Aakuta: the Dark Mage fl-4

by Richard S. Tuttle

  “Rather than sending troops,” frowned Lord Quilo, “shouldn’t we be trying to mediate the dispute?”

  “I am afraid that Lord Yungis will not accept any mediation,” reported Lord Marak. “In my discussions with him, he showed nothing but contempt for the Lords’ Council. I do not believe that he would follow the rulings of this council even if we could get him to accept mediation of the dispute.”

  “You have spoken to Lord Yungis personally?” questioned Lord Quilo. “Where was this? And when?”

  “It was on the morning of the death of our Emperor,” answered Lord Marak. “He arrived unannounced at the estate of Lord Oktar. I was there at the time.”

  “I have heard,” interrupted Lord Kiamesh, “that there are a number of clans assembled at the Balomar estate. Is this true Lord Marak? And if so, is this not in itself a provocation?”

  “There are a number of clans present on the estate,” nodded Lord Marak. “Their presence there was unknown to Lord Yungis until he attacked. In fact, the large variety of uniforms confused the Jiadin when they attacked. I believe that is what stopped an all out assault. If their presence was not known, how then can it be a provocation?”

  “A valid question,” nodded Lord Kiamesh.

  “And what are they doing there, Lord Marak?” asked Lord Garic. “Maybe Lord Yungis did not know they were there, but that does not alter the fact that they were present. What clans are present there? And why are they there?”

  Lord Marak sighed as he listened to the question that he had wished he would not have to answer.

  “There are a number of clans present on the Balomar estate,” answered Lord Marak, “including the Torak clan. The reason that they are there is to repel foreign invaders from Khadora, an exercise that this body should be eager to aid. If the question of legality is an issue, I can assure this council that it is perfectly legal. My plan was presented to the Emperor before I instituted it. He approved of it and declared it to be legal. Still, that is not the issue before this council today. There has been a clear provocation, and Lord Oktar waits outside this chamber to seek help in preserving his clan. May I bring him in?”

  “Are you sure that Lord Yungis would resist mediation?” questioned Lord Kiamesh.

  “Positive,” nodded Lord Marak. “His contempt for our government is severe. I must make this council aware of the reasons for his contempt. He has five thousand Jiadin warriors at his disposal. That army would present a challenge to the mightiest of our Khadoran clans. Worse, he has allies who can quickly multiply his force by four. The Vessi and Lejune clans each have five thousand Jiadin warriors. You have heard of their recent conquests on the eastern frontier. There is also a fourth clan, the Pikata, who also have Jiadin warriors. My fear is that these four clans will join forces to sweep across Khadora. The Balomar estate is only the first of many conquests. If we do not make a stand now, Khadora as we know it will cease to exist. I implore this council to provide troops immediately.”

  “I move that this council immediately agree to take a stand on this provocation,” said Lord Patel. “We have lost several clans already to these Jiadin armies. How many clans must we lose before we awaken to the real threat they present to Khadora?”

  “There is merit to your request, Lord Marak,” conceded Lord Kiamesh, “but you are proposing a solution that has never been used before. The Imperial troops are not numerous enough to halt the Jiadin. What do you want us to do?”

  “I want armies,” answered Lord Marak. “Each member of this council could send troops in the very least. Optimally, other clans outside this council could be convinced to send troops. We need fighters, Lord Kiamesh. Lots of them.”

  “And who will lead these troops?” asked Lord Kiamesh. “Are these great armies to be under your command?”

  “Each clan could lead its own armies,” answered Lord Marak. “To be effective, there must be coordination among the clans. I would be willing to accept that responsibility and report directly to this council.”

  “So you want our men for your own army?” asked Lord Garic. “That is preposterous.”

  “That is not what I said,” frowned Lord Marak. “Look, I don’t really care who coordinates them as long as we succeed in pushing the Jiadin back into Fakara. This is not about me, Lord Garic. This is about preserving Khadora.”

  “I am hesitant, Lord Marak,” admitted Lord Quilo. “The eastern frontier is quite a distance from Khadoratung and the Imperial Valley. While some minor frontier clans may indeed disappear, I really don’t think the Glamaraldi, or any other frontier clan, has the ability to battle its way here.”

