The Captive

by Paul Lauritsen

  A moment later, the doors to the council room swung open to admit Clemon, burdened with an armload of scrolls. “Your majesty, my lords,” he murmured by way of greeting. He set the scrolls down on the table and started sifting through them. “I understand you needed some maps?”

  “Yes,” Relam said gratefully. “Do you have one of the whole kingdom?”

  “Of course, your majesty,” Clemon replied immediately, extracting the largest scroll from the pile. “If you don’t mind me asking, what is the purpose of this?”

  “We’re trying to split up the work some,” Relam muttered, scanning the map Clemon had passed him.

  Clemon looked around the room, studying the lordlings. “I see,” he said uncertainly. “Might I make a few suggestions, your majesty? I have some experience with this line of work.”

  Relam grinned at the chatelain. “That’s why we sent for you and the maps, Marc, and not just the maps. Your input would be most welcome.”

  The chatelain seemed to swell up slightly before Relam’s eyes, and for a moment he regretted giving the man any small amount of praise. Then Clemon moved around the table to where Relam had set the map and started pointing out various regions.

  “There are a few key geographical regions we might consider,” he began. “The obvious ones are Gobel-Tek, Mizzran, the Furnier region, the Sabashrin Desert, the Renlor Basin, and the Northern wastes. Some of these regions will necessarily require more work than others – the Northern Wastes for instance we pretty much leave alone. And other areas will require more effort, such as Mizzran with its constant labor disputes and the Furnier region with its dense population. If you are looking to split the kingdom in five sections – ”

  “Six,” Relam interjected. “I’m planning to handle part of the kingdom myself still, probably the Furnier region.”

  Clemon nodded. “A wise decision, your majesty. After all, many of the issues in this region will be directly tied to the throne, the Assembly, or the High Council. Other, more distant regions have less need of constant intervention by the king.”

  “So the rest of us,” Sebast said, indicating himself and the other lordlings, “Need to find a way to divide up everything outside the Furnier region?”

  “Yes,” Clemon said, warming to his theme. For now, let’s say the Furnier region is bounded by Ardia to the south, and will extend to the edges of the Durman Forest to the east and to the western and southern edges of the Midwood.”

  “That’s a fair bit of territory,” Relam observed.

  “But only two major centers of population,” Clemon pointed out. “There are a number of sizeable villages and towns as well, but I think it is a reasonable enough workload. Now, let’s see about some other regions. The Sabashrin area is the next easiest to define I think.”

  “From the Furnier River in the west to the Lanis River in the east?” Sebast suggested. “Bordered to the north by the end of the Usaben range, of course.”

  “That seems logical enough,” Relam agreed, marking the boundaries on the map. “Let’s see, now. The Renlor region could be a bit complicated. There are vast lands south of Ardia that have not been assigned yet. I’m not sure how I feel about lumping all of it in with the Fells and the Basin. Even with the vertaga gone, it will be a high-maintenance area as far as rebuilding what was lost.”

  “It makes sense to put it all together,” Clemon murmured. “Perhaps we should make this one region for now, and simply keep the workload in mind when we decide who is assigned to where later?”

  “Fair enough,” Relam said. “We can always come back and adjust it later as well. For now, we’ll say that region is bounded by the Furnier on the east side and runs to the eastern edge of the Heights and the Ranil.”

  “Another easy section,” Delan said eagerly. “Just lump everything between Jalakash and the Ranil River into the Mizzran section.”

  “That is reasonable,” Clemon agreed. “The miners’ revolts will require a fair amount of work to deal with, but outside of that it is a reasonably steady area with not many disputes.”

  “That leaves Gobel-Tek, Aswul, and the north,” Relam observed. “And two regions left to create. Gobel-Tek is large enough to be a region on its own.”

  “And those farmers and herdsmen are always finding something to argue about,” Clemon pointed out. “You remember the grazing rights issue your father and I discussed last year?”

  “Grazing rights?” Sebast said in disbelief. “They’ve got leagues of fertile plains and they’re disputing grazing rights?”

