Before the Senate:
Garth stood in the center of the Senatorial Alcazar speaking emphatically to the gathered senators and the large crowd of onlookers in the gallery. The man known as the Justiciar spoke quickly, simply, and from the heart. He refused to speak with the flowery tone and mannerisms that were so common to the Onan people. He’d rather “the people” heard him how he was even though it would lose him supporters in the senate.
For while this speech was costing Garth dearly in platinum and a bit of his self-respect, it would be worth it if he could sway the people to his point of view. He had learned that the power of the senate wasn’t absolute in matters of security and prosperity. His speech focused on these matters and the need to help rebuild the city of Onaway using hard work and clerical magic. While wizardry would have worked better for such a task, he knew the Onans would not accept the aid of arcanists, regardless of whether or not they were benign.
Garth’s speech lasted over two hours, as he highlighted the strengths of the Eastern Shores and downplayed the regions troubled past. He did not gloss over it, however, instead the human ranger simply compared the Eastern Shores past hardships to what the Onans were going through now. He spoke of alliances and friendship amongst the royal peers of the region, fired in the heart of conflict during the Second Ogre War.
It was a great speech. He knew it because he even had his own companions, who watched from the gallery, enthralled. Only the vonakyndra was absent from the Alcazar, as he was too large to fit in the gallery and the Onans had refused to let him stand with Garth as the man spoke. Hugh was spending this time catching up on some much-needed sleep and keeping a low profile. As least, that’s what the giant man had promised the Companions.
“In conclusion, I promise that all of the lands of the Eastern Shores will uphold any trade agreement that is finalized here today. In time even a military alliance could be formed, but only after years of good will and patience. I understand that our very different people are separated by more than just distance, but by society and law, as well. I thank you for letting me speak today and I hope it is the first step towards a lasting friendship.”
Garth bowed stoically then stood at attention. Murmuring rose from the gallery and some of the senators. However, most wore a look of placid nonchalance on their faces, while a few looked at the Justiciar with disdain. The murmuring rose to a din that encompassed the entire senate. Several shouts arose from the gallery for the strangers to be cast out of the city, while others jeered and mocked the Easterners’ way of life.
Garth wondered if he had misjudged the Onans needs in some fashion. His speech hadn’t been controversial or in any way implied that the Eastern Shores wanted to subjugate Onaway. Yet, that is how the crowd was reacting. He could only think of one option. Someone had stacked the gallery against him, perhaps even Lord LaMarche himself.
The Lord of Onaway sat impassively at the center of the members of the Onan Senate who were ringed around him in a rising spiral, with only benches to sit upon. A senator’s placement in the spiral denoted his or her longevity in the senate. Those closest to Lord LaMarche had served nearly as long, while those located at the end were still young and untested.
Than LaMarche stood and the gallery went silent. He watched and waited until he was sure that he had everyone attention then turned towards Garth.
“I have come to know this man to be a good and decent, although I do not entirely trust that the words that he speaks are entirely those of the common people of the Eastern Shores. There is more hope than substance in your words Garth Tigerstorm.” The Lord of Onaway did not take his eyes from Garth’s.
That brought more murmuring from the gallery, but a raised hand from LaMarche quelled any outbursts.
“What do you say to that, Justiciar? Do you really speak for “the people” of the Eastern Shores? Or do you simply speak for the “royal peers” you so simply spoke of as heroes and soldiers?”
“I speak for me, my companions, and the people I serve as Justiciar? And while it is true that not all are equal in the Eastern Shores, it is not the same here in Onaway? You have a senate that speaks for “the people” yet many are not given an equal voice. You judge my culture as backwards and unjust, yet you deny that Onan civilization has its own inconsistencies.”
Garth’s bluntness shocked several of the Onan senators, by the worry that now lined their faces. Several took a look towards the gallery, but the citizens didn’t seem too know how they were suppose to respond. That or they found the Justiciar’s words meaningful. One senator, a dwarf that Garth had met only once before, seemed very disappointed by the crowd’s silence. Not even his well-trimmed flowing beard could hide his annoyance.
