“I trust the Emperor has explained my problem?” inquired Lord Oktar. “The Glamaraldi are sure to strike me next. There is nothing I can do to defend myself.”
Lord Marak frowned for a moment and then looked at the mediator. “I don’t suppose that you have any ideas regarding a solution to this, do you Katzu?”
“I am sure that you have a solution, Lord Marak,” grinned the mediator, “but for some reason, it fails to come to my lips.”
Lord Marak grinned as Katzu chuckled and Lord Oktar shook his head in confusion. The Emperor merely sat and watched everyone else.
“That might work,” Lord Marak finally said, “but that would depend upon Lord Oktar. Perhaps we should go someplace quiet and discuss it?”
“There is no place more deserving for this conversation than right here,” Katzu said as he nodded towards the Emperor.
Lord Marak frowned. It was obvious what Katzu was suggesting, but he also was saying that the Emperor should be aware of the agreement. He did not understand Katzu’s motivation.
“Why?” Lord Marak asked Katzu.
“Lord Oktar does not know you well,” Katzu replied. “I doubt he would see the wisdom of your suggestion without the blessing of the Emperor.”
Lord Marak nodded and pondered whether he wanted to let anyone else know how he had been gaining power. It was not that he distrusted the Emperor, but rather his desire to minimize the number of people who knew the details of his other arrangements. In the end, the welfare of Khadora won the battle within Lord Marak.
“Very well,” nodded Lord Marak. “There is one solution that I can see to save your clan, Lord Oktar.”
“I suddenly feel that there will be a heavy price to pay for your help, Lord Marak,” Lord Oktar said skeptically. “What must I give up?”
“Your slaves for one,” answered Lord Marak.
“Done,” Lord Oktar immediately replied.
“Let me finish,” continued Lord Marak. “What I propose, Lord Oktar, is for you to swear Vows of Service to me. You will continue as the clan lord of the Balomar, and make decisions as you do now, but I will be the ultimate authority over you.”
“You ask a great deal, Lord Marak,” frowned Lord Oktar. “I can lose my estate to the Glamaraldi, or I can give it away to you. That is hardly a reprieve.”
“It is not as bad as you think, Lord Oktar,” countered Lord Marak. “May I have your vow of silence on this matter before going further?”
“I will not speak of it,” agreed the Balomar lord, “but I am not agreeing to your solution either.”
“Emperor?” prompted Lord Marak as he looked at Bagora.
“If you are about to reveal the answers to questions I have long sought,” grinned the Emperor, “you have my vow of silence.”
“Very well,” Lord Marak said. “Lord Oktar, I already have this arrangement with a number of clans in Khadora. I have never suggested it to anyone who had not attacked me before, but I am looking for a way to help you. Not only you, but all of Khadora.”
“What other clans would vow away their rights?” asked Lord Oktar.
“At first it was the Sorgan and Litari,” answered Lord Marak as he watched the faces of both the Emperor and Lord Oktar. “Then the Ragatha joined and then the Situ. Most recently, the Nordon have executed the Vows of Service.”
“The Nordon?” echoed Lord Oktar. “Are you saying that Lord Patel has given Vows of Service to you?”
“He has as have all of his people,” nodded Lord Marak.
“But he is a member of the Lords’ Council,” protested Lord Oktar. “How can that be?”
“I do not absorb other clans if I can help it,” explained Lord Marak. “I believe each Khadoran clan has a rich heritage of its own. I think they should continue as independent clans.”
“Independent?” questioned Lord Oktar. “How can you be independent and owe allegiance to another?”
“Do you have allegiance to the Lords’ Council?” asked Lord Marak.
“Of course,” nodded Lord Oktar.
“And to the Emperor?” pushed Lord Marak.
“As all clans must,” agreed Lord Oktar.
“Then what is the difference?” prompted Lord Marak. “Your clan will still be distinct. Think of me as another level of the government, except that I will send troops to protect you.”
“The Torak clan is small,” pondered Lord Oktar. “How many troops can you really spare, and will they be enough to matter?”
“Both are good questions,” replied Lord Marak. “I will draw forces from all of the clans sworn to me. I will not draw so many that the defense of any other estate is threatened, but I think I can put together a rather potent force. Will it be enough? I am not sure. It will certainly be enough to prevent a quick demise of your estate. It will be enough to allow you to call upon the Lords’ Council for a mediator, but I cannot promise to destroy all of the Jiadin. The Glamaraldi are only one clan who is using these foreigners to steal land. If the other clans join with the Glamaraldi, we will be in trouble.”
“Your answer is not sweetened, Lord Marak,” sighed Lord Oktar. “I appreciate such candidness, but give me an estimate of the number of troops you are willing to commit.”
“If I pull two cortes off each estate,” Lord Marak mentally calculated, “I could bring three thousand men.”
Lord Oktar was silent for a long time before he finally nodded. “You have yourself a deal, Lord Marak,” he said. “My people will swear Vows of Service to you in return for your protection. Katzu was correct, by the way, of holding this talk here. Had we spoken anywhere outside the Emperor’s presence, I would be refusing your offer. I know Bagora well, and if he has faith in you, then so do I. Please do not let me down, Lord Marak.”
“I will not let you down,” promised Lord Marak. “I will make arrangement today for the troops to start assembling. When are you leaving Khadoratung?”
“I will leave in the morning,” answered Lord Oktar.
“I will ride with you,” stated Lord Marak. “I will receive the vows from your people and be present on your estate until the armies arrive. If you are attacked prematurely, I will suffer your fate as well.”
“I can ask no more of a commitment from a man than to put his life in danger for me,” smiled Lord Oktar. “You have courage, Lord Marak.” The Balomar lord stood silent for a moment and then nodded to himself. “I have things to attend to while I am in the capital. I shall talk to you later about our journey tomorrow.”
Lord Oktar bowed deeply to the Emperor and left the room. Emperor Bagora chuckled after the door was closed.
“You are indeed a clever man, Lord Marak,” he said. “No, more than clever. Your use of the Vows of Service are ingenious, but the truth of your character lies in how you have managed your clans after the vows have been given. I know about the support you received from the clans who swore to you. They stood up for you when everyone else ostracized you. That, Lord Marak, speaks volumes about you. I wish I had that kind of loyalty from my followers. You are the type of Khadoran that inspires ballads.”
* * *
Werner led the small group of Jiadin along the base of the Fortung Mountains in Fakara. The sun was high, and the heat simmered off of the parched earth beneath the horses. Werner was a little glad that the heat was unbearable. The Jiadin had grumbled unmercifully until their throats were parched. Now they only opened their mouths to sip water. They were all quiet except the large one. He appeared to be too stupid to conserve his throat.
“Just where is this paradise?” Klavin bellowed. “Are we to ride all day?”
“Not much farther,” Werner replied softly.
“Not much farther?” echoed Klavin. “Did you hear that Gregnic? Not much farther he said. Do you see any paradise? I think he is lying to us.”
“At least you don’t think he is a spy,” Gregnic croaked weakly. “Be quiet and drink some water.”
Werner saw the rock shaped like a ram and turned abruptly. “We are almost there,” he announced.
The group perked up as their eyes scanned the horizon. Suddenly, one of the riders shouted when they saw the tall trees. Everyone started murmuring as Werner led them through the entrance to the valley. Even Werner was amazed at the improvements since his last visit.