Other less successful military ventures were never mentioned.
Recently, with his secret investigators and private spies, along with work by his Sardaukar, he had pushed harder to root out Noble Commonwealth sympathizers. He was alarmed to discover that the whispered uprising was known far more widely than he thought, and now the Emperor had to work harder to eradicate the traitors. Whenever his investigative forces uncovered evidence of a potentially disloyal noble, Shaddam added the name to his list. He would soon direct his Sardaukar to take care of those traitors definitively. No more subtleties.
Aricatha saw the mysterious smile on his face. “You are lost in your thoughts. I hope I occupy at least some of them?”
“Of course,” he said, and she obviously knew he was lying.
When he and the Empress walked through the court, they were like a singular parade. The throng of gaudy sycophants, dandies, and foreign dignitaries faded to a blur as they spoke niceties to him. He was adept at blocking out the bland noise while mouthing the proper responses, making the briefest eye contact. Since Aricatha was skilled in remembering names, he allowed her to add further pleasantries before the two of them strolled on.
Now he and the Empress stood together on one side of the portrait gallery, where images of past rulers hung on the walls, extending into the distance like an optical illusion. So many Corrino Emperors in ten thousand years.…
Silent and unobtrusive in her distinctive black robe, Mohiam stood nearby, where she could hear everything that was said. He relied on his Truthsayer to know whom he could trust. The Noble Commonwealth had already opened up too many cracks in the foundation of the Imperium.
Court guards kept a safe perimeter around the Imperial couple, allowing dignitaries or members of various Houses to approach one at a time. Because he now needed to select names to fill the vacant Landsraad seats, Shaddam forced himself to focus more on what was actually being said to him. He considered each comment, noted the mood and mannerisms. It was an art to keep all these candidates soothed and feeling important, while never committing to anything. The Emperor made no promises, but he did make silent judgments.
He spoke to the obsequious lords of House Bonner and Suruda, and the reticent Lord Onivondi, none of whom made much of an impression on him, and they were ushered away. Next came a tall and dashing man with a pointed Vandyke beard and colorful clothing, who was introduced as Duke Fausto Verdun of Dross. He made a sweeping bow, as if to demonstrate his limberness.
“Sire, I am honored that you invited me to call upon you at court, and I am pleased to be considered for an expanded holding in the Landsraad.” His voice had an erudite accent that struck Shaddam as an affectation.
Empress Aricatha smiled and filled in the conversation, “We invited you, Duke Verdun, as well as many others, as a courtesy. We consider all members of the Landsraad to be equally important.”
Verdun laughed and said with forced wit, “Certainly, some nobles are more equal than others. For instance, I hold an important upper-echelon CHOAM Directorship, even though my planet’s exports are comparable to other worlds’. Thus, I demonstrate my skill in leadership as well as commerce. I could do the same on other planets that now need new administration.” He stroked his pointed mustache. “All in the name of my Emperor. The first responsibility of a Duke is to the Imperium.”
Shaddam had mixed feelings about this ambitious nobleman. He remembered the briefing compiled by the young aide Aina Tere about potential candidates. For the most part, according to Tere’s analysis, Verdun showed loyalty to the throne, but he had been frustratingly neutral or absent a number of times, enough to make the Imperial investigators study him more closely. Verdun had close familial relationships with two other Major Houses that had expressed criticism of House Corrino.
And he had conveniently not been in attendance at Otorio.
The Emperor noted Mohiam standing silently to the side, listening carefully to every word Verdun said.
The lord went on without a pause. “I’ve written a proposal on how I might expand my ventures beyond Dross, with Imperial cooperation, to our mutual benefit. I will have my ambassador submit the document to your court chamberlain. I hope you have a chance to review it, Sire.”
“It will be given the attention it deserves,” Shaddam said coolly.
Verdun was cocksure about himself. He wore silks and jewels, as if trying to outshine the Emperor’s raiment. Something in his tone of voice, his demeanor, made Shaddam wary.
Barely taking a breath, Verdun continued, “Sire, as a voting member of the Landsraad, let me express my earnest desire to increase my value to the Imperium, to make more substantial contributions for the benefit of our citizens. I hope that now, in the wake of the tragedy, I might have a fresh opportunity to serve.” He listed humanitarian causes that he and his wife had sponsored.
Noting the hungry sparkle in Duke Verdun’s eyes, Shaddam said, “This is not really the place for such a discussion, is it?”
Of course, that was exactly the reason for this reception, so Shaddam could review the names the exploratory committees had given him. Positions needed to be filled, and he had already dismissed many suggested candidates. He needed only loyalists.
“Apologies, Your Eminence, but if I am allowed just a few moments to make my case, I believe you will be quite satisfied.”
Shaddam looked at him dispassionately, but let the man keep talking. He wanted Mohiam to absorb more information. “Duke Verdun, I am eager to hear more, but perhaps first you can explain why you did not attend the grand opening of my Corrino museum on Otorio? How did you manage to stay safe, when so many thousands died?”
Verdun paled. “I-I intended to be there, Sire, but my life was in danger, too. My palais on Dross was encircled and attacked by a rebel force, and all my resources and attention were required to quash the unrest. It is a local matter, but the rebels are also implicated in a wider plot against the Imperial throne. I dealt with them, and now my prisons are filled to bursting, nearly five hundred agitators. A full report is being prepared at this moment. I can show you how the throne benefited from my actions.”
“My, you have been busy.” Shaddam’s voice oozed skepticism.
The Duke of Dross—a ridiculous name, he thought—was preoccupied enough with the Emperor’s attention that he had forgotten completely about the Truthsayer standing nearby. Excellent. Mohiam had a talent for sliding into shadows, so people often forgot she was there.
Shaddam decided to cut off further discussion. “I suggest you apply your energies to finishing that most vital report. I am still assembling applicants for the open holdings in the Landsraad. You will be notified of my decision.”
After Duke Verdun retreated, clearly dissatisfied, the Emperor motioned for the guards to block further supplicants so he could consult with Mohiam. He could tell by the sour expression on her face that she had something to say.
“Verdun is the most blatant of liars,” she said, in a low tone. Aricatha leaned closer to listen, and Shaddam allowed it. “He is fabricating that story about rebels and the attack on his palais. I suspect his report is ‘delayed’ because he is fabricating evidence and falsifying witness accounts.”
The extent of the ruse surprised Shaddam. “He did not expect me to ask about it. Now he is caught.”