Trial of Intentions (43 page)

In his slow stroll, Roth passed behind the regent and Maesteri. “There is power in song, to be sure. But not of the sort being described here today. If there is indeed a concerted threat to the wide Eastland nations, then we can discuss a response, even war. But the time has come for us to root our decisions in what is real and practical. And I would suggest that any action anointed from our Convocation here must let go these superstitions, which I warn will only lead to unsound choices.”

Vendanj surveyed the faces of those seated at the convocation table. Many remained impassive. But just as many appeared to find reason in the Ascendant's words. Roth's eloquence and logic had set a new tone for the Convocation. And he couldn't let it pass unchallenged.

“It's not simply a few reports of violence,” Vendanj said, turning a hard eye on Roth. “I've just come from Naltus Far, where more than ten thousand Quiet came to destroy it. Thousands of Far died to turn that army back.”

The table erupted in conversation. Some protesting that Vendanj had spoken at all, since he wasn't a seat holder.

Helaina touched Belamae's arm, and the Maesteri returned to his seat.

She then held up a hand to quiet them. “Civility, Ascendant Staned, does not mean abandoning traditions that have kept us safe.” She looked around the table before continuing. “You should all consider that we sit here in safety, able to have this conversation, because of nations like the Far, and because of the very things the Ascendant would put to an end. We have hard-earned wisdom, passed down to us, that has helped preserve the way of life we know. That wisdom includes the songs and stories that remind us of delicate balances.

“We're on a precipice, my friends. Our next step is precarious and crucially important. I ask you to hearken to the histories which tell of your nations' part in the struggles of the First and Second Promise. Let that guide you as we consider a promise of our own.”

Discussion then began. Leaders speaking, sometimes shouting, either in defense of Helaina's proposition or taking up Roth's practical stance. It became clear to Vendanj who Roth had spoken with beforehand—phrases and logic were repeated with too much familiarity. And in the space of minutes, the divide between two camps became clear and wide. That fast, the historic third call of the Convocation of Seats appeared on the brink of collapse.

Vendanj shook his head and strode to the table, deliberately standing directly behind Roth.

“I must speak,” he called loudly, over several ardent debates currently taking place. As voices quieted, he added, “And you must hear me.”

Roth leaned to one side and turned to look up. Vendanj caught a glimpse of disgust, before the man turned face-forward again. “Only those given leave by a seat holder may address—”

Helaina motioned for Vendanj to continue.

“Besides the Quiet army that has destroyed the Language of the Covenant,” he paused, letting that revelation sink in, “there are three things you each must know and consider. What the regent has spoken here is not myth or mystery. I've spent the last several years of my life on the roads, traveling to cities far from here. I've been in all your own lands and capitals. With few exceptions, I've found the Quiet among you.”

“It's no surprise that a Sheason—” Roth began.

Vendanj put a heavy hand on the man's shoulder. “You've had your turn.” He went on. “More than once I've fought those given to the Whited One. Usually, I've been able to turn them back. But I've seen their strength and resolve. And each year they come in greater numbers. They are a mortal threat. Make no mistake.”

He then began to pace, as Roth had, meaning to draw near each Convocation member as he spoke. “Second, you need to understand that this isn't merely another race or discontented people. It is
many
races. And it is more than discontent. They believe they belong here, in the east, with us. They believe they are our kin, and that they're meant to test us. Even by war.”

Roth again tried to speak, but Helaina pointed at him to be silent.

“But in one important way, they are
not
like us,” Vendanj went on. “The oldest stories are true. They were not created as our equals,” he paused again, looking around the table, “but as our betters: in strength and speed … and resolve. Given to many of them are qualities the League would find uncivil. Gifts of Will. And about their intentions, there should be no question. They will come to destroy.”

Vendanj stopped behind the empty seat of the Sedagin and gripped the heavy posts of the chair back. “The Bourne is vast, and the Quiet that have come so far, even this ten thousand, are but a trifling of what will come if the Veil falls.”

