The Ganut

Episode 38: The restricted council.

Jerel had just woken up and had an emergency select council meeting this afternoon. He noticed his mother sitting at the foot of his bed.

-    What are you doing here, mother?

-    I'm the one who's going to ask the questions. You didn't come home last night, where were you?

-    Hey, I see you're angry since you're talking to me informally. However, I told you, I had unforeseen events at the office.

-    I know, which is why I had your dinner carried all the way west of town, but the basket came back intact. Guess why? Because my son lied to me. So I would like to know why, directly. I hope it had nothing to do with Mary.

-    Stop this argument, it was nothing very serious. There was a crisis unit at the palace. Besides, I'm going back right away.

-    Anyway, if you hide something from me, I'll know.

Melva was at work and thinking about the night that Mary had told her about. She missed her Tom very much. To avoid thinking about it, she began talking to her patient Oswald while she changed his dressing.

-    You are almost recovered.

-    Thanks to you.

-    Thank you so much.

-    But you can help me much more, but you are holding back, I feel it even in the depths of my instincts.

-    It's because I can't.

-    For what ? Are you afraid ? Are you in danger? I promise to protect you if you help me. Believe me I know how to fight.

-    They... well, he made it very clear.

-    Who are you talking about ?

-    About the man you described, the one who murdered your mother.

Melva explained the whole situation to Oswald who promised to help her in return. He realized that the contexts were the same and that they were after the same kidnappers. But how to reach them?

Paul met Ervin then told him everything before going to the select council meeting. For him, the queen was not lying about her innocence regarding her servant. If you confess to one murder you might as well confess to two. He let Ervin know that he would clarify the matter. The Duke of Lidsor tried to dissuade him by asking him to concentrate on the progress they had already made. Paul did not change his mind; he was already resolved.

Paul was back at the palace. He passed Caesar's mother and sister on his way. They came to check on him. He arrived in the meeting room a little late, he apologized for that. Bali, Jerel and Timothy were already present. The topics on the agenda were:

-    Summary of the week's activities

-    The last academic week and opportunities for school leavers.

-    The recent attack on the Duke of Jutrecky.

-    Dizek cannot be reached.

Paul had informed the council that the crown's finances were in dire straits, especially after the week of festivities. He proposed an action plan which consisted of borrowing once again from Sahel but also creating jobs in order to reduce unemployment and benefits at the same time. It was therefore necessary to increase the number of workers for the crown (civil servants). And since young people are increasingly reluctant to join the army since the last war, recruitment will begin with this promotion. Timothy had no objection to the outgoing academicians. Regarding Caesar's attack, Bali had explained Caesar's version and reassured everyone that he would get through it. Paul knew she was lying but he couldn't say anything at the moment. Jerel still decided to follow the process and ask a few questions before closing the investigation.

But Jerel was much more worried about Dizek. He found the silence of their contacts abnormal, especially after the ambassador's warning.

Paul: For you, Dizek has such a serious problem that he cannot communicate with the outside world?

Jerel: Alas, I very much fear that this is the case.

Timothy: There was surely a reversal between the southerners.

Bali: If that were the case, they would have played along by sending us messages so as not to arouse suspicion.

Jerel: I fear it will be worse than all that. I believe His Majesty Quincy Bromell II was killed.

Timothy: What makes you say that?

Jerel: If he was alive, they would have forced him to play the game. Either they killed him during the attack, or they executed him because he refused to play the game. Remember, the ambassador had warned us of a considerable unexplained increase in Bazekite troops. I think Bazek took back the throne and besieged the city so it wouldn't get out.

Paul: All this is very unfortunate. But that would be inconsiderate of them. If it turns out that what you say is true, then Trésoria will launch a raid against them and all the cities will line up behind the capital.

Jerel: Unless... Bazek has support in the capital.

Bali: Don't tell me you're thinking of a reversal at the capital level.

Jerel: It's the only thing that makes sense. Why would Bazek get Dizek when everyone else would fall on them? For Bazek to attack Dizek, they have to be sure that the capital doesn't know about it. But they can't hide it forever either. Oh ! By the 10! They definitely have allies!

Paul: Why do you say that.

Jerel: The only way to succeed is to have the capital on their side. But even an assassination would not be enough. The power of the crown must be weakened, and the only way is to band together against it.

Bali: To hear you, it seems like a war is brewing.

Jerel: I hope not but I will send scouts and double the rounds around the city. I would have liked to send a message to Tresoria but they would shoot the messenger. I don't really want to send someone to certain death. I'm even afraid they don't already have infiltrators inside our walls.

Bali: What to do then?

Paul: This may all be just a misunderstanding. We're goingto stick to Jerel's resolutions. Above all, we must not warn the population.Even though communication via ravens has been banned except in times of war, Iwill take the risk of sending one if the threat becomes clear. The next meetingis scheduled for next week.