4.3 In Which the Dark Lord Herds Cats

4.3 In Which the Dark Lord Herds Cats

The first surprise we got when Kasser led us all out to the courtyard was that it was snowing. And not light flurries, either; it had clearly not been coming down long enough to accumulate much, but it was just as clearly sticking. Already some of my crusaders were bustling about, sweeping paths in the courtyard and carrying scarves, gloves, and steaming pots of tea to those stationed on the walls.

Bit early in the year for this, isnt it? I murmured.

The signs have been accumulating, Minifrit replied, just as quietly. We are in for an early winter this yearprecisely what we do not need, with the food situation as it is. Only time will tell how cold and how long it will be.

The reminder, as always, caused me a pang of guilt, and rekindled the fires of urgency. The food situation on Dount was at least partly (arguably mostly) my fault. It wouldnt be as bad if not for the Clans being the Clans, but I was still the idiot whod burned down the damn forest and half the plantations. I needed to get to work fixing this, and not just because my own forces were going to feel the pinch as hard as anyone else once our supplies started dwindling.

At least the sight closer to hand was more heartening: even just a week of having the goblins in the fold had transformed North Watch. Harolds new gates were complete and fully installed, featuring the solid iron fittings we had previously assumed would be out of our budget. Kassers hasty repairs to the walls, consisting of little more than scaffolding and akorshil planks to replace the broken sections of parapet, were in the process of being replaced with actual stonework being integrated into the old akorthist masonry.

And, of course, there was the new engineering works, an indoor/outdoor hybrid space assembled on the opposite part of the courtyard from the gwynnek pens, consisting of little but two walls and a roof. It was to this that Kasser now led us through the falling snow, to where his team were assembled. This was also where I had parked Truck-kun and left it in the goblins care.

That had been less than an hour ago, so the truck was only partially disassembled. Usually, by the time I came back to banish the remains, it looked like somebody had bombed a junkyard.

Everybody doing all right? Kasser called out by way of greeting as we approached the open-fronted shed and the goblins swarming therein. This shit wasnt set up for work in snow. You guys holding up? Dont freeze your fingers, you need those.

Were all set, boss, it aint like the weather suddenly turned in the last ten minutes, Youda replied, waving with both hands to show off his fingerless gloves. Preparations have been made, see?

He pointed at the iron braziers set up at intervals along the interior of the structure, in each of which a fire slime was imprisoned beneath a metal grate. I was impressed at how quickly the goblins had innovated uses for them. The slimes, wed discovered through experimentation, could squeeze through porous surfaces like that, but wouldnt unless compelled, so it sufficed to keep them still without the need for Tame Beast.

There was a shuffle as Kasser and the lead goblins shooed away their non-essential personnel under orders to go get some hot tea in the mess hall, while my council and I took their place under the roof and around the braziers. With the exception of Junko, who had eagerly joined us as soon as we left the council room but just as quickly peeled away to jump around chasing snowflakes outside. Sudden or not, this cold snap was no joke; even Minifrit had put on a coat, which really said something. Her cleavage was practically her religion.

All right, Lord Seiji, weve got reports ready, Kasser said as soon as we were safely inside, between the braziers and the cracked-open husk of my truck. Ive divided efforts into three teams; Im gonna let them give you the rundown on their findings over the last week. Im just admin here, they did the work.

The remaining goblins swelled with satisfaction and Sneppit nodded approvingly. I had been slightly leery of putting Kasser in charge of goblins, but it turned out they got along swimmingly. His brusque demeanor was a contrast with their outgoing nature, but goblins were heavily results-oriented and when it came down to it, Kasser was a craftsman who understood craftspeople. Which was exactly who Sneppit and I had assigned to him.

So, he continued, well hear from Youda, Zeckl, and Wait. Where the hell is Kekkro?

Youda and Zeckl exchanged a loaded look.

He had his boys pry off the bumper and one of the side mirrors and hauled em off down the tunnel, Youda replied. And yes, we did remind him about the mandatory meeting.

All right, fine, fuck him, then, Kasser grated. Im disbanding the metallurgy team and pulling their funding.

Whoah, hang on, Sneppit interjected. Disciplines important, but dont cut us off from valuable assets just because one of your team leads is being a prick.

Im not a complete idiot, Sneppit, thanks for your concern. This is the last straw. Kekkros been meticulously building the impression that hes just indulging his intellectual curiosity at Lord Seijis expense and not likely to produce any results.

Yeah, I dont have access to his notes or nothin, but I gossip with his team, Zeckl added. Problem with the metallurgical investigations is they either cant figure out what shit even is or have no way of getting more. Likefuckin aluminum? Its pure coincidence I happen to know what that is. Dungeons dont produce ingots of that shit, an the nearest natural source is up in the Shattered Kingdoms. Might as well cast engine parts outta solid gold.

