Bill gave out with a barking laugh. And I should share that with you because ?
Because its a condition of the negotiation.
I have a son, one among many, but one who is especially gifted and bright and hes a little too anxious for me to visit Lims-Kragmas Hall so he can take over the Council. If I send him to Krondor He shrugged.
You double your criminal empire and remove your most dangerous threat in a single moment.
Its a difficult situation, said Bill. One of the reasons hes such a threat is Im fond of the lad and he knows it. Moreover, he also knows his mother would be beside herself if I cut his throat-, he shook his head ruefully, -and she can be a force to be reckoned with.
Jim laughed, then said, Done.
Bill looked surprised. After a moment, he said, Done?
If we survive this coming war, I am retired, Bill. Im done with murder and intrigue and betrayal. I would need to install another as Upright Man, so why not your boy? He almost laughed. Though I will put conditions on him; how the Mockers survive in on a high level of trust within those who call Mothers home. I will not have that betrayed.
Well, and done! said Bill slapping his hand on the table. He extended it, and Jim shook it in one sharp gesture. Now, said the butcher, on the subject of betrayal
Yes?
I have heard things from both Kesh and Roldem. The Ragged Brotherhood in Kesh is keeping watch on all that occurs within the Upper City and are closely following the ins and outs of Trueblood politics. Likewise, the Shadows in Roldem are painfully aware of the changes there, as the embargo from Kesh has dried up a great deal of their business, though we do manage to keep a certain level of commerce active: Keshs fleet is not incorruptible and smugglers are not a priority for them.
So what do you know?
Know? Not much, but I suspect a great deal. To the point, this war makes no sense on any level I can imagine. I am no historian or scholar, nor am I a true master of commerce. But in our line of work you do learn a thing or two along the way. War is about two things, said Bill, extending two fingers and tapping the first. Its about miserable failure in diplomacy, admitting you couldnt get what you wanted by arguing or persuasion, pleading or threatening. He tapped the second finger. And its about profit. New land, booty, creating vassal states or any number of things that look like a profit to the winner. Even if conquest is not the reason, beating up your neighbour, winning, demanding ridiculous reparation, then going home, is profitable.
But theres a third reason?
Bill grinned. Youre anticipating me. Yes, the one reason no one cares to consider is madness. Some insane ruler or mad prophet or high priest hears a voice in his head and off march the armies.
But theres a third reason?
Bill grinned. Youre anticipating me. Yes, the one reason no one cares to consider is madness. Some insane ruler or mad prophet or high priest hears a voice in his head and off march the armies.
So, which is this?
Theres the thing, said Bill, almost too delighted to speak.
Just then the door opened and a small man carrying a sack began to step over the threshold.
Get the hell out! bellowed Bill Cutter in a voice to tear the bricks off the wall. Were not open yet!
The man leapt back, slamming the shop door so that the windows rattled.
Turning back to Jim, Bill said, Best hurry. Im late to open. Now, where was I? Oh, yes, the thing is, this war meets none of the three reasons we enumerated. There was no failed diplomacy. Correct?
Kesh made no claims in the west beyond their usual rants about the Vale of Dreams, agreed Jim.
And from what we can see, they appear to be hurtling towards bankrupting the imperial treasury to claim lands in the west that will not provide enough revenue to recoup in the next decade. More, the excuse they need to relocate recalcitrant vassal tribes from the Confederacy to take pressure off the Empire is patently false. He held up an index figure for emphasis. For centuries Kesh has kept the Confederacy bottled up below the Girdle and watched with cold amusement as the nations of the Confederacy slaughtered one another for whatever reasons they dreamed up, enduring the occasional rebellion as a consequence, but that is merely the cost of doing business.
At times I am convinced that had the Empire had the resources, they would have built a big bleeding gate between the Belt and the Clasp, and thrown away the key. Now suddenly they start a war with their most powerful opponent in the world, to seize almost worthless lands in Crydee and Yabon just so they can move some rebellious tribesmen halfway around the world for what? To make the Truebloods in the Upper City of Kesh feel good about their humanitarian impulses and their love of less fortunate subjects? Hardly.
Jim nodded, uncertain where all this was going.
So, let us for a moment consider the two northern kingdoms. Roldem buttons up their little island and tucks in their fleet. First they try to play honest broker, but quickly theyre scolding both sides, threatening to go one way then another, ally with the Kingdom should Kesh initiate hostilities, yet give no assurances to the Kingdom they will aide them, even though Kesh could overmatch either fleet, but not both. Should Roldem declare for the Kingdom and sail, the Keshians in the Sea of Kingdoms would be quickly driven back to their ports and then the Kingdom has leverage to convince Kesh to withdraw from the west. So, why doesnt Roldem declare? Leaning forward, Bill said, Because-
The door opened and before Jim could see anyone through it, Bill bellowed, Were closed! and it snapped quickly shut.
