“Don’t worry, dear. I am sure that your uncles Baron Milan and Baron Viktor will look out for your interests,” Zdenka replied. “They have an awful lot riding on gaining recognition of your Circle, almost as much as you do. It breaks the tie between the two sides. However, I think that you ought to go discuss things with Mayor Oldrich. He’s going to have to get better roads built as well, to say nothing of all the workers coming to build the fortress.”
Chapter 19 The High Council
On the 15th of March, this year’s first session of the High Council of the Federation of Planets was held on the planet of Alta, a hilly planet. Neutral Baron Alvaro and Baroness Anita Cencion were the hosts for the week long meeting at their castle in Puerto. According to the rules, Zoran had to bring Zdenka, his baroness, and was allowed to bring along two advisors who would sit with them at the council tables, along with four security personnel. He chose to bring General Janos and three of his hand-picked men. For his advisors, he chose Jarka and Karel. He asked Jarka not only because of her excellent protection skills that she had demonstrated numerous times already but also because of her photographic memory. Karel came along for two reasons: Alta possessed numerous falcons, and he had a sharp mind when it came to men’s motives. Zdenka, with Jarka’s aid, dutifully packed their six boxes of dresses and sundries.
“These court dresses sure do take up a whole lot of space and are hard to transport,” Jakra complained. “All this just so we can look pretty for the men.”
“Ordinarily, I wouldn’t give a hoot,” Zdenka replied, stuffing another dress into an overfull box and valiantly trying to shut its lid. “Excepting Zoran, of course. But these people are the most powerful people in the sixteen worlds, the topmost rulers. We certainly don’t want to have them take a lesser view of Zoran because we look like ordinary peasants from their point of view.”
“True enough. Nothing like hobnobbing with the rich and powerful. I just hope they are not all snobs and such. At least his uncles and aunts seem nice enough,” Jarka admitted.
With the last of their things packed, the women cast their shrink spells on the six large boxes and put the very small boxes into one of their handbags. “More like it,” Zdenka exclaimed; Jarka grinned. Dressed in their very fancy satin ball gowns, which billowed out some six feet around them, they headed off to meet up with the men. Zoran wore his new black suit with twin tails and looked every bit as nice as his uncle, Zdenka thought. The Zars joined them and at last they were ready. All looked at each other, sensing each other’s tension and nervousness.
“Well, this is it,” Zoran broke the ice.
“I hate to tell you but I am nervous about this,” Brother Jiri confessed. “We will be meeting all of those barons, and I’ll bet every last one of them will beg me to make them more Circles.”
“Well, you are now the most famous man in the Federation of Planets,” Zoran admitted, teasingly.
“Nah, Zoran here is,” Karel declared, “he’s just shaken up two centuries of dullness.”
“Now you have me nervous,” Zoran joked, and they all laughed. Joining hands, Zoran stepped them all to the planet Alta. Since this was the first time here for everyone, Zoran purposefully allowed his walk to circumnavigate the world, giving them a good overview look at this world, whose land masses were uniformly all very hilly. Periodically, they spied roads streaking across the springtime green hills, like gray lines a child might draw. A few towns came into view before the large capital city of Puerto loomed larger and larger before their eyes. Gray stone buildings predominated as they approached; then the giant gray stone fortress of Baron Alvaro Cencion loomed before them, growing larger and larger. Following his uncle’s directions, he focused on the giant gray cobblestone courtyard just inside the fortress gates, and they arrived.
Rimming the courtyard were hundreds of orange pots, whose spring flowers were already growing, adding color to the drab surroundings. On the ramparts behind and above them, a hundred fighters stood, weapons raised, ready for any trouble — Baron Alvaro took the High Council security measures seriously. A tall man in a suit that looked finer than Zoran’s stepped forward to meet them.
“I am Esteban, the butler. Whom am I addressing?” he said mostly bored, as if he had been doing this all day.
“Baron to be Zoran Vladislov and party,” Zoran replied formally.
