Part V: Political Intrigues
Chapter 8: The Council Vote
Timeline: AO 295
Why was I letting events take so long to get my war started?
The answer to that question is actually within your question – sure another Drokka-Derkka war would be an effective way to kill a lot of people and use them as fodder for my Necronomicon death communals, but that plan was not yet ready to hatch. I was still waiting on the weapons smith Hef Fastuz to finish making my weapon of mass destruction known as The Ghast.
Ever heard of multi-tasking? I am a god, you know. I knew my war, if I wanted to do it right, would take time to develop. In the meantime, I amused myself with the idea for another pandemic – after all, while the Drokka might have credited their God of Hate “Zar” (aka Gwar, aka Samyaza) for the plagues they called Zarz, the real source behind those deadly outbreaks was ME – which is why one of my monikers is The Plague Bearer.
In any event, I was playing two sides of the same coin – whether it was a plague that took out the people or war – what mattered to me? Either way I would get the souls to harvest and if any of them knew about Dagaal I would come out the winner. Keep that in mind as you listen to these fools on the “Grand” Council continue their rabble…
After calling for war again, King Baldur watched as Prince Hacktor arose from his seat and moved towards Fukbyl Gaatz and Duktry Fowcz as if ready to escort them from the room.
The mini guildman backed away and squeaked. “My Prince, you spoke of war because your goal is to destroy the Derkka, correct?”
“That should be the goal of every Drokka.” Hacktor said stiffly as he stood before the little man. “Our lord Rhokki commanded us so.”
“There is more than one way to conduct a war.” The wily Duktyr suggested. “What if we could use some of my research to help in your efforts?”
Trying not to let his fear of the bigger prince show, Fukbyl feigned a smile, “What if the Q-shroom happened to make its way onto Derkka dinner plates too? What if the Quvidi herb was sold to the accursed Derkka as a cure? Don’t you see the possibilities, my prince? The Derkka would blame our people and then start a war for revenge.”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” Lord Aric reigned things in. “You’ll never know if it will work unless we test it first.”
“Yes, Lord Rukstinz is right – as always.” Duktyr Fowczi wheedled. “But don’t you see? A secret test here within the mountains first will also solve our population problem.”
Fukbyl added, “If the Quvid herb proves to be capable of all that we believe it can do, then we can help you too, Prince Hacktor. If you support this plan, then you’ll get your war.”
Hacktor scoffed. “The last thing I would ever do is fight a war with such despicable methods. No thanks. I’ll stick with my axe and rely on Rhokki to help my army fight the old-fashioned way.”
With that the muscular prince then manhandled both Fukby Gaatz and Dukyr Fowczi out the door – to the chagrin of Monty and Thork and the amusement of Hecla. Although they protested on the way out, the two conspirators knew better than to try to physically fight back against the far stronger Hacktor and here even Lord Aric stood down – although the king surely knew that the powerful Rukstinz would surely note Hacktor’s affront.
After getting rid of the nuisances, the prince addressed Baldur, “Father, grant me your blessing to lead an army for you – we’ll win by glory, not deceit!”
He’s nothing if not honorable, the king smiled at his son as he pondered the strange turn of discussion this meeting had taken. And I tend to agree with him – I don’t like the idea of unleashing a killer herb on the world that I can’t control and I’m glad that he got rid of that untrustworthy pair.
Meanwhile, Monty and Thork recovered from the affront to their plans and instead began to warn that traditional war could interrupt the flow of money from the king’s various commercial empires and continued to talk up the benefits of a biological war that could cripple their rivals.
For his part General Ortwin looked sick — although Baldur couldn’t tell if his general was embarrassed at the idea of using killer ‘herbs to fight or if he was afraid at the idea of any war so near to the end of his life.
Hecla was amused by the entire ordeal – enjoying seeing her brother get angrier and angrier at the underhanded merchants. Ly’Mala was horrified as the prospect that her beloved Derkka friends might die. Malchoir didn’t seem to care one way or the other. And all the while Grak was busy recording everything for posterity.
At last, Baldur raised a hand for silence.
By now he was tired from the unexpectedly long meeting and ready for it to be over, however he didn’t want to affront his son. “My prince, I appreciate your offer. It’s certainly something to consider. These are my thoughts. First off, I’m not ready to call a vote for the Quvid plans. Even if we could use it to destroy the Derkka, testing it on our own people is too much to take in right now. Quite frankly it scares me. I don’t want to see or hear from Guildman Fowczi ever again.” Then making a concerted effort NOT to glance over at Lord Aric, the king added, “And furthermore I’m still not convinced we even have a population problem. After all, nobody has mentioned the possibility of just sending our excess people to the Akka Mountains if need be – did you forget about our kingdom there?” When Monty and Thork began to reply the king again raised a hand to stop them. “As for the prince’s proposal for a traditional war, since it is aligned with our history, I will proffer that to the council. Is war a viable option for us now? I’d like to hear from each in turn. Monty, let’s start with you.”
