Sinner by Sara Douglass. Book One of The Wayfarer Redemption

“Herme and I were both at my home estates, Goldman. We share a common interest in the management of the Western Ranges.”

Goldman nodded to himself; Theod’s home estates were close to his northern border with Zared. No wonder they’d managed to get here so quickly. “And no doubt you were both as horrified as Heavorand and myself to hear of Askam’s new taxes.”

“No doubt,” Herme said carefully. He was not quite sure of Goldman, nor of the motives which saw him at Zared’s court.

“Enough,” Zared said, throwing his napkin on the table and leaning back in his chair. “Goldman, you came north to say something. Say it.”

“Sir Prince, as you know, Prince Askam’s taxation measures will place an unfair burden on many Tencendorians, rich as well as poor, traders as well as peasants.”

Goldman paused and looked about the room, pretending to gather his thoughts.

“Yet if Askam’s taxation measures affect poor and wealthy, peasant and noble alike,” he continued, “these taxes do differentiate between types of people.”

The entire table stilled. Heavorand, who knew what was coming, looked hard at the napkin in his lap. But the other three men’s eyes were riveted on Goldman’s face. “Continue, good Master Goldman,” Zared said. “Sir Prince, Askam’s measures affect those people living in the West and North, not those living in the rest of Tencendor.”

“And your point is…?”

Goldman took a deep breath. “Sir Prince, the Icarü and Avar do not feel the strain of Askam’s petty taxation, yet the Acharites -”

“Be careful with your phraseology,” Zared said quietly.

“- yet the human population of the West and the North, good Prince, are direly affected by it. Sir Prince, there are many among the Achar – ah, the western and northern populations of Tencendor – who stoutly believe that Askam’s taxations are unfair in that they discriminate against one race out of three.”

“The Ravensbundmen are affected by it as well,” Herme put in carefully.

“Sir Duke, the Ravensbund only trade with the people of the North. They care not if Askam starts demanding a life per cargo of goods transported through the West.”

Zared steepled his fingers before his face and pretended an interest in them. “And so your request is…?”

“That you raise the issue with StarSon Caelum at the Council of Five, Sir Prince. StarSon is the only one with the authority to rebuke Askam. To force him to rescind the tax.”

That had not been the original request that Goldman and Heavorand had come north with. Their plans had been hastily revised with the news of the Council of Five. But they were not dismayed. Far from it. StarSon Caelum had played right into their hands.

“The tax is the very reason Caelum has called the Council, and Caelum is a reasonable man,” Zared said. “I am sure he will listen to what I have to say. So your lengthy trip north was needless, Goldman. I have ever intended to raise this issue.”

“Zared,” Herme began, “I will not rest until I know that Caelum has clearly understood what hardship this tax will impose -”

“Do you doubt my ability to state the case, Herme?”

“Not at all, my friend. But I think it important that Caelum listens to someone from Askam’s own province, as well as your objections. If only you speak against it, well…”

All knew what he meant. The history of conflict between Askam and Zared was well known.

Zared opened his mouth to speak, but was forestalled by Goldman.

“Sir Prince, Earl Herme speaks wisely. Caelum needs to hear from the peoples of the West, as much as from you. I suggest that Heavorand and myself will be as suitable witnesses as the Duke and Earl.”

“Are you saying that I should take you all with me to Sigholt?”

Zared’s four guests looked at him steadily.

“Ah!” he said, giving in. “Very well. Your support will be useful.”

“There is one other associated issue, Sir Prince.” Goldman’s voice was tense, and Zared looked at him sharply.

“Out with it, then.” He waved his servants forward to clean away the plates.

Goldman waited until the men had gone. “Sir Prince, many among the human race of Tencendor, the Acharites, my Lord Zared, for I am not afraid to use the term, feel that Askam’s taxes are not only unfair, but illegal.”

“And why is that, Goldman?”

“The talk of the taverns and the streets of Carlon argues that Askam is not the legal overlord of the West, Sir Prince.” Goldman paused, gathered his courage and spoke his treason. “Most Acharites believe that you are.”

