Abuud: the One-Eyed God (7 page)

"Many times we have had councilors assassinated to create an opening in this Council, but usually it is someone on the outside desiring a seat," scowled Duke Everich. "This time, apparently, the assassin was hired by one of us."

Vocal cries of protest emanated from around the table as each councilor scanned the faces of the others as if they could determine the guilt by sight.

"What scoundrel would do such a thing?" Duke Tredor blurted out. "Is there nothing sacred between us any more?"

"Obviously not," scowled Duke Everich as he dismissed the breach of protocol. "Fortunately, we have managed to extract a confession from the assassin, a man named Herzel."

Duke Engar closed his eyes and gritted his teeth as his hands tightened on the arms of his chair. Duke Everich nodded to the two soldiers standing guard near the door, and they waited expectantly to hear the name of the man they would arrest.

"Not only was Herzel very forthcoming with the name of his employer," Duke Everich continued, "but he was foolish enough to use a dagger with the crest of his employer as the weapon of choice. We have confiscated the dagger and I promise that it will be prominently displayed in this very room as a warning to future councilors. We will not tolerate any more Duke Engars on this Council."

Gasps ran around the table as the soldiers moved swiftly to arrest Duke Engar. Engar did not put up a fight as he was dragged away by the soldiers.

"Councilors," continued Duke Everich as the door closed behind the soldiers, "it appears that we have two seats to fill on this Council. I suggest that you give careful consideration to your nominees. We shall meet here again tomorrow morning following the execution of Duke Engar."

Duke Everich nodded to the councilors and left the room. The previously quiet murmurs in the Council Chamber erupted into loud conversation. Some councilors posed that there should be a trial for Duke Engar while others replied that a confession and the dagger was enough evidence for the execution. During the turmoil, one quiet councilor approached two of the others.

"Duke Tredor," greeted Duke Graves, "Duke Zalski, I think the three of us need to have a talk."

"What about?" questioned Duke Tredor.

"Our choice of nominees," responded Duke Graves. "Your hands came down the same time mine did. I think that a certain young lady who wishes a seat on this Council is charming us all. It appears that she also managed to get to Duke Engar, and I do not wish to end up like him. You should also be aware that Duke Everich took note of our hands going down when they did."

"She is betrothed to my son," stated Duke Tredor. "Why shouldn't I sponsor her?"

"But she is betrothed to my son," countered Duke Zalski.

"I fear she is betrothed to all of our sons," scowled Duke Graves. "That is why we must talk."

Duke Tredor nodded and rose, as did Duke Zalski. They followed Duke Graves out the door and across the street to the Palace Shadow. Duke Graves secured a quiet table in the corner, and the three councilors ordered a meal.

"So she is pitting the three of us against each other," opened Duke Tredor. "We could assure her a seat on the Council and then see who wins her hand in marriage. Her father's wealth could be split among us."

"It is more than that," frowned Duke Graves. "I suspect that she doesn't plan to marry any of our sons. She is just using us. What bothers me is how Duke Everich orchestrated the meeting this morning."

"What do you mean?" questioned Duke Zalski.

"He knew that Duke Engar was the guilty party before the meeting," explained Duke Graves. "Yet he allowed us to believe that we would nominate someone for the Council. Do you think it was by pure chance that he chose Duke Engar's hand to reply to first?"

"He wanted to see who Duke Engar would nominate," gasped Duke Zalski.

"Precisely," nodded Duke Graves.

"And he recognized that our hands went down when Duke Engar nominated Niki," scowled Duke Tredor. "Now he probably thinks we were a party to the assassination."

"Exactly," nodded Duke Graves. "I have no doubt that she put the thought into the minds of our sons, but I refuse to be manipulated to the point of death by some aspiring woman. You claim she is rich, but I have it on good advice that her mansion was purchased by Duke Everich himself."

"Duke Everich?" echoed Duke Zalski. "But that makes no sense. If Duke Everich wanted Niki on the Council then why didn't he let the nomination stand and then arrest Duke Engar?"

"Perhaps because he realized that she is playing him for a fool as well," replied Duke Graves.

