Some people have a meeting. Dallia Umevan arrives in Milport.
Chapter 25.
Chatsrey
Not wearing his uniform, Jorge walked into the restaurant, a heavy looked at him and opened the door to a private room filled with a rather eclectic group of people. He had expected Borug Ironhead and representatives from the Committee and the Lions. They were all there, as was Senior Agent Stonecracker and Chief Ironpounder. So were Secretary Cutflame and Attorney General Harper. Borug said, “Sit down, colonel, and join us.”
“Should you all be meeting like this?”
“There is a common interest, colonel,” Bob said. “We want to avoid certain things if we can.”
“So, what is going on?”
“I think that you discovered some of it yesterday. Mr. Ironhead expressed his concern about Waterland to Swifty, Swifty called his uncles and then his grandfather. Batluc called me and we went over things. I called in Senior Agent Stonecracker and Chief Ironpounder since they had an obvious interest in what could happen.”
“What are you all looking at?”
Borug said, “I didn’t mention Waterland to you yesterday, but I did some checking and it turns out that the Global Economics Club rented the park for the last two days of the conference with the Republic Gas Companies as a sponsor.”
“The gas people have mound ties. I knew about those. Who is renting the park for the rest of the conference?”
“The Carayarus, the Umevan, the radio people and Crowburg and Racketgarde.”
“So, Filvendor Carayarus, Naertho Umevan, the Wavechasers and the Crowburg and Racketgarde people with my old boss as the star.”
“That’s about the size of it. None of them are the problem. The Jastirians are.”
“The Jastirians?”
“A sort of secret society that I would love to get the goods on,” Bob said. “The Jastirians believe in living outside the norms and boundaries of society. They tend to come from wealthy families, travel a lot and like discreet little places that allow them to indulge themselves. They also tend to inhabit places in academia and government. Unfortunately, they are also good at keeping things covered, by and large.”
“Those places that the Transformed found and cleaned up were part of that, weren’t they?”
“I was hoping that Gordy could get me an in to the Jastirians, but that didn’t work. Marian’s actions didn’t help either.”
“You never mentioned the Jastirians to me before.”
“They have been a project for some time. I supposed that I thought that you had been told about them.”
“Mr. Harper, for a long time, I have been offshore, or rather busy. I have been a bit distant from the Republic and I may not know the things that “everybody knows” but don’t reach my desk. What do you have?”
“Not a membership list. I have some of their fronts and covers, but the fact that they have ties to the mound and academia makes digging a bit difficult. We can go over the file later.”
“The question is what we can do in the park,” Batluc said. “The good news is that Gertald and Onia are on their way. Gertald has always been rather assertive about certain behaviors in the park.”
“I hope that the Economics Club didn’t have a good solicitor go over their contract,” Baltrag said. “There are clauses in the contract that they should be alert to. I went over the contracts and they were all our standard contracts. That means that the signatories are to obey the rules of the park and that if they do not, the fee for the rental is nonrefundable. There are rules about molestation of minors and other things.”
“Onia and Gertald made those rules didn’t they?” Bob said.
“Actually, my father did,” Batluc said. “We carried over the Dragonland template when we started Waterland. My dad did not want the park to turn into some places in the Empire. So certain entertainments were banned. That turned out to be good for business and we and most park owners have the same rules.”
“It’s fairly clear that they plan to ignore those rules,” Borug said. “I doubt that the fact that they will be stuck with the park fee will bother them that much. Getting tossed out, on the other hand, will annoy them quite a bit.”
“The important thing is what we do with the kids,” Baltrag said. “I didn’t get a list of the schools that are sending students. Does anyone know which schools they are coming from?”
“Not yet,” Bob said. “Mr. Cutflame, you might be able to use resources to discover that.”
Garad grinned. “I can send a reporter from the Times, yes. The interesting thing is whether they know about the change.”
“Even if they do, they won’t be as hostile to a reporter from the Times as they would from somebody else.”
“I’ll arrange to have somebody sent.”
The ten board members sat around the table in the Plateau Club for their daily meeting. Itham said, “There are some new arrivals that will be attending.”
“Other than the ones we know about?” Winston growled.
“The Orcenlands are sending a contingent, including Mahk Courseguider, son of the Orcenchief.”
