79 Nobless Assembly (1/2)
Despite the new furniture, the surroundings were still familiar to Corco. The cloud courtyard of the Pluritac mansion had been transformed into a deliberation court for the nobles' assembly. Tables had been set up in a large circle, the lords of Medala seated along them. The talks had started in the morning, with the official proposal from the ancestral hall: The princes would split the powers of the emperor and form a triumvirate.
The ancestors would step back and all politics of the Medala Empire would be decided by the three princes together. Every time a proposal would be brought forth, at least two of the three princes would have to agree to turn it into law. Of course, the princes would need concrete power as well, in the form of actual territory. How else could they guarantee that the lords would still listen to Arguna? Thus, all parts of the Pluritac estate would be divided up between the princes and they would each get administrative rights for a third of the country at the provincial level. It was exactly where the sticking point was now, hours in, with the sun ready to set.
”The suggestion of the ancestor's is ridiculous! How could this be considered an equal distribution!?” Lord Betucio had long left his chair and shouted his opinions out into the court without reserve. Throughout the day, he had been one of the most vocal men at the table. Corco did his best to not lean away from his neighbor. He didn't want to seem impolite by tilting away from his firm allies, even though the shouting had really been getting on his nerves.
”Surely Lord Betucio would prefer a different king after his betrayal, is that not correct?” The biting voice of Amautu answered from across the tables. His complaint was justified. After Lord Betucio had switched sides over to Corco's faction, he would now, under the current agreement, be subordinate to Prince Amautu, who would take on the administration of the northern portion of Medala.
”Prince Amautu, this Lord would like to ask then: Does prince believe the current agreement to be a fair distribution?”
Amautu looked down on his nails while he answered in a blasé voice.
”Why not? The northern isle of Sinchay gets split between me and the third prince. Arguna seems to be a fair enough place to make the split as well. Meanwhile, our oldest brother, as the oldest heir and the only Pluritac with southern lineage, fully deserves to own all of Sachay, half the land of the empire. Is this not true fairness?”
”What outrageous nonsense! Who would want those frozen wastes, no matter their size!? And what estate will Prince Corco be left with? Just some swampland, a fortress and a worthless town! Yet prince refuses to acknowledge the facts! It is no wonder lords would lose faith in such a petty ruler!”
Betucio almost climbed over the table as he called out Amautu for his hypocrisy. It was fortunate that the two were so far apart, or else he would have strangled his former liege. The second prince, meanwhile, seemed entirely nonplussed by the governor's attitude. Even further enraged by the complete dismissal from across the table, Betucio was about to vault over, to the bemused stares of the other lords.
”Lord Betucio!”
When Corco called out, his eyes never left his brother's across the tables. He could see the mocking smile within, and answered it with a small wink. Of course Corco couldn't let the governor continue. No matter what, Betucio's outburst would never be to their camp's advantage. For now, he had the majority of the lords on his side, but that would change right quick if one of his loyalists attacked another prince.
”We should calm down,” the first prince continued, ”since bickering will lead nowhere. Just take a look at the map. Splitting the land along the Sachay/Sinchay border seems like a natural choice to me.”
There were uncomfortable murmurs from behind Corco. Most of the lords who had chosen to side with the first prince were not from the south and would be in trouble under a different king.
”However...”
Still, Corco would alleviate their concerns. He looked around the court, First to Amautu on his left, who still pretended to be indifferent, even though his tensed body told Corco how wary he was of the next words. Across the circle, Pachacutec was leaned forward, with his palms pressed onto the table.
The peacock had spread his feathers and was ready to intimidate any invaders, should they dare enter his territory. Villca on his right was very much a politician, in contrast to the two kids who led the other factions. He sat with a polite posture, seemingly eager to listen to Corco's suggestion and ready to talk. Corco's lips twitched ever so slightly. He hadn't forgotten what kind of debt the man carried, but he had promised his uncle: No revenge until the end of succession. So he simply continued his argument.
”However, in terms of economics, the split is truly unfair. Everyone here knows that – and I really shouldn't have to say it – but here it goes. Sachay houses none of the precious mines within the Sallqata mountain range. The cold weather and hilly terrain make farming difficult. Plus, Sachay's lands don't even hold a fourth of Medala's population.”
”Ah, but you already said that you wouldn't challenge the decision! How much does your word count now?”
Corco's shoulders slumped and he pursed his lips in annoyance. The blaring mouth – eager to find holes in his presumed facade – could only have belonged to the peacock. A look back over and Corco could see him in the same posture Lord Betucio had been in before, with a triumphant grin on his face. To break the stalemate between the princes, a heavy hand landed on Pacha's broad shoulder. The prince turned to look at his uncle, Divitius Ichilia, who shook his head with a solemn face. The two men stared at each other for a second, before the unwilling Pacha clenched his teeth and took a seat again. His nephew reigned in, Lord Ichilia gestured for Corco to continue.
”I didn't plan to challenge the split suggested by the ancestors. What I'm concerned about, first and foremost, are the nobles in this room. Many lords here have supported one of the princes during succession, which means that many will find themselves within territory controlled by someone they opposed. Clearly that's a problem. We can't start the reign of the kings with bad blood everywhere.”
Many lords nodded their heads, gratified. Even the ones who hadn't been impacted by the circumstances wouldn't mind seeing their rights strengthened.
”So here's my suggestion: As the first order of the new triumvirate, right after it has been formed, we the kings will announce a new decree that no lord shall be punished by any of the newly crowned kings for their involvement in the succession. If punishment still happens, and can be proven, the harmed lord will be free to choose a new king to swear loyalty to, effectively changing the administration of the lord's estate to one of the other two members of the triumvirate.”
Finally, Corco managed to make Amautu look up at him. He must have been shocked by the bold move. Even Villca seemed to break facade as he narrowed his eyes ever so slightly. It was no surprise Corco's opponents reacted like this, with one exception. Nothing could change Pacha's hurt appearance as he was still sulking from his uncle's silent reprimand. Corco's move was one-sidedly in favor of the lords, strengthening their powers in favor of new kings. It would protect Corco's allies within the lands of the other kings and even gave him the legal means to usurp their land in the future. And yet, there was nothing the other parties could do, not if they wanted to offend all lords of Medala.
”This lord supports the motion,” Villca shouted across the yard.
”This prince is in agreement,” Amautu added with a frown.
All eyes moved towards the still pouting Prince Pacha, who had since crossed his arms and turned his head, determined to ignore Lord Ichilia who repeatedly poked him with his elbow. Finally, the lord gave up and turned to the waiting audience to answer in his nephew's stead.
”Prince Pacha is willing to agree to the conditions of Prince Corco.”
At least the peacock didn't make any more of a scene, so the assembly could continue.