Right, so, hes out, Kasser stated. Im gonna let Kekkro submit a report in writing, just to be on the safe side, and if he cant deliver tangible results Im axing his team. That okay with you, Sneppit?

Mmyeah, thats reasonable, she agreed, nodding and ignoring his sharp tone. Theres value in letting techy types indulge scientific curiosity for its own sake, but that presupposes a certain level of institutional solvency and we aint there yet. Id add that if he cant deliver a positive report, we then demand an inquest, to be adjudicated by a Judge, to make Kekkro prove he wasnt knowingly defrauding the Dark Crusade for personal benefit, and if he fails that hes personally liable for all expenses and resources that went into his team this week.

Uh, doesnt that seem a little harsh? I asked warily. It was just a week, but that was a hell of a financial burden to drop on somebody whose entire society was currently trying to recover from a civil war.

Examples have to be made, Sneppit said without a trace of pity. Especially this early in the organizations lifetime; if you dont establish up front that there are consequences for jerking us around, people will. Sides, theres almost no way to fail an inquest like that; the burden of proof on us is borderline impossible. Holding it is important for sending the message that we will take shit like this seriously, and that our response will be fair.

Right, well, anyway, said Kasser, we have results. Youda, youre up.

Right! Youda clapped his gloved hands and rubbed them together, grinning in eagerness. This has been great, Lord Seiji. So! I had most of the direct work done on day one, between analyzing samples and your descriptions of how stuff worked.

What little I knew, I admitted.

Hey, every bit helps! Ive been doin my own experiment since then, usin both common materials and running tests on samples from the truck. Right now I dont have a prototype formula yet but Im real confident that organic polymers based on khora oil are achievable. Im past the point of making a blend that doesnt put off toxic fumes; still gotta get it to set properly, my experiments so far are all gummy. The ones that set at all.

You got that far in a week? Based on nothing but knowing that its possible? Holy shit, Youda.

Hey, Im a professional! Despite his demurral, the alchemist grinned in delight at my praise. The main thing preventing us from developing plastic is I doubt it wouldve occurred to anybody you even can turn oil into a permanent, solid material. Once the notion is there, the method just comes from knowhow and experimentation. Im optimistic about gettin a nice, flexible blend soon. Making the harder varieties is gonna take more timealso a fully transparent one, though that shouldnt be as much of a hurdle once I get the consistency right. We already got ways of bleaching pigment from natural khora oil. In a way, it mightve been better that I didnt have access to the original methods used, since those wouldve been based on your petrochemicals, and, uh Sorry, bossman, but that gasoline shit is worthless. Asauthec is way more versatile and seems to contain more potential energy by volume.

Yeah, and whats with that engine lubricant? Zeckl muttered, grimacing and rubbing her own hands. Im gonna have that shit under my nails for the rest of my life. Why is it black?

The goblins had designed a mechanism that would open or close the fortress gates by turning a crank in one of the flanking towers. It was still being built, though, and installing it would involve taking out part of the tower wall, so this was a future amenity. That meant I had to have four crusaders push the huge doors open themselves. I wasnt super pleased about making my people do such heavy grunt work while I just stood there waiting; the thing itself made me feel guilty, and also the impression it conveyed was not one I wanted to give my guests. But it wasnt like I could open the damn things myself, sohere we were.

The doors were pushed wide, revealing the visiting cat people to me, and me to them: the Dark Lord framed in the center of the widening aperture, flanked by Aster at my left and Junko to my right. The rest of my entourage Id directed to stay well back, able to keep watch but leaving us to confront the cats alone.

There were three of them, a man with gray tinging the fur around his muzzle but otherwise seemingly strong and healthy, and two women to either side, one younger than he and the other clearly elderly. Snowflakes had clearly been accumulating on their heads and shoulders for several minutes at least.

Junko growled softly, laying her ears back. I rested a hand on the back of her neck and she quieted, but remained on point.

As one, the three cat people knelt in the road outside the fortress. They had placed two heavy baskets down in front of themselves, covered against the snow with blankets so I couldnt see what they contained.

Dark Lord, said the male in the center, his baritone clear and strong as his appearance, not as tinged with age as his fur. We come to you as wanderers seeking the fire, with gifts of respect as befit honorable guests, and gratitude for your mercy. I am Djast, speaker for my people.

Thats the title of the tribes leader, Biribo murmured next to my ear. At least, thats what Velavens whispering at me from back there. The specific politics of this dinky little beast tribe isnt part of my innate knowledge, but seems like shed know.