“So the Orcenlands are sending spies,” Thornean said. “That is new.”
“Courseguider is a spy?” Meynes asked.
“He’s more of the boss of the Orcenland’s spies. The Courseguiders like to keep certain things in the family.”
“The Empire is also sending Prince Airdan,” Itham said.
“Now that is a surprise,” Hillrunner said. “I would have expected Prince Zaos. On the other hand, Airdan is capable. Did your source say who is coming with him?”
“Various people. I have a list.”
“At least the visiting royalty should keep the witch busy,” Hurdog said. “Is the park ready?”
“The contracts are signed and the gas company is prepared to set up. The schools will have their best on the way with their managers.”
“Do you think that there will be any problems from park management?”
“The park is owned by Dragonkin and other such disreputables. I don’t think that they will care at all. That is if they notice at all.”
“We should go over the park before the conference starts,” Winston said. “That way, we will be familiar with it.”
“I will arrange that for tomorrow,” Itham said.
Faghig tapped Jreghug’s shoulder and said, “Look who is here.”
Jreghug laughed. “Gunag and Shelara. Shall we say hello?”
Mahk looked at the orc with the elvish lady and said, “You know who he is?”
“That is our cousin, Gunag and his lady. Gunag is working for the Residency in the Empire when his family isn’t handing him fusors to deal with.”
“He has family in the Empire?”
“That is the interesting part of the story. Let me introduce you to him. Oops, we were too late. Durlan got him.”
Mahk laughed. “So he is speaking with Mrs. Steelmaker.”
“Mrs. Steelmaker is his boss. He works for the International Service.”
“Not in the clandestine section, apparently, or he would be my problem.”
“He ended up in the Empire, where the family there found him. He is an interesting character even for our family. He gave the new gods a bloody nose recently.”
“How did that happen?”
“I’ll see if I can arrange dinner with the family soon so that Gunag can tell the story.”
“It must be good, then.”
“Very.”
“Then you have another one to add to your collection, Jerthath.”
Jerthath Toothgrinder grinned. “Not just him. His grandfather as well. I’m hoping that you can get me some introductions, Gorug.”
“I think so. At least we can surprise my brother. Apparently my nephew does not want to speak with us.”
A grinning Durlan helped the Greencap put the diplomatic trunk in the cab and Gunag and Shelara got in. As the cab pulled away, Gunag said, “I’m glad that you were there, Durlan.”
“Why?”
Faghig and Jreghug were there with a high status orc. They were looking in my direction.”
“That was Mahk Courseguider.”
“Then you got me out of trouble.”
“You know who he is?”
“I read my briefs and his dad was at Jorge Umevan’s wedding. We didn’t chat, but I was introduced.”
“Do you know why you’re here?”
“Ostensibly to answer questions about my proposal for the new embassy in the Empire. What I’m really here for is to keep an eye on some clowns.”
“My relatives and I will want to know about the clowns.”
“You and some other people. I imagine that the Attorney General and Colonel Tollings will want to talk about them. This was kicked off by my father, so he’s probably talking to all sorts of people, but I was working things the last time. Shelara, you can talk to some ladies and then to some girls. We might want to talk to the Beinans about collars and installing certain things in places. You put that proposal together with Lady Nightmantle and here we are.”
“You’re thinking about Ayre Eiljeon.”
“He won’t be here, but he probably has friends in his set a lot like Bennie. We’ll have to see what dad is thinking.”
“Your dad is talking to just about everybody,” Durlan said. “That was why he didn’t pick you up.”
Gorug turned to his nephews and said, “You scared that orc away. That was Gunag and his lady, wasn’t it?”
“It was,” Faghig said. “I’m not sure why they are here.”
Alais smiled as her son and Shelara came into the office. “You got here without any problems.”
“The immigration clown in Ishendell must have been busy,” Gunag said. “We sailed right through to the plane. I have the trunk and my proposal.”
“Did you receive my package for the estate?”
“Mazie appreciated the package,” Shelara said. “I handled the delivery.”
“Did you bring pictures from your drive through the Empire?”
“We did. That was a wonderful trip. The boys were a big help.”
“Gunag, you know why your father wanted you here.”
