AD 4 - Wednesday, April 03, 2002, 9:32 PM ----------------------------------------- Late afternoon passes of Tenigul outside. The heat of spring and the rain that falls are mostly kept from annoying anyone inside the palace. As the walls hold off the rain and maidens swing large feathered fans to ensure as much comfort as possible. Several men stand around the throne room, dressed in different garments attending to different purposes. Near the back of the room sits an old man in a throne of silver and gold. The signet crown he wears designates him as king, but his intemperate and dower face is the true sight of many years of the hardship and toil suffered as this fledgeling land's protector. The doors of the throne room swing open soundlessly and through them steps a well dressed man of obvious noble heritage. He is accompanied by two men of the city guard, bedecked in their dress uniforms. As they enter each one kneels before the King, the guards behind the nobleman, taking their key from him. The man is Cezayir Asfarix to those who know him, junior member of the High Court of Tenigul and a chief prosecutor. Perizan is late to arrive today. He hurries into the throne room with his hair uncharacteristically disheveled, and apparently slightly out of breath. More telling is the condition of his attire: it is wrinkled. Perizan Karatri's clothing is never wrinkled. He arrives after his guardsmen who are accompanying Cezayir by several seconds, and he walks forward of them before kneeling as well. His is a casual kneel, as if more a formality than anything else; he is accustomed to being here, it would seem. The second King of Akar, Saloh Akalbah, nods at the newly arrived. His eyes heavy, a great weight keeping them from seeming fully alert, as if sleep had avoided the man for many days. Saloh takes a deep breath, followed by a short cough, "It is good that you have come," he says in greeting. His eyes are cast toward his son, Asteran, who stands at his father's side. Dressed in clothing not unlike Perizan, he seems to have just arrived from afar. Asteran steps forward, "Rise. My father wishes to speak of the recent troubles that have been reported in the last several months..." Perizan gathers himself together, his hands going over the wrinkles in his clothing surreptitiously. "Your Majesty," he addresses the king. "I offer my apologies for my tardy arrival. What is it you wish to speak of?" As always, his voice and expressions are calm. Stoic. Cezayir does not look up as Perizan enters until bid rise. As he stands up he looks over to the young officer and inclines his head in greeting. "Good day, my lord," he says to the King. He places his arms behind his back and spreads his feet slightly. Asteran's mouth opens, looking ready to speak, but his father's hand slowly rises. "I can speak for myself," he says harshly. "The master Kostu Tszyu has reported that a shipment of slaves were taken upon the sea..." He takes a deep breath, "They were coming here. And I have heard the rumblings of other piracy. These ill tidings do not stop there. For my sons have witnessed caravan's pillaged and burnt, with all their provisions stolen... this was only thirty leagues from Tenigul itself..." Cezayir listens as the King speaks with a blank face and nods his head slowly as he finishes. "Even as you say, Your Majesty," he replies slowly. "It does seem that there has been a rash of lawlessness. Under my direction thirty men have been imprisoned on charges ranging from smuggling to piracy. And yet, the problem continues." He glances in Perizan's direction for a moment before looking back to the King. Perizan bows his head in silence for a moment, as if contemplating. He looks up. "Majesty," he says quietly. "I have heard these same tales, and I do not doubt their truth for even a moment. The land surrounding our city is in constant turmoil, even within the Kingdom itself. My Lord Uncle has appointed patrols for the major trade routes, and they have been much more safe than ever before. Majesty, I would suggest to you that we are in need of greater military presence within our own Kingdom. And as our Prosecutor suggests, there have been many arrests within the city. If it please Your Majesty, I would credit our own City Guards for their tremendous diligence in working to eradicate lawlessness within the City. The number of arrests we have had tells me that they are working harder than they ever have before." Frowning, Saloh waits until each man is finished with their initial reports. "If we have succeed with our arrests why does this lawlessness continue?" His voice is stern, the frown remaining while he speaks. "Find the core of this trouble and quash it," he starts, "I cannot find solace in arresting some common thug. We ... you must find who pays the coin ... who is responsible for this." The young judge grows quiet and his complexion dark as the King speaks and nods his head. He purses his lips and draws in a breath through his nose slowly before responding, eyes pensive and brow furrowed. "Your majesty speaks correctly when you claim that we have not done enough. I take reponsibility for this error, and beg leave of you to remedy the problem," he is not grovelling, his voice is flat and matter-of-fact. "But it is not easily done. To now, I have treaded lightly, for it is one matter when the victims and those involved and being hurt are mere thugs. But this involves a much larger problem. Members of the merchant community do not appreciate my prying. I would ask for more freedom in conducting my investigations. If