Treachery's Tools by L. E. Modesitt Jr. Read Free Book Online Page A

before setting the beaker on the low table before him. “Matters that might affect the Collegium. Not that most matters, it appears, do not affect the Collegium in some fashion. I’m certain you have been following the questions of tariffs … and harvests.”
    â€œThis year’s harvests in the middle of Solidar have been largely ruined from what I can tell, although those in the east, especially around Piedryn, have been excellent. It’s still early for the harvests in the northeast.”
    â€œSome High Holders have petitioned the rex, individually, of course, and not with the blessing of the High Council, for relief of their tariffs. You are, I understand, aware of such petitions?”
    â€œI am aware such petitions have been made. I have not seen any of them, nor is it likely that I ever will.”
    â€œI am also aware that, if he has not already done so, Chief Factor Hulet will approach you and Finance Minister Alucar in an effort to oppose any reduction in tariffs for High Holders.” Cransyr smiled faintly. “He might even suggest reducing tariffs for factors, while raising them for High Holders.”
    â€œI don’t know of a factor or High Holder who wouldn’t be happier with lower tariffs.” Alastar let a trace of irony creep into his voice. “The last time there was a problem with tariffs and no agreement could be reached, matters did not end well for anyone.”
    â€œWe’re not opposed to being tariffed fairly, Maitre. We are opposed to being tariffed unfairly. As High Holders, we have certain responsibilities that the factors do not have. We must provide more than wages. For those who live on the holding proper, we provide everything. Even those who have factorages on their lands provide housing and clean water and provisions for disposing of waste. Here in L’Excelsis, those who work for the factors must find their own housing, and the rex pays for roads, sewers, and even the water that flows from the public fountains. To pay for such, he uses the tariffs of both High Holders and factors. So the factors pay for such but once, while the High Holders pay twice.”
    â€œI wasn’t aware that High Holders paid as much in wages as the factors do.”
    â€œWhen one considers housing, roads, and the ordered life on a holding, what workers get is about the same. That doesn’t take into consideration the fact that our workers always have access to food and provisions, even when they have no coppers.”
    Alastar decided not to mention the fact that the “allowances” for food on most High Holdings valued basic goods at far higher levels than were the actual prices in L’Excelsis and other towns and cities. “What about the fact that the base levy for High Holders is fixed, regardless of what improvements have been made on the holding in terms of buildings, factorages, and the like?”
    â€œThat’s what’s in the Codex. It’s been there for over four hundred years. Changing it because of a bad year isn’t the best of ideas. If Rex Lorien does want to make changes in the Codex, then perhaps he should also change some of the provisions pertaining to factors. The High Council would be pleased to make suggestions there … in the interests of fairness, of course.”
    â€œI don’t believe I suggested anything such as changes.” The last thing Alastar wanted to do was to be caught in a position between the High Holders and factors, or either and Lorien. “I did note that the way tariffs are assessed on High Holders differs greatly from the method of assessment on factors … and it would seem that there is less difference, in terms of how each creates income, than there once was.”
    â€œThere is one very basic difference, Maitre. A High Holder cannot sell off large portions of his lands and remain a High Holder. Nor can most holdings be divided between offspring. A factor