Free Cadmians Choice by L. E. Modesitt

conversation, because
Dainyl needed less information, they walked through the section, also small,
with but three alectors and twelve lander assistants. After two sections, and
two glasses, they had covered roughly seventy yards of the long granite-walled
corridor. Dainyl had seen less than ten alectors, and none that he knew, and
learned little he had not already read or understood.
    “What section is
next?”
    “That would be trade,
sir. The rest of the west wing is for trade. The east wing is largely finance,
and, of course, the supervisors and staff for the residence itself. The
regional alector for transport is in Prosp for the week, I understand, but his
chief assistant is here. His name is Zulanyt”
    Dainyl concealed a
smile. Surely, there could be only one Zulanyt. Then, Zulanyt had been several
years older than Dainyl and less than perfectly friendly when they had shared
tutors.
    After the
pleasantries had been exchanged, and before Dainyl seated himself in the small
study occupied by Zulanyt—an alector shorter and broader than Dainyl— the
submarshal turned to Veluara. “Undercaptain, Zulanyt and I go back a long time.
We have a few things to talk over. I certainly don’t want you forced to listen
to us reflect. Why don’t you take the coach back to headquarters, and then send
Granyn back to wait for me?”
    “Ah ...” Before she
said another word, Veluara realized that Dainyl’s questioning suggestion was a
polite order. “Yes, sir. I’ll send him right back. Are you sure you won’t need
anything else? You haven’t toured finance ...”
    “I’m sure Zulanyt can
introduce me.”
    “I can do that,”
affirmed the older alector, who continued to smile pleasantly until Veluara had
left the small study, closing the door as she departed.
    Dainyl maintained his
own smile, even as he studied Zulanyt.
    “You’ve certainly
gone farther than anyone could have possibly imagined.” The smile vanished. “What
do you want? You certainly didn’t stop by to chat. As I remember, I was never
particularly warm to you, and I can’t imagine that you recall me with great
kindness.”
    Dainyl laughed. “No.
I can’t say that you provided me with the warmest of recollections. But I was
curious as to how you got from Elcien to Alustre.”
    “By sandox and coach,
like any other low-level alector who isn’t a Myrmidon.”
    “But why did you
choose the eastern region?” Dainyl arched his eyebrows, thinking that Lystrana
could have arched either one—and to greater effect.
    “It’s where bright
young alectors without connections go to become noticed, especially if they don’t
want to become Myrmidons. Didn’t you know that?” Zulanyt’s voice dripped irony.
“Do you know how much you’ll be detested, if you aren’t already?”
    “Because I’m the
exception, the alector with few connections who made it to second-in-command of
the Myrmidons, the one the senior alectors will name to prove that it’s ability
that counts and not relationships and connections? I assume that’s what you
meant.”
    “You’re far more
cynical than you used to be.”
    “Aren’t we all?”
    “You didn’t answer my
question,” Zulanyt pointed out. “That’s definitely a trait of an alector on the
way up.”
    “No. I’m still slow
about some things. I was sent here to see what is happening. You were always
quite willing to tell me—and anyone else—what we didn’t wish to hear.” Dainyl
shrugged. “I felt it couldn’t hurt to see if you still felt that way.”
    “You realize that
High Alector Brekylt will be interested in why you stopped to see me and
dismissed your escort? That undercaptain worships the stones Alcyna stands upon
and is already reporting that we’re talking. By tonight, Brekylt will know as
well.”
    “Then tell them the
truth, that I was prying and trying to find out if anything untoward is
happening. Is it?”
    “It always is,
everywhere in Corns. It always has. You should have learned that