“Sire? I, -er…what?” Monty stammered, running a hand down his blood-red tunic and pretending to catch his breath. “With all due respect to the idea, it’s, ah, not for me.”
“My king. My prince. Lady Hecla.” Thork was not yet ready to give up his agenda. “I’ve been a part of this council for over fifty years. If I may, please allow me to share some perspective. I remember the military campaigns of the great Brega Derkillez, Baldur’s father, and a powerful Kon-Herr in his own right.”
[This is actually not true – Brega I was little more than a passing Kon-Herr during a troubled time. He was a general who made a play for the throne, briefly held it, and then lost it to a rival from the Boma family – Ly’Mala’s uncle Byryk. Breg was barely a footnote in The Kroniklz, yet like always, a useful pawn of the past whose name could be used to serve an agenda].
The master mason explained. “Kon-Herr Brega, first of his name, accomplished much to be proud of, yet our borders were always in a state of flux and our international trade was nigh non-existent. When Brega stepped down, the people were not happy. Others reigned for a time and our lands were in flux. Yet all that changed when Baldur took the throne. For decades now this council has worked hard to build a bridge of peace with the Overworld kingdoms. I know the idea was controversial at first — even I had my doubts. And while it hasn’t been easy, the fact is that we’ve finally reached a time when the fruits of our labor are here to be enjoyed. The increase in commerce is like nothing our kingdoms have ever known. We are prosperous now! The Overworld wants our goods. The people are happy. My fear is that a traditional war, even one for blackwood, would only serve to upset the delicate balance that is world trade. The Gaatz clan still believes that a secret war using Duktyr’s herbs is something we could use to our advantage – it would allow us to gain even more lands with less effort, but I can see you are not ready for this opportunity yet. Thus, the real question — at least from the merchants’ point of view — is this: would the savings we enjoy from controlling the blackwood via Hacktor’s methods make up for the loss of income and the cost of financing an expensive military operation? And most importantly, would the people really be better off?”
Hacktor was about to speak up, but Baldur jumped in, “Please, son, let’s allow everybody to have their say in turn, then we’ll open the table for comments. We appreciate your perspective, Thork. Now let’s hear from General Ortwin please.”
Removing his helm, the little military man looked directly at Hacktor, “It’s true that the king’s army has not been called into service much during most of your father’s reign, Prince Hacktor, but that’s doesn’t mean we aren’t ready.” And touching a hand to his chest plate he added, “I will gladly serve by Prince Hacktor’s side…if the need is there.”
That’s why I admire the man. Baldur smiled, knowing he could count on his general in any situation, yet hoping he would never have to.
“Ly’Mala?” The Kon-Herr dreaded hearing from the Boma’s representative.
“We Boma’s are against anything that might cause illustrious harm or selfless incriminations to the Derkka’s friendship.” The tall woman from Gaza averred. “Let us instead unburden ourselves from the burdens of this pedantic discussion. If we–”
“I think we understand.” The Kon-Herr interrupted. “Lord Malchior – what says the church?”
The severe looking priest’s visage was unreadable. Perhaps only Lord Aric knew Malchior’s true feelings on the matter. Narrowing his brow he advised, “In times past, our ancestors faced plagues much like the dreaded Zarz. It was through the wisdom and guidance of the priests that our people found solace. The sacrifices made to appease the gods back then were not in vain – nor will they be in the future. Whatever the Lord Rhokki wills, The Naves will be ready to answer the call.”
Well that gave me nothing, Balder surmised. Then turning to his daughter, he asked “Princess Hecla, what say you?”
The maid in purple chuckled, “Hacktor, surely you realize this is just to placate you, right? I mean, this is literally your first time at the council so it’s not like anybody would actually trust your input yet.” When Hacktor rose at the insult with eyes flashing, she added, “Oh sit down, you big lout. Worse insults than that will be thrown at you and if you can’t take a little joke then you’ll never be Kon-Herr. Yes, take your seat again. Good. I’m all for war if that’s what you want, however I don’t think we need it right now. Life is good under the mountains. I don’t believe there’s a population problem and I want no part of any killer mushrooms. I never liked fat Fukbyl Gaatz anyway. As for the Derkka – why not let them continue to believe they have control of the blackwood if it makes them happy? What should it matter to us? We’ll get rich either way, right, Lord Aric?”
The Rukstinz advisor kept his head down to hide a slight blush at Hecla’s callout, yet it was Hacktor who replied to the princess, “Dear sister, you do realize that the Derkka are not just giving it to us, right? You know we have to pay them for the blackwood?”
“That’s how business is done, yes.” Hecla chucked. “But let me ask you, brother — if we did control the forest, who’s going to volunteer to live in the outerworld to protect it?” Hecla could see that her brother hadn’t thought that far ahead. “It’s one thing to win some glory on the battlefield and then come back to the palace, but if you are successful — and I’m sure you will be — you’ll be forcing our men to live indefinitely… out there.”
