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own army, its own naval fleet, its own tax and tariff structure, which differs substantially from some of the other states', particularly the landlocked ones. The autonomy has been extremely beneficial to each of the member states, allowing it to determine its own destiny." 'And, judging by the wealth and influence the Nonaligned States exert on the world, you will only continue to consider that independence beneficial, I'm sure," snorted Tristan Steward contemptuously, drawing glares from the counts, Viedekam, and Ashe. "It was precisely the example of the Nonaligned States that convinced Roland to band together under a single regency, so that we might not continue be a loose and messy conglomeration of conflicting laws and priorities. In the three years since the consolidation of the provinces of Roland, we have found great economy, efficiency, and, above all, strength in unity, while retaining the provincial autonomy. Sorbold has that now. Why would you compromise it?" 'Thank you, chieftain, rn'lord," said Nielash Mousa blandly, lifting a hand to forestall the angry chorus of replies rising from the nobility. "Mayhap it would be best to ask if there is any faction within Sorbold that would like to respond to the proposal that Tryfalian had placed on the table." 'Allow me to do so," said Ihvarr, the eastern Hierarch, smoothly, but with evident anger bubbling beneath his calm manner. "Talquist and I can assure you that a nation with the size and scope of Sorbold would fall to chaos under such a plan." 'Why?" demanded Damir, the Count of Jakar. "As the westernmost province, I have had little to do with Jierna Tal for the last twenty years. I am all but autonomous already." 'Perhaps," acknowledged Talquist, Hierarch of the guilds and shipping compacts in the western region and, like Ihvarr, a heavyset man with broad shoulders and skin burnished in the sun. "And you have been a fair and well-respected ruler, Damir. But, for all that I have been the one supplying you with workers for your salt and sulfur mines, transporting your goods, and building your city, my trade agreement was with the empress. I worked for the Crown, not, with respect, for you. If I had to negotiate trade agreements, exchange tariffs, make security arrangements, and all other sort of terms with you, and each of the twelve counts to whom I supply these things, I would go mad." 'As would I," added Ihvarr. 'But think of the advantage your shipping lines would have under such an arrangement, Talquist," said Kaav, the Count of Baltar. "You could sit in consultation with the rulers of the coastal states and persuade them to deploy a larger percentage of their forces to defend the shipping lanes, and they would be a more sympathetic audience to your request than the empress, who had to protect an entire realm, with far more land than sea." 'Leaving my workers unprotected?" Ihvarr demanded. "I will brook none of that. Then who will you find to ply your copper, anthracite, and silver mines, Kaav? Who would transport your goods? For surely I will have no dealing with you if you cannot protect my assets with armed forces." 'And where do you propose to find these forces?" Fhremus asked bitterly. "Remember, the might of the Sorbold army comes from two factors commonality of purpose and love of our native land. Not to mention loyalty to the empress, may her soul fly freely among the clouds. I gainsay this plan because it will divide us, state to state, column to column and we are weaker divided." 'Nonesuch," said Tryfalian angrily. He glared at Fhremus, his eyes lighting on the foreign dignitaries assembled in the outer circle. "And I charge you, man, do not again utter such treasonous words in the presence of those who might wish to take advantage of them." Beliac, King of Golgarn, snapped to attention from what had previously been a somewhat drowsy state. "I resent that," he bellowed, rising from his chair. "We are here in this damnable heat, listening to your endless prattle, because Golgarn is your ally, not your enemy. I came to pay my respects to my longtime friend the empress, and her son, and to offer my support to the new rulership. And for this you insult me." 'Apologies, Majesty," Nielash Mousa said quickly. "No insult was intended, I assure you; we are grateful for your presence, and for that of all of Sorbold's true friends." He turned, his eyes containing a clear look of despair, to the inner circle. "I have a suggestion," he said to the divided group of nobles, soldiers, and merchants. "The Scales can weigh ideas as well as men. When the first emperor was chosen at the end of the Cymrian War, a colloquium similar to this one met, with many of the same concerns, expressed by the same factions. A symbol for each of the factions was placed on the Scales against the Ring of State. The scales weighed in favor of the military, whose goal was to see a single, united Sorbold, so it was from there that the emperor was ultimately chosen. I suggest that, as it is almost midnight, this might further the discussion to a better conclusion." Stony silence answered him. Then, after a moment, heads nodded grudgingly, and the various factions adjourned to select their symbols and plot their next moves. Vchmed waited until the inner circle had dispersed, then rose from his seat, pushing his chair back into the table. Ashe, sitting beside him, with Tristan Steward to his left, ran a hand through his draconic red-gold hair, which gleamed with a metallic sheen in the torchlight, then put his forehead down on the table. 'Gods," he groaned. 'No, I have no doubt these are mere mortals," Achnied said. "Well, best of luck with it." 'You're leaving?" Ashe asked incredulously as the Bolg king gathered his belongings. Achmed nodded. "I made an appointment with the master of the empress's stable, and a bill of tender for the benison to sign before he collapses under the weight of all the stupidity being flung about here. I don't want to keep the stablemaster waiting any longer than I already have." Ashe sighed. "Well, then, perhaps we can talk when you when you return." 'I am not going to return. I have a cramp in my leg, a horse to buy, and a few hours of sleep to steal before I leave for Ylorc on the morrow." The Lord Cymrian sat up straight, thunderstruck. "You're leaving? Before this is decided?" Achmed took a breath. "It could be days, weeks, before a solution is reached here. I have some important things to attend to in Ylorc, and no time to wait around for these fools to sort out their petty differences." 'I have to admit that I am amazed," Ashe said, a tone of wonder mixing with the aggravation in his voice. "You, more than any single member of the Alliance save my paranoid uncle, are utterly distrustful of Sorbold for good reason, given that it borders your lands. Don't you feel at least some need to stay and see what comes to pass here?" 'I don't think so. Whatever happens is going to be for ill," Achmed said gravely. "Any outcome from this will be something with which we must deal, and prepare ourselves to survive. Watching it come about, being there at the moment it hatches, would only be deliberately dip the open wounds on my [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |
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