The Ambassador’s Chair

The Ambassador’s Chair

Fateese had walked proudly through the streets of Kefar and was waiting openly at the harbour. He was relieved that he no longer had to slink about side roads, turn to see if he had been discovered or wear a disguise. He was now advisor to the diplomatically protected ambassador from Sylvan Watch and he had even smiled and nodded at passersby. Two Kefarian Guardians assigned by the city of Kefar stood beside him and there was no threat of arrest or feeling of anxiety as they would counter any problems with those who wished him ill. He was feeling bolder all the time, although one had asked him to move away from a bollard.

He had moved immediately.

Above the harbour, a Voice Casting from the Exchange Amphitheatre echoed about the plaster and timber-clad walls of the city. News about the reliability of all Crestrealm Primary Crystal charging schedules being delayed was spreading and a special session was being held on Methods of Conservation of Crystal Power.

Fateese looked up. “An excellent time to arrive.” He alluded to the need for interventions during the crystal crisis now brewing in the public sphere.

A tall ship had entered the bay. Its thin, elegant masts and completely unnecessary purple and mauve silk flags were seen by all and sundry. Streamers adorned the ropes and sides of what was obviously a diplomatic ship from Sylvan Watch. The ship’s gangplank struck the quay with a heavy, hollow thud. Delrona appeared beneath a purple travelling cloak, the green-and-silver seal of the Sylvan envoy displayed prominently upon her breast, catching the grey afternoon light.

She paused long enough for the harbour clerk to notice it, ensuring his gaze lingered on the official insignia before making any move to disembark.

Then she waited in poised, motionless silence while he scurried off into the bustling crowd to find someone more important.

By the time she stepped ashore, a senior customs officer, two attentive attendants, and a man carrying an ornate ceremonial staff had assembled beside Fateese. The man with the staff appeared uncertain why he had been summoned from his quarters, but held the polished wood upright with unquestioning conviction.

“Ambassador,” the customs officer said, bowing deeply at the waist.

Delrona offered her hand with practised grace.

Behind her came a young Sylvan Guardian carrying a narrow leather document case. He was a tall, handsome Sylvan man with closely cropped wavy hair, an attentive expression, and a vibrant purple sash fastened beneath the shoulder of his travelling armour.

Fateese watched him systematically examine the quay, calculating the distance to the waiting carriage and scanning the dark windows above the customs house and the alleys beside it. He assessed the group that now greeted them: the nervous man with the staff, some attendants of no consequence and a broad-shouldered man who seemed out of place in a diplomatic welcoming party.

“And who is this?” Fateese asked, tilting his head towards the vigilant young officer.

“Rahkhan,” Delrona said. “The Senate has provided an escort.”

“Guardian and liaison,” Rahkhan added politely.

Delrona glanced back.

“With admirable enthusiasm for both.”

Fateese bowed but was immediately jealous of both his stature and position.

“Welcome to Kefar. Keep your purse where you can see it, your dagger where they can’t, and your opinions sheathed until you need them.”

Rahkhan smiled, unsure how much of the advice was a joke.

A porter struggled down the gangplank with Delrona’s reinforced trunks and boxes, of which she had so many that more than a few trips would be necessary. Rahkhan took the lower handle of one of the tilting trunks before the man lost his footing and helped him carry it to the carriage.

Delrona watched the display of service and Sylvan civility.

“There are people employed to do that.”

“Yes, Ambassador.”

“Then allow them the satisfaction.”

The porter muttered his thanks. Rahkhan released the handle only when the case rested securely beside the driver.

Fateese opened the polished carriage door, holding it wide with a sense of honour, glad to be in the presence of Delrona again.

She paused beside him, the heavy silk of her purple travelling cloak whispering against the carriage wheel. Her indifferent eyes swept over the surrounding quay, observing the busy dockworkers and the ceremonial staff bearer who still stood idling nearby.

