Aakuta: the Dark Mage fl-4

by Richard S. Tuttle

  “There is some sense to that,” agreed the old lord, “but there are things that cannot be solved by mages, like your price increases.”

  “Do not be so sure of that,” grinned Lord Marak. “I would not spread this word around too much, but I intend to offer a generous discount to any clan that is slave free. In fact, the cost of my goods to a clan who has no slaves will be considerably lower than last year’s prices.”

  “Lower than last year’s?” echoed Lord Chandra. “You certainly will face financial ruin.”

  “Perhaps,” shrugged Lord Marak, “but is that any reason not to take advantage of me while you can?”

  “Certainly not,” laughed the old man. “If that is what it takes to get cheap prices out of you, my slaves are as good as sold. Where can I procure the services of these hired mages?”

  “There is a mage school in Chantise,” answered Lord Marak. “They buy mages and train them. Then they hire them out to clans that require their services. They are very skilled and very professional. It is called the Khadora School of Magic.”

  “I shall contact them on my way home,” smiled Lord Chandra. “It has been a pleasure meeting you, Lord Marak. I hope you change your ways so that you are still with us next year, but don’t start until I get my cheap goods.”

  “I promise that I won’t change any time soon,” laughed Lord Marak as Lord Chandra rose and left.

  Several moments later, Latril whispered, “He is telling everyone about the discount he is getting from you.”

  “As I thought he might,” chuckled Lord Marak. “I rather liked the spirit of that old man.”

  “There is an awful lot of talk tonight about prices,” reported Latril. “I cannot imagine that a clan as small as the Toraks could have such an effect on prices. All of the clans are matching your increases.”

  “For some it is necessary,” Lord Marak pointed out. “Along with the Sorgans, we hold a fair share of the watula market. Every estate needs watula so their prices have to go up to pay for our increase. Plus, there is basic human greed. If we can charge more and get away with it, others will seek to increase their profits. Remember, it is not only our watula that has been increased. All of our clans have raised prices on all of their commodities. Clova, wasooki, fish, lumber, lituks, all of it.”

  “But we do not have a major portion of all of those markets,” countered Latril. “It would seem that some clan would seek to profit by charging lower prices.”

  “Oh some will,” nodded Lord Marak, “and their goods will be in high demand, but after that supply is exhausted, where will the clans go?”

  “How will they react when they find you are discounting everything?” questioned Latril.

  “I am not sure,” Lord Marak admitted. “We will find out soon. I think tomorrow will bring news of the discounts to every clan. Then we shall see how they react.”

  “Some are reacting right now,” frowned Latril. “There is anger from more than one lord about discounts for slave-free clans.”

  “Are they all angry?” questioned Lord Marak.

  “No,” replied Latril. “In fact, more than I would have suspected are intrigued by the idea. This is an education for me. I knew that mages were not thought highly of, but most of these lords express desires to be rid of them. They do not believe that magic works at all. If it wasn’t fashionable to have your own mages, I do not think most clans would bother with them.”

  “Then we are about to make it unfashionable,” grinned Lord Marak. “This evening meal has been an education for me, too. Let’s return to our quarters so you can tell me what you have learned.”

  “Very well,” responded Latril, “but a lot of it will not please you. While mages are not thought of as being useful, you are thought of as being harmful. Many a lord has expressed a need for something to be done about you.”

  “Did they have any suggestions?” Lord Marak asked as he rose.

  “Many had suggestions,” frowned Latril. “They had as many suggestions about what to do with you as there are ways of dying.”

  “You are just trying to cheer me up,” Lord Marak quipped sarcastically. “We certainly have our work cut out for us.”

  “More than you can imagine, Lord Marak,” Latril said. “Many a lord has asked how large your escort is. You may be safe in the Imperial Palace, but I would investigate different ways of returning to Fardale.”

  Chapter 11

  Assembly of Lords

  “What should we do while you are in the meeting chamber?” asked Botal.

