Outcast of Gor Chapter Thirty Six

“I’m surprised you’re telling me this, your Grace. And… just why are you telling me this?”  

 

People in power aren’t normally this frank, especially not to people they don’t know from Adam. The last thing I wanted was to be entrusted with confidences that might later get me killed, simply because I knew too much.  

 

“I’m confirming what you already know, Roland of Newark.” It was the first time she had used my name, and I suppose she used it precisely so that I understood she had enquired about me. 

 

“I am no longer of Newark,” I said. “I am an outlaw.” I held my left hand up with the brand clear as day. 

 

“Argentum made you an outlaw, yes?”

 

I nodded as I lowered my hand. 

 

“You have reason to hate Argentum, then.”

 

“I have reason to hate a good many people, your Grace. It would be a long list.” 

 

“Do you know why Corcyrus lost the war of the Silver Mines?” She walked towards a low table on which there was a decanter of white ka-la-na wine, and a number of expensive crystal goblets. 

 

“I haven’t made a study of the war.”

 

“There were mistakes of strategy,” she said as she poured two glasses of the white ka-la-na. “But primarily, Corcyrus lost the war when Ar supported Argentum, but Cos declined to support Corcyrus.”

 

“So I heard. Soon after the silver wars, Cos moved against Ar, I believe?”

 

“Yes, she did.”

 

“The state was biding its time, perhaps, for its own plan?”

 

“I think so, yes.” The Tatrix walked back to where I stood and handed me one of the two goblets. She retained the other. There was no goblet for the First Minister, but that hardly surprised me. I suspected the First Minister rarely permitted pleasure to interfere with his work. “Cos wasn’t yet ready. The war between the silver cities was an inconvenient distraction.” 

 

I watched as the Tatrix raised her glass to her lips and then, and only then, I sipped from mine. This had nothing to do with any fear of being poisoned, but rather I suspected it was poor etiquette to drink before the Tatrix did. 

 

“Does Cos support you this time?”

 

“No,” said the Tatrix. “In confidence, it does not. I, in fact, have little love for Cos, but I am pragmatic enough to have worked with that city state for the good of Corcyrus. But since the war with Ar fell through, Cos has withdrawn from its interests on the mainland. It wishes to recover, I think, and it has entered a period of isolation, politically speaking. The Ubar of Cos has told me to sue for peace. To bow my neck. To submit.”

 

I thought of America, on Earth, and the times it too had shifted towards an isolationist stance for a time. 

 

“And so I seek other allies.” She regarded me as she sipped her wine. “Because you are right – Corcyrus cannot win alone. We need an ally.”

 

I nodded. It made sense. But that ally would have to know it was taking on not just Argentum, but forces from Ar.

 

“Our victories to date have been to serve a singular purpose – to demonstrate to our neighbours that we have the ability to win. No one wishes to ally with a weak city. The war thus far has been a demonstration of what we are capable of. I have thrown everything I have into the war to achieve rapid successes. My campaign has been a showcase for the basis of an alliance.”

 

“And is anyone interested?”

 

“Yes. I have negotiated a potential alliance with the city of Torcadino.”

 

Torcadino, on the flats of Serpeto, is a crossroads city. It is located at the intersection of various routes: in particular the Genesian, which connects Brundisium and other coastal cities with the south; the Northern Salt Line and the Northern Silk Road, leading respectively west and north from the east and south; the Pilgrim's Road, leading to the Sardar; and the Eastern Way, sometimes called the Treasure Road, which links the western cities with Ar. Torcadino, with its strategic location, was once an ally of Ar, before the war with Cos, but shifted allegiance soon after. Ar has never forgotten that. 

 

During the Ar/Cos war, the famed mercenary captain, Dietrich of Tarnburg, seized the walled city and made it his stronghold. He entered the city through a series of aqueducts in a move that is still considered bold and daring to this day.

