winter looked like it would be a bad one. He'd been spending most of his focus - and money - on making sure the Realm was ready to face a long, cold season.
Actually, it had come more easily than he'd expected. It was much like managing a Legion, save that in the Legion there was an absence of dissension. (Though upon thinking about it, Tavi decided that one little fact made for quite an astounding difference.) Still, the basic principles applied - recruit reliable subordinates and delegate authority in accordance with their talents. Help them when they needed it and stay out of their way when they didn't. Make absolutely clear what you expect from the people working for you and make sure rewards or discipline were consistent and fair.
So far, he thought, things could have been worse.
There was a knock at his chamber door, which opened a breath later. "Sire?" asked his valet's quiet voice. "Are you ready?"
"As I can be, I suppose." Tavi rose and checked his appearance in the mirror. His hair was short and newly trimmed, his beard likewise. The cloth-of-gold tunic was heavy, and all the gems didn't make it feel any lighter. Still, it didn't weigh as much as armor.
Fidelias, still wearing Valiar Marcus's face, entered the chamber and shut the door behind him.
"Sire," he said. "The guests have all arrived. No one has attempted to gut anyone. Today."
Tavi glanced over at him and showed his teeth. "Well. We didn't expect forging the Alliance to be simple."
"Naturally not," Fidelias said, setting down a tray that doubtless had a collection of light snacks on it. Tavi had been insisting on avoiding it for weeks, and it had become a kind of game for the sentenced man to provide Tavi with appetizing temptations. Tavi ignored them. Almost always. "What has most of the Citizens upset is how you handled the land grant for the Canim."
Tavi shrugged. "They're welcome to Parcia if they can take it for themselves. It's the city deepest in vord-held territory. It's our premier seaport, and the Canim have forgotten more about shipbuilding than our own shipwrights know." He shrugged. "Besides, if we didn't give them someplace to call their own, they'd take it anyway - and they wouldn't be inclined to be terribly friendly afterward. They'll be taking Free Alera with them, I'm certain - and any holders there who don't want to operate under Canim rule are free to seek another steadholt under a different lord."
"High Lord Varg." Fidelias sighed. "You know why they're truly upset about it, don't you?"
"Because someone without furycraft has been made a High Lord," Tavi replied. "My heart bleeds for the poor lambs." He took the cover off the tray and found it stacked with small meat pastries. They smelled heavenly. He gave Fidelias a murderous look. "Mark my words. The day is coming when anyone who wishes Citizenship will be able to work for it and get it. When brains will get you further than any fury ever could. And when we overempowered engines of destruction will be a quaint reminder of the past, not masters of the future." He put the lid back down with a sharp clang. "Someone should write that down. They can quote me later, the way they do all the other First Lords."
"I believe they'll save that for your words upon being dragged away to be locked in a tower as a raving madman," Fidelias replied.
Tavi burst out into a quick belly laugh. "No, I'm not quite mad yet. How are the plans for the new program coming along?"
"Covert plans for the covert training of covert operatives? If I told you, I'd have to kill you, sire."
Tavi grinned at him. "I'll take that to mean 'well enough.' "
Fidelias nodded. "Sha has been most helpful. I enjoy working with him. Though his ideas of teaching methods are rather different than mine." He cleared his throat, and asked, "Sire? Do you really intend to wait before taking the battle to the vord in Canea? Senator Valerius - "
Tavi threw up his hands. "Augh. I am sick of hearing that man's name. He wants me to lead an expedition to Canea to find the last queen, does he?"
"Exactly."
"Thus getting rid of me, which should make his campaign to frustrate everything I'm trying to build somewhat simpler." Tavi shook his head. "If we have taken all of Alera back in ten years, we'll be doing well. And that's vital. We absolutely cannot leave the