Aakuta: the Dark Mage (37 page)

“I would not mind,” offered Latril. “After traveling with you for a while and seeing what it is that you are trying to do, I am actually excited to be able to play an active part. Anything I can do to make Khadora the country you dream of, I would gladly do.”

“Would Jamarat accept help from the Torak clan?” asked Fisher.

“I don’t know,” admitted Lord Marak, “but I am willing to ask him. I did tell him that if he needed help, I would be willing to give it. I cannot go out there today, though. The Emperor is calling a Lords’ Council meeting this afternoon to discuss the Jiadin issue. The Khadoran clans hosting the Jiadin have begun gobbling up their neighbors.”

“I will take Latril out to see Jamarat,” offered Fisher. “I will play the role of a special emissary from the Torak clan and tell him that you were concerned for him and wanted to help. The worst he can do is not believe me.”

“Fisher,” laughed Lord Marak. “I cannot imagine anyone who would not believe whatever you wanted them to.”

Lord Patel entered the Lords’ Council Chamber and looked briefly around the room. The only lord present was Lord Mirakotto, and the Argetta lord seemed absorbed in thoughts of his own. Lord Patel walked to a small table in the corner of the room and served himself a cup of tea before sitting down at the long table occupying the center of the room.

“Ah, Lord Patel,” Lord Mirakotto said as he finally noticed someone in the room. “I see that the Toraks have a new estate at Deep Bend. Did some young lord nip your ankles?”

“I resent your implication, Mirakotto,” Lord Patel replied. “It is well known that the orchard at Deep Bend has never been much of a concern to me.”

“True,” Lord Mirakotto responded with just a tinge of a smirk. “How is it then that Lord Marak is now owner of the estate?”

“He showed an interest in it,” shrugged Lord Patel. “Perhaps some lords have more money than they know what to do with. Since when do the Argetta care about the Nordon holdings? Or is your interest more in Lord Marak?”

“My interest,” frowned Lord Mirakotto, “is in keeping track of alliances within the Lords’ Council. I endeavor to know if you are starting to lean towards this boy lord?”

“Lean towards him?” laughed Lord Patel. “Your spies should be hung, Lord Mirakotto. I do not normally keep two cortes of troops sitting on the road to the south of the city at the end of the Assembly of Lords.”

“I had heard of your troops,” nodded Lord Mirakotto. “My first thought was that you planned to ambush Lord Marak on his way home. That is why news of Deep Bend greatly disturbed me.”

“I will not sit here and discuss such things as ambushes,” warned Lord Patel. “If I had ever planned to do such a thing, I would certainly not admit to it.” Lord Patel let a smile play across his lips as he added, “Besides, I understand that he managed to slip out of the city unseen by anyone.”

“He did,” laughed Lord Mirakotto. “Well, I am glad that we had this little talk, Lord Patel. You have reassured me of your good intentions. This Lord Marak is a threat to our very way of life. I am suspicious of his relationship with the Emperor.”

“You are suspicious of everyone,” chuckled Lord Patel. “I suppose that it was your man who attempted to kill the Emperor?”

Lord Mirakotto’s expression turned dark as he glared at the Nordon lord. At that moment, Lord Garic and Lord Quilo entered the chamber, and the conversation was interrupted by greetings. Within a few minutes, Lord Marak and Lord Kiamesh entered and everyone took a seat at the table.

“Emperor Bagora has requested this meeting of the Lords’ Council,” declared Lord Kiamesh. “A situation has arisen that he thinks we need to address, or at least discuss. There have been three wars in the last week. Each of these occurred in the eastern frontier, and each involved Fakaran troops. In all cases, the ruling families of the defending clans have been annihilated.”

“Fakarans?” interrupted Lord Quilo. “Which three clans are using Fakaran warriors?”

“The Vessi, Glamaraldi, and Lejune clans are using Jiadin warriors,” answered Lord Kiamesh.

“And what does the Emperor expect us to do?” asked Lord Garic. “If there is no heir to the lord’s seat, then the clan is dissolved. This can not be undone.”

“We do have the ability to recognize new clans,” interjected Lord Quilo.

“Yes,” Lord Mirakotto retorted as he glared at Lord Marak, “and look where that has gotten us.”

