It's 12:25 again, but I don't really feel bad. I gave my blog a new look, it's much classier. I'm still trying to figure out if I should have a picture or something, but I can't find a good one. So as of now there is nothing there.
I stuffed myself full of goodness today... or yesterday I guess. SO GOOD! We didn't get to do a fire because it was too windy. Sad... so no pictures and we had just a traditional dinner. I ate and ate and ate and then I slept. I was exhausted cause we went to play basketball in the morning and I had stayed up late watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer. HA! I love that show. It's so easy to get addicted to these things.
Anyway, it's time to get on with life. Here's the next chapter. I'm still compiling a list of people and trying to flesh out their characters. It's just a lot very very quickly and I'm still fuzzy on lots o' things. But here's the next chapter, rather long full of details, enjoy.
Princess Rivalee (Part 10)
The very same day Riva put her plan into action. She had to become a part of the Council and she wasn’t about to wait. The longer she waited the longer the Council could run amok. Glen had hinted at spies, Riva was determined to find them.
She had taken several weeks with the Court Magician to get an understanding of their government with all the pros and cons. Essentially the King had the last say in all decisions he was in charge of the military and therefore held the power, the nobles had the land and the merchants had the money. There were several go-betweens that kept the peace between king, noble and civilian.
The King’s Council was designed to allow everyone to put forth their opinion about issues of the realm, based on what the King heard he could make a decision.
Within Alsteare there were sixteen principalities placed in the hands of the nobles. They had certain liberties but were ultimately under the King. Each land had two representatives that would report to the capital. Either one of the representatives of the Noble himself were required to be present at Council. They would switch off every four to six months. These representatives were chosen by the King and paid by the noble in charge. The King could release the representative at any time. This was supposed to keep their loyalties evenly split between the King and the Noble in question.
Also required to appear in Council was a judge from each sect. These judges were chosen by the people and paid by the King- again this was to ensure loyalty to both parties. There were at least two judges selected in each region so they could switch at six months. They were to be the voices of the people. If there was a major problem that needed to be addressed by the King it could be brought by the judges.
There was usually a major-general from the Military district and four others of a slightly lower rank. They were a constant presence in the Council due to the conflict with Sealidan. The war had been kept to the borders mostly, but if the Sealidans were to invade father in a Martial Law would be put in place.
There were a total of nine merchants who had bought their way on to the council. No more than ten were allowed at a time. There were changes with the merchants frequently. Whoever was supporting the King most got a seat, those who couldn’t afford it, didn’t get the opportunity. The merchants were supposed to represent the middle class, the working class. There were always mixed results.
Finally, the Court Magician and an occasional magically inclined companion were present as well.
Riva took a deep breath and stood as tall as possible, her expression blank and cold. Kadric announced her presence. “Princess Rivalee of Alsteare.”
She held her head high and walked with purpose into the Court. With a single glance she could read several different expressions, many were carefully blank, polite, a few were out right repulsed, others were confused or curious. She didn’t plan on letting them get anything from her.
Earlier that week she had discussed different strategies that could be used in Court. They had come up with two that were likely to work: manipulation or force. She could play the fool and allowed herself to be stepped all over but that meant she would have to talk them into circles and she didn’t really want to bother. It would take too long and she was sick of being walked over. She couldn’t rule the Council with an iron fist like her father, she didn’t have the physical build or intimidation.
She had sided with manipulation.
At the moment she was unknown. No one knew how the princess was going to effect the voice of the Council. They knew nothing about her and she had made sure she’d done her research on every single one of them.
This made it difficult to choose something to wear. She had to make them fear her and yet give no impression whatsoever. In the end she went with a white dress to symbolize purity and innocence but most importantly peace. The hugged her figure but was long enough to brush the floor. It flared at the elbows and had a square neck. She wore no jewelry, but piled her hair atop her head in intricate braids and loops, all held together by a hundred pins.
Her walk to her seat ended and she met each eye quietly. Then she took her father’s seat, making it very clear her intentions.
A few murmurs broke out, but she ignored them. She was acting as queen, they had better get used to it. Firmly she said, “Let the Council begin.”
Kadric had warned her that they would try any tactic to get her off balance, humiliating her in quiet ways. But she had not been prepared for the onslaught of questions and noise that assaulted her. Kadric had also warned her that it would be best if he didn’t come to her aid, they would respect her more if she handled it on her own.
