The two men glared at each other. “Yes, Marshal-General,” Arvid said barely a moment before Deinar said the same.
“When must I start?” Deinar said.
“Now,” Arianya said. “And Arvid, I have a few trivial questions about these papers, so check with me before you leave for home.”
Chapter Nine
Deinar’s first daily report, delivered with a scowl that evening, was that Arvid Semminson’s knowledge and understanding of the Ten Fingers and the Ten Toes was entirely adequate.
“Is that as far as you got?” Arianya asked. Though she felt no pain, she was tired and noticed that her voice sounded peevish. She hoped that meant nothing, that the Kuakgan Paks had gone to find would not be needed, but she would not ignore any symptom.
“Yes, Marshal-General. If the foundation is not sound, the building will not stand. The thief—the yeoman must fully understand the foundations of the Code, not merely recite them as any youngling can do.”
“Good, then,” she said. “I expect he will wish to continue the same schedule he had as a scribe, four glasses’ work in the morning and the afternoon to care for his son.”
Deinar nodded. “He seems to care for his son, Marshal-General, more than I expected.”
“It is a long story,” Arianya said. “And one I would rather tell another day, if you do not mind. It is my first full day of work after they took a kuaknomi blade from my bone.”
“Of course, Marshal-General.” For just a moment his expression softened. “We in the Judicariate are most pleased you have recovered.”
“Thank you,” she said, somewhat surprised. Given his views on magery, she would have expected him to wish her dead.
“I disagree with you about magery,” Deinar said. “And possibly about the conversion of a lifelong thief. But I respect you as Marshal-General.”
“Thank you,” she said again. He bowed and withdrew. Arianya leaned back in her chair and sighed. She felt bone-deep weariness and was just about to call for sib when Marshal Vesk came in with a tray heaped with dishes and mugs.
“You don’t need to be wasting your energy going down to the kitchen for supper, since you insisted on working today.”
Arianya opened her mouth to protest and found herself thanking him instead.
“By your leave, Marshal-General, I’ll eat with you. I’ve got the early shift on guard in the hall, and this saves me steps, too.”
“Suits me,” Arianya said, setting the papers aside. “Here—what are we having?”
“Beef-barley soup for you, which is what the cooks think you need, and sausage and beans for me, which they insisted was too spicy for someone just out of bed. I could be bribed to share. Your soup smells good.”
Arianya laughed. “They know I love that spiced sausage. Let’s both share—surely if most of what I eat is the soup, all will be well.” She picked up one of the small loaves on the tray, broke it, and he sprinkled salt on both halves.
Partway through the meal, Marshal Vesk said, “I wonder how long it will take Paksenarrion to find a Kuakgan.”
Arianya swallowed the bite of sausage—it was spicier than she remembered—and said, “I suppose it depends on how near one is to Fintha. Although some wander—she might meet a wandering Kuakgan.”
“We … worry a little.”
“As do I. A lot, in fact. Was my moment of temper this afternoon a sign of some evil influence or just the way I’ve been for years? Am I tired because of blood loss and spending too many days in bed, or … again … evil influence? If it is that, then I’m the last person to detect it.”
“You seem yourself to me, but everyone knows about Paksenarrion.”
“Yes. However, thanks to her, I will not have to endure what she did. I still think about that—”
“You know the Marshalate agreed with you. Well, except for those like Haran.”
“Yes, but the Marshalate was as ignorant as I was. And as for Haran, it’s her views we’re now faced with.” She sighed. “Though had I known all I needed to about Paksenarrion and had I found her a Kuakgan, Haran would still have felt aggrieved … Why was a Marshal-General consulting a Kuakgan? she would have asked. And those of her mind now would still oppose any acceptance of magery.” She looked at the rest of the sausage and decided to finish the beef-barley soup instead.
Several days later, Deinar’s report on Arvid’s progress was accompanied by a scowl that the report itself did nothing to explain. He had examined Arvid on the first section beyond the fingers and toes, something taught to yeoman-marshals. Arvid had mastered the material and was able to apply it to the standard situations yeoman-marshals were expected to face.