Albrekk raised an eyebrow and Engvyr continued.
“The simple fact is that our regiments might have had a much worse time of it had the baasgarta remained under the influence of the Stepchildren and the fanatic disregard for their own lives that it compelled. Their departure insured our victory and doubtless saved dwarven lives. More importantly I have tens of thousands of innocents without shelter or the means to support themselves not three leagues from here. Assuming the defeat of the baasgarta, insuring the survival of those innocents was my highest priority. The only way that I could accomplish that was to move them into the city—fortuitously vacated by your own people when the baasgarta invaded.”
“So, taking the city from us was simple expedience, not to punish us for our transgressions?” Albrekk asked.
“Yes—the fact that it also punishes the council was a happy accident, and a welcome one, but the primary motivation was pragmatic. We needed your city, and we had taken it, so the only sensible option was to keep it.”
Albrekk snorted. “That doing so would, for the first time, give your nation its own deep-water port and access to the overseas trade never entered into it, I suppose”
Engvyr shrugged. “It didn’t motivate the decision, but I would have been a fool not to consider it.”
“So how does this justify sparing me? Not that I object, mind you.”
Engvyr stood and began to pace. “Frankly? We have no history of taking cities by conquest. Oh, over the centuries we have done so, over the centuries, when it was necessary, but we’ve never kept one. We do not know this Taerneal or how it works. We need someone who does. Someone who has proven his willingness to work with us, his competence, and the will to do what must be done. In short, you.”
Albrekk raised an eyebrow and said, “You spared my life to offer me a job?”
Engvyr grinned. “Who better? We need a City Manager, and you’re the best person for the job.”
“Contingent on my agreeing to the terms of my parole, of course, and what, exactly, would those terms be?”
Engvyr frowned thoughtfully, then said, “We’ll work out the full terms later, but among them will be a requirement that you swear fealty to the King and Dvaergatil Baeg. Naturally you will be expected to uphold that oath fully and without reservation, and to take no action against my people. Nor any action to promote the liberation of this city or to conspire with others to that end.”
“On pain of death,” Albrekk said.
Engvyr nodded. “Naturally. And rest assured that if you violate our agreement, no circumstance or need of the moment will save you. Not the least because once you've sworn fealty any such action would be treason.”
“And my property and holdings?”
“Forfeit to the Crown, and to be used first and foremost for compensation of widows and orphans of the watch who fell in the defense the city. Secondarily, to compensate those who will inevitably lose their property and possessions when the braell occupy the city. You will be maintained in comfort in quarters here in the Council House, with enough of the members of your household to ensure that seeing to your own needs will not interfere with your duties.”
Albrekk nodded. “And the other council members? Do you really intend to torture them?”
Engvyr raised an eyebrow and said, “Torture them? Of course not! Torture is a violation of Dwarven law.”
Albrekk furrowed his brow and said, “But your interrogators… you said…”
The dwarf shrugged and said “I said they were very proficient, and they are. I never said that anyone would be tortured. If your council members took it that way, perhaps they will be all the more inclined to cooperate. The innocent ones, anyway.”
The afmaeltinn snorted in amusement.
Engvyr said, “I’d appreciate it if you would not share that information, but you might quietly spread the word that while suicide will be taken as an admission of guilt, the family of the guilty party will not be held accountable.”
Albrekk made a gesture of assent, “And council members who are found innocent? What is to be their fate?”
“Their lands and fortunes will be forfeit to the Crown and used in the same way and for the same purposes as your own. They will be provided with goods and funds adequate for their survival, and they will be set on the road, never to return.”
Albrekk nodded. “I suppose that is justice enough; even the best of them were a bit too inclined to put their own interests ahead of those of their constituents—myself not excepted, truth be told. Well, my lord, I agree in principle to the terms of my parole as currently stated, and given the alternative, you’ll find me unlikely to balk at further stipulations. Shall I swear my oaths now, or wait until all the conditions of my parole are established?”
“Given that your fealty is the primary condition," said Engvyr, "I see no reason to delay.” He levered himself up from the stool and said, “If you would be so kind as to kneel?”
Epilogue
Bulewef groaned and shifted. His head felt as though it had been split by an ax and he was stiff and sore all over, but obviously very much alive. He was curiously surprised to feel open air around him and a soft surface under him; he expected confinement and cobbles. After a moment he remembered the barricade collapsing on him. I guess they found me, he thought. He was pretty sure that if the baasgarta had found him his circumstances would be much less comfortable. That must mean we’ve won.
He figured that meant he should be up and around, get back to his unit. There’s sure to be more work than hands to do it.
