DecumaAndGiulianGettingReacquainted"Thank you." Giulian Anderon looked up briefly and smiled at the library attendant bringing another stack of big leather-bound folios. "Just put them there next to the others ... oh, and I'm finished with these three." He gestured toward a shorter stack on the other side. As the attendant exchanged the volumes and walked out the door, Giulian flipped open the file he'd automatically closed at her entrance, and started to make further notations on the top sheet of paper therein. He was working on the written report Delan had asked for, drawing together all the threads of his research on Lord Whiteblood, and even the references he was checking in the volumes of newspaper clippings weren't something he wanted anyone reading over his shoulder. He glanced toward the door, which the attendant had left open, and wondered fleetingly whether it would be worth the bother of getting up to close it. The door, however, was pushed open and a familiar face peered into the room. "Thought that was you," Decuma stated, though he obviously had known before he entered just who was in the room. He had seen Giulian through the glass as he had walked past and had waited for the library attendant to leave before coming in to greet his cousin. "Busy?" he asked, but didn't wait for a reply. He entered, shutting the door tightly behind him. "Always, it seems, these days," Giulian answered with a rueful smile as he flipped the file closed again. "But not too busy for you. We've had, what, one good visit since you came back?" Decuma put down the volumes he was carrying, and leaned his back against the window in what anyone would take for a casual stance, but in a calculated move kept his face from the viewing of anyone in the main library. "Yes, it's only been one 'good' visit." The slight twitch of a smile and his slight emphasis on 'good' was not lost on Giulian. Their visits before he'd gone off world certainly wouldn't have fallen under the definition of 'good' that the priests used, but they had been quite enjoyable for both of them. "Sorry I've been so busy. I have thought about coming by... oh, I heard you have a girlfriend?" "Elissa Chatham. Yes. We haven't exactly been keeping it a secret," Giulian admitted. His tone was light, still a bit rueful, but there was a detectable softening in his eyes. "Ah, well, I haven't exactly been privy to the gossip mongers and rumor mills. But, I'm happy for you Jules, really." His smile was sincere. "So how did you and Miss Chatham become acquainted?" Giulian grinned mischievously. "It was in a dark alley..." "Really." Decuma raised an eyebrow. "This sounds like a tale to be told over some wine." He nodded toward the books, "I've a bit of work to do here, but perhaps we can meet up afterwards?" "I'd like that," said Giulian at once. "Where do you want to meet?" "You know this area better than I." Decuma shrugged and deferred to his cousin. "A gentlemen's club, perhaps?" "The University Club is closest," Giulian suggested. "Have you kept up your membership there?" Decuma nodded, and he flashed a smile, "Yes, it's one of the best places to take a professor for a drink. Sounds good." He gathered up the books he had dropped on the table, taking a surreptitious look at the titles of the folios that Giulian had requested. "Meet you there in say... an hour?" Giulian made a face. "Better make it two. I have another dozen of these to go through." He motioned toward the stacks of folios. The titles were relatively uninformative; what Giulian was apparently studying were bound volumes of twenty-five-year-old newspaper clippings. "Two it is, then." Decuma left, but a lingering scent of his cologne remained behind. Giulian returned to his work, but for the next two hours, fleeting memories of long-ago summer days and winter nights intermittently wafted through his consciousness like stray, scented breezes riffling a page.
Two hours later, once again discouraged from the lack of materials at the University Library, Decuma made his way to the University Club to meet up with Giulian. It had been a while since they'd talked and Giulian had proudly shown him his studio and etchings. He really should have asked him for that one of Renata. A deferential waiter readily found for him a secluded corner in one of the Club's lounges, and only a few minutes later Giulian arrived. Greeting his cousin warmly, he propped his crutches against the wall within easy reach, and swung his leather satchel from his shoulder before settling into an armchair across from Decuma. When the waiter arrived, he asked for a glass of white wine. Decuma nodded at the unasked question. "Same for me." He waited an interval to make sure the waiter was out of earshot before he rejoined the conversation, "So... a dark alley?" Giulian took up the tale. "And what was I doing in a dark alley, you might ask? Well, this was on the first