Zoran Chronicles Volume 1 A Dragon in Our Town (36 page)

            
Both men grinned. Viktor said, “He is getting smarter by the minute!”

            
“Down to business then, Zoran. You need a fortress and castle built there in Brn
immediately,” Milan continued. “You need an army to defend it. An army needs military
supplies. Brn is really an isolated area, primitive compared to all other capital cities
within the Federation. If Kazimir and his allies launch an invasion toward Brn, attacking
either the warlord provinces of Lesy or Kin, while your dragons could fly there to oppose
them, there is little that you can do to stop them. To get to you overland, they would
have to go through Lesy, Radim, and Veklov Provinces or go through Kin, Tehov, and
Valy Provinces. The more direct route thorough Orlovia is out because of the blocked
passage from Sholov Province. Son, there is no way those warlords could withstand the
shock troops of Kazimir and his allies. You are facing monumental problems.”

            
“He is understating it,” Viktor added solemnly. “It’s grim indeed. We’ve been
working out how we can help since we last saw you. Son, you have allies in this. Would
you like the honor, Milan?” he asked, a twinkle in his eye. Zoran wondered what these
two men had in mind.

            
Milan nodded, and spoke, “Zoran, your allies want you to have a chance to hold
on to your Circle. It is in our best interests that you do — balance of power shift and all
that that entails. We’ve worked out a scheme which we think will give you the best odds.
First must come the construction of a suitable fortification and castle near your tower.
Now ordinarily, if we had our engineers design one and then see to its construction, one
would expect the most basic shell to be done in perhaps ten years, while its completion
would be more like thirty years down the line or more, depending upon the
sophistication of its construction and availability of supplies and workers.”

            
“But we don’t have either the money or ten years, Uncle,” Zoran protested,
wondering what Milan was going to propose.

            
“Indeed, son, we do not. Baron Tom Witherspoon of Terra, Baron Aldo Monda of
Cosma, Baron Etienne Gervaise of Gonda, and we have agreed on a plan. All five of us
will send our engineers and all of our construction crews to assist you in building your
fortification and castle. We will cover all of the expense of our crews and the
construction costs. Later on, as your funds come in, you can then set about a repayment
plan. Our engineers assure us that in one year’s time, you will have a basic defensible
shell ready to go and within two — three at the outside — it will be finished. That is,
unless you opt for anything really fancy. We’re talking a basic fortress that can withstand
a siege and a habitable castle safe enough to protect a Circle of Ascension.”

            
The shocked look on Zoran’s face told the two men everything. Both knew that
they had Zoran right where they wanted him! “I — I don’t know what to say! This is, well
it is more than I ever dreamed would be possible! Yes, yes, I agree. I will do everything I
can to repay you as soon as physically possible! Thank you! Thank you from all of the
free people of Adapazan!”

            
“Good. Good. Now then, before we dive into such details, the matter of an army
must be discussed. We five believe that in spite of your dragons, Kazimir and his allies
may try to take your Brn by force of arms, probably coming from the south through
Lesy, Radim, and Veklov Provinces. The climate is far warmer than the northern route.
Again, your allies have asked me to present the following proposition to you. If they
attempt to bring an army overland to attack Brn, we five Barons promise to send large
armies to come to your defense.”

            
Zoran grinned, “Politically sound. You cannot risk losing this sudden shift in the
power balance. If Kazimir comes after me, you have to do everything you can to stop
him.”

            
“Told you that he is wising up,” Viktor teased Milan. Both men chuckled.

            
“So what do I have to give up to get this guarantee of support of five armies if we
are attacked? There must be a price — besides being politically correct.”

            
“Well, son, of course there is. We five Barons wish two things from you. First, at
the High Council meetings, we wish that you would side with us as often as you ethically
can. We need your vote. Second, we five Barons wish that you would intercede on our
behalf with the dragons. You see, we five would love to have a flock of dragons on our
worlds — dragons that would help us defend our lands. We know that the dragons on
Voss are starving to death, and we would like to offer some of them sanctuary on our
worlds, as long as we have amiable, workable relations, that is.”

            
Zoran laughed, he was taken completely by surprise. “You want your dragons
too!” He roared. “Soon, everyone will want my dragons. I cannot imagine why? My two
dragon friends only eliminated some two thousand shock troops in a half hour without
getting the slightest scratch on themselves. Could that be why?” Milan and Viktor now
saw that Zoran was teasing them, both men joined in his laughter.

            
“Of course, son, why else?” Milan finally replied. “After all, you have just
introduced a new unlimited weapon of sorts. I know that this sounds crass and callous of
us. Dragons, well the ones that we’ve met, are highly intelligent creatures. It is just that
we would like such allies on our side. Besides, if conditions on Voss are as Aldrick says,
they are all starving to death. Think of it as a humanitarian action on your part.”

            
“You have me in a box and you both know it, don’t you,” Zoran replied a bit
testily. “They are not animals or lizards that you can discard when you don’t need them.
They are more like another highly intelligent race of beings — to be treated as such.
Besides, if you eventually wish them to leave, you will have an awfully hard time of it.
They are at the top of the food chain, so to speak. If you do not treat them fairly and with
great respect, you are likely to be destroyed by them. Are you sure that you want to take
this move? I was forced into it by circumstances — the only way I can protect my Circle
at the moment.”

            
“Of course, of course. Yes, we discussed this possibility with Aldrick when we met
with him. He will be very willing to work with you on this project of resettlement of gold
dragons,” Milan replied. “I see no reason that our two races cannot get along well with
each other.”

