Chapter Text
Lorgos spoiled the mood by calling from the other end of the table. “Do you still want to go to Lortes before you have to go back to the capital, Pheris?”
I should do that. And there are also the mines, though I don’t think there is time.
Kamet looked at me. “Mines?” he said sharply.
Coal mines. Drift mines. Not as interesting as silver or iron, and not big, but profitable for the estate because there are few in Attolia.
Costis had a hand on Kamet’s. “It’s different here. It’s not like, you know ….”
Kamet looked as if he felt sick. “There are slaves in Attolia.”
Costis looked hard at Lorgos. “Tell me there are no slaves.”
“No!” He too looked at Kamet, and bit back whatever he had been going to say. He spoke kindly. “No slaves there, Kamet. There are slaves in Attolia, though indenture is more common. Often they’re captured men from the wars who couldn’t afford to buy their freedom, and men who have debts they can’t pay. I know in Sounis they used to send criminals to the mines, maybe still do. But none of that goes on here.”
We are certainly paying wages to those who work at the mines. I was anxious that we had upset Kamet.
Kamet looked at us. “I’m sorry. But I have seen some very sad situations.” He didn’t seem entirely convinced.
Orsila, on Kamet’s other side, put her arm round him. “I’m sure you have, Kamet. But please don’t be upset, or Costis will cry. Pheris, you should take him to see the mines. I know you want to go.”
It was true I was interested. I nodded. Shall we do that instead of Lortes?
I was too obvious. The others laughed at me.
I need to understand the mines, I said, trying for dignity. I want to look at why the returns are so much less now.
“I don’t know anything about coal mines,” said Kamet, kindly sparing my pride. “I haven’t even heard of its being mined outside Sounis, certainly not in the empire.”
It’s useful because it burns more slowly and hotter than wood.
“For smelting, hypocausts, baths, temples,” said Lorgos. “We sell mostly locally because of the expense of transporting it. Wood’s cheaper and more readily available.”
I remembered the fire of coals where Eugenides had offered Heiro’s earrings to Ula.
They have coal fires in the palace.
“Do they?” said Maerte. “What about the ovens?”
Wood stoves. The youngest kitchen servants sleep on the floor by the fires.
Maerte and Orsila refused to believe me.
The palace is cramped and crowded. The kitchens are old. Since the departure of the unpopular Onarkus the kitchens had become a much more welcoming and lively place, and I had several friends there, but no-one would describe them as luxurious, or even comfortable.
I looked at Kamet, expert on kitchens. He was tactful as ever.
“The megaron, the reception rooms, they’re all elegant and beautiful. My rooms are very comfortable. But many people live in the palace, and it has grown over time, I believe, so it’s not a harmonious design. The kitchens are somewhat of a labyrinth. Of course the queen has other priorities.” Such as helping the country recover from war and promoting peace in the Little Peninsula.
“The guards have their own kitchens,” said Costis. “I’m fairly sure nobody sleeps on the floor, but don’t ask me about ovens.”
*****
Treading carefully, the others persuaded Kamet to come and see the mines. We would go straight away, so as to allow time to prepare for our return to the capital; various people had decided to take the chance to travel with us. Elata, however, was not one of them.
“I spoke to Sorios and he agreed that a visit to the healing waters could be beneficial. Your great-aunt Ligeia goes every year at this time, at least when there’s no fighting, so it will be a chance to see her.” In spite of my concerns, she refused a guard (“Don’t be ridiculous, Pheris! Lateras grooms will be more than sufficient!”) until Costis spoke to her and explained that this would be a good opportunity for the new guards. She chose them herself.
“The young handsome ones!” said Costis. “I think what finally persuaded her was the thought of riding with such a smart escort.”
Nothing I said about thieves made any difference. She is very stubborn.
Costis laughed. “Must run in the family. Well, the men will be back in a few days once they’ve taken her there. They’ll collect her in three weeks. The guards we take to the hills will be Lateras men. I take it you won’t dispute the need, Pheris.”