 

“The current Ubar of Torcadino is Fissus Gavia. He will support us against Argentum.”

 

“If that is true, then it makes a difference,” I said. “Corcyrus will no longer stand alone. You are sure of this alliance, your Grace? This Ubar can be trusted?”

 

“Nothing is certain in politics,” said the Tatrix. “So long as Corcyrus does well, Torcadino will stand with us. If we show weakness, then things may change. Honour is often spoken of, but in war it is rarely practised.”

 

I smiled. No different to Earth, then. 

 

“I wish you well, your Grace. Although I do not have a Corcyrian Home Stone, I hope Corcyrus prevails in this war.”

 

“Would you like a Corcyrian Home Stone?” she asked with a smile.

 

“I am an outlaw.”

 

“I think you have earned citizenship, at least, for what you have done. This city could be your home, if you wished?”

 

I am enough of a realist to understand that Aliyyah’s offer of citizenship would benefit her as much as me. She would no doubt make a great public proclamation of awarding me a Home Stone, showing me off on the steps of the palace in one of her famous night time rallies, standing beside me, associating herself with the cheers I might receive from the populace who would welcome me to the city. Politicians love to associate themselves with populist figures, just so long as the association remains useful to them. I recognised in Aliyyah a pragmatic ruthlessness beneath her veneer of charm and beauty. I don’t think a woman would be capable of rising to the throne of a city if she lacked such qualities. 

 

“A man needs a Home Stone,” I said, simply.

 

“Then it is done. My First Minister will formalise it later.”

 

“Welcome to Corcyrus,” said the First Minister in a neutral sounding voice. 

 

“I suppose that entails swearing an oath of allegiance on the Home Stone?” I said, with a smile.

 

“Of course.” Aliyyah’s eyes twinkled. “With citizenship comes great responsibility. You are of Corcyrus, now.”

 

“Thank you for the wine, your Grace. I should really be going, and I suspect you must have affairs of state that require your attention.”

 

“The alliance comes with a price, of course,” she said. “There is always a price.”

 

Again, it didn’t bode well that she was confiding in me like this. 

 

“My daughter, Laetitia, will be Free Companioned to Sellius Gavia – the Ubar of Torcadino’s second eldest son.”

 

I nodded. Political marriages had been a part of alliances on Earth for thousands of years. Alliances were often formalised and sealed through the act of marriage. The news cast a very different light on why the First Minister had been so keen to have me killed before I might lay claim to the young Laetitia.  

 

“She knows this?”

 

“Not yet. I shall tell her tonight.”

 

The girl was unlikely to welcome the news, but on the other hand she had probably been raised with the expectation that one day she would be Free Companioned not for love but for political practicalities. She would have been raised to understand this was her duty to her city, its people, and its Home Stone. 

 

“I imagine she has never met Sellius Gavia before?”

 

“No, she hasn’t. But she is my daughter. She will do what is expected of her. The road to Torcadino is roughly 400 pasangs. She will travel with a heavy military escort of our Ninth cohort.”

 

A cohort is a military unit of approximately 480 men, consisting of six centuria, each led by a centurion. A single centuria is further broken down into ten contubernium – each of eight men, led by a decanus. 

 

“She should be safe enough.”

 

“On the contrary. I have intelligence that suggests Argentum is aware of the potential alliance with Torcadino and it intends to attack the cohort en-route to the city. The task has been given to a formidable mercenary commander – Stannis Assante.”

 

“Ah.” This wasn’t good news. The Tatrix didn’t need me to tell her of Stannis’s formidable reputation on the field of war. “You might wish to double the cohort.”

 

“Stannis Assante,” said the Tatrix, again. 

 

“Are you suggesting two cohorts might not be sufficient protection against that man?”

 

“It is Stannis Assante.”

 

“Then how many cohorts are you going to send? How many can you spare?” For a moment I thought she might suggest some ridiculous force, such as an entire legion of 10 cohorts, but no, Corcyrus couldn’t have that to spare. The city was fighting a war. Every cohort was now precious. 

