The Coastal Kingdoms of Olvion: Book Two of The Chronicles of Olvion (7 page)

Two men were standing in front of the council table.  They were in rags and wore chains on their hands and feet.  Kal and Gann stood erect, defiantly glaring at their captors.  Kal had found courage in his willingness to die.  After one accepted death as imminent there was little to be feared.  Torture was certainly an unpleasant prospect, but there was no reason for it here.  If the pirate Tallun was being truthful, he already had the coordinates for location of Aspell.

Kal listened as the others in the room talked.  The fact that he could understand their language was interesting to him.  Their accents were very thick, and they infrequently inserted strange and unrecognizable words and phrases into their speech, but it was possible to understand what they were saying.  Kal, being an educated man, realized immediately that there must be a historical link between the people of his land and these others.  It was the only possible explanation for the similarities in language.  It was possible, probable even, that people from one continent had long ago migrated to the other.  While interesting, at this point the information had no real value.  He and his crew were still prisoners of a pirate town.

The size of the stronghold had amazed him.  Tens of thousands of people, men women and children, walked the dirt and cobble streets.  There were shops, foundries and even places of worship flying the same flag of the Eye of Kylee that was on every ship in the harbor.  He and his crew had been marched through the town with their hands bound behind their backs.  He had expected to be greeted with jeers and to be pelted with mud and stones.  Instead the passing population displayed only mild interest in them.  It was obvious that the sight of captured crews was not so unusual here. 

His musings were interrupted when one of the men seated in the middle of the long table spoke to him.  The man had an imperious manner about him.  His expression as he looked at Kal was one of disdain.  He had a long face with several warts around his mouth.  He looked to be fifty summers or so.  His long brown hair had been curled and set with silver beads.  He was dressed in white canvas trousers, a lacy red shirt and a heavy blue jacket.  Considering the stifling temperature of the room, it seemed a baffling choice.

“What is your name, and from where do you come?” he said.

Kal remained silent.

The man sighed loudly.  “I do hope we don’t have to bring in a whip to help you find your voice.”

Kal met the man’s gaze.  “In my land one does not answer to conversation until introductions are offered.”

There was a brief mumbling among the gathered men.  Some appeared offended, but others were smiling.

Kal’s interrogator was not amused.  “All right, call in the Master of the Lash.”

“A moment, Captain Lampte.”  The voice belonged to one of the younger men in attendance.  He sat three chairs to the left of the now-identified Lampte.

“The Council is in session Captain Fauwler,” Lampte said.  “Please abide by the guidelines.  If you have a comment please state a motion.”

The man named Fauwler stood.  “My apologies Governor, I had not realized we were being formal this morning.  I rise to make a motion: A rather simple one actually.  Instead of bringing in the Master of the Lash, why do you not simply introduce yourself to this man?  Have we become so savage that we resort to the lash at the slightest provocation?”

There were several nods and slapping of the table by the others in attendance.  To Kal, it appeared that the young Captain Fauwler had many supporters.

Lampte scowled as he took note of the prevailing opinion being expressed by his fellow Captains.  “Very well,” he said.  He turned in his chair and flipped a long beaded lock of hair back behind his ear.  He set a cold gaze on Kal.  “I am Captain Belus Lampte, Captain of the Lampte fleet and the Governor of this Council.  What is your name?”

Kal was tempted to remain silent or insist on some other concession.  In the end he decided not to push his luck.  “I am Royal Engineer Kal Da’ Brann.  My friend here is Captain Gann of the Wind of Aspell.  I bid you greetings from ourselves and King Tyner of the city and kingdom of Aspell.  As ambassadors of our kingdom, I must advise that our treatment to this date by your Captain Tallun has been less than diplomatic.”

Reactions to his comments rippled through the men at the table.  Tallun was making no secret of his scorn for the Engineer.  To his surprise, Kal thought he could see several among the gathered captains who appeared sympathetic.

