“Make it illegal to kill a lord,” suggested Lord Marak.
“We cannot do that,” the Emperor shook his head. “Too many laws allow for such a death or enslavement. Our basic structure of law is that the clan lord is responsible for the failings of the clan. As such, his life is forfeit if he transgresses and is defeated.”
“Well,” frowned Lord Marak, “your laws have a loophole in them. You are allowing foreigners to destroy your country. You could make a law that forbids the killing of the last surviving member of a clan, or one against using foreign mercenaries in your army, but none of that will work. Suppose you did have a law to use against these clans. How would you enforce it? You do not have enough Imperial troops to stand against even one of those clans.”
“You are right,” the Emperor nodded sadly. “The only solution is the one you mentioned the day we met. We must have a culture that allows our clans to fight together as one. We certainly do not have that today.”
“It is even worse than you know,” Lord Marak said. “I have learned that there is a fourth clan filling up with Jiadin warriors. The Pikata clan will be the next to be heard from.”
“Lord Damirath?” questioned the Emperor. “That is hard to believe. He might take Fakaran slaves in once in a while, but other than that, he would have nothing to do with that country.”
“I believe my information to be accurate,” insisted Lord Marak. “Two notorious Jiadin have been at the Pikata estate. One of them is a mage.”
“I will have that checked out,” declared the Emperor. “What would you do if you were Emperor, Lord Marak?”
“That is hard for me to imagine,” the Torak lord said after a long pause. “My first thought is a military one. I am quite sure that it would not be legal, but I would amass a great army and kick the Jiadin out of Khadora.”
“That is exactly what I would like to do,” agreed Emperor Bagora. “At least we both realize that it is illegal. I suppose I should call a Lords’ Council meeting on this issue. Everyone is close by now that you have returned.”
“When will it be?” asked Lord Marak.
“This afternoon,” decided the Emperor. “That should give you time to check out the craftsmen that infest your home.”
“Someday,” grinned Lord Marak as he rose, “I would like to discuss your spy network with you.”
“That will probably be the same day that we discuss your secret agreements with a growing list of lords in Khadora,” grinned the Emperor. “Stay safe, Lord Marak.”
Lord Marak gathered Gunta and Halman and returned downstairs. He briefly viewed the new Torak quarters before leaving for his house with his full squad.
“We could fit more than a corte of troops in the new quarters,” Botal said happily.
“Probably two,” nodded Lord Marak. “We should talk about stationing some troops permanently in Khadoratung. I need to contact Tagoro and find out how his recruiting is coming along. I would like another meal when we get back, Botal.”
The Torak squad entered the house. Lord Marak went into the dining room and saw Latril sitting with Fisher. He smiled at both of them and sat down.
“What news do you have for me, Fisher?” asked Lord Marak.
“No word on the assassin,” reported the spy. “I did some research on the Neju clan, though. Jamarat is the end of the line for the Neju. Woton had no sons and Jamarat never married. The man really has the mind of a child.”
“I noticed that,” nodded Lord Marak. “What is worse is how Mirakotto uses him. I would like to do something for him if I could. The Neju clan is a founding clan and rich in history.”
“Which makes their situation even more deplorable,” frowned Fisher. “Woton spent his time on affairs of the Lords’ Council. He did not bother much with the running of his estates. Jamarat does not have the mental capacity to handle the job, and most of the Neju advisors are ancient and feeble. The only good thing that could be said about the Neju is their army. They have a large army, and it is well equipped and well trained.”
“What about their finances?” asked the Torak lord.
“I had Kasa check that out,” answered Fisher. “They have numerous estates with fertile soil. Their herds are healthy. Their only problem appears to be mishandling their finances. Basically, Jamarat is like Woton in that he spends more than they make. If they had a good bursar, I think their estates would be quite prosperous.”
“Latril, didn’t you help Kasa with the finances when we merged the Situ estates into our own?” asked Lord Marak.
“I did,” nodded Latril. “It is fairly simple work. At least it is if you are good with numbers, which I guess I am. Do you want me to help the Neju? Would they accept such help?”
“I would not ask you to do anything that you didn’t want to,” replied Lord Marak, “but you would also have the benefit of being able to talk to Kasa whenever you needed to.”
“I would not mind,” offered Latril. “After traveling with you for a while and seeing what it is that you are trying to do, I am actually excited to be able to play an active part. Anything I can do to make Khadora the country you dream of, I would gladly do.”
“Would Jamarat accept help from the Torak clan?” asked Fisher.
“I don’t know,” admitted Lord Marak, “but I am willing to ask him. I did tell him that if he needed help, I would be willing to give it. I cannot go out there today, though. The Emperor is calling a Lords’ Council meeting this afternoon to discuss the Jiadin issue. The Khadoran clans hosting the Jiadin have begun gobbling up their neighbors.”
“I will take Latril out to see Jamarat,” offered Fisher. “I will play the role of a special emissary from the Torak clan and tell him that you were concerned for him and wanted to help. The worst he can do is not believe me.”
“Fisher,” laughed Lord Marak. “I cannot imagine anyone who would not believe whatever you wanted them to.”
Chapter 23
Anyone Can Play
Lord Patel entered the Lords’ Council Chamber and looked briefly around the room. The only lord present was Lord Mirakotto, and the Argetta lord seemed absorbed in thoughts of his own. Lord Patel walked to a small table in the corner of the room and served himself a cup of tea before sitting down at the long table occupying the center of the room.
“Ah, Lord Patel,” Lord Mirakotto said as he finally noticed someone in the room. “I see that the Toraks have a new estate at Deep Bend. Did some young lord nip your ankles?”
“I resent your implication, Mirakotto,” Lord Patel replied. “It is well known that the orchard at Deep Bend has never been much of a concern to me.”
“True,” Lord Mirakotto responded with just a tinge of a smirk. “How is it then that Lord Marak is now owner of the estate?”
“He showed an interest in it,” shrugged Lord Patel. “Perhaps some lords have more money than they know what to do with. Since when do the Argetta care about the Nordon holdings? Or is your interest more in Lord Marak?”
“My interest,” frowned Lord Mirakotto, “is in keeping track of alliances within the Lords’ Council. I endeavor to know if you are starting to lean towards this boy lord?”
“Lean towards him?” laughed Lord Patel. “Your spies should be hung, Lord Mirakotto. I do not normally keep two cortes of troops sitting on the road to the south of the city at the end of the Assembly of Lords.”
“I had heard of your troops,” nodded Lord Mirakotto. “My first thought was that you planned to ambush Lord Marak on his way home. That is why news of Deep Bend greatly disturbed me.”
“I will not sit here and discuss such things as ambushes,” warned Lord Patel. “If I had ever planned to do such a thing, I would certainly not admit to it.” Lord Patel let a smile play across his lips as he added, “Besides, I understand that he managed to slip out of the city unseen by anyone.”
“He did,” laughed Lord Mirakotto. “Well, I am glad that we had this little talk, Lord Patel. You have reassured me of your good intentions. This Lord Marak is a threat to our very way of life. I am suspicious of his relationship with the Emperor.”