“Yes,” called out Baron Eckhard, sensing that Milan was playing into his hand.
“We must choose someone.”
Milan raised his hand, “Ah, but there
is
one more valid son and two daughters!”
All three are valid Duskas, as certified in the documents you have at hand by Priestess
Anezka Zar. Thus, per the above mentioned rules, the baron position should go to the
son, Jan Vavrin.”
Zoran glanced at Eckhard and saw his face grimace. Milan continued. “While Jan
is a Duska, he is only ten years old. So now we must review the Regency rules that cover
the situation when an heir is too young to assume the throne. Those rules specifically
state that, if the valid heir is not yet eighteen, then the Circle can be held for him by an
appointed Regent. Thus, we come to the matter of how a Regent can be appointed. The
rules again state that a Regent can be anyone whom the under-aged, valid candidate
chooses, subject to the following. A Regent cannot at the same time be another baron.
While it is preferable for the Regent to also be a Duska, it is acceptable if he or she is not.
If the Regent is not Duska, some provision must be made for the protection of the Circle
of Ascension.”
“Heir designate Jan Vavrin has asked that Damek Kamil be his Regent, running
the Castle and its affairs until he is of age. Further, he has asked his sister, Kamila Lota,
assume the task of protecting the Circle of Ascension until he is old enough. Kamila is
now sixteen and a fully trained Duska, who can perform those duties that a Circle
requires. Both Damek and Kamila have agreed to fill these positions.”
“In summary then, our petition is that Jan Vavrin be appointed heir to the throne
of Castle Dorumova and the Circle of Ascension therein. Further, that Damek Kamil be
appointed his Regent and that Kamila Lota be appointed his Circle Protector until such
time as Jan reaches the age of eighteen, at which time, both Damek and Kamila will be
relieved of their positions and obligations.”
Baron Eckhard rose, fire in his eyes. “I must also point out that all three of these
are bastard sons and daughter of Baron Kazimir!”
Baron Milan rose, “The rules do not make any exceptions. It clearly states sons
and daughters. Marital status is not referenced at all. Your protest is invalid, but duly
noted by all of us.”
Now the floor was thrown open for discussions. Bogdan, Carwyn, and Cheng all
spoke in favor of Eckhard, punching in the bastard son aspect. They argued that the
High Council had an obligation to enforce strict moral codes, that this would reflect on
the lowering of Federation morals, and similar such arguments. Barons Viktor, Aldo,
Tom, and Etienne all spoke in favor of Baron Milan’s request. Each argued that in no
way at all did it violate any of the Federation rules of succession and that the rules could
not and should not be broken at this time.
During all this, Zoran watched the faces of the six Neutral barons, curious of their
reactions. On the surface, the argument of morals versus bastard sons and daughters
sounded good, but Zoran suspected that many of these men had fathered sons and
daughters out of wedlock. Certainly this was highly likely in the case of Asami and Baron
Hajime — as witnessed by Chika and Akira, the mermaids. He saw that most of the
Neutrals were enjoying immensely watching this power struggle between the two sides!
Finally, as the noon hour approached, a vote was called and Milan’s request was
approved by a vote of eleven to four. Adapazan was not allowed to vote, and Zoran had
to abstain since he had a vested interest and they refused to count half-votes. Baron
Carwyn announced the request as passed and said, “Regent Damek, you may take your
seat on the High Council. However, as it is close to noon, let us adjourn for lunch.”
Barons Milan and Viktor were extremely pleased with the outcome. The political
balance of power, which used to be five versus five versus six neutrals, had now
completely changed, becoming six versus four versus six neutrals. Over lunch Milan
pointed out that such a dramatic shift in the political balance had not occurred for over a
century and a half! Hence, this was a very significant shift indeed.
During the afternoon session, they tackled the problem of where to hold the High
Council meetings in the future, now that more and more Circles were being built. A
number of ideas were put forward, but the unanimous decision of the Council was to
continue their eight year cycle, visiting each planet in turn. However, when it was a
planet’s turn to host, it would be up to the multiple barons there to determine at whose
castle it would be held.
That evening at the opening night dance, based on lunch time chats with the
other baronesses, Zdenka and Jarka chose to wear their latest fashion billowing gowns
with the extremely high heels. Over half of the baronesses wore theirs and both women
desired to join them. However, they continue to wear their more comfortable gowns
during the daytime, as did the other baronesses. The dance was acceptable, though the
musicians were nowhere near as good as those at the other dances they had attended.
Later that night, Barons Milan, Viktor, and Zoran met in private. Milan said,
“Well, we’ve accomplished what can only be called a miracle. Now our task becomes to
keep little Jan alive for another eight years! Undoubtedly, our enemies will send out all
manner of assassins. If Jan is killed, Eckhard’s request may well be adopted, unless you
can find some more unknown bastard sons and daughters,” he teased Zoran.
“I will keep them at our Tower as much of the time as I can. Besides for many
years, Jan, Zuza, and Kamila will need to study and train. All three have many years of
magic training ahead of them. I’ll keep them safe.”
Viktor spoke his mind. “We should keep a vigilant eye on Bogdan and Eckhard.
There is still a strong likelihood that they may attempt an invasion of Adapazan. This is
especially so, since Damek is now seen as a weak leader, to say nothing of the army
casualties suffered in Sholov Provence. You certainly don’t have an army yet. Do not rule
out an aggressive military action against the whole of Adapazan, Zoran. I certainly would
not.”
“In that case, I really ought to see if I can have another twenty dragons living
around Dorumova. The treasury there can easily support them,” Zoran concluded, very
worried about just such an attack. Indeed, their position on Adapazan was tenuous at
best. Only the dragons stood between their freedom and an invading army. Whether or
not his allies could get significant armies to Adapazan to counter an invasion in time,
Zoran did not know.
The next evening’s entertainment consisted of an hour and a half of Anwyn
traditional belly dancing with very exotic costumes that revealed too much, as far as
Zdenka was concerned. The men thought otherwise. The next night was a traditional
desert fiesta. For this event, all of the women and men were given local costumes and
went barefoot in the warm sands. Bonfires provided both illumination and heat for
roasting their meal. Local musicians played afterwards, with the attendees given lessons
in the local barefoot sand dancing. Zdenka and Jarka were most impressed with their
traditions and loved the sand dancing. The third night was a play and this night they
again wore their latest fashion dresses. The play was called Haves and Have-Nots and
told the story of these two cultures in conflict with a balance achieved at its end. Zoran
realized that this was really a political play, with many subtle undertones reflecting the
current politics and situations going on within the Federation.
When Zoran left after the next night’s closing dance, he realized that he had
actually learned a considerable amount from this meeting. Not from what was said
during the long, mostly boring meetings, but with his chat with his enemy and seeing
first hand their culture and life. He realized that he truly needed far more data about the
other planets and their situations. Once more, Zoran realized how much he did not
know. What Zoran didn’t know was that many others in power did not know that they
did not know!
Later that night and home again, he and Zdenka looked out over their
construction site. The walls were finished and the sides of their new castle were now five
feet tall. They began to see their rooms and halls taking shape. Another year and they
may well be able at last to move into their Castle Brn, as Zoran named it. She chose this
time carefully and whispered into his ear, “I’m pregnant.”
“What? Wow! Fantastic! I’m going to have a baby!” he exclaimed.
“Ah, dear, it is I that will be having it. You are just the dad.” He laughed at her
tease, picked her up, and twirled her around in circles, before passionately kissing her.
Life looked happier than Zoran ever imagined it could be.
The End.