“Dad is worried about the economics conference. The admiral also wants me to deal with any issues concerning Prince Airdan and his wife. I don’t think that will be a problem.”
“Why not?”
“Airdan and Ilythe met when they were going through the Program together, Ilythe is a former Justiciar Adjunct and both of them have been to the Republic and Ishendell, multiple times.”
Alais laughed. “Like another pair, probably.”
“Not as frequently, but yes. Airdan is Immianthe’s older brother.”
“You also are bringing a proposal for a more or less permanent embassy.”
“Yes. I will have to talk to grandfather about that.”
“Why?”
“We own the building. I discovered that when they started to call me “Lord Gunag.” It was rather embarrassing.”
“That could cause problems in Congress.”
“I know. I brought the proposal, the admiral liked it, and the numbers work. The two floors are being vacated by the current tenant and were available.”
“Why not a House or a house?”
“I looked into that, but most families don’t want to actually admit that a House is for sale and many of the houses in the Lower City were old or inconvenient. I discovered the building and at first glance, it wasn’t a good candidate. Then I looked more closely. The building was sound, the elevators and plumbing worked and it had a large mana allotment even before the Mana Service was restored. That was before I discovered that I was responsible for the building.”
“Your father will be glad that you are here, so take the proposal to Stacey and then go and see your father. Do you have any plans, Shelara?”
“I have a letter of introduction for Lady Orizana from Lady Nightmantle. I want to discuss some things that were provided to the house in the Lower City that could possibly be of use during this conference.”
“I can arrange to have you speak with Lady Orizana. What does this involve?”
Shelara touched her collar. “The button on this and how it protected me. I was lucky when I had it when Ayre Eiljeon was a customer. I wasn’t so lucky when Bennie pursued me. I want to know that the girls here have that protection if necessary. I can also help with training.”
“I was going to teach you some things. I know that you have been through the Fight Instructor’s Program and what that taught you might be more practical for many that are not Silverin.”
“I haven’t been asked to practice the Dance. I think that Lady Fallingwater knows that I have been busy of late.”
“I hope that you can spend some time with me, perhaps later in the year so that I can teach you some things. But that is for another time. Gunag, take the proposal to Stacey and then Durlan can take you to your father’s office and Shelara to the Crystal Palace.”
Stacey grinned as Gunag walked up to her desk. “You must have something for me.”
“For the Secretary. It is a proposal for the new embassy in the Empire.”
“He’ll want that. I assume that you will be available to talk about it.”
“I will be. I need to see my father.”
“Mrs. Steelmaker will want an update as well.”
“I can do that. We were lucky and the new gods never knew what they had pirated, so we got our cargo back.”
Sarya came into Alais’s office and said, “I missed Gunag, didn’t I?”
“He dropped off some things and left. He was going to see his father and Shelara wanted to see Lady Orizana.”
“What about?”
“Helping the girls be able to protect themselves. I think that she is concerned about our Bennies here at the conference.”
“That isn’t a bad things and Shelara talking to Nyla is also a good thing. Taking action like that is a bit of a surprise.”
“I think that she has been pushed into a role and is stuck with it. This will be interesting.”
“I will want a report from Gunag, when he can produce it.”
“I will tell him that.”
Borug looked at his son and said, “The admiral didn’t waste any time getting you here.”
“He didn’t. Of course, Prince Airdan is coming down tomorrow and I had some things to drop off. So what is the situation?”
“The economics club slipped one past the Cutflames and rented Waterland for the last two days of the GEF. They are bringing in students from some boarding schools for the GEF.”
“You want me on the streets in and around the conference. I can get some friends and do that.”
“Go see Swifty in the President’s office. He has the itinerary for the conference, since he is escorting the President.”
“I will be doing some of that for Prince Airdan as well. So I need to see Swifty or whoever is coordinating that. I’ll talk to mother about that.”
“How are things going with you?”
“I have been looking for quarters for a new Embassy with Derry for the admiral. He wants something outside the House.”
“Is there a reason other than wanting an established Republican presence?”
“He doesn’t want whoever gets his job next to have to live in a circus in the middle of a zoo regardless of what Lord Aravaris likes.”
Borug laughed. “That make sense.”
“I need to go.”
The cab stopped in front of the Crystal Palace. Shelara looked at the massive structure and said to Durlan, “I am more than a bit nervous.”