“Your words bite deep, Justiciar.” Lord LaMarche couldn’t help but admire the other man’s tenacity. “Onan senators are not use to be orally attacked in such a manner.”
“Well, then maybe Onan senators need to listen more and debate less.” Garth stood resolute.
This brought about a few guffaws from the gallery.
“Who are you to question our ways, Easterner?” The dwarven senator shouted the words to be heard above all and in harsh tone. He stepped down from his bench, which sat near the lowest part of the spiral, his blue silk garment draped over his torso, waist, and arms.
“Senator Hammervein, while overly boisterous, does have a good point.” Lord LaMarche moved to one side of Garth, as the dwarven senator took an opposite position on the other side. “You have only been in Onaway for a short time, Justiciar, and yet you insist you understand out people’s needs more than we do.”
“I made no such claim, Lord LaMarche.”
“Liar!” Senator Hammervein crossed his arms in defiance. “We all heard you question our ability to govern our own people. I say enough of this interloper’s faithless tongue. It has long been known that Easterners are godless jezebels. They do not respect the Gods the way Onans do.”
“Never question my faith, sir!” Now it was Garth’s turn to raise his voice.
“I question everything about you and your people, sir.” The dwarf stepped forward glaring at Garth with malice.
“Enough!” Lord LaMarche’s voice resounded throughout the Alcazar. “Senator Hammervein, I expected better behavior from one such as you. For while your passion for the Onan way of life is always welcome in the senate, your personal biases are not.”
“As you wish, Lord LaMarche.” Garth watched with disgust as the dwarf bowed in resigned indignity and returned to his bench. “However, I still say this so-called alliance would be a mistake. The other city-states throughout the Wild Plains and Savage Hills would look upon any such alliance as a military one. It would cause a greater rift between us and our neighbors.”
“And why is that a bad thing, my dear Eagleon.” A young male half-elven senator near the back of the spiral stood. Do we really want better relations with the likes of the city-states of Metan, Nikel, and Halandra or the citizens of the Jovian Alliance? They are not the best of neighbors.”
“Yes, what you say is true, my dear Dalman, but what about the more southerly city-states of Ambian and Gillian? They are more amiable towards us, but could become indifferent or even hostile if we align ourselves with the Eastern Shores. Do we wish to make enemies on all sides, while our only supposed allies are on the other side of the continent? Nay, I say.”
“It is worth considering, at least,” another senator near the back of the spiral spoke without standing. “The Justiciar might dislike our tendency to debate, but it is way we do things. I put forward an official motion that the Onan Senate debate this issue and determine all its merits and drawback.”
“So noted,” Lord LaMarche’s response was steady and without bias. “I assume you second the motion Senator Shallowater?”
“I do.” The half-elf near the back waved his hand nonchalantly as he sat down.
“Do we have a third?” Lord LaMarche waited for a response. He didn’t get one. “Very well, then I will act as the third to motion for the debate.”
“Than, you have got to be kidding?” The dwarf named Eagleon Hammervein slammed his feet down on the marble floor. “How can you, of all people, believe any of this?”
“I didn’t say I believed everything Garth Tigerstorm has spoken. I do, however, believe this alliance is worth considering. Again, I say I thrice the motion.”
“Very well, but I will be filing an official objection in the morning.” The dwarven senator’s words softened slightly, although his face remained hard.
“So noted,” Lord LaMarche turned towards Garth with what appeared to be a genuine smile. “I hope my tough questions will not keep you and your companions from being my guests for dinner tonight?”
“Of course not,” Garth didn’t smile back, but he did nod his head in acknowledgement. “Your questions were thoughtful, and your people will be glad to know you asked them. My companions and I will happy to attend tonight’s revelry.”
In the gallery, if you listened very carefully you could hear a moan of indignity at the thought of attending a state function. Garth hoped no one else realized it had been Dabuk.
* * *