night of the Experiment. You remember about that, I'm sure, even though you declined to participate." "Miss Starr's challenge." Decuma nodded noncommittally, yet his eyes encouraged Giulian to continue. "That's right. We all met in a tavern in the lower city to get our assignments and find out where we'd be staying. Harry and I turned out to have rooms near each other, so we set off together. The alley looked like a convenient short cut." Giulian made a face. "I should have had more sense, but I'd been studying maps of the lower city and couldn't resist showing off." "I would have expected more from you, Jules," Decuma said softly. "That isn't a part of the city to act foolishly." "So we discovered," said Giulian, "when what looked like a couple of beggars pulled knives on us. I fetched one of them a pretty good crack in the knee -- I have Dev Byeroth to thank for that, I've been training with him -- and I think Harry bloodied his nose for him, too, but we still would have been in a bad way if the cavalry hadn't shown up just then. Said cavalry consisting of Miss Jovanna Starr and Miss Elissa Chatham." Decuma quirked a smile. "Your... uh... knight in shining armor?" Decuma found the tale rather intriguing and, he mused, this Elissa Chatham could take care of herself. That certainly wasn't the type he'd have expected to go for his cousin. He'd expected some simpering, soft-hearted girl. But he didn't let any of those thoughts show on his face. Giulian chuckled. "You might say that." His expression and tone grew more serious. "And that wasn't the only time Elissa went out of her way to keep us from harm. After Jo disappeared, the same night Sasha brought us that news, Elissa came to warn us that ... the lower city wasn't safe for us anymore. Then afterwards, she helped us try to find out what had happened to Jo. So when she came and enrolled at the Uni, trying to make a new start, well..." He turned a hand palm up. "So... of course you decided to help her turn over a new leaf," Decuma stated dryly, yet his eyes held an amused sparkle. "Well, yes ... especially after she offered to help me with my research." Decuma was curious but he hardly batted an eye as he asked, "She enjoys reading old newspaper articles?" He wasn't really trying to trap Giulian into telling him what it was he had been researching, though he had a slight idea that it wasn't for his thesis. "Not exactly enjoys," Giulian demurred. "Was willing to share the slog, more like. So after a whole afternoon of this, I thought it was only fair to stand her dinner..." "Very generous of you," Decuma chuckled. "I can safely assume she accepted... and the rest is history?" His eyes narrowed, "But there is more, isn't there? What is it, Jules? Has something happened?" Giulian bit his lip, his eyes lowering. With an attempt at lightness he said, "Well, you know ... 'The course of true love never did run smooth,' and all that. The Powers that Be don't approve." Decuma inhaled, and released with a soft, "Ah..." He didn't like to see Giulian hurting. "Anything I can do?" Giulian looked up quickly. His eyes, meeting Decuma's wonderingly, asked the question his lips would not frame: You don't mind? Aloud he said, "I ... I don't know. So much depends on circumstances beyond our control." Whiteblood. The succession. That file... Decuma's answer was also nonverbal. No, I don't mind. He smiled, a real smile. "You know I'm here for you if you need me." As is my sword-arm, if it comes to it. Giulian's smile answered his. "Just knowing you're in our corner helps a lot," he said sincerely. "I'll introduce you the next time we get a chance." He cocked his head at Decuma. "What about yourself, Cousin? Any prospects?" A memory of a woman on a swing in a black dress flashed unbidden in Decuma's mind, but was quickly dismissed. He gave a half shrug. "There hasn't been much time for a relationship." "I'll wager you've had as much time as I have, since you came back," Giulian pointed out. "We've neither of us been exactly idle, have we?" Decuma nodded, but didn't reply at first, as the waiter brought them the wine. He let Giulian do the honors, and was pleased with the first sip of his own glass. He let the warmth of it settle for a moment. When they were alone again he looked up at Giulian, his dark eyes serious. "I'm losing, Jules. I know... you and Harry are friends, and I can't really ask you to take sides, but I don't know what to do." "Does it matter to you, Decuma?" Giulian asked him with equal seriousness. "To you ... not your parents or any of your other supporters? Or maybe I should ask, What does it mean to you?" Decuma's face darkened a moment. "You think I'm not running a good race because I don't care?" Then he straightened. "But this isn't really about me, you know. It is about what is best for Aquila. If we are truly to move from our low-tech level to a technologically equal