The Invisible Hand

by Chris Northern

  Ephannan didn't like that either. Nor did I, much. I could retake Darklake with my forces united, but it would never be mine. Right now, under the circumstances, this was my best option. Elendas was my client and with that relationship I would still gain something from this mess. At least, if the lords of Battling Plain did not take all for themselves.

  Ephannan took a moment to glance around him, saw how little attention the other chieftains and warriors were paying to us. He hesitated; I could practically see him thinking it through. I didn't want him thinking; I wanted this done. I'd have to push it further. I turned to one of my men and pulled free his sword. As I turned back I saw that some of the warriors around us were suddenly looking my way, and more than one reached for their own weapons. Quickly I reversed the blade, saw them relax a little. But now I had their attention as I stepped close to Elendas and held the hilt up so he could take it. It hadn't passed my notice that he was unarmed. And now I knew these people. Symbols. It was all about symbols. If he took the blade from my hand he was accepting the rule of Darklake in my name. The words patron and client meant little to them; but they understood liege and vassal. They also understood that armed, he was raised to the level of a chieftain, their peer, and with my backing and the backing of the city. He would gain both status and the clout to back it up.

  I stood there a moment, offering him the sword, and Elendas hesitated. Our gazes locked and he searched my face, trying to read my intent. "Rule as you see fit, Elendas," I told him. "With my blessing and my backing."

  He gave a single nod and took the sword. "What about them?" He gestured with the blade, indicating the army of the Plain Lords.

  "They are my problem and I will deal with them. Go back to Darklake, they are no threat to you."

  A stir at the back of the crowd drew my attention. Meran’s men were getting too close to be ignored. They marched hard and were headed our way. It wouldn't be long before they were here. But I didn't want them here. I turned to Parast. "Go to your century," I told him. "Get them there,” I pointed to the trading post. “Men were on the walls there, watching. Use it and the lake as an anchor for the flanks. Lendrin Treleth will either do nothing or be drawn into any fight by obvious association with us."

  That reminded me that I needed to know what Meran was doing and get word to him of my intent. It would all come together, I knew. Everything would go my way. My mind and body were abuzz with energy and confidence. I turned to survey the scene as Parast detailed two men to stay with us and took the rest with him. The army of Battling Plain had arrayed itself in martial display, ready for engagement. Two dozen men rode slowly forward of the main body of the army, heading slowly our way. It was clear that they came to talk before they enforced their will by battle. Content with that for now, I turned my attention to Meran's force, to judge his speed and immediate objective. They marched in a narrow column, constrained by the width of the pass. At their fore, a single rider had broken away and was coming on fast.

  "Balaran," I muttered under my breath. Balaran playing his own game again. I had no doubt where he was heading or why. If the Plain Lords came to negotiate, he was determined that they would negotiate with him. I had other ideas. "I have to get there first." I judged distances. It would be close.

  "Resh Ephannan," I turned back to him and stepped closer. "I need to borrow your horse."

  As he considered it, I chewed and swallowed more of the juices of the drug Silgar had given me. A fresh flood of energy and optimism ran through me. I saw him consider the approach of my century, take in the broad sweep of the army of the Plain Lords; realize that he need play no part in what was to happen. He looked to the two women who stood close to his stirrup, holding his legs. He had what he had come for. He turned in the saddle and ordered four of his men to dismount, then turned back to me. "Consider these horses a gift of gratitude for the return of my people."

  I almost smiled as I moved to take control of one of the mounts. He'd already begun to subtly claim responsibility for the safe return of all the hostages. If he repeated the lie often enough unchallenged, it would become the truth. I pulled myself into the saddle and urged the horse forward, Sapphire and the two soldiers close behind. His status among the other chieftains would be enhanced, which was his entire purpose for being here. His purpose was served, and, to a degree, so was mine. The test of that would have to wait until after I had dealt with the lords of Battling Plain. If I could. If I could get there first.

