by Mary Sutton / @mary_sutton73
Enjoy this second sneak peek at Snake in the Grass, the fourth volume in the Hero’s Sword series, scheduled for release March of 2015.
*****
The rest of Mallory might have been sweltering in the late summer heat, but the interior of the manor was refreshing. I skipped a full bath, but did take the opportunity to wash my hands and face. The walk from the clearing hadn’t taken hours, but I still felt sticky and gross.
We found Starla in her favorite place, her private sitting room. It was less formal–and more inviting–than the audience hall. “She’s here, my lady,” Roger said, giving a small bow.
I followed him and tried to kiss Starla’s hand, but she waved it off and hugged me. “Oh, please, Lyla,” she said. “It’s just the three of us. No need for all that formality. I think you’ve earned the privilege.”
I grinned and unslung my bow. “As you wish, my lady.” I left the bow in the corner and followed Starla to a group of comfortable chairs. “I hear you’re expecting company. Besides me, I mean.”
“I am. Sit, please.” She indicated a chair, and I sat. “I wish the visit was a social call. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Would you like some water, or a glass of wine?”
“Just water, thank you.” I looked at Roger, who had taken the chair to Starla’s right. “Roger said something about expecting a man about a tax increase.”
“Correct.” A maid appeared with a pitcher of water, moisture dripping down the side. Starla poured a glass and handed it to me. “I was hoping you would agree to be with me when the envoy arrives.”
I took a sip. The water was deliciously cool. “I’d be happy to be at your side, my lady,” I said. “But honestly, I don’t see where I would help much. Tax increases are never popular, and I’m not sure my presence is going to make much of a difference. It’s not like the Emperor is going to change his mind just because I’m here.”
Starla took a glass of wine for herself and sat back. “No, I don’t think it will, either. How much has Roger told you about the envoy’s message?”
I shrugged. “Not much. Just that he’s coming with news of a tax increase from the Emperor. And that you plan to oppose it.”
“The Imperial army has been recruiting heavily in the last month or so,” Starla said. She ran her finger around the edge of the glass and then through the water collected on the outside. “As you might expect, maintaining an army costs money. The more men they add, the more they must spend. Not only on salaries, but weapons and other equipment, especially for those officers not provided by the estates. We are, of course, responsible for our own officers’ costs when it comes to horses and weaponry.”
Roger took up the explanation. “Despite the fact that a large number of these new troops are coming from the estates, and are not citizens of the capital, the Empire expects each noble to foot part of the bill. Just providing the men isn’t enough,” he said. “Their reasoning is that the Imperial army provides protection to all the estates; therefore, the estate owners must help with expenses.”
“Is that a reasonable expectation?” I looked between Roger and Starla. In my previous visits to Mallory, I’d never seen the Imperial army. When Devin had threatened war, Mallory had been completely left to depend on its own resources to defend itself.
Roger made a seesawing motion with his hand. “Yes and no,” he said. “Certainly, the Imperial army has, in the past, assisted with major conflicts between estates, in the interest of maintaining stability.” I opened my mouth, but he continued. “Major conflicts, Lyla. Our argument with Devin earlier this year did not meet the Emperor’s definition of ‘major,’ I’m afraid.”
New taxes? Nobody likes those. Pre-order information is coming soon! In the meantime, catch up on the rest of Jaycee/Lyla’s adventures in the first three books.