 

“It is not a question of numbers. The cohort will serve its purpose. But my daughter will not be with the cohort. Another girl will travel in her place.”

 

“I’m not sure I understand? You’re not sending Laetitia to Torcadino? You’re sending another girl? Is the Ubar going to be happy with that? Surely he wants Laetitia as the Free Companion of his second eldest son?”

 

“And he shall have her. Laetitia will travel to Torcadino, but not with the cohort. The cohort will be the target for Argentum. It will lead them a merry dance. Laetitia will travel instead in secret, with a far smaller escort. She will be anonymous, travelling with none of the pomp and ceremony expected of the daughter of a Tatrix. While Argentum chases the cohort, she will arrive safely in Torcadino.”

 

Now I was very concerned. The Tatrix should not be telling me this. For this subterfuge to work, there had to be no risk of Argentum learning of it. This was the sort of information that might prompt the First Minister to cut my throat. I was now a security risk. Why the hell was she telling me this?!

“I have two hand-picked men that I trust. They will be travelling with Laetitia. They will escort her to Torcadino in secret. But I would like my daughter’s escort to number three.”

 

Fuck.

 

Okay, so it now dawned on me what this was about. 

 

“Uh, look, your Grace, I think…”

 

“Will you protect my daughter a second time, Roland of Corcyrus?”

 

“I’m not a professional soldier. I got lucky. What’s more, you don’t know me. You have no way of knowing I can be trusted.”

“He has a point, your Grace,” said the First Minister. “We don’t know him. We can’t trust him.”  

 

“I am a good judge of character. I have won battles so far because I appoint the right men to the right positions. What you lack in military training, you make up for in trust and bravery. And perhaps, just a little of the luck of the Priest Kings. Please.” She surprised me by taking my hands in hers and gazing up at me. “I ask you, not as a Tatrix, but as a humble woman, and as a mother. Travel with my Laetitia. Be that extra sword that I can count on. Protect my baby.”

 

“With respect, you are asking the wrong man. I do not want a life of adventure. Furthermore, I am of the caste of slavers. You should not ask one of my caste to protect your daughter. I wish only to return to my slaves and settle down in this city, your Grace. I thank you for the gift of a Home Stone, but I cannot help you. I have been through too much. I have suffered too much loss. I am not the man I was. I am glad your daughter is safe. I am glad I was able to do that for you.”

 

“Please reconsider.”

 

“Are you going to kill me now?” I gazed at the First Minister. Obviously I knew too much. I had turned down the mission, and now they couldn’t leave me alive, for fear I might inform men of Argentum. I could understand that. “If so, I would rather you do so now, than have to live a few remaining days apprehensively gazing over my shoulder, waiting for your thugs to appear in the night.”

 

“You wish to die?” said the First Minister. “It can easily be arranged, if you so wish.”

 

“No, but I know how men like you operate, First Minister. I wish you hadn’t told me any of this.”

 

“You will not be killed,” said the Tatrix. “I swear it, on the Home Stone of Corcyrus. But you are right – you know things now that I cannot risk being spoken of. I will ask you to be my guest in the palace for a few days – just long enough for the cohort to depart with the decoy girl posing as my daughter, and for Laetitia’s true escort to depart separately. When they are far enough away that your knowledge becomes irrelevant, then, and only then, will I allow you to return to your slaves and live your life as you wish. Until then you will be my honoured guest in the palace and will want for nothing.”

 

“That’s fair enough, I suppose. I would do no less in your place.”

 

“I wish you would reconsider, Roland of Corcyrus. You have a Home Stone now. Your city needs you. I, a loving mother, need you.”

 

“Your trusted men will do well enough without me, your Grace. I got lucky, just the once. It’s not a trait I can rely on.” 

 

“I think you are perhaps too modest, Sir.”

 

“I’m just a man. I’m not a hero.”

