The Will of the Empress - By Tamora Pierce Page 0,62

so much flood damage everywhere that year, and late that summer the taxes went up. I could not repair the bridge, pay the taxes, and send you the usual amount. Your mother's written orders are clear. She, and then you, must receive that exact sum every year, without fail."

Sandry tightened her fingers on her reins. I knew Mother's instructions for our income, she told herself, ashamed. I knew she didn't leave any room for the steward to exercise his judgment. But I thought he would, anyway. I thought...

She suddenly remembered those columns of dry, boring numbers: the ever-increasing tax sums, the estimated costs of the flood damages, and the profits from the estates. If she had done all of the additions, gone over the accounts entry by entry, she would have seen that there wasn't enough money for everything.

"I thought we could manage the bridge repair last year," Ambros continued, his quiet voice strained, "but Her Imperial Majesty raised the taxes again, to cover fighting on the Lairan border. Again, it was a matter of repairing the bridge or sending what we are ordered to send to you. Our obligation to you comes first."

"What of the taxes?" demanded Sandry, her voice trembling. "You paid them."

Ambros looked surprised that she had even asked. "The taxes must be paid. I went to moneylenders last year. This year, the gods willing, I should be able to pay it back if I raise the mill taxes and the wool taxes on the tenants."

Sandry leaned closer to him. "You should have told me," she said fiercely. "Not relied on me to refigure all of your accounts." She could feel her cheeks blush hot with shame. "You should have said the problem in so many words! I have more than enough money for my needs. I could have foregone the payments both years and never even noticed!"

Slowly, as if he feared to anger her, Ambros said, "Your mother, Clehame Amiliane, was most clear in her wishes. Those monies are always due to the clehame, whether the year is a good one or not. And I did not know you well enough at all to ask. I still don't know you that well." Very softly he added, "Cousin Sandry, the penalty for a steward who shorts his master — or mistress — is the lopping off of the thieving hand. Not only that, but I would lose the lands I hold in my own right. My family and I would be penniless."

"I would never insist on such a thing!" cried Sandry.

Daja glanced back at the courtiers. If they had heard, they did not so much as turn around in their saddles.

Ambros rubbed his head wearily. "Clehame —"

"Sandry!" she snapped.

Meeting her eyes steadily, Ambros said, "Clehame, imperial spies are everywhere. The imperial courts are all too happy to uphold such matters on their own, particularly if there is a chance they may confiscate lands for the crown. It is how Her Imperial Majesty grants titles and incomes to her favourites."

Taking a breath to argue, Sandry thought the better of it and let the breath go. "Let's just ride on," she said, feeling weary in her bones. I should have paid attention. I should have fixed this years ago. Thanks, Mother. You've shamed us both. And I have shamed myself. "Tomorrow, if it is safe, Ambros? Please start work on that bridge at once. Repay the moneylenders all that you owe. Don't send me anything for the next three years. I'll write a note to that effect, and have it witnessed."

This time she led the way down the muddy track to the ford, emerging from Tris's shield to get wet. Briar turned. The moment he put two fingers in his mouth, Tris plugged her ears. Zhegorz and Daja both yelped in pain as Briar sounded the piercing whistle that he had once used to summon the dog who had stayed at Winding Circle. The courtiers heard, turned their mounts, and trotted back to the main group, the guards falling in behind.

As Daja swore at him in Trader-talk, Briar grinned at Tris. "You remembered. How sweet."

She shrugged. "It's not a sound I'm likely to forget. Besides, that's how I could get Little Bear to come to me when he and I travelled together." She tucked her book in a saddlebag so he couldn't see her face. "It kept me in mind of you while I was away."

Briar rode over to elbow her. "You just reminded yourself how quiet it was