“Will spread forth and tarnish the land with their devilry?” Silas replied accusingly.
“Excuse me?”
Gideon practically sprang out of his chair. “Deepest apologies, Lord Teleghar. My colleague here is brave of heart and sure of soul, but he ... suffers from an accident incurred from his time in the mines. A rock fell on his head, so now he occasionally blurts out nonsense.”
“He does?”
“I do?” Silas asked.
“Yes, you do,” Gideon replied through gritted teeth. “Now, kindly remember what we talked about, and mind your tongue. Twareg commands it.”
Silas spared a narrowed-eye glare at Rhex, but then did as told.
Slug looked as if he wanted to comment, but Gideon was quick to add, “As you were saying, my lord?”
Rhex raised one black eyebrow. “An interesting affliction. Perhaps one of the blessed healers of Loradain can assist in mending him back to health.”
“Oh no,” Gideon gasped.
However, before Silas could say anything on the matter, Rhex held up a hand. “Merely a joke, I assure you. I am well aware of the insurgency’s ... fondness for the god Twareg. In fact, I wished to know more of his tenets, so I asked my friend Thuron here to the table so that he might offer some insight. You see, I’ve always considered myself more of a scholar than a theologian. Alchemy, history, the sorts of things that are more tangible to the...”
“Greetings, brother dwarf,” Silas interrupted, his gaze once more set upon Thuron.
The dwarf merely scoffed. “I think you have me confused with someone about two feet taller, boy. All of my brothers are squat, bearded, and can drink their bodyweight in ale.”
Chuckles were shared on that side of the table, but Silas remained serious. “My apologies. I only meant that it’s an honor to address another humble servant of Twareg, even if I could never aspire to call an honored individual such as yourself brother.”
Thuron looked up at Rhex, as if seeking permission to continue. The leader of Kel nodded and took his seat, ceding the floor to the dwarf. “See, that’s what had me confused when Lord Teleghar’s messenger hawk reached me. Said there was an uprising being led by Twareg worshipers, but that they were mostly human. Had me scratching my head for the better part of a week. After all, most priests of the Kiln are from up north. And those that bother coming down this way are usually too busy battling monsters or hiring themselves out as mercs to do much more. There’s a few who work for me, sure, but so far as I’m aware the only humans who show any interest in his great lordship are usually those hoping a free pint of dwarven brew gets passed their way.”
“Interesting,” Rhex said. “What say you, Barnabas?”
“Most of the sailors who come through my port are disciples of Nahla, the sea goddess. That said, throwing the occasional sacrifice to the Wet Witch isn’t unheard of either. Sailors like to hedge their bets when they’re far from port. Never heard of any of them praying to a Twareg, though.”
Thuron nodded. “Yeah, it’s strange. I mean, there’s those Shattered Hammer lunatics, but so far as I know, they mostly keep to themselves. Good thing, too, because I’m not sure what I’d do first: spit in their faces, or split their heads with my axe.”
Silas immediately perked up. “Ah, you’ve heard of my home. Not a day goes by where I don’t miss the back-breaking labor or the spittle rained down upon me by the holy dwarves within.”
“Excuse me? You say you’re actually from the Shrine of the Shattered Hammer?”
“Of course. I was raised there and taught the true path of Twareg.”
Thuron banged a gauntleted fist upon the table. “The only truth there is that Coyn Copperbeard is a sack of goat shit. All of those bastards are nothing but cum stains splattered upon the backside of the world.”
Silas smiled. “Yes! You do understand. For we are all crusty streaks dirtying the holy loincloth of Twareg.”
“You’re not listening, boy. All those maniacs do is...”
Rhex held up a hand and the dwarf immediately ceased talking. “Fascinating. Perhaps, when next we take a break, dear Thuron, you can enlighten me further as to this shrine and their teachings. I have a feeling it will be insightful to know. But for now, we should get back to the matter at hand.”
“Twareg is the matter at hand!” Silas boomed.
