Chapter 677: A Political Future

Chapter 677: A Political Future

A Political Future

Martel chewed on the last of his breakfast, mostly old bread with butter and slices of boiled potato. It had little taste, but food did not interest him much. "I remember Cheval's faction wants to expand the Empire, but you'll have to remind me what this duchess and her people want," he said to Eleanor. "The overseer gave me a lecture about it once, which I have blissfully forgotten."

"They seek reform in ways that would turn the Empire's gaze inwards, you might say. Isolate us, others would argue," Eleanor explained. They sat in his study, waiting for the duchess of Trior to arrive. "Our guest would agree with our aim to end the war with Khiva, for instance, rather than seek more territory."

"So far, so good."

"They would also withdraw the border legions from the Frosten River and abandon at least some of Nordmark," Eleanor continued.

"I guess there's some sense to that, given it's mostly wild and untamed land."

"And they would significantly reduce the Khivan population in Morcaster, for instance."

"Huh. As much as I've killed a lot of them in war, it feels different when they were born here," Martel admitted. "It's not their fault their parents came from elsewhere."

"The duchess and her supporters made the laws that forbids any with Khivan ancestry to obtain citizenship or own property, for instance. And while they are forced to deal with you, I imagine a Tyrian-blooded imperator galls their blood," Eleanor considered. "The duchess may not personally care, but some of her followers will."

Martel took a deep breath. "Maybe we'll find out. She should be here any moment."

***

The duchess of Trior was a woman who lived an easy life, though her voluminous dress exacerbated the impression she gave. She arrived in the same manner as the duke of Cheval, escorted by a single guard and plenty of legionaries. As she entered Martel's study, he rose to greet her. "My lady duchess." Her age was hard to tell given the cosmetics on her face, but he would guess she was past fifty.

"Captain." She smiled and inclined her head. "I am glad we can finally meet. I have heard your name so many times."

Martel understood her point after a moment's consideration. He had the power to do as he wished, at least in Morcaster and surrounding lands, but legitimacy meant his decisions would not be undone once he relinquished his rank. "That sounds well and good, but if this Senate is such a great idea, why was it never reinstated? Morcaster gained its independence three centuries ago." Quietly, Martel blessed Father Andrew for his history lessons.

"The emperor of those days saw no reason to diminish their power," Eleanor explained. "Except they ended up handing it over to the High Council instead."

"No man can rule alone." The duchess shrugged. "The greater the Empire, the more complicated it becomes. Reinstating the Senate will give you control over who is chosen for the new High Council, and it will legitimise all your decisions and actions."

Martel took a deep breath. "Thank you for the suggestion, my lady duchess."

***

He looked up at Eleanor once their visitor had left them alone. "Is this possible to do?"

She sat down opposite him. "In legal terms, I suppose so. But legality will not be enough on its own. Decisions made by this Senate will only be respected if the Senate is considered legitimate. If it is just a handful of your prefects, we may as well not bother. Like she said, this will require representatives from every region. Since half of them consider us traitors... Maybe we can convince them to grant us amnesty, but confirm you as imperator, along with all your political decisions?"

"Well, I haven't made any political decisions, have I."

"Not as such, except the armistice, but this opens the door for that. I find it difficult to imagine the duchess and her entourage is thrilled with handing such power to you, even temporarily."

Martel stroked his beard. "Unless they are as practically inclined as our guest yesterday." Ideas began to come to him. Instead of simply keeping the city and half the Empire running, perhaps he could do more.

Eleanor yawned. "That is possible. Forgive me, can we discuss this another time? My mind is not sufficiently rested for a topic of this complexity."

"Of course. I'll see you tomorrow. Sleep well."

"You too." Returning to her quarters, she left behind a captain prefect deep in his thoughts.