Arrows Of Change (Book 1) (29 page)

Her voice floated through the open door, barely heard over
the racket the kings were making. “I hear them.” She sailed into the room like
a woman on a mission. Without hesitation or pity, she walked straight to them,
hands extended, and smacked them solidly on the back of the heads.

“Ow!” they protested in unison.

“Stop fighting like children and start acting like kings,”
Ashlynn scolded, hands on her hips.

“Why do you always hit us so hard?” Edvard complained,
rubbing at his abused skull.

“I can use a fist next time, if need be.” She smiled sweetly
while holding one glowing fist up in demonstration.

The brothers stared at that glowing hand and gulped before
shaking their heads vigorously in denial.

“No?” she asked in mock-disappointment. “Well, I suppose I
won’t, then. Now, what are you supposed to be talking about?”

They stopped and looked at each other. Honestly, had the
fighting gotten to the point that they didn’t remember? Tierone was right,
there was no way these two could co-rule and have it work out.

“Government structure and laws,” Riana supplied.

Trying to help them along in the right direction, Ash snagged
a copy of the laws and slid it to them on the table’s slick surface before
reclaiming his seat. “Here. Start with the laws.”

With a weather eye on Ashlynn, Edvard reached for them and
turned the paper so that he and Tierone could both see. His wizard-sister didn’t
hover or try to make them behave, but instead went back out, resuming whatever
it was she was doing on the balcony.

The discussion of the laws went by peacefully and without
any real discussion, as they were straightforward enough. With those agreed
upon, Edvard fell to discussing the government next. “I haven’t really put any
of this into place yet,” he admitted frankly. “Partially because it takes a
certain amount of setup to do so, partially because I wanted to find the right
people for the posts before I made any of this official. But if there’s
something you see that should be changed, tell me now, as I’d rather leave
things be after it’s started.”

“Fine.” Tierone crossed his arms over his chest in an intent
I’m listening
posture. “Go on.”

“I’ll start from the ground up, then. The whole country will
be divided up into sections, and that will be based upon how many people are in
the area. The outlying land that doesn’t have many occupants will be larger in
geography, the city sections smaller. You follow? Good. Over these sections
will be prefects. They are like sheriffs over their sections and they deal with
the day-to-day running of things. Anything small or needing immediate attention
goes to them. They, in turn, report directly to provosts. The provosts are a
select twelve that rule over specific sections. They form a council that will
discuss matters, go over problems, and rule over the more serious cases that
affect the nation. They also are the ones that suggest new laws and regulations
to the king. Now, the king will sit in judgment on important matters and will
of course listen to his provosts, but he’s the one that has the power to make
laws. No one else can do so unless he is indisposed for whatever reason. If
that happens, the provosts can manage the kingdom by voting on issues. The
majority opinion is what goes.”

Tierone sat on this for a long moment, brows drawn together
slightly as he turned this over in his mind. Finally, he said, “It’s a simple
system, but I like it. I think it will work well. Once you retire or die, who
takes over?”

“My son or daughter, I suppose,” Edvard responded. Clearly,
he hadn’t thought that far ahead yet.

“Edvard,” Tierone chided, mouth flattening. “
Think
,
you idiot. Half the reason why Iysh is in its current state is because it’s
relied on inheritance to keep the kingdom supplied with a king. Do you really
think that’s a wise system? We’ve had terrible kings in the past because of
it.”

“Oh.” Edvard tapped a finger against the table’s surface as
he slowly nodded agreement. “No, you’re right, I didn’t think that through.
What do you suggest?”

“Find a way to appoint someone. Have the people vote for a
leader, or have your provosts be responsible for picking the next person. Don’t
rely on your bloodline. The next person born to this family might not be
suitable to be king. Or queen.”

“Not the provosts,” Ash objected. He had been scribbling
away on a paper, no doubt working on that agreement that both kings wanted, but
he hadn’t been focused solely on that. His head came up as he continued, “Part
of the reason why Iysh is what it is at the moment is also because their
council of advisors are divided up and supporting different heirs. You need
your council united as much as possible at all times. Having them appoint the
next king will lead to political in-fighting.”