When it came to riding into the foothills of the Eddisian mountains, which I had never seen, and which would involve travelling through land possibly disrupted by the land distribution, I was happy to be advised. Costis would travel with me and Lorgos, and we would take Kamet.
Everyone was treating him as if he was made of porcelain, he complained.
Memories can affect you even when you think you’ve forgotten. You know how I made an idiot of myself worrying about what might happen to you, when Teleus was sent into the mountains last winter. I admired Kamet and was very happy he was my friend, and like Orsila and the others I felt rather protective of him.
It was a fine time to be riding with friends in the hill country. The sun was warm, making it pleasant to follow the trail through the pine forests, but it was early enough in the season that we were not too much bothered by flies. My guards rode vigilantly beside us, and Costis talked to them about dealing with attackers on a hillside and about flanking manoeuvres and the best way to get a good deal at an inn, all in a calm and friendly tone. I could understand why he was a popular squad leader. Lorgos persuaded Kamet to talk a little about his travels, and Borlas and I listened wide-eyed.
We stopped first at the temple to Ula which the queen had visited. Costis sent Terles and Setmus to knock at the gates, and I tried not to catch Borlas’ eye. The gates swung open and we rode in.
This was a famous temple, although being in the hills it was less visited than many. Nonetheless there were a number of people who stood gawping as we came into the complex, whether because of our unusual appearance or because the priestess herself came out to greet us.
She was very different from the Oracle and the various priestesses and acolytes I had seen in the temples of the capital; younger and much less formal in manner. She welcomed us all, her gaze resting curiously on Kamet. Borlas told her how he spoke for me.
“Yes, I understand. It’s a pleasure to see you here, Baron,” she said to me.
I explained that while we were here to pay our respects, I also wanted to talk about our own small temple. Elata and I had decided we would like to ask someone from the temple to visit and perhaps hold a celebration for midsummer.
“Certainly. I can’t come at midsummer itself, but I can send someone, or I could come myself if it’s possible to arrange it outside the main festival days.”
We left Lorgos to make the arrangements while the rest of us visited the mines.
That was easier than I expected, I said to Borlas as we rode away.
“The mines might be a little more difficult.”
You know something?
“Not really. Just they’re supposed to be a tough lot there.”
Something to look forward to, then.
Sure enough, when we rode up several men came to stand across the road, arms folded.
Costis had been riding at the head of our group, alongside another guard, Diokles, who knew the mines.
“Is Straton here?” Diokles asked the men.
He was ill, it appeared.
“Ill, or an accident?” said Costis. “Who’s in charge? The baron has come to visit the mines.”
“The baron, is it?” A short, wiry-looking man spoke. “Which one is he, then?”
I rode forward, Borlas at my side. I think you know well enough, since you’re staring at me.
Smiling slightly, Borlas translated for me.
“Well, my silent lord baron,” said the man, “your manager has a fever this past month and has taken to his bed.”
The horses shifted as the other guards reacted. Costis sat motionless, apparently bored.
Are you the overseer? I said. Has a doctor attended Straton?
“It’s nothing. And where would we get a doctor, up here?”
I persisted. A month is a long time for a fever. We can send to Lateras if there’s no-one nearer. What’s your name? Are you overseer here?
His name was Theron and he was indeed Straton’s assistant.
Other people were coming out of the buildings, almost all of them men, but there was one woman who came up to stand next to Theron. She was as tall as he was and more broadly built.
“Our new baron! About time you came to see us.”
I smiled. I am interested to see the mines. But first I would like to know if Straton is very sick. Is he the only one with fever, or are there others? Who is looking after him?
“That would be me. Come on, I’ll take you to him. Yes, he’s the only one.”
Costis dismounted. “I’ll go, Pheris, I’ve seen enough caves in my life. Aleixo, Heli, with me. Where can we tie up the horses?”
I looked at Theron. He looked me up and down. Finally, grudgingly, he spoke.
“If you think you can manage, my lord baron, then I’ll show you the mine.”
I’d like to go as far as I can, though that may not be very far, I know.
“You and your men will do what I tell you. No messing around.”
Of course.