            
“Are you sure that you want to do this? Once they come, there may be no way to
get rid of them if things do not work out as you have planned, Uncle.”

            
“Yes, we are all very sure of this. After all, Zoran, if Baron Kazimir and his allies
know that you have signed a mutual defense pack with us and that we five also possess a
flock of dragons, they will think hard about launching an invasion of your Wild Lands. It
is the best deterrent that we can devise at this time. Honestly, Zoran, we are doing all
that we can to look out for your interests here — as well as our own, as you ought to
expect,” Baron Viktor added.

            
“Well, they would be fools to launch an overland assault if they know that you five
would send an army each and accompanied by more dragons.” Zoran had to admit that
their plan was sound. Only fools would dare challenge such an alliance. Perhaps, this
would buy him the time he desperately needed. “Okay, I will sign such an agreement.”

            
No longer surprised, Baron Milan handed him several documents that they had
prepared in advance for him to sign. Zoran chuckled, “You knew that I would agree to all
this beforehand, didn’t you?”

            
“Of course, what other choices do you have? I hate to be so blunt about it, but this
change in the balance of power is of monumental importance. We cannot allow it to slip
through our hands! Besides, we have tried to make it as painless on you as possible.
Honestly, you have so much to handle anyway. How in heaven’s name you are going to
get all those barbarian warlords under control is beyond us.”

            
Zoran signed the documents and was given a copy of them. “Now, next business is
business. Barons Tom and Aldo control agrarian planets and have plenty of grains to
trade with you. Barons Etienne and Viktor have hilly planets with thousands of horses to
trade with you, while Gladno is heavily forested and I have all kinds of high quality
lumber to trade.”

            
“Yes, but what do I have to trade in return?” Zoran asked. This was far beyond his
experience; he’d never paid any attention to his father’s business dealings.

            
“Ores, precious gems and metals, son. Adapazan is loaded with valuable minerals,
such as iron and copper, to say nothing of gems, gold, and silver,” Baron Milan replied,
wondering just how ignorant his nephew actually was about his own home world.
“Barons Tom and Etienne are particularly keen on trading for these. Such are in short
supply in their plains worlds. You will find some of the neutral planets also in dire need
of ores. None more so than the water world of Baron Hajime Yoko of Asami.”

            
Seeing how little Zoran actually new about commerce, Baron Viktor added, “If I
might be allowed to make another suggestion, Baron Archmage Zoran.” He used his full
title purposely, “Nowhere in the Federation of Planets are six Archmages under one roof.
The sheer magnitude of magical energies that you command is beyond impressive. Yet,
you could use that to your advantage. If you could convince your fellow Archmages to
devote some time and energy to the creation of magical items, you would find a very,
very lucrative market for those within the Federation. Enchanted rings, amulets, swords,
and daggers can fetch a heady price. Just something to consider, son.”

            
“Yes, we just want to point out that from a commerce point of view, your situation
is far from hopeless,” Milan added his justification to the mix.

            
“Thanks for the ideas. I readily admit that I am most ignorant of this business
aspect. As you may well imagine, I stayed totally out of the Baron’s affairs. Besides, I
spent all my time learning combat skills and magic, as a young Duska is obligated to do.
I’m afraid that I am going to need your able assistance with commerce. I don’t even
know what to charge for our goods, let alone if other barons are taking advantage of my
ignorance. Can I count on your advice when trading deals come up?”

            
Both Baron Milan and Baron Viktor smiled, the latter adding, “Of course,
nephew. It would reflect poorly upon us if it became widely known that another baron
had taken unfair advantage of my nephew. When you are going to bargain, let us know.
One of us will come with you to help out.”

            
“Thanks. Politics again?” Zoran ventured. Both men nodded. “Say, suppose that
we do wish to trade ores for grain. How is this accomplished between worlds? I’ve often
wondered just how it’s done. I have seen men arriving at Dorum with wagon loads of
goods.”

            
“Ah, this is our province, Zoran,” Baron Viktor chose to answer him.
“Teleportation does not work between planets, as you well know. The only method of
inner-planetary travel is using our Duska Shadow Walk. Duskas Shadow Walk a wagon
load at a time between worlds. Usually, this is a task that we assign to our sons, once
they are trained. Duke Stefan has made many a Walk on Valtr’s behalf. Of course, the
transaction is fully arranged beforehand, and he takes a number of security men with
him.”

            
“Over the centuries, there has been virtually no evil intervention during trading
transactions between the planets. The political fallout would be devastating. For
instance, if Baron Kazimir should attack one of your shipments from another world,
then the entire High Council would completely isolate him. He would be instantly cut off
from all further trade with the other fifteen worlds. None of us can afford such
draconian measures. We all need things that the other worlds have in abundance. No,
waylaying a Duska shipment is tantamount to cutting your own throat. Still, assassins
find such times fruitful; hence always take good security measures, Zoran.”

            
“Say, since this is all new to you, what say that we visit my accountants?” Baron
Milan suggested. “They can show you some typical transactions that I have recently
made. It will give you some idea of how much a wagon of grain is worth and so on. That
will take only a few minutes. Then, let’s meet with our five top fortress engineers and get
to work on designing yours, shall we?”

            
“Thanks, that would be valuable, Uncle. Say, how can I get a map of the
Federation Planets and one like that of Adapazan that you have there on your wall?”
Zoran asked. He realized that he knew very little at all about the geography and layout of
his own Wild Lands and of Adapazan. This knowledge he knew that he would need
almost immediately when they returned to Brn.