December 22, 1182
"All right, out with it." Today was the day of Raia's family's annual Christmas party, and she usually spent the entire day at the castle of the hosts--Lonriad and Asalaye this year--to help with the preparations. Needless to say, Ellona had not expected her to turn up at her own home a shire away. "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be at your brother's?""They can manage without me for a few hours. This will be a quick visit anyway." Then why hadn't she just waited for Ellona to arrive at the party? "I need to discuss something with you. I've already talked to my father and he's willing to provide the bulk of the funding--"
"The funding?"
"Yes, funding. And rather a lot of it, though of course he'll expect a fair share of the profits.""Profits?"
"Well, it's not as if we can do much without some profit margin, though I am hoping to aim for affordability."
Affordability, now? This was clearly a business venture, but beyond that, Ellona couldn't guess what her friend was talking about. "Raia, I think you're under the impression that we've discussed whatever you're talking about previously." Somehow.
"Ah, sorry--though technically, we did talk about this once." For sanity's sake, Ellona chose not to ask when. "But I'll back up. I chose to talk to you before the party because this is still just an idea and I don't want to risk anyone overhearing and thinking it's for sure. My father wants to see if we can get additional funding from the baron and Lorn, and of course we can't do much without Ietrin's approval."
Then why on earth was Raia talking to her of all people? "Ietrin's not going to like anything that involves me.""What Ietrin doesn't know won't hurt him." Raia winked. Keeping things from the crown did seem to be the Veldorashire style. "By the time he has to know about your involvement, it will be too late for him to shut us down."
"Shut what down?"
Her friend smiled--and thank God it wasn't her cryptic smile! It was about damn time this conversation started making sense. "Remember how you said you would have liked to attend university?"
About four kids too late for that. Never mind a lack of geographical convenience and, for any institution she was aware of, the wrong set of genitals. But Ellona supposed she could humor Raia. "Yes?"
"Well, how would you like to be Assistant Chancellor?"NEXT CHAPTER:
