Not long after assuming the patrols, Zagos now a member of the Council of the High Caste, leveled charges against Urak Rahdon and demanded his removal from the High Caste along with forfeiture of his property. The Urak was charged with engaging in business dealings with merchants.
In point of fact, Lonnan related to me, all members of the Council engaged in business but it was conducted in secret. The Urak’s only violation of actual practice would be that he had been exposed, although strictly speaking he was guilty of the accusations.
These were most serious charges and could result in the Urak’s removal from not only the Council but from the Lists of the High Caste as well, along with his family. If Zagos failed to prove his charges which could only be brought by one of the Council the same penalty would befall him. In normal times this aspect of the codes prevented just the very allegations that had been brought by Zagos.
But Zagos had much more in mind than merely making allegations. His demand that Urak Rahdon’s wealth be confiscated was without precedent. He further proposed that it be divided equally among the members of the Council and to safeguard the treasure, he posted Sekers at all the approaches to the Great House of Rahdon. The avowed purpose being to prevent removal of property but in effect it placed the House in a state of siege.
Any who left were at once attacked and accused of attempting to remove valuables. Many members of the Council supported Zagos or had been neutralized by his earlier actions. The majority were uncertain how to respond but were unwilling to take forceful action to defend someone who might be proven guilty.
The siege at the Great House served to isolate its members and left Zagos’s agents free to spread their foul lies and loathsome accusations. The Urak was the sole household member able to leave, no doubt, because Zagos considered him ineffective but also because to prevent it would have violated the prerogatives of a member of the Council and might have stirred fear in other members’ hearts.
Zagos’s patrols in the countryside and road blocks were established to prevent the arrival of any outside assistance. We had been the only party thus far to get through.
The following day Zagos was to prove his allegations before the Council. After relating to Lonnan what had occurred since we last spoke, I asked what the future held. “I fear for us friend,” he said. “The good Urak appears unable to act in his own
defense and he has no son to speak for him. He is confused and helpless. We are, of course, guilty of the charges as are all of the Great and Lesser Houses of Taslea and all the members of the Council. Whether or not Zagos can prove the charges is another matter. The Urak has always been scrupulous in these matters but of late has been careless. I fear for us.”
“Who takes our Urak to the Great Tower where the Council of the High Caste meets tomorrow?”
“I will command the detail,” Lonnan replied.
“Perhaps you have need of one more sword?”
“I had thought the very thing since your arrival. I have listed you as second Commander of One Hundred in the detail.”
“And what of Fastidian, your good friend accused of assisting in the abduction of the Lady Shelba from her bed?”
“He remains in the dungeon, alone, unseen by anyone, I am told.” Lonnan’s eyes avoided mine. There was more to this than he could speak of.
We both went to the baths and as usual I sought the slave girl Tanah. Under the care of her firm, skilled hands my body relaxed as I considered all the events since arriving on Doridia until this day.
As I made ready to go, I turned and pulled her tightly to me for the first time. She was startled at first but then melted into my arms.
“Has anyone spoken for you this night?” I whispered into her ear.
“No, Master,” she replied softly.
“Then when you are free of your duties, go to my cubicle and await me.”
“Yes, Master,” she said. Looking into my eyes she smiled brightly then pecked me on the cheek before darting off.
###
Our lovemaking finished at last, Tanah, tiny, beautiful Tanah, a slave girl, lay asleep, content, curled in my arms. Our love furs lay about and upon us. I thought briefly of the next day and of the dangers involved. I pulled her tightly to me.
Life was precious and to be enjoyed before it was snatched away on a sharp shaft of steel.
I slept in time.
###
We mustered at mid- morning. I wore the finest weapons, leather and clothing I possessed. For the first time I placed the badge of Commander of One Hundred upon my breast. My crimson cape nearly sparkled in the morning light.
Tanah had departed to report for breakfast in her slave quarters. I had not known when she left.