“I wouldn’t worry. You have your letter from Lady Nightmantle and experience. You will be fine.”
Sylva was crossing to the desk when she saw the young elf lady wearing Republican lady’s office wear and a collar walk up to the desk. The lady said, “I have a letter of introduction to Lady Orizana from Lady Nightmantle in the Empire. Would it be possible to speak with Lady Orizana?”
Sylva stepped forward and said, “I can handle this. Miss, are you looking for work?”
“I wasn’t. My name is Shelara Cook and I came down with my fiancé, Gunag Ironhead. I wanted to discuss some things related to the potential abuse of entertainers. I have some experience with that and some potential solutions.”
“What brings you here now?”
“My fiancé and I were called down to help with dealing with Prince Airdan and other matters and it was mentioned that a conference that was coming here would have some issues that I was familiar with.”
“I will take this to Nyla. Could you meet for lunch tomorrow?”
“I can do that. I will return tomorrow, then.”
“I will take this to Nyla, then.”
Sylva watched Shelara leave and went to Nyla’s office. “We just had a rather interesting visitor. She brought a letter of introduction from Bene Nightmantle.”
“So she is from the Empire. Was she looking for work?”
“Apparently not. She was looking to discuss some things with us.”
“Did she use her real name or a stage name.”
“She used her real name, Shelara Cook. She is apparently engaged to that orc that ran the tractor all over town. I have invited her to lunch tomorrow.”
“Anything else?”
“She was Silverin and wore a collar.”
“The conversation should be interesting, then.”
Dorug went to the door and with Faghig was his brother, who he hadn’t seen since he left the Orcenlands. Gorug grinned and said, “Hello, brother. You didn’t return, so I came to you.”
In a rather shocked tone Dorug said, “Why are you here?”
“The opportunity arose and events were moving on. So I snuck in with Faghig and Jreghug.”
“Come in and talk. Ettrien is here. Falen and Kilyn are out right now.”
“We saw Gunag and his lady arrive. Do you know why they are here?”
“Borug is nervous about the economics conference and wanted Gunag here. They have arrived, apparently.”
Faghig and Gorug followed Dorug into a study where an elf stood up and said, “I have met Faghig, so who are you, sir orc?”
“Gorug, this one’s brother.”
“The brother that went into the jungle. Dorug mentioned you, but wasn’t sure if you were alive. We didn’t know about the Scourging.”
“It is difficult to believe that was possible, but I know that many did not.”
“I tried to tell people here about the devise in the jungle,” Dorug said, “but publication was suppressed and at the time, I didn’t have the resources to publish myself and was in the army.”
“Worthag told me the story of how you were sent away. I was annoyed that you did not return when the Scourges came, but you had no way to know and the clan wasn’t talking to you.”
“I didn’t look back, like Ettrien did not. I think that we both were glad to be free of the bonds that we had left behind. That turned out to be a mistake for Gunag.”
“It certainly did,” Ettrien said with a laugh. “My sister in law and her fellow plotter grabbed right on to him and Shelara.”
“How did Gunag end up in the Empire in the first place?” Gorug asked.
Dorug sighed. “This is going to be rather complicated. Gunag graduated from Upper School about eight years ago. The Service Agency requires all students to take the Service exam, supposedly so the Agency can properly assess folk when they go to fill their Service obligations. Gunag took the test and scored very well.”
“That isn’t a surprise. You married a lady from the Haven and Ettrien here married a similar lady, probably.”
“Yes. Well, the test scores are not released until after graduation and Gunag did not think at the time that he would be accepted to a college because of what his father did and some incidents while he was in upper school. So he applied for Service instead and was rejected for all the roles that did not require a college parchment. In order to see if he could change that, he went up to the mound to talk to his Congressman several times and got nowhere. So he was stuck doing odd jobs and things here in Chatsrey and rather frustrated.
