Fourth Vector Ch. 33

"This is more than just a petty squabble," said Jack. "This war won't end at Apulia's shores. This is a war of conquest. The Swabians hope to make themselves the masters of the entire West."

"The West is a big place," said Bram. "No one can lord over all of it."

"With their resources and military might, they have the ability to do it," said Jack. "And with their new emperor, they have the willpower to make it so. Swabia will continue to conquer until someone stops them."

"So stop them," said Bram. "Hire your mercenaries and be gone from Samara."

Jack looked at Bill, who immediately began shaking his head. Since the Samarans were sticking to their neutrality, it was time to bring out the note.

The one that detailed the Samaran attack after Apulia fell.

"There's something you should see then," said Jack as he stepped forward to put the note in Hendrick's hand. "We took that off the body of a dead Swabian soldier last week. It's signed by the commander-in-chief of their army and the message is quite clear. Once Apulia falls, the Swabians will attack Samara next."

Jack watched as Hendrick read the entire note. His body language was interesting to read while he did so. Already, Hendrick had seemed to be the most sympathetic to their cause, and he seemed positively alarmed when he handed it over to Bram.

Unfortunately, Bram showed none of the same qualities. He read it quickly and handed it back to Hendrick as an annoyed look took prominence on his face.

"How do we know this is genuine?" asked Bram. "Anyone can write what they want on a piece of scrap and present it as proof."

"Our men took that from the soldier's pocket before he could destroy it," said Bill. "If it were valueless, he wouldn't have tried so hard to prevent us from seeing it. It also makes every bit of strategic sense if their goal is to continue to take over more nations of the West."

"It's quite troublesome," said Hendrick with wide-eyed fear. He turned to look at Bram. "Perhaps we should issue a mobilization order for the army. Get them ready to fight should this invasion manifest itself."

Bram held up his hand, dismissing the idea. "We have no other evidence than this note. I'm sorry, but I remained unmoved by this."

"Would you rather fight alone against the Swabian menace?" asked Jack. "When Galicia, Apulia, Picardy, and Carinthia are defeated in detail and our peoples enslaved, would you like to face the Swabians on your own terms? Who would you then run to for aid? What other major country is left to face them?"

"Jack, I can understand what you're trying to do," said Hendrick with a remarkable amount of patience. "But Samara will only fight if attacked. Orders are one thing but the Swabians are on the other side of the Slot still. I'm not sure this warrants more than a mobilization order on our part and that would only be for our army to fight on our own soil."

"Or if at all," growled Bram. "Many other powers have come to this court over the centuries. They've offered power, gold, influence, land, and even women to get our country to go to war. All have been unsuccessful. I do not believe the Swabians are stupid enough to attack Samara but we will be ready for them if they come. We will be ready on our own. Samarans don't join alliances."

"What if you're wrong?" asked Jack quietly. "What if this order is everything that I told you it is? What if you find Swabians on your shores in another month and we're in no position to help you?"

It was a question that neither Hendrick nor Bram were willing to answer. Bram stared back with his usual annoyance but Hendrick appeared to at least consider the magnanimity of Jack's question. Could they really afford to stand alone against the Swabian giant?

"Every day that we fight, our alliance has a better chance of rolling back Swabian victories," said Jack. "But in order for this to work, we need all the free peoples of the West to stand together. Otherwise we will fall one by one. I'm not sure if either of you have ever been to Naxos but I have. I've seen their deserted cities and enslaved people. I won't let that future happen to anyone else needlessly. The Swabians must be pushed back."

If given enough time, Jack was pretty certain he could get Hendrick to change his mind. He seemed to have a decent head on his shoulders and understood that Samara couldn't stand on her own against the Swabians either. He was handcuffed by their customs, but Jack sensed that he was the one Tribune who was likely to change his mind.

Bram was more unreadable. He was willing to challenge Jack at every turn, but it wasn't hard to tell it was a carefully-construed act on his part. When his facade fell, Jack could tell he was just as alarmed by the order as Hendrick was even if he didn't want to show it publicly.

He just went to a greater length to disguise his feelings.

Unfortunately, any progress that Jack made quickly dissipated when the final Tribune opened the door and stepped inside the room.

