Part V: Politicial Intrigues
Chapter 7: The Quvid Cure
Timeline: AO 295
I’m sure you can understand that these morons didn’t come up with the idea to use a plague or a killer ‘shroom or some genetically modified herb to wipe out their people on their own – obviously I had a hand in the matter. But, you knew that, right? They don’t call me the God of Death for nothing.
“The name of the test doesn’t matter.” Fukbyl Gaatz quickly obscured the mention of Event 201 by his underling Duktyr Fowczi. “What does matter is the opportunity it presents to all of us gathered here. Friends, each of us hails from one of the oldest families in the realm. Our clans have worked together for centuries to create an empire. I’m sure I speak for everyone here when I say we’d all love nothing more than to help the Derkillez prosperous reign continue.”
Every word the man says is a lie, Baldur hated Fukbyl the more the man opened his mouth and he could see his son Hacktor seething at the rich man’s words.
At the flicker of a finger from Lord Aric, Monty Redstone continued to pump up the newcomers. “My king, if Master Gaatz has an idea that can help, we should listen to him. His clan owns vast swaths of land in our realm and Fukbyl has been buying more in the past decade – but instead of buying mines and caves Master Gaatz been buying mushroom farms.”
“The taxes from those farms have contributed to your coffers, my lord.” Thork Drivinstone lauded his higher ranking clan-mate.
Fukbyl seized the opportunity to garner praise. “The venture is through one of the lesser known families in our clan – The Mushkons. With my guidance, and a bit of Lord Aric’s capital, The Mushkons now own nearly 60% of all the ‘shroom farms under the mountains. It’s not glamorous to be sure, but with ‘shrooms as the primary food source of our people, The Mushkon crops are now on dinner tables in every part of the kingdom. Families rely on them to feed their children. And, if I–”
“Why should I be happy about someone owning more of a resource than I do?” Baldur was not amused.
“I think I see where this is going.” Hecla interjected. “Fukbyl’s farms have been raising crops of ‘shrooms laced with Zarz, right? And now wily old Master Gaatz can release these killer ‘shrooms to the world and when people start to get sick, Fukbyl’s friends will be ready to sell the people Guildman Fowzci’s Quvid herb as the supposed cure – for a fair price of course?”
“But this is insane!” Hacktor raged. “Father, you’re really considering this? You should be putting Fukbyl and Duktyr on the gallows for their crimes! Instead you’re going to allow these lunatics to dupe your citizens into willingly killing themselves?”
Baldur ignored his son as he addressed the merchants. “I don’t understand. If Master Gaatz’ mushrooms have Zarz in them, won’t the people die when they eat them? Won’t this start a new plague? Where does the Guildman’s herb come into the picture?”
“A wise observation, my king.” Fukbyl replied. “It seems that Guildman’s Fowczi’s version of the Qzar ‘shroom is rather stubborn. It doesn’t reproduce as rapidly as we’d hoped. Perhaps this is something Kalypzo simply doesn’t allow because she doesn’t like the Drokka messing with her own designs? With a limited supply of effective Q-shrooms our farms have had to dilute the effects of the original ‘shroom in order to produce large enough quantities that would be sufficient to carry out my plague defense scenario project. As a result when the new version of our mushrooms are released, they actually won’t be very potent. Some people will get sick, but not many will perish.”
Monty stepped forward again, giddy with delight. “But we can make the people believe these new ‘shrooms are just as dangerous as the original Qzars. Tell them, Fukbyl.”
“The Coinmaster is correct.” The big bellied Gaatz nodded. “This is part of the Guildman’s Event 201 scenario.”
Unable to contain himself, Monty jumped back in, “We’ll have our town cryers spread an ominous warning that the Qzar ‘shrooms are back and they’re everywhere! On top of that we’ll spread the word that if someone gets sick, we’ll make them think that sickness will spread like a Zarz plague to others too.”
“Imagine this – the people will become so afraid they will cry for a solution.” Thork spoke up. “That’s where Duktyr’s Quvid herb will fit the bill. Moreover, the economic impact cannot be ignored. By controlling the supply of the ‘shrooms and the distribution of the Quvid herb, we not only address the immediate threat but also consolidate our economic power. The revenue generated from the sales of these herbs will bolster our coffers and fund future defenses. Socially, this plan will also cull the non-contributing members of society, ensuring that only the strong and resourceful survive. This natural selection will lead to a more resilient and prosperous realm.”
