Zoran Chronicles Volume 1 A Dragon in Our Town (66 page)

            
“Can his claim override ours?” Zoran asked, becoming worried that their plan
would fail.

            
“Not very likely. However, if we did not have a good basis, then, yes, his may well
win the day. I don’t think that we have too much to fear from his claim. Now let’s get
some dinner.”

            
After diner, Zoran and Carwyn held their private meeting. “It’s about time that we
had a chat, Baron,” Carwyn began his carefully planned discussion. “How is the
construction of your fortress coming along? It’s been nearly a year now, since
construction began, right?”

            
“Yes, the outer walls are up and the castle construction has begun. I’m afraid that
ours will be only a dim shadow of everyone else’s fortresses and castles. We just don’t
have the funds or the time to construct as elaborate ones as everyone else has. I’m
impressed with yours. It is so expansive.”

            
“Yes, space we have aplenty here on Anwyn. That, and a whole lot of sand. You
don’t need sand, now do you?” For a moment, Zoran thought he was serious, and then
the grin told him it was a tease. Both men chuckled. “Sand makes fine glassware.
Anyway, Zoran, you mentioned a key element, lack of funds. You see, you should not
consider us here your enemies. I know that Barons Milan and Viktor have convinced you
that it is us versus them, with the rest being politically Neutral.” Zoran nodded, he stated
the obvious.

            
“However, that is not the complete picture. Between you and I, Zoran,” he leaned
forward as if revealing some secret, “it is more like the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-not’s.’
Really, that is what a lot of these alliances are all about. You see, Adapazan is really with
our alliance, the have-not’s. Your planet is mountainous; it’s difficult to find much land
on which to grow crops. Grains, in particular, have to be imported. It is the same with us
here in the desert. We have hot sands and not much else. On Dietmar, Baron Eckhard’s
planet, snow predominates, nearly year round in much of his world. I cannot imagine
living in cold temperatures year round. Then on Jing, Baron Cheng’s world, swamps
prevail. Nearly all of that planet’s land mass is swampy and marshy. He does grow a lot
of rice, I’ll give him that. In many ways, Rehor, Baron Bogdan’s planet, is much like your
own, mountainous and rugged.”

            
“You see the bigger picture? We are the have-not’s. Admittedly, Asami, Baron
Hajime’s water world, at least has pearls in vast quantities so they can import nearly
everything a man must have to live. On Chana, Baron Aryeh’s desert planet, they have
vast diamond mines and trade such for staples. Gerde, Baron Adolf’s mountainous world
does have sufficient plains to grow sustainable crops, and he has plenty of gold mines.
These three are Neutral. While they are not wealthy planets, they are able to get by.”

            
“Now you take Gladno, Valtr, Cosma, Terra, and Gonda. All of these planets are
awash in nearly everything that makes life survivable and pleasurable. All five planets
are extremely wealthy. Have you not noticed that Cosma and Terra supply much of the
grains that sustain so many other planets? These planets have gotten rich off of the rest
of the planets. They are the have’s.”

            
“So you see, it is not some grand scheme of Good versus Evil in play here. It is a
game of the have’s versus the have-not’s. Really that is what it is all about. Adapazan is a
have-not planet, which is why your late father was aligned with us. Our objectives have
always been to get a better compensation from the wealthy planets. Have you not
noticed the wealth, the triumph of the arts on Gladno, Terra, and these others? Whereas
here, it is mere survival that occupies our daily lives. We have no time for the arts, not
on the scale that you saw on Terra, for example.”

            
“I know that Baron Milan is your Uncle and that Kazimir, the old fool, totally
treated you badly, forcing you into exile. Perhaps, that was for the best. After all, you
were able to rescue Brother Jiri, and he’s begun to create new Circles for the first time in
over two centuries. Did you know that Milan and Kazimir were half-brothers? They had
the same mother. I think that is in part why Milan has been so hard on Kazimir, sibling
rivalry.”