“When the election came and Democracy lost, Gunag was hired to ride herd on some orcs hired by the mound for something. At the same time, a man named Derriald Gilders was called up to the mound because he had managed to get the slaves in the Empire to exercise their franchise here at home and that had helped to upset the election. It was arranged for Gunag to be placed in jail so that he would persuade Derry to confess to fraudulently entering the votes so that the election would be seen as invalid. Strangely, Derry beat up Gunag and recruited him for a job in the Empire. There was some turmoil here at the turn of the year and afterwards, Gunag and Derry went to the Empire. The president issued Gunag his citizenship papers anyway, but Gunag liked being away from his mother so he stayed in the Empire. Then Shelara and the family found him and he was stuck.”
“There’s more to the story. Faghig and Jreghug said that there was.”
“I’ll let Gunag tell all of it, since he is here. Is Thistle here as well?”
“She went off with Tigerlilly and Elen. They are looking around the city.”
“Why are you here, Faghig?”
“We came down with Mahk Courseguider, who is attending the Global Economics Forum.”
“The Orcenlands haven’t participated before. Did Naertho Umevan have anything to do with that changing?”
“I think so. He has talked to the Orcenchief.”
“Naertho probably suggested that sending some people would be a good thing.”
“I don’t know what went on, just that Jreghug and I were asked to come to the Republic for this.”
“Borug can talk to you. He’s rather annoyed at himself, since he forgot that the thing was coming.”
“What are the issues?”
“What do you know about Gordy the Collector?”
Faghig grinned. “Swifty’s adversary.”
“Who is Swifty?” Gorug asked.
“Swiftfire Cutflame is the President’s grandson, midshipman at the Naval Academy currently and was the center of rather nasty suit against the Fifth School District,” Dorug said. “He was working for a private investigator and stymied Gordy when he was trying to collect Susan Gilders. Gordy collected underage girls and some boys for some sick people. What Borug is looking to deal with is the same sort of thing, because that happened during the last Global Economics Forum. The good news is that most of the people in that business are out of the picture. The bad news is that the current Administration is in the spotlight and can’t afford a large scandal, so Borug is hoping to keep some things suppressed this time.”
Gorug grinned. “Dorug, I think that we should have some fun. Ettrien, has my brother lost his touch?”
Ettrien grinned. “Not at all.”
“Dorug, one thing I wanted to get together with you about was the journal of our travels in the jungle. Do you still have it?”
“I loaned it the Council of Kings so that it could be transcribed. They were supposed to return it to Gunag, but he hasn’t mentioned it. On the other hand, he has been rather busy since the Conclave.”
“Then we should have it returned. Send it to the Ironhold when it is. I have more to add and Worthag wants it published.”
“Ok, then.”
“Now that I am here, tell me of your life since you left the clan.”
Itham entered the offices of Bellot, Benton and Bertles. The lady at the desk said, “You must be Chancellor Daefina. Mr. Bellot is expecting you. Go right ahead.”
Itham was passed into Cain’s office where the cadervous solicitor was waiting behind his desk. Almost with a series of creaks, Bellot stood and put a hand that was more bone than flesh out. “Chancellor Daefina, welcome. You are here to go over the preparations for the conference. Things have been going forward and the contract for the park has been signed.”
“Is there anything that should be of concern?”
“The contract is the same as the contracts that the park has signed for numerous parties before. I saw no major issues.”
“What about security for the conference?”
“I have retained a company started by a former FSA senior agent, Dorrin Hardcast. His people are all former FSA or law enforcement. I can have the board meet with him at your convenience.”
“Give me the contracts and the rest. The board will want to see them.”
“I have them here.”
Chapter 26.
Milport
Pushed by tugs, the Dallia Umevan was moored to the pier. Lines set, the accommodation ladder went down. Gordon looked up the pier and could see Derry and Tuna walking up the pier, trailing trunks. Bill must have seen them as well, as a cargo net was hung over the side. Derry and Tuna placed their trunks in the net and went to the accommodation ladder. Gordon turned around and could see Meri waiting at the top of the ladder. When Derry and Tuna reached the top, Meri hugged them both, they talked for a bit and then obviously headed to the bridge.
Gordon heard them enter and turned around. Derry said, “Umevan and Waveblade reporting, captain.”
“You were here on time. You both also brought back more than you left with.”
“We went places, didn’t we, Tuna.”
“Did the training go well?”
The boys grinned.
“We aren’t supposed to talk about it,” Tuna said.
“I’m glad to see you back. We’re here for a day and then it’s Chatsrey.”
“We know, captain,” Derry said.