“Lampte pounded on the table with a silver mug until the noise abated.  He then signaled for one of the men who was standing against the side wall of the chamber and indicated his empty mug.  The man ran to fill it from a pewter pitcher.  Lampte took a sip, then regarded Kal again.

“Royal, you say?  How large is your kingdom, and where is it?”

Kal answered.  “Please afford me the courtesy of understanding my situation.  We were sent here by my king on a mission to locate and establish trade and a relationship with previously unknown civilizations.  Our land has been devastated by wars against savage grey man-beasts over the years.  All of our resources have gone to fighting those wars.  They now appear to have been won.  This is the first time in our recorded history that we have crossed the sea in search of others.  Frankly there was not much faith in our being successful.  My king now desires peaceful exploration with possible mutual benefit to all concerned.  The treatment to which we are being subjected is unnecessary.  We are here as representatives of our king and kingdom.  We are empowered to negotiate treaties between our peoples.  Unless and until you give your word that no harm is intended to my kingdom, I am unable to provide you with the answers you seek.  We ask only that you realize the obvious benefits that would materialize if our relationship to one another is based in trust and honor.”

The mood of the table took a noticeable turn against him then.  A full two thirds of the council was frowning and the sounds coming from them were less than friendly.  Gann edged closer to him, ready to protect his friend should it be necessary.

Lampte looked at him from beneath lowered brows.  “This council entreats with no person and no government.”  A few at the table shouted agreement to his words.  “We are the people of Kylee, and we live under her all-seeing eye.  We take what we need or want.  It is up to the council to decide the outcome.  We already have the location of your kingdom.  If Kylee wishes it to be plundered that is what will happen.  You are before us for one reason only; to allow us to judge your temperament and courage or lack of same.  As part of the nobility you should be representative of the mindset of your people.  We seek no trade agreement or to establish diplomacy with your king.”

A chorus of agreement rumbled through the hall from the members of the council.  Then, unexpectedly the man known as Captain Fauwler stood again.  “I rise to make a motion,” he intoned.

The hall grew quiet.

Fauwler smiled.  Kal took a more intense interest in the man simply because he seemed to be at odds with the more violence-inclined members of the council.  He saw that he was approximately thirty summers in age and was handsome in a rough manner.  His hair was worn long and gathered at the back with a simple string.  His clothes were simple, but clean.  In his eyes, Kal read…something.  There was definite intelligence there, but he also projected a strong air of confidence and…danger.  Yes, that was it.  This was not a man to be trifled with.

Lampte took a deep breath, then let it out slowly and loudly enough to signal his displeasure.  “Another motion Captain Fauwler?”

“I beg your tolerance,” Fauwler said.  He turned to Kal and actually bowed.  “In keeping with established courtesies, I bid you welcome.  I am Captain Fauwler of the twenty ships in the fleet that bears my name.  I admit I already know your name because Captain Tallun briefed this body before you were brought in.  I apologize for the bindings and the lack of any kindnesses that would have allowed you the time to make yourselves more presentable.”  He shifted his gaze to Gann.  “As to you, Captain Gann, I also apologize that this council has not seen fit to offer you the respect that is normally afforded any ship’s captain.  I assure you this is an affront in which most of the assembled captains would not have engaged.”  Tallun, sitting several seats to his right, rose and put a hand on his knife.  His forehead was a bright red with anger.

Lampte slapped the table.  “Captain Tallun.  You will conduct yourself with the dignity that this table requires.  Captain Fauwler, you will refrain from making disparaging remarks aimed at any member of this assembled body.”

Tallun sat, still glaring at Fauwler who did not seem bothered by it in the least.  Kal deduced from their actions two things: First, Fauwler and Tallun did not like each other.  Kal would file that fact away for possible future exploitation.  Secondly, Tallun’s manner of treating captives was not universally observed here.  Indeed, there appeared to be an odd concept of justice observed among some.  Fauwler was obviously among the latter group.

