Читать книгу Return of Magic - Steve Reilly - Страница 11

Chapter 4

King Xavier was furious. How dare Lord Grarm summon him? The man was becoming insufferable. After all, Xavier was more than a king, he now ruled three kingdoms. If Grarm wished to speak with him, he should request an audience. But he didn’t. He sent a note and its wording was more than disrespectful, it was arrogant. He read the unsigned note again knowing only one man would speak so.

A meeting of the council will be held this morning. You are required to attend.

He screwed up the note and threw it into the corner. His eyes flashed around the room for something to throw but self-control won over his anger. Slamming the door as he left the room he decided on impulse that the council would wait for him. He changed directions and walked out into the gardens.

Beth found him there, sitting on a bench beneath the sprawling branches of an old oak. She had anticipated his anger and his need to calm himself having received a note of her own. They spoke quietly and she reminded him that the king’s advisor did not have the gift of subtlety. His words were not aimed at the king, the same message had been sent to all the council members. She left him in the garden to think.

King Xavier arrived in the meeting room to find the councillors were waiting, all seated around the large table. None of them rose at his entrance. It irked him that they still thought themselves his equal. He had given them their power, and he could take it away. But he took his seat and held his tongue. In an effort to distract himself, he imagined the gardens and the fields and many cities beyond. This was his world.

Lord Grarm spoke. “Only one more person is yet to arrive. I have asked Piaz to join us to report on the progress of the Academy.” The door opened as he finished and the master entered. “Good. Now we can begin. The Society has outgrown the expectations that any of us could have held until recently. Xavier has given us three kingdoms for The Society to rule.” He stopped and smiled at the king, raising his hand slightly to forestall any interruption. “I know it is you who rules the kingdoms, I only meant that The Society rules their thoughts and actions in matters of importance and guides them to understanding.” King Xavier did not speak, but his expression was a warning that he did not like the direction Grarm’s words were taking. Lord Grarm ignored him and continued. “With all these new subjects, how is the Academy progressing, Piaz?”

The master explained that new chapters were being formed each week all across Greche. “But we have an unexpected problem, though we cannot complain. Growth has been so rapid we are running short of masters.” He told them he was searching for suitable people among the youth of Arenia and hoped to be able to keep up. To Xavier, it sounded as if the conversation had been contrived only for his benefit. “But we have not begun expansion into Ortalia. The Empire provides a unique problem for us. Their people have lived controlled and organised lives for so many generations the Academy, as it stands, would not be accepted.”

“My decree stands that they must attend?” asked Xavier, still waiting to confirm in his mind where this conversation was leading.

“Their lives have always been controlled by tradition and rank even though it no longer exists. Even when offered the opportunity of freedom and better lives, their slaves would not accept because it is their lot and duty to live the lives they were born to. They would not even join the army when offered a life free of servitude. They will attend, and they will listen, but they will not follow.”

“So what will you do?” asked Beth to hurry the others along.

“Before we attempt to move into Ortalia, we must investigate to see what will work. To attempt the methods used in Arenia and Greche will only see the people turn away from us and we will not see them come back. I believe Ortalia will take time. They need to be shown the benefits of our teachings, and we must accept that it may require a new generation, or the one after that, before we are accepted there. But we have time. It has taken centuries for The Society to grow to its current strength. There is no need to rush.”

They had listened to Piaz’ report and Luke asked the question they had all been thinking. “If we leave them alone, will they cause trouble outside Ortalia?”

“I don’t think so. The wall still stands and we can control who comes and goes. The Empire can be left to its ideas, away from the world, and we can lead them to the truth in our own time.”

They all agreed that Piaz’ plan for the conversion of Ortalia was acceptable for the present time, but asked him to keep them informed of changes.

“That leaves us with the question of what happens next in the world outside Ortalia,” prompted Lord Grarm. “The way I see it, we have three options. We can sit and secure the lands Xavier has taken, we can seek to expand the control of Xavier and The Society, or we can return to the work of the forefathers and remove the threat imposed by having the witches among us and the auchs on our borders. Does anyone have any opinions?”

“I think the time has come for us to look to the north. If the auchs come out of the mountains, they can cause serious trouble for mankind,” suggested Luke.

“I agree, the auchs must now be our priority,” added Piaz. “But we must not forget the witches.”