The eyes of everyone except perhaps Ly’Mala grew wide at Hecla’s threat – for after centuries of living below ground the thought of being in the world above wasn’t keen to any of them. Yet Hecla continued. “Yes, your men will need to stay out there. And the additional workers that will be needed to process all that will be have to live out there too. Not to mention the people involved in transportation — who will also have to live out there. Not to mention the–”
“I think we get the picture, Princess.” Baldur stopped her. She’s nothing if not perceptive. “These are valid concerns. Prince Hacktor, how do you respond?”
The rest of the council fidgeted in their chairs, and even Lord Aric was smiling, yet Hacktor was glowering. “I…ah…” He began to stammer, before banging a hand on the table, “These trifles are besides the point; there are others who can figure out the minor details. Our people lived in The Overworld before and our army can do it again. My plan is sound. And there’s this too — does it not say in The Kroniklz that we are required to do all in our power to destroy our enemies? And yet it seems to me you would rather make friends instead? What would Rhokki say to this?”
I was afraid he would go there. Baldur pursed his lips, yet before he or even the priest Malchior could say anything, it was the scribe who spoke up.
Raising his quill, Grak advised, “With all due respect to Goodman Malchior, I believe this is my area of expertise. Ahem. There can be little doubt that the history of our people — at least in the period After Oz is concerned — has always been one of war. After all, was it not Ajax himself who invented War for the Drokka? Indeed. And yes, Prince Hacktor is correct when he speaks of Lord Rhokki’s charge that we must do all in our power to destroy our enemies — for lo, The Ragnarok — our final battle with Baal — can never come until we first clear Mittengarten of the foul folk…”
As Grak continued to speak, Baldur could see that most of his advisors did not like where Grak was going. General Ortwin tried to put on a good face against the threat of war, Malchoir was stoic but clearly annoyed that Grak was stealing his thunder, Monty and Thork were aghast at the threat to the economy, Ly’Mala was besides herself at the thought of danger to her beloved Derkka friends, Lord Aric was mildly annoyed, and Hecla was enjoying the show. But there was one member who drank in every word of the scribe as if it was sweet honey — Hacktor. The prince’s face showed a growing admiration for Grak — for it seemed that the scribe’s eloquent words were speaking in Hacktor’s place.
As the scribe spoke on, King Baldur almost let a grin show, but the salt and pepper of his beard covered it well as he looked at his son. Hacktor has no idea what’s about to happen next. He doesn’t realize that Hecla spoke the truth — notwithstanding that unexpected business with the herbs, this meeting has all been a farce — for Hacktor’s benefit. Perhaps one day, when you understand the game of politics a little better, son, you will realize that the king never asks a question he doesn’t already know the answer to. And he doesn’t invite people to join his council he can’t control. The upstart Aric included!
“…and yet Rhokki never did say we had to accomplish our goal by a certain deadline. Which is rather interesting.” the humble Grak offered. “This much I can tell you and then I will leave it up to my king to decide — The Kroniklz are filled with nigh uncounted periods of war — and untold deaths. Yet there have been very few instances of prolonged peace — and the time we live in now is actually the first of both peace AND prosperity. Thus, I say that to answer the question of whether war is the right decision, you must first answer this — are you all ready to see this era end?” And Grak lowered his eyes back to his page so as to take further notes.
For his part, Hacktor’s face went from victory to defeat in the span of the scribe’s final words.
Let’s see if he will take his licks like a man? Baldur observed before asking, “My prince, do you have anything else to add before I call for the vote?”
Hacktor looked long at each member of the council, before stopping with Baldur. He’s definitely wondering if I am gaming him. The king surmised. Yet in the end, the prince merely shook his head and grunted under his breath.
The vote itself was not a surprise — six to one against Hacktor. Lord Eric did not deign to vote [like The Elite he was, he well knew that ‘voting’ was only ever for show]. And Baldur himself did not vote either — after all the stated purpose of the council was not to decide the fate of the kingdom, it was to provide input for the king to consider — it was the Kon-Herr who reserved the right to do as he pleased whether the council agreed or not. In that regard, I suppose Hacktor could perhaps hold out hope that I may still side with him? Yet looking at his son, Baldur knew Hacktor wasn’t that naive.
It was thus a matter of course when Baldur advised, “At this time I find no reason to change our course. Advise the merchants of the new prices for blackwood, yet since Thork has said they have already taken their price increases, I expect no negative impact upon our citizens. Tell The Derkka Parliament we accept their offer. And as for Duktyr’s herb – I don’t want to hear about it again.” And he nodded to the scribe.
“It has been written, now let it be done.” Grak advised, using the sacred reply whenever a king gave a command which was captured in The Kroniklz.
[Ah, Politics – the same here are everywhere: secret meetings which line the pockets of the rich at the expense of the poor. Need I say more?]
The Apocrypha of Azazel 