The Exile's Redemption (The Heart of a Tyrant Book 1)

by Reece Dinn

  They have? So the Great Purge has progressed further than I thought. Koma was filled with glee. She did her best to hide her smile, but she felt the edges of her mouth rising slightly. Soon I'll be free of this place.

  'What has that got to do with us?' shouted Shonmu, rising from his seat, taking on the posture of address. He placed his left hand across his chest and raised his right hand up, palm facing outwards. 'Farhaven is hundreds of dons from here.'

  'This is the second country the Raginarsaru have invaded in a year,' said the Qotan. ' It is unprecedented.'

  'We have little dealings with the Farhaveners themselves, Qotan. Their plight is not our concern,' said Shonmu.

  A Tekan across the room rose and took the same posture as Shonmu. The man was tall and bald with a large belly that bulged through his robe. Shonmu placed his arms behind his back, but remained standing.

  'We have many dealings with the Farhaveners,' said the Tekan. 'Where do you think those pretty blue flowers you have outside your mansion come from?'

  This raised some laughs around the room.

  'I can live without flowers, Tekan,' said Shonmu.

  'What about grain? Rice?' the Tekan continued. 'We import a lot from them when we trade up north in Zanaidu. They are an integral part of the Trade Circle. We enjoy the produce of the Farhaveners' farmers. During the bad harvests we've had in the past two decades their grain and rice has saved people from starving. With the Raginarsaru controlling the territory prices are going to rise drastically. If their dragons haven't scorched the farmland completely.'

  Shonmu and several of the Tekans around him protested loudly, waving their hands dismissively. Shonmu gestured to those around him. 'Dragons? A half dozen of those fire breathing pets wouldn't be able to devastate a whole country's worth of farmland. Dragons.' He shook his head. 'Be serious, Ropen.'

  Ropen, the Tekan, sat back down, his face flushed.

  'Ropen has a valid point, Shonmu,' said the Qotan. 'We have heard news from the east of the rise in dragon numbers. Too many stories to be discredited. Even if they're exaggerated, it's cause for concern, especially with the Raginarsaru expanding their borders.'

  A Tekan beside the Qotan rose, taking the posture of address. 'I have heard stories the Raginarsaru have conquered many lands across the ocean with their dragons too.'

  Many calls for the Tekan to sit down and shut up roared from Shonmu's side of the room.

  Shomnu clearly has supporters. The rumours of him wanting the Saban's Seat for himself have substance than I thought.

  'The Farhavener army consists of farmers with shovels and rakes,' said Shonmu. 'It is little wonder they've fallen to a couple of dragons and their army. But these dragons will be no match for our rifles and cannons, believe me,' he turned and pointed over to the Socrae-al, ' Socrae-al, can you assure the Council of our military's ability to defend our country, should the need arise?'

  The Socrae-al stood up, looking supremely confident. He puffed out his chest, and clasped his hands behind his back. The man was the image of a war hero depicted in many of the paintings Koma had seen around the palace.

  'Our army defeated the Rengokudan armies, both in the air and on the ground,' he said. 'Their chimatar air force doubled ours, but we fought them off with our cannons. That was over a hundred years ago. We may no longer have a chimatar force, but our rifle and cannon technology has advanced significantly since then. If the Rengokudans were to attack us with chimatar now we would rip them to pieces.'

  The room burst into applause, everyone except the Qotan, the Monster, and Koma clapped. Lerama was up on her feet, clapping hard.

  When the applause died away the Qotan spoke again. 'That is very reassuring, Socrae-al. However the question was whether we could withstand a dragon attack, not a chimatar. Chimatar do not breathe fire, and from what I understand, are half the size.'

  The Socare-al straightened himself even more, but it seemed to Koma that his chest wasn't as puffed up as it had been moments before.

  'Our cannons and rifles would destroy the gods themselves,' he said.

  The room erupted with even more applause.

  Deluded fool. When the sky rains fire they'll know just how foolish they are. The children of the Ragi cannot be defeated.

  Eventually the applause died away. Shonmu and the Socrae-al sat back down.

