The Core

‘Would you still seek his employ if I asked for your resignation?’ Leesha asked.

Arther blew a breath through his nose. ‘That was an empty threat, mistress. Baron Cutter goes through clerks faster than mugs of ale. Squire Emet resigned after the baron threatened to tear his arms off.’

Leesha sighed. ‘And if I ordered you to go, and him to take you?’

‘I might break my oath and defect to Krasia,’ Arther said, and Leesha laughed so hard it rasped her throat.

Her eyes moved back to the pile of papers, and the humour left her. She rubbed her temple, massaging the dull ache that would soon blossom into pain if she didn’t have something to eat and an hour alone in her garden. ‘Gared needs a clerk that’s not afraid of him.’

‘I don’t know where you’ll find such a man, this side of Arlen Bales,’ Arther said.

‘I wasn’t thinking of a man,’ Leesha said. ‘Wonda?’

‘Don’t look at me, mistress,’ Wonda said. ‘I’m worse with papers than Gar.’

‘Be a dear and fetch Miss Lacquer, then,’ Leesha said.

Wonda smiled. ‘Ay, mistress.’

‘Thank you for coming, Emelia.’ Leesha swept a hand at one of the chairs by her desk. ‘Please, take a seat.’

‘Thank you, Countess.’ Rosal dipped a smooth, practised curtsy, snapping her skirts as she rose so that when she seated herself, not a fold was out of place.

‘Please just call me mistress,’ Leesha said. ‘Tea?’

Rosal nodded. ‘Yes, please, mistress.’

Leesha signalled to Wonda. The woman could thread a needle with her bow, and she had an equally adept pour, carrying two steaming cups and saucers in one hand like a pair of klats.

‘How have you found the Hollow thus far?’ Leesha asked as she took her cup.

‘Wonderful.’ Rosal dropped a sugar in her tea, stirring. ‘Everyone’s been so welcoming. They’re all excited about the wedding. Even your mother has offered to help with the planning.’

‘Oh?’ This was the first Leesha had heard of it. It seemed unthinkable that Elona might offer to help anyone out of the goodness of her heart, Emelia Lacquer most of all.

Rosal nodded. ‘She’s introduced me to the best florists and seamstresses, and offered some … interesting advice on the dress.’

‘My mother isn’t one to waste excess cloth,’ Leesha said. ‘Especially on top.’

Rosal lifted her cup with a wink. ‘I’ve worn worse than anything your mum can dream up. But not this time. Rosal was for other men. Gared’s going to get a bride out of a Jongleur’s tale.’

‘Gared’s not getting anything until his paperwork gets done,’ Leesha said, indicating the pile on her desk.

Rosal nodded. ‘Papers aren’t Gar’s strength. After the wedding I can …’

‘That’s not going to do, dear,’ Leesha said. ‘Need I remind you of your debt to me?’

Rosal shook her head. Leesha had kept the Duchess Mum from throwing her in prison after the scandal at court. ‘Of course not, mistress.’

‘Good,’ Leesha said. ‘Amanvah’s dice said I could trust you to be loyal to the Hollow, and I need someone like that on my side right now.’

Rosal set down her saucer and sat up straight, hands in her lap. ‘How can I help?’

Leesha pointed to the stack. ‘Tell your promised he doesn’t get his seedpods drained until you sit him down and make him balance his ledgers.’

Rosal raised an eyebrow, a slight smirk twitching at her mouth. ‘Why, mistress, I have never once drained the baron’s seedpods. We are unwed! Think of the scandal!’

The smirk spread into a smile. ‘But I keep his tree at attention. Told him I won’t have it out of his breeches unless he’s tied down. Now whenever we’re alone he runs for the shackles.’

‘Creator,’ Leesha said. ‘You’re as bad as my mother. Be careful he doesn’t have his night strength, or he might break those shackles.’

Rosal’s eyes glittered. ‘Deep down, mistress, he doesn’t want to.’

‘All right I wait outside, mistress?’ Wonda cut in.

Rosal smiled at her. ‘Why, Wonda Cutter, you’re blushing!’

‘Like listenin’ to you talk about my brother,’ Wonda said.

‘I’ve two brothers myself,’ Rosal said. ‘I know more than I’d ever wish about their love lives.’ She winked. ‘But I won’t say the information wasn’t useful.’

‘Can I assume, then, you will quickly have the problem … ah,’ Leesha smiled in spite of herself, ‘… in hand?’

All three women shared a laugh.

‘Think no more on it, mistress,’ Rosal said. ‘I’ll put the shackles under his desk.’

‘The sun is set, mistress,’ Tarisa said.

Leesha pried Olive from her breast, handing her to Elona. ‘Is everyone arrived and given tea?’ Tarisa moved to fix her neckline, adding deft pats of powder.

‘Lot of ’em been waiting over an hour, now,’ Wonda said.

Leesha nodded. Keeping the councillors waiting was something Thamos had done to show his power, and it seemed apt to keep the practice for her first council meeting since she returned.

More, by calling the meeting late in the day, Leesha could wait out the sun, which flooded the western windows of the council chamber in the evenings. She slipped on her warded spectacles and rose, gliding out into the hall. She’d been home a week now and couldn’t put this off any longer.

‘Leesha Paper, Mistress of the Hollow,’ Arther said simply as he ushered her in through the royal entrance to the council chamber, all but hidden behind Thamos’ monstrosity of a throne. Eventually Leesha meant to be rid of the thing, but for now it served its purpose well, looming over the council.

Leesha had purposely removed the title from her name. Countess was something given to her by the throne of Angiers, but she had no intention of remaining beholden to them. It was high time the Hollow stood on its own.

Everyone rose, bowing and curtsying. She nodded in acknowledgement and swept a hand for them to take their seats. Only Arther kept his feet, taking up position beside the throne.

Leesha looked over the councillors. Her father, Erny, spoke for the Warders’ Guild. Smitt for the Merchants’. Shepherd Jona had taken Inquisitor Hayes’ great wooden chair, but Hayes had found another nearly as grand and sat next to him. Likewise, Baron Gared had Captain Gamon beside him. Darsy and Vika had the far end of the table, Darsy in the great padded chair Leesha once occupied. Next to them sat Amanvah, Kendall, and Hary Roller, master of the Jongleurs’ Guild.

‘Thank you all for coming,’ Leesha said. ‘I know there are many preparations to make for tonight’s ceremony, so we’ll keep this first meeting brief. First, as you all know, Lord Arther will retain his position as first minister.’ She nodded to the man. ‘Minister?’

Arther stepped forward, writing board ready. ‘The Hollow has sixteen baronies now, mistress, not counting Gatherers’ Wood. Eleven have active greatwards. Four have begun to pay taxes. The others remain … unstable as the people settle into their new lives.’