Tribune Anton Roosa was a stern looking man. He was dressed in the same fashion of his colleagues but he had none of Hendrick's warmth. He was around the same age as Bram but whereas Bram was of average size and weight, Anton was barrel-chested and broad. His arms were strong and powerful and he looked like a man who could take another in his grasp and strangle the life out of him.

The rest of him was no better. He was balding severely with only a few wisps of hair remaining on the center of his head. His remaining hair crowded his ears and the back of his neck, with there being a divisible line between the two parts. His lips were thin and tight, and his eyes were black and hawkish as if he instantly suspected wrongdoing on Jack's part for even being there.

In short, Jack got a bad feeling about Anton Roosa before the man even spoke a word.

"Ah, Anton, kind of you to join us," said Bram as he then introduced each of them to the arriving Tribune. When it was Jack's turn to shake his hand, he felt Anton try to crush it with his grip.

"The Galician King? Now, I've seen everything," said Anton as he released his hand. "To what do we owe the pleasure of your arrival?"

"A call to war, it appears," said Bram, who appeared to resume his earlier distastefulness now that Anton had arrived. Jack suspected the other Tribune being there now stiffened his resolve.

"Not just any call to war," interrupted Hendrick. He placed the note into the third Tribune's hand. "News of Swabian aggression has arrived. They look to strike into Samara after the Apulians have captivated."

"Let them," said Anton quickly. "We'll be waiting for them if they so dare. I sayif because the Swabians won't ever attack Samara."

"I can assure you that they will," said Jack coolly. "We don't have the strength to hold Apulia on our own. Once Apulia falls, Samara will be next."

Anton shrugged carelessly. "I hope you haven't traveled all this way just to tell us this. Despite what's on this paper, Samara is neutral and we will always be neutral. It's the way of our country."

"Will it still be your way when the Swabians start to kill your own people?" asked Jack.

Anton actually managed to grin. "You expect me to surrender our customs just because some long lost heir to the Galician throne shows up in my country? I think not. Your message and your appearance in this court mean nothing to me."

With those words, the Tribune then ripped up the Swabian order into much smaller scraps. He scattered them on the floor, all the while glaring at Jack.

"That's what I think of your attempt. There will be no war. There will be no alliance of any kind with an outside power."

"You're making a huge mistake," said Jack. "One that won't be easy to come back from. The day will come when my words are vindicated today."

Anton stepped closer to Jack, closing the space between them. The Tribune smirked at him. "You wasted your time here today. You may leave Samara and take your troubles with you."

He then whipped around and looked at the other two Tribunes. "And you two, why was this meeting not held in front of the Elders? Were you two to make state policy on your own without me and the Elders to guide you?"

The rebuke stung sharply into Bram who couldn't fall over himself fast enough with his apologies. Hendrick was more defiant to Anton's words, something that made Jack like the man even more. Hendrick was workable but Anton was more difficult than he ever could have imagined. Now that their proof of the Swabian plan was ripped to shreds, what more could be done?

"I'm already tired of these visitors," said Anton. "Make them leave."

No amount of protesting could have prolonged the meeting. Anton and Bram quickly slipped out the backdoor of the chamber, leaving Hendrick alone with them. Being the most junior Tribune, it was now his responsibility to see them out of the palace.

"Your colleagues are making a grave mistake," said Jack as they walked along the palace hallway once more. "Samara's best chance at survival is to join with us."

"You speak a lot of sense, Jack Easterbrook," replied Hendrick. "If it were a different time and place, I think we would be allies. I don't deny that your proof was genuine but in a place like Samara, changing attitudes and customs that go back centuries is not so easily done. Your best hope for today was a mobilization of our army but Bram and Anton will not see it done."

"You could still see it done," challenged Jack. "You're just as much of a Tribune as they are."

Hendrick chuckled and shook his head. "I'm the junior Tribune. Even with Bram on my side, we still could not overturn Anton. And Bram will always follow what Anton does. I'm outnumbered and outvoted, gentlemen. I will say this though--I apologize for my colleagues' behavior, especially Anton's. He was a different man one time, but this version of Anton is almost unrecognizable."

"When he was married, I take it?" asked Jack. "We heard that he's a widower."