member-world in the Empire, without becoming completely bankrupt or... worse... then they'll need my expertise." Giulian nodded, but pointed out, "You could offer that without being Duke. I've been working on something in that line myself." Decuma laughed, but there was no humor in it. "Do you think anyone would welcome me?" He shook his head. "No, if I do not succeed, I do not see my being able to remain here on Aquila. Don't forget, Lagoran married my mother in the belief that one day I would be Duke...." "Why do you think she married him?" Giulian said, fiddling with his wineglass. "Have you ever thought about it?" He remembered his own conversation with Delan some months ago, on that same subject. Lagoran has no line... Decuma took a long sip of his wine, letting the flavor mellow before swallowing. His eyes held a distant, speculative look. "The real reason, or the reason she tells everyone?" "The real reason. As far as you can discern it, anyway." Decuma's expression changed slightly, and one might see a tinge of sadness, as he answered, "As far as I can tell... she married him for protection, not necessarily for herself, but for me." Giulian looked grave also. "And you think that protection would ... lapse, if you didn't become Duke?" "You know my step-father." Decuma smiled grimly, did he need to say more? He took another sip of wine. "Not as well as you do, though perhaps better than the ordinary citizen," Giulian conceded, then went on a little hesitantly. "At the same time ... but you've probably considered this yourself ... while he's a strong supporter and protector, I'd almost have to say he's one of your greatest liabilities. Even those nobles who agree with him politically don't trust him. They wonder how much influence he's had on you." "Yes, I know," Decuma said softly. "But I am not my step-father's son, am I?" His step-father was ruthless and cunning. He had a reputation that he would do whatever it took to gain what he wanted, whether through legitimate or illegitimate means. Decuma had learned a great deal from watching his maneuverings. Decuma's own acute sense of economics and politics could, one might say, be attributed to his association with Lord Farquar. From him he had also learned to enjoy the game. Then he asked quite unexpectedly, "Do you trust me, Jules?" "Body and soul," Giulian answered at once, looking him in the eye. "You know that. Politically? I can't tell yet. You've been away for five years. I don't know what that's done to you, what you've learned." His mouth quirked into a half-smile. "You're as close and canny as you ever were, of that I'm sure." Decuma seemed to relax, as if a pressure had been released by Giulian's answer. His response was more relaxed as well. "Away from here," and those influences you mentioned "yes, but Aquila has always been on my mind. I've spent my time at the University researching all the planets which have jumped in tech levels. It was surprising the variety of results, and I probably don't have to tell you that in the majority, the forecast was not pretty." Giulian nodded. "It's just that I've been afraid of, what I kept trying to get Jo to think about... well, that's past praying for now. But what I've been working on is a prospectus for an advisory council on technology. As you know, under the current agreement we have another thirty years before the Edicts of Donatas come up for renegotiation -- which seems like a long time, I realize, but if we can make a virtue of necessity and have a workable plan hammered out by then ... who knows? Maybe we can have an 'industrial evolution' rather than 'revolution'." "Exactly!" Decuma became more animated as they began to discuss economics. He quickly outlined some of the ideas he'd compiled during his research. "I still have a number of scenarios to work through. I had all that I had found before returning to Aquila transcribed onto paper so I could bring them with me... but it is taking so long to go through it that way, even with a research assistant to help." "That's just it. If we had, say, half a dozen people working on it rather than just two or three ... more than that, really, because the council members would be just the most visible part of the operation. They'd all have assistants and secretaries and the like. But look here, have you talked to anyone? I know I'd want to tap Talaren Bahlmis, for one thing. I'm sure you're familiar with his work on the DNH Charter..." Decuma looked a bit apprehensive, "No, I can't say that I have talked to anyone. Not yet. It isn't nearly ready to present." "No, of course not. But he could probably point you to better sources than the Uni library." "Ah, yes." Decuma looked thoughtful. "I was looking through the Aquilan public financial records, just double checking some of the numbers. You know, there are some interesting gaps that if you hadn't been following a certain line, you