4.11 In Which the Dark Lord Ruins a Party

4.11 In Which the Dark Lord Ruins a Party

Rhydion remained as inscrutable as only a man encased in metal can be, but his companions were not so sanguine about my proposed bargain. I thought it a good deal for all: hed throw his weight behind getting relief supplies properly distributed, something a paladin ought to be in favor of anyway, and then Id come along and heal his zombie-hunting expedition.

Apparently not.

You dare? Sister Dhinell seethed. You presume to dictate terms to a paladin of the faith, for complying with the Goddesss will? And the obvious best interests of all?!

Why is killing zombies the Goddesss will and the best interests of all, but feeding the poor isnt? Aster asked.

Dhinell rounded on her, bristling. You will know your place, lowborn. Show that mouth to the wrong person and you will be reminded of your role in creation.

I am under standing orders to punch you, Sister. Are you sure you want to extol the virtue of obedience to me?

The priestess looked absolutely aghast at being backtalked like this. Harker was clearly enjoying the show, but nonetheless felt the need to add his own two discs.

Why do you care so much about relief supply distribution, anyway? he asked me while the women stared each other down. You dont really come across as the do-gooding type. And even if you are, thats an awfully political place to start.

Yeah, Im a real bundle of mysteries, aint I. In any case, thats the deal. What do you say, Rhydion?

Your concern for the needy does you credit, Lord Seiji, he said. I am heartened to see you attempting a strategic approach, rather than attempting to simply impose your will upon the assembled highborn.

Come on, how would I even do that? Theyve got an army here.

Theyve got a dozen teeny-tiny armies of varying degrees of competence, Harker corrected, who probably couldnt all fight in the same direction even if they decided to try.

Do not encourage him! Dhinell barked. He just smiled at her.

I ask your pardon if I presume, said Rhydion, ignoring them. The men I have known who were most inclined to solve their problems with brute force have consistently been the least inclined to pause, first, and consider whether their forces were sufficient to succeed.

I did not risk looking in Asters general direction. Yeah, well, some people are stupid, its true.

It is also true that, in our admittedly brief acquaintance, you have consistently leaned toward aggression. I applaud your restraint, Lord Seiji, but let me ask: have you truly considered the consequences of pursuing this course of action?

If the main consequence is that a bunch of people dont go hungry, I have to brush off any quibbling over piddly political repercussions as pure moral cowardice.

How dare you

Its quite all right, Sister Dhinell, Rhydion said in a tone that might have passed for soothing, were it not echoing ominously from the depths of his helmet. Words do me no harm, and no one should consider himself above reproach. Lord Seiji is not without a point, as a matter of broad principle. But I was speaking of the specific practicalities of this situation. Suppose I were to demand of those highborn present that they properly distribute their allotment of relief supplies, on pain of my displeasure. What would happen next?

Im guessing the supplies would get distributed is not the answer youre fishing for.

Indeed, that is only one outcomeand I can all but guarantee that even that would not occur in every case. For another, all those highborn know me, know my business here, and know my reputation for impartiality. They are already on edge because of my recent intervention on behalf of the orphans of the Gutters, wary of what else I might suddenly do. Be assured that at least some have also marked your arrival, and most if not all will be aware of it ere long. If I now force their hand, through any combination of my reputation, connections, or personal strength, they will know whythat is, who impelled me to action.

Just because Im not eager to pick a fight with an army doesnt mean I cant deal with them at need, I said, allowing myself a small smile. I have seen your highborn, Rhydion, and I am not impressed. I suffer their existence because striking at them would cause repercussions for the vulnerable people under them. Please, let one of these piddly little Clans give me a pretext to claim self-defense.

So close, he said, shaking his helmeted head. You came so close to understanding, and then veered away. You are a sorcerer of uncertain but obvious means even beyond your considerable magical strength. These are politically-minded, self-interested schemers. If they decided to attack you, it would not be directly. And in this hypothetical scenario, you would have not only riled them, but revealed that you care about the plight of their vulnerable people. So tell me, Lord Seiji. Who would suffer most for your interventionnot only immediately, but every time in the future the Clans felt the need to express displeasure with you?

It was the conversational equivalent of plowing face-first into a wall. He was right: the immediate, obvious result of my grand plan here would be another crackdown like the pogrom I had accidentally kicked off in my hunt for Lady Gray. I had to force myself to breathe evenly, avoiding the eyes of everyone present except Rhydion, grateful for once that his eyes were hidden.

I take your point, I finally managed. Well. I guess if we dont have a deal

Let us not act in haste, either to strike or to retreat, he said, holding up one gauntleted hand. I am declining to pursue your ill-considered plan, because it is unlikely to accomplish its goal and certain to massively backfire.

All right, I said I get the point! No need to harp on it.

But the goal, he continued, is itself praiseworthy. If that is the price for your aid in my own quest, it is one I consider well worth paying. If a better, more effective way of executing it can be found.

