Селеста / Сelesta: Глава 13

Chapter 13

Camrad_RIP 14.09.22 в 04:25

It is hard to say whether Taleya is a class or a caste society. Probably caste society, because no merit would allow one to enter the highest stratum of the aristocracy, one can get there only by birthright. At the same time, even a peasant's son has a chance to become a minister (history knows examples), i.e. formally standing above the aristocrats. The same ones with whom outside the service he has no right to speak first.

Camrad_RIP 15.09.22 в 15:38

The nobility was divided into ranks, and the ranks, in turn, were divided into classes, each with its name, rights, duties, color and speech characteristics, signs on clothing, and ways of applying makeup to the face. The proper occupations differed, too, and greatly. A simple hereditary nobleman could personally attend to the affairs of his village, while a nobleman with a title, however inferior, was obliged to hire a steward. Trade was totally excluded, but the work of the captain of a ship, even an ordinary barge, was considered honorable, on the condition that the barge sailed on the sea. The post of secretary to a nobleman of higher status was regarded as a variant of vassal service, and the same position in a bank was the cause of gossip in the establishment.

Camrad_RIP 15.09.22 в 16:01

Entertainment, too, had a class nature. There were, of course, those appropriate to all, like the horse races or the rowing races that took place every spring and were partly religious. But in the same dice, there were games played by the poor and far more elaborate games for the nobility. And playing the latter was allowed only in institutions that had at least two floors, as well as having other features listed in a special ordinance. Theatrical plays, when written, immediately received a kind of rating, which regulated where it was allowed to be put and where it was not. The theaters were divided into eight categories, from the highest to the lowest, and while the latter was open to all (although the nobility never appeared in them), only persons of extremely high status had the right to get to performances in the highest category.

Camrad_RIP 15.09.22 в 16:09

The Grand Theatre Royal was considered the best in the world, though Medea was of a different opinion. The last time she visited it three hundred years ago, she swore publicly that she would never set foot there again, and she has kept her oath ever since. Given her widespread fame and authority among art people, the reputation of the theater was severely damaged. Ordinary mortals, however, continued to attend for the simple reason that every production at the Grand Theatre Royal was a status event, the presence of which spoke of the stability of one or another courtier's position.

Camrad_RIP 15.09.22 в 16:14

Duke Lash had his lodge in the theater, where he was sure to appear when he came to Taleya. He hardly watched the performances, like the vast majority of visitors. He invited the right people to his place, discussed business with them, and in between acts allegedly bumped into people who should not have openly accepted his invitation. In short, Lash was doing what other theater-goers were doing, except for the younger ones, who were just bored.

Camrad_RIP 15.09.22 в 16:16

Of course, when the performance was over, which many perceived as a full-time job, there was a temptation to reward oneself for one's hard work. For this purpose, there were several high-class restaurants located around Theater Square, capable of satisfying the most demanding clientele. They served everything from delicacies brought from the oceans to common meat cooked on an open fire. A special pride of the restaurant owners was the wine list, each restaurant had its own, which included rare varieties from all over the known world. A bottle would cost a customer the price of a small estate, but the local public could afford such expenditures.

Camrad_RIP 15.09.22 в 16:42

The observers were not surprised when, after the performance, Lash did not wish to go home. His carriage made a small circle around the square and stopped near one of the restaurants, where, of course, there was a cozy office for a couple of people for the silent ruler of Lascaris.

Camrad_RIP 15.09.22 в 16:43

In the cabinet, the Duke was waiting.

Camrad_RIP 15.09.22 в 16:45

"Messena Celesta," Lash bowed respectfully to the risen who rose from her chair at his arrival. "Words cannot express the joy I felt at the sight of your letter. The anticipation of seeing the blessed Mistress deprived me of sleep and prevented me from thinking of anything but the slow-moving minutes."

