The next part of the current chapter
Chapter IV - Continued.
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“Then we can move on to the points to discussion.” Derlen hated the days he had to preside over the council. Get out a few well-rehearsed, dusty phrases and read from a small parchment, and everyone thinks you’re the Canae-sent solution to all the problems. Indeed, the Elders were looking at him quite expectantly already. And not just because they were waiting for him to announce the first point on the agenda, he could see that as clearly as if he was reading minds.
“There are only three points for which the meeting has been called. I proposed to advance on these in order of increasing priority.” Again, nodding. Like dolls, not like wise and learned men and women.
“Our first concern is the stance of our Academy with regard to the current situation in the southern reaches. The Kingdom has officially requested us to lend support to the royal troops in quelling the rebellion – several times. Our current course of action has been based on ignoring the affair. Are there any comments?”
Muriel, the Archmagus of the First, raised her hand. “This war has no purpose, not for either side. While it is a minor problem, it has little chance of affecting our fate negatively. To send in support to either side now would merely unbalance the conflict and escalate it.”
“I agree.” Vorlud Denvaris, acknowledged as the one in charge of the Academy’s ‘foreign politics’ if you will. “Yet, we must be careful at this time to maintain diplomatic ties with the royal court. You know the current state of affairs---“ a few members familiar with them groaned. Oh and how. “— and we are all aware of the kind of decisions being made by the advisors now. Any kind of harsh, outspoken rejection might provoke them.”
Another member of the council – of the Fourth, Derlen saw from the blue-green robes that indicated the element of water, but did not recognize him – rose.
“And so?”, his question filled the room onfidently, almost arrogantly, like a challenge. “What is it to us if the King should decide to commit hostilities toward us? His armies are insignificant and for the most part caught up in the rebellion he brought on himself with his foolish decisions. Even the Royal Wizards, though powerful, are under our higher command. He cannot use them against us; they would not obey.
“Why should we bend down to the worldly, to those whose only goal is the power and influence among humankind?” A murmur of approval went through the council; the mage had hit a nerve. “Why should we follow the commands of such a one, when they will only bring trouble, and there is no benefit to us or to the world we are guarding? What can the King do if we refuse?” he sat back down, his rhethorical question concluding his argument.
Derlen sighed.
“They cannot harm us directly, but you are familiar with history. You know what happened before this institution was even allowed to exist, before mages could walk in daylight and not fear banishment, or worse, torture and execution. You know what it took even after the necessity became clear.” The challenger knew, yes. Everyone present knew. “If the King is sufficiently displeased with us, he does not need to make an attack on our Citadel. He can outlaw the practice of wizardry within his realm, and see where it gets us.” He nearly rose out of his seat and began to pace as he was wont to do under pressure, but managed to remain seated.
“Do you propose to accede to his request then?" The tone was kept barely credulous.
"By all means, no!" Derlen hastened to assure, "But we must maintain diplomatic ties with the crown; we cannot reject them openly. Let us defer a direct response."
Tarla Inares, the councillor in charge of court relations, rose at this point.
"If I may add my professional opinion, that tactic will aid us for a very limited time. It isn't clear how much longer that will be. The couriers arriving from the city of Thara is becoming more frequent, their requests more direct. They grow impatient. To maintain vagueness may be no different than to actually deny them support."
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“Then we can move on to the points to discussion.” Derlen hated the days he had to preside over the council. Get out a few well-rehearsed, dusty phrases and read from a small parchment, and everyone thinks you’re the Canae-sent solution to all the problems. Indeed, the Elders were looking at him quite expectantly already. And not just because they were waiting for him to announce the first point on the agenda, he could see that as clearly as if he was reading minds.
“There are only three points for which the meeting has been called. I proposed to advance on these in order of increasing priority.” Again, nodding. Like dolls, not like wise and learned men and women.
“Our first concern is the stance of our Academy with regard to the current situation in the southern reaches. The Kingdom has officially requested us to lend support to the royal troops in quelling the rebellion – several times. Our current course of action has been based on ignoring the affair. Are there any comments?”
Muriel, the Archmagus of the First, raised her hand. “This war has no purpose, not for either side. While it is a minor problem, it has little chance of affecting our fate negatively. To send in support to either side now would merely unbalance the conflict and escalate it.”
“I agree.” Vorlud Denvaris, acknowledged as the one in charge of the Academy’s ‘foreign politics’ if you will. “Yet, we must be careful at this time to maintain diplomatic ties with the royal court. You know the current state of affairs---“ a few members familiar with them groaned. Oh and how. “— and we are all aware of the kind of decisions being made by the advisors now. Any kind of harsh, outspoken rejection might provoke them.”
Another member of the council – of the Fourth, Derlen saw from the blue-green robes that indicated the element of water, but did not recognize him – rose.
“And so?”, his question filled the room onfidently, almost arrogantly, like a challenge. “What is it to us if the King should decide to commit hostilities toward us? His armies are insignificant and for the most part caught up in the rebellion he brought on himself with his foolish decisions. Even the Royal Wizards, though powerful, are under our higher command. He cannot use them against us; they would not obey.
“Why should we bend down to the worldly, to those whose only goal is the power and influence among humankind?” A murmur of approval went through the council; the mage had hit a nerve. “Why should we follow the commands of such a one, when they will only bring trouble, and there is no benefit to us or to the world we are guarding? What can the King do if we refuse?” he sat back down, his rhethorical question concluding his argument.
Derlen sighed.
“They cannot harm us directly, but you are familiar with history. You know what happened before this institution was even allowed to exist, before mages could walk in daylight and not fear banishment, or worse, torture and execution. You know what it took even after the necessity became clear.” The challenger knew, yes. Everyone present knew. “If the King is sufficiently displeased with us, he does not need to make an attack on our Citadel. He can outlaw the practice of wizardry within his realm, and see where it gets us.” He nearly rose out of his seat and began to pace as he was wont to do under pressure, but managed to remain seated.
“Do you propose to accede to his request then?" The tone was kept barely credulous.
"By all means, no!" Derlen hastened to assure, "But we must maintain diplomatic ties with the crown; we cannot reject them openly. Let us defer a direct response."
Tarla Inares, the councillor in charge of court relations, rose at this point.
"If I may add my professional opinion, that tactic will aid us for a very limited time. It isn't clear how much longer that will be. The couriers arriving from the city of Thara is becoming more frequent, their requests more direct. They grow impatient. To maintain vagueness may be no different than to actually deny them support."
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posted by Arancaytar at Friday, November 05, 2004
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