The Traders' War (Merchant Princes Omnibus 2) Read Online Free

unusual, I managed to evade them for more than
three decades. But that almost never happens, and even when it does you can’t actually win, because whether you fight them or no, you end up becoming one yourself.’ She raised one
finger in warning. ‘You’re relatively safe, kid. You’re too old, too educated, and you’ve got your own power base. As far as I can see they’ve got no reason to meddle
with you
unless
you threaten their honor. Honor is survival here. Don’t
ever
do that, Miriam – Helge. Don’t ever threaten to dishonor them. If you do,
they’ll find a way to bring you down. All it takes is leverage, and leverage is the one thing they’ve got.’ She smiled thinly. ‘Think of them as Darwin’s revenge on
us, and remember to smile and curtsey when you pass them because until you’ve given them grandchildren they
will
regard you as an expendable piece to move around the game board. And
if you
have
given them a child, they have a hostage to hold against you. Until you, too, have grandchildren and graduate to playing the game yourself.’
    *
    Midafternoon, Helge returned to her rooms to check briefly on the arrangements for her travel to the Östhalle – it being high summer, with the sun setting well after
ten o’clock, she need not depart until close to seven – then turned to Lady Kara. ‘I would like to see Lady Olga, if she’s available. Will you investigate? I haven’t
seen her around lately.’
    ‘Lady Olga is in town today. She is down at the battery range,’ Kara said without blinking. ‘She told me this morning that you’d be welcome to join her.’
    Most welcome to – then why didn’t you
tell
me?
Helge bit her tongue. Kara probably had some reason for withholding the invitation that had seemed valid at the time.
Berating her for not passing on trivial messages would only cause Kara to start dropping every piece of trivia to which she was privy on her mistress’s shoulders, rather than risk rebuke.
‘Then let’s go and see her!’ Helge said brightly. ‘It’s not far, is it?’
    The battery range was near the outer wall of the palace grounds – the summer palace, owned and occupied by those of the Clan elders who needed accommodation in the capital, Niejwein
– and separated from those grounds by its own high stone wall. Miriam strolled slowly behind her guards, taking in the warm air and the scent of the ornamental shrubs planted to either side
of the path. Her butler held a silk parasol above her to keep the sunlight off her skin. It still felt strange, the whole noble lady shtick, but there were some aspects of it she could live with.
She paused at the gate in the wall. From the other side, she heard a muffled tapping sound. ‘Announce us,’ she told Kara.
    ‘Yes, milady.’ A moment later, the doors opened onto bedlam.
    Lady Olga Thorold Arnesen – of Thorold, by Arnesen – was blond, pretty, and on first acquaintance a complete ditz. Her enthusiasms included playing the violin, dancing, and making a
good marriage. But first acquaintances could be extremely misleading when dealing with children of the Clan, as Miriam had discovered. Right now the ditz was lying in the grass on the other side of
the door, practicing her other great enthusiasm with the aid of a Steyr AUG assault rifle. The more delicately inclined Helge winced and covered her ears as Olga sent a final three-round burst
downrange, then safed the gun and bounced to her feet.
    ‘Helge!’ Olga beamed widely but refrained from hugging her, settling instead for brushing her cheek. ‘How charming to see you! A new creation, I see you’re working your
seamstress’s fingers to the ivory. I suppose you didn’t come to join me on the range?’
    ‘If only.’ Helge sniffed. ‘It’s business, I’m afraid.’ She took in Olga’s camo jacket and trousers. ‘Are you coming to tonight’s
circus?’
    ‘There’s enough time to prepare later,’ Olga said dismissively. ‘I say, Master of