Five Hundred Years After (Phoenix Guards) by Steven Brust Read Free Book Online Page B

which is, as you may know, isolated though you are, to determine the tax allotments for the next phase.”
    Pel’s eyes suddenly glowed, and Khaavren realized that this had been exactly the sort of information Pel was looking for. “Ah—ah,” said the Yendi. “He is worried then.”
    “I believe he is, Pel. It is driving him to become interested in matters of state, and this is no small thing for our little Phoenix.”
    “Yes, yes,” said Pel, as if to himself. “That is true. It must be true.”
    “Is that what you wished to know, my friend?”
    “Yes. Much is explained, just with those few words, and I cannot tell you how much good you have done.”
    “And yet,” said Khaavren, “I cannot help but wonder why it is today, rather than another day, that you have appeared here to ask these questions of me?”
    “Why today?” said Pel. “Is there something about this day that is, in some way, unusual?”
    “Of a certainty,” said Khaavren. “You have come to see me. That is more than unusual—it is unprecedented.”
    “Well, that is true.”
    “And therefore, it is only natural that I wonder if something has happened to bring these questions to the forefront of your mind, good Pel.”
    “Oh, I agree that it is only natural.”
    “And therefore you will answer me?”
    “Certainly I will answer you.”
    “Ah, you will?”
    “Indeed, and this very instant.”
    “Begin then, for you perceive I am listening avidly.”
    “This is it, then: you understand, do you not, how the system of Discretion is worked?”
    “In fact, my dear Pel, I understand it not at all.”
    “Then I must first say two words about our Academy.”
    “Very well, I am listening.”
    “Here in the Palace, there is a small building near the Athyra Wing, where, in the humblest of dwellings, live those who have undertaken the study of Discretion under the Masters of the House of the Issola. Periodically, some great—to you, Khaavren, I can even admit that this means wealthy —noble feels the need to have a confidant at his elbow—a confidant he can trust completely, and to whom he can unburden himself. On these occasions, a journeyman or, sometimes, a Master will accept this duty to the glory of the Academy and, I should add, his own advancement. But, however many nobles of one sort or another beg for our services, there is no greater need than by the Emperor himself. It is because the Emperor always has such a need that the Institute first came into being in the Fifth Cycle.”
    “And yet, good Pel, for the past half a hundred years, since the Duke of Wellborn retired, His Majesty has been without a Discreet.”
    “That is exactly the case, good Khaavren, and you can imagine that this has been the cause of no little interest among those of us—numbering, at the moment, forty-one—undertaking the arduous study, for it is possible that one of us will be selected for this great honor.”
    “Yes, I understand that.”
    “Well, and do you also understand that the Academy—for so we call it—is funded directly by the Empire?”
    “No, I had not known that.”
    “Then, no doubt, you did not know that, mere moments before I arrived here, we received word that this funding was to be halved, which would necessitate dismissals among both staff and students.”
    “Hmmm. I see.”
    “Do you, then, understand my sudden interest in the state of mind of His Majesty, and my speculations over his concern with matters financial?”
    “I understand entirely.”
    “And can you offer any more insight?”
    “I will say only one word, good Pel.”
    “One word from you, my friend, is as a thousand from another. What is this word?”
    “It is—Jurabin.”
    “Ah—ah!” said Pel. “Is it he who controls the purse-strings of the Empire?”
    “So it is said, good Pel, and so I believe.”
    “Well, well. And who controls Jurabin?”
    “Ah,” said Khaavren, smiling. “As for that, Pel, who controls the Court?”
    “In the old days it