The First Minister glanced around the table at the assembled Ministers, gauging their level of concern and sensing for how far he dare push in today’s meeting. “The Sakovans, Ministers,” he continued, leaning forward and placing both fists on the table, “are the real problem. I think we need to discuss a better use for our troops than patrolling the roads or guarding the burnt watula fields. Minister Kapla,” Alazar said as he turned his gaze to the new Minister of Defense, “I fear you are coming onto this Council at a very crucial point in our nations history. I am getting reports from all over the nation about Sakovan sightings and I think it is only a matter of time before they strike again. I would like to propose to the Council that you work up a plan to counterattack the Sakovans.”
Protests and alarms spread around the table and Alazar held up his hand for quiet. “I am not asking our newest Minister to attack anybody,” Alazar insisted. “I am merely asking the Minister of Defense to draw up a plan for attack. I think it is prudent for Omunga to be prepared should we have to act. I know that we are loath to engage in a war if we can avoid it, but I also believe that the Sakovans will force our hand. Can any of you really state that we should not be prepared to defend our nation? Let us vote to have Minister Kapla draw up a plan and present it at our next meeting.”
The assembled Ministers looked towards the silent Katana for his opinion. The Katana had been adamant in the past that nothing be done to antagonize the indigenous inhabitants of the land and Minister Doharte had been his mouthpiece in resisting Alazar’s attempts.
The Katana sighed and nodded his head. “I guess there is no harm in being prepared,” he said. “I will remind the new Minister of Defense that he is only being asked to develop a plan. Under no circumstances are you to enter the Sakova or provoke the natives. I will not have a war foisted upon us by aggressive Ministers.”
Alazar was stung by the Katana’s comments, but he smiled inwardly as he made a note to have the mage cell block food preparers increase the drug dosage for Master Malafar. Soon the Master mage would be so confused he would gladly kill the Katana.
Chapter 24
SunChaser
The ballroom was huge and lavishly decorated with colorful banners hanging down from the balcony. Long banquet tables filled with exotic foods adorned three of the four walls and servants carrying trays of wine moved efficiently through the assembled crowd. The fourth wall hosted a raised platform with the Royal Throne of the Holy Katana. A dozen Monitors occupied the raised platform and a line of rich and influential citizens and government appointees waited their chance to wish the Katana well or seek a favor. Monitors were also posted at each of the doors to the ballroom, but the revelers paid no attention to their presence. Throngs of the wealthy and influential, dressed in the latest fashion, were scattered throughout the room, clustered in little groups or flitting from one group to the next.
Alazar stood off to one side, seemingly a part of a small group, but in reality using the group as a screen so he could observe things without appearing out of place. He had little use for these social gatherings, which the Katana enjoyed throwing at the slightest excuse, but he did like to see who was talking to whom. The excuse the Katana had given for this reception was the appointment of a new Minister of Defense and General Kapla seemed to be enjoying the limelight. He watched the General standing in the center of the room as people came up to him and introduced themselves, vying to court the favor of a high government official. The whole process disgusted the First Minister. He detested the spineless wretches who tried to gain something by humbling themselves before some bureaucrat who didn’t know his left foot from his right. Alazar shook his head and headed for the door. He had better things to do than to watch a bunch of fools spill wine all over the floor trying to gain some advantage for themselves. At the last minute, he swerved and headed for General Kapla.
“Congratulations, Minister Kapla,” Alazar smiled extending his hand. “I know you will do an excellent job.”
“Thank you, First Minister,” Kapla replied. “I will certainly try my best. I hope you are enjoying the evening.”
“Actually I have a bit of work to catch up on,” Alazar said. “I am afraid I will have to leave the celebrating to others, but I did want to wish you well before I left.”
Minister Kapla did not have a chance to respond as Alazar’s place in the circle around the General was filled as soon as the First Minister turned to leave. Kapla had never received this type of attention in all his years of government service and he was lapping it up. It amazed him how a change in his position could change how people perceived him. The last gathering he had attended of any size was the funeral of his wife over ten years ago and that gathering consisted of about twenty people. Now he was the center of attention for over a thousand.
He turned to grab another glass of wine from a passing servant and his hand brushed against the breast of a beautiful woman in a flowing red gown. Her face was that of an angel and her golden hair like a halo that fell down around her shoulders. She was tall for a woman, practically as tall as the General himself, and her body was so perfectly formed as to make him wonder if she were real. He stared into her brilliant blue eyes and shook his head.
“I am terribly sorry,” Minister Kapla apologized. “Guess it is pretty crowded in here. I was just trying to get a glass of wine.”
“It is much too crowded to get to know someone,” she answered in a voice that reminded the General of a soothing nighttime breeze. “I usually prefer a walk in the garden on a night like this,” she purred as she toyed with the medals on the General’s uniform. “Perhaps you should get two wines and join me for a stroll. You look like you need a break from the crowd.”
Kapla stared at the vision of perfection for an awkward moment as if expecting her to disappear if he glanced away. He shook his head again and grabbed two glasses of wine from the servant. “I do think I could use some fresh air,” he smiled as he handed one of the glasses to the buxom blond. “I am not that familiar with the palace though,” he stated. “I am not sure that I can find the entrance to the gardens from here.”
“That is no problem,” the woman giggled as she steered the General towards one of the doors. “I have been coming to these parties for years. They get kind of boring after a while, but then I have never met anyone with so many medals before. What are they all for?”
“They are given for a variety of reasons,” the General said, his chest billowing out with pride. “Mostly for excellence in some area. Over the years I have made many milestones in the army. The square ones are for engagements such as this one for destroying a smuggling operation. The triangular ones are for special contributions to the nation like designing a new training program. The large rectangular ones are recognition from the Katana himself.”
“Very impressive General,” she smiled. “I think it is wonderful that you can wear your accomplishments on your chest. It lets everyone know how much you have given to your country. I think they should do that for all people. My late husband gave everything to Omunga and never had any medals to show for it.”