“The councillors?” she asked, her voice lowered beneath the ambient noise of gulls and distant harbour calls.

“Prepared,” Fateese murmured, smoothing down his vest.

“All of them?”

“Several are hopeful, two from the Fire Quarter are intensely grateful, and one has developed a sudden and convenient interest in retiring quietly to his seaside estate in the Verdant Expanse.”

“And Menard?”

“Looking forward to taking full public credit for the entire enterprise.”

“Good.”

She stepped smoothly up into the carriage, gathering her robes.

Rahkhan followed at her invitation, his hand resting instinctively near his side where his weapon hung beneath his travelling cloak. Fateese climbed in last, adjusting his stance in the cramped entryway, only to discover that the remaining velvet-upholstered seat had been largely occupied by a heavy leather travelling bag.

He moved it aside with a soft grunt.

Delrona looked at him, her eyebrows raised in silent expectation.

He carefully placed the bulky bag across his knees, settling in for the ride up into the city.

Kefar had repaired much of the damage around the harbour.

New stone stood pale against old walls. Shop fronts had been repainted. An official notice declared that trade had returned to its customary strength, although several shops beneath it remained closed.

Farther inland, the carriage passed a queue outside a charging house.

People stood with small crystal cases, household lamps and sealed containers marked with the signs of their trades. A healer in a stained apron argued with an attendant through a half-open door.

Rahkhan leaned slightly towards the window.

The healer held up two grey crystals.

The attendant shook his head.

“How long have they been waiting?” Rahkhan asked.

Fateese looked out.

“Some since before breakfast. Some since yesterday. It depends whether you mean this queue or the general experience.”

“Do the healing houses have priority?” Delrona asked.

“They have a document confirming it,” Fateese replied. “The document has been very well received. Unfortunately, it cannot be placed in a charging cradle and healers are left wanting.”

Delrona’s mouth tightened.

“Has the Keeper supplied the records?”

“He has supplied several explanations for why the records are difficult to supply.”

“Remind him about his villa.”

Rahkhan turned from the window.

Fateese adjusted the bag upon his knees.

“A pleasant property,” he said. “Apparently the sea air assists the memory.”

Delrona looked at Rahkhan.

“Your first visit to Kefar?”

“Yes, Ambassador.”

“Then observe carefully. These difficulties are precisely why the Senate sent me.”

He nodded.

He wanted her to be right.

Before his departure, Senator Unon had received him in a small room overlooking the Senate gardens. There had been no ceremonial staff, no attendants and no speech about the honour of the assignment.

“You will protect her,” Unon had said. “You will also keep an accurate account of what she undertakes in our name.”

“You believe she will exceed her authority?”

“I believe she has her own understanding of authority, which may differ from one that benefits the Sylvan Watch.”

Unon had placed a copy of the appointment beside Rahkhan’s hand.

“Her mandate concerns the delayed Sylvan crystal. It does not permit military commitments, territorial agreements or permanent trade arrangements. If she undertakes any of those things, I expect to hear of it.”

“And if she succeeds in restoring the supply?”

“Then you will report that too.”

Rahkhan was glad for the direction and understood that there would be more to this assignment than simple protection of the ambassador and Sylvan interests.

He had decided to be a Sylvan Guardian after watching a patrol carry flood-stranded families out of the lower forest. What he remembered most was a woman passing her sleeping child down from a roof. She had not asked the Guardian’s name or rank. She had simply trusted him to catch her daughter.

Rahkhan wanted to become someone people trusted that way.

If Delrona could restore the flow of Primary Crystals to the Crestrealms and put charged crystals back into healers’ hands, he would gladly help her.

Outside the carriage, the charging-house door closed.

The healer remained on the step.

The Council had provided a reception room with a view of the Heartwell approaches.

Delrona inspected the chairs before choosing one.

Fateese placed her document case upon the table, then approached the window and looked down at the Guardians posted along the avenue.

“Drell is at the side entrance,” he said.

