Richard Tuttle - Aakuta - the Dark Mage

“So when the times comes,” nodded Lord Kiamesh, “the various clan armies will be able to act like one.”

“Exactly,” agreed Lord Marak. “We will also be able to count on each army to have a sufficient level of skill to handle the tasks we assign. There is another reform that I have thought a lot about lately. We need a system of courts in Khadora. When slavery as a punishment is abolished, it will cause a certain amount of confusion as to what is to be done with lawbreakers. We should have courts that will decide the punishment for each crime. No longer will the clan lord be the sole judge of crime and punishment. Each offender will be given a chance to tell his side of the story. The court will decide on guilt or innocence and specify the punishment.”

“This is a drastic change in our laws,” interjected Lord Chenowith. “Clan lords are used to having the final say in affairs of the clan. There may be riots calling for you to step down.”

“Which is why I warn you against electing me,” sighed Lord Marak. “I see these edicts as necessary to make Khadora into the country we have always wanted it to be.”

“I think the courts could be presented in such a way as to make them appear more favorable,” suggested Lord Patel. “Each clan has in their history at least one tale of wrong justice. If the courts are presented as being able to prevent such injustices in the future, I think it will be accepted.”

“You might also add that the levying of fines will be a punishment,” added Lord Quilo. “A portion of the proceeds can be allocated to the wronged party. Nothing speaks louder to a clan lord that gold.”

“Isn’t that the truth,” chuckled Lord Kiamesh.

“There is one last edict that goes against the very first law of Khadora,” Lord Marak frowned. “The Chula are not to be bothered. This will cause an outcry from some clans because they have been led to believe that all of Khadora’s woes rest on the shoulders of the Chula. The fact is, the Chula have never attacked us unless we first invaded their lands. This fighting must also stop. As the clan boundaries will be formalized, there will be no reason to invade Chula lands.”

“You have presented the reasons why Khadorans have no need to attack the Chula,” frowned Lord Quilo, “but what is to stop the savages from attacking us?”

“I will execute a treaty with the Chula,” offered Lord Marak. “We will each agree to the boundaries of our peoples. Hopefully, we will soon begin trading between the Chula and the clans, and perhaps in time, we will even learn to trust one another.”

“Any other edicts, Lord Marak,” asked Lord Chenowith.

“Not at this time,” sighed Lord Marak, “but I warn you my election will cause problems.”

“There will be problems no matter who becomes Emperor,” declared Lord Chenowith. “I could be easily tempted to take your list of edicts and make them mine.”

“That would please me,” smiled Lord Marak.

“But I won’t,” grinned Lord Chenowith. “They are your edicts, and you should implement them yourself. My nomination of Lord Marak still stands. Are there any other nominations before I call for a vote?”

“There will be no other nominations,” smiled Lord Quilo. “Let’s get this vote out of the way so we can start planning to implement the Emperor’s new edicts.”

“Yes,” grinned Lord Kiamesh, “I can hardly wait to see the faces at the Assembly of Lords when Emperor Marak announces his few small changes. A few of those expressions will be priceless.”

The mood of the Lords’ Council was bright as they voted in the new Emperor. While the meeting officially ended with the election of Emperor Marak, unofficially it continued well into the night. Each of the members of the Lords’ Council began preparing speeches in support of Emperor Marak’s edicts.

The Lords’ Council mediator, Katzu, checked the room periodically. Each time he checked, his curiosity grew as to why the council was still in session. He also wondered why the members were in such a jovial mood. Eventually, he stayed inside the room and listened to what was going on. With a wide grin of understanding, Katzu pulled out a chair and sat down to join in the preparations for a new Khadora.