This is what Xavier had been expecting, what this meeting had been leading towards. His time in the garden had suggested this and given him the time to develop his response. Now was his chance to win back control. He knew the time had been approaching when the council would challenge him and his motives. This was also the reason Piaz had been invited. The master had always expressed his views quite clearly. It also added meaning to the wording of the summons, they wanted him upset, they wanted to disrupt his thoughts and put him on the defensive - but he had already planned his next move and was ready to implement it. And now, in full control of his thoughts, he saw the chance to get the council off his back and have them accept his preparations. Most of those present supported Grarm’s plan and only Beth remained silent. Xavier chuckled. “When you say we should ‘attack the auchs’, I assume you mean I should take my army north.” He waited for Lord Grarm to press his point of view when Xavier interrupted and surprised him. “But I must agree. It is time that I look north along with all of you. But before I commit my men to another battle, I would like to examine all the dangers. There are the obvious problems of troop movements, supplies and so forth, and the loss of men that will occur in any battle. I don’t believe the auchs can put more than a small number against us, maybe no more than two hundred. But they have proven they are capable, even if they are not well equipped. But what of Frith and Arravale?”

“Surely you cannot consider Arravale a threat?” Lord Grarm was astonished.

“No, they will not interfere. But I have an idea,” Xavier offered.

“You are not thinking of invading Arravale?” demanded a surprised Piaz.

“No, but when we take on the auchs, it would be a great benefit to have free access across their lands. I am more concerned with Frith. Beth has informed me of troubling news from that kingdom, and you all need to hear it if you don’t know already.”

At their questioning glances, Beth spoke. “My people in Frith tell me that their army is massing along the border of Greche. They may only be there as a warning to King Xavier and not plan to attack, but if our armies move north, I do not know if they will grasp at their opportunity.”

“They will not attack,” Lord Grarm announced confidently. “Their army has never been strong, and Xavier has far too many men.”

“Unless they are committed elsewhere,” reminded the king while looking him in the eye.

“You have always maintained that the auchs could not field great numbers. You could divide your men and leave enough to keep Frith under control.” His adviser was almost accusing in his expectation that the king would ignore him.

Xavier had expected Lord Grarm’s suggestion. It is what he would have advised. But he explained that his troops were already severely divided. Of the five fingers of The Fist, three were occupied holding the lands they had taken, leaving only Jaimz and Ronald to do what was needed. Discussions continued throughout the day until Xavier decided the time had come to offer his solution. “May I suggest we can easily solve all these problems?”

Lord Grarm scowled but the others showed interest in his thoughts.

“You told us you do not have enough troops to face both Frith and the auchs, how can you overcome this?” asked Josef.

“Not in the way you are all thinking,” admitted Xavier, relaxing into his role.

They showed interest. Xavier had proven his skills in controlling both people and countries and their current success was testament to that. “What would you do?” questioned Grarm.

King Xavier stood and paced the room as he summed up his situation. “Queen Fittoreah gathers to defend Frith though I doubt she has enough soldiers to mount an invasion. We all agree Arravale will not attack and the auchs are not a serious problem at the moment. But The Society is committed to see their future threat removed.” He stopped to emphasise his next point. “The forefathers did not tell us to kill all opposition to man, only that we should ensure the supremacy of man. There is a difference though the distinction has been lost. While we hid in Arenia, it was of little matter. But now The Society is becoming stronger and the kingdoms of man are more united, the meaning becomes important. Man’s supremacy cannot be challenged while I rule the largest force the world has ever seen.” Before the arguments could arrive, the king went on. “But I think you may be right. My army should go north to remove any future threat.”

His words surprised all in the room. They had seen Xavier spread his control over three kingdoms and anticipated he would argue to expand that control further, they had come to the meeting expecting to argue to get exactly what he proposed, but his earlier words hung over them like a dark cloud.

“How does this help with Frith or Arravale? You said you could solve all three,” asked Grarm, his brow furrowed in anticipation of some major change the king wished to add to their thinking.

“Winter is coming. By the time Jaimz or Ronald could reach the mountains, the cold and snow would be upon them. We do not have the equipment or supplies to support a campaign there until spring and I have had to rebuild Jaimz’ finger. After their time in Ortalia they will need time to train and prepare. I suggest we send them to a location near the border and give them the winter to do this. It will also be a show of strength. Frith will be relieved when they move north in the spring. Queen Fittoreah will be overjoyed that they have avoided any action against us.”

