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paint them a picture of what will happen if they have the temerity to vote me down that will
haunt their dreams for weeks to come.
And then?
And then the collection of the tribute must start as soon as possible. So must the recruit-
ment. And the training. You'll be pleased to know that I have decided to encamp part of the
Amirathan Militia on a royal domain, not far from here. Their initial training will take place at
Lorseth, then they will move here. I expect most of the soldiers will spend their pay in your
good city.
The mayor rubbed his hands.
Excellent. They won't be a burden, though? Unruly behavior, you know?
Anaxantis shrugged.
There's always a possibility of that. But I expect no more inconvenience than what you
have now. Besides, we have copied the disciplinary rules of the army for the militia. Have you
ever seen what a horsewhip does to a man's back? I assure you, whoever has witnessed that
once, becomes very, very careful not to transgress the rules.
Between your sergeants and our city guard we won't be running into too much trouble
then. Oh, before I forget, the other thing... I think I have convinced the majority, although not
everybody, and I'm sure the motion will pass easily.
Good that you mention it. I don't want it done by voting. I want it done by acclamation.
Acclamation?
Yes, acclamation. I don't want anybody counting afterwards. I want the appearance of un-
animity, of a united province. Think you can do it?
Oh, yes. It's even easier. Well, in a few hours the die will be cast.
Both men looked at each other and each saw that, notwithstanding their outward
calmness, they were nervous.
You're certain, mayor Fraleck asked, that the king won't intervene when you start mov-
ing against the Mukthars?
I'm very certain that he will intervene. Or at least try to intervene. Like the nobility, you
can leave His Glorious Majesty to me, lord mayor. I assure you, I am nothing like the count of
Whingomar.
Strangely enough, I believe you, Uppam Fraleck thought. I may well have grown soft in
the head, but by the Gods, I believe that you can outwit and outmaneuver your father. I might
be mistaken, but at least it will be an exciting mistake to make.
Come on guys, try to look as if you belonged together and not as if you were some flot-
sam accidentally washed together by an unkind sea.
Obyann snorted. The prince had ordered them to make the pages presentable, and he
was perfectly prepared to kick hem into presentability if need be. Of course, Landemere stood
there looking all impressive while being of no use whatsoever. He flicked an imaginary speck
of dust of his mantle and planted his fists in his sides.
So, let me repeat, there will be no pushing and pulling, no slouching and no wiping your
noses on your sleeves. And, yes, I'm looking at you Rivrant. And no farting. Absolutely no
farting. Don't look away, Yondar, you know very well I mean you. Man, you could chase a re-
giment of Mukthars back over the Somertian Mountains with those butt explosions of yours.
And Eldorn, I know I said to look decorously, but there is no need to pull a face as if we were
attending the funeral of your twenty five odd sisters. We want to impress the representatives
and the nobility, not make them commit suicide, so lighten up. Iramid, believe it or not, you're
even more handsome when you keep those flaps of wild flesh you call lips together. I'd never
thought the day would come I would say this, but there you are.
You could use a comb yourself, Arranulf whispered in his ear.
There's nothing wrong with my hair, Obyann hissed back.
Not if you want to impersonate a haystack in a storm, no.
Humph, we'd better get our act together. The prince will be coming any minute now.
They knew all too well that the prince liked to be called by the lesser title of lord governor,
but amongst themselves and to all others, except Anaxantis himself, they called him the
prince and his highness. Not particularly out of reverence. It was more to enhance their own
standing as his pages.
They were waiting in a little room that gave out to the main entrance hall. The Provincial
Council was being held in Dermolhea's City Hall, an ancient and imposing building. A big hall
had been fitted with benches at both sides of the aisle and a dais with a throne at the far end.
Some tables and chairs were put aside for Tomar and his scribes.
Since noon people had started arriving. They flocked together according to their status in
life. The higher nobles, the lower nobility, the mayors of important cities and those of more
modest townships. Everybody knew why the lord governor had called the Provincial Council.
The invitation had plainly stated that his proposal was a tribute to raise a Provincial Militia to
defend Amiratha against the expected barbarian onslaught. It had also stated that those who
didn't attend the meeting would be presumed to be in favor of the tribute. No wonder the
turnout was enormous, which pleased Anaxantis, but worried Tomar.
Around two in the afternoon Tomar asked for silence and bade the nobles and the repres-
entatives of the communities to take their prearranged places. The nobility right of the aisle,
the commoners left. When they were all seated, an expectant buzz began to fill the hall. After
about a quarter of an hour, two trumpeters of the cavalry entered and sounded their horns.
All rise, a herald shouted.
Everybody stood up and when the ruckus had died down somewhat, Anaxantis entered
the room, walking briskly down the aisle, followed by his personal guard and ten pages.
His royal highness, prince Anaxantis, lord governor of the Northern Marches, regent of
Landemere, the herald intoned.
While Anaxantis sat down in his throne-like chair, his guards took position left and right,
slightly behind him and the pages likewise fanned out, slightly before him. Arranulf and Oby-
ann stood nearest the throne. Sir Eckfred who sat very visibly on the first row, prodded both
his neighbors and pointed excitedly at his son, who did his best to ignore him. At last, when
his sire began to wave at him, he shot him an angry look.
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