Camrad_RIP 15.09.22 в 16:53

"A great descendant of a glorious family should not doubt that my joy is no less great. It's been a long time since your last visit to Taleya, and I've been looking forward to the next one."

Camrad_RIP 15.09.22 в 16:54

Celesta told the plain truth - there were many issues she had accumulated over time that she wanted to discuss with her strongest ally. The vampires had close ties to Lascaris. Trading houses, effectively run by Gardoman, helped the Duke's servants evade taxes through gray schemes; Lash's vassals provided cover for their partners' machinations in the courts and state institutions; in times of strained relations with Lanaka or Sineva, Celesta's smugglers kept the goods flowing that fed the economic capital and its master from collapsing.

Camrad_RIP 15.09.22 в 16:58

Of course, the Duke and the Mistress met often. Whenever Rikarid came to Taleya, they had something to discuss. The level of trust felt by their partner was evidenced by the fact that they communicated in private, without an obligatory mortal bodyguard.

Camrad_RIP 15.09.22 в 17:07

While Lash quenched his hunger, Celesta sat opposite, sipping wine from a crystal glass, and shared a little gossip. A small bonus to her partner, a trifle to her, and a possible advantage to a man of high society. The Duke listened attentively, sometimes inserted remarks that showed a good understanding of the topic, and could add something himself, correcting the picture of the affair under discussion.

Camrad_RIP 15.09.22 в 17:10

They moved on to serious topics with dessert. To sweeten the bad news, so to speak.

Camrad_RIP 15.09.22 в 17:11

"I must tell you, dear friend, that we have had, or are about to have a major change. The royal authorities have found out who really owns the Southern Water Company, and we are forced to close it down."

Camrad_RIP 15.09.22 в 17:14

"It's sad," Lash grimaced. "The route to the free polis was making good profits."

Camrad_RIP 16.09.22 в 17:08

"The fleet will be pulled north anyway, and there will be no one to escort our ships. Medea is now trying to negotiate with the admirals of Blueness, but there is little hope for them. We'll have to pay the pirates."

Camrad_RIP 16.09.22 в 17:09

In exchange for preferential supplies of rigging, provisions, and a bribe to senior naval officers, the Company of the South Seas received special attention to its needs. Its ships did not sail alone; they were always accompanied by the military. In addition, in major ports, the managers of the Company made contracts with privateers, allowing them to put temporary markings on the hulls of their ships, assembled a small caravan, and, under the supervision of military sailors, sailed south. There the cargo was quickly sold off and in a short time, a new caravan was formed for the journey home. Everyone profited: the soldiers who got extra money, the company making extra profit, and small merchants who avoided meeting with pirates this way. Now, after the treaty with the Archipelago, Taleya's fleet no longer had the right to sail further than Cape Smoky Nose, the usual "roof" would soon disappear. They must find another or pay tribute to pirate captains. Either way, the costs will rise.

Camrad_RIP 16.09.22 в 17:13

"The impending decrease in income makes one ask - is there any word from the west? Sattar reports another ambitious chieftain has appeared on the steppe. It would be very unpleasant if trade stopped there as well." Celesta said.

Camrad_RIP 16.09.22 в 17:13

"The usual redistribution of nomads. The last three years had been dry, some tribes had been forced to move their flocks to the pastures of their neighbors, who resented them and began to fight among themselves. One of the tribal alliances was fortunate enough to squeeze out the others. In five years the balance will be restored, but until then, special attention will have to be paid to the frontier. The bad thing is that trade with the far west risks ending completely dead - it is impossible to drive caravans, all the roads are cut."

Camrad_RIP 17.09.22 в 04:50

"You say unpleasant things, Messen Rikarid."

Camrad_RIP 17.09.22 в 04:54

"Forgive me, Messena Celesta. I swear I'm as upset as you are!"

Camrad_RIP 17.09.22 в 04:55

Without allowing a slight hesitation to reflect on her face, Mistress decided to take another step toward the future Holy Crusade. Avoiding to voice the very idea, she began to lead the future figureheads to it.