  “Roam around the palace,” suggested Lord Marak. “Keep your ears open at all times. Perhaps we can pick up some tidbits that will prove useful. Have your men mix with the soldiers of other clans as much as possible. Latril, there are many staff members for the other lords that will not be in the meeting chamber. Find out where they congregate and listen in on their conversations. I want to gather as much information on the other clans as possible. This opportunity does not come often.”

  Latril nodded and Lord Marak left the quarters of the Torak clan. The Assembly of Lords was not due to start for an hour, but he wanted to be among the first to arrive. He strode down the long corridor and turned into the foyer. There were more than a few Imperial soldiers stationed in the foyer, but no other lords were visible. He opened the door to the Assembly Chamber and walked in.

  The room was empty and Lord Marak stood for a moment as his eyes swept over the room. A feeling of apprehension washed over Lord Marak as he realized where he was. The Assembly of Lords was a gathering of the heads of all Khadoran clans. Only the Lords’ Council and the Emperor stood above the group that would soon file into this grand room.

  He walked over to the chair that Chard and pointed to the previous day. As promised, Lord Marak’s name was engraved upon the chair. He sat down and examined the desk and small table. Writing instruments were on the desk as well as a candle. The small table held a glass and a pitcher of water.

  Lord Marak sat in silence as he tried to gather his thoughts. He had managed to pick up enough information to understand how the meeting would be run, but he still pondered nervously the type of reception his words were likely to bring. The attitudes of the lords were as diverse as their clan colors. Lord Marak realized that he would find a few lords who might be receptive to freeing their slaves, as Lord Chandra had been the night before, but many more would find the thought repugnant and dangerous. While he never heard of a lord being attacked in the Imperial Palace, he was thankful for the large group of Imperial soldiers outside the room.

  As the time for the meeting approached, lords began entering the chamber through the multitude of red doors. Lord Mark wove an air tunnel and sat in the back of the room directing the tunnel towards various groups of lords as they entered and greeted one another. To anyone gazing at him, he appeared to be lost in thought, but Lord Marak was rapidly identifying which lords might prove to be enemies and those who could become friendly with the proper persuasion.

  “Good morning, Lord Marak,” Lord Shamino said as he took his place next to Lord Marak. “You are here early.”

  “I wouldn’t want to miss anything,” Lord Marak smiled. “How are the other lords accepting you as the new lord of the Sorgan clan?”

  “Mostly with disinterest,” shrugged Lord Shamino. “I do not think that Lord Quavry had many friends. Some lords who did know him pressed for details of his death.”

  “What did you tell them?” asked Lord Marak.

  “The truth,” grinned Lord Shamino. “I said that he died during the night in his chambers.”

  “You have the qualities of a lord of Khadora,” chuckled Lord Marak. “Who was most interested in his death?”

  “There were several,” replied the Sorgan lord. “The most persistent was Lord Patel of the Nordon clan. He is a member of the Lords’ Council.”

  “Interesting,” mused Lord Marak. “Which one is he?

  “Front row,” answered Lord Shamino. “His clan colors are green
and white.”

  “I see him,” Lord Marak said softly as he adjusted the air tunnel to listen to the conversation Lord Patel was having.

  “Lord Marak,” greeted Lord Sevrin as he entered the Assembly Chamber. “What are you doing sitting here in the back?”

  “It is my assigned seat,” replied Lord Marak. “Why do you find that strange?”

  “The rear is usually for those lords who only have a single estate,” frowned the Ragatha lord. “You are more powerful than that.”

  “Powerful?” questioned Lord Shamino.

  “Certainly,” nodded Lord Sevrin. “Seating in the Assembly of Lords is not accidental. There is scheme to it. The most powerful occupy the front row where everyone can see them. The members of the Lords’ Council are always up front. As you move further back in the room, the clans become less powerful. At the very rear are those lords who only have a single estate. There has been a grievous mistake made here. You deserve to be moved forward quite a bit. Your holdings are on a par with mine. I shall speak to someone about this.”

  “No,” Lord Marak declared. “Perhaps it is better that I am out of sight of everyone. I actually prefer to be seated back here. Let those who need the limelight to reaffirm their importance sit up front. I am quite content here.”