might not notice." He looked at Giulian casually, "Some from around twenty-five years ago, or so." He could see the flash of interest in Giulian's eyes, then just as clearly saw it tamped down. "There was a lot going on around that time," Giulian said. "Hmm... yes, there was." Decuma nodded in agreement. "You know, you could be right about collaboration. If there was anyone I'd trust to discuss my research with in details, it would be you." "About the introduction of technology? If it comes to that, I'd be happy to show you the notes I've made for the advisory council," said Giulian, and made a dive for his satchel. After a bit of rummaging he drew out a notebook and began to page through it. Decuma could tell it was not the same notebook he'd been working with at the library. "In addition to Talaren, who else would you want to be on this council? Certainly you must have thought of persons you'd want to have serve?" Decuma prodded, as he leaned in to take a look at the notebook. Unable to see clearly, he drew his chair close to Giulian's, their thighs brushing as he leaned closer. "As a matter of fact, I was hoping to have Jo," said Giulian. "Now that she's gone, I'm not sure who could fill her place. Apart from that, I thought of asking Lord Creoni, or a representative of his -- they have a lot of offworld contacts. Before this breakup of House Acciaio, Father suggested that Lord Rugero might be a good choice to chair it, but now..." Decuma nodded, his own mind filtering through the possible choices, sifting and eliminating until he came up with a few of his own. "You should also have someone from the medical community. Perhaps Dr. Greywood? I would also recommend my tutor, John Hoberty." He held up his hand to delay an objection, "He really is a brilliant man and would be an invaluable asset to such a committee." "No, you're right, I know Lady Bahlmis thinks highly of his scholarship," said Giulian. "Doctor Greywood? I agree we should have someone from that field, but I hardly like to take her away from--" His face lit with inspiration. "No, I know -- Isabel! Doctor Gallfrey, I mean." He grinned, evilly. "She'd be brilliant. She'll kill me. I love it." Decuma chuckled, "Yes, you're so right. She'd be perfect," he nudged Giulian, "and she'll kill you for suggesting it." "And she's a citizen, not a noble, which was part of the reason I wanted Jo there," added Giulian. "I wish I knew more cits who I thought would be qualified." After reviewing Giulian's notes Decuma sat back in his chair. "You know, this really is a great outline. You've covered just about all the bases here. However..." He flipped back a few pages, "your assumptions on the agricultural industry may not be realistic. Though the labor-intensive harvesting practices will indeed be decreased, I do not believe that the number of overall employees will be affected, just shifted and retrained...." Decuma's eyes came alive as he talked about some of the other planets which he had studied. Giulian listened with attention. After a moment he dug out a pencil and started making notes. Decuma found the exchange stimulating. He had been only obliquely referring to his research in his conversations with Delan or Farquar, and he didn't discuss the findings or conclusions with Sasha, only incorporating her data into his own. He hadn't had a chance to sit down with his old tutor, though he had been tempted to seek him out; he just hadn't been sure that he wouldn't divulge their discussions to anyone. He had always felt that John Hoberty had been watching him and reporting to... someone. Perhaps it was the wine, but Decuma found talking with Giulian was a relief. On Giulian's part, it was the first chance he'd had to talk over his ideas with someone who had the background to give constructive criticism. His own wineglass stood virtually untouched; the exchange of ideas was heady enough. "We ought to consider the military angle, too," he said. "The Carlysles serve off-planet as a matter of course, but..." Decuma nodded. "We're going to need a strong military presence when we make the move. But that also will have to be closely controlled and monitored. Imagine those brigands you met in the dark alley with laser-rifles instead of knives... up against a military trained in swords. It's frightening. We'll need to bring in military trained off-world with modern weapons. And of course the Carlysles are just the men to do it. But who will they be loyal to, Jules? Or will they try to take power for themselves and reestablish their family?" Decuma mused. "I don't suppose we can leave that particular genie sealed in its bottle?" Giulian said a little wistfully. "Of all the uses of technology, the devices for killing large numbers of people at once are the ones I'd least like to see here. But I suppose that isn't possible. "As for the Carlysles ... they have a new Head of House, you know, a