"Maybe Duke Everich only assisted her father in securing the estate," offered Duke Tredor. "Her father inherited all of Stafa Rakech's wealth when he died. I doubt she needs to accept an estate from Duke Everich."

"Stafa Rakech?" queried Duke Graves. "I am not sure where your information came from, but Stafa Rakech is not dead. How could her father have inherited anything?"

"Not dead?" echoed Duke Tredor. "How can you be certain? Nobody has seen or heard of him in twenty years."

"He does not like to draw attention to himself," replied Duke Graves. "I know for a fact that he resides here in Tagaret."

"In Tagaret?" repeated Duke Zalski. "How do you know this?"

"I was thinking about my own security," explained Duke Graves. "Last month two new mercenary companies opened in Tagaret and it got me thinking that they might be the answer to security. I visited each of their offices and inquired about the services they provide. While I was at the Grakus Mercenary Company I overheard a conversation about Stafa Rakech. I was curious so I dallied a while to see if I could hear what was said. They talked about Stafa Rakech ordering over a hundred men. At first I thought it must be a hoax, but they mentioned an address, and I took a ride later that day to check it out."

"And what did you find?" questioned Duke Zalski.

"I found an estate with over a hundred mercenaries guarding it," answered Duke Graves. "The guards refused to say whose estate it was, which is what I would expect. So I went to the Palace to see if I could trace the transaction records of the estate. Guess what I found?"

"What?" begged Duke Tredor.

"Duke Everich had already requested the same information," replied Duke Graves. "The clerks thought I was asking for some official Council business and let me peruse the report. He used some rather complicated transfers in an attempt to hide his ownership, but Stafa Rakech was the purchaser of the estate."

"That means that Niki Forloe is an imposter," scowled Duke Tredor. "She told my son that her father was Stafa Rakech's only heir that the old man had died long ago."

"And Duke Everich is the one promoting her," added Duke Zalski.

"Yes," agreed Duke Graves. "I think it is time that Stafa Rakech was welcomed to the neighborhood."

"The stories that I have heard indicate that he never sees anyone," commented Duke Zalski.

"The Contest of Power is more than a game, gentlemen," declared Duke Graves as he stood to leave. "Our lives are on the line, and I am not going to be manipulated by the likes of Duke Everich and Niki Forloe. If Stafa Rakech can verify that Niki is a fraud then that information will be valuable to us. You may sit idle until tomorrow's meeting of the Council, but I plan to be prepared."

Duke Zalski watched Duke Graves leave the dining room of the Palace Shadow before turning to Duke Tredor and asking, "What do you think? Do you trust Duke Graves, or is he trying to trap us?"

"I do not even trust you," snarled Duke Tredor. "Trust is not something you extend to another councilor in Tagaret. Still, he made some valid points regarding what is going on in this city. My son was to marry that wench, and I need to know who is putting her up to this."

"My son was to be the groom," Duke Zalski shot back. "To think he wasted valuable funds courting her."

"Did she ask him to make a seat on the Council available for her?" questioned Duke Tredor. "Did she ever suggest eliminating a councilor?"

"Not that I am aware of," replied Duke Zalski, "but she made it clear that the wedding would not take place until she was seated on the Council."

"Well she did propose eliminating a councilor to my son," frowned Duke Tredor. "I have no doubt that her demands led Duke Engar to his death. It could easily have been me that was arrested this morning, had I been as gullible as Duke Engar. Perhaps Duke Graves does have a reasonable approach to the problem. Stafa Rakech is known to have spies everywhere. I think I will catch up to him and join him in visiting Stafa Rakech."

"Do you think Stafa Rakech is a player in the game?" asked Duke Zalski.

"Stafa Rakech avoids public appearances," Duke Tredor shook his head. "He might have a hand in backing a candidate though."

"Then I cannot afford to let Duke Graves go without me," surmised Duke Zalski. "If Stafa Rakech is going to accept a meeting with councilors, then I plan to be one of them. Do you know if Stafa Rakech has a daughter?"

Duke Tredor laughed as he rose, "If he does, your son does not stand a chance. Actually, he did have a daughter," Duke Tredor said more seriously. "She was the Empress of Sordoa, but that was a long time ago. The story I heard said that Stafa Rakech owned the country of Sordoa."