I shrugged. Im all ears.

He shifted, turning to point his helmet toward the larger camp between us and the village, where I could see the rich and powerful in question gathered, many of them clearly watching us now. The highborn were all bundled up against the cold, of course; their heavy winter clothes showed the same blend of jewel toned fabrics lavishly decorated by intricate accents that stood out against those colorful backgrounds. Gold and silver embellishments were common, but so were white, black, and gray. Interestingly, they were all bare-headed in the winter air, putting their various spiky coifs on display, but men and women alike seemed to favor heavy scarves that concealed their faces from the nose down.

Tell me, Lord Seiji, Rhydion said after a ruminative pause. What methods have you considered of motivating the highborn other than by pummeling them into compliance?

Its not that I dont see what youre hinting toward, I said skeptically, but Im not in a position to apply anything else. These people understand nothing but greed and violence, and bribing them isnt exactly applicable when the whole problem is theyve seized what isnt theirs.

Greed and violence, he repeated. Of all the people I have known, both great and small Even among the very worst, there were hardly any who had nothing more to them than that. Such a mean, petty creature would barely be able to exist within a society. Indeed, the very few examples I have met to whom I would grant that description had been reduced by their own perfidy to little more than scuttling vermin eking out a mere survival on the outskirts of civilization. People, any people, are far more complex than you seem willing to allow, Lord Seiji. I do not contend that they are necessarily better, though I suspect many are better than you believe. But even at their worst, they have attachments, passions, predilections, fixations, and a thousand other traits. Most, even among the truly depraved, possess virtues of their own as well. If you attempt to shift these canny, sophisticated people using a strategy designed to work on a hungry wolf, they will demolish you.

Yeah, yeah, everyone is a unique and beautiful little snowflake. Thats fine and all, but what is the use of it? Im sure they can maneuver among their own class with all the subtlety and tact youre suggesting, but by the time we made any headway pursuing that strategy, people would have starved. Not to mention that, redeeming virtues or not, these are assholes leaving the people theyre responsible for to go hungry in the snow, just to cling to windfall assets that they already dont need. Imitating them is not a path Im willing to take.

Good points, all, he agreed. Then we are left with the underlying truth that attempting to forcefully apply simple solutions to complicated problems will not work. Philosophical considerations aside, what is called for is a strategy.

I think theyve forgotten were here, I heard Dhinell mutter.

At his summons, a new person approached the corner in which Lord Ruell had set up shop, and her arrival was like a bucket of dirty slush thrown onto the mood of the assembled noblewomen. For my part, I just barely managed not to gawk.

Ruells associate, this Arrkeen, was a beastwomanand like himself, clearly not from around here. I could tell that just because Id been asking a lot of questions about the local tribes lately, from people in a position to know the answers, and I was certain that Dount was not home to a fox tribe. The shape of her long, pointed face was unmistakable, as was the bushy tail; her fur was mostly a dusk reddish-orange in color, though it shifted to gray with black flecks starting under her chin and presumably running down the front of her body, with her ears and tail tipped in black. The fox woman also wore clearly foreign attire, a sleeveless green vest that hung halfway down her thighs, with a knee-length kilt below that, and nothing on her large footpaws. Beastfolk really were at an advantage in the winter, with that built-in fur coat.

But even her appearance was less interesting than the effect it had. The gathered noblewomens expressions went sour so abruptly it was like a switch had been thrown. They were instantly murmuring excuses and drifting away. While I watched in delighted bemusement, the last of the highborn departed, only a few still having the spirit to flirt with Ruell in their terse goodbyes.

Sorry about that, ol girl, the elf said to his companion. Hate to put your dignity to such poor use, but its just so dashedly effective!

My feelings are not hurt by the rejection of Fflyr nobility, my lord, she said impassively. Their existence would have to matter to me before their opinions could.

That wrung a bark of laughter from me before I could fully suppress it. Oh, burn. That was a good one. Ill have to use that myself!

Arrkeen bowed to me, her vulpine face mostly blank, but somehow vaguely mocking even in its composure. Amazing, this guy had his own Aster.

Sorry if I accidentally busted up your little harem, there, I said out loud. I hope that didnt disrupt your plans for the evening, Lord Ruell.

Absolutely not. Suddenly his expression was deadly serious. A little spot of flirtation among a loudly public crowd is just a bit of fun. Matters become different if one focuses ones attention on a particular lady. One must always remember that a ladys reputation is her livelihood and security, and do nothing to impugn it, least of all for ones own callow pleasure. That is true anywhere, but particularly in a place like Fflyr Dlemathlys, a well-bred woman can lose far more than her prospects if her family deems her no longer profitable. A gentleman must never make himself an imposition upon a lady. Do you not agree, Lord Seiji?

I have to say, that little speech took me aback, so much so that it was a second before I could formulate a response. Wellhonestly, I dont think I would have put it quite like that. But yes, I like the general direction of your philosophy, Lord Ruell. A great deal more than the sentiments of any Fflyr highborn Ive met, at least.