“I see. I’ve been expecting you. If you will follow me, I will show you to your rooms. You are to be at the meeting room at ten o’clock for the opening ceremonies, sir.” He led them inside the gaping, handcrafted doors of the main manor house and down long corridors. Periodically, large orange pots hung from the walls with more flowers just blooming. “Baron Milan Matous and party have the room next to yours here, and Baron Viktor Pavel and party are on the other side. Both parties have already arrived, sir. If you will excuse me, others will be arriving.” He bowed and left them, walking crisply back down the long hall.
Inside, they found a small home, with a private bath and three bedrooms with a central living room. They quickly stowed their gear, after unshrinking it. The women took one of the bedrooms, while the men divided themselves between the other two. The Mages began first a search for scrying devices and spells. Finding none, they then setup their own personal defenses. Satisfied, Zoran was about to visit Baron Milan when the baron knocked on his door.
“Ah you all look most presentable. That is good. Now then, Zoran, you are about to get a crash course in Federation Politics. Here is how it will begin. At five until ten, a butler will come for you. Baroness Archmage Zdenka, yourself, and the Zars will be expected to follow him. I’m afraid that there will be little for your security men to do this trip. They are allowed to explore the castle and fortifications and even the town, if they so desire. It beats just sitting around in this room. Now then, you four will be taken into the Visitor’s Area. Once all of the visitors are in place, a fanfare will announce the arrival of the sixteen barons, who will enter formally and take their assigned seats.”
“After Baron Alvaro makes his welcoming speech, the first order of business will be the formal announcement of the new Archmages of the sixteen worlds. When your name is called, you may take one step forward, if you choose. Not all of the new Archmages will be here. It is just a formality that allows every baron to know about all of the Archmages, the most powerful magic users in the Federation.”
“Next, the announcement of the new Circle of Ascension and thus the newest House will be made. Expect many challenges to be made by Kazimir and his allies. If and when the High Council votes you in as the newest house and baron, you two will be formally introduced and allowed to take your seat. I have reserved four seats between my group and Viktor’s group.”
“This will surely be followed by the introduction of the Zars and a lengthy discussion of new Circles. After that, who knows what will be on the agenda. Okay, it is about time. Good luck son.” He left just as Esteban appeared.
“If you will follow me, I will lead you to the Visitor’s Area.” Again, he spoke formally and in a bored manner, as if he had done this a million times. The six followed him down the halls and corridors, of course Jarka memorizing their path. He opened large double doors, required because of the width of the women’s dresses. Holding Zdenka’s arm, Zoran stepped into the huge meeting room, followed by Karel holding Jarka’s arm, and Jiri holding Anezka’s arm.
The area was separated from the rest of the room by an ornate wooden baluster wall that stood two feet tall. The barrel vaulted ceiling rose some fifty feet overhead covered with highly realistic artwork depicting various landscapes representing the sixteen worlds of the Federation. “Incredible!” whispered Jarka. None of these six had ever seen anything like this room.
Out beyond them were large, magnificently made tables and plush chairs, arranged in a U-shape with six foot gaps between the two joining corners. Zoran assumed that the neutral Barons would sit along the bottom of the U, while the two other aligned groups of Barons would s
it facing each other. All could face the Visitor’s Area. Across the way, a line of six uniformed men stood, large brass trumpets at the ready. Precisely at ten, they raised their instruments and began a fanfare. A bass voice bellowed loudly, “Baron Alvaro Cencion and Baroness Anita.”
Arm in arm, the two walked slowly and stately into the room, their two male advisors following them. Sure enough, they took seats in the middle of the table that was at the bottom of the U. They stared at Zoran and his friends, however. The trumpets continued their fanfare and the voice announced the other barons and baronesses in turn, as slowly the room filled up. After all of the Neutral barons were seated, Baron Milan and his allies were seated next, followed by Baron Kazimir and his allies. All told, fifteen minutes elapsed before all were seated.