 

“All heroes begin life as ‘just men’,” she said with a smile. “They then discover what they are capable of, when life seeks to test them.”

 

“I wish your daughter well. Truly, I do. For what it’s worth – she was a brave girl. In the market place. She was very brave. Braver than many of the men who fled in panic, screaming, trampling one another. She did not dishonour you.”

 

“She is my daughter,” said Aliyyah, with pride. “She is my blood.”

 

I gazed at the First Minister. “You’re really not going to kill me?” I asked.

 

He shrugged. “I have better things to do. There is a war on, and some men have to do their duty. Even if others decline.”

 

“If you were going to kill me, would you be honest enough to tell me, to my face?”

 

“Yes,” said the First Minister. “You deserve that at least.”

 

“I actually think you’re telling the truth.”

 

He shrugged, once more. “Do not grow accustomed to it. I do not permit sentiment to interfere with my duty to the Tatrix.”

 

“To your duty to the city,” I corrected, with a smile. “You have no sentimental feelings towards her, personally, remember?”

 

The First Minister said nothing, but gave me a subtle nod of his head. We understood one another, it seems. 

 

“My First Minister cares nothing for me as a person,” said an amused Aliyyah. “He reminds me, often, that I’m just a woman, and any woman, with the support of a responsible First Minister, can fill my role. Isn’t that right, beloved First Minister?”

 

“Indeed.” He gazed away, admiring, perhaps, the exquisite fabric of a window drape. “Though I will grudgingly admit that you have certain qualities of leadership that are not altogether trivial or inconsequential, your Grace. You also have the good sense to rely on my better judgement – some of the time at least.”

 

“Is that a compliment, beloved First Minister?” she said, again with a smile.

 

“No, of course not. A simple observation that is practical and devoid of sentiment. You are just a female beneath your rich gowns.”

 

“I think he likes me,” she said, winking at me. “I don’t think he’d want me to be replaced by another Tatrix.”

 

“Preposterous,” said the First Minister. 

 

It was hard not to like this Tatrix, I thought to myself. I could see how she inspired men, close to her. But her fate was not my concern. I was through with adventure and peril. I would settle down as a slaver in this city, growing fat from the proceeds of buying and selling girls. I had seen, first hand, the caste system in action, and how it would give me a family of sorts. The Lady Herminia’s support had been heartfelt and honest. She had sought nothing in return, for she believed without hesitation that were she in need, I would aid her the same way she had aided me. And, yes, I knew I would. This sort of unquestioning caste loyalty is almost unknown of on Earth. How wonderful the caste brotherhood and the loyalty to Home Stone is on Gor. It is something that you have to admire. 

 

“I will have guest quarters arranged for you,” said Aliyyah. “Can I offer you any particular comforts tonight? You wish a woman, perhaps? I have over a hundred beautiful captives from Isurium in the palace pens.”

 

“A woman would be welcome,” I admitted. 

 

“Do you have any preferences? Hair colour? Skin colour? Height?”

 

“I am something of a connoisseur of women, your Grace,” I remarked, regarding her. “Please do not be offended when I say that I share the typical Gorean male’s taste for red headed beauties. Perhaps you have one or two within your slave pens?”

 

The Tatrix regarded me with an amused smile. It seemed she wasn’t offended. “Do we have any red haired captives, First Minister?”

 

“I do not know, your Grace. I have not taken an interest in the captives from Isurium. I am busy with far more important matters.”

 

“Of course.” She nodded. “A red haired woman?” She met my eyes and didn’t blink.

 

“I find them appealing. They respond well in my arms.”

 

“Do they?” 

 

“I mean no offence, your Grace.”

 

“And none is taken. I will see what I can find in the pens. There will be a girl in your rooms after you have dined, tonight. And my thanks, again, for your service to Laetitia. And now if you’ll excuse me?” And with that, the Tatrix and the First Minister departed, leaving me alone.