Part 30 (1/2)
Magistrate Vatman has changed his mind.”
Gord slumped noticeably at the statement. A ser- 386.
geant relieved him of his sword and dagger, and in a moment he was marched away, surrounded by troops in gray and red. ”Poor Gord,” Summer whispered with genuine sorrow in her voice. Then. Invisible still, she returned the way she had come to finish her task.
The Mayoral Palace was ablaze with light. So were many of the attendant buildings that flanked it. A special meeting of the oligarchs,.rulers of Grey-hawk, had been called, and the Citadel was a beehive of activity because of this unusual occurrence. Ranks of gray-uniformed regulars and their officers moved to form a line to receive the incoming masters of the city. Here and there were the black and gold clad members of the Praefecture, hurrying to make certain that all was secure, or to handle special duties.
Various leaders arrived, adorned in rich robes and fur mantles of state, wearing their chains of office. The appearance of a phalanx of black and white colors announced the coming of the general of The Watch. Arentol. Guildmaster of Thieves, arrived In company with Thaddius Jenk, Guildmaster of a.s.sa.s.sins. Leaders of the trade, craft and merchant factions had come already. The Chancellor of the University came with the usual group, leaders of the savants, sages, and scholars, plus certain clerics. Other clerics came, and last was the ancient man who was Magistar of the Society of the Magi. All were greeted by the constable, provosts, and His Solemn Authority, Nerof Gasgol, Lord Mayor of Grey-hawk, First Oligarch and Keeper of the Citadel.
”I demand to know the reason for all this!” Nerof Gasgol was nearly shouting as he said this.
The candelabra made the High Chamber seem warm and beautiful, with its polished floors of marble, glowing wood, gilt trim, and walls adorned with 387.
paintings and pieces of artwork looking regal and filled with import. The long table could seat up to a score.
Its inlaid top was mirrorlike, the carved chairs silk-cus.h.i.+oned treasures. Eighteen155 of these seats were taken by the oligarchs, each with a gold and crystal goblet and a wine ewer before him,. each looking to the others in consternation at the statement the Lord Mayor had just uttered. All save a few. that is.
”I speak not only for myself,” Arentol, Guild-master of Thieves, said as he arose to command all attention. ”I speak for Murtagh your Captain-General. Thaddius Jenk, and certain others who do not wish their names used at this time.”
As the leader spoke, Nerof let his eyes roam the circle of faces. A twitch here, a stiffening there, and Gasgol had a fair idea as to just who the guildmaster represented. In bygone years, Nerof Gasgol had himself been Guildmaster of Thieves, but he had long since broadened and grown to concern himself with the greater needs of Greyhawk. Having lost his narrow perspective did not mean he had lost his abilities and keen eyes. His a.s.sessment was that Phildorf Gelbbeek, leader of the merchants and the most wealthy man in the city, was with Arentol. So was Archdeacon Elohideus, chief cleric of those who served the h.e.l.ls. Gasgol was uncertain about it, but he thought Constable Lord Thistleby seemed too tense also.
”Speak then. Oligarch Arentol. for all those for whom you serve as mouthpiece.” He used the insulting term deliberately to see if he could draw the man out as quickly as possible.
”Thank you. sir.” Arentol said with a smooth, mocking tone and a slight bow that failed to conceal his smirk. The slight had only amused him. ”Intel- 388.
Jigence has come to me this very day of a terrible series of events here in our beloved city. Fellow oligarchs,” he said, turning so as to look at each in turn, ”these events are of great import, but no word of them came from the Citadel, no warning for us from our palace. Think on thati”
”What are you driving at?” the ancient archmage known to all only as Darkslgn asked querulously.
”Have patience, I beg you. lords all,” the Guild-master of Thieves said to the a.s.semblage. ”I'll come quickly enough to the heart of this, but please allow me uninterrupted speech.” Here he stared squarely at the old spell-user. Darksign rubbed his long nose with crabbed fingers, nodding his a.s.sent.
”Six murders there have been. Not unusual, you might say. Not so, I would reply. All the acts were unlicensed. Each was done so as to so completely destroy the life of the victim that no spell could evoke any clue as to the murderer, let alone revive the corpse! All save one of the slain were important members of a group represented here. The a.s.sa.s.sins lost the woman most likely to succeed as their leader. The Watch lost its most promising young captain, the second most successful merchant prince of Greyhawk was laid low in this fash-Ion. Mine own guild lost three of its own men - a toaster of great skill who was rising rapidly and two lesser personages as well.”
The lords of Greyhawk looked at each other with concern. They s.h.i.+fted uneasily.
Arentol allowed this pause to continue for just enough time to make the anxiety build to a point where It would spill out. Then he spoke again in his booming voice.
