Lord Sebba frowned deeply at the six lords. His eyes scanned the faces of each of them and found no humor present. He wondered what they were after. He had no receipt for any payments to the Jiadin, and he was sure that they did not expect him to, so what were they really after?
“I would have to search for them,” Lord Sebba stalled. “Perhaps when I return to my estate I will find what you need to settle this matter.”
“I am afraid that time does not allow such a luxury,” sighed Lord Kiamesh.
“Perhaps he could leave right now?” suggested Lord Jamarat, appearing to be helpful.
“I could leave right after the Assembly of Lords meeting,” offered Lord Sebba.
“I am afraid that this must be resolved before the Assembly of Lords,” stated Lord Kiamesh.
“Before the meeting?” balked Lord Sebba. “That is impossible. What are you really after? Are you trying to steal my land? Who would get it? One of you?”
“How dare you besmirch our honor?” snapped Lord Quilo. “The land that you call yours was stolen from the rightful owners. While it is beyond the possibility of returning it to those owners, we can rightfully attribute it to a new clan represented by a member of the majority of the conquering force.”
“The Jiadin?” Lord Sebba’s eyebrows rose in disbelief. “You would take land from a Khadoran lord and give it to those savages?”
“Those savages,” retorted Lord Chenowith, “would be more loyal to Khadora than you are, Lord Sebba. They at least are not conspiring to destroy the government of Khadora.”
Lord Sebba’s jaw dropped and his forehead started perspiring. He once again looked at the faces of the lords and realized that they were about to destroy him. Within an instant, everything became clear to the Vessi lord. Somehow the Lords’ Council had found out about the motion to be presented to the Assembly of Lords, and they aimed to halt it before it happened. He quickly thought about his option. He believed that the Lords’ Council had the legal authority to do what they threatened to do, and he had no doubt that they would follow through on the threat. Worse than losing all of the land his father had gained, was the fact that all of his neighbors would be Jiadin savages. The Jiadin had threatened to return and extract revenge on the Vessi after their defeat at Balomar. His life would be forfeit within a fortnight. He had to think quickly.
“Your silence is disturbing to me,” Lord Chenowith stated. “It makes me think that you are trying come up with something to say that you hope we will believe. Unfortunately, I get the feeling that you will try to deceive us. That would be a mistake.”
“I will not deceive you,” promised Lord Sebba as his mind whirled seeking away out of his dilemma.
“Are there receipts for payment to the Jiadin?” asked Lord Faliman.
“No,” answered Lord Sebba. “My father did not pay the Jiadin. They were supposed to share in the spoils, but not until they conquered all of Khadora.”
“That is the understanding we got from your cohorts,” declared Lord Kiamesh. “Please continue.”
It was at that moment that Lord Sebba noticed the stack of papers on the table. It was obvious that the Lords’ Council had been in session for some time this morning. Add to that their mention of cohorts, and Lord Sebba knew his options had run out.
“Look,” Lord Sebba pleaded, “my father made some foolish choices in his life. I am willing to do what I must to rectify those wrongs, but you must not let my neighboring lands get into the hands of the Jiadin. That would be sentencing me to death for the wrongs of my father. I will give up my claim to the lands if you will promise me that it will not go to the Jiadin. What more can I offer?”
“What we are after,” Lord Chenowith said calmly, “is a patriotic Khadoran. This country has a hard fight ahead of it, and we need everyone fighting together. That can include you if you elect to reform.”
“Tell me what I must do,” nodded Lord Sebba.
“A patriot would never be involved in plots to overthrow the government,” stated Lord Quilo.
“I will disavow any cooperation with the plotters,” Lord Sebba quickly promised. “I will even detail everything that I know about them. You must believe me when I say that this was not my idea. I have no border disputes to haggle over. I have no Chula neighbors. My only reason for getting involved was a foolish desire for revenge for the defeat of my father at Balomar. I can see now that I have been looking at things from the wrong perspective.”
“Can you really put that need for revenge behind you?” asked Lord Patel. “Can we really believe that you will become a patriotic Khadoran? Tell me why I should believe such a thing.”
“I can only offer my word,” replied Lord Sebba. “If there was any other way that I could assure you of my intentions, I would gladly do so. As I said earlier, I will agree to forfeit the new lands as long as they are not given to the Jiadin. What else can I offer to show my sincerity? Tell me, and I will do anything.”
“Anything?” frowned Lord Chenowith. “I truly wonder if you mean even that?”
“Try me,” begged Lord Sebba. “I truly do understand how foolish I have been.”
“I think he means it,” offered Lord Jamarat. “We should let him keep the new lands.”
Lord Sebba’s eyes opened wide, and a hint of a smile appeared on his face, but that was soon reversed when Lord Quilo spoke.
“I doubt his sincerity,” declared Lord Quilo. “I think he would say anything right now, but change his mind on his way out of the door.”
“That would not do,” Lord Patel shook his head. “No, he must swear in some manner that guarantees his adherence to the laws of Khadora.”
“I will swear in any way that you desire,” offered Lord Sebba. “State the vow that you want me to utter, and I will pledge it here and now. Do not destroy me for my father’s faults.”
“There is one vow that would solve this problem,” Lord Kiamesh mused softly.
“Let me utter it,” pleaded Lord Sebba.
“Very well,” Lord Chenowith stated definitively. “It is the only way to resolve this matter. Send for the Emperor.”
Lord Jamarat rose and went to the door to send a guard to get the Emperor while Lord Sebba looked around in confusion.
“Why the Emperor?” the Vessi lord asked hesitantly.
“For you to issue your Vows of Service to him,” Lord Chenowith replied curtly.
“Vows of Service?” echoed Lord Sebba. “But I am a clan lord. It is not possible.”
“It is not only possible, but quite common these days,” smiled Lord Patel.
“I told you that he was just saying what we wanted to hear,” grumbled Lord Quilo.
“No, no,” Lord Sebba shook his head vigorously as he feared the offer would be rescinded. “I was just confused. I did not know that such a practice was even possible. I have no objections. I will say the vows.”
The room lapsed into silence as everyone waited for Emperor Marak to appear. They did not have to wait long.
“Thank you for coming so quickly, Emperor Marak,” greeted Lord Chenowith. “We require your assistance on a matter before this council. Lord Sebba of the Vessi clan wishes to offer his Vows of Service to you.”
“Greetings, Lord Sebba,” Emperor Marak said with a smile. “It pleases me to see such a patriotic leader such as yourself vow to come to Khadora’s aid. Do you understand that your Vows of Service to me will have the same effect as that of a clansman to his lord?”
“I understand that now,” Lord Sebba nodded nervously.
“And do you offer these Vows of Service freely and of your own will?” asked the Emperor.
“I do,” the Vessi lord nodded.
“Very well,” smiled the Emperor. “Recite the vows.”
Lord Sebba made the ritual recitation of vows. When he was done, Emperor Marak embraced the Vessi lord and smiled.
“I will make arrangements to visit your estates as soon as possible to receive the Vows of Service from each of your people,” stated the Emperor. “Perhaps we can make a festival of it and get to know each other better? Does that sound agreeable?”