157 Weather (1/2)
Before Betucio could act on his impulses and try out the guard's skill, the second guard returned and called him into the back room. As he entered, the governor was hit by a wall of heavy air. With no windows, a hot and damp atmosphere had built up inside the shack. Even though the room was almost empty, it didn't help much.
Only a single desk stood at its center, far away from any walls and surrounded by doors. The desk of heavy dark wood was laden with papers and bamboo scrolls, and surrounded by oil lamps, which illuminated the entire space in a sickly yellow light. Finally, behind the table sat the young foreigner Betucio had come to know as a polite and modest man: Brymstock di Pluritac, Official under the King of the South. As soon as Betucio had opened the door, Brym put aside the paper in his hand and stood to come towards his guest.
”Governor Betucio, what a great honor it is to host you in this official's humble abode.” As expected of the servant, he showed flawless etiquette in his greeting, despite their previous friendly contacts.
”This lord is just as honored to receive Official Brym's invitation. It appears as if Official does not receive many guests these days,” he said as he looked around the windowless room.
”Well, at the moment we are essentially behind enemy borders, and this room holds many things our foes covet. We have to be careful if we don't want to be eaten alive. But enough about my petty complaints. Sit, sit.”
Eyebrows raised, Betucio followed the invitation took a seat in front of the desk. Only then did Brym return to his own place opposite the governor.
”What does official mean by 'enemy'?” Betucio showed a frown, exaggerated to make sure his opposite could see it through the deep shadows of the lamps. ”Throughout the year, the northern and southern kingdoms have worked as allies on a number of issues after all. This lord does not believe King Amautu has ever considered King Corco an enemy.”
”Not even during the succession war?” Brym leaned forward, which hid his wry smile within the uneven shadows all around them. Considering what Betucio knew of him, the merchant had no doubt arranged the lamps like this on purpose.
”I think we can talk openly here, right?” the merchant leaned back again. ”Of course the kings will be enemies, or at least opponents. There's no denying that the Triumvirate can only ever be a temporary solution. Yes, we have worked together a few times, but you have also cooperated with King Pachacutec. Calling us 'allies' is an insult to both our intelligence. Still, I did not call King Amautu an enemy. No, my enemy is in this very territory, the new arrivals from Arcavia.”
”You speak of this peculiar Duke Herak.” Betucio had heard rumors that the relationship between Corco's foreigners and the duke were tense, but didn't know any details. When he had visited Lord Saliena's castle earlier, he had also been introduced to Herak. With the duke's strong attitude, Betucio was not surprised he would clash with the headstrong King Corco. At the same time, the governor thought back to the foreigner soldiers he had spotted around the shop. Maybe they were not the king's men after all.
”Well, that's pretty obvious, isn't it? Let's just say King Corco's men and the duke have not had the best interactions during our time in Arcavia.”
For a moment Betucio thought on whether or not he should take the bait and talk about the true reason for his visit. Although he felt like Brym had strung him along all the way to here, he had to talk about this matter anyways. In addition, he the stuffy air pressed heavy on his chest, as if he sat under water. Any way to reduce his time in this prison wold be welcome.
”That would be why King Corco has used his connections to create trouble for the northern kingdom, correct? The king is upset that King Amautu has worked with the foreigners who are your sworn enemies and wish us to break that cooperation, is that it?”
To Betucio's surprise, Brym's business smile widened the smallest bit before he shook his head.
”No, King Corco is not upset about anything, he is not that petty. You are very much within your right to trade with whomever you want; it has nothing to do with us. What sort of trouble can we create in the first place? Look around you, we have almost no men and sit here in our own sweat, trapped in like rats.”
Even though he said so, Betucio could see no sweat on the official's brow. Maybe he had gotten used to the heat after years of exposure.
”Please, I believe we can speak openly here, no?” Betucio grinned as he threw back the official's words. ”Ever since Official Brym has locked down his shop in Porcero, some of the eastern lords have shown unruly behavior.”
”Oh, what happened?” Brym leaned back to listen, though his flat tone showed that he knew very well.
”Some have insisted to not pay their taxes, citing a poor harvest.”
”Well, the weather has been dreadful this summer. Believe me, I know better than most.” Brym looked around his steam chamber before he winked at the lord. The lord was unimpressed.
”Others have insisted that they will not supply the foreigners with grain or other materials. Especially the traditionalist faction has decided that they would not cooperate with anyone within the northern kingdom so long as they continue to treat nonbelievers as equals.”
”That sounds like a serious problem.” With a serious face, the official nodded his head. ”It is understandable though. Those traditional forces have been used to one way of life for centuries. You can't thrust a new one in their faces and expect them to be reasonable.”
Again, Brym's impudent tone would not goad the governor into an overreaction. Calm as before, he continued down the list of complaints.
”Other lords still have started trouble with their neighbors. All of those imminent military confrontations are with territories through which King Amautu plans to route his new trade road between east and west.”
”Well, we all know how the lord are,” Brym sighed and shook his head as if he spoke about the inevitability of death. ”If they have some personal disagreement for whatever petty reason, those lords would never care about the king's opinion, would they? Even worse, according to Medala law, there is little the King can do to punish these lords, not without a civil war.”
Again silence was cast over the two. Betucio needed time to think, but the heat seemed to bind off his lungs. In the end, the best way to resolve these problems was another exchange with the south. A sigh showed the governor's capitulation.
”King Amautu understands that King Corco feels threatened by the presence of the foreigners in Porcero, and by their closeness to Lord Saliena.”
”Oh, is that so? I'm glad the king cares. Simple understanding does not help us much though.”
When Betucio pulled the prepared scroll from his sleeve, Brym's face lit up right away.
”This here is an official document from King Amautu's court, stamped with the king's own seal. It guarantees all personal rights of Official Brym and all his servants within Porcero, and guarantees the same protections as those granted to subordinates of the king.”
Heavy from the humid atmosphere, the sheepskin sounded like a bang on the desk.
”Oooh, that would be fantastic. Here by the way, take this.”
With a smile Brym reached over the desk and gave Betucio a piece of cloth. As soon as the lord touched it his eyes widened. Somehow, this cloth was dry and cool. Grateful, he wiped his brow, while the official continued.
”It seems like the king really cares about the issues of his brother, which gives us all hope for peace. However, Governor Saliena has attempted to confiscate some property King Corco purchased from him a mere year ago.”
”In that case, King Amautu will ratify the land deeds and guarantee King Corco's property.” Although he hadn't been prepared for Brym's sudden demand, he was confident he could decide this minor issue by himself.
”This official is deeply grateful for Governor Betucio's understanding” All of a sudden, the polite young man had returned, as the air around Betucio seemed to become lighter. ”To pay back the favor, this official will talk to the surrounding lords and try to make them understand King Amautu's plight. While King Corco has nothing to do with the horrible events which have plagued the northern kingdom, the southern kingdom is in good stead with some of the lords in the east, especially with the traditional forces. Since some try anything to provoke war, at least the north and south should work together to guarantee peace within the empire.”