grandson of old Lord Carlysle's whom nobody but the Haldane seems to have known about. There's a dark horse, if you like." "A dark horse. A Carlysle without an affiliation, in charge of all their military might... just what we need," Decuma said dryly. "But you don't think that the underworld element of Aquila haven't already thought about all of this. I'm sure they have already planned on contacting Carlysle, if they haven't already." Decuma's dark eyes looked dangerous. "As I'm also sure that they have their sources off world who are just waiting for the word to start sending in the weapons." Giulian shuddered briefly at the image of Lord Whiteblood with advanced technology, but said, "If nothing else, that's one advantage of having the Lasses policing the planet's imports. If anyone knows what to look for in the way of smuggling and black markets, it's them. "But you're right. By the time we're ready to renegotiate the Edicts and start introducing technology, the Houses have to be pulling together. Otherwise it's going to be chaos." Decuma nodded. "And Aquila will need a strong man at the helm to keep them all together, a man who has already contemplated the possibilities." "That's one of the things the council is for," Giulian pointed out, "to lay out all the possibilities for contemplation." Decuma nodded. "Of course, but you must admit that the notable individuals that you've named might not be able to imagine all of the possibilities. Perhaps that is one edge that having Lagoran as my step-father has given me." "What, always being able to imagine the worst possible thing?" Giulian quipped, before he could stop himself. Then again, he'd never really had to curb his tongue with Decuma. Decuma laughed, but his laugh sounded forced, and there was a flash of something dark behind his eyes, a shadow of memory. It quickly was hidden behind his charming smile, "Perhaps, though I mean I may be able to see the complexities of each situation. Life isn't black or white, Jules, and there are just as many possibilities as there are choices. For one, though I don't see the Edicts being renewed, as I'm sure you've realized, we do not have to accept the influx of all technologies at the same rate. I'm sure the Lasses would be more than happy to comply with that, especially if there is some financial compensation for their continued participation in monitoring imports." "Yes, exactly," said Giulian. "I don't see any reason why we can't be selective in what we adopt. It works in other places, doesn't it? I seem to remember reading that Cottman IV has almost the same restrictions on weapons that we do." Nevertheless he'd caught the shadow passing through his cousin's eyes, and that in turn caused buried memories to surface, bittersweet. It doesn't have to have to hurt let me show let me let me in Decuma avoided Giulian's eyes as he continued the conversation, "Cottman IV restricted the legitimate import and use of laser and high-power projectiles," he poured out another glass of wine and glanced at Giulian's untouched glass. "Unfortunately, they were not able to control the illegitimate import." "No, but at least they had the planetary government and tradition on their side," said Giulian. "Tradition? You mean the Compact?" Decuma gave a wry look. "Perhaps. But Cottman IV has its own unique problems, which thankfully, we do not share. And we have no Compact against projectile or long-range weapons." He shook his head. "I foresee a strong government being our only hope in surviving, but I do not wish to see a militarized one." He looked up and met Giulian's gaze. "I don't want to see Aquila overrun with soldiers on every corner, curfews and passports for every citizen. When I was off-world I saw..." He remembered the utopia of the Jesuit University, a peaceful egalitarian community devoted to intellectual pursuits. "...the wonders of a technological society that was peaceful and economically... well managed. This is what I want for the future of Aquila." "How did they achieve it?" Giulian wanted to know. "Education." Decuma shook his head. "Our education system is woefully inadequate to prepare our population for the upcoming changes. We need to be educating the students of today, so that they will be able to handle the transition when they are the adults of tomorrow." Giulian let out a long breath. "Students... and what proportion of our population are they, even? How many Aquilans are educated beyond being able to read, write, and cipher?" "That is exactly my point. How many average cits would be knowledgeable enough to operate even the simplest high-tech device? Say, a street sweeper is suddenly put at the controls of a sweeper-machine? Would he know how to read the dials, even the fuel levels, much less drive it? And if it were to break down, who would be able to repair it? A blacksmith? A farrier? Could they even decipher the repair