The Far Kingdoms

by Allan Cole

  There was one other thing in Janos's way: there were a quiet but mighty few who had no desire to investigate the Far Kingdoms. They were content with the way things were. Their coffers were full, their slaves pliant, and they saw only danger to their comforts if there was any change whatsoever.

  Malaren, a friend and fellow trader, summed it well one day. He was my age, and although a bit of a fop, was a hard-headed thinker who masked his talents with an airy, devil-may-care attitude. "Oh, you don't have to convince me, my dear Amalric," he said. "I find it all quite exciting. Quite. But, everyone knows I believe Orissa has become a dreary old hag with a scraggly beard. It is my father, and my father's ilk you must sway. He thinks Orissa is still a fine beauty. And well he should. He does not have to lift a finger and gold pours off his ships. He does not care a whit when I tell him his sons and daughters will not have it so easy, and it will be harder still for his grandchildren."

  "But he must see that in a single stroke we can vastly increase our city's influence," I argued. "and it isn't just profit and influence at stake. Why, think of all the knowledge to be gained, man! By all accounts the people of the Far Kingdoms have much to offer us. Their very existence amid so much adversity shows that in many things they must be our superiors."

  "That is exactly what frightens him the most," Malaren replied. "At the nonce, my father is a large serpent in shallow waters. He feeds at will with no effort. But how will he measure up when he meets his counterparts in the Far Kingdoms? What if they are twice his size... or more?"

  "But it isn't just up to us," I said. "We cannot make the Far Kingdoms disappear into legend again by merely turning away. Lycanth, I assure you, will be quick to step into that gap if we do. And then I can guarantee his shallow kingdom will be quickly overcome. His profits, nay his very life, will be threatened. Believe me, the Lycanthians won't be patient enough to allow him to die in dignity and then confront his children."

  Malaren mused a bit, then nodded: "Your final argument," he said, "has not been stressed enough. Let me take it to him. Then we'll see."

  Shortly after that, Cassini's friends staged an elaborate but very private banquet to honor him. No one knew what transpired, so secretive were the proceedings; but the following week, all sorts of rumors attacking Janos sprang up. It was charged he was in the pay of Lycanth. In fact, he was the son of one of the Archons, and practiced black magick to confound the good people of Orissa.

  Janos seemed unconcerned by these attacks. When I urged him to fight back, to reply to these slanders, he refused. "Cassini is behind it all, as everyone knows," he said. "All I can do is repeat what we have already charged: that he is a cowardly, self-serving liar. Unfortunately, I think the more I repeat it, the more chance I have that same charge will be tied to me."

  "Then what do you propose to do?"

  "Stay the course," Janos replied. "Every day that passes sees another group swayed to our side. Moreover, I have been so overwhelmed by requests to volunteer for the next expedition, I was going to ask you for funds to set up some means to handle them all. I am a soldier, not clerk; but by whatever bloodless god who favors clerks, I swear I shall never malign their breed again. My quarters are overflowing with all sorts of scrolls and documents and whereases and wherefores."

  "Consider it done," I said. "I can loan you someone, plus space at one of our offices. However, aren't you a little ahead of yourself? The second expedition hasn't even been officially approved, much less a man to lead it."

  "I know that," Janos said. "But I plan to go on as if this could never be in question. Too many people believe in this thing. There's no sense in giving our opponents an opening."

  "That is an excellent attitude to take," I said. "However, when you speak of all the people who are opposing your quest, there is one group, who are small in number but wield vast influence. And that is the Evocators. They are plainly behind Cassini. I suppose they don't have any choice, since to condemn him would be to risk condemnation of themselves. However, no matter how many in Orissa agree with us, in the end the Evocators can block us completely."

  "Do you really think so?" Janos asked, and I could tell he doubted it. "Why, in not much more time, if the great Te-Date himself stood in the way of the common folk, I fear they would rip him apart to get to the Far Kingdoms."

  "Perhaps you are right," I said. "although I think you have much too rosy a view. Still, the Evocators are a powerful force. And they cannot be ignored, or in the end we may lose much more than a second expedition."

