Free The Water Road by JD Byrne Page B

others
slowly found their seats, Antrey kept a close eye on the clock perched on the
corner of Alban’s desk. Alban finally appeared and took his seat with less than
one minute to spare. He looked absentminded, as if his thoughts were occupied
by something far away.
    When everyone was in place, Atilleo
descended to the speaker’s circle and began the afternoon with an ominous note.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the Grand Council, I rise to speak today about a grave
threat which our alliance faces, a grave threat to its security and, perhaps,
its very existence.” Atilleo’s voice rang out in the chamber with just enough
volume to give it an extra layer of gravity. “I speak not of the great Neldathi
hordes of the south. The threat I will discuss this afternoon comes from the
north, from the Badlands and those that roam them with impunity.”
    When Atilleo paused to let the
weight of his introduction sink in, there were audible groans from around the
chamber. Antrey had been here long enough to know that the Azkiri, the nomads
who rode through the Badlands, were not a popular topic of discussion.
    In spite of the initial reaction,
Atilleo continued undaunted. “I speak of the Azkiri, those wanderers who dwell
well north of the sources of the great rivers. For too long they have preyed
upon our citizens who live on the northern frontier. Azkiri raids into
Triumvirate territory leave nothing but death, destruction, and ruin in their
wake.”
    “Only in your territory,” said
Demaris, one of the Grand Council members, breaking into Atilleo’s speech. “We
have no problems with the Azkiri.”
    Atilleo turned to face his
inquisitor. “With all due respect to my comrade from the Confederation, your
situation is quite different from that of the Telebrians or even the Guilds.
You have no territorial interest in the Badlands, which is your right. It is no
coincidence that the only permanent settlement of these people, Azkyroth, lies
north of the Confederation.”
    “What are you implying?” Demaris
asked, obviously aggravated.
    “I imply nothing,” Atilleo replied,
as if he were personally offended by the accusation. “I only point out that, to
casual observers, perhaps, or members of the press, it appears that the
Confederation may view the Azkiri as citizens of just another great city-state.
In doing so perhaps they underestimate the threat the Azkiri actually pose.”
    Galenna jumped in when Atilleo
finished his response. “Putting that to one side for a moment,” she said,
steering the conversation away from insinuations, “I’m afraid I would have to agree
with my colleague from the Arbor. The Azkiri aren’t the problem you make them
out to be, President. In fact, the Azkiri in Guild territory were pacified
several years ago. They pose no threat to us now.”
    “Of course not, not at this very
moment,” Atilleo said in response, completely calm. “The success of your
pacification program was based on driving the Azkiri out of your territory and
into ours. Their strength is not diminished, only relocated.”
    Galenna was having none of it. “Our
research suggests otherwise, President. According to observers, not just those
from the Guild, the population of Azkiri in our territory is roughly the same
as it was prior to the pacification. Battle losses play some role in that, I am
sure, but only a minimal one. I can provide you with the studies if you wish,
President.”
    “That will not be necessary,” the
Telebrian fired back, the veneer of civility slipping just a bit. “I am aware
of your data. Our analysts have reviewed it. They come to different
conclusions, that is all. Regardless, we do not have time now for arguments
about such irrelevancies.”
    Demaris jumped back into the
conversation. “If that isn’t worth our time this afternoon, President, what
is?”
    Atilleo turned again to face him.
“Our time this afternoon should not be spent questioning the reality of the
threat, which is without