Tierone inclined his head in Ash’s direction. “He’s right.
Put it to the people’s vote, then. Have your prefects in charge of collecting
their votes.”

“How will they know who to vote for?” Edvard objected.

“Have the provosts suggest candidates,” Riana offered. “If
it be me, I would no’ know who be the right person for the job, but I would
trust that the provosts would know. Have them choose a few people, list their
qualifications, have the people meet them, and then let yer citizens decide.”

Edvard let his head fall back, staring blindly up at the
ceiling. “This is sounding more like a democracy than a monarchy. And the only
democracy we had in history lasted about five hundred years before falling
apart.”

“If it’s the democracy I think you’re referring to, they had
elections every few years, and their government system was much more
complicated. I think it was the complexity that did them in.” Ash put a hand on
Riana’s shoulder. “Her idea is valid, Edvard. I certainly can’t think of a
better one. Whoever should be king or queen next will need to know how the
government is run and have experience with it. They also need to know who the
players are. The provosts will naturally work with these candidates on an
everyday basis, so of course they will know who is good at leadership and who
isn’t. Our citizens won’t, not entirely. Some campaigning is inevitable. I
realize you’re not thrilled with the idea, buts it’s better than letting a
royal idiot ascend the throne and then be manipulated by his own provosts his
entire life.”

“Arghhh,” Edvard groaned. “Point. But I want it put in that
the provosts cannot be candidates. I don’t want them fighting with each other
over the throne either.”

“Wise,” Tierone agreed. He clapped his hands together and
rubbed them, expression satisfied. “I like it. There are minor details to be
worked out, but that can be done in due time, I think. Once we have a better
feel for it. For now, let me see how you divided up your land exactly. Do you
have it marked on a map?”

“Oh, yes. It’s here.” Edvard gestured to his desk, and
Tierone followed him over there.

It suddenly hit Riana that she was seeing a government
formed in front of her eyes. And had a say in how it should be done, no less! Before
she had been focused on making the laws fair, so it hadn’t really sunk in that
these laws would be used to govern a nation. But here, now, she was advising
men that were kings in their own right. Both kings had listened to her say her
piece, which was remarkable enough, but then they had valued her opinion enough
to take her advice. It was something that would never have happened in Cloud’s
Rest.

It was unbelievable, in that sense. To go from an outcast,
as someone who shouldn’t even be breathing according to some, to an advisor of
a king—of two kings! The sensation was a heady one and she reeled from it. A
sense of relief and joy swept through her that she was no longer there but
instead here, in this wonderful new country.

Ash’s quill paused in mid-word and he looked up at her in
surprise. “Riana. Are you…really that happy?”

She turned to him slowly. “Aye. But how did ye…?”

“I felt it.” His mouth went into a lopsided smile. “It was
like a burst of sunshine swept over me.”

Her eyes widened in wonder. “Ye felt it?”

“Aye.” He lifted a hand and smoothed it over her hair, eyes
soft. “It looks like your wish will come true. I can sense strong emotions from
you now. In time, we’ll feel each other properly.”

That thought alone brought another burst of happiness, and
she nearly vibrated under the force of it.

“Are you truly that happy to be here?” he asked, smiling at
her mood but also somewhat puzzled by it. “We’ve had a hard road ever since you
came. No part of this has been easy.”

Riana snorted, amused. “Ash, life be hard. I did no’ expect
that to change just because I went to a different country. But here, I be
wanted. Here, people listen to what I have to say. That be a powerful thing and
I would no’ trade it for anything else in the world.”

“Ah.” This time, he understood completely. Sliding an arm
around her shoulders, he drew her into him and kissed the crown of her hair before
whispering, “I’m glad you came with me, Riana.”

She relaxed into the embrace with a content heart, feeling
in that moment more at home than anywhere else she had ever been. Eyes closed,
she whispered back, “Me too.”

