“Are not the frontier clans part of Khadora, Lord Quilo?” posed Lord Marak. “Does the Lords’ Council exist only to serve the interests of the Imperial Valley? If that is the case, why should the frontier clans abide by your rules? Suppose other clans decide to take the attitude of Lord Yungis and declare that the government in Khadoratung is not relevant. Will Khadora then shrink to only those clans in the Imperial Valley?”
“If the frontier clans want to ignore us,” retorted Lord Quilo, “they will do so at their own peril. The Imperial Valley clans are the heart of Khadora. We have the armies to crush any opponent.”
“Then use them,” grinned Lord Marak. “That is exactly what I am asking you to do. The Jiadin are stealing portions of Khadora as we speak, Lord Quilo. They are using a few fool lords to accomplish their goal, but do not for one minute think that Lord Yungis really controls these men. He may believe it now, but I do not. When Lord Yungis has served his purpose, the foreigners will toss him aside.”
“We may have to in the future,” conceded Lord Quilo, “but I think you see this as a chance to seek power for yourself, Lord Marak. Do not take me for a fool.”
“Perhaps there is a way to resolve this,” offered Lord Kiamesh. “We could choose one of our marshals to lead this force. I think we should first vote on the proposition of supporting Lord Oktar, and later deal with what the force will look like and who will lead it.”
Lord Garic frowned and rose from his seat. “I request a short recess,” he said.
“Five minutes,” nodded Lord Quilo.
Lord Garic walked swiftly out of the room and raced to the Emperor’s office. He was immediately admitted.
“What is it?” Emperor Mirakotto asked distractedly.
“The Lords’ Council is in session,” answered Lord Garic. “They are considering a proposal to send troops to aid the Balomar clan against the Glamaraldi.”
“That nonsense again,” snarled the Emperor. “Why do none of them understand that the frontier just doesn’t matter in the overall scheme of things? Has there been a provocation?”
“There has been,” nodded Lord Garic. “It looks like a resolution will pass the council this time. Lord Patel and Lord Kiamesh appear to be leaning towards it. Lord Quilo and myself are against it.”
“Just let them do it,” smirked the Emperor. “Their armies will suffer loses, and they will be the weaker for it. I cannot believe that they are such fools.”
“Very well,” frowned Lord Garic. “I thought you would be opposed to it.”
“Why?” questioned the Emperor.
“There is talk that Lord Marak would lead the armies,” shrugged Lord Garic.
“What?” shouted Emperor Mirakotto. “You did not mention anything about Lord Marak.”
“Well he is the one presenting the plan to the council,” frowned Lord Garic. “I thought that I had mentioned that.”
“So Lord Marak is seeking yet more power?” mused the Emperor. “He is a threat, Garic. I know that he had meetings with Bagora, but I cannot find any record of them. I am curious what schemes they had planned together.”
“Lord Marak did say that the Bagora had authorized the other clans that have armies out there already,” mentioned Lord Garic. “He said the Emperor had declared it legal.”
“What other clans?” inquired Emperor Mirakotto. “Do you know who they are?”
“He did not say,” Lord Garic shook his head. “He only mentioned that there were several and that the Torak clan was one of them.”
“And he is seeking more troops to fight under his banner?” questioned the Emperor.
“That is what he is proposing,” nodded Lord Garic. “Not only armies from the Lords’ Council, but also from other clans. He says that he is facing twenty thousand Jiadin warriors.”
“Such nonsense,” scowled the Emperor. “I will not allow Lord Marak’s power to grow any further. He may well become a thorn in my side.”
“My vote will not stop this resolution from passing,” declared Lord Garic. “I doubt that I can convince Lord Patel or Lord Kiamesh to vote against it.”
“Well I can stop it,” snarled the Emperor. “Return to the meeting, and tell them that all votes of the Lords’ Council on this matter must be authorized by the Emperor. Tell them that the Emperor has been notified that there are potential illegalities concerning the placement of troops at the Balomar estate. These illegalities will be fully investigated before the government can authorize any help to Lord Oktar.”
Lord Garic grinned and nodded as he left the office. He hurried back to the Lords’ Council Chamber. The other lords had already reassembled and Lord Garic took his seat.
“Very well,” Lord Quilo said. “Now that we are all refreshed, shall we put this issue to a vote?”
“You cannot,” replied Lord Garic. “I ran into the Emperor while I was out. He is most disturbed by reports of clans assembling at the Balomar estate. He has ordered an investigation into the legalities of the matter. He has ordered that the Lords’ Council votes on this matter must be authorized by him personally until the investigation is complete. There will be no help for Lord Oktar until this is all settled.”
“Did you empty his chamber pot while you were there, Lord Garic?” retorted Lord Patel.
“Is it legal for the Emperor to stop the Lords’ Council from voting on this?” asked Lord Marak.
“The Emperor can step in if he feels that the Lords’ Council is doing something in violation of the law,” nodded Lord Quilo.
“But there has been a provocation,” countered Lord Marak. “Emperor Bagora has already ruled on the legality of my troops being there, and additional troops after the provocation is clearly legal.”
“This has nothing to do with legalities, Lord Marak,” stated Lord Patel. “This has to do with his hatred of you. To allow this council to send troops under your command is to give you prestige. Mirakotto will never allow that. His investigation is merely one of the weapons that he will use to crush you. I advise you to withdraw the request.”
“What if Lord Oktar makes the request?” asked Lord Marak. “I will step out of the entire affair and turn the troops over to someone else. This is not about me. This is about saving Khadora.”
“I believe your offer to step out of this is sincere,” Lord Kiamesh smiled thinly, “but once Mirakotto has entered into this fray, it will not matter if you withdraw. He will continue to block it no matter what. Believe me in this. I have been an outspoken foe of Mirakotto’s since the day I joined this council. He is like a starving dog that has sunk his teeth into a piece of meat. He will not let go until it is devoured.”
“It only makes sense to adjourn this meeting,” nodded Lord Quilo. “You will have to manage with the troops you already have, Lord Marak. This meeting is adjourned.”
The lords filed out of the room. When only Lord Quilo was left, Katzu quietly closed the door and walked across the room and sat down next to the Organila lord who was writing a journal entry about the meeting.
“What is it, Katzu?” Lord Quilo asked without looking up from his task.
“You ended the meeting quickly,” commented Lord Quilo.
“What if I did?” shrugged Lord Quilo. “There was not going to be a resolution. Why listen to more arguments about it?”
“You were against Lord Marak’s proposal then?” asked the mediator.
“You always were a keen observer of people, Katzu,” smiled Lord Quilo. “Of all the mediators for the Lords’ Council, your services are the most in demand. Your rulings have never been questioned. That is because you understand people and what makes them do what they do. You make me proud.”
“Most of the time,” frowned Katzu, “you have made me proud as well. That is why I wanted to speak to you about this, Father.”
“What is there to speak about?” questioned Lord Quilo. “While Lord Oktar may indeed have a problem, I see this whole request as a ruse by Lord Marak to gain power. He has already positioned troops illegally at the Balomar estate. Now he seeks thousands more to serve under his banner. Can you deny that he seeks power?”