“I do not think the issue is necessarily preserving the lost clans,” interrupted Lord Patel. “The issue is that these three clans are using our laws in such a way as to thwart their intent. Our laws were designed to stop needless attacks among the clans. These rogue clans have discovered that they can annihilate the ruling family and be safe from reprisal. What is to stop them from continuing these attacks until they are no longer restricted to the frontier?”

“When the attacks are no longer restricted to the frontier,” retorted Lord Garic, "is when they become a problem for this council. What happens to the frontier is not something that requires my attention.”

“The frontier is as much a part of Khadora as the Imperial Valley,” Lord Marak declared. “It was my impression that the Lords’ Council governed over all of Khadora, not just the Imperial Valley.”

“I am sure your attitude would be vastly different, Lord Marak,” sneered Lord Mirakotto, “if it was the Torak clan gobbling up its neighbors in the southern frontier. I am sure you would expect the Lords’ Council to keep its nose out of your business.”

“I have been subject to rulings of the Lords’ Council even on the southern frontier,” countered Lord Marak. “I have never felt that the Lords’ Council was interfering.”

“Yet the mediations that you have had are quite mysterious,” stated Lord Mirakotto. “Why is that you can claim the rights of rulings of this body and yet refuse to inform us of what has transpired?”

“The ruling between the Torak clan and the Situ clan is an open affair,” declared Lord Marak. “The situation between Fardale and the Sorgan and Litari clans was not mediated. It was a private ruling and not subject to the scrutiny of the Lords’ Council. May I say that we are getting off topic here? This meeting is not to discuss the Torak clan. The use of thousands of Jiadin to eradicate whole clans is a serious matter, for all of Khadora.”

“We are getting sidetracked,” agreed Lord Kiamesh. “I do not think that any of us can honestly say that these attacks are not disturbing to the fabric of Khadora. The question is, what can we do about it?”

“We could pass a law forbidding foreigners to fight in a clan army,” suggested Lord Patel.

“And how would we enforce it?” questioned Lord Kiamesh. “The point is that these lords have situated themselves to be above the law. Do you really think they will accept a ruling of the Lords’ Council without us having the force to back it up?”

“The armies of the members of the Lords’ Council are impressive,” remarked Lord Marak. “If we were to combine our forces, those rebellious lords would have to listen. We could demand that the Jiadin be sent back to Fakara.”

“Our armies may indeed be together on a battlefield one day, Lord Marak,” quipped Lord Mirakotto, “but I doubt they will be on the same side.”

“Your patriotism is overwhelming, Lord Mirakotto,” retorted Lord Marak. “Our country is facing a crisis, and all you can think of is your own agenda.”

“I do not have to take such insolence from you, boy lord,” snapped Lord Mirakotto as he stood up. “I was member of the Lords’ Council when you were still a squad leader for some obscure minor lord on the frontier. Do not presume to lecture me on what is good for Khadora. Your presence here makes a mockery of the Lords’ Council.”

Lord Mirakotto turned and stormed out of the chamber. There was silence in the room for several minutes as nobody knew what to say.

“We cannot continue a meeting of the Lords’ Council with a member missing,” Lord Kiamesh finally declared. “The only exception is when a lord is away for an extended period of time and cannot possibly return in a reasonable period timeframe. I have no choice but to adjourn this meeting.”

“Well done, Lord Marak,” sniped Lord Garic as he rose and left the chamber.

“When will this meeting be rescheduled?” asked Lord Marak.

“Rescheduled?” echoed Lord Kiamesh as his eyebrow rose. “For what purpose, Lord Marak? There are some among us who do not recognize that there is a problem yet. If there is no problem, there can be no solution.”

“So the Lords’ Council is to stand by and do nothing while the Jiadin march across our country?” countered Lord Marak. “All of the eastern frontier clans are small, Lord Kiamesh, and most of them hold only single estates. The Jiadin will continue to gobble them up while we do nothing. With every clan they take over, they gain more warriors. By the time we act, we will not be facing twenty thousand warriors. We will be facing a hundred thousand. Who then will stand against them?”

“There have been no violations of law,” sighed Lord Quilo. “The Lords’ Council cannot arbitrarily take action against a clan. There must be a dispute or a violation of law first.”

Lord Marak rose and left the chamber. He marched directly to the Emperor’s office and asked for admission. He was immediately shown in.

“I heard that the Lords’ Council adjourned without a resolution of the problem,” greeted Emperor Bagora.

“Lord Mirakotto stormed out,” nodded Lord Marak. “I cannot understand how anything gets done here.”

