"No, you're not, Markis. And if you've quite finished spreading dirt all over my couch, you might give me your proper attention. You have to realize that this is all a game when it comes down to it. Especially where Father is concerned. It's all politics, and you damn well know it, whether you want to admit it or not."
"Yes, so what? I can get on without getting tied up in all that. There are things we have to do."
"But you want to be in a position to be able to do them, don't you?" Jarid leaned forward.
A flicker of confusion, and then a frown. "What do you mean?"
"What I told you on the communicator. Someone's been at Father, making accusations. They've convinced him that you're involved in some plan to agitate the Kallathik and seize power in the Guild."
"Who? What?" Markis got to his feet, looking aggrieved. "That makes no sense at all."
"I don't think that matters. What matters is that the old man believes it. Whatever was said was convincing enough to sway him."
"But that's ridiculous. How could he possibly think -- ?"
Jarid raised a hand. "It doesn't matter. Sit down, Markis. What matters is that he does think it."
"But I've done nothing!"
"Are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure. Who, Jarid? Who?" Markis bunched his fists, looking around the room as if seeking someone to strike. "Who would want to do this to me?"
"Just sit down, Markis. You're not going to achieve anything getting all worked up like that. We have to approach this calmly."
Slowly, Markis relaxed his fists and then sighed. "Yes, you're right. I'm just tired." He lowered himself to sit on the couch again. "Tell me, how bad is it?"
"Bad enough. Father's talking about removing you from the current operations. You know how he gets. Once he's got an idea..."
Markis made to stand again, but Jarid gestured for him to stay.
"What good is it sitting here?" said Markis. "I have to talk to him."
"No you don't. You know you can trust me to look after things at this end. I just don't think it would be a good idea to see him right now. You know Father; he's liable to do something rash. No, I think it would be better if you let me handle him. If you can trust me to do so, that is? You do trust me, don't you, Markis?"
Markis nodded slowly. "But then what should I do?"
"You should go somewhere out of the way for the moment. Get down to one of the estates, out of the mines and out of the city. You've probably done enough to make sure everything's running smoothly at the mines. I'll wait for the old man to calm down, and then I'll choose my moment, get him alone and talk to him quietly. We'll stay in communication with each other, as much as we can, and I'll let you know when it's safe to face him yourself. This is clearly something from within the Guild. Someone is taking the opportunity of the current instability to make their move. Leave me to deal with Father and to find out who, and that way you'll be out of direct line. I think that's safer."
Markis shook his head. "You drag me in here just to tell me to go away again?"
"I know," said Jarid. "But it was the only way, Markis. You have to see that. The only way I could convince you how serious things were was to talk to you face to face."
Markis did stand this time. He crossed and placed his hand on Jarid's shoulder. "You were always better at this stuff than I was, Jarid. I think what you're saying makes sense. We need to be able to stand together whatever happens. There are difficult times on their way, I know it. It looks like we're in for a rough season. If you're sure I shouldn't talk to Father?"
Jarid looked up at his brother's face, the expression of concern, the tinge of hope. The poor gullible fool.
"Trust me, Markis," he said. "I know we're in for a rough time. Don't worry. I'll fix things at this end. Now, go, make yourself comfortable at the estates. This shouldn't take too long."
"Thank you, Jarid."
"No, Markis. It's what we have to do. Oh, one last thing, though...did anyone see you arriving?"
Markis frowned again and thought. "I don't...well, yes. They saw me drive in at the gates. There was someone on the front desk. Yes, yes, I suppose so."