  Another Tekan rose from the right side of the room, taking the posture of address. This Tekan was old with sagging, wrinkled skin, and thinning grey hair. He appeared even more decrepit than the Qotan did. Why do they allow the weak to voice their opinion? The weak shouldn't have a say in government.

  'That is all well and good,' said the old Tekan. 'But the Raginarsaru also have rifles, cannons, and a highly trained army that outnumbers ours. If they decide to expand their borders further..'

  'Gentlemen,' shouted Lerama, raising both her arms up high. 'I have heard enough. I feel this matter has been addressed. There is not much cause for concern, as of yet. For decades the Farhaveners have enjoyed the protection of the Raginarsaru, when First Citizen Uman made a pact of friendship with Emperor Majeh. From what I have heard the new First Citizen, Tremad, has broken this pact. That is the most likely cause of the invasion. We shall keep a closer eye on the Raginarsaru, but I see no reason to be overly concerned. We have traded peacefully with both nations for years.' She lowered her hands.

  The old Tekan sat back down. He looked like he wanted to say more but refrained from doing so.

  'Thank you, Saban,' said the Qotan. 'Your insight and wisdom are equal to your husband's.' He bowed, though his expression suggested he didn't agree with her. When he lifted his head again he continued. 'Which leads me to the next issue to be raised, perhaps a far more pertinent one. We have received strong intelligence that the Benigradans are once again moving to claim the Olsap plateau, breaking the truce Saban Lomobu made with them.'

  The Olsap plateau. Where the savages believe they can speak to their loved ones that have returned to the world. What a stupid thing to fight over.

  Both nations fought over the plateau for over fifty years, claiming it belonged to them. One nation would win the battle, claim it for themselves, only to lose it in the next one. Control of the plateau passed between them every other year, until finally, nearly ten years ago, Saban Lomobu negotiated a truce between the two nations, stating that the plateau was a sacred place, owned by no nation, only the gods, and could be visited by any man. From what Koma understood the constant war with their sister nation had left the Predemagdans near bankrupt. It was a wise move by Saban Lomobu to make peace. Wise, but weak. He should have invaded Benigrada and destroyed his enemy once and for all.

  Shomnu was back on his feet again. 'If those death worshippers wish to start a war, I say we let them.'

  His supporters cheered. The Tekans opposite booed.

  'I have no desire to start a war with the Benigradans,' said Lerama. 'My husband said his greatest achievement was ending fifty years of war with them. I will not undo his hard work, if I can.'

  'So you would have us wait for them to claim it for themselves? Set up camp there, make themselves at home, before we do anything?' said Shonmu.

  'As of yet they have done nothing,' said Lerama. 'We are not even sure how accurate our intelligence is.'

  'You are a coward,' said Shonmu, pointing an accusing finger at Lerama. 'A cowardly woman. Lomobu wanted peace, but he would never back down from a fight.'

  'There is no fight, as of yet. Only rumour and conjecture.'

  'If it is just rumour, why has this been raised in the Council?'

  Lerama balled her hands into fists. 'I wish to send an envoy to Benigrada, to negotiate a trade deal for fabric and spices.'

  Shonmu snorted in derision. 'While secretly evaluating whether they are making ready to invade or not? What a stupid plan.'

  Lerama's voice remained calm, her demeanour controlled. 'I take it by your reply that you will not be volunteering to be my envoy then?'

&nb
sp; 'No.' Shonmu glanced about at his supporters, shooting them a smile. They laughed quietly, shaking their heads. 'Trade deals are the Tradan's domain. Speaking of which, where is the man?'

  'He is away on business, and will be indisposed for some time,' said the Qotan.

  Shonmu grunted, unimpressed.

  So this is democracy? Allowing your subjects to mock and ridicule you in public? What a ridiculous system. The Emperor would have his head on a spike by now, his family's too.

  'Is there anyone on this Council who is willing to do their Saban's will?' said Lerama.

  Silence descended upon the room.

  'There is no one?'

  'I would go, Saban,' said the Qotan. 'But my body isn't what it used to be. The journey would be too much for me.'

  Lerama smiled warmly at him. 'Of course, Qotan.'

