it is you who wishes to bring us under the sway of Serenstad.’ His lip curled arrogantly. ‘A city riddled with corruption and decay, and ruled by merchants, Guildsmen, and an effete aristocracy. Whendrak is, by ancient right, a Bethlarii protectorate. Only when we return to that state and to the ways of our ancestors can we begin to root out the decadent and degenerate elements that have brought so many ills upon us, and move forward to our true place in the land.'
Arwain's eyes narrowed in distress at the vehemence in the man's voice.
'Enough!’ Haynar's voice rang out in exasperation as Garren gathered his breath for another onslaught. ‘We've heard all this nonsense before, Garren. You seem to think that if you tell a lie often enough and loudly enough, it will become the truth. Whendrak has been under the sway of both Bethlar and Serenstad many times through its history. Now, by their treaty, we're a neutral city.’ He paused and put his hand to his head in a gesture of concern. ‘Even at this stage my old friendship for you and your family prompt me to offer you a word of personal advice.’ He leaned forward and his voice became unexpectedly passionate. ‘You're a clever, capable man, Garren,’ he said. ‘You must surely see the rabble, the mad dogs, who follow your ridiculous baying, for what they are.’ Garren made to speak, but Haynar lifted a hand to prevent him. ‘Ponder this. How you are going to control them when their usefulness to you has passed? It's far easier to unleash a wild animal than it is to recapture it.'
'I will not listen to my supporters and friends being thus maligned,’ Garren shouted, his voice booming unpleasantly about the Chamber again.
'And I'll not listen to any more of your ranting, Garren,’ Haynar said, his voice softer than Garren's, but somehow overtopping it. He slapped the document lying on the lectern. ‘This is directly due to your treachery…'
He hesitated, and his concern surfaced again briefly. ‘And do you imagine that the Handira give a fig for your petty, crawling obeisance and your ridiculous scheming? The only value that Whendrak has for them is its strategic position as a base to move against Serenstad. They're using you to do their dirty work for them, that's all.’ Anger and frustration burst through into his voice. ‘You're not stupid, man. What do you think the Bethlarii are going to do with you and your troublesome followers? Honour you? Laud you?’ He struck his chest. ‘You know what they think about us with their fatuous tribal pride. We're just so many mongrel half-breeds, marginally superior to their dogs, but fit only for use as slaves and arrow fodder.'
Garren leapt to his feet furiously. ‘Speak for your own kind, Haynar,’ he shouted. ‘We are all pure-born Bethlarii for ten generations…'
'Not according to what my uncle says about your mother, Garren,’ came a voice from somewhere, with a sharp Whendreachi accent. The Chamber erupted in laughter, as much to release the tension built up by Garren's manic utterances as at the humour of the comment.
Arwain watched Garren waving his fist and shouting, though he could hear nothing above the din.
The laughter splashed to and fro for some time until Haynar, smiling himself, eventually managed to wave it to silence.
'I'll waste no more of your time on this pointless debate,’ he said, sobering. ‘You have the facts before you and you must decide upon what we shall do. I ask you to confirm the policy which we have followed these past years. That we will stand firm and oppose anyone who would try to impose their will upon us. To help you in your discussion I have used my authority as Maeran to make a special decree.'
The Chamber became very still. Ryllans nudged Arwain gently and with a slight nod directed his attention back towards Garren and his group. Guards were entering quietly and standing along the aisle behind them.
'We have food and water to sustain us through any siege,’ Haynar went on. ‘Arms to defend ourselves. And above all, newly strengthened walls that soon will repel even the heaviest artillery, the tallest towers, the deepest sappers.’ He paused. ‘But such walls are in truth only as strong as their gates. And gates are only as strong as the man's arm that can draw the bolts. Treachery will be our greatest enemy in any conflict with the Bethlarii.’ He paused again. ‘My decree therefore is that Councillor Andreth Garren be deprived of his office and confined to his house pending formal impeachment and trial. So also his senior lieutenants. And for those of his followers who will not disavow their allegiance to him, and renew their allegiance to this Council, expulsion from the city.'
The guards behind Garren and his group moved forward and one of them bent down and spoke to Garren. Across the Chamber, Arwain saw him casting about as if for help from his fellows or for some route to escape. To no avail, however. After a further word from the guard, he and his entourage rose to their feet and, with returning arrogance, marched out of the Chamber escorted by the guards.
The announcement and the removal of Garren and his followers were greeted by the Councillors with a stunned silence.
As the door closed behind the departing group, Haynar spoke softly but purposefully. ‘Debate what you have heard, my friends,’ he said. ‘And choose well. Freedom and progress, with the responsibility that goes with both; or stagnant Bethlarii overlordship. I will return to hear your will in due course.’ He bowed his head for a moment, then turned and left the platform.
As he left, the silence began to disintegrate around the two watching Serens. At first gradually, then with a great rush like a breaking wave. Several Councillors left the Chamber hastily while all those that remained began talking urgently, and seemingly indiscriminately, to their neighbours on every side.
'Gentlemen.'
Arwain turned. It was the official who had brought them into the Chamber. ‘Would you follow me, please.'
Though his voice was soft, his manner was urgent and Arwain and Ryllans followed him without question.
He led them out of the Chamber by a different door to the one through which they had entered and, as they followed him along passageways and down stairs, Arwain felt an increasing urgency in his pace.
'What's the matter?’ he asked.
'The Maeran will explain,’ the man said, politely.
Then they were walking rapidly down a narrow stone stairway and being ushered into a small courtyard. Their horses were waiting, saddled and ready, along with the platoon and a small group of mounted Whendreachi guards.
Haynar was there also. He stepped forward. ‘You must leave immediately,’ he said. ‘If I'm allowed I shall report your visit to the Council.'
Arwain queried, taken aback by this sudden change in events. He pointed back towards the Council Chamber.
'I thought you were in charge here.'
Haynar smiled ruefully. ‘I am and I am not,’ he replied. ‘The decree I've issued against Garren is a considerable risk…'
'You could have done nothing else,’ Ryllans interrupted unexpectedly.
'You and I know this,’ Haynar said, leading them to their horses. ‘We study our history. But…’ He shrugged. ‘We've got more than a few self-servers and weak-kneed appeasers in the Council. The vote's going to be close. I can't guarantee that we'll stand against Bethlar even though we ought to.'
'Don't you have emergency authority as Maeran?’ Arwain asked, as he mounted his horse.
Haynar smiled again. ‘Garren's a considerable orator. And his followers hold real power on the streets here. My authority's only as effective as my ability to impose it if need arises. As I said in there, our security is no more than the strength of one traitor's arm.'
He waved aside any further debate. ‘You must go now. There's liable to be serious disturbances when the news of Garren's arrest gets out and I can't guarantee your safety. Tell your father what's happening here. Most of us are with you and we'll do our best to oppose Bethlar, but…’ He changed direction. ‘These guards will escort you to the gate. Go now.'
Arwain looked down at him. ‘Do you want our help, Maeran?’ he said significantly, laying emphasis on the last word.
'No, damn it. We want neither of you,’ Haynar said bitterly. ‘But better you than them. And the treaty's going to be no more than smoke in the wind soon if you don't help. But tell your father to be careful. This is just a ploy to some deeper purpose, I'm sure.'
Arwain reached down and took Haynar's hand. ‘I understand,’ he said.
The sound of shouting floated into the courtyard. Haynar nodded. ‘Go,’ he said, then he turned and ran back