  I kicked the horse into a gallop and leaned forward over her neck. The mount was fresh and eager for the run. My arms and legs felt strong, my balance secure. Balaran was coming on fast, but I was closer. I wasn't sure what he intended, but I knew instinctively that it would be to his gain and my loss. He knew, as I now did, that the Plain Lords were tools in the hands of many patrons. Maybe keeping that secret was his sole intent; and maybe he intended more than that, perhaps to gain some advantage for himself. That he wanted to get there first was reason enough for me to stop him. Whatever he intended, I was determined that he would not achieve it. By the time he got there it had to be over. Whatever they wanted they would receive at my hand; and whatever could be gained from it, I would gain.

  As we thundered recklessly around the curve of the lake and headed out across the broken plain between us, I saw the cluster of riders who had moved out from the army come to a ragged halt. They had seen us and seen Balaran. As we closed the distance they waited. I shot a glance to one side. Balaran was coming on fast, but not fast enough. He'd seen us and urged his mount to more speed. But he was too far away. I didn't doubt that he had enhanced his mount with magic, but it wasn't enough. I'd get there first, but I wouldn't be alone for long. I needed more time.

  "Slow him down," I snapped the order as soon as it occurred to me.

  Sapphire and my men angled away from me at once. Exulted, I focused on gaining the last ounce of speed out of my mount, using her hard. Ahead of me, a lone rider moved out from the group. They meant to talk. And I knew what they wanted. Duprane had told me. They want what everyone wants, she had said, they want you gone. Well they could have that; I'd already committed to it. But they didn't know that. I had failed to achieve what I'd hoped, but I could still gain something. I had no idea what, but confidence filled me and I embraced the feeling.

  Without warning, my mount missed a step. Her head dropped and she stumbled under me. I was already reacting as she staggered, her body tensed, muscles bunched as she reacted to some inner pain. A great gout of blood spewed from her mouth and nostrils in a piteous scream. I kicked clear as she went down, landed on my feet and rolled as she rolled, desperate to get clear of her mass as she writhed and kicked. The hard ground tore me up as I skittered across its surface, sharp slate penetrated my skin and scraped swathes of flesh from my arms and back. I paid no mind to any of it; I felt the damage but was not aware of the pain.

  As I came to my feet, I staggered. It was a moment before I caught my balance and began to run. Despite how I felt, I knew my body was a mess. I would pay for this later, I knew, but couldn't bring myself to care. Just as the dying horse behind me signified nothing, or the broken hoof-beats further distant, that told of Balaran being blocked and slowed by Sapphire and my men. What might happen there didn't interest me; what was to happen when I reached my goal did. I found a rhythm and increased my pace. The thunder of approaching hooves was still distant. I still had time.

  Ahead of me, the lone rider dismounted and stood by, reins held loose, a picture of calm. That he matched my status told me he intended to talk. As I came close I evaluated him. A tall, spare man, beyond middle age. He wore a simple robe of undyed wool. He was unarmed. He waited impassively. As I came close he fixed me with a look of calm indifference. I slowed my pace and approached at a walk. I mustered my thoughts. I didn't have much time. I stopped a few paces away from him. He ran his gaze over me from foot to face. He didn't look impressed.

  A grin came to my face, unbidden and uncontrollable. I must l
ook a mess, I realised, and he must think me a madman to gallop and run alone across the plain to meet him. He probably had no idea who I was. I didn't have time to care what this man thought of me. Whatever happened here, I didn't want Balaran to witness it or be part of it.

  "I don't have time for subtlety," I told him. "Despite appearances, I am a patron of the city and have full authority to speak for the Assembly and People of the city. Do you have full authority to represent all the Lords of the Keeps?"

  He looked me up and down once more then met my stare. "Good," he spoke with calm authority, and responded to my statements and questions in turn. "Straight talking costs less lives. I am the peacekeeper and avoiding conflict is my sole purpose and ability."

