The Words He Could Carry

The next report was ready before Ottokar had finished breakfast.

Wierach’s clerk had brought it to the schoolroom, where Ottokar sat with a slate and a page of sums he had not touched. The report bore the privy seal. It said the Emperor had slept well and taken broth. His strength remained weak, but his appetite had improved.

“Read it at the council,” Wierach said. “Then stand beside me.”

Ottokar looked at the page. The clerk had copied the physician’s careful hand into a clean script. “Do I have to say anything?”

“You need only be present.” Wierach watched him over the report. “Your presence reassures the court that the succession is settled.”

“It isn’t settled.”

“The line is settled. The Charter leaves the electors room to confirm it.”

“That isn’t the same thing.”

Wierach took the report from the clerk. “You are eleven. You need not carry every argument men put in front of you.”

Ottokar set down his chalk. He could still feel the rough edge of it against his thumb. “They’re putting my name in the argument.”

Wierach folded the report once and slipped it into his sleeve. “Then stand where they can see you.”

The council chamber had fewer men in it than the day before. Several had left for their own estates, taking copies of the first report with them. Hartwig sat near the window with his cane across his knees. A clerk stood at his shoulder, holding a small leather case.

Wierach entered with Ottokar beside him. The Arch-Steward took his place at the head of the table. Ottokar stood at his right, close enough that a sleeve brushed his hand when Wierach moved.

The clerk read the new report. The Emperor had slept. The Emperor had taken broth. The Emperor had shown a small improvement.

When he finished, Wierach said, “Send copies to the elector courts. The Emperor’s condition remains stable.”

Hartwig did not rise. “I request an audience with His Majesty today.”

“He is not receiving visitors.”

“Then I will wait outside his chamber.”

“You may wait, but it will not change the physicians’ judgment.”

Hartwig opened the leather case and removed a folded document. “I have written to the other electors. I will tell them I have not been permitted to hear the Emperor’s will.”

A lord at the table shifted his chair. Wierach’s face remained composed. “You are free to write what you please.”