think I can be just a man, for a little while at least.”
“My father talks about that,” said Jon, “about how responsibility can wear a man down. I can see how your system of changing rulers every year has its advantages. I’d think that consistency of rule is important as well. You know in Caparal they elect a new ruler every four years?”
“I know something of Caparal,” said Vipsanius. “The Tales of Yumanar as written by Owondo are well known even this far south.”
“Of course,” said Jon and slapped his forehead. “How could I forget those stories? My older brother used to read them to my sister and me when we were children. The great Yumanar, who left Caparal and saved the Republic. I don’t remember them being particularly political though, mostly high adventure as Yumanar, Owondo, and the others traveled the world.”
“There are some that are more politically orientated than others; the less famous ones are more interesting from that point of view. When Owondo wrote of the different political systems they ran across he often compared it to the Republic of Caparal,” said the First Rider his hand in his chin. “As a boy they were less interesting to me, but as I’ve grown older, I find that they have their nuances on a level beyond adventure and excitement. Perhaps if the Black Horse allows me to grow older I’ll find another aspect to them as well. The stories claim Yumanar wandered for fifty years after he abdicated the throne and restored the republic. That is a long time and a lot of writing.”
“You said earlier not to judge a man by his appearance,” said Jon. “You shouldn’t judge one by his age either. I know I’m only seventeen but my father taught me to lead and to rule from even before I can remember.”
“I’m not judging you, Jon,” said the First Rider. “That being said, you are only seventeen and there is only one way to gain experience. It is good your father has sent you on this long journey, and if you survive I’m sure you will prove an able leader in Tanelorn. However, I am not particularly interested in your future as a leader. I am interested in my current rule and I think you are here for something besides making alliances. Tell me now.”
“The Staff of Sakatha,” said Jon as he looked down at the First Rider.
Vipsanius nodded his head, “You want to collect it for Tanelorn?”
“That’s right,” said Jon, “but not to use it. My father wants to keep the most powerful items of the Old Empire out of the hands of those who would use them for their own ends.”
“What if I wanted it?” said Vipsanius. “What if I promised to use it for good, to help both of our nations, to free people, to conquer the Dorians and make them a free nations, to conquer the orcs of Adas Jdar, to defeat the insect men, what if I promised all of those things?”
Jon sat silently for a moment with the knife in one hand and a half-finished fish on the rock in front of him, “My father says that the relics cloud the mind and that no one, not even with the best intentions can use them for good. He thinks that the gods, well, he doesn’t think of them as gods, just powerful creatures left over from the Old Empire now posing as gods, he thinks they warp the minds of all people and that the only chance a freedom loving nation has is to remove their influence.”
“What was that?” said Odellius as he suddenly appeared with Sorus in tow. They held a small cloth sacking bulging with round little mushrooms. “That the gods are really not gods at all?”
“Odellius,” said the First Rider, “Jon and I are discussing matters of state.”
“I’m sorry to interrupt First Rider,” said the huge man. “It’s just that what Jon says sounds like something Imprilius told me after you went to bed the other night.”
“We can discuss that at another time,” said Vipsanius and looked up to the massive knight, “for now Jon and I need to talk about this Staff of Sakatha. You and Sorus work on dinner while we finish our conversation.”
“Yes, First Rider,” said Odellius, clenched his fist in a salute, and went over to the fire to examine the fish. He immediately pulled a spatula from a leather wrap which contained a number of utensils and flipped the little fish over with practiced ease. “Bring those mushrooms, boy, we want to saute them in this little pan here.”
“So your father plans to destroy the staff?” said Vipsanius, a small frown on his face. “I’m not sure I approve of that, but I can see where it might be best to destroy them entirely rather than let them do evil.”
Jon paused for a moment and said nothing.
“Go on,” said the First Rider and put his hand on Jon’s shoulder with a little pat.
“My father,” started Jon, “you have to understand I don’t necessarily agree with everything he says, my father isn’t certain about the entire concept of good and evil. If you, as leader of Elekargul do something like destroy the insect men, or conquer Adas Jdar in the name of freedom, isn’t that evil from the point of view of those nations? Likewise, if the reptile men of Darag’dal were to obtain the Staff of Sakatha and wage a terrible war of conquest wouldn’t that be in their own best interests?”
“What is good for me is evil for someone else,” said the First Rider with a nod of his head.
“I suppose that’s the concept,” said Jon with a shrug. “I’m not sure I totally agree with it, and my brother Val and he fight all the time about just that. But, to answer your question, my father doesn’t plan to destroy the Staff of Sakatha or any other relic of the Old Empire. He thinks that’s as bad as using them for your own ends.”
“What does he plan to do with it then?” said Vipsanius as his hand came to his chin. “It seems you either use it or destroy it and hope that your intentions are for the best.”
“My father doesn’t think anyone’s intentions are for the best when it comes to those old relics. He thinks these creatures, gods as we call them, created the relics during the Old Empire and that they warp anyone who owns one of them to their will,” said Jon. “I’ve held some of them,” went on the boy and his eyes became distant and he clasped his hands and ran his thumb over his fingers. “I think there is something to that idea.”
“You’ve held relics of the Old Empire,” asked the First Rider, and Odellius paused for a moment to listen closely to the conversation.
Jon nodded his head, “My father means to hold them, keep them away from those who would use them and be manipulated by the ancient powers,” he said. “I’m not sure it’s possible but that is the plan.”
“Wouldn’t the gods, or these creatures, however you want to describe them, simply manipulate their allies to come to Tanelorn and take them by force,” said the First Rider with a glance to Odellius and Sorus who immediately began to work on the food again.
“That’s what my brother says,” said Jon with a shrug of his shoulders. “My father thinks… well, I’m not sure what my father thinks about that. He starts using big words and philosophy and I get a little lost. My father thinks it’s important to let people act on their own, with as little influence on their minds as possible, and removing the relics is the best, if not perfect, way to achieve this.”
The First Rider nodded his head. “Does your father plan to kill the gods?”
Odellius suddenly gave a start and Vipsanius looked over at him, “Yes, Odellius, I’ve spoken with Imprilius on this subject as well, don’t be so surprised.”
Odellius laughed, “I’ll toss some of those poison mushrooms Sorus picked into your portion, not enough to kill you but you’ll have a bellyache in the morning and for a day or so.”
The First Rider laughed, “Fair enough, Odellius; now Jon, does your father plan to kill the gods?”
Jon shook his head, “I’m not really certain. He and my brother talk about things like that a lot, but I’m not always included in the conversation. I think my father wouldn’t mind if the gods just left or died or whatever but I don’t think he wants to participate actively in such a thing. I could be wrong about that.”
“It sounds like your father just wants to sit back and do nothing and take no responsibility,” said Odellius suddenly standing up and coming over to the two. “I don’t mean to interrupt, First Rider, but dinner is ready and I’m beginning not to like your father so much.”
Jon nodded his head yet again, “That’s what a lot of the younger knights say,” he said with a shrug. “They think we need to take a more active role in the world, not just sit back and wait for events to overtake us. You should hear him argue with the druids and the younger knights about invading the Rock Lord’s lands and destroying them once and for all.”
“The Rock Lord?” said Odellius.
“Enough,” said Vipsanius, “the smell of that sauce is enticing and these are matters that cannot be settled over a fireside conversation. Your father is the Gray Lord and I am the First Rider. You’ve been honest with me, Jon and when I come to a decision about what to do if we find the Staff of Sakatha and recover it I’ll be honest with you. In the meantime the food is getting cold,” he concluded with a smile, stood up, and walked over to the fire where plates of fish and mushrooms awaited.
