The Void of Muirwood (Covenant of Muirwood Book 3)(46)

He turned his gaze to the lord mayor of Comoros. “Justin . . . the streets of Comoros were exceedingly clean and passable this morning. Maia is pleased and commends you for your attention to detail. Do you have anything to report? Any difficulties faced?”

Justin shook his head. “It is interesting, Your Highness—I mean, Maia—what this change has already wrought in the city. There are some enterprising individuals who are looking to make a business of street sweeping. They are taking the coin paid to them and using it to pay the youth—younger men and girls—some small wages to help sweep and tidy the streets. They are making a profit while ensuring that the job is done and done well. If it works, I thought we might save money by hiring the children ourselves.”

Maia smiled and shook her head. “Do not rob these men of their initiative. If they earn a profit by influencing others to work for less, then we should not punish them for their enterprising spirit. Only intervene if they exploit the children. I will not have that.”

Justin bowed gracefully. “Very well.”

Maia continued to look at him. “Have rumors of the rebellion spread in the city?”

Justin shook his head. “Not yet, but there were many witnesses last night. Some of them were even sober,” he added with a self-deprecating chuckle. “We cannot contain the news for long, but we will try. The people are used to the threat of danger. They will not riot. They will stand behind you, my lady.”

Maia smiled and continued to pace. “What protections does the city have?”

“My lady, we have—”

“Do not let him fool you,” the Earl of Caspur interrupted. “Comoros cannot withstand an army of knights and mercenaries. Forshee has considerable power, and he will bring it to bear. The threat is very real.”

The anger in Justin’s eyes was unmistakable, and she could tell he was not just peeved at the rude interruption. There had been arguments about this very matter before she arrived. She clasped her hands behind her and glanced at Richard, saying nothing.

Richard spoke up. “Everyone will get a turn to speak. We are peers here in this council. I do not condone interrupting a person before he has finished making his points. Proceed, Justin. What defenses do we have?”

Justin smiled with satisfaction; Caspur glowered at the gentle rebuke. “I believe the city can withstand a sizable force.”

Richard frowned. “Before we seek your opinion, we need facts. What defenses does the city have? When were they last inspected?”

“I see what you mean,” Justin replied, nodding. “The city watch, first of all. I have nearly a thousand men, in watchman uniforms, who can help defend the city.” Caspur snorted, but then waved off the attention when he realized the others were staring at him. “There are twelve gates that can be barred and shut. We have access to the river as well. The Stews, as you know, is across the river. There are fewer defenses there, but the river becomes a natural barrier. There are four bridges that span the river and each has a gatehouse and guard.”

“How much food do we have stored?” Richard asked next.

“Enough to last a siege of six months, maybe more, but I will be cautious in my estimate. We have been expecting the armada to strike, remember, and—”

“King Brannon had abandoned Comoros to destruction,” Caspur interrupted again. “I served on the previous Privy Council, Maia—what he tells you is not fully true.”

Maia gave Caspur an even look. “I told all of you that I expect you to speak your minds,” she said, keeping her voice very low and controlled. “I appreciate that. But it seems to me that this is the type of debate my father permitted. Each man speaking over his neighbor. Arguing and wrestling. My lord, that will prevent the Medium from helping us. Each must be given a turn to speak. You will be given yours. Please . . . do not interrupt him again.”

“Thank you,” Justin said, squaring his shoulders. He gave Caspur a sharp look, but he continued with good humor. “As I was saying, we expected the armada to strike. We have chains in the river ready to hoist up and help bar the fleet from sailing into the city. Comoros was designed to withstand a sea attack. Pent Tower was specifically built to prevent the city from falling prey to such a tactic, and walls and barriers throughout the city provide rings of defense. It would take a sizable force, and by that I mean ten thousand men, to force entry. I do not believe Forshee has that many.”

Maia looked at him. “Justin, you forget that the Earl of Forshee is sitting here among us. Let us call the man by his true name. Kord Schuyler. He is no longer the Earl of Forshee. Indeed, he is in open rebellion against the Crown. Are there any other defenses to use for the city? How can we evacuate the townspeople?”

Justin wrinkled his brow. “Why would we do that?”

Maia glanced at Richard, and was relieved to see he understood.

“Because she is not only considering the threat of this rebel army,” the chancellor said. “The Naestors’ armada is on its way. She has seen the size of the fleet. They will have more than ten thousand soldiers. They may have ten times that amount.”

“A hundred thousand soldiers?” Justin asked, his mouth gaping open as he considered the number.

“Indeed,” Richard said. “What is the evacuation plan for the city?”

The mayor looked completely unprepared to answer. “I . . . I do not have . . . well . . . what we could do . . .”