Hugh Cook - The Wicked and the Witless

'So perhaps Sosostris plays a double game,' said Jarl, 'working for Lord Regan and Regency both. Trust nobody!'

What about Jaluba?' said Sarazin. 'Did Lord Regan send her here to

… to lure me to the Sosostris place?'

'I wouldn't put it past him,' said Jarl. 'It explains much which would be hard to explain by coincidence.' 'Indeed,' said Sarazin, feeling dazed.

Could it be true? Had his whole life really been planned and manipulated by Lord Regan? If it was true, why… then he had been but a pawn in a game of players more powerful when he had thought himself a free agent acting in perfect liberty. Gods!

You,' said Sarazin. You – you're – are you Lord Regan's agent?'

Jarl grinned a wolfish grin. Then said:

'The Rovac are mercenaries. Does a battle-hardened mercenary follow a penniless boy into exile for the sake of a whim?' The answer was hard to deny.

This was a severe blow to Sarazin's ego indeed! He remembered his own innocent delight when Jarl and Elkin had first told him they were coming with him to Selzirk. He had thought himself the most marvellous young man because he was capable of commanding their loyalty. Now.. .

Now he saw they had followed him only because Lord Regan had ordered them to. When they quit Voice, Jarl had been in a truly filthy temper, which had scarcely improved by the time they reached Selzirk. Suggesting he had not wanted to come at all.

'Why did you never tell me any of this?' said Sarazin in anger. 'Why? I have a right to know! It's my life! You knew everything, everything! But told me nothing!'

'I knew nothing,' said Jarl, spreading his hands. 'I was told to watch, to wait, to spy. That was my brief. Nothing more. I never knew what plans Lord Regan had for you. I asked, mind! But was told nothing.' 'A strange way to do business!' said Sarazin bitterly.

'On the contrary, a way most sensible,' said Jarl. 'It minimised risks. I could betray myself as a spy, but could never betray you because I knew nothing worth the telling. Lord Regan is a patient man. He let you establish yourself, test yourself, find the limits to your ability. All the while, he was doubtless watching me too. Watchers to watch the watchers!' 'Then?' said Sarazin.

'Then, when you came back from Tyte as an invalid, Lord Regan acted. He saw you'd gone as far as you could without help. So he let me into his confidence and conspiracy began in earnest. Oh, we were busy while you lay sick! Lord Regan sent men and money both. We've been building the organisation you need to launch a coup to put you on the throne of the Harvest Plains.'

'But… I don't quite see this,' said Sarazin. 'How does my ambition benefit Lord Regan?'

'Sarazin,' said Jarl, 'the Watch is ready to rise at your command. We've purged it of men like Qid – an enemy of yours, for he was one of the Regency's men, whether you knew it or not. We've tempted, bribed, blackmailed, threatened and murdered. The Watch is ours. But that is not enough.' 'We need the army,' said Sarazin.

'Of course,' said Jarl. 'But you'll never get it. Oh, some men will come to your banner, doubtless. But not all. There'll be civil war in the Harvest Plains. You can only win with Lord Regan's help. There'll be a price for that help.'

'Selzirk will be to Galtras Laven what Shin is to Selzirk,' said Sarazin.

'Something like that,' said Jarl. 'Certainly the Harvest Plains will be obedient to the wishes of the Rice Empire. But you yourself will rule from the See of the Sun. You will rule in your own right, as king. As emperor! Well – do you like the idea?'

There was a challenge in Jarl's voice. And Sarazin, looking Jarl in the face, realised something about the man had changed. The Rovac warrior was alive, alert, fierce- faced, more of a wolf than ever. His nostrils flared as he breathed. Jarl was ready to kill. Sarazin had a choice.

He could say yes, yes, make me emperor. He could betray his people to the ruler of the Rice Empire. He could make himself Lord Regan's pawn for real. Or he could say no – and die on the spot. Doubtless Jarl had instructions from Lord Regan: kill Sean Sarazin if he refuses. Kill him, quit Selzirk, and return to the Rice Empire for your reward.

'Well?' said Jarl. 'Must I repeat myself? Do you like the idea?' 'Yes!' said Sarazin. Blurting out the word in an access of terror.

No sooner had he spoken than he realised what he had done. In horror, his mind a churning turmoil of mingled fear and disgust, he realised he had agreed to betray the land of his birth to a foreign power. He had agreed to become Lord Regan's creature, Lord. Regan's pawn. Or had he? 'So you like the idea,' said Jarl, slowly. Sarazin forced himself to smile. 'It – it's a great idea,' he said.

Trying to buy himself time. There was something else he should be remembering. But what? The dragons, that was it! The dread of dragons in his green snuff bottle. And his ring of invisibility, his magic candle. He could win battles with those, could win a civil war with them. Suddenly, he saw what he had to do, and said: This is such a great idea that I accept it with all my heart.

I will swear to it. I will put my heart and soul into this conspiracy. But – with one reservation.' 'What?' said Jarl.

We will not seek military help from the Rice Empire until we really need it,' said Sarazin. 'I would like you yourself to agree as much, as well.' 'Done!' said Jarl.

Without hesitation. For he was sure Lord Regan would not wish to commit troops to this struggle until events were very far advanced indeed. Jarl knew nothing of magic dragons or a magic ring and a magic candle. In his ignorance, he was easily tricked.

Both then solemnly swore themselves to the oaths that would bind them to their decisions. Then Jarl said: 'I don't believe I've ever got drunk with you, have I?' 'Getting drunk,' said Sarazin, 'is not one of my hobbies.'

'That's as may be,' said Jarl, 'but today you'll get drunk with me.'

As ever, Sarazin could not resist the will of the Rovac warrior, and they went forth and got drunk in a really major way.

Salt Road: trading route running from Drangsturm to Narba, through the Rice Empire, past Veda, north to Selzirk and Runcorn, then through the kingdoms of Chorst and Dybra to Estar and the far north of Argan.

Midsummer's Day arrived, bringing the start of the year Alliance 4327. By then, Sarazin was so busy he scarcely had time to say his annual prayers to the sungod.

His military duties were demanding. By now, dis- turbing rumours from the far north of Argan had been confirmed. The evil Khmar, the Red Emperor of Tameran, had invaded Argan. His armies had already conquered the northern nation of Estar, and were expected to march south down the Salt Road to invade the Harvest Plains.

While the reports were confused, it seemed dragons and wizards were mixed up in this warfare. Some reliable eye- witnesses had indeed seen Khmar's armies commanding dragons against the defenders of Estar, doubtless through magic provided to them by wizards.

Since Sean Sarazin had personal experience of fighting against wizards, he was made a member of an army council charged with planning the defences of the Harvest Plains against Khmar's monstrous regiments.

Meanwhile, he was actively engaged in Jarl's conspiracy. He was meeting members of the Watch and other people, and taking personal oaths of fealty from them. The coup was timed for the following year.

The Watch was diligently investigating the past lives of all the most important political figures in the Harvest Plains, eager to see if any were vulnerable to blackmail. They were turning up a lot of interesting information about Qolidian, king of Androlmarphos.

Farfalla was not the first person to bribe Qolidian, and not all of those who had bought justice from that corrupt judge had been so discreet in their dealings. With luck, Qolidian could be blackmailed into handing over control of the city of Androlmarphos when the coup finally took place.