Part 2 (1/2)

”Now,” Phalastra said, ”if I have done my job aright, you are all going to be disappointed, so please do not 15.

all speak at once. I will be the first to admit that the allocations are not perfectly logical, but that is because our past and our geography have little to do with logic.

Please try to look at the doc.u.ment from the viewpoint of the other Commissioners. We all know one another's positions well enough by now, so please spare us the obligatory national anthems.” There was a touch of curtness in the voice.

There was silence, broken by an occasional cough and the squeak of a chair on the polished wood of the floor. Study it, Malum thought. There are years of notes and endless hours of arguments in that map. Given the current political climate, it was the most equitable di- vision possible. Surely they could see that.

Phalastra of Estragoth looked down the table and caught Jarrod Courtak's eye. He gave the faintest of shrugs and nodded quickly and discreetly. The Mage would be the first to speak.

”Excellence,” he said, ”since the Discipline is the only party without a territorial stake in the proceeding, do you go first.”

”My thanks to the President,” Jarrod replied. ”For the record, the Discipline has never formally rescinded a claim to territory and reserves the right to challenge any decision based on the map as it is presently drawn.

My current question is, however, to the status of the Upper Causeway. You all know that I favor its disman- tling, but, failing that, 1 feel most strongly that it should be an international thoroughfare, maintained by the countries through which it pa.s.ses, but not subject to national control. I further suggest that uniform tolls be collected at each border and that the monies be used solely for the upkeep of the roadway. Trade throughout the world would benefit.”

”Hear, hear,” from the Oligarch Olivderval.

”A point to consider, Excellence,” Phalastra said, and

16 wondered if there was a deal afoot between the Magi- cians and the Isphardis.

Otorin of Lissen looked up. ”That would make a country's control of its own borders somewhat parlous, don't you think?” he asked lazily.

”Not necessarily,” Jarrod said. ”Individual countries can still control who enters their territory. Customs points are easily established at the foot of the wall.”

Phalastra turned toward the Oligarch, expecting her to speak. She did not- She sat, small, plump and com- posed, hands folded in her lap, listening and waiting.

”Any other comments?” he asked.

”My Lord President.” The voice was deep and rum- bling, the effect enhanced by the rolling r's typical of the Songean accent.

”By all means, my Lord Hodman.”

Phalastra had antic.i.p.ated questions from the Son- gean delegation. The Hodman of the Territi, who had joined the Commission on the death of Siegitander, sel- dom spoke, but, when he did, he had the knack of cut- ting to the heart of things. His grasp of international politics was nil, but his hold on common sense was for- midable. Generally speaking, Estragoth considered all Songeans illiterate barbarians, but he had come to re- spect this one.

”The position of Fort Bandor, our capital, does not appear to be regularized on this map.”

”We have left all place names off the map, my dear Forodan,” the Elector said, using the man's given name- ”.You will also note that there are no geographical de- tails, unless you care to count the Upper Causeway.”

”Ah, Lord President,” the Hodman replied genially, ”you are making a joke no doubt. It is well known that Umbrian soldiers occupy the Fort. If it were upon this map it would be plain that it is far from the border.

17.

There is no reason, after fifteen years of peace, for your men to be there.”

Phalastra produced a smile and sat forward slightly.

”As the Hodman knows,” he said, with his voice lifting a little on ”knows” to indicate a certain playfulness, ”the Emperor is merely waiting for the implementation of the recommendations of this Commission before withdrawing his troops.”

”So His Imperial Majesty has declared through your lips on numerous occasions, my Lord President, but I myself doubt it. Why is that, you ask?” A heavily jew- eled forefinger rose and wagged. ”Because the Emperor hopes to control the Causeway with his new cannon and because, by denying us our capital, he hopes to , keep us from forming a true nation.” The geniality was gone from the voice.

”Ah, Forodan”-Phalastra managed to put a world of injury into the two words-”you disappoint me. You know that His Imperial Majesty has no designs on Son- guard, indeed would rejoice to see a stable country upon his border.”

He lies so well, Malum thought admiringly as he sanded one sheet of paper and moved to the next. The last thing that the Emperor wanted was an organized and cohesive Songuard. The only problem was that the occupation of Bandor had become a rallying point for the clans.