  “Apparently the grains are better in some places than others,” Relam said with the ghost of a smile. “But yes, those disputes do seem a little dimwitted. Still, they have to be dealt with and resolved, and that’s been my job for the last several months.”

  “So,” Clemon said, trying to refocus the conversation. “That leaves Aswul and the north. A very low maintenance region.”

  “Cevet can take that one,” Relam said quickly, glancing at his friend. “It will give you time to work on your other project.”

  “What project?” Sebast asked curiously. “The two of you keep dancing around this thing.”

  Cevet leaned forward and lowered his voice. “It’s best if the knowledge is shared between as few people as possible.”

  “What?” Delan demanded. “I thought out of all the people available to Relam, we could be trusted?”

  “That’s right,” Knet added indignantly.

  “What Cevet means,” Relam said, “Is if the wrong people get wind of what he’s up to, he’ll be in danger, and potentially us as well.”

  “Oh,” Knet said uncertainly. “Why would we tell the wrong people?”

  “You may not intend to,” Cevet replied, “But information has a way of getting into hands it shouldn’t be in, regardless of how careful you are.”

  “Still,” Sebast said, “I think we ought to know. Especially if the rest of us are in danger. Maybe we can help with this too.”

  Cevet looked around uncertainly, then nodded to Galen and Wil. “Go out to the hall and clear it please,” he told them. “Don’t return or open that door until I fetch you.”

  “Your majesty?” Galen asked, looking to Relam for confirmation.

  “Do it,” Relam said, nodding. “I’m safe enough with my friends here, Galen.”

  The guard grunted, then withdrew, Wil close behind him. When the door was shut, Cevet leaned even further over the table, gesturing for the others to do the same.

  “I’ve been investigating D’Arnlo’s little uprising,” he explained, “And trying to identify any of his followers who have escaped, or might be looking to carry on his work.”

  The lordling went on to tell them everything he had discussed with Relam earlier, all of his suspicions and fears about the treasonous element D’Arnlo had once commanded. Relam and the others, Clemon included, listened in an uneasy silence.

  “So the fight isn’t over?” Sebast asked when Cevet had finished.

  “Not yet,” the lordling agreed. “In fact, it may only just be beginning. We all need to stay vigilant, watch for things that seem out of place, strange behaviors by people tied to the Assembly or the Citadel. Even people beyond Etares.”

  “And it’s imperative that none of this leave this room,” Relam added forcefully. “I’m sure you can understand the danger for everyone involved if some of the leftover traitors found out they were under suspicion. Right now, they probably think we’ve given up looking for them. I’d like to keep it that way.”

  “Then we will,” Delan said. “All the same, I feel better knowing. Thanks, Cevet.”

  “Jatt, were you paying attention?” Sebast asked suddenly.

  “Huh?” Jatt asked, blinking stupidly. “Listening to who?”

  “Anyone?” Delan muttered, rolling his eyes.

  “Oh, Cevet said something about – ”

  “Yeah, that,” Sebast said quickly. “We can’t talk about it with anyone else okay? Only with Relam, and
only when we’re all in a meeting room like this one. Got it?”

  “Um . . . yes?”

  Sebast sighed. “That will have to do.”

  Relam nodded, ruthlessly crushing the nervous misgivings building within. “Right. Let’s assign the rest of these regions. Cevet has the north and Aswul, I have the Furnier region. Sebast, I think I’d like you to take the Mizzran area if you could.”

  “No problem,” the Garenes heir said decisively. “I suppose priority one is those miners’ revolts?”

  “Yes,” Relam agreed. “Marc, can you brief him on the situation later?”

  “Of course, your majesty,” Clemon replied promptly. “You see, young lord Garenes, the miners’ rebellions began about – ”

  “Marc?” Relam interrupted.

  “Yes, your majesty?”

  “I meant after the meeting,” the young king elaborated.

  “Oh, quite right,” Clemon said nodding. “Carry on, your majesty.”

  “All right,” Relam said, looking back at the map. “Delan, can you handle the South?”