  'Looks like everyone agrees that your plan is flawed,' said Shonmu, which gained more laughs from his supporters. 'You'll have to send the Tradan when he's free from that “other business”.'

  Why doesn't she just order her Guards to shoot him? Gods, I would have him stoned to death in the centre of the hall, for everyone to see.

  'What would you have me do, then? Make ready for war?' asked Lerama.

  'Perhaps we should ask your lover for his counsel,' said Shonmu with a sneer.

  A collective of gasps filled the room.

  'That is quite enough,' snapped the Qotan. 'You have over-stepped your mark, Tekan.'

  'Is it not public knowledge yet?' said Shonmu, feigning an innocent look, holding one hand over his heart.

  'How dare you sling accusations through this Council,' said the Qotan, his weathered face creased in a sharp frown.

  'It is fine,' said Lerama, rising. 'I have heard these rumours and I feel now is as good a time as any to dispel them.' She looked down at the Socrae-al, who appeared worried. She paused, their eyes locked. 'Paulu and I have been close friends for many years. He was like a brother to my late husband too. He has been a great comfort to me while I have mourned my husband, and has given me counsel during this period. But our relationship is strictly platonic.'

  The Socrae-al's face relaxed. Lerama sat back down.

  'That's the story you're going with?' said Shonmu.

  'That is the truth,' Lerama calmly replied. 'Now, can we get back to the business at hand? I am in need of a volunteer. If there is no one then I shall have to order one of you to go.'

  'You can't do that, Saban,' said Shonmu. Several of his supporters murmured their agreements. 'Dictator's powers are only given to you during times of war. We are not at war, as you yourself have just said. You can't order anyone. You'll just have to go yourself. Who else would be better to negotiate with our neighbours, other than the Tradan of course?'

  'I shall take your plan under advisement,' said Lerama. 'In the meantime, if one of you changes your mind, please come speak to me. I shall be most grateful.'

  'Perhaps it'd be wise if we increase our presence near the Olsap plateau, as a precaution,' said the Qotan. 'Tekan Bronbu? Your city is closest. Are you able to deploy a troop of Konar up to the plateau to survey the area? Or perhaps the Socrae-tu of the South could bolster his border guard with more troop, Socrae-al?'

  Bronbu, the thin, bearded Tekan sat on the far right side of the Qotan's row, shrank in his chair at the address.

  'I..I..should t-t-think that i-i-i-s-s doable,' said Bronbu.

  'We shall send word to the southern Socrae-tu to recruit additional troops as well,' said Lerama.

  'Y-y-y-e-e-e-s-s-s, th-h-h-ank you-u-u, Saban,' said Bronbu.

  So that's it? She just allows her subjects to undermine her? Disobey her? How do these savages get anything done? No wonder Emperor Majeh destroyed the clans.

  'In the meantime we shall increase our surveillance of our neighbours in the south,' said Lerama. 'More intelligence on the matter would be most beneficial.'

  'A wise decision, Saban,' said the Qotan.

  Shonmu sat back down, arms folded, frowning. Several of his supporters whispered to him, but he ignored them.

  'Our next order of business,' said the Qotan, moving to the centre of the room, 'is to address the rise of the PLA across the country.'

  All eyes immediately fell upon the yegeyor Tekan on the right side of the room. Several people glanced up to the two yegeyor sat near the back of the room as well.

  An uncomfortable silence hung in the air. When no one rose to speak the Qotan did instead. 'It is a sensitive issue, but one that needs to be addressed. Yegeyor killings have risen drastically in the past year. Since Sabdan alone there has been near forty reported murders across the country, with possibly many more that haven't been discovered. Twenty of those deaths were in the last two months alone. This is unacceptable.'

  A Tekan on the right side with a long blonde beard rose, taking the posture of address. 'I feel it is no coincidence that the rise in killings has come almost immediately after Saban Lomobu's ruling that the mountain yegeyor may live freely within our cities, if they wished. Perhaps we should review the late Saban's last proposal, discuss an amendment to the ruling?'

  Lerama shook her head. 'I will not go against my husband's wishes. And let us not forget that his proposal was voted through this very Council. No, the agreement remains.'