"Something like that," replied Hendrick. "Even after she died, he wasn't this cold. He's only gotten this way recently. In any event, at least you get to leave Samara now. I'm stuck with him for the rest of my term."

"You have my sympathy then," said Jack. "But from what I'm hearing, even without Anton we wouldn't have gotten the help I needed. Your answer wouldn't have changed."

Hendrick shook his head gently. "I'm afraid not, Jack. Now if you like I can arrange for lodging for you this evening and then a fresh carriage to get you back through the desert. I know that arrangement is expensive but I'll put it on my personal tab--"

"If it's all right with you, I think we'd like to stay a few days," interrupted Jack. "I'll take your offer for lodging but we aren't in a hurry to leave just yet."

Hendrick blinked. "That's entirely acceptable. I just ask that you let me know when you're thinking of leaving."

"We can definitely do that," agreed Jack.

Hendrick's head tilted to the side. "Why do you stay? Why not go straight back to Apulia?"

It was a good question. Jack was needed across the Slot to fight the Swabians so why was he considering staying?

"Perhaps I'm not ready to admit defeat just yet," said Jack with a wary smile.

Hendrick actually smiled in return. "Are you a glutton for punishment, Jack Easterbrook? I thought Anton made himself perfectly clear."

"He did but if I take no for an answer, then I have to return to my people empty-handed," said Jack. "That's something I refuse to do. I'm sure there's common ground that we can find somewhere. We just have to keep searching for it."

Hendrick actually chuckled. "In that case, enjoy your stay in Samara. I hope you find the ground that you're seeking!"

*****

"Well, that could have gone worse."

Jack arched his eyebrow as he looked at Bill, the older man having expressed his thoughts once they were settled into their lodging for the evening. The sun had started to set over Dobele, and the twin experiences of traveling through the desert and meeting with the exhausting Tribunes had Jack eager for some rest.

At least their lodging was comfortable. Hendrick put them into the state quarters of the People's Palace, which entailed separate rooms for the three of them as well as a shared common area and kitchenette. After how their meeting went, Jack was a little surprised to see such treatment after the reactions of Anton and Bram.

For now though, he was enjoying some small talk with Bill as they took stock of their fortunes.

"It could have gone a lot better too," countered Jack. "I felt like we were making progress until Anton arrived. Hendrick could have been swayed and my feeling on Bram was that he'll always follow the lead of the strongest one."

Bill shrugged. "If that's the case, what can we do now? I doubt Anton is likely to change his opinion and with him will go Bram. A diplomatic solution is becoming increasingly unlikely."

Jack rolled the problem over in his mind. Bill was right. Something had to change before the Tribunes would give their support. Even still, it was something else that Anton said that piqued his curiosity.

"Bill, what do you know about the Elders? Anton mentioned something to the other two about not having that meeting in front of the Elders. Who are they?"

Bill leaned back in his chair. "It's a group of former Tribunes that make up an advisory body to the current Tribunes. They received that name because most of them are quite old. You're not eligible to join the body until five years after your Tribuneship. Their numbers are small, no more than thirty at any one time I believe."

"So I take it they're influential then?" asked Jack. "Which is why Anton was upset they weren't involved?"

"It's a gray area to be honest, Jack. Officially, the Elders have no role in the Samaran state. They are a body without any formal power. However, they wield tremendous influence because of their status as elder statesmen. It's considered unwise for the current Tribunes to go against their collective opinion."

"I wonder if we should plead our case to them then?" asked Jack. "Perhaps they can be made to see sense?"

"Perhaps you're right but that kind of meeting can only be held by the call of the Tribunes," said Bill. "We can't just call on them ourselves. We need the three of them on our side and that's unlikely to happen."

Jack grunted and started to rub his chin. If he could get the Elders on his side, he might be able to overturn Anton and Bram's resistance. But that would mean he'd have to work on Hendrick to even have a meeting called in the first place.

"What do you think of Hendrick?" asked Jack.

Bill thought over the answer for a moment. "I think he's the good one of the three of them. He seems to most understand the threat against them and despite his youth, he seems to have intelligent instincts."