  “I’ll do my best,” the Laurencian heir said. “There’s a son of a minor lord I used to know who moved to Ishkabur, maybe I can reach out to him for some help.”

  “Good thinking,” Relam agreed. “In fact, I think it would be wise for all of you to try and make contacts among the younger nobility in your regions. And I would recommend each of you find an administrative assistant to help keep track of everything.”

  “I can provide some suitable candidates,” Clemon offered.

  “Good,” Relam said. “We’ll see about that later on. Knet, Jatt, that leaves Gobel-Tek and the Sabashrin area. Either of you have a preference between them?”

  “Not really,” Knet said. Jatt shrugged, shaking his head.

  “Then, Knet, you take the Sabashrin area. Jatt, you’ll handle Gobel-Tek. Got it?”

  “Simple regent for simple farmers,” Delan muttered.

  “What?” Jatt asked. “Was someone talking to me?”

  “Enough, Delan,” Relam said, shaking his head. “Jatt, you’ve got Gobel-Tek, understood?”

  “Sure.”

  “Great.” Relam stepped back from the map, nodding several times. “This could work,” he muttered, half to himself.

  “So now that we’re all regents of . . . wherever,” Sebast said, “What exactly are we supposed to do?”

  “Basically, manage the area and handle any issues that crop up that the resident lords can’t solve themselves,” Relam said. “Trade disputes, maybe. Tax collecting. Negotiations over land boundaries and such. It will depend on the region to some extent.”

  “Grazing rights?” Cevet asked innocently.

  “Probably,” Relam said ruefully. “Anyway, anything you’re not sure about or that seems too big for you to handle alone, bring it to me or Marc, and we’ll help. Any doubt at all, you come to us, especially as we’re starting out, clear?”

  “We’ll need to put all of this in more official terms, draw up a document,” Clemon mused. “And of course, we’ll need the Assembly and High Council to ratify it.”

  “Do we have to?” Relam asked.

  “I think it would be wise,” Clemon replied. “This is a pretty major shift in the way the kingdom is governed, your majesty. But I think it is a good adjustment.”

  “We’ll find out,” Sebast said, folding his arms across his chest and frowning at the map.

  “So, for now, start making contacts and help arbitrate little things,” Relam said. “Marc and I will have something to propose to the Assembly of Nobles within the week. Not a word to anyone until that’s taken care of, understood? I don’t want the nobles sniffing around before we’re ready to answer all of their questions.”

  “There will be a lot of them,” Delan warned. “They’ll be suspicious of this sort of thing.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yeah,” Sebast agreed, “They’ll see it as you relinquishing a sizeable portion of your power and control over the kingdom. Some will see you as weak as a result.”

  “Not with you five supporting me,” Relam said. “That’s the key in all of this. You still report to me, and I still have the final word in all matters if necessary.”

  “Got it,” Delan said. “Anything else we need to discuss?”

  “That’s it,” Relam said shrugging. “Thank you. All of you. This will make a huge difference. Let’s adjourn for now, and reconvene next week, same time, same place. By then, you should be confirmed as regents over your respective areas.”

  The lordlings filed out one by one, talking in lowered voices. Soon, just Relam and Clemon were left. The young king sighed heavily and sank back in his chair, exhausted.

  “Are you quite all right, your majesty?” the chatelain asked, concerned.

  “I’ll survive,” Relam replied, smiling faintly. “Probably. The sooner the regents are established, the better.”

  “Yes,” Clemon agreed. “I’ll go and start drafting an official document immediately.”

  “Thanks,” Relam said. “Don’t forget to schedule a meeting with Sebast to brief him on the Mizzran problems.”

  “Of course. Should that be done before or after the regents are ratified?”

  “As soon as possible,” Relam said. “Sebast needs to know what he’s getting into.”

  “Yes, your majesty,” Clemon said, nodding. “If I may, you assigned some of the lordlings specifically. Why is that?”

