Part 7 (1/2)
The new guard came slowly down the trail, formed at the foot of the steps, and marched to the tower portal. Their commander dressed their ranks, motioned to his clerk, and came forward, saluting as he approached Gerda.
”Anything unusual?”
”Nothing,” Gerda told him. ”Seven barges, this watch. Traders are gathering for the fair at Orieano.”
”I know,” the other agreed. ”We'll have rich collections for the rest of the summer, what with fairs all down the valley. You'll be going to the Orieano Fair?”
”Got my permission yesterday. I'm to ride with the Baron. Have to give the merchants back part of their money, you know.”
”Yes, I suppose so.” The other grinned, then sobered. ”I'll relieve you, sir.”
”Very good.” Gerda saluted, then turned.
”March off the old guard,” he ordered.
The men started up the steps. Gerda followed the serfs with the money chest, bringing up to the rear.
Slowly, they toiled their way up the trail, halting at the halfway point for a brief rest. At last, they were at the top of the cliff. Before them, the castle gate opened. Within the tunnellike pa.s.sage through the wall, two sentries grounded their pikes.
Gerda nodded to his clerk, accepted the account tablet, and followed his serfs, who still bore the money chest, into the castle.
Inside the main counting room, his bearers set the chest on a large table. The castle steward came toward them.
”And how were collections?”
”Reasonably good, sir. Seven barges came through during the night, with good cargoes.” Gerda held out the tablet.
The steward looked at it, checking off the entries. ”Meron, of Vandor--Yes, he would have about that. And Borowa? A thousand?” He nodded thoughtfully. ”That seems about right for him.” He tapped the tablet a few times, squinting at the last name on the list. ”But who is this Teron? I never heard of him. Must have had a rich cargo, too.”
Gerda laughed shortly. ”He's a new one to me. He tried to get away with a tenth, then protested the valuation. I fined him an extra five hundred.”
”Oho!” The steward smiled thinly. ”What then?”
Gerda shook his head. ”Oh, he was suddenly so anxious to pay the right amount, he gave me forty-eight teloa overweight. I'll know him next time I see him, I'm sure. I marked him well for receipt.”
He inspected his knuckles reflectively, then took the key from his belt and opened the chest.
”You'll want to verify my count, of course?”
”Oh, yes. Yes, to be sure. Have to be certain, you know. And there's your share of the fine and overpayment to be taken care of.” The steward reached into the chest, removing bags which clinked as they were dropped to the table. He stopped, to look into the chest with a puzzled expression on his face.
”And what are these?” He reached in, to withdraw three obviously empty bags. He looked curiously at the thongs which tied their mouths, then shook them and looked questioningly at Gerda.
”Why, I ... I don't know.” Gerda looked incredulously at the bags.
”Certainly, I had no extra money bags.”
”I should think not.” The steward frowned, then beckoned behind him. Two heavily armed guards approached.
”We'll have to examine into this.”