Tierone and Edvard stayed holed up in Edvard’s study for
three long days discussing matters and finalizing things. Broden knew good and
well that they were also handpicking the people that they wanted to serve in
the prefect and provost positions. But that was their business, not his nor
Ashlynn’s. Their job was to see to Estole, and that’s what they did while the
kings schemed.

Tierone’s wizard, Parlan had come along with him and had
(out of the goodness of his heart) offered to help while in Estole. With Ash
working nonstop on the Estolian border wall, the carpenters were left to build
all the houses. But Parlan cheerfully chipped in and helped with that. It
seemed that every time Broden came near the outskirts of the city, a new house had
popped up.

With this obvious sign of improvement, the fights over the
housing deeds fell to mere grumbling, and some of the tents started
disappearing. Only, of course, to be replaced by new ones as new immigrants
came in. Broden did not blame people for wanting a better life—he had come to
Estole for that exact reason, after all—but could not they come in a little slower?
Paced further apart? Estole would bust at the seams at the rate things were going!

The fourth day dawned bright and early. Broden was a trifle
foot sore from the day before, as he had spent the majority of it running after
thieves and vagabonds. He might be getting too old for this. Mayhap. Rolling
out of bed, he found a set of clothes more by feel than sight, and pulled them
on. He found a tie in the pocket by sheer chance and ran his hands roughly
through his hair, pulling it back at the nape of the neck, and tying it there. After
a shave, and a spot of breakfast, he might be able to face the rest of the day.

Ashlynn gave a quick rap on the bedroom door before sticking
her head inside. “Rise and shine, you two. Edvard just summoned us.”

Ash lifted his pillow enough to glare at her with just one
eye. “Before breakfast?” he objected fuzzily.

“He, apparently, woke with the birds.”

“That doesn’t mean he has to inflict his energy on us.”

Broden chuckled softly. Ash was many things, but a morning
person was not one of them. Not when he had a soft bed under him, leastways.

“Up,” his sister commanded mercilessly. “Oh, and Broden,
after you meet with Edvard, you can move into your own room. They’re finally
ready.”

Broden blinked. In between rescuing people, calming down
riots, and creating new laws, it had escaped his mind that his own room was
being prepared further down the hallway. “I will mind it, lass. Riana?”

“Hers as well. Sorry it took this long, we’ve just been a
little distracted.” Her smile was quick and sardonic. “But we’ll help you move
later.
Up
, Ash.” With that, she closed the door.

Ash grumbled, grunted, and snarled a few choice words, but
he rolled obediently out of the bed and up to his feet. As he stumbled about
getting ready, a thought struck Broden. “Ash. Ye do no’ suppose that Edvard be
ready to appoint people and start ruling?”

The wizard paused with his shirt half on and jerked about
sharply. “Already?”

“It be only the fine details he be working out,” Broden said
with a half shrug. “And some of those I bet he can no’ guess at until his
government be working. So really, be there a reason why it would take him
longer than three days to get ready?”

“Well, I guess not.” Pulling the shirt all the way on, Ash
finished getting ready, seeming to wake up during the process of dressing.
“Broden. A thought just hit me. Who is Edvard going to appoint as provosts?”

“You and the lass be on the list,” Broden assured him dryly.

“But we’re his wizards!” Ash wailed in objection.

“That will no’ save ye.” Tsking him, Broden chided, “Think,
man. How many people can Edvard trust, truly trust? And of that lot, how many
of those have the skills to rule and oversee the people?”

He must have realized what the archer was getting at, as his
panic went out like embers under a wet blanket. “Oh.”

“And me and me daughter will be right there with you,
because we be yer partners,” Broden sighed. “It be inescapable. This be more
than I signed up for.”

“What, you think I had any choice on this?” Ash grumbled
sourly. “But I hope that you’re wrong. He really can’t assign us as provosts—we’re
here to handle emergencies more than anything, after all. We can’t afford to be
tied to the day-to-day governing of a section. We must have the freedom to go
whenever and wherever needed.”

