“You are contradicting yourself,” frowned Lord Sydar. “Either way we draw attention to ourselves, but you still propose doing it through the Assembly of Lords?”
“In a fashion,” grinned Lord Padro. “I think we should band together and fight this through the Assembly of Lords, but I did not say that we should be the first to bring the issue up.”
“I am confused,” sighed Lord Woroman. “Explain what your plan is.”
“I propose to have a clan start a discussion about the unfairness of these new laws,” explained Lord Padro. “It will not be one of us who starts it, but as soon as it is started, we will immediately join the chorus of those protesting. Once that discussion is fully engaged, there will already be enough doubt about the validity of the new laws. Should one of us, or another clan, then be attacked by the Chula, who then can blame the ensuing fight on us?”
“I see where you are going with this,” Lord Sydar nodded with appreciation, “but what clan would be foolish enough to be the first to speak before the Assembly of Lords?”
“I can think of four clans that would be prime candidates for such a plan,” smiled Lord Padro. “The Vessi, Glamaraldi, Lejune, and Pikata clans come to mind.”
“The four clans that hosted the Jiadin warriors?” asked Lord Woroman.
“Exactly,” nodded Lord Padro. “Of course as soon as they speak, many will write them off as being sore losers in their battle with Emperor Marak, but if we immediately jump in and agree with their complaint before the bickering begins, the complaints will appear to be valid.”
“You have given this a lot of thought,” complimented Lord Sydar. “Seven clans from opposite ends of the country banding together to voice complaints that may very well be common to many other clans. It just might work.”
“Especially if we can get others to jump in with us,” added Lord Padro. “We should not speak loudly about this plan to others just yet, but we should visit with other lords to see where their feelings lie. When it comes time to spring the attack, we will know which lords are likely to support us. We can prime those individual lords to quickly step in and support the complaints.”
“How do we do that without revealing the plan?” asked Lord Woroman.
“Talk to other lords,” suggested Lord Padro. “Just casual conversation at first until you learn where their sympathies lie. If they seem like they might be supportive, mention that you would consider voting against these laws if you ever had the chance. See what their reactions are. We do not need to actually speak of this particular plan to anyone. We just need to get other lords to promise to vote against the laws if given the chance. Leave the rest to me.”
“What will you do?” asked Lord Sydar.
“I am going to journey to the four clans that we talked about,” answered Lord Padro. “It will be just a neighborly visit to see if they need any help getting their estates back in order. Once I am invited in, I will sew the seeds of dissent and arrange for one of them to ignite the spark.”
* * *
The Imperial Guard marched along the corridor and halted in front of the guards outside the entrance to the Emperor’s suite. The two guards nodded perfunctorily and opened the door. The Imperial Guard marched into the office and halted in front of the Emperor’s desk. Emperor Marak looked up and smiled.
“How do you get away with impersonating an Imperial Guard?” asked the Emperor.
“Marshal Chack and I have come to an understanding,” grinned Fisher. “If he allows me to wear the uniform of an Imperial Guard, I promise not to assassinate any more emperors.”
“Well, that is a relief,” chuckled Marak. “What do you have to report?”
“I am concerned about the Island of Darkness,” admitted the spy. “Now that we know that Aakuta is the one who has been communicating with us, we can have a fair amount of confidence in the reports. The problem is, he has not been communicating since the rescue of the elf king.”
“Do you think he was killed by Vand?” asked the Emperor.
“No,” Fisher shook his head, “at least not yet. After a long period of silence, he finally did communicate recently. He had little to say except for apologizing for his absence. He also set up a keyword as verification that the communication is from him. That concerns me greatly.”
“Why?’ questioned the Torak.
“Because it indicates that he is in some kind of trouble,” explained Fisher. “I tried to put myself in his position to better understand his lack of communications and his recent message.”
“And what conclusions did you come to?” prompted the Emperor.
“He is either close to discovery,” declared Fisher, “or he is close to death. Either would do. He is also concerned about others using an air tunnel to impersonate him. Perhaps they would try to spread false information.”
“To what end?” inquired Marak
“I can think of many uses for disinformation,” shrugged Fisher. “If I was in Vand’s position, I could give you an early date for the invasion and then have my spies watch to see what your reaction is. I would then change my plans accordingly. Or I might give you a later date for the invasion and strike early. The possibilities are endless.”
“So I see,” frowned Emperor Marak. “From what HawkShadow and Rhoda told me of their escape from the Island of Darkness, I have no doubt that Aakuta’s life is in danger. He is a courageous man to stay on that island.”
“He has already accepted his death,” nodded Fisher. “I only hope it is swift in coming when it finally arrives.”
“You are telling me this for an explicit reason, Fisher,” Marak said. “What is it?”
“I think we need another set of eyes and ears on that island,” declared Fisher. “We can no longer depend on Aakuta as our sole source of information.”
“And just who would you suggest that we send to their death?” questioned the Emperor.
“I have never been one to offer up the life of another,” stated Fisher. “I think that I should go myself.”
“Out of the question,” Marak shook his head. “You are vital to my needs here. I just cannot afford to lose your services, Fisher.”
“You cannot afford to be blind as to what is happening there either,” countered Fisher. “There is no one capable of performing that task besides me.”
“Aakuta is still in the game as far as we know,” replied the Emperor. “Let’s discuss this again when he no longer contacts us. For now, I would be lost without your eyes and ears right here in Khadora.”
“You sound as if you are expecting trouble,” frowned Fisher. “I have not picked up anything of that nature. What troubles you?”
“What troubles me?” echoed the Emperor. “I really do not know, Fisher, but something is gnawing at me. Perhaps it is the fact that nothing seems to be going wrong. If I was Vand, I would be trying to create all sorts of chaos to keep us off guard, yet everything is running smoothly. What does that suggest to you?”
“That we are missing something,” nodded Fisher. “I have been feeling that way myself, but I guess I have not dwelled upon it. You are right. Vand should be up to something, especially after the rescue of the elf king.”
“I want you to find out what we are missing, Fisher,” instructed Emperor Marak. “I know that is asking you to do the impossible, but if anyone can do it, you can.”
“I will do my best,” offered the spy. “I will be gone from Khadoratung for some time. When is the best time to contact you?”
“Early morning or around the evening meal,” suggested the Emperor, “but if you need to contact me at other times, do so. I want to know what you find out.”
Fisher nodded and left the office. Marak stared blankly at the closed door for a while, his mind lost in thought. Eventually the door opened and a guard stuck his head in. The Emperor nodded and waved dismissively as he rose from his desk. It was time for the meeting of the Lords’ Council.