Where was I? Ah, yes. Because Roldem seems intent on using the war as a massive distraction for the benefit of its citizenry while a gentleman named Lord John Worthington attempts a rather neat little coup detat. From what I hear, princes and princesses are in hiding, theres secret police everywhere, and the King and Queen are comfortably at rest in a wing of their palace where all their servants wear weapons and ignore royal commands. Word is Lord John means to marry off his eldest to the Princess Stephane, which would give him a very real presence in the royal household. Which brings us to the Kingdom.
Jim nodded. The war is being conducted not to lose, as opposed to trying to win.
And even there its being waged badly. So badly we have reports of Ceresian corsairs sailing from whatever misbegotten pest hole they call home to raid along the coastal waters from Ran to Watchers Point. Word is they sacked Prandurs Gate with impunity while the Lords of the Border sat and did nothing. They sail right past Keshs pickets and are ignored.
Jim sat back. That I did not know. That could bring the Eastern Kingdoms into the fray. If they think Kesh is allowing the Ceresians to raid their ports
Well, you just got back to town and from what my people tell me you had a long ride halfway to Rodez for no good reason.
What do you know of Rodez?
The command there is intact as of two weeks ago. They sortie against any ships that come too close, pirate or Keshian, and prevent further encroachment into Kingdom waters. But theres a line in the water, apparently, from Ran to the northernmost peak of the Quor, through the Straits of Ilthros, beyond which no Kingdom authority exists. Makes it ripe for the Eastern Kingdoms to settle old grudges, so expect that soon.
Jim said, Whats your conclusion?
That no one is fighting to win. Theyre just fighting.
To what end?
That, my new ally, is the heart of the matter. Who wins a war that no one wants to win?
Jim was silent then said, Someone who wants the war to continue.
Very good. Now, who might that be?
Jims mind was racing and already a pattern was beginning to emerge. I think I might know, but Im not yet certain.
Then you best hop on that question.
Jim looked at Bill and saw that he was grinning. Tell me of Kesh. Who is truly in command?
Bills expression became more considered. A minor nephew to the Emperor. The Truebloods breed like rabbits so theres no shortage of opportunities for nepotism in the Upper City. This magistrate is called Prince Harfum, but he has cleverly managed to install his own people in every key position. So while the Gallery of Lords and Masters thunders in debate, the bureaucracy quietly goes about the business of running everything in Kesh.
Jim held up his hand, showing three fingers. Prince Harfum, Lord John Worthington, and Sir William Alcorn.
Bill nodded. Three men with little history or power whove insinuated themselves in positions of critical influence and who, amongst the three of them, have managed to plunge half the world into a war no one wants to win. He pointed a finger at Jim. Find out what they have in common, or who they work for, and theres your unknown player.
Jim took a slow deep breath. Theres little I can do now.
Oh, youre a resourceful lad, scoffed Bill. You have assets you havent deployed yet, Im certain. But the Council will be alert and should anything of value come to our notice, we shall inform you as quickly as we can.
Jim was silent.
Now, to the business of my son.
Ill pen a missive to my senior man in the Mockers. Your son will have to present himself as an apprentice or the rest of the Mockers will grow suspicious. There are only ten people in the world who know the true identity of the Upright Man, and you are only the second who knows who isnt my employee or an ally.
And the other?
Jim just smiled, choosing not to reveal the name Lady Franciezka Sorboz.
Bill said, Very well then, be discreet. And I will instruct my son to do the same.
What is your sons name?
Again a barking laugh, and Bill said, Theres the black irony of it. His mother named him James.
Jim laughed. There is a bit of irony, isnt there?
Be off. I have a business to run and should I need to reach you, my lads will find you quickly enough if youre on the island. If you go to the mainland, seek out a tavern in either Bas-Tyra or Euper, by the name of the Black Ram in both cities. Just hand a silver real to any barman and say, To settle a bad debt, and within minutes someone will take you aside and start the chain of getting a message back to me or delivering one Ive left for you.
Again a barking laugh, and Bill said, Theres the black irony of it. His mother named him James.
Jim laughed. There is a bit of irony, isnt there?
Be off. I have a business to run and should I need to reach you, my lads will find you quickly enough if youre on the island. If you go to the mainland, seek out a tavern in either Bas-Tyra or Euper, by the name of the Black Ram in both cities. Just hand a silver real to any barman and say, To settle a bad debt, and within minutes someone will take you aside and start the chain of getting a message back to me or delivering one Ive left for you.