“Interesting..and perplexing.” King Baldur sighed. “It’s a lot to take in.”
“Again I say this makes no sense!” Hacktor grated. “The people aren’t as dumb as you think. They’ll see with their own eyes that nobody is dying from those fake Q-shrooms and if even one of their friend’s die from Duktyr’s Quvid herb they’ll avoid it. Your entire plan will fall apart before it ever gets started!”
“You give the rabble too much credit.” Monty laughed. “And forgive me for saying so, my prince, but you’re out of your realm on this one. Propaganda is my world and I’m an expert. Your thoughts about the people may be correct in an ideal world, but in the real world, we can control what the uneducated people think. If the talk in all the taverns is that the Q-shrooms are deadly, and that the new Quvid herb protects you, that becomes the truth – whether it is or not. And if we make the rabble scared enough, they’ll turn on each other. Imagine your neighbor getting mad at you if he discovers you didn’t eat your Quvid herb to protect yourself and now you get sick and then might spread the Zarz sickness to his family. Why we’ll make those useless eaters force each other to eat Duktyr’s Quvid!”
“Oh wait, I’ve got an even better idea.” Hecla sarcastically played along. “The rabble worships the royals. Let’s make a show of having the royal family be the first to eat the Quvid herb so the scared uneducated peasants will think it’s safe.”
Ly’Mala nearly fainted at the princess’s suggestion, General Ortwin was appalled, yet Monty raised an eyebrow as he saw a potential ally building in Hecla – or at least he hoped he did. “The princess is wise indeed. If the peasants heard news that the royal family used the new herb to protect themselves from the killer Q-shrooms then we’d have no problem generating demand for Duktyr’s solution.”
“Are you all mad?” Baldur’s mouth was agape. “If I understand you correctly The Guildman’s herb is as bad as the killer ‘shroom! How will we protect ourselves?”
“Relax, father. You won’t actually take Duktyr’s herb.” Hecla sighed as she looked at Lord Aric and rolled her eyes. “We’ll eat fake ones. It’s all a ruse. That’s how these things work.”
“Be that as it may,” Thork tried to calm things down. “It’s important to understand a few things. The fact is there simply are too many people in the kingdoms that don’t contribute anything of value and consume too many resources. If we don’t do something everyone will suffer – that includes those who occupy this royal palace. And, if–”
“This assumes your projections are correct.” Hecla wisely inserted.
“They are.” Thork overlooked the princess’ statement and turned towards Baldur. “Monty, myself, and intelligent men here with s are only trying to protect your interests, sire.”
“And your pocketbooks.” The beautiful princess smiled.
Monty’s red cheeks matched his tunic, and even Thork was affronted by Hecla’s words, and while the diminutive guildman and his master looked for a place to hide, it was Lord Aric who addressed the group. “The greatest Kon-Herrs in history often have to make the toughest decisions in order to do the greatest good for the people.” And then he nodded to Fukbyl to continued.
The sallow faced conniver finished his pitch. “With Guildman Fowczi’s herb cause some people to lose their lives? Yes. But if we do a good job with these herbs it will solve many of our problems – it reduces the population, protects our resources, and restores our climate. The sacrifice of a few people who voluntarily consume these herbs will protect the future of the Drokka that matter within these mountains. If that’s how we protect the Derkillez Dynasty then it’s a deal I’d make every day.”
“All of this is interesting but it’s also very complicated. You know what else reduces the population and is a lot simpler?” Hecla snickered as she looked at her brother. “War.”
Surprised at the support, Hacktor flashed a brief smile at his twin before glaring openly at Fukbyl and Fowczi. “Hecla is right. Enough of this conspiracy nonsense. I can solve all our problems with a simple war. It has been the way of our people for centuries. Authorize me to make war on the Derkka today and have faith that Rhokki will bring us glorious victory tomorrow!”
And so the Rubicon returns…
The Apocrypha of Azazel 