No Good Deed (30 page)

“Can I read it first?” asked the king.

“Have you learned nothing? When I tell you to do something you do it! Period!” The king signed. “Good, I’ll fill it in later. Now I will give you a choice: Execution, dungeon, exile, or working for me” he began to laugh, “Sorry, it was hard to say that last one with a straight face.”

“Considering my options, I’ll take exile.”

“Excellent.” He looked over at Alister, “Alister, have someone bring me the Lieutenant of the guard please.” Alister ran off.

They had all been paying attention from the back of the room. No one dared say a word. A few minutes later the Lieutenant was there. He was aware the captain was dead but knew nothing else.

“Lieutenant, what is your name?” Obidaan asked already knowing the answer. The Lieutenant began to look over at the king when Obidaan grabbed him. “Don’t you look over at him! I asked you a question!”

“Rheinholt, sir,” he replied.

“Well, Rheinholt. You have three choices right now. You can serve me as captain of my guard. You can die like your old captain did, or you can join your ex—king in whatever fate awaits him.” Obidaan gave it a second to sink in, “Choose now! You don’t want me to choose for you.”

Rheinholt bowed, “My liege. I shall serve you loyally and faithfully.” (No ping)

“Excellent,” Obidaan tapped him on the shoulder with his sword. “Rise Sir Rheinholt, captain of my guard. Your first duty is to put your ex—king in irons and take him to the dungeon.”

“But you said you were going to exile me.”

“I lied. I can do that you know, and what a great feeling it is to deceive a bastard like you. I’ll exile you later, but first you’ll be my ‘guest’ in your dungeon. Don’t worry, I will make sure your stay is comfortable, though it won’t be pleasant. Now take him and his family away.”

Obidaan took the crowns off of their heads. He placed the king’s on his and went over to Relina and placed the queen’s on her. “My queen,” he said, “this is but a small part of the lands you will be ruling over.”

A tear was in Relina’s eyes. She didn’t know her husband anymore, but she still loved him. She removed the crown from her head. “I will always be your wife. I have agreed to follow you on this escapade, but I will not be your queen. You wish to rule, you rule alone.” She dropped the crown to the floor and walked out of the room, along with the rest of them.

Obidaan stood alone
in the room. Everyone had cleared out after the ruckus. “What have I done?” he thought to himself. Somehow, he thought it would be easy. He was cocky, practically flippant about it, now he stood alone, alone against his group, the kingdom, and the world. Was it too much? It couldn’t be because to him this was just the start. Sitting down he took another piece of pie. Somehow, though it was good, it wasn’t as good as before. He dropped the fork onto the plate and leaned back. He had to contemplate his next move.

He sat there for several minutes, and then looked outside the room. He could see the Vanguard. It looked like they were talking to someone. He couldn’t hear and chose not to do anything to listen in. A moment later, Rhineholt, his new captain of the guard came in, “My king, if I may have a word with you.”

“Of course, captain,” Obidaan said, “I guess we were going to have to discuss things one of these days. Planning my overthrow?” he said half jokingly.

“No sir,” Rhineholt said, “Planning your reig. You must understand, no one liked this king. He was mean, greedy, and ungrateful. He treated everyone like his own personal slave. He was a despicable man and no one is sorry to see him go.”

“If he was that bad, why didn’t the masses rise up against him and overthrow him?”

“You’re asking common men to do extraordinary things, my liege. Remember, most people only care about keeping their bellies full, a roof over their heads and taking care of their wife and children. Their biggest ambition is to get more farmland and raise a bumper crop. Then they can buy the good beer at the tavern instead of the watered down stuff. Their idea of a good night is listening to a bard at the tavern or going to the church dance at the end of the workweek. A truly blessed person owns their own place or land. Merchants and craftsmen are looked up to, not farm hands, guards, or serving wenches. To ask them to rise up and rule is asking too much. They don’t really care who is in charge, just as long as they can live their lives in relative peace. The old captain of the guard was very loyal to him, as were several advisors and the vizier. Politically speaking, I don’t think you’ll get any trouble from the advisors and vizier, they know their place. They are a bunch of sycophants so I won’t be surprised if they come crawling to you asking to keep their positions and swearing their undying loyalty to you. To serve a paladin, for them that will be the highest honor. These clowns will trip all over themselves to serve you. You may want to use that to your advantage, sire.”

“Sounds like fun,” he said sarcastically, “so it seems I have a kingdom filled with sheep.”

“Not sheep, m’lord, ordinary people who just want ordinary lives.”