A point he had not considered, but Ash was right. Frowning,
Broden asked slowly, “So does Edvard have enough people to call to fill all the
posts?”

“Maybe that’s what took him three days to figure out.”

From the other side of the door, Ashlynn called, “Anytime
you’re ready, we can go!”

Both men heaved a sigh of resignation before leaving the
bedroom.

Broden came to a stop inside the main room as he realized
that not only were both lasses ready, but had put a bit more effort into their
appearance than usual. Oh, they wore the same divided skirts and boots as
usual, but they had fitted coats on today that accentuated their figures, and
instead of their hair being simply tied up, it was braided up in an elaborate
way. Did these two know something he did not?

“Broden, you haven’t shaved,” Ashlynn chided. Coming to him,
she lifted a glowing hand and smoothly ran it over his jaw. “There, that’s
better?”

Blinking, he lifted a hand to his own face and realized that
she had shaved him in one swipe. If the lass could do that, why did he bother
with a razor every morning?

“Well, you two look presentable enough.” Nodding in
satisfaction, Ashlynn shooed them toward the door. “Let’s go.”

Ash eyed his twin suspiciously as they headed downstairs.
“You know something, don’t you?”

With an impish twinkle in her eye, she caroled, “Maaaaybe.”

“What, and you didn’t tell me?”

“It’s not my fault you don’t invest in informants.”

“Your informant is Miss Hailey, everyone knows that,” he
accused her.

“Tish-tosh. She’s only one of them.” Reaching the ground
floor, Ashlynn went promptly to the left.

As much time as Broden had spent in the castle, there were
still parts of it that were not very familiar to him. He’d only been given a
full tour of the place once, and after that, he only went the places he needed
to go. This direction held something called a ballroom, and a court room,
and…some place that was like an indoor garden. They had a fancy name for it,
but he could not recall it off the top of his head.

They went in to the court room.

Broden had more experience with this room than most of the
others (when one is partnered with the Sheriff of Estole, it’s inevitable to be
called to the court room often), but it had been a good two days since he’d
been here last, and it had changed in those two days. No longer was there a
single, ponderous table in the front of the room. Instead, it had been moved to
the middle of the room. Where the table had been, sat thirteen chairs, all
identical, except the one in the middle. It was larger, with more padding,
although the same dark grey.

On this side, near the door, new wooden benches had been
added. On those sat several people, mostly faces he recognized. Captain
Bragdon, Amber Bragdon, Marissa Allyn, Seth Robinson, Konrath, Mark, and
several others he had served with out in the city. Broden did a quick headcount
and realized that Edvard had enough people in here to appoint as prefects and provosts,
plus a few more. (Not that he and Riana truly counted.)

Behind the table stood Edvard and Tierone. Tierone seemed to
be there just for moral support, as he stood a good pace back from the table,
distancing himself from the proceedings, but showing his approval of it. Edvard
nearly bounced on his toes, hands on several papers lying flat on the table.

“It looks like we have all arrived. Excellent. Now, to
business. Everyone, we are finally ready to establish the government and its
time to appoint people into their proper posts.”

Yes, and with that mood he was in, Edvard would not take
‘no’ for an answer.

“Now, when I call your name, step forward. I will give you a
map that details your exact area and a paper that will list your duties and who
you will report to. We have twenty-four sections, so this might take a while,
but let’s get through it quickly. I expect you to start today after all.”

Of course he did. Broden shook his head in resignation.
Worse than a runaway horse, this young king.

“Section One, Seth Feibelman.”

Seth went up to the table, seeming a little shocked by this
sudden promotion and appointment, but readily shook hands with Edvard and
accepted his paperwork.

“Section Two, Kirby Nessan!”

And so it went, all the way through and down to Section
Twenty-four. Broden was not surprised that he recognized every person that was
appointed to prefect. They were all good people, solid and dependable, and he
had no doubt that Ashlynn had recommended the majority of them, if not all. No,
the real mystery were the other faces that he didn’t know that were standing
patiently by. Were those to be the new provosts, then?

