“That’s as may be,” Edmund said. “But, frankly, given his background in shitting all over social organizations, I’d rather have him as an outlaw than on the inside causing trouble. If I can get this damned town organized, he’s not going to take it away. And that’s my primary responsibility, as I mentioned.”
“Agreed,” she said. “And one that some people aren’t rising to. I’ve got problems, old friend. I need some advice.”
“Advice I’ve got aplenty.”
“You’re forming a democracy here,” she said, waving out into the darkness towards the town. “But too many of the communities aren’t. Strongmen are taking charge and… I mean it’s getting feudal out there.”
“Not surprising,” Edmund said, taking a sip of wine well-mixed with water. “It’s not entirely a democracy, more of a republic. They chose me and when I thought I was right I’ve run roughshod over a couple of votes. And there are times when I’ve wished I could just order people to do things or toss them out. We’ve done that in a few cases, people who wouldn’t work, one thief. I’ve been tempted with a couple of yammerheads. And even more tempted in the case of a couple of ‘minstrels.’ ”
Sheida chuckled. “You never did like minstrels.”
“I like people who can sing,” he said. “I’ve got perfect pitch; listening to most ‘minstrels’ is positively painful. And getting someone who considers themselves a bard to actually work is… tough. Even when there’s no pins to throw them they think they can ride on generosity. Maybe in a few years they’ll be able to. But not now.”
“But the… strongmen,” Sheida said.
“Call them warlords,” Edmund said musingly. “Well, the first thing you do is tell them that they’re not allied with you if they don’t institute democratic reforms. Then you draw up a simple document that states what the rights of all persons are in your government and what the duties are of the local and overall government. Preferably you gather representatives from all the communities that are allied with you to vote on it, but get the outline settled before the arguments start.”
“You’re talking about a constitution?”
“Aye. And a good one. Just what happened to Daneh proves that we need some laws to hang our hooks on. Right now, if I went out and hunted down McCanoc and hung him from a tree, I’d be as much in the ‘wrong’ as he is.”
“Nobody would question it, though,” Sheida said. “Not and get very far.”
“Sure, but that’s not law, that’s anarchy,” Edmund pointed out. “At its base, all government is about ensuring that people abide by contracts. McCanoc violated an implicit contract that one does not force women to have sex, much less steal their rain gear when conditions are cold and wet. But with the Council’s authority broken, there is no process to enforce the contract. Nor is it a written contract. Look at some of the historical models; you’ve still got access to them. Then write the constitution. Then, if any of the ‘warlords’ refuse to join, remove your support from them.”
“I haven’t been able to give much support,” Sheida admitted.
“But you will be giving support and more as time goes on,” he added. “You’re the only source of power available unless they go to Paul’s side.”
“And what if they do?”
“Then you deal with that as it comes,” Edmund said bluntly. “This is a war. If someone wants to be neutral, that’s fine. If they take the part of your enemy, then they become your enemy. Make that clear as well.”
“One of them is Rowana,” Sheida said. “Martin down there has set himself up as the local lord. Including a… a harem I guess you’d call it. I haven’t been able to sort out how much of it is voluntary, how much is desperation, and how much is forced. But I know that all those women didn’t jump into his bed because he’s God’s gift to women.”
“And if Rowana goes to Paul we’ll have a knife pointed at our back,” Edmund said, musingly. “Well, that’s all right, by the time he can get his act together, we’ll be in a position to smash him if it comes to it. One of things you’ll need to write into that constitution is how new groups are entered into it. That is the way that geographical boundaries are settled, who has full voting rights, that sort of thing.”
“Hmmm…” Sheida said with a distant look. “I’ve already accessed a few of the more well-known historical documents.”
“And one thing.”
“Yes.”
“The first Constitution of the United States of America, the Second Amendment. Whatever you write, if you want my support for it you’ll have something similar or stronger.”
She smiled at him and nodded. “Will do.”
“Is there a way that you can take Harry with you?” he asked, suddenly.
“Perhaps,” she said. “Why?”
“The cut that I did to his leg is never going to heal right short of nannite rebuilding,” Edmund said with a shrug. “In this society he’s practically a cripple. That’s not good, but the other side to it is that he’s got a good basis in preindustrial war and government. If he could be someplace where he’s not seeing how crippled he is, or that he could get repaired, he could still contribute. But as it is, he’s not doing himself or anyone else much good.”
“I’ll see if I can gather the power for a teleport,” she said after a moment’s thought. “We’re working on some lower powered methods, but until then we’re stuck.”
“Well, if you can do it, you can do it. If not, we’ll find something for him. He can train in sword-play just by shouting if it comes to that.”
“Okay,” Sheida said with a nod. “Thanks for the advice.”
“Anytime. And, really, do get some rest.”
“I can sleep in the grave.”
“Which is where you’ll be if you don’t get straight,” Edmund said.
“It’s… there’s so much. They’re just more powerful than we are, Edmund,” she said, sighing and lowering her face into her hands. “I don’t know where they’re getting all their power. We’ve actually got two more plants than they do and we’re drawing on the Stone Lands power source. But they’ve got two or three times our power. They’re not using it very well, but we have to use every erg to defend against it. And in the meantime it leaves them free to do…” She stopped and shuddered. “I can hardly believe some of the things they’re doing.”
“I probably can,” Edmund said, thinly. “But I’m a firm believer in the concept of original sin and the basic corruptness of the human soul.”
“Well, I’m getting that way,” Sheida said. “Paul’s got enough power to make it nearly impossible to send an avatar into most of the areas that he has assimilated but we’ve slipped in a few long-range aerial scouts and it’s horrible. He’s rounding up all the refugees and Changing them against their will.”
“Not surprising,” Edmund nodded gravely. “If he’s got the power.”
“He does but he’s mostly drawing it from their own bodies. He’s using humans as a power source. Sometimes it kills them. And what it leaves behind!”
“Let me guess. Low intelligence, brutish in appearance, a few rudimentary skills and… hmmm… aggressive. Stupidly aggressive, right?”
“You’ve heard.”
“Oh, I’ve heard the rumors. But more than that, I know the people involved. That’s not Paul’s game they’re playing there, it’s Chansa and Celine and to an extent the Demon.”