“Maybe I should help them. Teach them to think more for themselves so they don’t depend on anyone.”

“Sire, if I may be so bold. Consider this: The greatest general in the world can’t be great if he has no troops to follow his order. If we are all great, then we all become ordinary because greatness becomes the norm.”

“And why is that a bad thing? I like debating you.”

“Thank you, sire. Because if we are all leaders, who will follow? I think you are trying to define greatness too narrowly. All paladins can be great. All generals can be great. Someone can also be a great parent, a great waitress, a great friend, a great soldier, yet still be just an ordinary person trying to make it through the day.”

Obidaan laughed, “I see your point. How easily we loose focus. Funny how it all comes back to place. Thank you. Send in my advisors. Organize the guard any way you see fit.”

“Yes sir.” He walked out of the room.

A few minutes later several well dressed overfed men and women walked into the room. Some were hiding smiles while others were hiding fear. They prostrated themselves in front Obidaan. “Your majesty, my lord, sire,” they were saying as they got near him.

“Get up,” he said slightly irritated. “
Rhineholt was right
.” He thought to himself. Looking them over, he asked. “Ok, which of you is the vizier?”

“I am.” I middle—aged lady with dark hair and purple eyes said. “I am your chief advisor and chief mage. My name is Serena.”

“Thank you. And who are the rest of you?”

“I am Frazier, your Minister of Finance. I deal with all things financial, collecting taxes, royal purchases, etc.”

“I am Debuvia, your Minister of the Interior. I deal with the mundane functions of the kingdom, road building, farmland allocation, dealing with disasters, things of that nature.”

“I am Bilton, your Minister of Justice. I run the sheriff and courts, maintain law and order within the land.

“Now, let’s get a few things straight. I am in charge now. You don’t like it, there’s the door,” he pointed. No one left. “When I tell you to do something, I don’t expect to be questioned on it. If I want your opinion, I’ll give it to you. Got it?”

“Yes sir,” they all said in unison.

“Good. Now my first order of business is going to make an announcement letting people know about the regime change. Next, how much money does this kingdom have?” Frazier showed him the books. “And how much does it take to run the kingdom?” Frazier showed him that too. “This guy keeps a lot for himself doesn’t he?”

“Yes sir. He liked to keep the coffers overflowing,” Frazier was pretty pleased with his answer.

“Why? What good is this money just sitting there? This is a lot of left over cash. Redistribute 10, no 20% back to the masses, and adjust the taxes accordingly. I don’t need to live a lavish lifestyle. Y’all will continue to be paid as you are.”

“But sire..,” Frazier began. He never finished because he caught the back of Obidaan’s hand and was now on his back looking up. Obidaan has is foot on his chest.

“How quickly we forget our liege’s speech. Now, what did I say earlier about my orders?”

“Carry them out without question,” he replied. Blood was dripping down his mouth to the floor.

“And what did I say about opinions?”

“If you want them you’ll give them to us.”

“So, what are you going to do?”

“Return 20% to the people and adjust the taxes accordingly.”( No ping.)

“Good,” he moved his foot and offered Frazier his hand and pulled him to his feet. Laying on his hands, he healed Frazier’s cut, “One more thing, when making policy, don’t ever lie to me. I will know it instantly, and I will kill you on the spot.”

“I don’t believe you,” Serena said. (Ping.)

“That was a lie. Were we making policy, you’d be dead.” Obidaan walked out the door without looking back.

A shiver went down her spine. “He’s right,” was all she could get out.

Obidaan walked around the castle and found the Vanguard hanging out in the king’s chamber. Relina was sitting on the king’s thrown. Obidaan walked up the dais and sat in the queen’s chair. “What is thy majesty’s desire?” he said to Relina.

She looked over and smiled at him. “Obidaan,” she said wearily, “what happens now?”

“I don’t know,” Obidaan replied, “I feel like Alister, playing it by ear.” Alister cut Obidaan a not so nice glance, “I’m giving some money back to the people. The ministers here are sycophants. I think Rhineholt said it best when he said the people don’t care who rule them, just as long as their bellies are full. These advisors tripped all over themselves to kowtow to me. Seems they’re just interested in maintaining whatever power they have.”

“What were you expecting?” Terry asked, “A parade? The advisors to thank you profusely and then run the country in the most efficient manner possible? I’ve been alive a long time, seen many regime changes. They all go the same, the people get screwed, the power brokers maintain their power, and the leader last till the next big coup. It’s the whole reason you guys were created, remember?”

“Yeah, how could I forget?” Obidaan said.