  “Are not the frontier clans part of Khadora, Lord Quilo?” posed Lord Marak. “Does the Lords’ Council exist only to serve the interests of the Imperial Valley? If that is the case, why should the frontier clans abide by your rules? Suppose other clans decide to take the attitude of Lord Yungis and declare that the government in Khadoratung is not relevant. Will Khadora then shrink to only those clans in the Imperial Valley?”

  “If the frontier clans want to ignore us,” retorted Lord Quilo, “they will do so at their own peril. The Imperial Valley clans are the heart of Khadora. We have the armies to crush any opponent.”

  “Then use them,” grinned Lord Marak. “That is exactly what I am asking you to do. The Jiadin are stealing portions of Khadora as we speak, Lord Quilo. They are using a few fool lords to accomplish their goal, but do not for one minute think that Lord Yungis really controls these men. He may believe it now, but I do not. When Lord Yungis has served his purpose, the foreigners will toss him aside.”

  “We may have to in the future,” conceded Lord Quilo, “but I think you see this as a chance to seek power for yourself, Lord Marak. Do not take me for a fool.”

  “Perhaps there is a way to resolve this,” offered Lord Kiamesh. “We could choose one of our marshals to lead this force. I think we should first vote on the proposition of supporting Lord Oktar, and later deal with what the force will look like and who will lead it.”

  Lord Garic frowned and rose from his seat. “I request a short recess,” he said.

  “Five minutes,” nodded Lord Quilo.

  Lord Garic walked swiftly out of the room and raced to the Emperor’s office. He was immediately admitted.

  “What is it?” Emperor Mirakotto asked distractedly.

  “The Lords’ Council is in session,” answered Lord Garic. “They are considering a proposal to send troops to aid the Balomar clan against the Glamaraldi.”

  “That nonsense again,” snarled the Emperor. “Why do none of them understand that the frontier just doesn’t matter in the overall scheme of things? Has there been a provocation?”

  “There has been,” nodded Lord Garic. “It looks like a resolution will pass the council this time. Lord Patel and Lord Kiamesh appear to be leaning towards it. Lord Quilo and myself are against it.”

  “Just let them do it,” smirked the Emperor. “Their armies will suffer loses, and they will be the weaker for it. I cannot believe that they are such fools.”

  “Very well,” frowned Lord Garic. “I thought you would be opposed to it.”

  “Why?” questioned the Emperor.

  “There is talk that Lord Marak would lead the armies,” shrugged Lord Garic.

  “What?” shouted Emperor Mirakotto. “You did not mention anything about Lord Marak.”

  “Well he is the one presenting the plan to the council,” frowned Lord Garic. “I thought that I had mentioned that.”

  “So Lord Marak is seeking yet more power?” mused the Emperor. “He is a threat, Garic. I know that he had meetings with Bagora, but I cannot find any record of them. I am curious what schemes they had planned together.”

  “Lord Marak did say that the Bagora had authorized the other clans that have armies out there already,” mentioned Lord Garic. “He said the Emperor had declared it legal.”

  “What other clans?” inquired Emperor Mirakotto. “Do you know who they are?”
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  “He did not say,” Lord Garic shook his head. “He only mentioned that there were several and that the Torak clan was one of them.”

  “And he is seeking more troops to fight under his banner?” questioned the Emperor.

  “That is what he is proposing,” nodded Lord Garic. “Not only armies from the Lords’ Council, but also from other clans. He says that he is facing twenty thousand Jiadin warriors.”

  “Such nonsense,” scowled the Emperor. “I will not allow Lord Marak’s power to grow any further. He may well become a thorn in my side.”

  “My vote will not stop this resolution from passing,” declared Lord Garic. “I doubt that I can convince Lord Patel or Lord Kiamesh to vote against it.”

  “Well I can stop it,” snarled the Emperor. “Return to the meeting, and tell them that all votes of the Lords’ Council on this matter must be authorized by the Emperor. Tell them that the Emperor has been notified that there are potential illegalities concerning the placement of troops at the Balomar estate. These illegalities will be fully investigated before the government can authorize any help to Lord Oktar.”

