“Our journey to Khadoratung must be swift,” Lord Marak said softly as the impact of the news caused him to press his lips tightly together. “Botal, your squad will be my escort. Ophia, I want you to arrange fresh horses for us along the way. We will be riding nonstop to Khadoratung.”
* * *
Lord Patel rode through the streets of Khadoratung on his way to the Imperial Palace. Bells all over the city were ringing mournfully as they announced the death of the Emperor. The lord of the Nordon clan watched the people moving about the city. There was sadness in their faces. Emperor Bagora had been well liked by the people. Lord Patel had to admit that Bagora had ruled in an even-handed and fair manner. He had never favored one clan over another, and he always seemed able to diffuse tensions when they arose. Lord Patel sighed heavily as the Imperial Palace came into view.
The thought that kept intruding into Lord Patel’s mind was the message that he had received before the sun had arisen. It had clearly stated that Emperor Bagora had been assassinated, but there had been no mention of catching the assassin. Lord Patel could not imagine how an assassin could escape when the Imperial Palace was empty. It was possible during the days of the Assembly of Lords due to the fact that thousands of people were milling about in the palace, but now the palace should be fairly empty. One would expect the assassin to stand out easily. The implications of an escape troubled the Nordon lord. He could think of only one way that the assassin could defy recognition, and that was that he had to belong in the Imperial Palace in the first place. The assassin had to be an Imperial soldier.
The lectain leading Lord Patel’s escort started shouting commands as the Imperial Palace came into view. He ordered two cortes to proceed to the field behind the palace. The third corte dismounted and handed their horses off to those heading behind the palace. The lectain formed the third corte around Lord Patel and led the way along the path to one of the doors. The Imperial guards manning the door opened it immediately, and the Nordon group entered the palace.
“One squad with me to the Lords’ Council Chamber,” stated Lord Patel. “The other two squads are to prepare the Nordon quarters for a stay of unknown duration.”
The lectain caught the attention of the three squad leaders and indicated what their tasks would be. He then turned and led the escort up the stairs to the Lords’ Council Chamber. When they reached the door to the chamber, Lord Kiamesh was standing outside giving directions to his escort.
“I see you have just arrived as well,” greeted Lord Patel.
“Just a moment ago,” nodded Lord Kiamesh as the escorts of both lords moved away to the room where escorts waited. “Are you casting your lot with Lord Mirakotto?”
“You mean for Emperor?” frowned Lord Patel. “Isn’t it little early to be asking such a question? We have not even heard the nominations yet.”
“Is there any doubt that Lord Mirakotto will nominate himself?” retorted Lord Kiamesh. “Becoming Emperor is the only reason for his existence, at least if you think like him.”
“I will not vote for anyone before the nominations are made and discussion is held,” declared Lord Patel. “That certainly won’t be today. I know that Lord Marak is far out of the city.”
“If you and Lord Marak join with me,” Lord Kiamesh said conspiratorially, “we can keep Mirakotto from assuming the throne.”
“And who then would we vote for?” Lord Patel asked suspiciously. “For you perhaps?”
“You mistake my motives, Lord Patel,” Kiamesh replied with feigned offense. “I have been the lone voice against Lord Mirakotto in this council. You and Lord Quilo claim to be independent, but you side with Mirakotto more often than not. Woton and Garic were, of course, his ideological slaves. With Woton gone, and Marak on the council, we might actually have a chance of electing a decent Emperor. It does not have to be me, but I would like to be considered. My point is, as long as Woton was here, we would not even have the choice. Mirakotto would automatically claim the throne. Now the vote would be tied with three of us sticking together. We can then discuss the nominees, if you will at least veto Mirakotto.”
“I will not vote until there has been full discussion,” promised Lord Patel “So, if you are asking if I will vote against a move by Mirakotto to force this issue with him as the only candidate, the answer is yes.”
“Excellent,” grinned Lord Kiamesh as he opened the door to the chamber for Lord Patel.
Lord Mirakotto, Lord Quilo, and Lord Garic were already seated at the table. The two late arrivals walked to the table and sat down.
“As you are all aware,” Lord Mirakotto began, “the Emperor was assassinated last night in his bed. The purpose of this meeting of the Lords’ Council is to appoint a successor. It is my turn to lead the meeting, and I will begin by nominating myself for Emperor.”
“How convenient,” Lord Kiamesh said under his breath.
“Lord Mirakotto,” said Lord Patel, “the entire Lords’ Council is not present. Rather than start the proceedings to replace the Emperor, why don’t you enlighten us on how the Emperor was killed, and how the assassin has managed to escape detection.”
“I see enough members here to accomplish our goals,” retorted Lord Mirakotto. “I was not informed that you thought so highly of Lord Marak that you would seek to delay things.”
“How I feel about Lord Marak has no bearing on my objection,” countered Lord Patel. “My point is that only five seats are occupied, not six. This council must adjourn until the missing member arrives.”
“This is why I warned about having members from outside the Imperial Valley,” snarled Lord Mirakotto. “The government cannot afford to wait for a week while our boy lord stumbles his way here from the frontier.”
“But we must have all members here,” insisted Lord Patel.
“That is where you are wrong, Patel,” snapped Lord Mirakotto. “The law makes an exception for when a lord is sufficiently far away that his presence is not expected within a reasonable amount of time. If we were discussing a mere border dispute, we could wait a week, but we are not. We are performing our duty to choose a successor to the post of Emperor so that the government of Khadora is not rudderless. This is an urgent matter that cannot wait.”
“I disagree,” declared Lord Patel. “The more urgent the matter, the more important it is to ensure that all members are seated for the discussion.”
“Disagree all you wish, Lord Patel,” smirked Lord Mirakotto. “I am running this meeting, and I am going to proceed. Now, if there are no further nominations, I move that the voting has begun. I will vote for myself.”
“I will not suffer this nonsense,” snapped Lord Patel as he rose. “You may not have to wait for Lord Marak, but you will have to wait for me. I shall not enter this room again until all six members are available. I will not be far away. See if you can get around that rule.”
Lord Patel stormed out of the room, and Lord Mirakotto shook his head. Lord Kiamesh rose and sighed as he turned and headed for the door.
“Lord Kiamesh,” Lord Mirakotto said through clenched teeth, “kindly take your seat. There is a vote underway.”
“The members are not all present, in case you missed Lord Patel walking out,” shrugged Lord Kiamesh. “You must adjourn the meeting,”
“You are wrong,” smiled Lord Mirakotto. “There is already a vote underway. If a lord leaves the chamber during a vote, he will be marked as having abstained.”
“What are you talking about?” questioned Lord Kiamesh. “Do you make these rules up?”
“Hardly,” smirked Lord Mirakotto as he slid an open book across the table. “I do, however, spend time familiarizing myself with the law. Read it for yourself.”
Lord Kiamesh turned and bent down to read the page of the book. He slammed it shut and slid it powerfully across the table towards Lord Mirakotto.