someone is offended, let him come to you, but let me do my job with fewer restraints." Perizan bows as the King makes his decree. "As you wish, my King," he rises. "What methods and means shall I take to do so? My Guards and informants are only as helpful as the Law permits." He casts a glance toward Cezayir before returning his gaze to the ground below the feet of the King. "My informants ask for more gold. My Guards demand more authority. I fear that I am unable to be any more effective whiles I must answer to the Council on every action I take. As our Prosecutor suggests, our restraints are too many." "I am not a tyrant. Our Akar is not the Akar of a century past," Saloh says. The king and prince exchange a short glance, but Asteran says nothing, his father continuing shortly after. "But we are at war. Perhaps not open war with Lun'sar or Tadkar. Perhaps not even with a nation. So I ask you both. Who could /you/ get to answer the questions we seek?" Cezayir glances to Perizan as the King queries them and then turns back to the King."With all due respect, your majesty, I can give no single name. To catch a fish every fisherman must cast a net. I ask not for undue autonomy. Only the right to investigate all those involved in these crimes without any undue burden on myself. I can do little good if I am to be called to task every time I question thug who has a connection of one sort or another." With his right hand he adjusts the fit of the glove that is on his left and glances about the throne room. Perizan nods twice as Cezayir speaks. "As he says, my King. Enemies abound, within the city and without. I have said all that I know; and all that my people know, I know. None can I name who could answer these questions better than I have." Saloh returns Perizan's nods, "Than do it quietly. A violent and loud fisherman will surely starve." The old man sighs, as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. "I shall see that your uncle receives more support for our Akarian trade routes, Perizan. The Asfarix and Katarai families have served Akar well. I trust both of you shall settle this the way it should be..." Afterward, Asteran blurts out, "Quietly," reminding the men, his eyes focused on Cezayir. "Beating the hell out of barkeeps in the open does not constitute quiet..." Perizan darts a glance toward Asteran. "Such has never been my methods, Highness," he answers abruptly, and then looks down to the ground once again. "My apologies, my King. I mean no disrespect. Your offer of aid for the trade routes is greatly appreciated. And you can trust," he pauses a moment, "That no guard under my command shall," he pauses once again for emphasis, "Beat the hell." He lets that sit a moment, "From barkeeps." Cezayir looks to the prince with a glare in his eye that is barely contained and nods to the King. "As you wish my Lord. I shall see to it that my lessons are taught in more private settings from now on. Your generosity is most gracious, your Majesty." He bites down on his lower lip and furrows his brow. Saloh raises his hand, dismissing the pair as he nods. Asteran repeats his father's nod, "You may go," he says, mouthing his father's wishes. "I shall make the arrangements for the transfer of troops from Yaskar's border," he notes, lacing his arms across his chest in silence afterward. Cezayir bows as the King dismisses him and prepares to leave, motioning the guards with him to follow. As he turns to leave he glances at the chief of the guard and casts him a knowing glance. Then he exits the throne room with his guards following. Perizan bows once again to the King, and then to his son. "We may also consider hiring Durnalian radicals to fight on the Lun'sar border, Majesty. Their blind hatred of our Riftspawn enemies may serve us well. Although in the past they have been our enemy, they have proven themselves time and again against Linsaki. We could use them to guard us there, and re-double our forces within the nation." He now laughs slightly, and addresses the King more informally. "If the Durnalians wished for our destruction, do you not think they could have done so by now? Let us use them for our own benefit, and strengthen ourselves within while they protect us from without. Their idealism and blind hatred can be our shield." Saloh's eyes widen to hear Perizan's latest statement. "Perizan, that is not an unwarranted thought. We have a peace with Durnalis, and trade. For now, that is enough." He sighs, shrugging back into the large throne. "We shall talk more about this later," he offers tiredly, "For now ... concentrate on whomever is attack us from within..." "Peace and trade," Perizan says quietly, and then adds, "And mercenaries. I do not suggest any unrest between Durnalis and ourselves - I merely suggest a trade of a different sort. While Durnalis struggles to keep peace within its own borders, we seek peace within ours. They have military strenggth. We do not. We share a common enemy: Linsaki. Let us speak with the Ambassadors from Durnalis, and suggest to them that their infvolvement against Linsaki would be beneficial to the Durnalian Empire as well as our own fledgling Kingdom. With their assistance, against our external enemies, we will be more capable to eliminate the enmies within." Saloh starts, but Asteran holds up his hand. "Perizan. Later." The elder prince frowns, his father remaining silent. "My father is tired. I shall seek you out to speak more on the matter later." "As you wish," Perizan bows, and after rising, turns to leave the throne room. Without a further word, he leaves.