The Void of Muirwood (Covenant of Muirwood Book 3)(31)
Maia felt herself trembling, but she nodded in agreement. The kishion needed to be found.
“What about Chancellor Crabwell’s death?” Maia asked. “Any news there?”
“Yes,” Richard replied thoughtfully. “Doctor Bend also examined his body. When they found it broken on the ground by a turret, it at first appeared he had killed himself. But the doctor found a knife wound in his back. It was a killing blow that punctured several major organs and severed part of his spine—crippling him. There is no way he could have climbed over the stone railing, my lady. He was helped off the wall. The wound was caused by the kishion’s preferred weapon—a sharp knife. Crabwell would have died from the stabbing in a day or two anyway. It was a mortal blow. The fall did not kill him initially, but he died shortly afterward from the tremendous shock to his body. It was a cruel death. The facts confirm what you said.”
Maia felt herself turn dizzy.
“I am sorry to trouble you with such a grisly report, but I thought it best to prepare you before the rest of the council hears it tomorrow.”
“Thank you,” Maia gasped, feeling her stomach wrenching. He had done this for her, to remove the power of those who would rather end her life than allow her to challenge them. The guilt of that was a heavy burden.
“Are you unwell?” he asked softly.
“A moment,” Maia said. She hated to see anyone suffer, no matter how they may have deserved it. She tried to steady herself, grateful to the Aldermaston for having delivered the shocking news to her now rather than in front of her Privy Council. Before them, she would look strong. “Thank you, Richard, for telling me. In spite of everything, I did not seek my father’s death.”
“I know,” he answered kindly.
She bit her lip. “I am sure the High Seer showed you my mother’s tome, so you know that she forgave my father.”
“She died in her sleep, and we found her with a peaceful look on her face. She did not suffer. I did read the last words in her tome,” he admitted. “I consider your mother a woman of true virtue. I knew her for many years, Maia. It was not easy for her to forgive your father, but you can rest assured in the knowledge that her feelings were sincere. There is magic in forgiveness.”
Maia swallowed. “I only wish my father knew it . . . before he died.”
Richard’s eyes were full of compassion, and he nodded.
“The kishion must be found,” Maia said with an ache in her heart. “I do not want it said that I resorted to murder to claim my father’s crown. Or condoned his murder by letting his killer serve me still. Where can he be hiding?”
Richard nodded at her. “It will not be easy to find him anywhere in the city, Maia. Even the palace has many hiding places. As he has shown, he is a man who knows how to live in the shadows. I have asked your grandmother to lend the support of several Evnissyen to help in the search.”
She smiled. “I saw Jon Tayt working with the Assinicans at Muirwood. Maybe he could be summoned to help? He knows the man we are seeking. His scars make him distinctive enough. Hopefully that was the worst part of your report,” she said with a weak laugh. “What else will you share with the Privy Council on the morrow?” She touched the soft fabric of the blanket next to her on the window seat.
He scratched the fleshy part of his throat and nodded. “Chancellor Crabwell kept meticulous records. He had underservants, mostly lawyers, who kept detailed records of the Crown’s expenditures and taxes. As you know, the treasury is not located in one place, but the men holding the keys have all been summoned, and I have met personally with several of them. Others have yet to arrive. From what I understand, Maia, you rule one of the wealthiest kingdoms. Comoros has not been involved in any wars for several years, and yet your father continued to raise taxes every year.” He turned and pulled out a wax tablet covered in markings. “The earliest estimates show you have in excess of five hundred thousand marks and that is conservative.”
“Oh dear,” Maia said, blinking quickly.
“It rivals the treasury of Hautland and Mon,” Richard continued.
“What about the money already seized from the abbeys?” Maia pressed.
He shook his head. “I did not include those treasures, Maia, as you instructed that they should be returned to the abbeys for reconstruction. If your father had claimed them all, it would have nearly doubled his holdings.”
Maia stood and began pacing, her mind afire with ideas. “Unbelievable,” she whispered.
“Your father was a shrewd man,” Richard said. “He was lavish with his spending, but very disciplined, and more apt to spend another man’s coin than his own. He also was wise in his trading agreements and sold more than what he bought. He has been positioning Comoros, you see, as a place where luxuries are valued.”
“Yes, I should say so,” Maia agreed, still pacing and struggling with her feelings. She turned to the Aldermaston eagerly. “Richard, all this wealth has been accumulated and increased but to what purpose? You have seen the throne room?”
“I have,” Richard replied, his look darkening. “There is hardly a suitable word to describe it.”
“Opulent,” Maia suggested. “The amount of gold decorations, the marble tile on the floor, the cushioned seats and benches. Every time I walk into it, I feel the Myriad Ones snuffling about like rats. I think my father had two lions chained as pets! It was all for show, all to flaunt his wealth and power in front of visitors.”