Spirit of Magik (The Dothranan Chronicles Book 1)

by Richard Cluff

  The idea that the woman should always be hanging like a decoration on a man's arm irritated her, and she would not abide by it. He was her decoration, and a fine decoration he made too. She noted the High Lady's eyes on her when he took her arm. It amused Ari to no end to display him as hers before her.

  Tapping his glass with a spoon, the High Lord caught everyone’s attention. “My Lords and Ladies, I would like to bring up a matter of some importance that was not resolved last year. The matter of the new Hold that must be built to make my domain completely self-sufficient.”

  Ari grinned inwardly. She wished Siri hadn't been called away so she could see the look on the High Lord's face when she was done with him.

  “As you know, even increasing the production of all Holds under my dominion has not eliminated the food shortage. I have had to pay, at some expense, to have the shortcoming seen to by imports. It is embarrassing to all of us, to be Lords and Ladies of the only Great City requiring such aid,” he said eloquently.

  “With the brief conflict that occurred between House Dothranan and House Quarrel, the shortcoming will only increase in the coming year. It is estimated that food prices will increase by nearly five percent as a result at the commoner's level next year. This will lead to an overall increase in crime among them as well as increase the costs of feeding slaves for all of us, which will be quite considerable for the Great Houses, Crown Lady Corina, and myself.”

  There were several nods of agreement among the assembled Lords and Ladies, except those that Ari had spoken with, such as Guithenus and Niral. Ari also did not nod her assent. She saw Corina watching and waiting. She nodded with the others, Ari hoped she was ready to do her part. Quarrel did not nod, but he was against the idea anyway and had his gold spent on restoring his Hold.

  Lucia Vallad noted them it seemed. Ari saw her look at her and the others, and her face took on a more interested facade.

  A pair of servants rolled a tall board on a stand out with a painted cloth map hanging from it. They placed it near the High Lord.

  “If we begin now, within three years we can add enough food to the city to eliminate half of the shortcoming.” He indicated a point on the map west of Vallad deep in the woods, nearly one-hundred miles past Vorn Hold.

  He nodded, and the servants flipped the map over the board revealing an itemized plan of action. “It will only require twenty gold crowns from myself, and the Great Houses, as well as ten crowns from the Crown nobility, and five from the rest of you to be able to purchase the tools, and hire the skilled laborers needed. Much of this will pay for the road that will be built, and if each of us donates slaves and skilled workers, the Crown General has already agreed to provide Legionnaires to watch over them as they labor.”

  “Milord Vallad, who will provide the food that is needed for this?” Ari asked calmly.

  Everyone looked at her when she spoke. Most looked shocked that she would ask such a question. Lucia Vallad's eyes lit up though, and Jacon Quarrel had a look of respectful consideration on his face.

  “I would expect that each of us would see to our own workers and slaves, of course, Lady Dothranan. It would be ludicrous to expect me to see to the entire cost of that,” he said.

  She smiled. “And this new settlement, Milord. Who will feed them until they become self-sustaining?”

  “We would have to see to them, of course, Lady Dothranan,” he answered patiently as if he were explaining the obvious to a child.

  “What additional burden will that place upon our food supply during the two or three years that we wait, Milord?” She asked.

  “There will be no additional burden, Lady Dothranan,” the High Lady cut in. “We are already feeding the people here anyway.”

  “Is that so, Milady? Do you believe that ten thousand citizens who are already comfortable here will volunteer to uproot and go hack a new life out of the woods with no incentive? To toil long hours chopping tree stumps so fields may be plowed, so that they can build houses, and be forced to dig outdoor latrines just so they may defecate?” She asked pointedly.

  “I am certain this venture will attract a more rugged type of person,” she said with a smile.

  The High Lady's weak argument was not even worth addressing, so she continued as if she had not made it. “Milady, I do not see any incentive accounted for with the coin listed on Milord's plan of action. That would mean in order to get the people that are needed to begin, an open call would have to be put out to the realm for settlers. Is that not the way of it with every settlement that is done this way?”