“Has he spoken to the contractors?” Delrona asked in hushed tones.

“They are suddenly very interested in the Verdant Expanse.”

“And our nervous friend?”

“His missing reconstruction funds appear to have been found.”

“Where?”

“In an account belonging to his wife’s cousin. He was relieved to learn that we knew where to look.”

Delrona removed her gloves.

“Will he support the proposal?”

“He has asked whether he may second it.”

Rahkhan stood beside the door.

Neither of them had asked him to leave.

He could not decide whether that meant the conversation was innocent or that they considered him too unimportant to understand it.

A Council attendant arrived carrying a tray. Fateese intercepted a small honey cake before the tray reached the table.

“Menard will receive you shortly,” the attendant said.

“Is the Council assembled?” Delrona asked.

“All but two members.”

“Then they have enough.”

The attendant hesitated.

Delrona smiled towards the attendant as one would a young fersealon.

“For quorum and therefore to begin receiving the papers.”

When the door closed, she drew a sheet towards her.

“Fateese. The announcement should begin with continuity. The Council retains complete authority. Make certain that is stated first.”

He took out his writing tablet and shared some of his prepared statements for Delrona to peruse.

“Good, good, complete authority.” She went on reading out passages in semi-audible tones. “An ambitious opening. Add, ‘The appointment is temporary and concerns the restoration of reliable charging. Our specialists must have access to the Alfadin installations and authority to organise the work there.’”

“Access and authority.”

“Selected and coordinated through my office.”

Fateese wrote.

“Verdant extraction is to expand under existing rights, with Kefarian transport guarantees and Emberwild labour contracts.”

“Shall I mention the cost?”

“No.”

“A familiar government economy. Why change gulathers midstream, I say?”

“Public safety, continuity of supply and the protection of every Crestrealm.” Delrona went on dictating edits to Fateese’s work, with no reaction to his comments.

He repeated the words as he recorded them to reassure her that he was indeed listening.

Rahkhan watched Delrona turn the sheet around and check what Fateese had written.

“The Council has agreed to this?” he asked.

“They will discuss it momentarily,” she said with a degree of prescience that was unnerving to the listening Rahkhan.

“And these are your recommendations?” Fateese confirmed, trying to question without offence.

“Would you prefer I arrived without any?”

“No, Ambassador.”

“Neither would they.”

She returned the sheet to Fateese.

“Give this to Menard’s clerk. He need not struggle with the wording.”

Councillor Menard greeted Delrona with both hands extended.

“Ambassador. Kefar welcomes the Sylvan Watch.”

“How reassuring,” Delrona replied. “We have been waiting some time for evidence of Kefar’s interest.”

Menard’s smile held.

He indicated a chair placed midway along the Council table. Delrona sat. Fateese settled behind her with his papers, while Rahkhan took his place by the largest portico to the chamber.

Thrankal’s usual chair stood empty.

Several councillors looked towards it before looking at Delrona.

The city administrator of the stores had brought three ledgers and a small tray of damaged crystals. Her glass lenses rested low upon her nose. Rahkhan recognised the exhaustion of someone who had explained the same problem to too many people.

Menard folded his hands.

“We understand the Sylvan Senate has concerns about the regular timing of its replacement Primary Crystal.”

“The Sylvan Senate has an exhausted Primary Crystal, diminished reserves and healing houses attempting to plan around promises.”

“We are experiencing exceptional demand.”

“So is every Crestrealm receiving less charge than it requires on a delayed schedule?”

A councillor near the far end shifted in his seat.

Delrona continued.

“Their Primary Crystals sustain their regional cradles for fewer days. Their smaller power crystals return to service incompletely charged. Naturally charged crystals are mined in smaller numbers every day. Sylvan Guardians—nay, all Crestrealm Guardians—are being asked to conserve power while their healers are being told that conservation must not affect treatment.”

She looked towards the administrator.

“Have I misunderstood the difficulty?”