            
“Now I know that Baron Eckhard is grief-stricken over the sudden death of his
daughter. He is obligated to submit his petition for control over your father’s Circle. It
was his daughter who was to inherit it, you see. He owes that to her memory. All would
think less of him if he did not submit his petition. I know that you are also planning to
submit a similar petition, though I am not yet privy to your particulars. We will all find
out first thing in the morning.”

            
“I’m sure that the High Council will decide on the one which had the best merits.
I’m sure that Milan and Viktor have filled your head with notions that we may be
planning an invasion of Adapazan to take the Circles by force of arms. Am I right?”

            
Zoran didn’t think that answering would reveal any secrets. “Well, as a matter of
fact, they have. They are pledged to send their armies to help me defend if you launch an
attack against Adapazan.”

            
“We are the have-not’s. Why would we do such a thing? What is to be gained?
Only political votes. Nay, rather we ought to be assaulting Cosma, Gladno, and Terra.
They are the have’s. Watch your step with those barons, Zoran. In many ways, they are
using you for their own ends. They would much rather go to fight a war on Adapazan
than on their own planets. We only seek a better equity between the planets of the
Federation.”

            
Zoran decided to speak his peace. “Well, there is the slight matter of suppression,
slaughtering, slavery, and brutality that Kazimir wreaked on Adapazan. I am totally
against that. I stand for the Free People of Adapazan. There is more to all this than mere
inequity of riches, baron. Never have I seen worse conduct than that committed by
Kazimir. If there ever was an evil man, he was it, though I’ve heard that Bogdan is a
close second. I’ve not seen this kind of inhumanity to mankind, this kind of suppression
of free will on Terra, Gladno, or even Alta.” He decided against speaking out against the
mermaids of Asami, because such knowledge might not be widely known.

            
Zoran finished up, “My fight is not about money, riches, or wealth. Mine is about
the freedom of our people. I will fight against anyone who tries to crush our freedom and
free will.”

            
“You will get no argument from me on that point, Baron. Such a noble attitude is
most commendable indeed. However, I should also point out that Adapazan, like Rehor,
is rather an inhospitable world, filled with warring primitives, a harsh world that must
be tamed if civilization and broad scale survival is to be brought to such wild lands. Into
such wildernesses, only the strong survive. Baron Kazimir and Baron Bogdan are hardy
pioneers, fighting anyway they know how, with limited men and resources, trying to
tame a wild and primitive world. Sometimes, their methods may seem too harsh to our
eyes, but the end result should be what they are ultimately judged by. I personally admit
that many times, I thought that Kazimir went too far in his treatment of others. And I
often told him so, just as I frequently do Bogdan. In the final say, do the ends justify the
means? If they can take a primitive, harsh, wild planet and turn it into a civilized,
cultured world with a high survival potential, then I tend not to look too harshly on the
means.”

            
“You might have a different view if you were the one being suppressed,
slaughtered, or turned into a slave,” Zoran countered.

            
“Aye, son, I might at that. I promise you that I will continue to be vigilant with
Bogdan and continue to try to moderate his ways. I just wanted you to have another
point of view on the alliances of the High Council. In my opinion, it is not Good versus
Evil. It is political, the have’s versus the have-not’s. Just something for you to ponder.”

            
“I know my wife will be doing her best to give everyone a good time each evening.
She’s spent years working on the entertainment. Just realize that Anwyn is not Terra.
We do not have such expansive arts as they do. Our people must work just to survive.
We have little free time for the arts. She’s worked long and hard to put together three
wonderful evenings for everyone.”

            
Zoran was curious, “Say, how often does a planet get to play host to the High
Council?”

            
“Until you came along, and now Baron Leo, with two meetings a year and sixteen
planets, each planet plays host every eight years. This matter is on the agenda this time.
We must decide what to do now that more and more new barons are joining us,” he
replied. The two chatted a bit longer, before Baron Carwyn had to leave to welcome
more arrivals. Indeed, most were arriving this evening.

