“I want to discuss your need for revenge,” Lord Marak blurted out. “I do not want to see the joy drain out of your face as I just have. I do not want to see my mother go stiff with tension when his name is brought up but, most of all, I do not want to see this family further marred by this man. I want you to forego your revenge and leave Lord Ridak to me.”
“I believe that I have a prior claim on that son of a Situ,” demanded the Head Shaman of the Zatong.
“Your claim is no older than mine,” retorted Lord Marak, “and my Clan also has a claim.”
“Will you two stop fighting!” exclaimed Glenda. “I have lived a nightmare under this man for fourteen years and the two of you act like his death is your property. No claim can take precedence over mine. Perhaps I should kill him myself.”
Lord Marak and Ukaro stared at Glenda with open mouths. Neither of them had ever heard an offensive word out of her mouth before and they were shocked.
“Does it really matter who kills Lord Ridak?” Glenda continued. “Marak, do you believe that I would love you any less if you were not the one to kill Lord Ridak? Or you, Ukaro? Let the fates decide what happens to Lord Ridak. This family has been torn apart enough already. I will not permit the two of you to argue over who shall have the pleasure of killing that man.”
Both men lowered their eyes, but it was Lord Marak who spoke. “I have to go to Lituk Valley in two days to meet with an emissary of the Lords Council. Lord Ridak seeks to regain title to Fardale. After he fails he will be coming to Fardale to forcibly take it back. I do not seek to deprive you of your revenge, Father, but it is a problem which I must deal with and I do not wish to take the chance of losing you again.”
“You will not lose me to the likes of Lord Ridak,” nodded Ukaro. “You are the Torak and you must do what you must do. I offer my services to the Torak for the upcoming battle. I do not insist that you take my offer and I will not take offense if you deliver the killing blow, but if there is a possibility of him being taken alive, I would like to take him captive.”
“I will keep you informed of the situation,” agreed Lord Marak. “If he can be captured, he is yours to do with as you wish. I am sorry for bringing this cloud into your day of sunshine. I must go and prepare for my journey.”
Lord Marak rose to leave and Glenda rose and embraced him. Ukaro rose and hugged both of them and then Lord Marak turned and left. His mind was lost in thought on the journey back to Fardale and he appeared at the main gate before he realized the trip was over. He saw the Squad of Imperial Soldiers had arrived and hurried to Lord Marshal Yenga’s study.
“I will be departing immediately,” Lord Marak informed his Lord Marshal. “You must finalize plans for their attack. Lord Ridak is to be captured if possible.”
“Do you think all of the Situ estates will be involved?” asked Lord Marshal Yenga.
“Absolutely,” confirmed Lord Marak. “Lord Marshal Grefon will not want to take any chances of me escaping.”
“I would like permission to station troops outside each of their estates,” requested Lord Marshal Yenga. “If they pull the armies out of the estates, I can take each of them with a single Corte apiece.”
“Can we afford the reduction in strength?” queried Lord Marak.
“They will all be Ragatha Cortes,” explained Lord Marshal Yenga. “We will still have enough to accomplish our goal. I feel it is necessary to stop someone else from moving in and seizing the estates.”
“Very well,” conceded Lord Marak. “They must be kept out of sight and they must wear Torak uniforms when they take possession. Do we have enough uniforms to accomplish this?”
“The Seneschal has never stopped making them,” smiled Lord Marshal Yenga. “We have enough to outfit every man in each of the four Clans if necessary.”
“Good,” nodded Lord Marak. “Have them wear their Ragatha Clan uniforms up to the time just before they take possession. I also want Cortain Tagoro’s Corte to accompany me to Lituk Valley. They will not be permitted on the estate, but they can wait nearby. I do not trust Lord Marshal Grefon to act honestly.”
“As you command,” smiled Lord Marshal Yenga.
Lord Marak went out and introduced himself to the Squad Leader of the Imperial troops. As soon as Cortain Tagoro’s Corte was ready, the column moved off towards Lituk Valley. The ride was slower and more comfortable than Lord Marak’s last ride to Lituk Valley. The Imperial troops were friendly and curious about the new uniforms of the Torak Clan, but they were also alert and professional. They had no objection to riding with a Corte of Lord Marak’s men and even suggested a place for the troops to wait while the meeting went on.
The party set up camp within sight of Lituk Valley, but outside the boundary of Lord Ridak’s estate. Patrols of Situ soldiers came right up to the boundary all through the night and Lord Marak instructed Cortain Tagoro to move his men to a more hidden spot as soon as Lord Marak left with the Imperial Squad.
As Lord Marak was escorted towards the mansion at Lituk Valley, Lord Marak gazed around at the soldiers of the Situ Army. While there were sneers from some of the officers, most of the soldiers were more curious about the rise of one of their own than they were about facing the Torak Clan in battle. Obviously, the officers had been briefed about a potential conflict and the common soldiers had not.
Lord Ridak and Lord Marshal Grefon stood on the porch alongside the emissary from the Lords Council. The faces of the two highest ranking Situ men were masks of hatred. The emissary smiled politely and introduced himself. No greeting came from Lord Ridak or Lord Marshal Grefon and Lord Marak offered none in return. The emissary led the group to the Meeting Chamber and took the chair at the head of the table. Lord Marak sat across from Lord Ridak and Lord Marshal Grefon. The Situ guards were told to leave the chamber and were replaced by Imperial Soldiers.
“This meeting has been called by Lord Ridak of the Situ Clan to dispute the legality of ownership of the Fardale estate,” began the emissary. “Do both parties agree to be bound by the ruling of this mediator?”
“Of course,” spat Lord Ridak. “I have called for this session. The question is whether a man without honor like Marak will acknowledge your decision.”
“The Torak Clan is willing to accept the judgment of the Lords Council,” nodded Lord Marak.
“What is the Torak Clan?” asked the emissary. “I do not recognize your colors or your Clan.”
“I am Lord Marak of the Torak Clan,” declared Lord Marak. “I have exercised my rights under law as the Lord of an unaligned estate to create a new Clan. The black and silver are my colors. The Sword of Torak is my symbol. I ask the emissary of the Lords Council to recognize the legality of the Torak Clan and its ownership of the Fardale estate.”
“Recognition is normally reserved for the Lords Council,” the emissary pointed out, “and the reality of Fardale being an unaligned estate is the question for which we have assembled today.”
“You, as mediator and emissary, are the Lords Council here today,” smiled Lord Marak. “As such, your recognition is the same as recognition by the Lords Council. I request that you recognize the Torak Clan and myself as the Lord of the Clan when you have determined my ownership of the Fardale estate.”
“Very well, Lord Marak,” agreed the emissary. “If you succeed in proving that Fardale is an unaligned estate, I will grant you the recognition you request but, I warn you, the use of the Torak Clan name and colors will not be accepted if you lose.”
“Unless I possess another unaligned estate,” smiled Lord Marak.
The mediator cocked his head and studied Lord Marak for a moment. “That is not an issue which will be addressed today,” decided the emissary. “We are here to discuss only Fardale. Lord Ridak, state your complaint.”