  “It is so, Lady Dothranan,” Jacon Quarrel said, nodding his shaved tattooed head.

  “Meaning Milord, Milady, the food crisis will only increase for a time with the new Holds presence until it becomes self-sustaining. Is that not so, Milord?” She asked.

  The High Lord conceded with a nod. “It is so, Lady Dothranan. But it is always so when a new Hold is built. The realm sustains them until they can add to the realm. It is a small, short-term sacrifice that we all must make in order to eliminate this ugly problem once and for all.”

  “That is not so, Milord,” Ari said with certainty.

  The hush that fell across the assembled Nobility was palpable.

  “That is a bold statement, Lady Dothranan,” High Lady Vallad said into the silence. “I hope you are prepared to defend your position.”

  “I am, Milady. If I may be allowed?” She said with a gesture to the board.

  “Of course, Lady Dothranan,” High Lord Vallad said with confidence.

  She disengaged Thorel from her arm and walked to the board, saying: “Return to the map.”

  The servants did so after a nod from the High Lord.

  She pointed to the coastline, about one-hundred miles southwest of Lok. “This place will allow us to create such a hold, Milord. The land is flat, good for farming and is not covered in forest, according to Legion scouting reports. With access to the sea, the settlers will be able to fish for fare nearly year round while they wait for crops to be viable. And having enough flat grassland to settle and still plant a few fields without having to cut down a forest is in our favor as well,” she paused to take a drink of her wine.

  “I have arranged with Lord Guithenus that a deep sea fishing vessel would be made available, as well as a schooner for quick transportation of goods and people between the new Hold and Lok. Lord Guithenus has assured me, that the shipyards of his Hold can easily accommodate the need for private vessels. We can use most of the gold that would be slated for the road towards vessels that would provide an incentive for those we wish to attract from Vallad itself. It will reduce the burden of food while we wait for the Hold to become self-sufficient, as nearly any person can fish for fare,” she looked at the assembled Lords and Ladies.

  “With no road, it will be difficult for travelers to visit and slow trade a great deal,” Lady Fisk pointed out.

  “To carve a simple wagon path is quick, and cheap. One-tenth of the slaves would be needed to make it, reducing the costs of transporting supplies to sustain them. The path would be carved from Lok to the new hold. And with the easy availability of private boats and ships accounted for, it would greatly increase trade passing through Lok to our Great City. Traveling by sea from the port in Lok will be a great deal faster than by road or path. And the entire population should be mostly self-sustaining within six months, not a matter of years,” she looked to the Nobles, who looked to be more seriously considering.

  “The main issue, would be the construction of docks. After that, it is simple. This plan will save all of us a great deal of gold since we would have to support it less than half as long. It would solve our food crisis in half of the time. I hope I have adequately demonstrated my point, Milord,” she concluded with a drink of her wine.

  “Well said, Milady,” Lord Niral said, bowing his head.

  “I believed it would be in the best interests of all that the Hold be closer, and more easily accessible, Lady Dothranan
,” High Lord Vallad said.

  Ari was sure that was true. But that was all the thought he had really put into it. And she was equally certain that he never considered the possibility of being thoroughly trounced in public for it. It was obvious that he never considered the actual geography in relation to how fast the food production would start. The High Lord was an excellent politician, but a poor planner for this.

  “Of course, Milord. But the Hold will not be much further away, and it should be able to pay for its own road quite easily once it has achieved full production, improving land access,” she replied.

  “Milord, with the cost of restoring the foundations, and the damage that was done to my Hold, this is the only plan I could consider. The long term financial stress of the other is simply too great,” Quarrel said seriously.

  Ari blinked, trying to keep a look of astonishment off of her face. Did he really just support me? She had assumed he would not, as a matter of course.

  “It is a solid proposal, Milord. And the benefits are quite clear,” Corina chimed in.