I studied them for a moment. All three remained on one knee, the women with their heads lowered, but Djast holding his spine straight and looking me in the eye. Interesting; they didnt bow like Japanese or make ritual hand gestures like Fflyr, but Velaven had done the same thing on formally meeting me for the first time. A Savin custom, maybe? The local beast tribes did seem subordinate to Shylverrael.

Im Lord Seiji, I finally said aloud. Welcome to North Watch. Glad to finally meet you in person, Speaker.

They didnt rise. Was I supposed to tell them to? Fuck, how the hell was I expected to know the protocol here? Biribo didnt prompt me, so presumable Velaven wasnt prompting him

It is on behalf of my people that I come before you, Dark Lord Seiji, Djast stated, and I was impressed with his ability to project dignity and humility at the same time. I did enjoy dealing with people who understood showtime and werent in competition with me. But first, I must give you a fathers thanks for preserving the life of my daughter.

The younger woman to his left raised her head to meet my eyes, and I had to concentrate on keeping the confusion off my face. I did what, now? When had I ever

Oh. Looking into the cat womans proud, outwardly calm expression, I remembered her now. Not her name, but the sequence of events which had wrapped up her ill-fated raid on North Watch. I recalled the terror in her eyes as Id screamed threats into her face from centimeters away. The sensation of her fangs piercing my hand with the strength of my own grip.

I was spared having to come up with my own response to this development, thanks to Biribo softly and rapidly narrating observations from Velaven.

And ridding you of a political rival, yes?

Djast remained calm in expression, but the girlJessak, Biribo quietly reminded meswallowed once, heavily.

I didnt realize she was the daughter of the tribes leader when that guy tried to throw her under the bus, I continued aloud, re-phrasing this third-hand political insight on the fly. It suggests he wouldnt have dared, unless he was confident he could stand up to you. Perhaps even wanted an excuse, hmm?

Velaven really was a valuable acquisition, with her skills and acumen. But that had never been in question; I didnt feel any closer to being able to trust her just yet.

Heheh. The sound wasnt quite a laugh, more an onomatopoeic recitation of one, and it came from the other cat woman, who now raised her head. She was grinning, which with those fangs was somehow even more unsettling than when goblins did it. Or maybe I was just used to the goblins by now. No fool, this one. Nor a surprise, that. Not likely Virya would bring us a fool, is it?

She straightened up with a grunt, raising her head.

I am Keszil, priestess of memory for my people. I stand in your presence, Dark Lord, because an old womans knees can only take so much kneeling in the snow. Youll strike me down or not, as you see fit, one way or another. I didnt get to be an old woman by denying what I cant change.

Id like to think Im not quite that petty, I replied, not having to feign the smile. I already liked Keszil. Not enough to even try pronouncing that name, but I liked her. Feel free to rise, all of you. Ill ask your pardon for my lack of hospitality, but Id like to hear what brings you to me today before I invite you in. The last time your people visited here, it wasless polite than this.

And we are grateful for the mercy you have shown us, Djast replied, standing up as directed. I hope that the tribute we delivered was to your liking, Dark Lord.

Ah, yes, that. I frowned, recalling. I appreciate the gifts, it was all excellent, and gladly accepted in the spirit with which it was offered. But really, thats enough. I never asked you for tribute, and I dont need any. So long as you dont show any more hostility toward my people, Ive no demands to make of yours.

Djast looked taken aback by that. Keszil, though, laughed againgenuinely laughed, this timeand thunked the end of the gnarled walking stick she was carrying against the snow. It was weird how that thing looked like a gnarled piece of wood; it had to have been carved that way on purpose. Akorshil didntgnarl.

Generous, in his way! Its as you said, Jessak. Angry, yes; cruel, maybe, when riled; sadistic, no.

For a moment Djasts composure faltered, and even on his animal-like features his expression of shut the hell up before you get us killed, old woman was as clear as printed text before he recovered his poise. I had to sympathize.

Then if you do not require tribute, Dark Lord, he said aloud, I pray you will accept these further gifts as evidence of what my people can offer you.

What youcan offer? This seemed like a loaded statement, but Biribo was no longer transmitting helpful advice from Velaven. I take it you want to open trade? Im amenable to that.

Trade, no. Djast drew in a deep breath and let it out swiftly, the resulting puff of mist disturbing a swirl of snowflakes. Our council has deliberated and decided, Dark Lord, and what I bring before you now is the will of my people, confirmed. We offer youourselves.

Your I blinked. Youwait, what? Are you surrendering? I didnt realize we were at war. Hadnt we already settled this?

Everything we have, Djast said, his aspect solemn verging on grimness now, all that we are, and whatever future there remains to us we will pledge to you, if you will only save us.