Calene Pammel, queen of Kuren, then spoke with a patronizing lilt one didn't possess without a great deal of practice. “You'll forgive us, Sheason, but yours is just another claim. And even if this army marched on Naltus, as you say, what evidence is there that it's anything more than a conflict between those two nations, or that
we
should get involved?”

Elerion Saradolay, queen of Balens, a woman so obese her jowls shook when she spoke, joined Queen Calene. “Much as we may dislike it, kingdoms go to war. But we don't need to be a party to every battle.”

Elerion's army was token. Her allegiance hardly mattered.

Vendanj returned Calene's condescending gaze. “Your Highnesses, consider what you're saying. Your own histories tell of the great alliances forged by Convocations past, to meet massive threat from beyond the Pall. Would you prefer to have war upon you, before you
commit
your armies? If so, you'll be too late. In the past, we've prevailed because the Right Arm of the Promise went into the breach early, and for us all. But we betrayed their trust the last time, and they'll no longer take their seat among us.” He lifted the chair up and slammed it down. “We may fail precisely because we did not
commit
the last time this table of rulers sat in this hall!”

The queen seemed unmoved, but said nothing more.

General Kaleth Weren chimed in, a man with more beard than face. “I agree we should always be prepared, Sheason. But you'll understand if I'm skeptical of
your
testimony.”

Vendanj gave the general a thoughtful look. “You've heard of the rift that threatens to tear my order apart. I'm largely to blame for that. I don't care to curry the Randeur's favor, or the regent's, or yours.” He looked around the room. “Any more than I care for reputation or my own
ascendance
. I pursue one thing, at any cost: the preservation of our way of life against real threats. And I won't be moved from that course, regardless of what you decide here.”

He began to walk again, gathering his thoughts. “The third thing I ask of you: Choose here, now, to stand together against whatever threatens us. You still possess the freedom to meet and debate and disagree. You should unite if for no other reason than to protect that freedom.”

His words resounded in the great hall. When they'd echoed their last, he paused, then spoke again, with a hint of finality. “If you don't, the Quiet will come. They will bring down the Veil, and the Bourne will stretch itself to every land and people.”

Some moments later, into the stillness, Baroness Asari Redall of Ebon said softly, “I believe you.”

The woman bore a haunted expression. Her cheeks were hollow, her eyes rimmed with dark circles. She ruled a kingdom that bordered Destick'Mal, and so she knew more intimately the ravages that affected those near the Veil. Her realm's history was a series of wars with the Mal. Ebon was a nation of halves, bright and shining near the coast of the Soren Seas, but thorny and blasted by scouring winds in its northern regions.

Roth drummed his fingers twice on the table. “We're at an impasse. So for the moment, let's put aside the question of the Quiet and our response to it, and focus instead on
any
threat from
any
quarter of the world. Since if we believe the old myths, then across the Soren Seas there are other dangers, the Rim hides secrets of its own, and far over the ocean beyond the Mor nations there are things about which there aren't even stories to tell.”

Roth sipped from his goblet, pausing dramatically. “But I don't believe in myths. I see enough evil in the actions of men, even if that evil is nothing more than negligence and selfishness. Our own
known
world, the many nations on this side of what you call the Veil, is varied and wide. Our nations are disparate kingdoms with no concern for each other. Openly hostile, in fact. We raise armies to defend ourselves or war with each other. Our greatest—or at least our first—fear should be of ourselves.”

Fists pounding the table interrupted Roth. It was Jeshel Solomy, king of Nallan, whose ears looked like cauliflower from a lifetime of helmets and beating. “May the deaf gods hear you,” he shouted. “I do nothing but defend my people against your beloved smith king of Alon'Itol.”

Jeshel was a warmonger. The smith king was likely not here because he was busy even now fighting back Nallan advances.

Roth nodded thanks to Jeshel for the endorsement. “I have long sought peace and camaraderie across borders through a common set of manners and principles. And I will remain tireless in their defense and evangelism.” Roth paused again, raising a contrary finger as if he might argue with himself. “But I have likewise seen that manners and principles by themselves won't be enough to forge the peace we all deserve and expect.”