Baron Alvaro rose and spoke. Because of the acoustics in this vast chamber, his words were clearly heard throughout the spacious room. “Barons and baronesses, welcome to the twelve hundred and first High Council of the Federation of Planets. It is my great pleasure to host our meeting. I suspect this meeting will be one of the most profitable and unusual meetings that we have had in centuries! As usual, Baroness Anita will be hosting our evening meals and formal dances. Now let’s get down to business, shall we? The first article of business is the formal announcement of the new Archmages of the Sixteen Planets. I am told that we are honored today by the presence of some of these powerful magic users. If you will step forward when your name is called, you can receive your formal recognition so richly deserved.”
A fanfare sounded and the bass voice bellowed out. “Archmage Emil Vogler, Adapazan. Archmage Renata Vogler, Adapazan. Archmage Karel Ambrose, Adapazan.” Karel took a step forward and received a hearty round of applause from the men and women — so much so that he blushed.
“Archmage Zdenka Lavos Vladislov, Adapazan.” She stepped forward and received an even louder round of applause, primarily from the women in attendance. “Archmage Zoran Vladislov, Adapazan.” Zoran stepped forward. The room erupted in a thunderous round of applause. Everyone knew that for the first time in history a Duska had achieved Archmage status! He noticed that even Kazimir clapped, though just barely.
Baron Alvaro then resumed control of the meeting. “Next on our agenda is the formal recognition of the newest Circle of Ascension and thus the newest House and baron to be officially proclaimed as such and allowed to join our High Council. As we all know, last Yuletide, a new Circle of Ascension has been created — sky blue its color. The Circle has been inspected personally by us and there can be no argument that it is not a real Circle of Ascension. Likewise, its owner, Zoran Vladislov is certified as a Duska, of that there again is no doubt. Hence, Zoran requests that he be formally proclaimed Baron Zoran Vladislov and be given his rightful seat on our High Council with full voting rights as the rest of us.”
Baron Kazimir rose, “We object. This cannot be allowed. It violates our centuries old rule of one House, one Baron, per world. He should not be so recognized. I speak for many of us. Allowing this farce will only weaken and destroy our High Council. It goes against centuries of our illustrious history. I say veto this request.” All of the other barons at his table yelled out in agreement, along with two others at the Neutral’s table.
Baron Milan rose, “I hate to be the objector to Baron Kazimir’s request, but there clearly are no such rules in place. Since the disappearance and death of Bandar Zar over centuries ago, there have been no further opportunities for any of us to build new Circles of Ascension. Thus, you may call it tradition, but the actual fact of the matter is that the technology to build them has been lost to us for over two centuries. There is no such rule in place.”
He continued in a formal manner, “On the contrary, Rule 13 states that ‘Once a Circle of Ascension has been verified as fully operational, that Circle becomes part of the Federation of Planets and its ruling High Council.’ Rule 14 states that ‘If the owner of said new Circle of Ascension is certified as a Duska, then said owner becomes its Baron.’ Rule 15 states that ‘Said Baron then becomes a full voting member of the High Council.’ Barons, the rules are quite clear on this matter. Zoran should be fully recognized per our own rules.”
Many ranted and raved about these, primarily the barons at Kazimir’s table. In the end, they could not dispute the rules. Instead, Baron Bogdan tried a new approach. “Barons, I believe that we all are aware of the official rules. Yet, rules are just that rules. Rules are made to be broken. In this case, many of us feel that they should and must be broken. Look, if we allow this upstart to be on the High Council, look what it does. No longer will one planet be represented by one vote! Adapazan will now have two votes on our most important matters!”
Many catcalls and yells of protest followed, before he could continue. “Look what this does. While we have not yet discussed the construction of more Circles of Ascension, we all know that everyone of us will be begging the Zars to build us more Circles. Within just a few years, why there will be so many new Circles that we will not have room in this hall to seat so many barons! Our tight knit High Council will be watered down by dozens and dozens of new barons. What is to prevent say Gladno from constructing ten new Circles? Do we then give Gladno ten more votes than the rest of us have? I say, no, no, no! It cannot be tolerated!” The room erupted into a raucous cacophony of arguments, pro and con. Order could not be restored for nearly a quarter of an hour!