  “Very well,” frowned Lord Sevrin, “but the other lords would pay more heed to your words if you sat further forward.”

  Lord Sevrin departed and took his seat a third of the way forward. Lord Marak had just returned his attention to his air tunnel when he was again interrupted.

  “So you are Lord Marak,” greeted the Morgar lord. “I am Lord Saycher. I am your neighbor at your Raven’s Point estate.”

  “Greetings, Lord Saycher,” Lord Marak said. “I apologize for not coming out and visiting you since we took control at Raven’s Point. It has been on my agenda, but time seems to slip by so quickly.”

  “No apology is needed,” smiled Lord Saycher. “I have had perennial problems with the Situ when they controlled Raven’s Point. The Toraks appear to be a much better neighbor. Your lord at Raven’s Point has been over several times, and I have visited Raven’s Point several times. I found your people to be most cordial and willing to discuss things. It is refreshing after dealing with Lord Ridak.”

  “I am very pleased to hear that,” smiled Lord Marak. “I, too, found Lord Ridak rather hard to deal with.”

  “No doubt you did,” laughed lord Saycher. “The one thing that I have not been able to pry out of your people is how you came into possession of Raven’s Point. Nobody seems to want to discuss it.”

  “There is little to discuss,” shrugged Lord Marak. “I defeated Lord Ridak in battle. Raven’s Point was part of my spoils.”

  “Yet you let the Situ hold onto some of their other estates,” mused Lord Saycher. “Why?”

  “I had no desire to eradicate the Situ clan,” replied Lord Marak. “They have a rich heritage as do most of the clans of Khadora. I think it is important to maintain that heritage.”

  “You have odd notions for a lord,” Lord Saycher said. “Still you did take Raven’s Point from them.”

  “I had a use for Raven’s Point,” smiled Lord Marak. “I am sure that you have seen my ships off the coast. Fardale is certainly not suited to sailing.”

  “Hardly,” nodded the Morgar lord. “I have indeed seen your ships, and they puzzle me. They are rather large ships. It hardly makes sense to ship cargo by water in Khadora. The roads are quite adequate. What do you do with your ships? Surely they are not fishing vessels?”

  “I do have fishing vessels at Raven’s Point,” answered Lord Marak, “but I also have larger ships for moving cargo. As for the roads being adequate, I have lost three caravans recently on the roads of Khadora. That alone reinforces my desire to have ships to move my goods.”

  “Ah,” nodded Lord Saycher. “I had not heard of your losses. I should think your troops could stop others from stealing your goods.”

  “The attacks were not meant to be thefts,” retorted Lord Marak. “The caravans were destroyed, and the traces of the attacks removed. You see, Lord Saycher, I am at war. The problem is, I do not know the name of my enemy.”

  “Not thefts?” echoed Lord Saycher. “That is dastardly and cowardly. Such warfare is unheard of in Khadora. I have a very good relationship with Lord Quilo of the Organila clan. He is a member of the Lords’ Council. I will speak to him about this matter.”

  “I appreciate that,” Lord Marak smiled thinly, “but I feel that this is something that I must address myself. I cannot impose on the Lords’ Council every time I have a problem.”

  “This is not just a problem, Lord Marak,” frowned Lord Saycher. “You must be well aware that there are many lords in Khadora that would wish you dead. I must say that your ideas are radical, and I implore you to reevaluate them, but some of them hold promise. I do not mean the slavery issue of course, but opening up negotiations with your neighbors rather than going to war is something that is long overdue in Khadora. Besides, if some other clan defeats the Toraks, I am apt to have another new neighbor at Raven’s Point, and I am quite happy with the one I have now.”

  “I am pleased to hear your words, Lord Saycher,” smiled Lord Marak. “If I cannot come to a settlement with my enemy soon, I shall talk with you again about your friend on the Lords’ Council.”

  “Very well,” Lord Saycher nodded. “I had better take my seat now. I think the meeting is about to begin.”