manual?" "I'm not sure I could do that -- and I pass for an educated man," Giulian said with a wan smile. "It's useless to say engineering isn't my field..." "Nor, probably could I," Decuma admitted. "Yet, in thirty to thirty-five years, the population of this world will be inundated with technological wonders, which to many of them, will seem to work as if by magic. I know, even though I had read about such things, the first time I saw a holo-vid... or put my hands to a computer keyboard... it was... amazing! You wouldn't believe how quickly you can find anything by simply typing out the request, and literally seconds later right on the page before you, appears the answer to the very question you were asking." He sat back, with an almost dreamy smile. "It is no wonder that those who have even gotten a glimpse of that world want it here for their own." Giulian looked wistful too, for a moment. Then his expression darkened indefinably as in place of the image Decuma had called up, his mind's eye showed him shelves and shelves of files in a windowless room. "Anything? What about secrets, Decuma?" he asked softly. "If you have the right access codes... anything," Decuma answered, searching Giulian's face as he did so. He had noted the change that came over his cousin, and wondered at it. But if Giulian wanted to share any secrets with him, he should know that they would not travel any further than between the two of them. "Access," Giulian said contemplatively. "That's the real trick, isn't it? Who decides who gets access to what information?" "Ah... yes, that is the rub. But it doesn't change regardless of whether that information is in a computer file... or another type of file. There are always those who hold the keys." "Yes." Giulian was thinking of his conversation with Delan. In a few weeks' time, Jules, it could be Harry and Lord Tremontaine sitting here, turning over these files. It could be Decuma and Lagoran. "If you held the keys, Decuma," he asked abruptly, "who would you share them with?" "Good question, Jules." Decuma nodded, as if he were expecting the question. "Those who need to know... and those whom I trust." His eyes softened as their eyes met. The look in Giulian's eyes mirrored Decuma's, but his expression remained somber. "Tricky criteria to sort out, both of them," he commented. "I know, though I'm sure I'll have lots of people offering to help me sort it out. You are one of the few people I'd trust to give me an honest evaluation," Decuma admitted. "Honest, maybe," Giulian said ruefully. "Informed? That's harder." "If I've learned anything, I've learned from studying history, a leader is only as good as the men around him. I want the best. So, whom do you suggest?" Giulian looked him in the eye. "What about your brother?" Decuma looked surprised. "My...?" He still wasn't used to thinking about Harry as such. He was 'Harry' or 'The Other Candidate' or 'His Rival' but the way Giulian said 'brother' one could almost feel warmth in the word. But then Giulian had Jack. "Brother." When Decuma tried the word, it sounded cold and alien. "I don't know Harry, Jules." And how could I ever trust him? "Is it too late to start?" Giulian asked somberly. "He's a good man." "Good?" Decuma's eyes shadowed, "Yes, and popular, especially with the ladies, I've heard. Sasha never says it, but I know every time she is working with me, she must be comparing the two of us. I wonder how I measure up?" Decuma mused. "You might just as well ask how either of you measures up to your late father, in that area," Giulian commented dryly. "But I don't think--" He bit his lip, then with a wry half-smile went on, "...let's just say I don't think it's all that relevant to the succession." "I have no idea how to even begin to get to know him, Jules. And how could he ever trust me, given what everyone says about my step-father's influence in my life? You're the closest thing I have for a brother..." "And in some ways Harry's almost like another brother to me," Giulian pointed out. "At least, I've known him and the other Tremontaines since I was little. "Come to dinner one night," he went on to urge Decuma. "I'll invite Harry at the same time and we can talk, just the three of us. It's the least I can do." "I don't know, Jules..." It was an odd feeling, was he actually afraid? What if he and Harry found out that they actually liked each other? How could he then press the succession as it might need to be pursued? Giulian's eyes met his, subtly pleading. "Do it for me, Lupo," he said in a low voice, using the private nickname that only he and Decuma knew. "It's a crime that the two of you have been kept apart for so long, and I don't think I could live with myself if I didn't try to change that ... now that I can." The use of his pet name worked, and Decuma softened. "For you, Jules, I'll come to dinner. But I won't make any promises beyond that." |
