After the capture of Lia Du Passa and her return to Tihab, life at the palace returned to normal. Or rather, as near normal as it could now get.

It was now the Eighteenth Wassas, one week since the return of the Dark Lord and Head Steward Grada Karkart was proud of the way palace staff had accustomed themselves to their new duties and responsibilities. He had established a new routine, a morning conference between his principal staff members and the senior member of the guard. “Well good morning everyone, let’s go around the table. Who do we have visiting today? Madla?”

“At this time, just the two Councillors from the Fourth Cluster. That is, Tylia Denpra and Lika Dupra. Nothing from the First Councillors office or the Marshalls office.” Madla consulted her comm. “The first of the Councillors is at the eleventh period and the second at fourteen point five.” She put her comm down.

“Nothing from the Security Police?” Ferni asked.

“Nothing.”

“I don’t think the security police should be calling direct, unless for a very good reason.” Grada believed strongly that access to the Dark Lord needed to be limited to only those who were entitled to access. “They should pass any information that is routine through the First Councillors office or the Marshals office.”

“I would agree, Steward, but I still need to keep in touch with the city police, legion and security police. It’s important that we stay in contact.” Ferni was adamant.

“Yes, I see that. But they can’t use that as an excuse for trying to get around protocols. If we allow that, we will get swamped with every excuse for a reason to see our Master. I don’t want to have to deal with that.”

“You won’t.” Ferni reassured Grada.

“And it’s important that I stay in touch with both the military and my contacts in the business world. I need to talk more about that.” Rita gave the Steward a look.

Several heads came up at that. After a pause, Grada nodded. “We’ll talk after.” He turned to Ferni Massett. “Anything in the world of security we need to know about?”

“Interview with Quill mam Ugikl is ongoing. I am staying in contact and getting daily updates on that. The police and Legion agree that they have an avenue to explore on where Slav di Naska may be hiding, they will take some time to check it out though.”

“Good. That is something we need to know about. We will only talk to our master when we get definite information.” Grada looked at the silent member of the Imperial Guard, sometimes called informally, The Black Guard. “Is there anything from the guard?”

There was a shaking of the head.

“The arrangements are working?”

There was a nod.

“If there is any problem, bring it to me.”

A smile accompanied the nod.

Holding a burst of irritation inside, Grada turned to his assistant.

“Lea, do you have anything?”

“My desk is crowded but fine. I do have a note on my comm that the Head Carpenter and Painter want to see you.”

Grada perked up. “They do, great, is it the schedule?”

“It is.” Lea smiled. “They have an agreed timeline. However it is subject to unexpected occurrences or events.”

“Never mind, we have something to take to Him.” Garda was relieved to have the timetable at last.

As Lea sat back, Grada turned to the newest member of the senior staff, Lieutenant Commander Rita Caenett.

“Are we ready to interview this Mr. Tobis Nenna?” Garda asked.

“I think that we are as ready as we will ever be. I think that the first meeting should be off the palace grounds.” Rita replied.

“We can put that to our Master today.” Grada decided. “If he’s not the one, we need to move on.”

“I agree, I want to see him for myself.” Rita was desirous to meet this person in whom they had invested so much time.

“Anything else?” Garda looked around his office. Heads shook. “Ok, let’s seize the day.” No one knew where the phrase came from, but people still used it.

People all got up to move out of the office. Grada caught Rita’s eye and nodded back to her chair. After waiting for a fraction, and with the others gone Grada regarded the newest member of the palace. “Ok, what are you hearing?”

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“There is a storm building in the business community. The meeting on the seventeenth helped, but many are afraid. They all have had dealings or are in the process of completing deals with Star Builders. They don’t know what to do.” She paused. “I think that they are waiting to see what we, the palace that is, are going to do next.”

“I see.” Grada paused in thought. “And Star Builders is in a state of turmoil.”

“Yes, there is no strong man there. Or perhaps, no one dares to step up for fear of repercussions.” Rita’s face wore a worried look.

“We need a plan to take to our Master. Do you have a suggestion?”