  Ability. I nodded even though I could only guess at his full meaning. The night that I had spoken to Duprane of these things seemed a long time gone but slowly the details came back to me. She'd mentioned the peacekeepers; they were few, but politically significant. Their power was simple but profound; in their presence there could be no physical conflict. They were used as arbitrators of disputes, to ensure there was no betrayal when enemies came together to negotiate. I imagined him in the midst of my men, compelling them to peace while the enemy cut them down with missile weapons. The thought made me shudder inside. "What do you want?"

  The sudden smile was genuine. "Plain speech indeed." His smile disappeared like the sun behind a dark cloud. "We want you to honor the covenant and be gone from here."

  Covenant. I managed keep the smile off my face, and the triumph. There was a secret agreement between these people and the Assembly; against all tradition, precedent and law. The Assembly, or some part of it, had at some point broken the constitution. Secret legislations were clearly prohibited. The certainty of that fact alone was a solid gain.

  "I'm amenable to that, now I know of it." His expression stilled as he considered that. I got the feeling he didn't believe my claim to ignorance.

  "And in return?"

  He blinked, seemingly incredulous that I would seek to bargain. "Your life?"

  I heard hooves clatter on stone, slowed and still distant enough to ensure privacy, but not for long. I glanced over my shoulder and back. Balaran came on at a measured pace, Sapphire and my men with him. His attention was focused on us but his expression was calm with feigned indifference. He'd concede rather than kill them before witnesses. I'd won, but maybe made an enemy. Maybe many enemies. There was no going back from that, so I had little to lose.

  I faced the peacekeeper and met his gaze squarely. "Not good enough," I told him. "I speak now only as an individual patron, representing only myself. I have too much invested here in the people of Darklake and Learneth, Hederan and the Grave, whose masters were and are my enemies. I will not leave here with nothing, nor see them left to your mercy."

  He indicated the army at his back, their threat, though distant and passive, was clear. "You will leave, one way or another. As to Darklake and the people here, we have no interest in this place or these people."

  "If we fight a battle here, we might win. Even if we lose there is at least one full legion not more than three days’ march south of here. They'll annihilate you in retribution for our deaths. The Keeps will remain and new people will occupy them and replace you in time, but you will be gone. Maybe a new covenant will be made with them; maybe the old one will hold; I do not believe the Assembly of Patrons will much care either way."

  He kept his face calm, though I could see he didn't like the truth of it. "What do you want?"

  The question had me floundering for a moment. Some advantage. Something to take out of this mess. Or someone. "That you leave Darklake and the peoples I've named to their own self-rule." He gave a nod of acceptance and I judged that he meant it. Perhaps I could gain some advantage from that, even now. But I didn't want him guessing I might retain some influence here. I needed something else, something he would see as a direct gain to me and only me. "One of you will serve me."

  An expression of astonishment passed over his features before he could mask it. "Not in perpetuity, that is not permitted."

  I tried to keep the smile off my own face. The covenant allowed for this. Someone had used the Necromancers in exactly this way. I glanced back again; Balaran was close. I didn't have much time. I wanted to know who was behind the Necromancers' but I didn't dare muddy the waters with that line of questioning. Maybe only the Necromancers knew. I didn't have time to find out, not if this was to be over before Balaran came close enough to hear. "One year’s service from each of you."

  "You will leave here immediately, taking every citizen of the city with you, and you, having broken the covenant in this regard will work to ensure that it is upheld and no more citizens come this close to Battling Plain. We will similarly withdraw. In return, a representative of every Keep will serve you for one year until each has served for one year. This is our agreement."

  "There is one more thing," I said.

  His face and eyes went suddenly hard, his tone of voice icy. "What?"

  "You will ensure that the Grave stays drowned."