Xavier sat again and left them time to think. It seemed a simple plan and they had been given a time frame for the elimination of the auchs. Xavier hoped it would be enough. After he had satisfied the council with this work in the north, he could continue the growth of his empire without interruptions. That is what he hoped they believed. By spring, many things would change. If necessary, it would be time to find a new council, one more of his choosing. A smile touched his lips at the thought.

“And Arravale?” asked Luke.

The king let his breath out slowly, the simple fact that this question had been asked told him that at least one councillor had accepted his plan. “There is no need to invade Arravale, or do anything to threaten its people, because they are going to offer it to me. I am told they hold a gathering where all the people come together. One of Jaimz’ men went there as a child when he travelled with his father. They call it a moon fest and it is held before each spring. I will send a small delegation of selected people to meet with their leaders and negotiate a treaty. We can offer them gifts of delicacies and other items they do not have in a dry, land-locked kingdom. We will also offer to protect them when the auchs attack. All I would ask in return is freedom of movement through their lands, and the right to speak with them at their gatherings. In their position, it would be hard to resist such an agreement. My armies will have free access to the north, and will be ready if the south tries to gain advantage and when our work is complete, they will want to be part of my lands for their own safety.”

Lord Grarm offered his thoughts. “That sounds reasonable, but it would not make you king of Arravale, and I know you are ambitious.”

This, too, Xavier had anticipated. “My ambitions are for The Society. If we can speak at their gatherings, we can slowly introduce the teachings of the Academy. But I would concentrate on the histories and passive events. I do not see them accepting the training of soldiers.”

Lord Grarm had his doubts about Xavier’s sincerity, but the plan had merit. He accepted the proposal and the others followed his lead. They had their plan. They had a future to look forward to.

~

The shadows grew longer in the gardens of the palace of Greche. As Xavier strolled along pebbled pathways between gardens of dense bushes and brightly coloured flowers he enjoyed the peace and feeling of isolation it gave him so deep within the city - it was a momentary comfort he usually only found when travelling in the countryside, a past time that was now denied him through his position. It allowed him to think. He found a bench tucked away in a quiet grove and sat and soon after Beth joined him there. She knew his moods and had trailed him without speaking, leaving him to his brooding.

“Tell me about Frith,” he asked without looking at his wife.

“Why?”

“If my armies are going to mass near their borders, I need to understand them to know how they will react. I know what I said at the meeting but I will not leave anything to chance.”

Beth thought for a moment before answering. “It is a wealthy kingdom, the richest of all the kingdoms of man. Ortalia could have challenged this if they desired, because of their ships and sailing skills. But Ortalia preferred to keep their way of life free of the influences of the world but the royal family of Frith does not control their wealth. Queen Fittoreah is no more than the kingdom’s chief administrator. The place is run by the traders.”

“The traders?” he asked, suddenly more interested.

Beth stopped. She could see the idea coming to Xavier’s mind. “They call themselves the Honourable Guild of Mercers and Traders and it is they who control everything that happens within their borders. They buy and sell everything of value from boots to information. They deal locally as well as with Greche, Ortalia and Daire, though you have seriously affected them there. Everything they do is carefully assessed for financial risk and forecast return. If you wish to understand their reactions to putting your army on their border, ask yourself how it will affect their profits.”

Xavier sat deep in thought as the night settled over him and the garden. The sky purpled and stars began to appear in the darkness.

Later that night while he sat talking with Beth in their rooms, Xavier explained those aspects of his plan that he was willing to have his wife know. When he had finished, he asked who she thought would be most suitable for the task.

“Myra would be the obvious choice,” she offered. “She is by far my best agent and her skills and understanding of business cannot be matched. But her name is too well known in Greche following her work here. Tales of her exploits may have spread across the border.”

After discussions, they decided the risk was worth taking. Next day, he sent a message to have Beth’s best spy join them.

When Myra arrived, his plan was laid out. Myra was to use her skills to infiltrate the guild, and with the coin and gold Xavier could provide, she would begin trading, using the knowledge The Society could provide through Beth’s network. She was to do all she could to undermine the finances of the country. “The kingdom relies on trade, and without knowing it, I have already disrupted their operations. You must help finish the job,” finished Xavier.

“I will leave tomorrow and in case my name may have reached Frith, I will choose a new one.” After a moment’s thought she announced, “I will become Clarise. I like that name.”