  Lord Garic grinned and nodded as he left the office. He hurried back to the Lords’ Council Chamber. The other lords had already reassembled and Lord Garic took his seat.

  “Very well,” Lord Quilo said. “Now that we are all refreshed, shall we put this issue to a vote?”

  “You cannot,” replied Lord Garic. “I ran into the Emperor while I was out. He is most disturbed by reports of clans assembling at the Balomar estate. He has ordered an investigation into the legalities of the matter. He has ordered that the Lords’ Council votes on this matter must be authorized by him personally until the investigation is complete. There will be no help for Lord Oktar until this is all settled.”

  “Did you empty his chamber pot while you were there, Lord Garic?” retorted Lord Patel.

  “Is it legal for the Emperor to stop the Lords’ Council from voting on this?” asked Lord Marak.

  “The Emperor can step in if he feels that the Lords’ Council is doing something in violation of the law,” nodded Lord Quilo.

  “But there has been a provocation,” countered Lord Marak. “Emperor Bagora has already ruled on the legality of my troops being there, and additional troops after the provocation is clearly legal.”

  “This has nothing to do with legalities, Lord Marak,” stated Lord Patel. “This has to do with his hatred of you. To allow this council to send troops under your command is to give you prestige. Mirakotto will never allow that. His investigation is merely one of the weapons that he will use to crush you. I advise you to withdraw the request.”

  “What if Lord Oktar makes the request?” asked Lord Marak. “I will step out of the entire affair and turn the troops over to someone else. This is not about me. This is about saving Khadora.”

  “I believe your offer to step out of this is sincere,” Lord Kiamesh smiled thinly, “but once Mirakotto has entered into this fray, it will not matter if you withdraw. He will continue to block it no matter what. Believe me in this. I have been an outspoken foe of Mirakotto’s since the day I joined this council. He is like a starving dog that has sunk his teeth into a piece of meat. He will not let go until it is devoured.”

  “It only makes sense to adjourn this meeting,” nodded Lord Quilo. “You will have to manage with the troops you already have, Lord Marak. This meeting is adjourned.”

  The lords filed out of the room. When only Lord Quilo was left, Katzu quietly closed the door and walked across the room and sat down next to the Organila lord who was writing a journal entry about the meeting.

  “What is it, Katzu?” Lord Quilo asked without looking up from his task.

  “You ended the meeting quickly,” commented Lord Quilo.

  “What if I did?” shrugged Lord Quilo. “There was not going to be a resolution. Why listen to more arguments about it?”

  “You were against Lord Marak’s proposal then?” asked the mediator.

  “You always were a keen observer of people, Katzu,” smiled Lord Quilo. “Of all the mediators for the Lords’ Council, your services are the most in demand. Your rulings have never been questioned. That is because you understand people and what makes them do what they do. You make me proud.”

  “Most of the time,” frowned Katzu, “you have made me proud as well. That is why I wanted to speak to you about this, Father.”

  “What is there to speak about?” questioned Lord Quilo. “While Lord Oktar may indeed have a problem, I see this whole request as a ruse by Lord Marak to gain power. He has already positioned troops illegally at the Balomar estate. Now he seeks thousands more to serve under his banner. Can you deny that he seeks power?”

  “I know Lord Marak to be an honest and patriotic Khadoran,” replied Katzu. “Let me ask you a question. The Organila clan has long had an alliance with the Morgar clan. I know there have been several times over the past few years when Lord Saycher has talked to you about the Situ’s ambitions at Raven’s Point. Is that not true?”

  “That is correct,” nodded Lord Quilo, “although I fail to see what that has to do with anything. The Situ were always desirous of expanding, and Lord Saycher relied on the Organila clan to protect him. Why shouldn’t he? Our clans have had an alliance for generations.”

  “Didn’t you on more than one occasion send troops to the Morgar estate to halt the Situ ambitions?” asked Katzu.

  “Not to the Morgar estate,” corrected Lord Quilo. “We did move troops close enough to warn the Situ that any attack would result in war with us. It always dissuaded the Situ from doing anything foolish.”