It was interesting. With Borlas there, I could ask all the questions I wanted, and Theron soon unbent enough to talk about the problems of working this particular seam. Kamet too was full of questions, once he had steeled himself to go through the entrance. We saw the coal face and the track and the carts used to transport the coal to the sheds where it was sorted and processed. I met two boys my own age who had just started work. It was largely a family business, I gathered: the youngest did the less heavy work, such as leading the ponies which pulled the carts or sorting the coal, working in a team with older family members and aiming eventually to progress to hewing the coal, which was the best-paying job, though obviously it was heavy work.
Costis looked at us with a slight smile as we rode back down to the cluster of buildings that housed the mine workers.
How is Straton?
“He’s not too bad, it seems to me, but we should ask the doctor to take a look.”
Should we take him back with us? It would save time.
“Better to let him lie,” said the woman.
Can the doctor come to you?
She nodded. “Have him ask for Sera. I’ll take care of him.”
“Sera has been showing me the washing facilities, and I think you should all have a look,” said Costis with a grin.
In a minute. The guards can go. I just need a little time with Theron.
Costis nodded. “I’ll come with you. You others, go clean up. There’s tea as well. Kamet?”
“I will go with the guards, Costis.”
Theron, Borlas and I went to the building used as an office so Theron could show me some of the schematics and plans of this mine and the other in the neighbourhood and discuss the budget and accounts.
“You need to talk to Straton, though, when it comes to figures,” said Theron.
I understand. I just had a few questions.
Costis resignedly took up guard position at the door.
It was early evening by the time we got near to Lateras.
“Just as well,” said Borlas. As a valet he was nearly as concerned about our appearance as Costis, whose standards were those of the royal guard.
I’m sorry to make you late.
“Please, Pheris, it’s my job. And it was quite interesting. I thought for a moment we might have trouble with Theron, but you soon charmed him.”
Borlas, we had armed guards! There was never any risk. Also people like to talk about their work, especially if they can have the chance to tell the baron what they think is wrong and needs changing.
Kamet was riding just behind us. He told the guards what I had said, making them laugh.
“What did you think, Kamet?” said Diokles.
“I’m glad to have seen it. I would hate the work, but it’s not slavery. Not all the boys go to the mines after their father.”
Diokles nodded. “Some even become Lateras guards,” he said with a smile.
*****
Back at the house, I had a private word with Costis and went with him to call on Orlaes. Sorios was out, but I spoke to Orlaes.
I am sorry now I didn’t see Straton, but having spoken to Theron I can see there is a problem there.
“Malingering, neglecting his duty, whatever you call it outside the guard,” said Costis.
I smiled at him. We’re not going to beat him, I wrote on my slate.
“I’ll let Sorios know,” said Orlaes. Send a couple of guards with him, Pheris, so we can bring Straton back here if we need to. In fact I might ride up there myself. It’s a while since I’ve been, and I may get a chance to check on the second mine.”
Back at the house that evening I sat with Kamet, Costis and Lorgos after dinner.
Thank you for making the arrangements with the priestess, I said to Lorgos. It’s a good day, so close to the midsummer festival in the capital that perhaps the king may allow me to stay away. And Elata will be pleased.
Kamet smiled, translating.
“Have you told Maerte she will be entertaining a priestess?” he asked.
Will she stay, Lorgos? And I suppose she’ll hardly be on her own?
“Probably for one night. I’ve mentioned it to Maerte. But nothing worries her, as you know.”
“And Orlaes will take care of the situation at the mine.”
Yes. I’m not worrying.
“You are unusually calm, Pheris.”
I’m lucky to have all of you, and all the household here as well. I have to stop worrying so much.
“Is that what the king told you?”
Several people. Even the gods, when I prayed before the trial. Yes, the king as well. Lorgos was looking at me in surprise.
“So it must be true,” said Costis with a laugh. “Of course you have good people here, and in the capital too.”
“There are a few decisions you might like to make, though, Pheris,” said Lorgos. “Costis and I need to select squad leaders for the new house guard. Who do you think?”
*****