            
In the privacy of their suite, Zoran told his friends what Baron Carwyn had to say.
Most found his explanation fascinating. None of them had considered this point of view
before. In many ways, it did make sense.

            
At ten the next morning, Baron Carwyn gave his opening welcome speech. His
was short, and he quickly got down to the business at hand. “First, Brother Jiri Zar has
completed a new Circle of Ascension on Valtr. I give you Baron Viktor Pavel.”

            
Baron Viktor rose, “It is our great pleasure to announce that the new Circle is
fully functional. My son, Duke Stefan and his wife Rayna are there in the Visitor’s Area.
It is my wish that they become Baron Stefan and Baroness Rayna. Both are fully
qualified in all ways.”

            
After a round of perfunctory applause, Baron Carwyn asked if there were any
objections or challenges. Hearing none, the High Council voted unanimously in favor.
Carwyn then announced, “Be it here known that this Circle of Ascension belongs to
Baron Stefan Pavel and Baroness Rayna. You may come and take your place at the
council table.” While the group again applauded, the two took their seats beside Baron
Viktor, who was very pleased indeed.

            
Carwyn continued, “Brother Jiri has informed me that the Circle on Alta is
nearing completion. Further, he expects that by the fall council, he will have the next
new Circle on Terra finished. We should expect to introduce two more barons at our fall
session. Now then, the next action must be to address the vacancy of the Circle of
Ascension at Castle Dorumova due to the untimely death of Baron Kazimir and
Brunhilda, the wife of his heir, Damek. In acknowledgment of the fact that at this time
Damek has not married a qualified Duska, his claim to the throne is void. Thus, the
position must be filled by the High Council. In this matter, Baron Eckhard, father of
Brunhilda, wishes to make his petition first. I have granted it, as it was his daughter and
Duska that was slain. Baron, you have the floor.”

            
Baron Eckhard rose and spoke solemnly. “Such a sad day we face, when a baron
passes away leaving his Circle unmanned. This is why we strive so hard to have
guaranteed heirs to the throne. Had he left us just such an heir, we would only have to
give our approval and move on to more pressing matters. However, in this case, we must
fulfill our sworn duty to man up this Circle of Ascension.”

            
“To that end, I am petitioning on behalf of my late daughter, Brunhilda, who was
designated the Duska of Dorumova, in the event of Baron Kazimir’s death. As you may
know, my eldest son, Adolf, has long been declared my heir and thus cannot be
considered for this position. My youngest daughter, Greta, is married to Bran Clav and
Bran is the designated heir of Baron Bogdan. Thus, she is also ineligible by our rules. My
youngest son, Burkhard, is now eighteen and of age. He is, of course, fully Duska
trained. It is my petition that the Circle of Ascension in Castle Dorumova be given to
Burkhard, based on Brunhilda’s former position as heir-designate. I hope that you will
give this your strong consideration in her memory. Thank you.” He sat down. Several
Barons clapped for him.

            
Carwyn then rose and announced, “Baron Milan, on behalf of Baron Zoran, will
make another formal petition.”

            
Baron Milan rose and began his well-rehearsed presentation. “Federation Rules
are quite precise in this particular situation. First, let me point out that Brunhilda was
only heir-designate, she was never officially baroness, and thus her claim is secondary,
according to our rules. Likewise, per our rules, if Damek Kamil at this time has
remarried a valid Duska, it would be our obligation to declare the position his. Damek
has chosen not to do so. Thus, his claim to the throne is invalid, just as Baron Eckhard
has said. We do not argue that point. However, the rules clearly state that, in the event
the appointed heir is invalid at the time of appointment, then the eldest remaining son,
who is valid, may become the heir. Now that also fails because Zoran, Lida, and Rayna
are all holding similar positions at other Circles. Failing any valid, remaining sons, then
any remaining eldest daughter, who is valid, may become the Baroness. If none meet
those criteria, then it falls to the High Council to pick someone.”