“He could appoint someone to take over on a temporary basis, say six-seven months or a year, but I have no suggestion who.” Rita leant back. “None of the people I spoke to had any suggestion beyond, The palace has to do something, show leadership.”

Sitting back in his chair, Grada considered the problem. He sighed. “I see no way around it. I will go to our Master and suggest a conference with the First Councillor and the Minister of Justice and The Minister of Industry. They may have some ideas.”

“Do you want me there?” Rita asked.

“No, I have it.”

“When are you going to see Him?”

“Bad news won’t keep. I will go now.”

They both stood.

“Let me know,” Rita said, “what our Master needs, if anything.” She stopped, turned around. “I’m sorry, I feel responsible.”

Grada stared. “Why?” Came out without thinking.

“I couldn’t come up with a solution.”

Grada didn’t smile. This officer was coming along.

“Don’t be sorry.” Grada soothed the officer. “We can’t always be perfect in what we do or say. For our Master, we just have to be truthful.”

Rita left, she didn’t look convinced.

*********

Grada found the Dark Lord in the study with his usual companion along with some of the Ladies.

“Ah good Steward, you have a worry I see. Come in and unburden yourself.” The Ladies smiled but looked interested.

“Sire, there is a problem mounting in the business community.” Grada began.

“Yes, we met them yesterday afternoon. They seemed satisfied, or indicated so.” The Dark Lord reminded the Head Steward.

“Yes sire, but underneath they are very afraid, most have dealings or work with Star Builders or had projects that depend on Star Builders projects or Star Builders completing projects that they are working on.” He paused. “Sire they are very afraid and are looking to you for leadership.”

“I see.” The Dark Lord had listened quietly. His eyes flicked to Lady Andrea who smiled. Leaning back in the chair the Dark Lord ruminated.

“I see.” He repeated. “Andrea, have we heard back from the guard about Ganner Re Dapplell yet?”

“No, not yet.” Lady Andrea smiled “But it will be soon.”

Grada perked up at that name. He had heard of the financier and broker but knew little more than that about him.

“Good.” The Dark Lord turned to the Steward. “Steward, have the First Councillor attend on us today, the sixteenth period should be good. He could bring his Chief of Staff with him, she may be needed. I will arrange for the previously mentioned Ganner Re Dapplell to be here at the same time.”

“Yes, sire.” The Dark Lord noted the pause.

“There is something else?”

“The newsman, Tobis Nenna, sire. We recommend that we interview him.” Garda replied.

“I see, all the reports and interviews have been satisfactory?”

“Yes sire.” The Steward noticed that there were now more Ladies in the room and they looked interested. This had him worried. Anything to do with the Ladies getting interested had him worried.

“I think that we will have Mr. Nenna here tomorrow, say the tenth period.” There was a smile. “Would you like me to arrange for him to be here?” Some of the Ladies laughed, others just smiled.

Grada smiled back. “If you wish sire, I can arrange the full palace treatment.” As this included the Imperial Guard picking up whoever was commanded to be there, it was quite the spectacle.

The Dark Lord laughed. The Ladies all smiled and some laughed as well.

“You are revenged, good Steward, make sure that he is on time!”

“Thank you my lord.” Grada left, feeling quite relieved that he had got away with the comment. His next thought was I am never trying that again!

*********

Back in his office, Grada called in Ferni, Madla, Rita and Lea and gave them all the decisions that the Dark Lord had made.

Ferni frowned. “I can ask the senior of the Imperial Guard to give us the report.”

“Don’t even bother.” Grada replied. “If Lady Andrea asked for it directly, then she will get it, not us.” He shrugged. “Besides, it doesn’t matter, it’s up to our Master to accept him for whatever reason he wants him there.”

He turned to Lea. “Call this Tobis Nenna, arrange to have him here tomorrow. The tenth period is when our Master wants him, we will use the small room.”

“Got it.”

“Madla, contact the First Councillors office and advise them of our masters request. The fourteenth period.” Garda gave her all the details.

“Will do,” Madla replied.

“Ferni, Councillor Denpra will be arriving soon. I will be with the Head Carpenter and the Head Painter, so if you could escort the Councillor, please.”

“Will do, Steward.” Ferni left, making a mental note for the eleventh period.