  'Not if we vote against it, Saban,' said Shonmu, rising once again. 'Think of our citizens. Those munks chose to live separate from us when they were freed. They are not citizens of Predemagda. Now that they wish to live amongst us again should our citizens just accept it? I think not.'

  'There are many people who live in our country who are not of Predemagda,' said Lerama. 'And please refrain from using that derogatory language in this Council.'

  Shonmu waved the remark away. 'Those other people you speak of bring trade into our economy. The mountain dwellers do not. They need to go back to where they came from.'

  'We cannot send them back to the mountains.'

  Shonmu stamped his foot. 'So we should sit back and allow innocent citizens to be killed because they are mistaken for foreigners? Send the mountain dwellers back where they belong.'

  The room erupted with noise, half of it cheering in support, the other passionately disagreeing.

  'Silence,' cried Lerama, but her voice was drowned out.

  Why do the mountain dwellers even want to join Predemgadan society? These people invaded their land. Killed and enslaved them. They released them only after years of war with their mother nation, Rengokuda, for loyal service. Why come back? Or more importantly, why did the ones that decided to stay in the first place not leave? Live amongst your former masters, or start a new life away from them? I know what I'd pick.

  'Silence,' cried Lerama, but once again her voice went unheard.

  She whispered to the nearest of her Saban's Guard and as one the Guards moved forward. They stomped the butts of their rifles on the floor.

  The room fell silent.

  Lerama rose. 'Thank you.' She turned to address Shonmu. 'If you create a furore like that again I shall have you locked in a cell, and you'll be stripped of your title. Do you understand?'

  Shonmu smirked up at her, but made no remark.

  'There shall be no vote on sending the yegeyor back to the mountains,' said Saban. 'As Saban I veto the motion.'

  One of Shonmu's supporters beside him rose. His double chin wobbled as he spoke. 'What would you have us do then, Saban? We don't know who these PLA are. For all we know there are members of the PLA in this very room.'

  Murmurs broke out amongst the Council again.

  'You're right. We shall start by discovering who these people are, and apprehending them. I propose that we offer a reward to anyone who comes forward with information about suspected PLA members,' said Lerama.

  'A wise proposal,' said the Qotan.

  'Wise, yes,' said Shonmu. 'But do you really think anyone will risk coming forward, even for a reward? A more effective measure would be to reverse your predecessor's decision and
send the mountain dwellers back to their precious mountains. They are not citizens of Predemagda.'

  The room erupted with noise again. The yegeyor in the room had jumped to their feet, screaming abuse at Shonmu and his supporters, who had also risen. The yegeyor Tekan was on his feet, two other Tekans beside him standing in front of him to prevent him attacking Shonmu.

  Lerama gestured to her Guard and they marched into the middle of the hall, stomping the butts of their rifles on the floor again.

  The room quietened, but those on their feet remained standing.

  'That is enough,' shouted Lerama. 'Sit down.'

  The Saban's Guard stomped their rifles again.

  Slowly, everyone returned to their seats. Shonmu was the last to sit back down.

  The Saban's Guard returned to the foot of the dais.

  'Shonmu you are on your final warning. I have heard enough of this. You say the yegeyor are not citizens of Predemagda, but you are wrong. Everyone within these borders is a citizen of Predemagda, whether they wish to be or not. They are under my rule. You are right, Shonmu. My first proposal was insufficient. So I put forward this motion to the Council for a change in law. Anyone found guilty of attacks against the yegeyor, both physical or verbal, or found to be in support of the PLA, shall be imprisoned for a minimum of ten years.'

  Applause broke out from various parts of the room. Other parts, including the area around Shonmu and his supporters, remained silent.

  'The motion is put to the Council,' said the Qotan, stepping into the middle of the hall. 'All those in favour please stand and raise your left hand.' The Qotan raised his hand.

  All on the right side and those centrally seated Tekans rose and raised their left hand in the air. Shonmu and his supporters remained seated.

  'The motion carries,' said the Qotan.

  The two yegeyor sat at the back jumped to their feet, clapping. When no one joined them they returned to their seats.

  'Thank you,' said Lerama. 'I hope that this will put an end to the violence that has spread throughout the country.'