Karryl's voice showed traces of his impatience. "Sit, Guildmaster Ka Vail."
Ka Vail's frown deepened, but he did as he was bidden. "All right. What is all this?"
Ky Menin waited until he too had taken a seat, and he steepled his fingers in front of him. "It has come to my attention that you've set certain things in motion, Aron, that you've done things that are counterproductive at best in our current circumstance."
Ka Vail looked across at him with open hostility. "What are you talking about, Karryl? No more word games. I'm tired of them now. I think we've had enough."
Ky Menin leaned forward, speaking quietly. "You know exactly what I mean. After all we've been through up until now. Leannis Men Darnak. That's what I'm talking about."
"What?"
"You're helping him and his men. Providing him support."
"And so what? I fail to see your point."
Karryl took a long low breath that was just short of a sigh, and he sat back in his chair. "I also know that you've had a constant flow of information about what's been happening at the mines. Apparently -- well, this is how I hear it -- the Kallathik are agitating and more. Is that so?"
"Yes, there has been some trouble, but what of it? We have trouble every Storm Season. Again I fail to see your point."
Karryl shook his head slowly. "You should know better than that. How can you lend your resources to helping Men Darnak?especially now? Where is the trust, Aron?"
The older Guildmaster narrowed his eyes and stood slowly. "You tell me where the trust is? I cannot believe you are doing this, Karryl. You've had me escorted from my own estates for no other purpose than to level a series of pointless accusations -- and in front of her." He waved his arm dismissively in Karin's direction. "Leannis Men Darnak deserves our respect. More than that shown by his sniveling offspring. You would do well to show some respect too, Karryl Ky Menin, before you say something you might regret."
Ky Menin smiled. There was nothing soft about the expression. "I suggest you take your seat, Aron."
"I will not!" said the old man. "I've heard enough. I will lend my support to whomever I want, whenever I want. And you have no place telling me otherwise. Nor have you any place telling me how to run the business of my Guild. My Guild, Ky Menin."
"Sit down, Aron."
"No, by the Prophet, I will not!"
Karin suddenly stood. "Who do you think you are, old man?" she said. "Sit down and do as you're told."
Ka Vail blanched and swung to face her. "And you would do well to learn your place, woman." He advanced on her. "Respect. I've seen your capacity for respect. Your own father?" He shook his head. "It was a poor aspect when fate brought you into this world. I've seen you, girl. I've watched. I've seen what you've done. What about your father, eh? What about that fine old man who has done so much for you, who has done so much for all of us? By the Prophet, woman. He's your father." The old man was shaking visibly.
"He's an old fool, and so are you, Ka Vail," she said.
Ka Vail leaned in close to her. He spoke through clenched teeth. "And you are a mistake in the world. You are a corrupt, diseased thing out of your proper place. There is nothing of either your father or mother in you. Thank the Prophet she is no longer with us. She is better off dead than to see this."
Her hand flashed out and connected with his cheek. The noise of skin on skin echoed from the walls. She turned, strode away from him and sat, keeping her gaze turned away. Ka Vail stood where he was, trembling with his anger, looking at neither of them, a red mark blossoming on his cheek.
"What are you doing with Men Darnak?" asked Ky Menin from where he sat.
Ka Vail spun to face him. "I'll tell you nothing more." He swallowed before speaking again, clearly having difficulty speaking. "And now I'll leave you both."
"You'll do no such thing," said Ky Menin, calmly. "You will sit and you will tell us precisely what we need to know."
Ka Vail gave a short soundless laugh and headed for the door, shaking his head. He had not taken four steps before two of Ky Menin's men were standing in the doorway, blocking his path. The old man stopped and turned to face Ky Menin.
"What is this, Karryl?"
"You will do exactly as I ask," said Ky Menin.