  “I know my friends,” Relam replied, chuckling. “Delan is the most intelligent, and therefore the most able to handle the vast and complex southern region. Sebast has a forceful personality and is not easily swayed from his course. He will do well with Mizzran, especially when it comes to doing the right thing on the miners’ rebellion. Cevet needed a lighter workload as I mentioned. Jatt and Knet . . . ” He hesitated, not wanting to voice his thoughts on the final two lordlings.

  “You gave them relatively harmless assignments,” Clemon said tactfully. “A smart move, I believe.”

  “Yeah,” Relam muttered. “Do you think it will work, Marc?”

  “It will certainly help matters to spread the work around,” the chatelain said slowly, “And I think it will be good for the young lords to gain some practical experience and training. It will likely give them a better understanding of what being king is all about as well, and that could prove beneficial.”

  “But,” he said suddenly, holding up a warning finger, “There will almost certainly be some bumps and hiccups early on. From which of them I cannot say – perhaps the Reshi heir, Jatt, or the nervous one, what’s his name?”

  “Knet.”

  “Yes, him. I expect there will be some missteps initially, but it will all work out. In the long run, I believe this to be a wise decision, your majesty.”

  Relam nodded slowly. “I hope you’re right.”

  “At any rate,” the chatelain said briskly, reverting to his usual, indefatigable self, “There are other tasks that must be taken care of. I must be off to draft the terms of this new arrangement and you have your own work to take care of. I took the liberty of leaving a set of recent reports on the activity of Sabashrin nomads on your desk, your majesty. It seems a couple of the raiding bands are getting bolder and causing trouble along the fringes of the desert.”

  Relam sighed heavily. There was always something else. “Thanks, Marc. I’ll look into it directly.”

  “Of course, your majesty,” Clemon replied, bowing slightly. “I will see you later on this evening to discuss possible solutions and present a few more issues which require your attention.”

  The chatelain exited the council room. The moment he was gone, Relam slumped forward over the table, groaning softly. The work never ended. But, he remembered with a spark of hope, before long the Sabashrin Desert would be someone else’s responsibility. With that thought in mind, Relam rose, collected Wil and Galen outside the conference room, and proceeded to his study to attack the tasks awaiting him with ren
ewed vigor.

  Chapter 9:

  Fields of Gold

  It only took a few hours for Kanin to locate their objective. They started by flying back to the Lanis River, to a point a little south of Welmire. From there, they flew over the murky ribbon which wound through the festering marshlands, Kanin watching the waterway with his keen eyes. Finally, he sighted the raft.

  The emerald dragon paused just long enough to warn Khollo and Aralye, then went into a steep dive. Khollo felt his ears pop, heard Aralye gasp in surprise.

  Then, almost as suddenly as their descent had begun, it was over. Kanin swooped low over the raft, buffeting it with the wind of his passage, then turned neatly in midair and settled into the river, blocking the way forward. The water barely came up to his belly, leaving Khollo and Aralye well above the waterline.

  “Good afternoon,” Khollo called to the raft captain, loosening the flying straps. “May we come aboard?”

  The raft captain scowled, then nodded curtly. Beside him, Sven was grinning broadly. The two swarthy deckhands from Welmire were nowhere to be seen.

  Khollo slid down Kanin’s side and landed lightly on the raft, Aralye a second behind him. The young Keeper looked around, feigning confusion. “Where is your crew?” he asked innocently.

  Color suffused the captain’s face, and he quickly opened his mouth to retort. As he did though, Sven prodded him none too gently with the handle of his axe and the man stayed silent.

  “They tried to jump me as soon as we were out of sight from the village,” the northman explained, looking at the captain with disgust. “It didn’t end well.”

  “You killed them?” Khollo asked.

  Sven shrugged. “Didn’t really have a choice. There were three of them and one of me. I was fighting for my life initially. I made sure to keep this one around, at least until I learn how to steer this raft myself.”

  Khollo shook his head and turned back to the raft captain. “Did I not tell you what would happen if you antagonized my friend here? And you went ahead and did it anyway. Rather foolish of you.”