Camrad_RIP 17.09.22 в 04:55

"I must confess that I have some thoughts about reconnecting with the Far West," she admitted. "I'd like to kill a few birds with one arrow. Trouble is, that would require the participation of the priests, who wouldn't take kindly to any suggestion from your humble servant's lips."

Camrad_RIP 17.09.22 в 05:24

"It would be interesting to hear."

Camrad_RIP 17.09.22 в 05:33

"It's too early to tell," Celesta said with an apologetic smile. "But I promise that the blessed one will be the first one I turn to if I get the chance. Until then, we'll have to watch warily for the dubious antics of vile hypocrites and hope for the highest wisdom."

Camrad_RIP 17.09.22 в 05:34

The wording used by the diminutive risen contained enough instruction that the duke was surprised and intrigued. The Mistress accused the priests of violating the divine oaths. There was no doubt that the innuendo would not be enough, and Lash waited anxiously to hear the details.

Camrad_RIP 17.09.22 в 05:46

Celesta did not disappoint him.

Camrad_RIP 17.09.22 в 05:46

"People have become accustomed to the fact that priests easily violate the provisions of their own faith. You don't have to go far to find an example. The Saints of Fire have recently excavated a shrine to one of the darker aspects of Arcota the Flaming, under Nemmist, and are actively studying it. I'm sure they will find some way to utilize the artifacts they found there, and the knowledge they have gained. But they're also getting involved in politics in a very active way!"

Camrad_RIP 17.09.22 в 05:47

"Not long ago I came into possession of a document, a large money transfer from the Custodian of the Voice of Silence. Guess who the final recipient was?"

Camrad_RIP 17.09.22 в 05:54

"I'm afraid to even guess."

Camrad_RIP 17.09.22 в 05:54

"You are doing the right thing, Messen. A pillar of Goodness from the Triad of Righteousness. There is indeed a long chain with many intermediaries, but I managed to trace it."

Camrad_RIP 17.09.22 в 05:55

"Does the Son of the Sea bribe his opponents?" the Duke suggested.

Camrad_RIP 17.09.22 в 05:55

"No, he doesn't. He doesn't know anything. His servants have begun their investigation, in which we are involved."

Camrad_RIP 17.09.22 в 05:56

"Perhaps the Custodian is up to some game of his own?"

Camrad_RIP 17.09.22 в 05:56

"He certainly did," Celesta nodded in agreement. "But why did he choose Prince Sakir's protégé as a partner? This kind of clandestine contact is dangerous, even to those who are not privy to the realities of Court life."

Camrad_RIP 17.09.22 в 14:00

Lash, who knew a lot, if not everything, about the undercurrents of high society, nodded in agreement. Joint affairs of ideologists of two, in fact, opposing factions cannot but raise suspicions. They should not communicate at all without at least a couple of witnesses. What to say about money?

Camrad_RIP 17.09.22 в 14:16

"If I happen to know anything, I will be sure to notify you, Messena," the Duke promised.

Camrad_RIP 17.09.22 в 14:31

Celesta thanked with a slight bow. The promise should, of course, have been divided by ten, but he would certainly share some of the information if he could find it. It is not customary among aristocrats to lie outright and break promises without a good reason, which does not mean, however, that they always tell the truth and keep their word. So Lash, if he finds out anything, will be sure to share - maybe a tenth of it, maybe half. He won't tell the whole thing for sure.

Camrad_RIP 17.09.22 в 14:41

They parted towards morning when dawn was breaking in the east. Having assured each other of mutual respect and friendship, having solved some of their problems and puzzled their partner with new ones. Personally, Celeste was leaving satisfied. The duke would probably take a minute to parse their conversation today, techniques of memory work had been hammered into him since he was a child. And when he did, he would demand answers from his Bringers of Answers, the very answers to a couple of unpleasant questions. First, what happened under Nemmist and why doesn't he know anything about it? Second, how are the two highest hierarchs of the rival churches connected, and why, again, does he know nothing about it?