Gideon again put a hand on his shoulder. “I think he means discussing peace.”
“Of course. Peace through the everlasting torment that Twareg brings.”
“No. A cessation of hostilities here in Kel.”
“Pointless, if you ask me,” Slug grumbled. “Hostilities seemed to be working just fine so far.”
“I can see that your friends are men of ... action,” Rhex said, addressing Gideon.
Gideon in turn chuckled nervously. “That’s one way of putting it.”
“Well, then perhaps we might best be served by actions rather than words.”
The former chief slave gulped audibly. “Actions? As in...?”
“As in putting our cards on the table so that we can actually work toward a solution.” Rhex stood up again, causing Silas to visibly tense. “Peace, my friend. Though I address you from a position of power, know that I am highly motivated to negotiate. For you see, I am lord of this city, but it is a position I do not take lightly. When my city is in pain, I am in pain. I only wish to put a salve upon the wounds. So I will come outright and ask. What grievances shall we address so that we might hope to begin the healing process?”
“The only hope is in the worship of Twarmmmmph!”
Gideon clamped a hand over Silas’s mouth, then quickly said, “What my friend here means is that being a slave is to live a life with no hope. And to have no hope drives men to desperate measures. So long as this cycle continues, the wounds will continue to fester no matter how many bandages you apply.”
Rhex nodded. “Wisely said, my friend. I am forced to agree. So what would you have us do?”
“Burn this city to the ground as a show of...”
Gideon pointed a finger at Slug’s face. “Don’t start.” He then gave Silas another warning look before turning to face Rhex again. “I’ve heard news that slavery is on the wane in the Kingdom. More and more cities are outlawing it. Indeed, the capital itself has had a ban on such practices for decades now. As you said, times are changing. Kel needs to change with them.”
“You know an awful lot about the goings on in the Kingdom for a house slave,” Barnabas replied.
At this, Gideon’s tone became slightly guarded. “My former master would receive visitors from far and wide. I learned of such things from them.”
“So you spied on him?”
“Of course not. I was simply in attendance. I merely kept my ears open.”
Rhex held up a hand before Barnabas could say anything further. “So far as I am aware, Lord Sykelian, hearing and seeing aren’t crimes. Should one care to not be overheard, then one should be smart enough to hold a meeting in private, away from the ears of others.” He gestured toward Gideon. “Reading between the lines, I assume you are talking about abolishing slavery in Kel, yes?”
“A fair assumption.”
“You are, of course, aware of the economic and social upheaval that would occur if I were to do that, correct? Businesses would fail, established houses would collapse, and many of the former slaves would starve on the streets before a new economy could be properly established. One could argue that the aftermath would not be so different than that of the insurrection we now face. Freedom would be achieved, but at what cost?”
“Merchants aren’t stupid,” Barnabas added. “Their ships are made of wood, and you don’t put wood anywhere near where there’s fire, whether real or metaphorical. Even ignoring the slavers, the rest would gladly sail south for a few extra days than put in to port at a city on the verge of collapse.”
“We’re talking lives here!” Slug slammed his fist onto the table. “Not gems or gold pieces.�
��
If Rhex was bothered by his outburst, he didn’t show it. “Gold equates to a standard of living that affects lives. This isn’t a farming town. We live or die via our trade. Without gold, you can’t buy bread for your family, healing potions for your sick children, a roof over your head.”
“Slaves don’t earn gold. That’s only for the masters.”
“The masters who pay for your bread, healing, and that roof you’re living under,” Barnabas shot back.
“They pay as little as they can get away with to keep us alive. Our existence is one of torture.”
“And I thank Twareg for it every day!” Silas cried out, causing the conversation to cease and all eyes in the room to turn toward him.
Thuron ran a hand through his beard and sighed. “Boy, did you perchance land on your head as a child?”
“The monks of the shrine dropped me repeatedly. They said it was Twareg’s will.”
“Why do I not find that surprising?” Barnabas muttered.