He drank again from his goblet, setting it down empty this time. “Today, there are but a few of your kingdoms where the League of Civility isn't welcome, where it doesn't already have men and women educating people on courtesy and lawfulness. In most places we're part of your ruling councils, and help create and enforce your laws because we prize nothing higher than civility.”

Roth stood again, his posture as one prepared to make a historic announcement. “So today, after all that we've been told, and all that I have myself heard and seen, I announce the formation of a fifth contingent of the League's Jurshah. Alongside politics, justice and defense, history, and finance and commerce, I have established … a faction of war. This division will be separate from those who police laws and ensure justice. They will be trained in warfare. Their ranks will grow from within the League, and from recruits who will take up the cause. They'll stand with your own militaries if there is need, or they'll be the first footmen to meet an aggressor that comes to your border.”

The Ascendant looked thoughtfully around the table. “No matter what threat arises, whether political enemies, strange encroaching hordes, or heaven and hell themselves, the League will stand on your soil and defend your people and their way of life.”

A tall man clad in black armor entered through the hall doors. His confident gait spoke of battle and ability. The man came to stand directly behind the Ascendant. Vendanj caught a worried look on Van Steward's face. He studied the newcomer—clearly Mal—and had the feeling he knew or had seen him before.

“You're creating your own army.” Vendanj didn't hide his contempt.

“I think of it as an army of the people. Yours, mine, everyone's here. They may report to me, but,” he added, “I've made my goals and philosophies clear. And these do not, will not, run counter to the will of rulers whose borders we serve. Lawfulness, mutual respect, safety, these are the things we care about. If anyone disagrees with these, there are larger issues to discuss.”

Vendanj restrained the desire to denounce the Ascendant. At least for now. He still hoped to convince the Convocation to ratify the regent's strategy. But before he could speak again, Roth continued his politics.

“If any of you wish to combine your own military with the League's force in your home nation, we welcome it gladly. The united power will make our mutual cause stronger.” Roth then offered an easy smile, relieving the tension of weighty matters. “My friends, I believe this is all precautionary. I would have us prepared for the worst. But in my heart, and from the reports I receive from my men who live and work beside your own people, I believe our only danger is from lending fanciful stories more meaning than is their due. So, yes, let us prepare. The League of Civility will create this martial force as a safeguard against any that might march against us. But its presence will more practically put an end to border disputes. It will end civil unrest, and draw us all together in our mutual desire for peace and progress.”

Vendanj shared a look with the regent; they both knew Roth's unspoken intention. He meant to create a hegemony under his own rule. Not today, perhaps not even this year. But the monstrous ambition of it was clear. Had those seated at the table likewise recognized it? He feared that many would allow Roth's army a garrison in their lands, believing they could control it and still benefit from its presence.

“Ascendant Staned.” Volen Chraestus, king of Kamas, stood and faced Roth. He leaned forward, his hands spread on the table. “The Kamas Throne has no need or desire for League presence. I want you to acknowledge that you understand me.”

The Kamas Throne defended the Divide mountains, Estem Salo. Its army was the reason the Mal had never succeeded in expanding farther east. Holding back the Mal … that was deadly work.

Roth remained poised. “We should discuss—”

“Acknowledge that you understand me.” Volen's eyes burned under a heavy brow. But he never raised his voice.

“I understand.”

Roth was as rattled as Vendanj had ever seen him.

Volen sat down, and Helaina rose to stand beside Vendanj. She wore an expression as stern as the Kamas king's, and likewise focused it on Roth.

“This Convocation will not become the pulpit for your expansionism, Ascendant. I won't allow you to use our pressing need to further the League's agenda. Take care. The recalling of the Convocation is
my
duty. Those seated among us will hear from
me
the advisability of what you propose. But not at this table. Not in this hall. And your war faction, we will discuss whether this is permitted under Vohnce law. Others here may wish to do the same.”