Realization of Lord Marak’s intentions finally dawned on Marshal Patoga and he smiled broadly. Lord Marak might be subject to the legal control of Lord Ridak, but the head of the Situ Clan would tread carefully if Marak had considerable support and strength among his own people. Lord Marak might use that strength to argue with Lord Ridak and get his orders changed to something more acceptable.
“Yes, Lord Marak,” grinned Patoga, “I do understand now, but who will be the Lord of the Sorgan Clan?”
“I am not sure,” sighed Marak. “I plan on talking with Lord Quavry to see if he can agree to my demands and my methods of running an estate. If that does not work out, I would value your input on the matter. I would prefer to keep a Sorgan at the head of the Sorgan Clan, but whomever it is, you will ensure that there is no attempt to subvert my authority.”
“You may count on me,” assured Marshal Patoga. “My men will remain faithful to their true Lord no matter who heads the Sorgan Clan.”
“Excellent,” smiled Marak. “There are a few other matters which need to be taken care of quickly. The only members of the Sorgan Clan who have not given their Vows to me are the soldiers posing as bandits. They need to be relieved to attend to this matter immediately.”
“The order to disband the bandits has already been given, My Lord,” replied Patoga. “They will arrive here shortly.”
“Good,” remarked Marak. “There is also the problem of the emissary from the Lords Council. I understand that they are due here before nightfall. I want them delayed until morning. Perhaps we can use the bandits to slow them down and force them to spend another night on the road.”
“That will not be easy,” explained Patoga. “The emissary travels with a full Corte of Imperial troops. I take it that you do not wish the red and brown of the Sorgan Clan to be seen during the delaying tactics?”
“Nor the green and yellow of the Situ,” nodded Lord Marak. “I do not wish to have the emissary attacked, just delayed. Perhaps the destruction of a key bridge or a forest fire will suffice. A delay of just a couple of hours would keep them from arriving until morning.”
“I will see to it immediately,” agreed Patoga.
“There is one more request and it may appear bitter to you,” continued Marak. “Lord Burdine does not know what has happened here in Watula Valley. I intend to lure him in for talks with the emissary this evening. I am sending Yenga to fetch him with a Squad of red and brown under his command. He must not see you wearing the Marshal’s plume when he arrives. His escort is to be entertained at the festival while he meets with me, but his men are to be kept in the dark. It will not be an easy task to keep your men from talking about the events of the day.”
“I will see to it,” Patoga stated proudly. “My men will ensure the ignorance of the Litari Soldiers. If I may ask, do I need to keep my men prepared for a Litari attack when Lord Burdine leaves?”
“Not if everything goes according to plan,” stated Marak. “Still, watering the ale might be in order. At the very least, a Corte of Imperial troops will be arriving in the morning.”
“All will be prepared as you have requested,” saluted Marshal Patoga.
Marak heard Patoga issuing orders as he strode towards the mansion. Marshal Yenga was standing on the porch in his red and brown Marshal’s uniform. Marak briefed him on his plan and sent him to gather his Squad from Marshal Patoga. Cortain Tagoro arrived with a change of clothes for Marak before Yenga had a chance to leave and Marak introduced Tagoro to his new Marshal.
“Marak,” asked Tagoro as he accompanied his Lord to the Meeting Chamber where Marak could change into his Situ uniform, “what is going on? The Sorgan messenger would not say what had happened. He presented your note to Lectain Zorkil and would say no more.”
“He was instructed to be vague,” declared Marak. “The Sorgan Clan has sworn to me, but I do not want anyone to know just yet. We have found two spies at Fardale already and I cannot afford for there to be another until this whole escapade is over.”
“How did you manage to do this?” queried Tagoro. “I thought Lord Quavry was ready to wipe out Fardale?”
“Come along with me,” suggested Marak. “I am about to have a talk with Lord Quavry now.”
Marak led the way to the Lord’s suite and entered without knocking. There were two Sorgan guards in the sitting room and they snapped salutes as Lord Marak entered. Marak continued through the sitting room to the Lord’s sleeping chamber and entered with Cortain Tagoro on his heels. Lord Quavry was in bed and the doctor was preparing to leave.
“Ah, Lord Marak,” greeted the doctor. “Lord Quavry is much better now. I have given him something to soothe his nerves and there is no physical damage except for the small cut on his throat. He will be fine by tomorrow.”
Marak nodded as the doctor left and he pulled a chair close to the bed. “I am glad to see that you are feeling better, Lord Quavry,” commented Lord Marak.
“Why do you continue to call me Lord Quavry when you have already deposed me?” sighed the Sorgan Lord.
“Because I have not deposed you,” smiled Marak. “I wish you to continue on as Lord of the Sorgans.”
“Continue as Lord?” puzzled Quavry. “You have already sworn the entire Clan to your service. What is left for a Lord to do?”
“You are an important Lord in Khadora,” explained Marak. “You are respected and feared and you hold a seat in the Assembly of Lords. Yes, I have taken the allegiance of the Sorgan Clan, but I do not intend for the Clan to die. The Sorgan will continue to be a separate Clan and will have its own Lord. If you do not wish the position, I am sure that I can find another who will take it.”
Quavry stared at Lord Marak for what seemed to be a long time before finally speaking. “What authority would the Lord of the Sorgan have without the allegiance of his people?” Quavry asked.
“The people of Watula Valley must owe their allegiance to me,” declared Lord Marak. “I will give the Lord of the Sorgan Clan wide leeway in running his estate, but there will be guidelines on proper conduct of the Sorgan people. If anything, the new Lord of the Sorgan will be more powerful than you ever were. Already the size of the available Army has doubled and it will grow larger. Fardale and Watula Valley can work together to increase the prosperity of both.”
“All to the betterment of Lord Ridak,” grumbled Quavry. “You are only Lord Ridak’s pawn and now you want me to be your pawn. I fail to see how that betters my position.”
“I am nobody’s pawn,” corrected Marak. “The Lord of Watula Valley will owe no allegiance to the Situ Clan, only me.”
“For now,” mused Quavry, “but once Lord Ridak finds out you plan to build your own empire, he will send his Army to crush you or bring in the Lords Council to declare all of your lands forfeit.”
“Speaking of the Lords Council,” smiled Marak, “what do you plan to do with their emissary when he arrives?”
Quavry’s eyebrows rose in understanding. “If they learn what has happened here,” he remarked, “Lord Ridak and his Army will be here within a week. Even our combined armies can not stand long against that.”
“Do you wish to turn Watula Valley over to Lord Ridak or would you rather manage it in a reduced capacity,” asked Lord Marak.
“Watula Valley has been the home to the Sorgan for countless generations,” answered Quavry angrily. “I will not let that lituk sucking vermin infest this valley.”
“You see,” grinned Marak, “we share a common goal. I do not ask much of you as Lord of the Sorgan. All of your people must swear Vows of Service to me, all people will be treated with respect, and I will not stand for any subversive actions without my direct approval.”
“You are generous with your enemies,” suggested Quavry. “Had our positions been reversed, you would be dead. What will we do with Lord Burdine? The emissary will wish to talk with him, as well.”