In Which Ietrin Learns of an Investment

June 3, 1183

What a day.

Ietrin still wasn't sold on the idea of Raia as the university's chancellor, but the sponsors had made it perfectly clear that she and the university itself were a package deal, and the school would be enough of an asset to the kingdom that he'd--reluctantly--made his peace with it. His not being any more involved than he had to be made it easier to cope, but every once in a while, something required his seal of approval, and that did generally mean dealing with someone he preferred to avoid.

Today, for instance. He'd already approved the use of that part of the borderlands for the campus, but as the buildings would technically be public property, he had to approve their design, and who had Lord Severin put in charge of the architects? Lady Leonora. Good luck to any blue-blooded ruler forced to convene with some glorified sex servant over what ought to have been serious business without a cask of wine on hand.

And, as it figured--one glance toward his desk told him he wasn't done with low-born women in high places just yet. "Um... you're in my chair."

"A true king wouldn't need a throne to assert his authority."

She was probably right. That didn't make it any less his chair. "What are you doing here, Lady Elarys?"

"I had business in the area." She always had 'business'. Ietrin was probably better off not knowing what that business was. "I figured I'd stop in for a visit. Tell me, is your son well?"

"Holden? He's well." At least, someone would have told him otherwise, surely? He took a seat on the bench across from the desk; it wasn't the chair, but the distance and angle helped. "You're still upset about Kaldar."

"Oh, don't be absurd. If I want the throne for Kaldar, I shall have it." She looped a finger beneath the vertex of the compass on Ietrin's desk--a remnant of that Mistress Stephane, as he'd insisted she work under his steward's watchful eye--and lifted it, leaving it to stand freely. She drew back her hand and flicked it back down. "I thought I'd inquire about this university of yours; my Landus will be attending, after all. Tell me, where is the campus?"

"By the delta in the southeast."

"So you didn't disturb the forests."

"No." Though I'm not sure why you'd care.

"Good. I trust you'll inform me if you plan on making any changes there?" Something in the slant of her eyes made him nod, for all he couldn't guess at her reasoning. "In that case, you should know that I have many notable acquaintances, several of whom have sons and daughters of an age to enroll in your university. Tell the chancellor that I will be spreading the word."

"All right." Was this dependent on not disturbing the forests? So much for hoping he was finished with Lady Leonora. "Might I ask why you're so concerned with the state of our forests?"

"Mmm. Let's just say I have associates with significant investments." Investments? Did people invest in the forests? Lord Severin must have been pulling some scheme behind his back. Maybe it had begun behind his father's back, even. Bastard. "Now, be a dear and direct me to Sir Casimiro's castle? It's been far too long since I've seen my grandchildren."

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