The View from the Imperium (58 page)

“Really?” I asked, clutching the viewpad to me.

“No one, even His Majesty, will argue that you deserve a small reward for successfully undertaking this observation mission. As long as you maintain security on the image. As you have.”

“It will be under lock, key and guard dogs, Parsons, I promise!” I sighed with happiness. My mother would be pleased. Ambassador Ben was safe, negotiating away like a trooper, and we could once again fill in our Infogrid files. I felt righteous.

“Parsons, my colleagues are still uncertain how altering the face of Captain Sgarthad broke his hold upon the Trade Union.”

“It is quite simple, my lord. You made a fool of him in public. It broke the glamour. He was found to have in his possession a device that ensnared their minds.”

“A device, eh?”

“Yes, sir,” Parsons said, rising to his feet. “A device. The citizens of Boske were ashamed and angry that they had fallen in with his plans so easily. They also learned that they were not alone and could resist him with impunity. That is all.”

“Ah,” I said, laying a finger alongside my nose as my uncle Perleas had done. “That is all. Of course.”

“Have you an abrasion on your nose, sir?” Parsons asked, solicitiously.

“No! It’s a gesture of conspiracy. To a fellow conspirator.”

“I do not conspire, sir.” Parsons looked so offended that I was appalled at myself.

“I apologize, Parsons. No offense was intended.”

“I trust not, sir.” His face returned to its normal granite-like exterior.

“So all is forgiven?” I asked.

“What is forgiven, sir?”

“Ah,” I said, with a smile. “I will not mention it again. I trust you have already sent a suitably opaque report to the emperor and Mr. Frank, telling how we went out on an observation mission and ended up pulling a coup on a usurper. You must tell me all about how we did it.”

Parsons smiled down on me grandly. “No, sir. That will be up to you. I trust your own imagination and audacity to fill in the details, sir.”

“I shall enjoy it,” I said. “You know how I love to tell a good story.” I rose and led the way back to the bridge.