“No,” the woman said.

Menard glanced at her.

Delrona opened her case.

“I hold mining rights in the Verdant Expanse. Some of you are already familiar with my operations there.”

The balding councillor with heavy decorative chains around his neck nodded too quickly when his suspicion prompted his question: “Is this a personal or a Sylvan Watch-supported project?”

Delrona looked at the man coldly and ignored him, then continued as if he had never spoken.

“The initial workings have supplied excellent stone,” she went on. “The adjoining deposits offer a substantial yield of smaller power crystals suitable for Guardians, healers and ordinary charging. The difficulty is development. Roads, lifting machinery, transport and labour.”

“Verdant labour?” asked the administrator.

“Where available. The region remains largely undeveloped. Emberwild crews have the necessary experience with difficult ground.”

“And their authorities have agreed?”

Menard answered before Delrona could.

“Existing Kefarian labour arrangements would permit recruitment.”

Fateese examined his tablet.

“Emberwild has become remarkably agreeable to arrangements proposed from this room.”

Delrona continued without looking at him.

“With transport guaranteed and the contracts expedited, extraction can expand considerably.”

The administrator picked up a fractured crystal.

“More stone will help. It will not increase the Heartwell’s output.”

For the first time, Delrona gave her an approving look.

“Precisely.”

The room grew quieter.

“I have corresponded with scholars in the Astryx Arcanum whose work concerns ancient crystal conduits. They believe the installations in the Alfadin Mountains were involved in ancient systems of regulating power before it reached the Heartwell. Whatever reasons Councillor Thrankal had for withholding those records, the present shortage no longer permits the Council to wait.”

“These are remarkable accusations levelled at a member of the Council—and in his absence, I might add. Without Thrankal here to answer these wild accusations, we should adjourn to—”

Menard was cut off suddenly by the sharp voice of Councillor Dilahk.

“Let her continue.”

“No!” Menard interrupted calmly and spoke directly to Delrona. “You said they ‘believe’ the Alfadin Tower had a role in the Heartwell’s power? So librarians eight thousand kilometres away are now experts on the Argent Isles? Those tome-loving hermits have not stepped foot in Kefar or any of the Argent Isles in decades. Why would they suddenly have knowledge of this kind of thing that sounds more Mechanum than Kefarian?”

“They have identified enough to justify an examination,” Delrona said in defence of her accusations.

Councillor Poruh’s interest was piqued, and she was willing to ignore the assertions of corruption for the moment to deal with the immediate crisis of the crystal power management. She asked, “And they can repair it?”

“They believe they have material that will help us understand how the supply of energy can be managed and corrected.”

“Could it be returned to previous levels or even increased?” Poruh was already making calculations for future controls based on a fully restored Heartwell.

“Councillor, if I gave you a ‘yes’ before their scholars had seen the installation, you would be right to distrust me.”

Menard and Poruh both nodded as though this had been their concern.

Rahkhan noticed that she had not named a scholar, but the cries for adjournment had ceased as the attention was turned towards the bigger immediate issue of continued Kefarian supremacy.

The grey-haired Councillor Dilahk leaned forward to speak as he sensed an opportunity. “We know of Thrankal’s unsanctioned and unilateral decision that invested mere academy graduates with investigative powers. We had approved a full-fledged investigation in Alfadin, not an academy field trip, and we hear the results have become exceedingly complicated. A real mess that is still in need of restoration.”

Menard rose from his chair so quickly the wooden legs screamed as his chair flew backwards, demanding the attention of the entire room. “My good Councillor Dilahk is the second person here today to lob unsubstantiated accusations at the Council leader who, I must again remind the chamber, is not here to defend himself.”

Councillor Dilahk then rose to meet the challenge from Menard and looked to Poruh for support. “Then perhaps we should await the High Councillor’s return for his voice to be cast on the matters of his corruption—”

“I object to the use of the word ‘corruption’ in this council chamber,” interrupted Menard.