One hundred of our finest stood at attention in the assembly hall just inside the main entrance to the Great House. Each ten Sekers were commanded by a Leader of Ten so in actuality one hundred and ten men were mustered. Lonnan led as Commander of One Hundred and I was second to him. One hundred and twelve Sekers to escort the Urak to the Council Chambers. No officer was present.
We departed, a splendid sight, through the gapping entrance after our Urak’s arrival and assumed a flying wedge to protect him and cut our way if needed to the Great Tower. An escort of this size was virtually unheard of. Zagos’s men allowed us to pass without incident.
We arrived in good order at the tower, where Zagos himself greeted us. “Greetings, Urak Rahdon,” he sneered, his face pasty, looking drawn and fatigued.
The Urak did not reply.
“You alone may pass under special orders imposed this very day by the Officer of Security for Taslea.”
“Just who,” demanded Lonnan, “is the Officer of Security? I have never heard of such a position.”
“Why, it was created this very day, by myself as acting head of all the Sekers responsible this month for security and, of course, I am the Officer of Security.” The villain dared to smile.
Lonnan’s eyes flashed in anger. Zagos had us well outnumbered and perhaps wished a confrontation that would keep the Urak from answering his charges. In that event, he would win by default.
“We will abide, Lonnan,” a voice called. It was the Urak himself who approached us from within the detail of Sekers.
“You will remain here with the men. I will go to the Council Chambers, escorted by ten, the minimum number custom decrees within the Tower itself. You, Hunter, will command them.” Turning to face Zagos, he continued. “Surely you have no objection to but ten men and a Leader. Consider my position. It would not do for me to arrive utterly without an escort and what threat can eleven men present to one such as you?”
It worked. We were passed. Lonnan selected the detail of ten and surrounding the Urak, I led the men up the stairs to the door of the Council Chambers.
Out of earshot just before entering the room the Urak spoke to me, his eyes remarkably clear and alert. “Leave the Sekers with us beside the door. You will enter the Chambers with me and serve as my Counselor. Weapons are not allowed but,” he smiled at me, “it would not do to enter defenseless. You understand?”
I did. I handed my weapons to one of my Sekers and entered without them. At the small of my back lay my dagger.
21. THE COUNCIL OF THE HIGH CASTE
The massive Council Chambers occupied the entire top most floor of the Tower of the Council of the High Caste. The Chambers were dominated by the largest table I had ever before seen. Highly polished, it shown like a mirror. About it sat some eighty odd men, mostly elderly, all richly attired in the finest cloth. Silver pitchers dotted the table top as did golden bowls brimming with assorted fruits.
Each member was permitted one assistant who sat slightly to his rear, the House’s pennant lining the naked stone wall behind them.
The Council was chaired only by the Uraks for each of the seven Great Houses who served on a monthly rotating basis that never coincided with the same month the Great House assumed the patrols.
The Uraks spoke qu
ietly among themselves as we entered to face our accuser and his charges. At the table’s head sat a distinguished looking Urak with two empty chairs, one to each side. These were for the accused and his accusers. He served as master of the proceeding.
At the opposite end of the table nearest the entry way sat a single high backed chair for the witnesses. With all the shouting required to be heard the length of the table, all present would hear every word. This was, I suspected, the reason for the seating arrangement.
We assumed our place beside the Master, as did Zagos. The Council gradually grew silent and the elderly Urak conducting affairs rose slowly to his feet.
The silence was now absolute.
He called the meeting to order after which Zagos proceeded with the reading of his charges. I looked sharply at Urak Rahdon who now appeared a new man, sitting erect, his manner both intent and alert.
Our adversary was once again attired totally in black. It was a suitable color. Bits of bright gold glittered on his costly garments. His manner remained sarcastic as he laid his charges and submitted his demands.
The Master turned to Urak Rahdon for a reply, if desired, before evidence was formally submitted. My Urak rose majestically to his feet and as he spoke his voice rang clear and strong in the still air. All eyes except his accusers looked to him.