Silence.

Zared’s eyes regarded Goldman closely over his fingers. “Yes?”

“Sir Prince, when Axis created the nation of Tencendor he created Belial as Prince of the West. Few were loath to speak out against that. Belial was a loved man, and remains a loved memory. But his elevation essentially replaced the office of King of Achar. Axis destroyed the throne of Achar after he defeated his brother, Borneheld. Zared, you are the only legitimate heir to the throne of Achar.”

Herme leaned back in his chair. True, true and true, good Goldman, he thought. I could not have put it better myself. Speak on, man.

Goldman did indeed hurry on. “Sir Prince, you may have been disinherited of a crown, but more importantly, the Acharites have been disinherited of their throne and their nationhood.”

Zared spoke again, his voice now noticeably tight. “Continue.”

“Have not the Icarü, the Avar and the Ravensbund their leaders, their titular heads? Yet the Acharites have lost their monarchy and, in so losing, their pride. Sir Prince, why is it that the Icarü, Avar and Ravensbund retained or gained kings when the Acharites lost theirs?”

“Perhaps,” Herme put in carefully, for this was something Zared could not say without proving disloyal to at least one of his brothers, “it is because Borneheld, as King of Achar, was far too closely allied with the Seneschal and pursued a policy of hatred and war towards the Avar and Icarü. Axis rightly wanted to ensure that would never happen again.”

Goldman looked directly at Zared. “Sir Prince, I am not asking you to resurrect the beliefs of the Seneschal, only your people’s pride and nationhood. Prince Zared,” his voice slowed and he stressed every word, “your people want you back. They want their King. With few exceptions, western Tencendor would rise up to back your claim.”

Goldman glanced at Herme and Theod, hoping he had not read them incorrectly. “True, Sir Duke? Sir Earl?” “We would not speak against it,” Theod said slowly. Herme hesitated, then said curtly, “No king of Achar ever treated us as vilely as Askam does.”

“You all mouth treason!” Zared said, and pushed his chair back as if he intended to stand. “I do not intend to-”

“Treason?” Heavorand repeated. “Is it treason to speak of that which is our wish and your inheritance?”

Zared had stilled, his face expressionless.

“They are right, Zared,” Theod added. “Right! Achar needs its King back! Look how Askam is tearing the heart and soul out of the West!”

“May I remind you, Theod,” Zared said very carefully, “that as a Duke of the West, you are under Askam’s direct overlordship?”

“As am I,” Herme said, “and yet I find myself agreeing with both Theod and these two good merchants here.”

“Recreating the position of King of Achar would tear Tencendor apart,” Zared observed, but his tone was milder, and his eyes thoughtful.

“It is going to tear apart anyway,” Goldman said very quietly. “The tensions between Acharite and the other races would see war within a generation. You understand the Acharite perception of injustice, Zared. You share it. Sir Prince, you are rightful heir to the throne of Achar. Take it. Take it and direct some of this tension rather than letting it swell out of control. Take it… sire.”

When Goldman and Heavorand retired, Zared waved at Herme and Theod to remain.

He sat motionless, silent, for a long time before he finally spoke.

“My friends, I do not know what to think. My parents raised me to believe in Tencendor, in Axis’ and then Caelum’s right to rule over all races. They raised me to believe that the Achar nation, and its monarchy, was dead.”

“Zared,” Herme said. “Re-establishing the monarchy of Achar is not treason. As with FreeFall, Isfrael and Sa’Domai, an Acharite king would still owe homage and fealty to the Throne of the Stars. Any discussion of reclaiming the throne of Achar is not mouthing treason against Caelum, only discussing what many – nay, most -people in the West and North want.”

Zared was silent, remembering how he had looked at the circlet on Priam’s brow and wondered how well it -and the throne —would fit him.

“Where do your loyalties lie, Herme? Theod?” he eventually asked. “With whom?”

“With StarSon Caelum,” Herme said unhesitatingly. “First.”