The dwarf nodded his agreement. “You’re a few pints short of a keg. I hope you realize that.”
“Gentlemen, please!” Rhex said, his gaze falling on everyone at the table in turn. Finally, he addressed Slug. “I understand what you are saying. And I believe we can come to a compromise.”
“A compromise?”
Gideon stood and held up a hand to his colleague. “Please tell us what you have in mind, Lord Teleghar.”
“So, that’s how it is, eh?” Slug replied to him. “I talk about suffering and you just can’t wait to dismiss me and kiss his ass. Once a house slave, always a house slave. I swear, you’re like a leashed kobold.”
“I’m trying to keep us from killing each other. An offer on the table is better than a city full of slit throats. Maybe if you occasionally used that head of yours for thinking you’d see that.”
Slug turned to Silas. “What say you? Do we listen to this shit, or shall we take our lives into our own hands?”
Silas appeared to consider this. After several tense seconds, he gestured toward Gideon. “A vision from Twareg is not to be ignored.”
“What?!” Slug cried. “Don’t tell me you actually bought that pile of orc shit. He’s lying because he knows that’s the only way you’ll sit there and keep your hole shut.”
Silas raised an eyebrow and turned toward Gideon. “Did you really see Twareg?”
“Why ... y-yes, of course I did.”
“Good enough for me. Let us hear what the filthy demon has to say.”
Across the table, Rhex Teleghar blinked several times, his mouth agape, until he finally said, “You really should get that head wound looked after. Nevertheless, I thank you for hearing me out. I offer this. Slavery cannot be eliminated within Kel on a mere whim. It would be disastrous for the city.” Murmurs of assent were heard from his advisors. “Such a thing must be done gradually.”
“Wait,” Barnabas interrupted. “What are you saying?”
“Exactly as you heard. Now be silent and allow me to finish. I propose the following. The purchase and sale of new slaves will be ended within a period of six months. That will allow the houses and traders to make good on any deals they already have in play. After that, all workers who are taken in will be free men to be paid for their services.”
“And what of existing slaves?” Gideon asked.
“A quarter of your forces, those with the most seniority, will be freed immediately. They will be free to stay or go, but if they stay, they will be paid a fair wage. I will create a special committee to ensure that the quality of life for remaining slaves is not ignored by their masters. Half of that committee will be made up of freed men to ensure these reforms are carried out fairly.
“And the rest?”
“I propose that slavery will be phased out over the course of the next three years. That duration will allow the established houses of Kel sufficient time to rework their myriad businesses to more ... agreeable trade.”
“The noble houses won’t like that,” Barnabas said.
“I suspect they will like it much less if their homes are burnt to the ground and their families slaughtered like cattle. What say you, Thuron?”
“I already pay plenty of my workers. What’s a few more? Besides, I can always supplement my diggers with prisoners of war. There’s always some scuffle or other going on.”
Rhex nodded, then turned again toward the other end of the room. “An offer is on the table, gentlemen. What say you?”
“An offer?” Slug replied. “An offer to lay down our arms and be put back in chains. How generous of you.”
“Not for all,” Gideon argued. “Think about it. You’ve been working those salt mines for years, Slug. You would be among those freed today. You could sit on that council Lord Teleghar is proposing.”
“That could be arranged,” Rhex replied in turn.
“Me, on a council? That’s a joke.” Slug snorted, then spat on the floor. “And what of Silas? He’s the reason we’ve made it this far, but you’d see him thrown back into the mines.”
Gideon nodded. “True enough, but it wouldn’t be forever.”
“Those in the mines don’t last forever and you know it.”
“Personally, I found it to be invigorating,” Silas said, “although I must admit to missing the hard labor of my youth. Twelve hours of digging seems almost too easy in comparison. Perhaps we can increase that when I get back down there.”
“Daft idiot,” Thuron muttered from across the table.