“Now, onto the provosts. Ladies and gentlemen, you will be
in charge of two sections, so mark which prefects are yours now. I suggest a
quick meeting with them before you go out and start things rolling.” Everyone
understood that the suggestion was actually a command phrased nicely. “That
said, let’s begin. Zorich, you have Sections One and Two. Ross, Three and Four.
Ranun, Five and Six. Haney, Seven and Eight. Towan, Nine and Ten. Troi, Eleven
and Twelve.”

Broden blinked. Troi, Master of Spies, was to be a provost?
Well, well.

“Captain Bragdon, Thirteen and Fourteen. Amber Bragdon,
Fifteen and Sixteen. Oh, tell me if you need to switch sections, you two. I
assigned those arbitrarily, but they are rather large, so if you need to switch
one between you, I’m amiable to that. I just wasn’t sure how to divide things
up equally when it came to the port side. Alright? Good, good. Now, let’s see…”
Edvard glanced back at the page in his hands to find where he had left off.
“Ashlynn, Seventeen and Eighteen. Ash, Nineteen and Twenty.”

Broden shot a look at Ash that said
I told you so
.
Right until Edvard looked right at him and with a winsome smile proclaimed,
“Broden, you are Provost of Twenty-one and Twenty-two. Riana, Twenty-three and
Twenty-four.”

Broden and Riana spluttered out protests in near unison.
“Edvard! Ye can no’ make us provosts!”

“I’m king, I can do what I want,” he denied pleasantly.

“Be ye mad?” Broden protested, hands held up in a warding
gesture. “I be a simple archer, nothing more!”

“That simple archer gave me sound advice on how to make
laws,” Edvard retaliated calmly. “And then he stood in front of a crowd of
people and explained those laws. You have common sense and are patient with
people, Broden. Those are the two most vital traits my provosts must have.”

Riana, seeing that appealing to Edvard would get her
nowhere, turned to her partner instead. “Ash, speak sense to the man!”

Ash shook his head instead, eyes crinkling in a smile.
“Riana, you not only helped us create laws, but you gave us sound advice in how
to create the whole government. You’ve proven to have the head for this sort of
thing. Besides, I’d rather serve with you.”

“We believe in you,” Edvard soothed.

Broden fixed him with a flat glare. “Do no’ believe.”

Ashlynn lost control of herself at that point and started
laughing raucously. “Edvard, while I admit that those two would be fine
governing those sections, I’m afraid you can’t give them the position. For that
matter, you can’t give me or Ash the position. We’re too busy running around
the kingdom fixing all of the odd problems that crop up.”

“As I told Broden this morning,” Ash added in with a stern
glower, “we must have the freedom to go wherever and whenever it’s necessary.
Being provost will tie us down here too firmly. That position needs someone
that can be here on a day to day basis.”

Tierone, still standing behind Edvard, drawled, “I told you
they wouldn’t go for it.”

Edvard heaved a resigned sight. “I could hope, couldn’t I?
Very well, I will leave those spots open for now. There’s only a handful of
people living in each section anyway, the prefects can handle problems that
arise and report to the provosts that I’ll assign until a more permanent
provost can be found to hold the position.” Lifting his paper again, he shifted
to a second page before rattling off which prefect was supposed to be report to
which provost.

Broden snorted in blatant disbelief. Fools, the lot of them.

Having more or less gotten his way, Edvard clapped his hands
together and said, “That’s all for now. Meet with your prefects or provosts,
map out a general idea of when to meet and discuss, and make sure that you do
so on a regular basis. Provosts, I will meet with you this afternoon. We will
make a general announcement to all of Estole at noon exactly, so be here before
that point, and after that we will meet again in this room to discuss general
matters. We have problems on a national level to be resolved, so sharpen your
minds before you come.” With a more genuine smile he added quietly, “Thank you.
For serving, thank you. Dismissed!”