"I get the same impression from him," confirmed Jack. "If there's any of them to work on, it's Hendrick. Bram will go with the majority so if we can get Hendrick to call a meeting and the Elders agree with us, we can override Anton quite easily."

"That's assuming the Elders will agree with us, Jack. That's a lofty goal. This is a group of older men who just want to pass away their remaining years tending their gardens and giving their opinions on mundane matters of state. I doubt going to war would appeal to their hearts."

Jack nodded slowly. "You're probably right but it's the best chance we have right now. We can't leave without trying. Tomorrow, we'll go to Hendrick's office and work on him a little more."

"Just the two of us?" asked Bill. "Are you planning on Santino going as well?"

Jack shrugged. "Who knows what kind of mood he'll be in."

That was entirely accurate. The Apulian Director's mood seemed to swing from one end to the other today. While sullen and quiet on the ride to Dobele, he'd turned on his political charm for the meeting with the Tribunes. Once the meeting was over, Santino was back to the same moodiness as before. At that moment, he wasn't even in the lodging that was set aside for them.

No, he'd gone out to find his family in Dobele.

"I hope when he gets to see his wife and daughters that his mood will turn around," said Bill. "He doesn't make for a good travel companion when he's like this."

"Let's hope it's just nerves at seeing them again," said Jack. "He was good today in front of the Tribunes but I really want him to work out his issues before we ask him to join us again."

"We can agree to that then," replied Bill. "Hopefully, he'll be better in the morning."

Jack took a long sip of the Samaran tea that he'd been nursing. The flavor was slightly bitter but the servant had promised him that it was the ideal drink to relax him before going to bed. Already he was beginning to calm down and soon he would get his much needed sleep.

"All right, I'm going to bed," said Jack as he stood up and stretched. "Let's talk in the morning before we do anything else."

Bill nodded. "Goodnight, Jack. You did good today for what it's worth. I half-expected that we might be shown out without getting the chance to ask for aid. You got us this far."

"Thank you, Bill. Hopefully, we can keep pushing it until they give in. We need to. We need their army if we're going to stand a chance against Swabia." With those words, Jack gave one final nod to Bill and then promptly collapsed into his bed.

*****

After a fitful night of sleep, Jack slipped out of bed as the sun was just starting to make its presence known. Despite his exhaustion, he slept poorly, often finding himself awake and wondering what to do about the Samarans.

The other topic on his brain was what to do about Santino. He was awake when he heard the Apulian Director arrive at their lodging close to midnight. Santino wasn't up for very long, promptly slipping into bed. Jack had to wonder whether he was able to meet up with his family. Surely the long delay in getting to their lodging proved he'd linked up with them?

But if that was the case, why wasn't he spending the evening with his family?

Too many questions were on his mind, and that's why Jack took the moment to sit down with the Director once he was awake.

"I heard when you got in last night," started Jack as Santino sat down right beside him. "I take it you saw your family last night? Are they well?"

Santino grunted and avoided his eyes. The behavior was very much unlike him. Despite being rough around the edges, he was never this anti-social. Something was deeply wrong.

Jack leaned forward and put his hands together. "Santino, talk to me. You've been like a different man entirely since we stepped foot in Samara. What's going on? The only time I've seen a semblance of normal behavior was when we met with the Tribunes."

Santino muttered something under his breath that was so quiet that Jack had to ask him to repeat himself.

"I said I can't find them," said the Director as he finally met Jack's eyes. They were red and tired, evidence of someone else who had trouble sleeping the previous night. It didn't take an expert to figure out who the "them" was that he was referring to.

"Your family?" asked Jack. "Are they not in Dobele anymore?"

"I have no idea, Jack. I truly don't know," said Santino as he put his head in his hands. "I can't find them anywhere. It's like they've gone. They're not at the apartment they were staying at, and no one seems to know what happened to them."

All of it made sense now. Santino's erratic behavior lately was an effect of the lost contact of his wife and daughters. But how could it have happened?

Jack put his hand on his cheek. "When was the last time you spoke to them? Did they know you were coming to Samara?"

Santino nodded. "The last communication I received from them was a happy letter that indicated they would be waiting for me in Dobele. They've been here since Apulia was attacked. I sent them here to be safe, and I let them know I was coming when I decided to go with you. I haven't heard from them since."