“So, what will you do?” Don brought the question back up, “Oppress the people? Behead the aristocrats? Seems you’re already redistributing the wealth.”

“I don’t know! Nothing is going the way I thought it would. What would you do Alister?”

“Me! You’re asking me?” Alister laughed, “Hell, if it were me, I’d give some grandiose speech about the new world order then have a giant party and bed every lady in the kingdom. But that’s just me.”

“Nice to see you haven’t lost your priorities,” Obidaan said, “Vizier!” he shouted. Instantly she showed up.

“My liege,” She bowed. “What is thy bidding?”

“You’re not planning a coup are you?” Obidaan asked.

She was shocked by the question. “Um, no?” she sheepishly replied (No ping).

“Good. Now remember, the day you lie about that will be your last day,” she swallowed hard, “Gather the people and let them know their new king wants to give a speech.”

“Yes, sire. It will be done within the hour. Anything else sire?”

“No” As she left, Alister made a clearing throat sound.

“Sire?” She asked. Obidaan looked over to Alister, cleared his throat and made a couple of head bobs.

“And prepare a party for the people,” Obidaan said. Alister smiled.

“It will be done,” and she left.

“See, that wasn’t so hard,” Alister said.

About an hour later, the vizier came in, “They’re ready for you, sire,” she said. “Just speak from the balcony; it will carry your voice.

“People of…, My fellow…, Citizens…” Obidaan was having a hard time starting. He had his speech prepared but now he didn’t have the desire to say it. He looked back, there was his group. Relina stood behind him, smiling as best she could for him. Alister was ready to take over the world. Don was somber and peaceful. Terry, the big sister of the group being just that, encouraging him to do what he has to. He turned back to the citizens, who remained inordinately quiet through his little stammer; that concerned him. He looked about the crowd and noticed it was interlaced with guards and sheriffs; crowd control no doubt. This he could not allow. “Please, Rhineholt, Bilton, remove your guards from around the crowd. I want the crowd reaction to be genuine. Take no action against any citizen who is not pleased with my speech. But I do ask all of you to hear me out first.” Silence permeated the scene. Bilton and Rhineholt nodded and people began to shuffle away from the crowds. A sigh of relief could almost be heard over the crowd.

He began again. “People, for a long time you have had to endure the whims and desires of those who do not have your best interest at heart. I can stand here and say that I will change things. That I have your best interest at heart, but that is equally a lie. I do not have your best interests at heart, I have my best interest at heart and with luck, it will benefit you.”

“A great evil was done to me, so I‘ve lashed out. But as with many I chose not to lash out at the object of my anger. Like a merchant who gets angry with a customer, instead of lashing out at the customer, and possibly loosing the sale, he holds it, only to lash out at his family, loosing their respect and love. He has put money over family. He has determined that getting the sale is more important than his well being, more important than his family obligations, and more important than his self—respect. Because, ultimately, that is what he’s lost, and he must regain it. Rather than regain it from the person who took it, he takes it from his family. He hurts the ones he loves in order to redeem himself. I can’t say I am much better.”

“I should have lashed out at my city but I saw too much of myself there, too much of my family, the ones I love, and I couldn’t do it, yet. So, in a reverse of the merchant scenario, I have chosen to lash out at a customer and I have chosen you as the first customer. You are the first, but you won’t be the last.”

People reacted with dead silence. He continued on, “I have chosen this place because I found your king despicable. He was despot, a liar, and kept most of the wealth for himself. That is going to change. You will get back some of the money he has stolen from you. Taxes shall be lowered so you may prosper. I don’t require a salary, so I shall take none. That money shall also be returned to you,” People began to cheer. “With the rest roads shall be improved, buildings will get refurbished, and those who keep the peace shall get a raise and better supplies.” Cheers came from the guards and sheriffs.

“However, we have a roll to play in this too. I’m sure many of you pay ‘protection’ money. This ends now. That is why we pay our police force, so you don’t have to.” People chuckled a bit. He turned to his advisors “And I know my staff, from this day forward, will not condone the continued payout of protection, extra tax, or whatever the hell it’s called you take more than your fair share from the people and line your pockets with the excess, am I right?”

They all nodded in fear, except Bilton, who just stood there, beads of sweat beginning to form on his head. He didn’t want to say anything for fear of retribution. Obidaan looked at him. “After all I am offering, you’re still willing to fleece these people? I’ll have you know these changes go into effect for you as well. You will be getting more money in your pocket now! You have no need for graft, why continue in it?”

“Habit?” was all he could say.