Dilahk calmed himself. “As I was saying, the ‘issues’ of the High Councillor’s governance can be discussed as a separate and most pressing issue upon his return, but for now the ambassador’s suggestion should be deliberated on.”

Delrona looked at Fateese, who gave her a wink and a smile that said nothing to the rest of the room but immediately put Delrona’s concerned face at rest.

“Then we should exercise better supervision,” Delrona then asked the room to consider.

“And you propose to provide it?” Dilahk inquired on behalf of the Council.

“I propose to coordinate people who possess useful knowledge, to begin a full and thorough investigation and present to the esteemed members here solutions that will allow them to continue to rule over Aethoria for another thousand years.” She rested her hands upon the table. “I require access to charging records, permission to inspect the relevant installations and a temporary advisory role connecting the scholars, the Keeper and your supply offices. At present, every useful decision appears to wait upon three people who act like they are sitting in the crotch of a forestine tree, starving to death while they watch every juicy fruit wrinkle, turn black, and drop to the ground because they cannot choose which branch to take.”

The administrator looked down at her ledgers. It might have concealed a smile.

“All authority remains with the esteemed High Council,” Delrona said. “Your officers approve the work. Your seal authorises the shipments. Your announcements inform the public and your internal management issues in regard to your High Councillor will remain just that.”

“And the expense?” asked Councillor Poruh, looking at her many golden rings.

“My companies can advance part of it against future deliveries.”

She sat back, satisfied.

Another councillor cleared his throat.

“The records you wish to inspect extend to previous allocations of Primary Crystals?”

“Only where necessary to establish the present position.”

“There have been irregularities during the emergency.”

“Then we should be careful to distinguish administrative mistakes from deliberate misconduct.”

His fingers loosened upon the edge of the table.

At the far end, the grey-haired Councillor Dilahk spoke again.

“My district’s healing house has enough reserve for two nights. What can you provide before any of this work begins?”

Delrona turned to Fateese.

“The sealed cases from the ship.”

He looked up.

“All of them?”

“Two.”

He hesitated only briefly.

“I have just arranged delivery of the finest naturally powered crystals from my new operations in the Verdant Expanse......let’s call it a sample....and my adjunct will arrange delivery immediately.”

The councillor closed his eyes for a moment.

“Thank you.”

Rahkhan felt some of his unease subside with an act of selfless Aethorian kindness from a Sylvan Watch ambassador that made him feel a moment of pride. Whatever else she intended, those crystals would reach people who needed them.

Then Delrona spoke again.

“The Keeper should send someone to record how effectively the new stones perform. It would be useful if the Council recognised my office as the point of coordination before they are delivered.”

“That seems entirely reasonable.” Dilahk spoke for the Council while Menard hesitated to object without Thrankal’s support.

The Council requested time to deliberate. Delrona led Fateese out of the chamber and Rahkhan followed at a respectful distance. “What did that little show cost us?” Delrona quietly inquired of Fateese.

“It was a considerable purchase, actually. Dilahk has always wanted his own recreational ship, so a small pleasure vessel with four cabins and two sails bought us your new appointments. That and the crystals you just donated publicly to his healing house. But it has secured us—you—control of Alfadin, so it now seems a small price to pay.”

Rahkhan was ordered to escort an attendant to give him directions on how to collect the cases intended for the healing house. Delrona withdrew to the reception room, satisfied with her purchases, and Fateese disappeared with Menard’s clerk.

When Rahkhan returned, Drell stood inside the reception-room doorway.

Rahkhan remembered him from the harbour. A broad man with hairy hands, he had spent the disembarkation watching people rather than what they carried.

“Not the small escort,” Delrona was saying. “The full establishment.”

Rahkhan slowed and softened his steps as he heard the conversation.

“How many companies?” Drell asked.

“As many as can be equipped from the first consignments. Obtain the muster lists before the contracts are issued.”