”Each crime was reported to the Citadel. Why didn't the Citadel inform you? In fact, if I had not spoken with those of my fellows and learned by chance that they too had been attacked, my guild would even now 389.
believe that it was the only group to suffer such slaughter!”
Nerof Gasgol stood, his voice seeming less powerful, but still managing to overcome that of Arentol. ”Are you insinuating that I have a part in these killings?” he demanded with a menacing tone.
”Insinuating? Nay. Gasgol. I am accusing you ^nd your henchmen of insidious murder and a plot to become sole ruler and tyrant of our city!”
There was an uproar at this, with oligarchs shouting and babbling at each other. The guards surrounding the great chamber didn't make any move, however, and the constable's shout for order brought quiet again. ”I call for Guildmaster Arentol to finish his statement,” the constable said to the now-silent gathering. There were a few nays and shakes of the head, but the murmurs of a.s.sent and demands from Arentol's allies drowned out the opposition. Lord Mayor Gasgol sat down heavily, and the Guildmaster of Thieves smiled.
”Yes. I accuse Nerof Gasgol and his Praefecture of plotting the elimination of the156 oligarchy to allow him to become the single ruler, the lone despot over all the lands of our city. I give you his plot: ”The murders were committed both to test the method and to weaken Gasgol's strongest foes. All of you know that I. and my a.s.sociates, have staunchly opposed many of his schemes over the last year. The next step planned was the elimination of all oligarchs, strongest first. My guild, however, with the aid of the a.s.sa.s.sins.” and here he looked at Thaddius Jenk who nodded solemnly back In agreement, ”uncovered this awful plot. We began closing in on the one used as a tool by Gasgol, and then he was s.n.a.t.c.hed from our grasp by Gasgol's soldiers. Even now he is held in dungeons beneath this place!”
”What purpose to confine one's own agent?” asked the Chancellor of the University.
”To throw us off the trail that led all too directly to Gasgol. If he could have tried and executed his - own man quietly, then Gasgol could claim to be savior rather than the plotting murderer and would-be despot he Is. I ask you all to now support me. Name me as Lord Mayor and First Oligarch. 1 will root out every last one of the treasonous plotters.
'.. reveal their machinations In open trial, and have those dogs executed in due course. To do so, and all of this is no easy task, I must have your confidence, your loyal support, your full cooperation!”
, ”And what of the army?” asked Archdeacon : Elohideus.
i. To this. Constable Lord Thistleby shouted in i stentorian tone. ”I can speak for our loyal troops.”
* he cried. ”The soldiers of Citadel and Bastion stand firmly behind the Oligarchy and the one whom we I designate as first!”
,;', ”I say we must name Arentol as Lord Mayor - , now!” roared the florid-faced, bulky merchant Phil-dorf Gelbbeek.
”Yes, yes!” called several voices above the confu- i skm. ”Vote, vote!”
”Order!” The call came from Nerof Gasgol. The oligarchs grew quiet. He spoke to them softly.
5.' ”Besides Arentol, who accuses me of these crimes?
J I have that light - the accusers must stand forth!”
There were nods of agreement. One or two cries of ”Hear! Hear!” came forth. The Guildmaster of Thieves folded his arms, a grim smile of triumph on his harsh face.
”Stand forth, my brothers, so Gasgol can count his accusers!”
Jenk arose, then Gelbbeek and Elohideus. Captain-General Murtagh shot upright.
Lastly, and quite unexpectedly. Constable Lord Thistleby and Magis- 390.
391.
tar Darksign stood. Seven of the eighteen oligarchs stated their accusations against Gasgol - each echoing what Arentol had already said.
”Now the vote,” Arentol said directly to Nerof Gasgol.
Tou seven are under arrest,” a steely voice shot out from behind Arentol, and its sound brought pandemonium to the gathering.
The hour was past midnight. The windows of the Mayoral Palace were yet ablaze with light. The Grand Courtyard was still a hive of activity. Troops marched here and there in squads, going on missions directed by the new a.s.sembly of Oligarchs. Inside the palace, in the upper meeting chamber, a final scene, the culmination of the night's excitement, was taking place. Arentol was the chief person, the center of the drama's final act.
Magistrate Vatman spoke first. ”It was thanks to Gord, here, that this whole vile scheme was uncovered. Their mistake was to involve him, for he is a tenacious hunter, once put on the scent. His work enabled me to set the stage. It brought the plotters into the open. It enabled us to prepare so that they could not try force once guile failed them.”
”I see. Please let this young fellow speak for himself. I would hear what wit he used to perform so great a service for Greyhawk.” Lord Mayor Gasgol commanded.
Gord stepped before the a.s.sembled dignitaries and officials of the city he knew as home. He felt very awkward, for If the full extent of his regular activities were known to these persons, he would certainty be subject to scrutiny of an altogether157 different and worse sort. He cleared his throat ner- 392.