Camrad_RIP 17.09.22 в 15:00

The spies, having been given a scolding, will get to work. In this case, their patron personally, one might say, has a vested interest in getting the result - dirt on his main enemies. Logic dictates that the largest feudal lord of the country must have the most difficulties in his relations with the royal power. Conflicting interests, the emergence of conflict points, and the levels of division of competence inevitably lead to tensions that may well lead to open revolt. However, the appanage ruler of Lascaris and his sovereign could be said to have been friends. Too often they were united against the Chancellor, who relied on the Saints of Fire, and against the side branches of the Dinir dynasty, whose individual members somehow saw themselves as more worthy to sit on the Azure Throne. The Triad of Rightness, it should be recalled, supported such efforts.

Camrad_RIP 17.09.22 в 15:03

With great luck, the spies will find enough to cause a major scandal. If they don't, they'll just divert attention. In any case, no one would think of the vampires; the blood kin would be out of the picture.

Camrad_RIP 17.09.22 в 15:07

There was never any class-representative institution in Taleya. In Lanak there was a Veche and a Council of Princes, in Archipelago the Council of Captains had considerable influence, in Birat the local aristocrats invented a Senate that limited the power of the supreme ruler. With the Taleya, formally, the king himself decided whom to appoint as minister and what laws to pass.

Camrad_RIP 17.09.22 в 15:15

Upon close examination, it became clear that the system of checks and balances not only exists, but it also works, and it works effectively.

Camrad_RIP 17.09.22 в 15:16

The basis of the limitation of royal power was the provincial assemblies of the nobility. The country was divided into fiefdoms, which consisted of provinces, each province, in turn, included four or five counties. Thanks to the turbulent events of four centuries ago, and some decisions of later living sovereigns, the assemblies got a lot of rights that were in no hurry to give. Legally it was difficult to put pressure on them, and trying to act by force was dangerous, so gradually a peculiar practice of representation developed when the top of the provincial nobility sent their second or third sons to the capital, where they occupied the positions of officialdom. It was an evolutionary process, the result of which satisfied both sides. The central government was assured that the provincials would not "rebel" without a very good reason, the barons and earls, who ruled in assemblies, attached relatives in the capital, who secured their interests.

Camrad_RIP 18.09.22 в 15:07

By the time of these events, three of the four middle-ranking officials were firmly connected to non-capital groups. Nepotism? Absolutely. Everyone knew that the second deputy head of the Department of Transportation was a creature of the Counts of Cossa and that the head of the Department for the Welfare of the Poor was exclusively a descendant of the vast family of the Barons of Molinari. Exceptions were rare, though talented and unconnected loners made it to the level of department heads.

Camrad_RIP 18.09.22 в 15:08

Ministers were appointed from the heads of departments. The ministers, in turn, dutifully submitted a list of candidates, from which the Son of the Sea chose a chancellor to lead the entire government.

Camrad_RIP 18.09.22 в 15:08

Could the king appoint a person to the position of a chancellor who was not on the list? Easily. He is, by the letter of the law, an absolute monarch, the possessor of infinite power, given to Him by the gods. That's why he could make anyone his chancellor. However, the new head of the government soon discovered that although the orders given by him are executed with all diligence, for some reason there is no effect. For a while, the cart of government was still rolling by inertia, but slower and slower with each passing month.

Camrad_RIP 18.09.22 в 15:11

After a couple of governance crises that nearly turned into full-fledged civil wars, the kings preferred not to take any more risks. They acted cautiously, if necessary, first pushing people loyal to them personally into ministry, and then resigning the head of government. Thus, a new chancellor was appointed from among candidates suitable for the throne and in full accordance with tradition.

Camrad_RIP 18.09.22 в 15:12