Riva hadn’t been so sure she could do this. She had acted impulsively only this morning when she had run out to stop her father. Many would try and find ways to expose her emotions. But the past was the past and now was now. She had to take control of the situation.
Firmly she stood and slammed her palms on the table before her, with it she added a burst of wind. The strong breeze and sudden outburst quieted the room. She kept a calm face, revealing no emotions (Ah! How long she’d worked on keeping a straight face). She only hoped that they wouldn’t realize that she could work magic, the breeze hadn’t been that strong. She’d added the burst of wind to associate her with power and to get their attention. (She thought she saw Kadric smile in the corner of her eye.)
“Baron Nasady, perhaps you’d like to begin?” Riva spoke quietly and firmly, quickly she looked about the room and realized that most of the Nobles themselves were present too see off the King. How convenient... In her mind she picked out each noble and went over what she knew about them, only half listening to what was going on.
When an issue was discussed to the point where voices were beginning to rise and it was clear that they weren’t going to reach a conclusion. Riva would interject firmly and acknowledge that she understood the importance of the issue but that they would return to it at a later date. If they were unsatisfied she would use the excuse that she needed time to consider the issue more fully. If she allowed two factions to argue too long they wouldn’t be able to continue civilly.
Riva never said anything about an issue and only listened. She wanted to observe everyone and get a first impression of her own. Everything she knew about these people were only hearsay. More importantly she didn’t want to offer any information about herself. She had made sure there was no time for introductions and no time for the other members to corner her and interview her.
Her sole purpose was to guide the meeting. Often she would call on a member by name and occasionally add a little detail about their family or a project that was going on in their region. She wanted to place fear into their hearts, to give them the impression that she was all knowing. She wanted to be a mystery and to keep them on their toes.
It wasn’t like she had many secrets to expose... well, besides the magic and Glen, and she wasn’t really a princess. But rumors had been flying around about that for years and there was no use worrying about it now.
The rest of the meeting ended without incident. Honestly there wasn’t much they could do. There was a lack of man-power and most of the funds were going to the war. There simply wasn’t room in the budget to satisfy all the needs. Most projects were put on hold, a few laws were changed or expanded on. From what Riva had put together from the Court Magician and the gossip, all members of the Council were in it for the power and money. But Riva sensed a unity in the Council. Yes, they were completely self-interested but they understood that if they were invaded and taken over; they would be powerless.
They had a common enemy and they had to keep the kingdom moving or they would lose everything.
The bell tower rung and heads turned. Their time together would have to end, some groaned as they stood. Riva resolved to get comfier chairs. Just because they had to meet twice a week didn’t mean it had to be uncomfortable.
Riva left immediately feeling very concerned. “Kadric, I need much, much more information on how things are run. I felt completely useless in there.” Riva rubbed her eyes, she had to get Alsteare back on it’s feet.
Kadric chuckled, “I thought you did quite well. What do you need?”
“Treasury accounts, where does the money go and where is it coming from? I need specifics, I want to go over all of the transactions, there has to be a way we can get out of this. Second, I need a law book! I was clueless on half of the legal issues discussed. Third, I need more information on the military structure and what is going to be needed to continue supporting the army. Fourth... how do the merchants fit in to all of this? They weren’t exactly of much use.”
“They have close relations with other countries. They control the trade and keep the economy going. In more of a direct relation, they can fund projects. Right now they are as poor as anyone else, we’ve hit them hard not only with taxes but with trade. It’s not safe to travel and no one can afford their wares.” Kadric sighed. “This war is hurting everyone.”
Riva wasn’t sure she understood, but decided not to press the issue. She turned to a different subject one that had been bothering her. “I thought the Council was designed to let everyone have fair say.” She looked to Kadric for confirmation.
He nodded.
“If that’s the case, why didn’t anyone bring up any of their issues? Havn’t they reported their problems?”
Kadric raised an eyebrow, a small smile beginning to show. “Oh, please who wants to from the common man? All they can do is complain.”
Riva looked up in shock.
He laughed. “I’m just giving you their point of view, not mine. Any problems that have been brought up are dead last in priority. They’ve got other things to worry about.”
Riva shook her head. “Don’t people read? A noble can’t build a cart or grow food or anything that is pertinent to survival. This country is built on the common man. A king can only do so much. Even I know that.”
Kadric grinned. “I can’t wait to what you can do.”
Riva shivered and looked at him reproachfully. She had a feeling things were going to get really messy, really fast.
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