  It was Rali who proved my fears, although well-founded, were exaggerated. I was relaxing in the public bath when I got the news. It was one of those rare days when I was able to flee the pressures of business and politics for a good workout at the gymnasium, and now I was easing weary muscles in the steam room. It was late in the day, and besides the slave who tended the hot rocks, there were only a few men about. As my tensions eased, and I was considering more personal matters, such as slipping home for a tumble with Deoce, I heard the bath keeper voice loud protest.

  "You can't go in there!"

  "Get out of my way, you flea," came a booming reply. The boom was unmistakably Rali's.

  "Come back tomorrow," the flea responded. "Tomorrow is Ladies' Day. Today is for men only."

  "Oh, don't be such a bother. There's nothing in there I haven't seen before."

  There was a scuffle, a yelp of pain, and Rali made her entrance. She saw me through the steam and walked over, ignoring horrified looks from the other men. I patted the spot beside me on the stone bench, enjoying their discomfort as my sister once again turned custom on its head. "I've been searching for you all morning, Amalric," she said. She glanced around the room; the men looked quickly away. None of them knew what to do. They believed themselves humbled whether they stayed or fled.

  "In fact, I'm so weary from looking," she finally said, "I think I'll join you."

  With that, she kicked off her sandals, shed her tunic, and in a wink she was naked and plumping her lovely haunches down on the bench. "More steam," she shouted to the attendant. He quickly complied. Just as quickly, all but two or three of the men fled.

  Rali sprawled out, well-formed breasts heaving, legs splayed wide. One of the remaining men dared to ogle her. Instead of clapping her legs together and covering her breasts, Rali stared back at him, hard. "It would eat you alive, little man," she snarled. He ran; and before another drop of sweat could fall from my brow, the others had followed him. I laughed until my sides ached.

  "Good," Rali snorted. "I need privacy for the tale I have come to tell. But first... some wine, brother dear, to slake my thirst."

  I poured wine and she drank it down. Then she lifted a big jug of cold water and drenched herself. The water ran over the floor and into the rock pit, sending up a mighty blast of steam.

  "Now, what is this news, sister, that puts you into such a state you relish bullying these poor men?"

  "Oh, balls, Amalric. It'll give them something to talk about. Spice up their dull lives. If their women are fortunate, I'll have aroused their men so, they'll speed home to prove they are men, after all."

  "Quit being clever, please," I said. "The news, if you will. The news." I refilled her goblet and she plunged into the story without further prompting.

  "There is a young woman in my troop," she said, "whose mother has served for many years as a floor scrubber to the Evocators. She has cleaned their halls for so long, they have ceased to notice her. Since this woman was wise enough to see her daughter ought to be steered into our company, instead of becoming another generation of stone-scourers, I think you will agree the Evocators' attitude was not good thinking. In fact, she so resents it, she has become my willing ear to many of their discussions."

  I straightened on the bench; this was indeed good fortune. The Maranon Guard was sworn to remain neutral in all affairs of the city, therefore it was necessary for them to have many "ears," as my sister put it, to avoid any hint of playing favorites. "Tell
me more, oh, wise and beautiful sister," I said.

  Rali laughed, gave my arm a numbing clout and resumed her story. "There was a meeting of the Council of Elders yesterday noon. Cassini was there, as was his mentor, Jeneander. Our floor scrubber found a nice, dirty spot just outside and listened. She said it was plain from the voices - they got quite angry, apparently - the nature of the meeting was a debate, and the subject of this debate was the Far Kingdoms."

  "So things are coming to a head," I said, grimly. "They are marshalling their forces against us."

  "Far from it," was my sister's surprising answer. "It might be difficult to believe, but the Evocators are as divided as the rest of Orissa. To the public, they are supportive of Cassini. But only because he is one of their own and many feel they must stand by him. In private, however, the issue has broken into several warring camps. At the moment, those siding with Cassini hold sway; but, from what our brave floor scrubber says, their grip is slippery. For the loudest proponent of all for the expedition and Janos is Gamelan himself."