The attempt to open his eyes and sit up convinced him that was a bad idea and he lay back down with his eyes screwed shut. I suppose they can manage without me a wee bit longer…
“…and in the end while there was significant destruction, the city is in better shape than one might expect. The worst of it was from several fires, probably started by accident during the fighting,” Deandra read aloud from Engvyr’s report. “Some of the city’s afmaeltinn inhabitants are already returning, and if they have a profession that we need and are willing to swear fealty, we are letting them stay. Others are being paid off from the proceeds of the Council’s estates and sent on their way.
“The engineers were able to clear the gap and move the braell into the city. They are supervising reconstruction with the aid of the soldiers of the regiments. With the city never properly besieged, we have found adequate stocks of food in the city’s warehouses. We will have to import significant amounts as the year progresses, but it appears we have the resources to do so. As to the management of the braell, while I cannot say that it is going smoothly, it is at least remaining manageable so far. They are more befuddled than resistant, and the need to teach them our language is hampering our efforts. That and the fact that they are experiencing an unprecedented degree of freedom, and for the first time in their lives are adequately housed and fed. It’s early days yet, but already some of them are showing signs of independence. Honestly my love, we could use your wisdom in this effort. I very much wish you could leave the estate and join us here, and not just because we need your assistance.”
She read a bit farther, her cheeks coloring a little and said, “The next bit is, uh, personal. We’ll just skip that if you don’t mind.”
In addition to some very personal and affectionate musings there was information about her children, Brall and Gerta. Engvyr had determined that her former in-laws, who had custody of the children, had been among the refugees that fled to the south. He had dispatched a squad of cavalry to seek them out and hoped to have news within days. She earnestly prayed that it would be so.
She skimmed further down the page and resumed. “Captain Gevrell and almost all the members of the city watch have stayed on and continue in their duties much as they always have. I’m very grateful for that—they are good and honorable men, and dedicated to the welfare of the city. While Taerneal is now a Dwarven City it is not now and likely never will be exclusively dwarven. We are not a seafa
ring people, and frankly we have no desire to be. We will depend on afmaeltinn shippers much as we always have. We will experience gains, as we have eliminated the middle-men and the city’s tariffs, but I do not foresee us taking over the trade.
"Speaking of which, the first merchant vessel has braved our waters, as much to suss out the lay of the land as for legitimate trade. We’ve assured them that nothing has fundamentally changed from their perspective, except that we will temporarily reduce harbor fees and taxes to encourage the resumption of trade. They’ve agreed to spread word as they go, and we have recruited several agents to travel to other city-states and inform them. I think that we can reasonably hope for a resumption of normal trade by the end of the summer.”
She shuffled through the several remaining pages and said, “That’s the salient points. There’s a lot more detail; I imagine you can read that at your leisure. He has also, naturally, sent an even more comprehensive report to the King. I think you’ll find this bit interesting, ‘When Prince Istvaar shows up you might share this letter with him—most of it anyway. Please inform him that his assistance here would be both invaluable and greatly appreciated; the city needs a permanent Crown Authority in residence, and I cannot stay here indefinitely if I'm to perform the duties of my office. The prince, however seems—if his highness will excuse my saying so—ideally suited to rule Taerneal, and his presence here will legitimize our possession, as well as positioning him close enough to events in the north to monitor the situation there. Stationing the Prince’s Own regiment here might also go a long way toward discouraging other city-states from any ambitious ideas about dealing with our newfound port. I have expressed this sentiment in my report to the crown, and I hope that the Prince will find this suggestion both agreeable and sensible.”
Prince Istvaar chuckled and said, “Very perceptive of him to assume that I would be ‘showing up.’ I do so hate being predictable, but I suppose in this instance it serves us well.”
Deandra grinned and said, “Honestly, your highness, I’ve been expecting you for some time. When my husband ordered the diversion of one regiment and the redirection of two others, then marched on an afmaeltinn city, it did seem rather inevitable.”
“I have always been a curious sort,” the prince admitted. “I must admit, I find your husband's recommendations very sensible indeed, and I have little doubt but that the King will agree.”
“So you will be going to Taerneal then?” Deandra asked.
The prince shot her a questioning look and said, “Of course, m’Lady. The Lord of the North has so commanded it! Who am I, a mere prince, to question him?”
Deandra grinned and said, “Well your highness, I hope that you are not in so much haste to comply that we will be deprived of the pleasure of your company at dinner?”
“Oh, I do not suppose I need be in such as rush as all that; you do set a fine table!” He shook his head in wonder. “Not even a year your husband has held this office, and if there's one thing I can say for certain, it’s that it's not been boring! I can only imagine what is to come…”
Lord of the North (Diaries of a Dwarven Rifleman - Book 2) Page 31