“Welcome to politics,” shrugged the Emperor. “What will you do now?”

“What can I do?” replied Lord Marak. “I am tempted to amass my armies and go after the Jiadin on my own. The problem is that I would leave my people defenseless, and there are other heartless scavengers in Khadora besides the Jiadin.”

“The Torak army is hardly capable of facing such great odds,” frowned the Emperor. “There may be a way that you can help, though.”

“Oh?” brightened Lord Marak. “And how is that?”

“You could form an alliance with one of the clans on the eastern frontier,” suggested the Emperor. “Lord Oktar of the Balomar clan is in Khadoratung. He came to see me today about these very problems. It seems that his estate is in the path of the Glamaraldi, and he expects to be the next to be attacked. He wants help from the government and it saddened me that I had to refuse.”

“An alliance?” pondered Lord Marak. “Normally an alliance is not invoked until after an attack. By then it would be too late.”

“True,” shrugged the Emperor. “Still it might lead to a solution. Why don’t you talk to him?”

“Where is he?” asked Lord Marak.

“I thought you would never ask,” grinned the Emperor as he rang a bell. An Imperial soldier opened the door and stuck his head in. “Send in Katzu and Lord Oktar,” ordered the Emperor.

Within moments the two men entered the Emperor’s office. Katzu introduced Lord Oktar to Lord Marak.

“I trust the Emperor has explained my problem?” inquired Lord Oktar. “The Glamaraldi are sure to strike me next. There is nothing I can do to defend myself.”

Lord Marak frowned for a moment and then looked at the mediator. “I don’t suppose that you have any ideas regarding a solution to this, do you Katzu?”

“I am sure that you have a solution, Lord Marak,” grinned the mediator, “but for some reason, it fails to come to my lips.”

Lord Marak grinned as Katzu chuckled and Lord Oktar shook his head in confusion. The Emperor merely sat and watched everyone else.

“That might work,” Lord Marak finally said, “but that would depend upon Lord Oktar. Perhaps we should go someplace quiet and discuss it?”

“There is no place more deserving for this conversation than right here,” Katzu said as he nodded towards the Emperor.

Lord Marak frowned. It was obvious what Katzu was suggesting, but he also was saying that the Emperor should be aware of the agreement. He did not understand Katzu’s motivation.

“Why?” Lord Marak asked Katzu.

“Lord Oktar does not know you well,” Katzu replied. “I doubt he would see the wisdom of your suggestion without the blessing of the Emperor.”

Lord Marak nodded and pondered whether he wanted to let anyone else know how he had been gaining power. It was not that he distrusted the Emperor, but rather his desire to minimize the number of people who knew the details of his other arrangements. In the end, the welfare of Khadora won the battle within Lord Marak.

“Very well,” nodded Lord Marak. “There is one solution that I can see to save your clan, Lord Oktar.”

“I suddenly feel that there will be a heavy price to pay for your help, Lord Marak,” Lord Oktar said skeptically. “What must I give up?”

“Your slaves for one,” answered Lord Marak.

“Done,” Lord Oktar immediately replied.

“Let me finish,” continued Lord Marak. “What I propose, Lord Oktar, is for you to swear Vows of Service to me. You will continue as the clan lord of the Balomar, and make decisions as you do now, but I will be the ultimate authority over you.”

“You ask a great deal, Lord Marak,” frowned Lord Oktar. “I can lose my estate to the Glamaraldi, or I can give it away to you. That is hardly a reprieve.”

“It is not as bad as you think, Lord Oktar,” countered Lord Marak. “May I have your vow of silence on this matter before going further?”

“I will not speak of it,” agreed the Balomar lord, “but I am not agreeing to your solution either.”

“Emperor?” prompted Lord Marak as he looked at Bagora.

“If you are about to reveal the answers to questions I have long sought,” grinned the Emperor, “you have my vow of silence.”

“Very well,” Lord Marak said. “Lord Oktar, I already have this arrangement with a number of clans in Khadora. I have never suggested it to anyone who had not attacked me before, but I am looking for a way to help you. Not only you, but all of Khadora.”

“What other clans would vow away their rights?” asked Lord Oktar.

“At first it was the Sorgan and Litari,” answered Lord Marak as he watched the faces of both the Emperor and Lord Oktar. “Then the Ragatha joined and then the Situ. Most recently, the Nordon have executed the Vows of Service.”