  Throughout the large room, lords scurried to hurriedly take their seats. As soon as the room was orderly, horns rent the silence. A large door at the back of the stage opened and Imperial troops flowed onto the stage. The troops fanned out symmetrically and took up positions. A striking figure in white and gold followed the soldiers. He marched regally forward and stood at the edge of the stage. Lord Marak knew the entrance was merely for show, but he admired the effect it had on the assembled lords. The room was totally silent.

  “Fellow Lords of Khadora,” the voice of the Emperor boomed naturally, “welcome to this Assembly of Lords. Once again I am happy to report that Khadora is in fine shape. Our borders are secure, our commerce is healthy, and our rivalries are subdued.”

  A few lords chuckled over the Emperor’s words, but glares from the other lords soon silenced them.

  “There are some new faces among us,” Emperor Bagora continued, “and for the first time in generations, a new clan in Khadora. I am sure that all have already heard of the Torak clan, but I urge all of you to welcome all of the new faces among us. This is a rare opportunity for the lords of Khadora to meet in peace and discuss issues of importance in safety. As always, a member of the Lords’ Council will direct this session of the Assembly of Lords. Lord Woton of Clan Neju will reside over this meeting.”

  The Emperor held out his hand invitingly towards Lord Woton. The Neju lord rose from his chair and climbed the steps to the stage. As Lord Woton walked to the center of the stage, the Emperor retreated to a throne at the back of the stage.

  Lord Woton began the session by announcing the changes in Khadora since the last assembly. Mostly he centered on improvements to roads, bridges, and waterways. He avoided bringing up details of clan warfare, but he did announce new holdings of clans. When he stated the holdings of the Torak clan, quite a few lords grumbled in surprise.

  Lord Marak appreciated the speech by Lord Woton as it informed him of many things he had been unaware of. He had not thought about who maintained the main roads and the waterways. He also had not heard of the massive locust plagues until the night before when Lord Chandra mentioned it.

  After Lord Woton completed his speech, he opened the floor to the lords. The format of debate was fairly loose. Any lord could get up and address the assembly, or he could pose a question to another lord. The lord in question could refuse to answer, but most chose to step up to the stage to deliver their answers. Everything was quite orderly. Several hours into the meeting, Lord Faliman rose and pos
ed a question to Lord Marak.

  “Lord Marak,” asked Lord Faliman, “prices in Khadora are rising at a furious rate. From what I have been able to determine, you started this horrendous trend. It is no secret that you have freed your slaves, but is that any reason to charge the rest of us more when we are in the middle of the worst plague in recent history?”

  Lord Marak rose and made his way to the stage. He felt the eyes of all of the lords upon him as he climbed the steps and turned to face the assemblage. His eyes scanned the faces of the lords as he prepared to speak.

  “Let me start by saying that the prices for my goods have nothing to do with the lack of slaves in the Torak clan,” he began. “Since I freed my slaves, the productivity of the Torak estates has risen dramatically. In fact, Fardale was in danger of being abandoned when I took it over. Now it produces more watula than ever before, and it is a finer grade of crop. Those of you who purchase regularly from Fardale know of what I speak. So, Lord Faliman, it is not the lack of slaves that are causing my price increases. Truthfully, we have experienced a great increase in demand for our products. That may well be a result of the locust plague for all I know.”

  Lord Marak scanned the faces of the lords to see how his message was being received before he continued.

  “I did not learn of the locust plague until last night when Lord Chandra informed me of the troubles on his estate,” Lord Marak continued. “I made an offer to Lord Chandra last night, and I am willing to make it to the rest of the lords here today. I firmly believe that the end of slavery is in the best interests of Khadora.”

  Shouts and insults forced Lord Marak to pause. Many lords were on their feet with raised fists as they hollered at the stage. Lord Marak decided to patiently wait out the angry outburst, but the Emperor’s voice rang loudly through the room.

  “I will have quiet in this chamber,” demanded the Emperor. “Whether or not you care for what the lord is saying, he must be allowed to say it. Those are the rules of this assembly. I am sure there will be ample time during these meeting days to hear from others with opposing viewpoints.”