“The Verdant crystals?”

“Sorted and reserved before the public allocations. Uniform sizes. I want the Guardians trained with them before they are deployed.”

“Bringing a few monks and a ceremonial guard to heel in Alfadin won’t need such a force.”

“Alfadin will receive what it needs to permanently control the site; we may need it for a prolonged period. The rest will remain ready.”

Rahkhan stepped into the doorway as he was wary of being suspiciously quiet in his approach.

Drell turned immediately when he noticed the tall, armed bodyguard.

“The healing-house cases are being loaded, Ambassador,” Rahkhan said.

“Good.”

He looked from her to Drell.

“Are Sylvan Guardians being sent north?”

“Valuable machinery requires protection, and they are more of an inter-Crestrealm force: Guardians from Sylvan Watch, Emberwild Dominion and the Verdant Expanse.”

“Of course. I understood the Council was considering a technical inspection.”

“It is.”

Rahkhan waited.

Delrona closed the document in front of her.

“Do you believe scholars should travel into the mountains unguarded?”

“No.”

“Then we agree.”

Drell brushed past him.

Rahkhan watched him leave.

He knew the size of a company. He knew how many charged crystals a Guardian could carry and how quickly they could be exhausted in a sustained fight.

He could imagine a reasonable escort for scholars.

He could not make it require an entire mine’s first consignments.

The Council’s deliberations lasted long enough for Fateese to eat the remaining honey cakes down to the last one, which he refused to take on etiquette grounds.

When the attendant returned, Delrona rose before he announced the decision.

This time, Menard received them standing.

“A productive discussion,” he said.

“I am sure I will be most pleased with the results.”

“There will be safeguards put in place as these are extraordinary circumstances and a foreign-led investigation will require the most stringent of monitoring.”

“Naturally. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“Regular reports. Council oversight. And the arrangement remains temporary.”

“As we discussed.”

Rahkhan resumed his place beside the portico.

Menard lifted a prepared sheet of crisp paper with still-drying ink. In its corner, the warm wax, freshly impressed with a seal, weighed heavily, tilting it to one side.

“The High Council retains complete authority over all measures undertaken for the restoration of reliable charging.”

Rahkhan looked towards Fateese.

He was brushing crumbs from his sleeve.

“Specialists selected and coordinated through the Sylvan ambassador’s office will be granted access to the Alfadin installations and authority to organise the necessary work under Council supervision.”

The words were familiar.

Not merely the proposal. The order of it. Fateese could almost recite the lines as they rolled off Menard’s tongue.

“Extraction within the existing Verdant concessions will be expanded with Kefarian transport guarantees and the provision of labour under established Emberwild agreements.”

Rahkhan remembered Delrona seated at the reception-room table.

Selected and coordinated through my office.

Menard continued.

“These temporary measures are adopted in the interests of public safety, continuity of supply and the protection of every Crestrealm.”

Fateese had written those words on a wobbly table in the northern quarter over a week ago. Well before the Council assembled to ratify them.

The administrator began gathering her ledgers. One councillor asked whether a copy could be sent to his district before evening. Another congratulated Menard on acting decisively.

Delrona remained seated halfway down the table, her envoy’s seal bright against her cloak.

Menard lowered the document that held the pronouncement giving unprecedented control to an ambassador.

“The motion is carried unanimously.”

Beside Rahkhan, Fateese couldn’t contain his pride in his achievement. He leaned close enough to speak without disturbing the congratulations.

“We took considerable care arranging their opinions, and it was unanimous!”

He folded his writing tablet.

She had not asked for Thrankal’s chair.

Rahkhan now wondered whether she needed it.

Thy Quest
Rahkhan wants to believe Delrona is helping Aethoria, but he notices reasons to question her intentions. Does her offer of help justify the power she gains? Use two details from the chapter, including one that shows a benefit of her actions and one that raises concern. Explain why Rahkhan questions whether she needs Thrankal’s chair.