Chapter Text
Over the next few weeks I was occupied in settling into my new life. There was so much to do that I felt a little overwhelmed. I missed the palace at first. Not being able to talk to Relius was difficult, though people like Orlaes and Maerte, and indeed half the household, never hesitated to give me advice.
*****
The morning after Cleon’s mother departed, Borlas was helping me get ready as usual.
“Pheris, would you mind if I went to see if I can help Cleon?”
He is getting restless, I know. But actually I thought I might go.
“Wouldn’t he be embarrassed?”
I hope so. I had not absolved Cleon for the fish, though he had protested it was entirely the work of the other three. For that matter, I wasn’t convinced the king hadn’t had a hand in the plan.
I pulled on my uniform waistcoat and went to knock politely at the next door.
Accustomed to waking early for the king’s dressing, Cleon was already sitting up in bed.
“Pheris?”
I wondered if I could assist you to dress.
“Pheris, what?”
If you insist on dressing, you will need assistance. I have some experience with that. I bowed.
“I’m not the king! Anyway you couldn’t lift me. I’m not ungrateful, of course, I don’t mean that…” He paused. “This is about the fish, isn’t it.”
It was a very large fish. It was very dead.
“I told you, the others did it.”
You thought of it. The others would not think of going to the kitchens here.
“Maybe it was partly my idea.”
I sighed. The king.
“He was trying to cheer me up.”
He also knows my cooks.
By this time Borlas had tired of waiting outside and was standing by the door, smiling.
Borlas and I will help you. But only to sit with your leg raised, until Sorios allows it.
“Seriously, Pheris, you’re worse than my mother.”
I worried that Cleon did not understand the seriousness of his injury, although I knew he didn’t like to admit to any personal weakness.
Please, Sorios, tell him what he needs to understand, I asked Orlaes’ son when he came to look at his patient. I worry he does not know.
“Yes. I didn’t want to upset him when he was too unwell to hear it. His mother knows, though. I’ll have a word today.”
Cleon was determinedly cheerful. “It looks as if you’ll be stuck with me for a couple of months. At least it’s not the palace – being in my cell there for weeks on end would be a nightmare. Sorry you’ll miss the spring festival, though.”
I did not say I would probably have to make an occasional trip to the capital in the meantime. The king will surely appreciate you more after weeks of Etores.
Cleon grimaced. “If I ever get back. My parents want me home.”
Of course. You are lucky to have such a close family. I hope they will continue to visit while you are here. I didn't mention this was something his mother had spoken to me about.
*****
Cleon’s perspective was very different from Kamet’s. Kamet had quickly got to know many of the household, and like me he often ate in the staff room, or with Maerte, whereas Cleon habitually kept himself politely distant. It was fortunate, I thought, that Orlaes’ family were patronoi, or Cleon would have been a little isolated. As it was, Sorios had spent time with him beyond the requirements of his treatment.
Cleon was a little unsure about the Lateras people. “They call you Baron, maybe once or twice the first time they speak to you, and then it’s just ‘Pheris’. It’s not respectful. You’re their baron.”
Cleon, look at me! Maybe if I was older, or if I looked different, but I think it’s better like this. I am just pleased they have accepted me.
“I suppose so. It’s true it’s actually hard to imagine the place belonging to the old baron. You do fit in here, I can’t think why.”
I laughed. The queen said to Eugenides that he has prepared me for this.
“I’m not sure being an attendant prepares you for anything but standing like a statue for hours on end. I should enjoy the chance to sit down, I suppose.”
*****
I was determined not to rattle around at Lateras, as Elata had put it. I wanted to visit Suterpe, but I felt I couldn’t leave Cleon while he was still suffering pain. I tried to do as much as I could at Lateras in the meantime. I rode out to the little temple to pray for Cleon’s recovery. I arranged for a tailor to provide me with new clothes, so that I would not always be wearing those the king had given me. And I discussed the proposed house guard with Lorgos and Trestus, the leader of the squad which had been left by the queen.
I looked at the two men. The queen has said I need guards.