  Right on cue, good. Ari thought.

  As the different Lords and Ladies began chiming in, it became quite obvious that all of them wanted to save gold, Ari had been counting on their enlightened self-interest to see this through. The only one who didn't side with her idea was Crown Lord Kendal. And because everyone else had already chimed in, it was a purely symbolic gesture at best, calculated to curry Vallad's favor.

  Ari let a pleased look occupy her face. Smiling could be construed as mocking considering what just happened. And the pet plan he had been trying to push through since his eighteenth birthday was just handily defeated by a woman ten years his junior.

  While the High Lord could order his plan be put to use anyway, it would not be a wise thing to do if he did not wish to put himself in the position of being opposed by all the Nobility in his domain. The Crown General would not side with him on a personal project. If it had been ordered by the King, it would have been an entirely different matter.

  Erlac Vallad was completely silent. The look on his face could only be described as stone. But his eyes showed it all. They showed all the rage he was trying to hold back right at this moment.

  “Dear, let's take a moment to ourselves and let them enjoy the party,” his wife said taking his arm. She nodded to Ari respectfully as she turned him around and walked him out. He didn't make a sound the entire time.

  Thorel took her arm and whispered; “I think you just made a new enemy.”

  Ari smiled. “His wife had already decided that. I am executing this now to put myself in the minds of every Lord and Lady as a superior Noble,” she whispered back.

  “I think you certainly did that. Is he crazy? How could he not have seen that?” He whispered.

  “You have the advantage over him because you have lived the life of a commoner outside of a city. You know what it takes to live there. I know because I read, and consult with people who know such things better than I. I will not forget that you are knowledgeable on the subject though,” she whispered.

  Jacon Quarrel walked up to her while they whispered. She had pointed him out to Thorel by mind touch before they were seated for dinner. She wished to be certain he knew the face of their enemy.

  “Lady Dothranan, may I have a word with you in private?” Quarrel asked.

  She wasn't sure what this was about, but considering he had supported her idea, she would lend him her ear this time. “Of course Lord,” she disengaged Thorel from her and walked with him.

  They walked towards the outer edge near one of the windows. Not close enough to where he could toss her out though, should he enhance his strength and speed with Magik. Two of their guards followed each of them.

  “Lady Dothranan, I think it would be best to have this conversation in complete privacy. May I touch your mind?” He asked respectfully.

  Ari was surprised, and confused. He was completely respectful. Is this some kind of ruse, like when Ricard touched me? She wondered but nodded: “Yes, Lord. You may.”

  “I am extremely impressed with you, Lady Dothranan. You are not like the Dothranans that have come before you. You are not some simple miser trying to hurt my family for no reason,” he thought.

  “Thank you, Lord Quarrel. As you say, I am not simple,” she thought, astounded that he would be so complimentary.

  “I can see that. Tonight has demonstrated it completely. Before I was forced to surrender, I saw nothing but a little bitch of the same line that has been hounding mine for generations. You are more ruthless and intelligent than your mother was. We had been delaying this foolish plan of his for years, but neither of us was able to stop it the way you did tonight,” he thought.

  “She was my stepmother. I do not bear any Lok blood in my veins, and that is why I am superior,” she thought.

  “Ah. I forgot, forgive me. But I have had an inspiration because of you tonight, Lady Dothranan,” he thought with excitement.

  “And what would that be, Lord Quarrel?” She thought, strangely interested.

  “My Son... he is enamored with you. While you are a bit tall for my tastes, I can see your beauty. Take his hand in marriage, and unite our Houses. The High Lord wouldn't dare stand against us,” he thought to her.

  Ari nearly choked on the wine she'd been drinking.

  “We can end our long conflict, and make the High Lord our puppet, not the King's. We won't even have to take the responsibility for his decisions: we could do anything we want this way. And when he falls or is removed, it wouldn't matter which of our Houses becomes the High Nobility. As we will be one,” he thought with such passion, it was infectious.

