John Lee Unicorn Saga 04 The Unicorn Peace

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"You're really very good." Olivderval allowed her eyelids to droop, producing
a calculating look. "Nev-
ertheless, you're a sensible man and I know that you see the merits of our
position."
"I might if I knew what your position really was."
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"Internationally guaranteed access through Son-
guard and the new Songean territory." Her lips tight-
ened. "Administration and communication will still be enormous problems, but
we're rather better at func-
tioning a long way from home than is the rest of the world. The Umbrians will
have to abandon Bandor, that goes without saying. That'll bring the Songeans
to our side.
"On the other hand, Songuard isn't exactly a ia^v-
abiding place. It wouldn't take the mountain tribes long to figure out that
there is more profit to be made by raiding Isphardi caravans than by herding
their rono-
ronti. That means that we shall have to provide military escorts and that
would mean building fortified guard-
posts on Songean soil. That in turn would mean friction with the government if
they get themselves a proper government by then."
"And how do you propose to finesse that?" Jarrod was beginning to enjoy
himself, but he remained wary.
"The valleys would have to be patrolled by a force composed of Paladinians,
Arundelians and Talismanis.
62 t JOHN LEE
The Songeans will have to provide us with a base at or near Bandor."
Olivderval paused and shot him a mea-
suring look. "The cost to be borne by the Umbrians and ourselves."
"And you think that the Umbrians will agree to give up Fort Bandor and pay for
your security." He allowed himself to sound skeptical.
"I don't see why they shouldn't," Olivderval replied offhandedly. "After all,
we have been paying for their garrison at Bandor for a very long time."
"I see." Jarrod was noncommittal. "And what does the Discipline gain by
supporting this plan?"
Olivderval shrugged. "The Discipline has no interest in major territory and
this arrangement wouldn't cut into your Tithes."
Jarrod shifted in his chair and sipped his drink. "Not nearly good enough," he
pronounced. "Had it not been for the Discipline, there would be no new
territory. Peo-
ple have forgotten how close the Outlanders were to victory, but I am sure
that your fellow Oligarchs are not unmindful of the effects of peace upon
commerce."
"It has fostered competition is what it's done," she rejoined. "You did us no
favors by obliterating the en-
emy. Most of the best and brightest men were engaged
in the war; now they are bored and they have turned their skills to making
money. Your friend Marianna of
Gwyndryth is a case in point. She has invested in ships and is doing a
thriving business exporting the produce of her region. She has factors at
Seaport and at Belen-
gar."
"She's never said anything about that and neither has her father."
"Of course not. They're an old aristocratic family and commerce is supposed to
be beneath them. However,"
and an admiring note crept into OlivdervaPs voice, "that young woman has
access to a very large amount of cap-
THE UNICORN PEACE t 63
ital and she hasn't taken the usual route of buying up the neighboring
estates, which is what I suspect Lord
Darius would do."
She gave Jarrod a speculative look and followed it with an open smile. "I
haven't been able to trace the source of her backing and that, I confess,
intrigues me.
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I thought for a while that the Holdmaster was plunder-
ing the Paladinian treasury when Naxania wasn't look-
ing, but there are two major problems with that supposition. The first is that
there isn't a moment when
Naxania isn't looking and, having made friends with
Lord Darius, I cannot believe that he is capable of do-
ing anything that devious." Her slightly hoarse chuckle came again. "It's
disconcerting, if somewhat reassuring in a strange way, to come across a
completely honor-
able man. Even fifteen years with Naxania hasn't cor-
rupted him and that's saying a lot."
"This is all very interesting," Jarrod said, "but I don't see what it has to
do with the Discipline."
Olivderval's humor vanished. "Do I have to remind you that the Discipline has
but one vote and that Is-
phardel has considerable influence?"
It was Jarrod's turn to smile. "Ah, but you seem to be forgetting that the
rulers of Paladine and Arundel are members of the High Council of Magic. You
should not underestimate the power of the Archmage. If we were to campaign
openly against you, where would you stand? Songuard might vote with you if you
promised them the return of Bandor; the Empire will vote against, no matter
what you do. Even if you got Talisman's vote, you would still lose by four to
three."
"The Discipline has a long history of not intervening in political matters,"
Olivderval said sharply.
"But as you so aptly pointed out, my dear Oligarch, this is too important a
matter for us to sit on our dig-
nity."
64 + JOHN LEE
"I see." Otivderval gave him a long weighing look.
"And what would it take to gain the Discipline's sup-
port?"
Jarrod relaxed a little and raised his glass again. Let her wait, he thought
as he drank. He let the silence lengthen and then he looked up.
"I think a Concordat between Isphardel and the Dis-
cipline would be appropriate." he said. "Mind you, I
can only speak for myself. Ragnor is the one who could make that kind of
decision and then in consultation with the High Council."
Olivderval sat back and he saw her body relax. She was confident in her
abilities to haggle, and it showed in her posture. "I understand, of course,
but it might be instructive to find out what you would feel comfort-
able recommending to the Archmage."
Jarrod pursed his lips as if considering, though he had, in fact, thought
about this eventuality. "Isphardel might agree to pay the Tithe in return for
the extension of weather control to its territories," he suggested.
Olivderval's muscled tensed, though her hands re-
mained calm and her face showed nothing. "We are talking about a great deal of
money," she said, "and about the establishment of Discipline outposts on Is-
phardi soil."
"And on Songean soil, too," Jarrod agreed. "But I
should think that the guarantee of predictable winds for your shipping and an
amelioration in your climate would be worth it."
"And in return, we should be assured of your sup-
port?"
"And in return, I will undertake that no pressure will be brought to bear on
either Naxania or Arabella. They will be encouraged to make their decisions in
accor-
dance with their consciences and their national inter-
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THE UNICORN PEACE + 65
ests. My own vote will, of course, depend on the will of the High Council."
Olivderval sat and looked at him. Then she devoted some attention to her
glass.
"I think you're bluffing," she said at last. "Besides, that's not a decision
that I can take on my own. We both have councils to report to."
"I quite understand," Jarrod said politely. "This is a difficult and complex
matter." He put down his glass
and stood to indicate that the meeting was over.
"Here, take this," Otivderval said, holding out hers.
"I need both arms to get me out of a chair these days."
He obliged and she heaved herself erect. She collected her cloak, and he
escorted her to the door. She turned at the threshold and looked up at him
with an unex-
pected grin.
"Ragnor's taught you well," she said. "I used to enjoy jousting with him when [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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