Duke Zalski rose swiftly and followed Duke Tredor out of the Palace Shadow. As they exited the building they saw Duke Graves just getting into his carriage. Duke Tredor shouted and ran to catch the carriage before it left. Duke Graves grinned as he watched the two councilors running to procure a ride in his carriage.

"I thought you would be along shortly," chuckled Duke Graves as the other two councilors entered the carriage. "It is fortunate for you that my runner took so long to have my carriage brought up. You almost missed the chance to meet with the richest man in the world."

"You sound fairly confident that Stafa Rakech will see us," panted Duke Zalski.

"Actually I am not confident at all," frowned Duke Graves. "I am hoping that he will find a visit by three councilors curious enough to admit us. I doubt he would see any one of us separately."

The carriage halted at the gate to the grand estate as a green-clad mercenary approached it. Duke Tredor noticed the image of a dragon sewn onto the sleeve of the mercenary.

"What does the dragon represent?" he asked Duke Graves.

"It is the symbol of the Grakus Mercenary Company," Duke Graves replied. "It is reported that dragons have taken up residence on the island since the Collapse. I thought the stories were yarns until one of our ships returned to port. The sails were burnt and there were huge claw marks upon the mast. I have heard many a tale about the dragons in the years since then."

"I am sorry, gentlemen, but this is a private estate," declared the mercenary as he approached the carriage. "Unless you have an appointment, I must ask you to continue your journey."

"We have come to speak with Stafa Rakech," stated Duke Tredor while Duke Graves groaned under his breath.

"I do not know of anyone by that name," declared the mercenary. "Please move your carriage along or I shall summon men to move it."

"Officer," interrupted Duke Graves, "I am Duke Graves of the Council. My guests are also councilors, Duke Tredor and Duke Zalski. We desire an audience with the master of the estate. Please relay our request for a meeting."

The mercenary peered into the carriage and nodded glumly, "I will return shortly with your answer."

"Why continue with the meeting if this is not Stafa Rakech's estate?" questioned Duke Zalski after the mercenary was away from the carriage.

"Stafa Rakech would never admit to being himself," scowled Duke Graves. "Can you imagine how many people would rush here to speak with him? This is his estate; trust me. I suspect even after we speak with him that he will never acknowledge who he is."

"I have seen that mercenary somewhere before," mused Duke Tredor. "I just cannot place his face."

"He was a Targa Ranger," offered Duke Graves. "You can't recall his face because you have never paid much attention to the little people as I do. There are many ex-Rangers employed by the Grakus Mercenary Company and the Koman Mercenary Company. They should make excellent bodyguards. That is one of the reasons that I was checking them out."

"Well that mercenary did not appear to be impressed with three councilors," stated Duke Zalski. "How do you know if they will really protect you? We were after all responsible for the demise of the Rangers."

"The Rangers were no longer needed for the city," retorted Duke Graves. "We did our job as stewards of Tagaret's purse strings. Besides, they were all offered jobs with the regular army. Obviously the pay of a mercenary is more desirable to them. How can they complain?"

"Mercenary companies live and die by their reputation," added Duke Tredor. "If they do not protect a client they will suffer greatly for it."

"Perhaps Duke D'Ales should have invested some of his funds in better protection," Duke Graves bemoaned aloud.

The interior of the carriage lapsed into silence until the mercenary returned and ordered the gates opened to admit the carriage.

"The master will see you briefly," announced the mercenary.

The carriage proceeded through the gates and along the drive to the front steps of the mansion. An aged servant opened the carriage door for the councilors. The old man offered no greeting to the visitors, but simply turned and hobbled up the steps. He opened the door to the mansion, and the councilors entered into a massive and ornate entrance foyer. The old man closed the large door with obvious effort and then led the trio down a long corridor to the special sitting room.

Duke Tredor inhaled audibly as the councilors were led into the austere sitting room. The room was stark in comparison to the rest of wealthily appointed mansion and certainly appeared to belong in a different home. Duke Graves examined the two mercenary guards as Duke Tredor and Duke Zalski occupied the only two chairs. Within moments, the aged servant returned with another simple wooden chair and Duke Graves sat down. As soon as he sat, lights were lit in the room beyond the silk screen.