  I nearly fell to the floor. "But... he's the oldest of them. And surely the most hidebound and the most bent on protecting the Evocators' sphere."

  "So, I would have guessed as well," Rali said. "However, from his remarks, just the opposite is true... except for the age part, for there is no denying Gamelan is old. Anyway, he apparently gave an impassioned speech, saying Orissa is threatened by stagnation from within and fierce enemies from without. Not only should a second expedition be launched as soon as possible, but Janos should lead it because its success is so important."

  "What about Cassini?" I was nearly sputtering in amazement.

  "Gamelan apparently has no use for him. He declared quite openly Cassini has not only humiliated the Evocators, but also undermined the people's faith in them."

  I couldn't help but laugh. "Faith? Why, it's more fear then faith."

  "Well... yes. However, the point is Gamelan is on our side. I never thought I'd live to see the day when an Evocator supported the Anteros."

  "Nor did I," I said. "What was the outcome of the debate?"

  "Gamelan lost, of course. Cassini is still their man. However, our hard-working spy said the victory was so narrow it could change at a moment's notice. So it seems to me, all we have to do is find a way to quietly assist that change." I had no quarrel with her reasoning. It was only the how, that escaped me. My head whirled, seeking openings we could exploit. "One other thing," my sister said. "There seems to be one very small group that is ahead of the others. Our spy says there has been much mysterious comings and goings in the basement of the hall. Much spell casting and odd noises and smells for even a wizard's lair. It is a very secretive group; the others don't seem to know what they are about."

  "What does our friend the floor scrubber think?"

  Rali shrugged. "She doesn't know. She doesn't even have a guess. She told me if she did have one, and it was close, then Gamelan and the others would have figured it out as well."

  Despite the fact that all things now suggested a swift resolution, the matter stalled for some weeks. Janos took in Rali's information and continued picking away at his opponents bit by bit.

  As for myself, I had my family and business to look after. An idea had come shortly after our return to Orissa. It was an idea whose seed had begun to germinate after Eanes's death. I thought I was a fool to harbor such a plan at first, but as I saw how the folk of the streets reacted to the Far Kingdoms, considering it a possession, a birthright, the more the notion took root. I first broached the subject with Deoce.

  "We have been together for only a short time, my love," I began. "But in that time I have found you to be not only a loving wife, a solid friend, but the best counsel among all my advisors.

  "Thank you for saying that, my husband," she replied. "But your preamble is entirely unnecessary. For the day you cease asking, and accepting, my advice, is the day I book passage for Salcae where there is no need for a sweet balsam before a woman is asked her opinion."

  I blushed and Deoce laughed and gave me a hug. "Never fear, dear Amalric. If it were even possible for you to treat me as other Orissan men treat their wives, I would have seen it long before. And I would never have slept with you in the first place."

  She shifted in her pillows, seeking comfort; then patted her belly, swollen large now with our daughter, Emilie, whom the midwives said would be with us very soon. "Listen well, little one," Deoce said to the swelling. "Your father is about to speak."

  I smiled, and then said: "I believe I have found the cause for the unease that afflicts Orissa. And it is also the reason why the Far Kingdoms have so captured everyone's imagination. You, yourself, have touched on this ailment, and disease I think it is, many times."

  "The status, or lack of it of women, you mean?" she asked.

  "That's very much part of it. Women are only one factor, however. In Orissa, everyone is frozen in their roles at birth. A woman can only attempt a few, approved things. The same is true of all the classes in this city. With rare exception, once a craftsman, always a craftsman; a stallkeeper will remain a stallkeeper; a laborer will continue to toil, and so on. Halab encountered the ultimate barrier when he tried to become an Evocator."

  "It is a very difficult city for someone with dreams," Deoce agreed.

  "You hit it square," I said. "Dreams are not forbidden in Orissa, but they are certainly not encouraged. Oh, we fool ourselves. We delight in the saucy talk and sassing the common folk give us lords and ladies. But let that sass become more than a charming eccentricity, and that man or woman is done."