  He shook his head at once, not even considering it. "That is impossible. The river you diverted is already being freed to run in its natural channel. Battling Plain needs the water; the water and fertility of Battling Plain is part of the balance of power among the Keeps. That you broke that balance is why the armies of the Keeps are here to see you gone." He leaned toward me, his stare fierce as a hawk, as though he tried to force the meaning of his words into my mind. "The Grave is also part of the balance of power. Should it no longer exist, others will fight over that territory in costly and unnecessary wars. You have interfered enough. No more. Our agreement is made; now honor it or face the consequences."

  I held his gaze for a moment longer then conceded that what I had asked was impossible. I glanced back. It was too late. In moments Balaran would be close enough to hear us. Sapphire rode close by him, hand close to the hilt of his blade. I knew he was ready to kill Balaran at my word and damn the consequences. I shook my head. No. It wasn't needful. Just like Balaran, I was constrained by the number of witnesses. Nor was I sure that Balaran was sufficiently an enemy to warrant his death. He just wanted to preserve the status quo, to keep the secrets that were entrusted to him. Secrets that he doubtless knew or guessed that I was now privy to. We would have to talk about that, come to some accord. I didn't doubt he would accept it, even if he didn't like it. I was, after all, a patron and bound by the same ties of loyalty and duty to the city that bound him. I might hate what we did by involving innocents in wars to settle our own political disputes, but I couldn't change it now. Maybe in time. But not now.

  I turned back to the peacekeeper. "Our agreement is made, as you stated it," I told him. “Now, who will serve me first?" I'd lowered my voice, though Balaran was probably not quite close enough to hear.

  "That is for you to decide, if decide you must."

  I chewed the drug and swallowed more juice. It tasted of almost nothing. There was no more strength or certainty to be had from that source. I tried to remember the powers of each Keep. Duprane had told me but I couldn't bring them all to mind. Not Duprane, I decided. She would not thank me for that. Maybe I could get more of the drug if Silgar was the one. "Silgar," I told him.

  He shook his head. "Silgar has no Keep of her own. She is not one of us and can be no part of our bargain. Silgar is a law unto herself, bound only by coin to keep her from settling disputes amongst us by her blade. She will not bide by this agreement between us and I cannot force her."

  I waved his explanation away and tried to think of an alternate.

  He gave a small sigh, seeing my indecision. "What challenges do you expect to face?"

  I shrugged. "A trial."

  His expression softened a little as though some thought amused him. "The troubador," he said as he turned and made to remount his horse. "I will send you a troubador for this year."

  "A musician?" What in the nam
e of the gods’ use would a musician be to me?

  "You will see," he told me.

  I stepped back as he seated himself in the saddle and turned the horse’s head to make it circle.

  He looked down at me as he urged the horse into a walk. "The decision is made, you and yours will leave here, and leave now; in return we will aid you by one of our number, each for a year. Our bargain is made. There is no more to be said."

  No citizens to remain here. I'd keep the bargain. But what use a troubador would be to me I couldn't imagine. And for a whole year. Well, it would be a year of free entertainment at least. If he was any good.

  #

  I was done here. I'd been left no time to achieve any of my much reduced objectives. Darklake and the people there would have to take their chances with whatever rule Elendas imposed, assuming he was able to hold the reins of power. I'd wanted to speak with him at least for a while, but that could not happen if I was to keep the agreement I'd made. The consequences of breaking it were too high. He would rule here, partly in my name and with my support, either well or badly, either to the benefit or the detriment of the people. I'd lost my chance to influence the lives of these people and would have to live with that should things not go well for them.

  My thoughts were turning dark as I watched the straight back of the peacekeeper as he rode away from our agreement. Beyond him waited others, his peers keen to hear what he had achieved. Among them I noticed Duprane, and was relieved that she had been freed from Caliran's men. She was one of them, and they clearly looked after their own to some degree. Beside her stood Dannat. I wasn't so pleased to see him. I'd set him a task and he had agreed to it. That he was here and not about that task did not please me at all. He met my gaze of the distance between us and held it for a moment before he turned to Duprane and spoke with her.

  I couldn't watch any longer. I was no longer alone. I turned my back on them all and confronted Balaran.