Capital! His sunny smile returned. I do so appreciate the company of like minds. A fellow with a proper respect for the ladies cant be all bad, what? But anyway! Arrkeen, Lord Seiji was curious how the distribution of Imperial aid is proceeding here on Dount.

So I heard, my lord, she said, impassive. In short? Variably. The King of Fflyr Dlemathlys exerts almost no control over his island governors, and they have only slightly more direct influence over the Clans. Perhaps more here on Dount than most, as the localArchlord, as they call him, is much feared even though he is not respected. In his case, however, it scarcely matters as he has shown complete disinterest in the entire affair. Thus, each Clan has received an allotment of said supplies and done with it as they see fit. Some have even distributed them amongst their suffering people.

She paused, and then repeated a single word dripping from its dip in a deep reservoir of disdain.

Some.

I casually glanced about, making sure we were alone. Not all the highborn had fled the tent at the beastwomans arrivalafter all, she had been here before, just lurking in another cornerbut everyone including the servants was as far from us as they could get without being outside in the slush. Also, now that the distracting display of overdressed, overbred femininity was gone, I could really take in the spectacle of this place. Elaborate carpets covered the ground and Ruell was lounging in a leather-upholstered wingback armchair flanked by two small tables, one piled with snacks and one with books.

Yep, highborn were still ridiculous.

Thats about what I would expect, I said. Brazen of them to tempt the Empires anger that way.

Sadly, I do not foresee his most august Excellency taking a further interest, Lord Ruell replied with a grimace. Without his audience loitering around, he was like a completely different personor a more serious one, at least. Lannitar gained everything it wanted in political capital simply by sending presents to a less fortunate Sanorite ally in their time of need; any further action would just be further expense, not to mention being an overt intervention in another nations internal affairs. The Gray Guard takes great pains not to be seen doing that.

I studied him thoughtfully. Just who the hell was this character? He was two-faced, at least to an extent, though no more than myself. Why had Rhydion wanted to link me up with him? What was his interest in this matter? How much could I afford to risk revealing?

Thats distressing to hear, I responded after a momentary pause. It almost seems as if the only hope of getting that food to the people who are actually hungry would involve spilling highborn blood.

I gave it a beat of hesitation, just enough of a pause to let the idea hang in the air between us, before continuing just quickly enough not to interrupt my flow.

But anyone willing to do such a thing would hopefully have the good sense not to. If the highborn are so affronted, theyll make sure its the lowborn who feel their pain.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Aster give me a sidelong Look. I ignored her.

Ah, yes, the eternal way of the world, Ruell said sagely, nodding. Its an intriguing prospect nonetheless, eh? One does hear the most fascinating stories about bandits here on Dount.

I raised an eyebrow, carefully revealing nothing. Oh?

Surprised you havent heard, my lord, if youve lived here long enough to pick up some of the local patter. I bet theyre even talking about it up in Godspirewhich means itll have spread to whatever ears might care in Savindar and the Imperium by now. Dounts always been notorious for banditry, but in just the last several weeks the blaggards have taken to using sophisticated traps, including some rather fancy alchemy. And they seem oddly reluctant to spill blood, of late! Why, its almost enough to make me nostalgic for home, he added with a wistful smile. In Lancor, even the criminals have at least a spot of chivalry in their souls. If Dounts worst element have taken it upon themselves to act with a touch of honor Well, even if they wont repent of their ways entirely, thats a step in the right direction, eh?

You may be the newer arrival, Lord Ruell, but Im getting the impression you have a better grasp of how the highborn think. The politics of my homeland areextremely different. Had you the means, how would you go about ensuring those relief supplies got where they were needed?

Why, its simple, isnt it? he said with a genial smile. One simply has to create a situation in which its more advantageous for the Clans to distribute food than to hoard it.

I stared at him. Thats your idea of simple?

Simple in concept, but dashedly tricky in execution, what? Ive noticed worthwhile endeavors tend to be that way, Lord Seiji. Applying it here would mean creating some new source of pressure on the Clans, something to entice them toward generosity above self-interest.

I see your point, I grunted. Thats simple enough, youd just need enough swords and enough hands for them. Its arranging a pressure that doesnt cause them to vent their hurt feelings on their own people that makes it Tricky, you said? Yeah, thats a good word.

Indeed, old chap, theres simply nothing else for it. Such a task would call for circulating among the highborn, developing a nuanced grasp of the situation, building connections. Learningand I speak purely hypothetically here, you understandvulnerabilities.

Exactly as he had been doing before I butted in.

Okay, maybe Rhydion had been onto something after all.

Youre quite the savvy fellow, Lord Ruell. Im very interested in your thoughts on how to expedite

Lord Ruell! Lord Seiji! boomed an unfamiliar voice from behind me.

Goddammit, I could never catch a break.