"You old rascal," Sarad said, dropping into Com- mon. "I've been hearing tall tales about your triumphs.

In fact, the rather fragrant reminders of your success greeted me from the battlements as I rode in."

"Rebellion's a bad business," Darius said noncom- mittally.

"And how did the Duke of Abercorn take the exe- cution of his son?"

"I hear that he has taken to his bed," Darius replied.

"And what brings you here this morning?" Sarad asked, changing the subject diplomatically.

"The Chamberlain is indisposed and the Queen has asked me to fill in for him."

"Not fair, Gwyndryth, not fair." The Thane chuck- led. "The rest of us have been slaving at this for years and you trot in for what may be the final vote."

Darius' answering smile had an apologetic aspect. "I am sensible of the honor," he said, "and you may rest

144 a.s.sured that I have been exhaustively briefed by Her

Majesty."

Today's the day all right, Malum thought. She wouldn't have sent Gwyndryth unless she expected this to be the final session. The other two kept talking, but Malum's attention was diverted by the arrival of the other members of the Commission. The day, though young, was already warm and the men looked uncom- fortable in their velvet and ruffs. The Oligarch, by con- trast, looked cool in her long silk robe.

The Hodman, dressed in last winter's fashion, was red-faced; Otorin of Lissen was composed; but only the Elector, in a loose linen tunic, sans ruff, was moving easily. His joints were at their best in this weather. Ma- lum's own ruff was chafing his neck as he wended his way through them with a cooled goblet of fruit juice for his master.

After five minutes of general conversation, with old acquaintances chatting about their visits home, the Commission drifted to the table. The gla.s.s had been taken out of the windows and bees flew back and forth, attracted by the scents of the herbs strewn over the floor.

The buzz of continuing conversation rose, generating a feeling of relaxation and goodwill. A positive omen, Malum thought.

The Elector broke the mood by rapping on the table.

He didn't make a very loud noise, but it was enough to bring silence. They're all on edge, Malum thought, no matter how relaxed they appear.

"Madam Oligarch, my lords," Phalastra said into the bee-humming quiet, "I trust that you have all had pleas- ant times. Now, alas, we must return to the task at hand- It is my hope that today we shall finally vote on the proposal presented at the beginning of the summer without additions, subtractions, or amendments." The reedy voice faded away.

145.

"I shall take your silence for acceptance," he contin- ued after a brief pause- "Before we vote, I should like to welcome the Lord Darius of Gwyndryth, an old friend of mine and as much a hero in Umbria as he is here." He inclined his head in Darius' direction and the Holdmaster returned the gesture. "He speaks today for Queen Naxania of Paladine. Having said that, let us to the vote."

Malum rose and distributed copies of the map to each of the representatives.

"We shall be voting," Estragoth resumed, "on the acceptance of the part.i.tion as represented on the map before you, as I have said, without revisions. I shall start at the end of the table and work my way around.

Hodman, how say you?"

"Songuard says no." The Hodman was mopping himself with a large kerchief, but his voice was deep and firm.

The voting continued, and when the tally was done, Umbria was the sole supporter of the proposal. Estra- goth masked his disappointment well. There was no hint of it in his voice as he said, "Let the record show that the part.i.tion as presented has been rejected by a major- ity of the states. Does anyone wish to propose an amendment?" He looked around the table. The only indication of his anger at the result, at the betrayal he felt from those who had listened to him and spoken him fair, only to vote against him when the count was called, was a vein throbbing in his temple-

"An it please you. Lord President." There was no hint of triumph in Olivderval's voice. The tone was level and unemotional.

"The chair recognizes the representative from Isphar- del." Phalastra matched her formality.

"Isphardel proposes that the territories marked out

146 t JOHN LEE

OB the map be accepted as drawn, with these condi- tions:

"One, roadways be built through the valleys of Go-

rodontiou and Saiadonda and continue through the newly created Songean lands to the borders of New Is- phardel.

"Two, gateways be constructed through the Upper

Causeway to permit pa.s.sage of both roads.

*Three. Isphardis and their goods, both personal and mercantile, shall pa.s.s freely at all times and shall not be subject to customs duties, tolls or taxes of any kind unless levied by the government of Isphardel.

"Four, the roads and gateways shall be maintained and kept in good repair by the Isphardi government.

"Five, all disputes arising from the use of these roads shall be decided by an international tribunal.

"Six, the freedom of pa.s.sage shall be guaranteed by the international community and will be maintained, if necessary, by force of arms." She paused and looked around.

Jarrod raised his hand. "The Discipline is to be ac- corded territory, the exact size and location of which is still to be decided."

"Yes indeed," Olivderval acknowledged. She leaned forward and tapped a pile of papers in front of her. "I have copies of the proposals here, which I shall pa.s.s around." She gave a few to Otorin of Lissen, who sat to her right, and others to Borr Sarad on her left. "I should be obliged if you would all add the paragraph regarding the Discipline." She turned in her chair and looked back to the scribes' table. "I have some for you gentlemen," she said.

Malum got up and retrieved them. He could not bring himself to look at the Oligarch and mumbled his thanks- The rest of the Commission was reading the doc.u.ment, but no one, he noted, looked particularly surprised. They 147.

all knew that this was coming, he thought, everyone but us.

Phalastra of Estragoth looked up from his reading.

"Is there any discussion of the proposal?" he inquired.

The Hodman spoke up. "Isphardel will build and pay for the roads, no?"

"That is correct," the Oligarch replied. "We shall, of course, welcome your help when it comes to manpower.

It will be a long and costly job and I would think that a large number of your people will benefit as a result."

The Hodman grunted and nodded his head. "There is nothing here about Fort Bandor," he said.

"Since it does not concern the Outland, we felt that that was a matter for the Empire and yourselves to work out and hence not the business of this Commission- I have, however, made the position of my government on the subject quite clear."

She looked around the table for other questions to answer. Surely, Malum thought, Estragoth will raise some objection. None came. The sly b.i.t.c.h has got them all, he concluded and felt a touch of disappointment that his master had no counter.

"Further discussion?" the Elector asked. "No? Well then, let us put it to the vote. All those in favor of the part.i.tion of the Outland as shown on the map, with the addition of the provisos introduced by the Oligarch, raise your hands."

Hands went up all around the table.

"So be it then," Phalastra said.

"One moment, my Lord President," Olivderval inter- jected. "You haven't cast a vote and it would look much better to the world if the Commission was seen to be unanimous."