“Thank you for reminding me of my stupidity, friend dwarf,” Silas replied. “I will be sure to whip myself bloody and then throw my unworthy self onto the rock salt as penance for my forgetfulness.”
“Well,” Gideon replied, “now that we’re in agreement...”
“Before we continue,” Silas said, turning to Rhex, “there is one other matter that I didn’t hear addressed.”
“And that would be, Mr. Kane?”
“Enforcing the love of Twareg, of course.”
“What?!” Gideon cried. “I’m sorry, Lord Teleghar, but...”
“But we cannot accept any offer that ignores Twareg,” Silas continued. “Surely you must understand this is a city of sin. Slaves, masters, none of that matters. The only true way to cleanse this wicked place is by donning the armored gauntlet of Twareg’s love and shoving it down the throats of every man, woman, and child. Then and only then can we truly be free.”
Silence descended on the room as everyone stared at Silas, a mix of confusion and outrage on their faces. Finally, Rhex broke the impasse. “Surely you must realize that would be a step backwards for our fine city.”
“How could worshiping the god above all other gods be a step back?”
“Are you a flipping moron?” Thuron stood up and pounded on his side of the table. “You shrine maniacs are a blight upon the land. I swear, if Coyn wasn’t related to me on my wife’s side, I would march my men up there and kill your master with my own hands.”
“Alas, you are too late, for I did that myself.”
“Wait. You killed Coyn Copperbeard?”
“Yes,” Silas replied brightly. “He was cavorting with demons, so I freed his soul. Praise Twareg!”
“What kind of bloody psychopath are you?”
“Enough!” Rhex cried out. “I’m sure you two can discuss the finer points of religion on another day...”
“And it truly is a fine religion,” Silas interrupted. “The finest there is.”
“I’m sure it’s quite ... nice. But the truth of the matter is that both the citizens and slaves of Kel have enjoyed religious freedom for some time now.”
A blank look fell over Silas’s face. “Religious freedom?”
“Yes. Whether it be Loradain, the Dueling Gods, or your Twareg, people are free to pray to whoever they like.”
“Heresy,” Silas muttered.
“Yes, even that is allowed,” Rhex continued, either not noticing or caring that Silas’s face was beginn
ing to turn beet red. “All religions are welcome here, even the less desirable ones, so long as they don’t cause trouble. Why, there’s even a small cult up in the high quarter that’s devoted to Asmodeus. Not my cup of tea, mind you, but they mostly keep to themselves and...”
“You allow devil worship here?” Silas asked, his voice suddenly devoid of emotion.
“We don’t actively encourage it, but yes. Regardless, that’s not the point. What I’m trying to say is that all are free to...”
“DIE, FILTHY DEVIL ENABLER!!”
Before anyone could say anything to that, Silas had nocked his bow and let loose an arrow in Rhex’s direction.
COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN
Gideon leapt from his chair, seemingly faster than was humanly possible. “NO!” His voice seemed to boom across the temple. Indeed, a few candles actually flickered as the arrow shot by Silas sank into Rhex’s left arm.
The royal guards immediately leapt to their lord’s aid, pulling Rhex back and stepping in front of him before Silas could let another arrow fly.
On the other side of the table, the shock of what just happened was only now settling in.
“What have you done?” Gideon hissed.
“Twareg’s will,” Silas replied with a smile.
“That wasn’t Twareg’s will, you fucking piece of garbage,” Thuron snarled, drawing his axe. “You think he could ever love you for the things you’ve done in his name? Your kind are filth, a disease upon this world.”
“Thank you, friend dwarf,” Silas called back. “I am all of that and less.”
“Get out of my way!” Rhex roared from behind his guards. He shoved a few to the side so that he could face the paladin again. “I offered you peace, freedom, and this is how you repay me?”
“Who cares about freeing our bodies when you’re trying to enslave our souls?”
“Are you serious?” Slug asked, but he was drowned out by the lord of Kel.
The Silas Kane Scrolls (Authors and Dragons Origins Book 2) Page 9