  This has so many possibilities... She thought to herself, astounded. She had never even considered such a thing before, because of who he was.

  Two Great Houses united; that hasn't happened for centuries. But it was a fearsome thing to behold, she knew. Their military force would be the equal of the Crown General's and the High Lord's together. Even before any other alliances were considered.

  She already had Corina over a barrel. She had been adamant that she would support Vallad, but that would likely change if confronted with such power. She could have her as well.

  And Guithenus was the most powerful minor Lord beholden to this Great City. She had already secured his cooperation for life.

  All she would have to do is get quite drunk so she could bed him and have one child. Train them well, and have a means of control in place. Then she could arrange an accident for Jacon Quarrel, and install her child as the Noble of House Quarrel.

  Her mind was working so fast, it didn't even pause. After she had taken the High Noble's seat, she could arrange a slight tumble for Ricard Quarrel or some such thing. Then she would have the Crown general, and a Great House to back her, keeping her in complete power.

  Seven-hundred-fifty-thousand soldiers would be at her disposal, for anything regarding the law or the King's will. Three-hundred-fifty-thousand of them for anything she wished. She could easily arrange for evidence to be placed against her enemies to ensure the Crown General's cooperation for much more than he would normally do. She could rule with an iron fist if she wished.

  Her panties grew moist at the thought. She was certain it showed on her face, seeing the conspiratorial smile Jacon Quarrel wore.

  Then she saw Thorel standing with the nobles, speaking with the Guithenus family. And her heart hurt when she thought of marrying another. It made no sense to her. Yes, she knew she loved him, but it wasn't as if she couldn't keep him too. She would have more power than she had ever considered possible, she would keep him safe, and visit him often.

  A tear rolled unbidden out of her eye though. WHY CAN'T I SAY YES??? She screamed the question in her mind.

  She knew though. It was that damnable beast, called love. She was so frustrated she felt like stamping her feet like a child. Stupid, idiotic thing, keeping her from what she wanted more than anything.

  More than a
nything except him.

  Her composure returned. She took a deep breath, and a drink of her wine before she spoke. “Lord Quarrel, that was truly a generous offer, and I thank you. But I am afraid I must decline.”

  His expression changed completely, from one of mutual conspiracy to one that had just been spat upon. “Why?” He asked. Then he looked where she gazed and saw Thorel.

  “You would refuse my son, for that commoner? A fresh apprentice, without a drop of Noble blood? My son has the blood of ten generations of Master Wizards flowing through his veins! He will gain his staff, I promise you that, and his Master's robe as well. He is my only heir, and you would refuse?” His outrage showed clearly on his face.

  Ari saw High Lady Vallad making her way over from behind Quarrel with her guards.

  And this was the moment that Ari had feared. Especially not knowing yet what Quedesham's reply was. But she had to say it. Her heart wouldn't let her be silent.

  “I love Thorel Tangarth, and I will take him as my husband. He has accepted my proposal.”

  Quarrel's face twisted, and he looked as if he was about to spout the vilest insult. But instead of doing so, he turned on his heel and stalked away quickly. His staff clicked on the marble, and his Master's robe swished as he walked.

  “That was a dangerous declaration you just made, Lady Dothranan,” Lucia walked to her, sipping her wine.

  “Perhaps it was, Milady. What would you do, for the man you loved?” She asked, feeling truly afraid for the first time since she had faced her feelings for him.

  She walked up beside her. “Probably something foolish, particularly at your age,” she said with a laugh.

  Ari nodded. Yes, it had been completely foolish. But she had been able to do nothing else, faced with that choice. It confounded and annoyed her that she hadn't been able to change her answer. She had wanted to, desperately.

  “It doesn't matter how much you love him, you know. You have just angered the one man who could have legitimized your marriage to a commoner,” Lucia said, looking at her.

  “I know. I didn't think he would be quite so agitated by my proposal, Milady,” Ari said truthfully.