Using a Magnify spell, Baron Viktor bellowed out over everyone, “I’ve researched all our rules. There is no rule that says one vote per planet. It specifically says one vote per baron!” Still the arguing raged. Zoran realized fully that these men were in the fight of their very lives, politically that is. Indeed, as more Circles were built, more members would join the High Council, diluting the voting process, lessening the political clout of any one single member. Worse still, no longer could they count on one planet’s vote, because in the case of Adapazan, certainly Zoran and Kazimir would vote the opposite of each other! He knew that what was decided here today would have a very far reaching impact on the entire ruling body of the Federation.
Just then, the trumpeters sounded another fanfare, announcing the dinner call. That ended the argument. Zoran and party dined at a separate table from the barons, though the meal was the same, absolutely exquisite, roasted pheasant. When the session resumed an hour later, cooler heads prevailed. Baron Alvaro proclaimed, “Barons, it is clear that we must follow our own rules in this matter. I will add another item to our agenda so that we can work out new rules or perhaps just new policies, but we cannot turn aside from our own rules that we swore to uphold upon taking office.” He conducted a vote and only Kazimir and his allies voted against allowing Zoran to take his rightful place on the High Council.
“It is my greatest pleasure in announcing to the world the newest Circle of Ascension of the Free Peoples of Adapazan. I give you Baron Archmage Zoran Vladislov and Baroness Archmage Zdenka Vladislov!” The room erupted into cheers and clapping. Zoran proudly escorted Zdenka from the Visitor’s Area to their seats between Milan and Viktor. Karel and Jarka followed behind them, leaving only the Zars remaining in the Visitor’s Area.
“The next item of business is to hear from Brother Jiri Zar and Priestess Anezka Zar, the great-great-great grandson of Bandar Zar himself,” Baron Alvaro proclaimed. Again, the room erupted into a heady round of applause, causing both to blush. They were given seats before the U-shaped table arrangement. “Please, Brother Jiri, tell us how it was that you have been able to build a new working Circle of Ascension. Spare us no detail!”
For an hour, Brother Jiri outlined what had happened, beginning with Warlord Mikolas and his discovery of the hidden room beneath his fortress. Even the role played by Zoran was related, including the dragons’ aid. He outlined how one of Baron Kazimir’s assassins very nearly killed him and how Zoran and friends had rescued him. Kazimir fumed, he had not known just how close he had been to obtaining these priceless documents. Twice now, they
had slipped from his grasp, though he did not even know of their existence.
He then decided to outline his future plans. That is, he announced that he was going to build other Circles of Ascension, one for Milan and one for Viktor. He explained his requirements for so doing, namely his price, the buyer’s obligations, and that he retained control over for whom he would build more Circles. He did not, however, tell them that half of the monetary proceeds of each new Circle would be donated to Zoran. They didn’t need to know what he did with his money.
“See, it’s just as I said,” Baron Kazimir bellowed when Brother Jiri was finished. “Now Gladno and Valtr will also have two votes in our council, not one. This is rapidly getting out of control. Brother Jiri will of course build another Circle for me, will he not?” Kazimir provoked Brother Jiri, knowing full well what he was causing.
“Of course not, Baron Kazimir. I exercise my right not to build one for you. We’ve enough tyranny on our worlds without my adding to them!” Brother Jiri spoke acidly, playing right into the baron’s hands.
“See! It’s just as I said. Soon, many of us will become second class barons!” Baron Kazimir fairly screamed at the others. His allies pounded their fists on the table in support of his views.
Baron Alvaro calmly replied, “All in good time, barons. I assure you that this is on the agenda and will be fully covered. Now then, Brother Jiri Zar, Priestess Anezka Zar, the High Council would like to present you both with our highest medal of honor for what you have done, the Golden Eagle Cross! There is no higher honor that we can bestow on anyone, not even we barons. Please come forward and it will be my honor to make the presentations! Such an award has not been handed out in over one hundred seventy-five years!” His was the limelight shared with the Zars. History would remember him as the baron who made this presentation; he savored every moment of it. Each received a jewel encrusted golden amulet in the shape of an eagle on a gold neck chain.
Zoran Chronicles Volume 1 A Dragon in Our Town Page 26