Read Online By Schism Rent Asunder by David Weber - Free Book Online Page A

court. No secret courts, no summary imprisonments or executions. I refuse to become another Clyntahn simply to protect myself against him.”
    Wave Thunder’s expression was a long way from anything Merlin would have called satisfied, but at least the baron let the argument drop. For now, at any rate.
    â€œAll right,” Cayleb said more briskly. “I still hear lunch calling, and it’s getting louder, so let’s go ahead and wrap this up. Ahlvyno, please give me a report by the end of this five-day on the exact state of the Treasury, allowing for the completion and manning of the galleons we currently have under construction. Take Ehdwyrd at his word and propose a reasonable schedule of new duties and taxes, as well, based on the assumption that our trade will at least hold level. Bryahn, I’d like you and Baron Seamount to give me your best estimates of what we’re going to need Ahlvyno to somehow figure out how to pay for after we finish the present building program. You’d better get Sir Dustyn involved in that, as well. Ehdwyrd, I’d like you and Rhaiyan to give some additional thought to what you were saying earlier about the likely consequences of any effort by the Group of Four to close Haven and Howard to our trade. Assume they’re actually going to do it, then come up with the most effective ways for us to undermine any embargo and make sure their efforts don’t succeed. You might also consider how we could motivate our merchants and shipping houses to fund presentation galleons for the Navy, as well. As you say, our survival depends upon their prosperity, but their prosperity depends upon our survival. I think it’s fair for them to contribute a little more to protecting their shipping than we might expect out of, say, a dragon-breeder from somewhere back in the hills. And, Rayjhis, I think you’d better check with Dr. Mahklyn. I’d like the College’s input on some of our estimates on shipping, trade, and taxation, as well.”
    Heads nodded around the table, and Cayleb nodded back.
    â€œIn that case, I think we’re mostly done here. Rayjhis, I’d like you and Archbishop Maikel to remain behind for a moment, if you would.”
    â€œOf course, Your Majesty,” Gray Harbor murmured, and chairs moved back from the table as the others took their cue and rose.
    *   *   *
    The council chamber door closed behind the others, and Cayleb looked at Merlin.
    â€œWhy don’t you come over and join us, now that it’s safe?” he asked with a smile, and Gray Harbor chuckled.
    â€œAs you command, Your Majesty,” Merlin replied mildly, and crossed to settle himself into the chair Howsmyn had occupied a few minutes before.
    Had anyone else been present, that hypothetical other observer probably would have been more than a bit surprised to see King Cayleb’s bodyguard sitting at the council table along with the king’s two most trusted official advisers as if he were their equal in the king’s eyes. After all, it was clearly Captain Athrawes’ responsibility to keep Cayleb alive, and not —despite his recent promotion, in keeping with his position as the king’s personal armsman—to advise him on high matters of state.
    Of course, that same hypothetical other observer would be operating on the mistaken assumption that Captain Merlin Athrawes of the Charisian Royal Guard was alive. Well, that he was a human being, at least. He might actually be alive after all; Merlin’s internal jury was still out on that particular question.
    Not even Gray Harbor and Staynair knew the complete truth about him. For that matter, Cayleb himself didn’t know the complete truth. The king knew Merlin was considerably more than human, but not that he was in fact a PICA—a Personality Integrated Cybernetic Avatar—whose artificial body was home to the electronically recorded personality, memories,