It wasn’t exactly how he wanted things to go, but the idiot Larsen had proven to be dumber than even Orion’s low opinion. The good news was that everyone in Ness hated Larsen, so the investigation into his death would not go much further than Keres’ story: When confronted with the widespread discontent over his plan to relocate the Harvest Guild and his own guild mates’ unhappiness with it, Larsen hurled himself to his death.

The implication was that he committed suicide rather than face execution, which was the most plausible part of the entire story.

Orion wasn’t stupid; however, he knew that this didn’t really improve his position. Polo was still going to be a thorn in his side, and while the dumb oaf Saxe could be maneuvered into doing whatever Orion wanted, he was not to be trusted. Orion was just glad that Saxe’s deputy was the even dumber John.

So his nephew was now running the Merchant Guild. That was at least a significant benefit and calmed things down significantly, but it wasn’t a big gain. For that he needed to have Polo or Ralan dead or replaced.

Ralan. The Thieves. Orion was shocked to hear of the existence of a secret guild and army in the Wretched Quarter, but in hindsight it made sense. Orion had been fooled by old Pietro’s acting as much as anyone, but it was now clear: Pietro had used his force of personality to hide decades of development and building. The good news was that Pietro’s personal guild had started with him and it would end with Ralan.

Of that Orion was certain. With the appropriate pressure, he would easily squash the ill-prepared miscreant. Alard was a problem, but he was also an asset—as long as Alard was a Thief, Saxe would be in Orion’s pocket. So all Orion had to do was stabilize the mess that Larsen had created and then focus the attention of Ness on the evil Thieves—building their secret army in the Wretched Quarter. The populace would consider them even worse than the Outlanders.

Then, once Ralan was disposed of, the vote to consolidate the Harvest and Merchant Guilds would go on again, and this time there would be no Larsen disasters. Being the careful sort, Orion had a second plan, and to work toward both plans Orion had called his nephew to visit him at the Craft Tower. To the public it was a clear indication that Keres was the new rightful Guildmaster Merchant. To Orion, it was a first, small step to his being the ruler—no, the emperor—of Ness.

Being in a particularly good mood, Orion met Keres in his private quarters, which covered the entire top floor of his tower. In an intimate living room that contained a small fireplace and two wingback chairs, Keres sat with Orion, an open bottle of wine between them.

Keres had just described Larsen’s final moments, which Orion found enormously amusing. Orion shared Pattis’ death, and then added, “With Larsen’s Blade also gone, that only leaves Karch. It would be foolish to kill Karch, but you can certainly hide him in the dungeon and make some excuse that he is on a mission somewhere. We could then take care of him when you are more secure.”

“Um.” Keres hesitated, and Orion frowned.

“You haven’t given Karch an important responsibility, did you? I told you to wait on him, not do anything with him.”

“Well—”

“Spit it out, you idiot.”

“Karch is missing. He is not in the guild, and no one seems to know where he has gone. He met with Pattis and then secured a guild carriage to head to the Knight Tower. He was dropped off there, leaving his guild colors behind.”

“What is this? Why did no one tell me?” Orion tried to think what this could mean.

“We didn’t know until I went to look for him. There is one other thing.”

Orion was not in the mood for any more surprises, but prepared himself for the worst. “What is it?”

“He left his cloak behind. As I said, he exited the carriage with no guild colors.” Interesting, thought Orion.

“Is it possible he was dropped there, but left via the Great Gate?” Orion had an idea.

“It is possible. We are still investigating.”

“Find out for certain. If he went to Saxe, that could complicate things. But if he saw the writing on the wall and abandoned Larsen to flee the city, that would be a boon for us.” Orion nodded as he thought. “Yes. Karch is clever. He would know Larsen was building both of their gallows, and he would want out.” Looking at Keres, he continued, “Was Larsen alive when he left?”

“I believe so.”

“Then that is it. He knew he had no hope of living if he abandoned Larsen. Larsen would hunt him down and have him killed immediately, no matter where he went. So Karch did all he could do—he abandoned the city.” Waving a hand, he concluded, “Don’t bother asking Saxe. The imbecile will tell us if something so strange as Karch showing up on his doorstep happened, and I find it unlikely regardless. Karch has fled.” Orion lifted his cup. “This is wonderful news.”

“I will need a Deputy and a Blade, then.” Keres was respectful, and Orion appreciated that. Keres was a sinister little bastard, but he knew that his future was still in Orion’s hands. “Let me find a Deputy for you. I have some ideas but want to make sure they will work with what I have planned. Talk to Vesper about a new Blade. He will not guide you wrong.”

“Yes, Uncle.”

“Okay, you know your immediate goals, then?”

“To issue a statement that I will atone for Larsen’s sins by inviting back all the Harvest Guild members. I will not only guarantee their safety, but the Merchant Guild will rebuild all the burned down homes and businesses.”

“I have another idea,” Orion said, excitement sneaking into his voice. “You will furthermore give some of the Upper Triangle to the Harvest Guild as a gesture of reconciliation.” Orion paused, and then added, “The Miller family estate.”

Keres grinned. “So the ancestral home of the Guildmaster Thief and the disgraced and dead Guildmaster Merchant will be given to the Harvest Guild? I like that, but Ralan’s parents will not.”

“Larsen is dead, and Ralan’s parents disowned him a few years ago. You will do it.”

“Of course. Is there anything else I need to know?” Keres took a long drink of wine. He appeared relaxed, which made Orion feel good. He needed Keres to be confident and able to handle potentially complex plans while remaining calm.

Orion scratched his head and stretched his legs. “There are many complications. The Thieves are currently hosting the Harvest Guild from the Lower Quarter, and who knows what lies they may have shared with them. If the Thieves turn the Harvest Guild members against us, it will embolden Polo.”

“I have an idea,” Keres said. He looked nervous, and his words were spoken tentatively.

“Go on.”

“You travel to the Wretched Quarter to deliver the message.”

“Me? Have you lost your senses? We are at war with the Thieves and you would send me into their midst?” For the first time, Orion questioned his nephew’s wisdom. Did he not understand the danger?

“I apologize, Uncle. I was simply thinking that the most beloved and trusted man in Ness is you. We need the Harvest Guild members to trust those that kicked them out to welcome them back. They may not trust me. I’m too new. But they see you as harmless, perhaps even a pushover. Your appearance will make them understand that you are committing to them.”

Orion paused. He took a drink of wine to ponder Keres’ idea. It was a good plan, but the risk was too great. Vesper’s spying had paid huge dividends. “No.” Orion held up his free hand. “But it is a good idea. We need to send someone with a position of authority to the Wretched Quarter to meet with the Harvest Guild members and win them over. You are too new. Karch has abandoned his post. I’m too risky.” Orion smiled. “We should send Saxe!”

“Saxe?” Keres looked confused.

“Yes. He is a man of authority. He has the force to both intimidate and inspire. He loathes the Thieves as much as I do. He will see it as a challenge, and in his own stupid way, him sending the message will underscore its sincerity. Someone as transparently violent as Saxe wouldn’t bother with subterfuge.”

“Will he do it?”

“Leave that to me.” Orion looked at Keres glass, which was half empty and his own, which had a few drop left. Reaching over, he grabbed the bottle and topped off Keres and re-filled his own glass. “The replacement window in your office will be extraordinarily difficult to craft and complicated to install. It will be expensive.” Keres nodded, clearly not understanding Orion’s point, which was fine. The accounts would now swell in money owed to the Craft Guild. At some point, it wouldn’t matter what happened—Orion would own the Merchant Guild.