The Urak explained how some months before he had first learned of the upstart Zagos and how this newcomer had insinuated himself into the once respected House of Khonos whose head had of late grown weak with age. The Urak had sought to prevent the takeover of the House of Khonos but without success. All he had accomplished was to incur Zagos’s enmity and make his Great House into an eventual target.
He had watched Zagos turn and consume other Lesser Houses. Although, the Urak said, he believed Zagos to have a grand and evil plan, he was powerless to stop him then. Setting the stage for what he believed would be a final confrontation, the Urak Rahdon pretended senility to make his adversary over confident and reckless. This he believed had succeeded for now Zagos leveled false charges against him so confident was he of victory.
The Urak continued, “Soon we will all hear his hired witnesses and see his forged documents. This upstart, this usurper, this Low Caste scoundrel will seek to use our customs and codes, decreed by tradition and practiced with honor, to destroy first me and then each of you. Do not be deceived by him! We are all his targets and he takes delight in turning the honor we cherish and which he scorns, against ourselves. Will we permit this vile perverter of truth to dictate our affairs?
“I submit that before we proceed to his fabricated evidence this Council here and now settle for all time a single point of honor. This upstart has sought to bribe the Council with my gold. Like so many predators he believes you will clutch the blood of the dead as close to you as he does to himself. He believes that you will act as he does. He believes you will vote in his favor to gain a portion of my wealth. Since when has forfeiture been a part of Caste proceedings? This has no place in our codes and customs. This upstart seeks to buy our honor let us now take a stand on this issue.”
My Urak sat down with dignity amid the cheers of his peers. In turn, each of the Uraks rose to express support for Urak Rahdon’s motion. I smiled inwardly for it was apparent that such support had been prearranged. After each of them spoke others of lesser Houses did as well. The speakers were all prepared and so overwhelmed the opposition that the outcome was decided long before the vote was taken. Zagos’s face remained impassive but I saw his white knuckles gripping the arms of his chair as he lost the vote.
Once again my Urak rose and spoke. “I am most pleased by your vote of honor. You may now decide the issue at hand free of hint of impropriety. Before we continue I have these documents to submit.” He lay several sealed scrolls before the Master.
“I place these in evidence, to be opened at a time I designate.” The Master nodded his assent. Urak Rahdon resumed his chair and all looked to Zagos.
“I call for Merchant Rankon to testify.” Zagos was attempting to reassert himself
and spoke with more boldness than he surely possessed.
A murmur went up from some of the lesser Houses who apparently knew this merchant. An obese, sweaty man waddled to the witness chair. During his testimony he attempted to ingratiate himself to the Council. Briefly, he testified that the Urak Rahdon had demanded that the oily merchant become his partner and then had cheated him of his fair and just profits and for this reason the merchant had voluntarily come forward.
Urak Rahdon’s response was simply to deny it all and ask those of the Council who knew the merchant and his reputation to inform the others.
Zagos, I thought, will need to do better than this.
“I call for Merchant Darkzon to testify,” Zagos cried.
Merchant Darkzon made a better presentation than Rankor but he was from the city of Eshlunna and unknown to those of the Council. He testified that the Urak himself had taken shares in a caravan he had sponsored the past summer. He produced a written contract which Zagos submitted into evidence.
This man’s testimony concerned me more than the previous merchant. Although a stranger, he possessed a document and told a convincing story. Urak Rahdon responded by asking to view the contract which he promptly pronounced a forgery. It was after all, his word against the merchant’s. The Urak stared at the man awhile and then asked him to extend his right hand. The merchant whose hands had remained inserted within the sleeves of his robe folded before him was startled at the request.
Aware that he had no choice he produced his right hand, the smallest finger of which was missing, the universal sign in Doridia of the convicted thief. Several Councilmen laughed openly as the merchant was thrown bodily from the Chambers.
