This war’s already won. You’re just too stupid to realize it.” It was Grusonious’ turn to grin. “Just like two hundred years ago when your pathetic band of rebels held out against my great, great grandfather Sellusion. He crushed Nethic beneath his heel and, eventually, I’ll have the pleasure of doing it. And now that I’ve actually met you, I can’t tell you how much I’m really going to enjoy it.”
It took every ounce of control for Comron to remain seated and refrain from slamming Grusonious head against the table a few hundred times. But the meeting was being recorded and observed, there was nothing he could do about it now. But, the more he thought of it, the more intensely murderous his thoughts became and, before he knew it, Grusonious was grimacing and pressing his hand against his ribcage.
“The meeting is over for now,” Grusonious said masking his pain. “Rest assured, you’ll be hearing from me very soon.” He quickly gathered his things and hurried out of the room.
Chapter 47
When Vaush finally caught up with Comron, he was in the grand stables of the palace grounds. He rode often as it provided him solace when he needed to unwind and clear his mind of entanglements. At first, she feared she’d missed him as surely he’d have saddled up and headed out by now, but the stable master pointed him out over at the far end of the stables with one of the new thoroughbreds.
He appeared to be deep in thought as he stared at the magnificent beast, stroking its muscular neck as he fed it some oats. He wasn’t in his riding habit, which meant he must have come out here on impulse. She was loathe to break his reverie but was concerned when he failed to answer any of her calls inquiring about the Grusonious meeting.
“Comron,” she said softly as she approached.
He turned to look at her but made no reply.
“Are you all right?” she said, touching his shoulder. “You didn’t answer any of my calls.”
He sucked his lips in, biting them.
“Comron?”
“I just needed some time to myself to think.”
“What in heaven’s name did Grusonious say?” A knot formed in her gut. “Whatever it is we’ll deal with it together.”
“He’s every bit Sellusion’s scion, threatening to do to Nethic what Sellusion did to her centuries ago.”
“He did what?” Vaush exclaimed. “Why ever would he—”
“He taunted me about it, Vaush. They burned Nethic to the ground, hundreds of thousands of people died horrible deaths, and he just laughed about it and said he looked forward to doing it again.”
Vaush felt her own blood begin to boil. “That’s it. I will have him recalled and removed from his post at once.”
Comron shook his head. “It won’t change a damned thing.” He gazed up at the horse. “You know one of the first things Sellusion did when he attacked Nethic? He destroyed Rhaegor’s stables where he kept his beloved prize thoroughbreds. Sellusion did it to demoralize him and break his spirit.”
She rubbed Comron’s back. “Oh, darling, that’s dreadful. I’m so sorry. I wish there—”
“Sellusion Hrollaugr burned my world to the ground and turned us against our greatest ally.” He glared intensely, and there was a hard edge in his eyes. “He’s going to come after me full-force, Vaush. He’s going to trump up some bull-shite charges.” He waved his hand, “I don’t care about that. The point is, the Hegemony’s elite is coming after me, and we’ve got to be ready for them.” There was a steely look in his eyes. “I can’t allow Grusonious to threaten Nethic with impunity. He must pay.”
Images of the Gretchen Hall massacre flashed before her eyes. Comron … they were just empty words,” she said soothingly. “He’s just trying to get inside your head. Don’t let—”
“You weren’t there!” he shouted with balled fists. “Your world wasn’t crushed and burnt to a cinder. You didn’t have to rebuild from ashes and endure unimaginable degradation. No, you and your people didn’t experience any of it. You were just the ones who caused it!”
The words hit her like a blow to the face. Was that how he saw her now, as one of those Hrollaugrs, in the same class with Grusonious? Her eyes burned and she saw the turmoil raging in him, his love for her battling with his hatred for Hrollaugr. She felt the wailing rising inside at the gulf growing between them.
“If …,” she swallowed and tried again. “If we had been there back then. I would have crossed over enemy lines to fight at your side, Comron. Even in the siege, I would have remained at your side and fought against Sellusion till my dying breath.” She reached tentatively for him. “I take your name and disown mine gladly. I am Van Laven and that is all.”
He closed his eyes as her fingers brushed his face. “Vaush, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean it.”
“Just promise that when you look at me, you will always see me—the woman who loves you—not the name.”
Comron nodded. “I do see you, Vaush, and you’re right, I let Grusonious get inside my head, and then I lashed out at you. Please forgive me, love. I’m so sorry.”
Chapter 48
“I say we move your plan forward to level Nethic,” Grusonious growled, walking alongside Braden Dredfort down the corridors of Mayden Hall. How had that contemptuous shite learned the truth about Anbelise? The smug assuredness in which
he flung her in his face made him want to crush the life out of Van Laven and that putrid rock they called Nethic.
“Wait,” Dredfort said, “I thought you said that solving this problem by violent means was taking on unnecessary risks?”
“That was before I met that pernicious jackal,” he replied. “I say it’s time we blasted his impertinent ass back to the hole he crawled out from.”
Dredfort laughed sharply. “That must have been quite some meeting.”
“My lord, need I remind you that Van Laven’s hard cocking your future daughter-in-law.”
Dredfort halted in place. “The bloody cad admitted it?”
Grusonious wished like hell that he had hard evidence of that. “It was written all over that smarmy face of his. And he’ll probably continue doing so even after the empress marries your son.”
Dredfort resumed walking. “We’ll see how much philandering he does when he’s missing a cock! I’ll have the damn thing cut off if I ever learn that there’s any truth to these allegations,” Dredfort thundered. “Meanwhile, we should pursue the prosecution route with him. Perhaps his appetite will abate if he’s faced with serious prison time.”
Grusonious scoffed. “All that effort just to watch the empress pardon him for services rendered in her imperial bedchamber?”
“For Tagon’s sake, do you have to keep on about that?” Dredfort said. “I swear it gives Phin the shites any time he hears such talk. So, unless you can furnish tangible proof, I’ll hear no more of it.”
Grusonious closed his eyes and pressed his fingers to his brow. “Fools! The lot of you,” Grusonious mumbled.
“What’s that?” Braden asked, eyeing him warily.
“I’m afraid Van Laven will make a fool of Phineas unless you act swiftly, my lord,” he said.
“This whole time the empress has been keeping Phin at arms-length, preaching chastity and restraint until their wedding night. She’s an intelligent girl and a moral paragon. I refuse to believe that a girl like her would take up with a married man when there are a thousand eligible bachelors dying to marry her!”