Intrigues by Sharon Green Read Free Book Online Page A

“Thank you for givin’ me your attention. The first thing we have to discuss is puttin’ a Blendin’ in charge of interviewin’ people to staff this monster of a place. It won’t be an easy job because we’ll need hordes of servants – and we have to be on the lookout for renegade Guild members.”
    People exclaimed over that comment, so Vallant explained what had happened for those who hadn’t been present for the attack and subsequent interview.
    “When they went to arrest the man Ayl, they found he’d already gone to ground,” Vallant concluded. “That means we can expect to trip over his people until we catch them all, so everyone stay alert. They may be after our Blendin’, but some of them may decide that any High talent is fair game.”
    “Our Blending will do the interviewing,” Wilant Gorl called from the middle of the room. “There are a lot of unemployed servants around now, so we should be able to take our pick. What do we do with the ones who don’t measure up – and what do you consider not measuring up?”
    “We don’t want anyone who isn’t capable of bein’ loyal,” Vallant answered with a nod to show that he’d been asked a good question. “That even means someone who’s willin’ to take silver or gold to look the other way. We need our people to be alert against intruders, because the guardsmen can’t do it all. If they could, those three never would have gotten into the palace in the first place.”
    “I think it might also be a good idea to change the arrangement of who the servants report to,” Lorand put in. “Jovvi mentioned something about having every group of five servants being known by sight to ‘middle’ supervisors. That way a strange face is noticed more quickly, and something can be done about it.”
    “We should be able to do that if we put the system in immediately,” Wilant agreed with a thoughtful nod after having exchanged glances with his Blendingmates. “But you still haven’t said what we do with the ones who don’t measure up.”
    “Unless the person is seriously deranged, just turn him or her loose,” Rion answered, giving the decision they’d all pretty much decided on earlier. “If they are seriously deranged, there are civil authorities to see to the matter. Once things settle down we can all make ourselves available to help them, but for now they’ll have to cope on their own.”
    “That’s because we’re goin’ to need another three Blendin’s to supplement the posted guards,” Vallant took up the explanation. “Again, this will only be necessary until things settle down, but there’s goin’ to be a lot of craziness before that happens. We mean to have some High talents start to teach the people how to use their own talents properly.”
    “So soon?” someone asked in the middle of everyone’s comments of surprise. “Shouldn’t that wait until after you’ve been Seated?”
    “We still aren’t sure we will be Seated,” Vallant answered after exchanging glances with Rion and Lorand. “There’s somethin’ you all need to be told, but we’ll get to that in a little while. First you need to know that we’re havin’ a party tomorrow night, and we’ll be invitin’ everyone in the city who’s part of or represents even a middle-sized group. All of you are also invited, so please pass the word to any of our people who couldn’t make this meetin’.”
    “About time we had some fun,” someone female in the group called out, and the others all agreed with enthusiasm and laughter.
    “Yes, it is, and in more ways than one,” Vallant agreed with a grin and a chuckle of his own. “The next thing all you members of link groups need to think about is formin’ Blendin’s among you. Just because you’re a member of a link group doesn’t mean you can’t also belong to a Blendin’.”
    There was a bit of stunned silence then, but Lorand was glad to see more delighted surprise than shock. Then a babble of comments