  "What do you propose to do about it?" she asked.

  "I would start with the lowest of the low," I said. "I would free the slaves. Remove that barrier and the flood will start. Then all the dams will give way as each class thunders down river to come against the next, until... Well, who knows. Perhaps someday even a slave could become a lord or lady."

  Deoce delighted me with a glowing smile of approval that gave me as much pleasure as any feeling I have had in my life. She said: "Speaking as a woman who was almost a slave, and as a woman in Orissa I am all but a slave in every place except this house, I heartily agree. Our bold friend, Janos Greycloak, is an example of what a slave can achieve."

  "Freeing our own would be a small start," I said. "We would have to be quiet about it at the start, for I fear a loud public announcement would raise so many passions that it would jeopardize the plan."

  "That is wise," she said. "If we let it be known to a few at a time, and let that news go from trickle to torrent, it will have a greater effect."

  "The only trouble is my brothers," I said. "For the Anteros must free all their slaves to make the point. There will be a great family fight."

  "Good. It will get their blood going. Your brothers need a shaking up. They've lived off your father's and now your boldness far too long."

  My brothers did not take it well. The Antero family owned perhaps one hundred and fifty souls, most of whom were either very expensive household slaves; skilled dockside or farm laborers; or educated clerks and managers. By freeing them we would reduce the value of our family's wealth by one fifth. My oldest brother, Porcemus, was the most opposed. He was twice my age and of all of us most closely resembled my father, but with weaker features. "Your plan is insane," he said. "You will beggar us. Who will take the slaves' places? Think of the wages, man! We simply cannot afford it."

  I said: "Money is not the question here. If a thing is right, then it should be done whatever the expense. However, if you insist..." I took a ledger from the stack before me. "Review the figures I have collected and you will see it is cheaper to employ a man than to enslave him. A free man pays for his own keep. And he works harder, because he can improve his lot, whereas a slave will always be a slave, so why should he trouble himself?"

  I opened the document and tapped a column of figures. "See, here, Porcemus. Your orchard production has remained at nearly the same level for fifteen
years. Only once did it change, and that season showed an increase." He looked at the figures, frowning. "This was the year when the fever laid all your slaves low," I continued. "We had to hire freemen and women to do their work. And the harvest was greater, wasn't it? There was also less spoil, because they worked faster and harder to earn more money."

  There were murmurs of surprise among my brothers. Porcemus, however, was stubborn as only a small-minded man can be. "You can't make such a judgment examining only one season," he said.

  "I didn't." I pushed the stack of ledgers over for him to study if he wished. "I found many other instances where similar comparisons can be drawn. Over the years our profits are always greater when we pay a fair wage, instead of using a slave. To be fair, I did not include the trade our ships carry, although that is the bulk of our earnings. As you know, we rarely use slaves in the trading business... for the reasons I just gave. Even the least skilled trader knows there is no greater motive than profit."

  "I still say a demon has invaded you," Porcemus said. "Why, if everyone freed their slaves, we would immediately double the number of citizens. Most of our people are already an ignorant and filthy lot. Now, we would have nearly thirty thousand more. Anarchy would reign. It would be the end of Orissa as we know it." He angrily shoved the books back at me. "Hasn't our family suffered enough? First, Halab... and now... you."

  I had expected an attack on myself; I was prepared for it and planned to be calm and reasonable. It was not strange that my brothers would be jealous one so young as myself had been handed over the leadership of our family. The attack on Halab caught me by surprise and I acted foolishly, slamming up from the table, the chair crashing to the floor. "If you were not of my blood," I said, "I would kill you where you sit."

  Porcemus turned a ghastly white. My other brothers tried to calm me. But it was not their words that soothed me; it was the sight of Porcemus's frightened face. I was strong in my anger, and I could feel the easy play of my muscles, which had been tempered and tuned for violence during my long journey. What a helpless lot, I thought. Then my anger fled. Ah, well, I thought again. They are a burden, but what of it? They were a burden to your father as well, and he trusted you to shoulder it when he handed over responsibility.