The armed guards surrounded him as they walked down the stone hallway. The group was moving too slowly for his tastes, but he couldn't leave the safety they provided just yet. There were too many in here, and out there, who harbored strong hatreds for him. Well, the day was his and they would soon discover what hate would get them. Through the minimal space between the guards in front of him, he watched Vargas, his chief advisor, hurrying toward him. The guards parted at his command to let Vargas in beside him while they continued down the hall.
"The Councilors are prepared for you. They have all been searched, as have their rooms. The rings have not been procured, as yet." Vargas reported the most vital news in rapid-fire fashion. He liked that.
"Have all but one of the seats removed from the main hall. Line the former Councilors up before my throne stripped and whipped. Tell Chlestre to prepare whatever devices she desires to get the information from them. I'll not have the knowledge of those rings pass with them.
"Draft a speech for the people. I'll deliver it from the Traitor's Balcony at dusk. Words to the effect that they have been too long under the rule of fools who have made ill-advised decision after decision. The Councilors will be hung for the carrion eaters. The people will thrive under my rule as Archgull. The gates will be open from dawn to midday for those who wish to leave. After that no unauthorized person will be allowed out of the City, and a curfew will be invoked from dark to dawn. Those found out of their dwellings during this time will be killed for conspirators. Good behavior will alleviate the curfew after a time. Go now." Vargas rushed back the way he had come to complete his tasks.
When they reached his new quarters, the guards took positions to either side of each exit in the anteroom while he investigated his sleeping chamber. His clothes had arrived and were being sorted by his two stewards.
"Leave for now," he told them. "Find the Keeper and tell him I wish to see him in the main hall." They bowed and left. He removed his armor and clothing, washed his face, and surveyed what clothing was removed from his chests. He chose white shirt, white breeches, and white velvet cloak. He had appeared before the Councilors in prisoner's white before. This time he would be in Gull's white. He doubted they would care.
The guards fell in around him as he reentered the anteroom. They made the short walk to the main hall where he had kneeled before the Councilors almost two years before. The guards fell in behind the naked, beaten men as he took his place on his new throne. He studied the broken former masters of the City at great length, waiting for one of them to speak first.
It was Dain who spoke first. "You know why we sent you away. To act as if we were unjust to do so is to deny your own sentiments. The City will not accept you, and the rings are now beyond your reach. Your success is limited. Most would not even call it success."
He gestured to Chlestre, who had moved behind Dain during his speech. Chlestre raked the serrated edge of her knife swiftly across the man's stomach, his bowels spilling onto the floor, followed by his twitching form.
"Burn the former Councilor's family in the plaza." Chlestre detailed two squad leaders to gather their men and see to the task. "The family of the one who tells me the location of the rings will be spared. Speak now."
"We don't know the location," Rekley said, shakily. "In such circumstances, the Council has always told trusted men to hide the rings in locations unknown to anyone but themselves. You can see why."
"Of course. The man Rekley's family will be thrown from the Culture's Bower summit onto a field of pikes." Rekley burst into tears, which was understandable. Another four squad leaders were dismissed for the task. "Chlestre. Ten minutes."
For the next ten minutes, the keep's halls were filled with the anguished cries of bleeding Councilors. In the end, he learned the names of the men entrusted with the rings, the fact that the rings were believed to be in separate locations, and their proper usage. Each Councilor's life was then ended after listening to the death sentence passed against his family.
After the bodies were carried away to be hung over the City walls, he met with the Keeper. The Keeper and his staff had carried out the household duties of the keep for 33 years. He instructed the Keeper on what duties would need to be regularly carried out under his rule. He also instructed the Keeper to choose ten of his most untrustworthy workers to be given over to the guards for death. "The example will lead to much finer work, trust me."
Vargas entered the hall and scurried to his side. "A bird arrived bearing a message from the Dreamcourt, and your speech is prepared."
"Read the message."
"Tsalen the Usurper, know the minds of the Dreamcourt. Your prejudice against psionics is known. If psionics are persecuted under your rule, the Dreamcourt will take grievous offense and move to rectify the matter. Signed the Dreamcourt."
"Not 'honorably signed'. What a shock. Draft a letter to the Outlawed Syndicate. Assure them that in exchange for their immediate service, they will enjoy more success than ever imagined under the Councilors' collective thumb. If they refuse, I will break the Syndicate before the next moon."
"What will this immediate service entail?"
"Their aid in destroying the Dreamcourt. Chlestre prepare a thousand men for march. Vargas, you will remain to oversee the final subjugation of the City. We march tomorrow."
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