Cracks in the Spires

49: Trouble and travels

Negotiations were painfully slow but progress was being made. After two cycles one part of the picture had fallen into place. Barnier had been living in Denil because of the threat to his life from Foran. With Foran imprisoned for the foreseeable future in either Futura or Esperance he and Hemia could safely return to their large estates on the shores of the central lake in Greenland. They were, however, under house arrest in Denil and faced with the prospect of being stripped of their elite status if Asken testified he had acted on their instructions in clearing out the Spires and removing Foran. Hemia's flight from the Free Isles at the same time as Stravel launched his invasion didn't help their case despite their assertions it was coincidence. Given guarantees that they could keep all their Greenland properties and mining rights including the rare earth concessions the Riss's had capitulated and done a deal.Representatives from Denil came to Esperance and brought with them signed transfers. Per found himself the possessor of the Riss's estate in the Spires and a seat on the governing council as well as a twenty five percent share of the City. The arrival of representatives from Denil and their inspection of the footage and projectile weapons convinced Shami Mayoth the game was up and the pace of negotiations for prisoner exchange picked up. It had been agreed that the Denil flyboat would transfer captured troops, including all wounded to the Free Isles and that the exchange of principals would take place in Kvernstat. Now they were down to haggling details and Asken was relieved.

Ben and Per were not part of the negotiating team though Per had been stuck with being one of the Esperance delegates going to Kvernstat. When he'd protested Asken had pointed out that as the President's brother, a member of the Governing Council and the holder of twenty five percent of the City's shares he was going and that was that. Now he was gloomily contemplating the prospect while sharing a bath with Ben. The bathtub was not quite big enough to get comfortable but they hadn't had enough chilling together time lately and when Ben had suggested it he'd enthusiastically agreed. He shifted his position to ease the numbness in his left leg caused by Ben's weight and sighed

"This doesn't even come close to wallowing in the lagoon on a hot summer night with a beaker of Da's finest rotgut." He took a swig of the tube of Cheerio light and made a face "To think I actually liked this stuff once. Now it just tastes like some horrible chemical concoction."

Ben chuckled "That is because it is some horrible chemical concoction"He reached back, took the tube out of Per's hand and had a couple of mouthfuls. "Yup, horrible, alcohol laced, chemical concoction."

"I really don't want to go to Kvernstat. How did I end up being the President's brother, temporarily one of the richest people in Esperance and dragged into being some kind of diplomat so I have to be away for two cycles? On top of that there's all the stuff going on with the orphans. Reviving the ancient custom of adoption seemed like a good idea at the time but now I'm beginning to feel like some disreputable dealer hanging about in a dark alley going 'Hey want a nice baby? Special offer get one now while stocks last.'" He sighed deeply. "The whole thing is fucking depressing."

"Don't exaggerate. It's fifteen toddlers going to very nice people in the Warrens who can't have children of their own and who will give them loving homes."

"I suppose so. It still feels awful picking out which people get what baby and then there's the kids who don't get picked and get left in that dump."

Ben knelt up and twisted round to face Per, his eyes sparkling with suppressed laughter "What you need Mr Riss is a good banging. Cheer you up and take your mind off all the crap."

Per grinned "Are you offering?"

Ben winked "I might be."

"I love you. I wish you could come with me to Kvernstat but that's impossible; we can't both leave Mik again. I'm dreading telling him I'm going and if we both went he'd have another melt down."