Zagos was now obviously rattled but assuming a stern demeanor shouted, “I call on Torkid, Officer of the Great House of Rahdon.” A hush fell over the Chamber as the frail officer entered the room. This indeed could be damaging testimony, perhaps enough to convict.
Torkid proceeded to testify that he, as Third Officer of the Great House of Rahdon responsible for the detail protecting the Rahdon family had overheard many business dealings conducted by Urak Rahdon. Being himself of High Caste he had been shocked to learn of these dealings and felt compelled to come forth. The thin officer perspired much, licking his lips as he spoke.
Urak Rahdon rose to his feet.
“I took you in and made you an officer in my House at the request of your father,
a dear friend of mine. It is a blessing that he did not live to see this day and the shame you bring to your family’s name. You repay me with treason and lies.
“Do you recant your perjured testimony?” the Urak demanded.
The Officer looked upon the polished stone floor and shook his head in a sharp
jerking motion.
“Then so be it,” pronounced Urak Rahdon. “Your father though High Caste, died destitute and sought before his death a position for you so that you might live with honor and not be forced into the Low Caste. You betray him as well as me.” Turning to the Master he said, “Please open the first scroll as my defense.”
The Master opened the first scroll which Urak Rahdon had given him earlier.
It was the sworn testimony of the Seker Fastidian who had seen Torkid lead three men of the House of Khonos, dressed in the Rahdon tunic, to the Lady Shelba’s bed chamber. He attacked the intruder who left him for dead. Fastidian had managed to drag himself directly to the Urak who had his wounds treated and then took his deposition. The faithful Seker had been placed in the dungeon to confuse the enemy and to save his testimony for this moment.
“The Seker is one of my most devoted men, a Commander of One Hundred and well known to Sekers of many of the Houses represented here this day. He stands without the Chambers one of the ten men in my escort.” So that had been the reason for Lonnan’s evasion earlier. “Do you, Torkid, deny his testimony?” Urak Rahdon demanded of the quivering off
icer.
Torkid nodded his head, eyes fixed on his sandal- boots.
“Open the second scroll and read it as my defense,” the Urak commanded. The second scroll contained the sworn testimony of two spies of the Great House of Rahdon, employees of the House of Khonos, who swore that they had witnessed Zagos and Torkid together as lovers.
Zagos’s face turned ghostly white.
“Open the third scroll and read it as my defense,” the Urak commanded. The third scroll contained the testimony of the senior most Khonos, head of that once proud family. It said that Zagos held his family imprisoned and had forced the adoption upon him. The document revealed that Zagos was the lover to the senior Khonos’s youngest son and asked the Council to forthwith strip Zagos of High Caste and rescue the Khonos family from their own dungeon.
The chamber was in an uproar. The efforts of my Urak’s spies had been impressive and decisive. With considerable effort the Master restored order.
“Read the final scroll for all to hear,” instructed Urak Rahdon with less force and a trace of sadness. The final scroll discharged Torkid from service for cause and asked the Council to strip him of High Caste.
“No!” Torkid screamed at last able to bear no more. He ran to the head of the table and threw himself at Urak Rahdon’s feet. “Forgive me, please! I could not help myself. Please! Do not do this to me.”
The Urak shook his head.
“Please, help me,” Torkid shouted to Zagos. “You promised. Help me!” he implored. Zagos looked in disgust at the trembling officer. Then slowly spat in his face. Torkid rose to his feet, sniveling and bawling. With a sob ran to the wall and threw himself out the window over which flew the Rahdon pennant. We all heard his screams until at last the body shattered on the cobblestone below. Several present nodded their heads in approval, understanding Torkid’s desire to die rather than face his shame.
Next the Council took the senior Khonos’s request that Zagos be removed from the Lists of the High Caste. He was permitted to speak before the vote was taken.
Hunter: Warrior of Doridia (The Saga of Jon Hunter Book 1) Page 18