  “And you would have attacked the Situ if they had made a move against Lord Saycher, wouldn’t you?” questioned the mediator.

  “Without question,” nodded Lord Quilo. “Force is the only way to stop a thief, son. That is the one thing that I never seemed to be able to teach you. Had you understood that, you would have made a fine replacement for me as head of the Organila clan.”

  “You know I abhor force if there is another way,” smiled Katzu. “The life of a mediator serves me well. How has Lord Saycher been doing now that Raven’s Point is a Torak estate instead of a Situ one?”

  “Lord Saycher is very pleased,” admitted Lord Quilo. “He has no fears that the Torak clan will infringe upon his lands. I guess it is all part of the strange peacefulness that has invaded the southern frontier.”

  “That peacefulness is no accident, Father,” declared Katzu. “It was brought about by Lord Marak, who by the way is trying to protect Lord Oktar just as you would have protected Lord Saycher.”

  “He did not move his troops close to the Balomar estate,” Lord Quilo pointed out. “He moved them onto the estate. There is a large difference there. What he did was illegal.”

  “Not true, Father,” Katzu shook his head. “I was present when the Emperor ruled on this matter. Lord Marak has every legal right to be on the Balomar estate.”

  “Every legal right?” echoed Lord Quilo. “That is not possible. Unless…” he frowned. “What I am thinking only proves the danger of Lord Marak. He is trying to increase his power at the expense of other clans.”

  “No, Father,” Katzu shook his head. “You said that I have a special skill in seeing the true motives of people. I understand Lord Marak, as others do not. I am privy to much secret information about him and his dealings. I cannot betray that confidence, even to you, but I can assure you that he works for the good of all of Khadora. Emperor Bagora felt this about him as well. Why do you think he made that rare appeal in the Assembly of Lords? Bagora never nominated anyone for the Lords’ Council, even when he was just a member of the council. Open your eyes, Father. I know you trusted Bagora’s judgment, and I know you trust my judgment. There is no finer patriot of Khadora than Lord Marak. Support him.”

  Lord Quilo stared at his son for a long time without speaking. Finally, he picked up his papers and left the room.

  Chapter 2
7

  Old Acquaintance

  It was the night before the opening session of the Assembly of Lords. The Imperial Palace was full of people, as lords from all over the country had come to Khadoratung to elect a new member to the Lords’ Council. Lords gathered in corridors and discussed the rumors surrounding the assassination of Emperor Bagora.

  On the lower level of the Imperial Palace, thousands of soldiers crammed into the dining room. The dining room was huge with dozens of rows of long tables and benches running along each side of them. Nearly a hundred Imperial soldiers worked in the kitchen preparing food for the soldiers who were there to escort their clan lords. The room was noisy, hot, and crowded as long lines of soldiers streamed in and out as they took turns eating.

  The trouble started innocuously as some soldiers remarked upon the untidiness of the Vessi soldiers. The Jiadin warriors who wore the Vessi uniforms cared little for the traditions of Khadorans. Some wore their clan headbands; some did not. Only a third bothered to wear the wristbands, and half had discarded the belts that featured the symbol of their clan. The Vessi soldiers did not understand the taunts at first, but as the other Jiadin-supported clans entered, the remarks of other soldiers became inflammatory. The Vessi, Glamaraldi, Lejune, and Pikata soldiers banded together and started shouting insults at the Khadorans.

  The spark that ignited the trouble occurred when a Pikata soldier tripped, his tray of food flying through the air to land in the middle of a group of Aritor soldiers. The stew splashed onto the crisp uniforms of the Aritor soldiers, and the Jiadin started laughing. The Aritor soldiers responded by hurling scraps of food at the Pikata troops. Within seconds, soldiers were charging one another. The four Jiadin clans squared off against the soldiers of all of the other clans. Fortunately, weapons had been forbidden within the Imperial Palace, but the fighting was still intense.

  Tables were knocked over, and benches were torn from the floor and used to bash opponents. Some soldiers used their eating utensils to attack others. Several snared torches off the wall and attempted to ignite their adversaries. The hundred Imperial soldiers immediately discarded their cooking duties and streamed into the room in an attempt to restore order. They failed.