“What are we going to do about him?” Bridgely asked, “because sure as night follows day, he will come running for aid to Franco and me. “
“There is provision in the Charter,” Paulin began.
Jamson of the High Reaches stared with wide and disbelieving eyes at Paulin.
“Only if he believes in the Charter” Bastom said.
“Oh, Chalkin believes in the Charter all right,” Paulin said sardonically. “The patent conferring the title of ‘Lord Holder’ on the original major northern Stakeholders is what gives his line the right to Hold. And he’s already used the Charter to substantiate his autonomous position. I wonder if he also knows the penalty for failing to prepare his Hold. That constitutes a major breach of the trust.”
“Who trusts Chalkin?” Jamson put in.
“The trust which holders rest in the Lord of their Hold in return for their labor,” finished Paulin.
“Ha!” said Bridgely. “I don’t think much of his holders either. Useless lot on the whole. Most of ’em kicked out of other holds for poor management or plain laziness.”
“Bitra’s badly managed, too. Generally we have to return a full half of his tithings,” M’shall said. “Half the grain is moldy and timber unseasoned, hides improperly cured and often rancid. It’s a struggle every quarter to receive decent supplies from him. “
“Really?” Paulin asked, jotting down notes. “I hadn’t realized he shorted you on tithes.”
M’shall shrugged. “Why should you know? It’s our problem. We keep at him. We’ll have to keep at him over this, too, you know. Can’t let him away with a total disregard for the upcoming emergency. Not every holder in Bitra’s useless, Bridgely.”
Bridgely shrugged. “ Good apples in every basket as well as bad. But I’d really hate to have to cope with the problem come springtime and Threadfalls. Benden’s too near Bitra for my peace of mind.”
“So what is the penalty for what Chalkin’s doing? Or, rather not doing?” Franco asked.
“Impeachment,” Paulin said flatly.
“Impeachment!” Jamson was aghast.
“I didn’t know Article Fourteen, Jamson,” said Paulin, “Dereliction of Duty by Lord Holder”.
“Can you give me a print-out on that, Clisser? Perhaps we all should have our memory refreshed on that point.”
“Certainly,” and the Head of the College made a note in his folder. “In your hands tomorrow.”
“So your system’s still working?” Tashvi asked.
Copies of the most important official documents were made in quantity by my predecessor,” Clisser replied with a relieved smile.
I’ve a list if you need any… handwritten but legible.” Paulin cleared his throat, calling them to order. “So, my Lords Holder, should we proceed against Chalkin?”
“You’ve heard him. What option do we have?” M’shall wanted to know, glancing about the table.
“Now, wait a minute,” began Jamson, scowling. “I’d want to have incontrovertible proof of his inefficiency as a Lord Holder as well as his failure to respond to this emergency. I mean, impeachment’s an extreme step.”
“Yes, and Chalkin’ll do everything he can to slide out of it,” Bastom said cynically.
“Surely there’s a trial procedure for such a contingency?” asked Jamson, looking anxiously about. “You certainly can’t act without allowing him the chance to respond to any charges.”
“In the matter of impeachment I believe that a unanimous agreement of all major Holders and Leaders is sufficient to deprive him of his position,” Paulin declared.
“Are you sure?” Jamson asked.
If he isn’t, I am,” Bridgely said, bringing one fist down firmly on the table. His spouse, Lady Jane, nodded her head emphatically.
“I haven’t wanted to bring it up in a Council before,” Bridgely began.
“He’s very difficult to confront at the best of times,” said Irene, setting her lips in a thin line of frustrations long borne.
Bridgely nodded sharply in her direction and continued.
“He’s come as near to bending, or breaking for that matter. What few laws we do have on Pern. Shady dealings, punitive contracts, unusual harsh conditions for his holders.”
“We’ve had some refugees from Bitra with stories that would curl your hair,” Jane, Benden’s Lady Holder said, wringing her hands in distress. I’ve kept records.”
“Have you?” Paulin said. “I’d very much like to see them. “
“Autonomy is a privilege and a responsibility, but not a license for authoritarianism or despotic rule. Certainly autonomy does not give anyone the right to deprive his constituents of basic needs. Such as protection from Threadfall. “
I don’t know about going so far as to impeach him. I mean, such an extreme remedy could have a demoralizing effect on all the Holds,” said Jamson, his reluctance deepening.
“Possibly…” Paulin began.
“Not being prepared for Thread will certainly demoralize Bitra!” Tashvi said.
Paulin held up his hand as he turned to M’shall. “Please give me specific instances in which Bitra Hold has failed to supply the Weyr.”
“Jane, I’d like to look at the records you’ve kept.”
“I’ve some, too,” Irene added.
Paulin nodded and looked round the table. “Since his dereliction of primary duty in regard to preparation against Threadfall could jeopardize not only his own Hold but that of his neighbors, I feel we must examine the problem as quickly as possible and indict him…”
Jamson jammed up an arm in protest, but Paulin held up a placatory hand. “If, that is, we do find just cause to do so. Just now, he was acting as if he’d had too much of Hegmon’s new wine. “
“Ha!” was Irene of Benden’s immediate response, a cynical reaction echoed by others around the table.
“We cannot allow personal feelings to color this matter,” Paulin said firmly.
“Wait til you read my notes, “ was her wry answer.
“And mine,” added Bridgely.
“But who could take his place?” Jamson asked, now querulous with anxiety.
“Not a task I’d like so soon to Thread,” Bastom admitted.
Paulin grimaced. “But it may have to be done.”
“Ah, if I may,” and Clisser raised his hand. The Charter requires us to find a suitable candidate from the incumbent’s Bloodline” he began.
“He has relatives?” Bridgely asked, mimicking surprise and consternation.
I believe so,” Franco said, “beyond his children. An uncle If they’re of the same Blood as Chalkin, would that be an improvement?” Tashvi wanted to know.
“They do say a new broom sweeps clean,” Irene remarked.
“I heard that Chalkin did his uncle out of succession by giving him an isolated hold.”
“He got him out of the way fast enough, that’s sure,” said Bridgely. “Some mountain hold, back of beyond.”
“All of Bitra is back of beyond,” Azury of Boll remarked, grinning.
A replacement is not the most immediate concern,” Paulin said, taking charge again, if we can persuade Chalkin that all of us can’t be wrong about Threadfall.”
Zulaya this time snorted at that unlikelihood. “He’ll admit he’s wrong only when Thread is eating him… which might solve the problem in the most effective way. Bitra’s in the path of the first Fall.”
“Remiss as Chalkin appears to be,” Jamson said, “Bitra Hold may be better off with than without him. You don’t learn the management of a Hold overnight, you know. “
Paulin gave the High Reaches Lord a long look. “That is very true, but if he hasn’t even told his people that Thread is coming and he opened up his hands to show dismay at such an omission. That’s a dereliction of duty right there. His prime duty and the primary reason for having a Leader during a crisis. As a group, we also have a responsibility to be sure each of us is performing duties inherent to our rank and position.”