“Again, I apologize to the council,” Fauwler said with an expression which conveyed absolutely no contrition.  He turned to look at the men gathered on both sides of the table.  “My fellow Captains, I rise to offer a novel concept.  All of us here have faced a dwindling flow of assets, especially in the most recent summers.  Our way of life has offered us a freedom that few men will ever know.”  He turned and walked around the table until he was facing the seated council captains before he resumed.  “None of us would trade the past years for any other way of life.  We bow to no king and pay tribute to no one.  Still, one wonders if this way of life is meant to go on to last forever.”  There was a stirring of mumbles.  “Everyone here had their own reasons for choosing this life.  For me it was because the privileged noble classes in the different kingdoms of our land were becoming much too powerful.  I have seen a man’s back flayed because he forgot to bow to a spoiled little snot of a brat who was passing by.  We’ve all seen worse.

“I can’t ignore the thought that we have here the makings of a better society.  We govern ourselves, and no one goes wanting for food or shelter.  Indeed our little city now has more people than many of those same kingdoms from which we fled.  Is it outrageous to think that we may someday become something more than a den of outlaws? 

“Take, for instance, the proposal of this man and his kingdom.  He is from a new land, heretofore unknown to us.  Are we correct in reacting to it in the same way as we have here?  Do we know what advantages an open trade policy with a new world may bring?  The two overriding issues to our way of life here have always been freedom and profit.  Must profit always be the result of thievery?  Every year we discard tons of fruit, vegetables and fibrous plants because we are a closed society that produces more than we use.  Our foundries lie cold because we have already forged so much excellent steel that more cannot be used.  Where would be the harm in trading those over-produced items to these new people?  I see only profit.”

There was much discussion back and forth between the council members until Lampte raised his voice.  “Are you forgetting the other half of our concerns?  The freedom?  We all know that trading with the privileged classes results in inferior prices and terms to the point where it ceases to be worth the efforts?”

Kal took advantage of the brief pause after the comment to press his case.  “Noble Captains, I know nothing of the governments that rule this new land.  I hear several familiar words such as noblemen and king, but your comments make it clear to me that there are major differences between our understandings of them.”  He took a quick glance around the table to see that his words were being met with interest from most.

“In my kingdom, as in every other kingdom of our land, a king is an
elected
head of government.  He is not born into the position, he is usually a military man or academician that has proven himself, or herself, to be a wise and honest person.  A person elected to that office holds it for ten summers but can be removed at any time for misbehavior or simply for proving themselves not equal to the task.

“There are none of these noblemen that you seem to hold in such low regard.  Instead we have representatives of different sections of our populations whom we refer to as Members of Parliament.  These people also can be removed by the very same people who put them in those positions.  No person can be whipped or beaten for any cause under our system.  Anyone accused of a crime, and that includes Members of Parliament and even kings, have the right to have their cases heard by seven people drawn from the community.  The results of those hearings are rendered by those seven people, with no interference or influence from any other body.  If the accused is convicted he is confined to jail.”

Kal moved a little closer to the table and looked at each of the gathered faces, friendly or otherwise.  “You say you value freedom.  Good Captains, I am a product of freedom.  My mother wove blankets, and my father was a career warrior.  I was no nobleman.  I proved myself a capable student in a school that is provided to every child in my kingdom, regardless of his personal circumstances.  I was offered the opportunity to attend a university and studied engineering.  The word
Royal
in my title as Royal Engineer refers only to the fact that I work directly for the government.  Others with my education serve private interests and receive similar wages for their services.  There are no…”

“Enough,” shouted Tallun.  He rose and faced the middle of the table.  “Captain Lampte, this man is my captive.  I claim a Captain’s right to silence him and his lies.  Have any here ever heard of a king surrendering his crown because his subjects are unhappy with him?  I call an end to this farce here and now.”