first, the udoğans faced the fact that the burgomaster of one city could give an order that differed from the order of the burgomaster of another city. Therefore, Emperor Tosho sent a messenger to the Valley with a demand to work out a single law the Itoshins would obey. Since then, the burgomasters had become powerless over the warriors of the Empire. Only the Council of Four could give special orders. The Itoshins had also cut at the root all theft, robbery, smuggling, counterfeiting, fights with arms, vagrancy, and begging. For such violations, they denounced those guilty of the crime to a city prison, where it was the local court that passed decisions. Moreover, the Itoshins could sentence individuals with death for murder, necromania, and human trafficking on the spot, but such an order had to be given personally by the udoğan, and only in the case of an emergency.
The Itoshins never joined the clans. However, now the Emperor had lifted the ban due to special circumstances.
Udoğan E’Do led his troops not just to protect the order; he had received a personal task from the Emperor to find out what had happened in the Valley. Do’Ayve knew all this. E’Do had no secrets from his own warriors, and the command of the ruler was quoted word-for-word. E’Do’s detachment continued to serve the Law of the Valley, but he had to act in his own interests as well. This is why the Emperor abolished the ban on joining the clans.
“The Emperor remembers your merit, faithful udoğan Goro,” E’Do added. “That’s why he advised me to ask you about the clans and life in the Valley, for you know more about it than anyone else!”
More than the other udoğans still alive.
It would perhaps have been more correct to speak so, but E’Do was choosing his words carefully. Indeed, Goro’s age was already admired. But he commanded the fortress and obviously wasn’t avoiding battles. The testimony of that was his scars, many of which were very fresh. At the same time, Goro had spent a long time in the Valley and knew a lot about it.
A modest smile spread over the stern face of the fortress owner. He obviously enjoyed the idea of gaining attention from the Emperor.
“Then I’ll say this,” Lauhanian udoğan began, “Of course you, valiant E’Do, have heard that it’s all different in the Valley. I really love our people and culture for our simplicity. There is an Emperor, and no one above him. The will of the Emperor is the only truth. And it is the udoğans that carry out this will. If you are a warrior, listen to the udoğan, the detachment commander. If you are a city dweller, listen to the udoğan, the city administrator. If you are the udoğan, listen to the Emperor. That’s it! The power lies in the simplicity.
“But that isn’t how it is in the Great Cities. Each city has its own burgomaster, and there is no unitary power. Imagine, brave udoğan, that one burgomaster conceived one thing, for example, to put a trading post between the cities, and another one wants to create a stadium at the same place. And what’s to be done? Whom to listen to? Yes, yes, to the Council of Four! There are still two burgomasters, and what if one supports a trading post and another the stadium? That’s where the clans play their part. The clans are a hidden power, and not the kind that we honor. It lies not in the speed of the stroke, but in the influence of the clan on other inhabitants of the Valley. Their beautiful words strike stronger than sharpened blades. Lies, cunningness, weaving intrigues, and endless machinations behind the back – these are the weapons of the clans! And as for the actual governance, the power of the burgomasters is emblematic. Any burgomaster in truth fulfills the will of the most influential clans.
“Even if it contradicts the Law,” E’Do offered not as a question, but rather an affirmation.
“That’s why the Emperor sends you,” Goro continued approvingly. “You are a man of insight, quick to grasp things. It took me years to realize that. At first, I believed the burgomasters were the noblest people who cared about the well-being of the inhabitants of their cities. But no, udoğan E’Do. Not all rulers are as honest and straightforward as our Emperor, let his name be praised for years and years!”
“Let it be so!” Do’Ayve replied at the same time as his commander.
“Even though you call me a man of insight, I still cannot understand how we can profit from the right to join the clans,” E’Do continued, looking into Goro’s face. “My detachment will still remain faithful to the Law, and the weaving of intrigues is alien and disgusting to me, even if it can serve a great goal. How should we act then?”
“You just answered this question yourself,” Goro chuckled.
“How?” the young udoğan frowned.
“Stay faithful to the Law!” The ruler of Lauhan got up from his chair and began to pace around the hall as his speech became more emotional. “You shouldn’t join the existing clans. Establish one of your own! Let it be ruled by someone you can fully trust. Oppose the dishonesty with your nobility, the lies – with the truth. Support the burgomasters, but rely only on the Law. The Valley is not yet populated. Even the old clans with their names and traditions will have to reinforce their positions anew. Don’t lose time – while others will be weak, strengthen your position with the power of the Law!”
E’Do became thoughtful, but in his eyes, a light flashed. He nodded slightly and thanked Goro for his kind advice. Do’Ayve had listened to him as if bewitched, thanking fate for allowing him to be present throughout the conversation of these remarkable people, the young and fair udoğan E’Do and the experienced, wise udoğan Goro.
“There is one more nuance that I want to inform you of, udoğan,” said E’Do after a short pause, “And I am sorry I did not tell you about it earlier. The emperor is in correspondence with the rulers of other nations: the Taurian konung, the Djunitian Head of The Academy’s Court, and the Governor of Bandabaze. The omnipotent Tosho insists the Great Cities unite under the rule of a single ruler until it becomes known why the Valley was emptied.”
Goro sat down in the armchair again, hands clasped at his face.
“May all of Elinor bless our Emperor for his wisdom. Living in the Valley is all I ever dreamed of. If only other people had enough sense to agree with this! You couldn’t imagine, oh fearless E’Do, how many problems could be solved at once, however,” he added intently, “if we entrust the Valley to the Taurs, they will establish the cult of their goddess in every corner. If to the Guawars, they will steamroll all the sea trade under the Bandabaze. Is it that?” Goro looked up at E’Do questioningly.
“I do not think so,” he retorted at once. “At least the divine Emperor did not say anything about that. But I’m sure he is more aware than any of us as to what’s happening and will be able to insist on the right choice of a worthy ruler.”
“Indeed,” agreed the ruler of Lauhan. “Goodness, we got carried away by this conversation, and your detachment needs some rest! You both can stay in my reception rooms.”
“We shall stay at the inn!” E’Do refused immediately. “I do not want to offend you, honored, mighty Goro, but I’m not used to having more than necessary.”
“I was informed there are children with you.”
“Apprentices!” Commander Do’Ayve corrected. “The youngest is already fourteen. Very soon they will become warriors of the Empire. There is no need to worry about them.”
“May I ask, why did you take them with you?”
“I took only those who speak the Common Language perfectly.”
“Once again, I admire your forethought! And stiffness and straightforwardness speak through you, but it is in them that the truth lies. You look very much like your father, valiant E’Do!” said Goro, concluding their conversation.
In response, E’Do bowed again and left silently, followed by Do’Ayve. He knew the difficult story of his commander and his family. Therefore, he admitted that, after such seemingly trivial words, even the unshakable E’Do’s heart would become restless.