“The captain ordered me to work with your steward to set that up.” Trestus glanced at Lorgos.
“All the men of the household who are fit enough have had some weapons training,” said Lorgos. “Of course in recent years that hasn’t been a very large number, and after the baron’s death Elata closed off much of the house and the number of servants was reduced. The baron himself always travelled with his retainers, who went everywhere with him.”
Were they from Lateras?
“Two of them were originally from here. I don’t know about the others. They didn’t return after the baron’s death.”
Probably a good thing, if the rumours Relius had told me about Erondites’ retainers were true.
For myself, I think I need guards when I travel. I will have to go to the capital often, although I hope to be here about half the year.
Lorgos raised his eyebrows, obviously wondering why a young boy would be visiting the capital.
I sighed. The king wants me to attend the barons’ meetings. And the festivals, though I hope not everything. Also I must visit my brother at Suterpe and see the other Erondites properties. But I don’t want retainers like my grandfather who was Erondites.
“Of course not,” said Lorgos quickly, and I looked at him. I didn’t know him well yet, and I couldn’t tell what he was thinking.
He took a breath. “I hope you will never doubt my loyalty, Pheris. But I have to say I think we are well rid of them.”
I smiled. I agree. I was glad to hear him say it out loud.
We both turned to Trestus.
“Obviously you would need to retain the system of keeping your men in training, Pheris, since the queen requires it of her barons,” he said. “My suggestion would be for an additional small and well-trained force of guards who would travel with you and, I suggest, might also act as couriers, given that their Majesties seem to want to keep in close contact.”
So. And you and your squad will act as guards here for a short while. Did the captain say how long this would be?
“We’re to travel with you and the king’s attendant back to his home and then to the palace.”
The doctor says it may be another six weeks or so. In the meantime, would you be willing to help Lorgos with the new guards?
The two men looked at each other. “It will be a pleasure,” said Trestus.
After the meeting I spoke to Borlas.
Do you still want to continue as my valet? I know you’re not married, but I realise now there will be a lot of travelling and you may not want to be away for so long from your family.
“You mean you want me to travel with you? Yes, of course! I’ve never had the chance to travel.”
See if you are still keen after a full day on horseback. And if you don’t ride, you must learn.
We went to meet Orlaes. I now had a better idea of how my life was likely to be, and I could let him know how many people we would keep at Lateras, and how the proposed guard would work, so he could budget for the likely costs. I also had to break it to him that I wanted a house in the capital.
I know we just sold the mansion. But I need a small place to stay, and an inn is not practical, now I know I will be there so often. Also you and other people could stay, as you prefer, when you are in the capital.
“I’ll write to Voris straight away.”
I had dinner with Kamet and Cleon and told them my plans. Cleon, of course, was highly amused by me. “You are a very organised little baron,” he said.
I have to have the arrangements in place before I return to the capital. The king wanted me to take rooms in the palace.
“Ha! I can see why you might want to avoid that. You’d never escape.”
Also Orlaes and anyone else I want can use the house too. And there would be no problems about guards.
Kamet was smiling. “Your life seems to be set out in front of you.” Kamet’s knowledge of the signs was improving, though I was still using the slate a lot of the time.
It seems too easy. I worry I might be tempting the gods. I believed the gods were watching over us at Lateras. There seemed no other reason for my welcome here.
“Have you decided about the little temple?”
I looked in the Erondites history. It is dedicated to Ula, which I thought was likely because Ula is the goddess of the hearth.
“And healing,” said Cleon, looking at me. “You prayed for us?”
I nodded. And the king spoke to his gods.
“Thank you, Pheris. So do you have a plan for the temple?”
I may just ask a priestess from the temple to Ula in the hills about sending an acolyte to make sure everything is in order. And perhaps to hold an occasional ceremony to pray for our continued safety.
I asked Kamet about his work in the library.
“I have had replies to some of the correspondence which Maerte kindly sent for me,” he said with an air of satisfaction. “There is considerable interest from scholars and others. I sent some extracts from the Enoclitus to the Magus of Sounis. He seemed quite jealous.”
*****