A - 3
B - 10
***
Chapter 7.9: Scheming in Crete
Scholars were uncertain whether the mythical Aegean War that preceded the foundation of the Shinar Empire truly occurred, but there were signs of a large conflict from artifacts and weaponry dating back to that time period. It was also then that the people of Crete was supposedly cursed by the Greek god Zeus, dooming them to a life of undeath. No one approached the island for centuries, fearful of the walking dead, but by the time some brave Shinari scholars visited the island in 1116 A.C., they found nothing but strangely well-preserved buildings. It was totally uninhabited, with no human presence anywhere on the island. As their archaeological efforts continued slowly over the next century, the island stubbornly refused to yield any corpses to the scholars. Even the tombs and mausoleums were empty. It was not long after that that the Greeks moved in. They were starved on space on Peloponessus, and it did not make sense to waste good, fertile land - and inhabitable buildings - on the basis of a fairytale. The legendary palace of Knossos was refurbished to become the official residence of the island's ruler, and it had become a thriving part of the Empire ever since.
***
"It seems that your reputation for throwing lavish banquets is well-earned, Governor Charmion." You raise your glass of wine, tipping it slightly towards the well-fed, jolly chief of the island. He unleashes a deep-throated belly laugh, his rolls jiggling in tune to his sonorous voice. "Just as long as you enjoy it, Sir Camna. Have you seen the bulls?"
"How could I not? This place is full of them. They appear to be a bit damaged though, if you don't mind me saying so."
"It is not my fault, Sir Camna." says Charmion solemnly. "My predecessor was... sensitive about his endowments - or lack thereof. To have Minos's very realistically made bulls poking him in the eye at every corner was too much for his poor ego to handle, I fear, and one day he snapped and took a chisel to every statue. I was here by the next week."
You laugh. "You appear to be enjoying the place, at least."
"Oh, far better than dull old Korinthos, or gods forbid, New Athens. I like it here, despite that feeling you get sometimes that someone might be spying on you. It must be the draft in this palace, it makes one feel uneasy."
You knew that feeling. You knew what was giving you that feeling, though - you had not come alone. Two of your Watchers were around... somewhere. It seems that they had learnt to trust your judgment, though it only meant that you had better not betray that trust. You aren't confident that your fledgling powers would allow you to survive should they actually decide to make a concerted effort to kill you.
"Oh, I don't know. It could be the ghosts of the ancient Cretans. What do you think, Officer Zhang?" You turn to the Easterner standing next to you.
The Concordiat diplomat was named Zhang Su, an officer of the fifth grade in their bureaucracy. As they had grades from one to ten, it appeared that Zhang was smack-dab in the middle of the hierarchy. He wore a rich silk robe in the tradition of his country, dyed a brilliant gold. It shimmered as he moved, almost as if it were made of real gold threads. His skin was tanned, a feature of a man that has spent many years in travel, and he bore the height and grace that separated the Easterners of the Concordiat from the stockier Southerners of the Shinar Empire.
"I don't really believe in ghosts, Sir Camna." When he spoke, he spoke in fluent, if slightly accented Shinari. "The feeling of being spied on is a feeling every human gets. However, if there is one... well, I think I'd like to meet it." Zhang gave a tight smile. "At any rate, I believe there is something we need to discuss, Sir Camna."
"Ah yes." winked Charmion. "Business dealings. I love trade with the Concordiat, Crete thrives on it."
You pat the governor on the back and grin. "I'll make sure you get a good deal out of this, governor. Just keep things quiet. This is for the prince." Charmion gives you a knowing nod, and escorts you and Zhang into a more private room.
***
"I can guess why you are here." Again with that tight, stretched smile from Zhang. "You are here on the Prince's orders. You have become well known amongst certain circles for that little game you played with his clerk, Sir Camna." You could read a slight tension, held in check by plenty of confidence. Zhang feels slightly different from any other person you had encountered, but you are not sure why.
"Perhaps I am here on his orders. Perhaps I am here for more. Do you know what the Prince wants?"
Zhang shrugs. "I will be straightforward. The royal family of Tamur is agitating for war. They want to reclaim their ancestral lands that the Empire has stolen. We have managed to restrain them thus far to little skirmishes, but they have centuries worth of vengeance that will not be satiated."
"That is very informative. Many in the Empire treat Tamur as nothing more than a Concordiat puppet. Do you mean to say that they are a raging beast held back only by the firm but caring leash from the east?"
Another tight smile. "You know your foreign affairs, Sir Camna. True, things aren't as simple as I have put it, but it is not as simple as Tamur being a puppet for our intentions either. You should know that."
You do know that King Tamur XXX, the thirtieth of the royal Tamur line to ascend to the throne, was a young king fervently believing that his destiny was to reclaim all of the lands his ancestors once held. It wouldn't be a surprise for such a young and ardent believer to lack pragmatism. He was like Runikylos, except with far less brains and charisma.
"Kill King Tamur?" you suggest, half jokingly. Zhang only shakes his head, though you sense he appreciates your suggestion. "He's been lucky. My superiors think differently, but it looks like invasion will happen anyway. It won't hurt us."
"That begs the question, though, of why you are here. Are you telling us this in hopes of bloodying your vassal's nose in a failed war?" There was a flicker of wariness in his eyes, for just an instant.
"Very astute, Sir Camna. Perhaps. Perhaps for more."
You had to do it; he was hiding something, and you had to push him to find out what it was.
"You can tell me, Officer. I'm sure we can work out something... beneficial to us. My prince has authorized me to make any offers I can to benefit both the Empire and the Concordiat." That was strictly not a lie, but you would make sure any offers made would also benefit you.
"What I want is something pretty simple. Have you heard of the Labyrinth of Knossos?"
You had heard of it in legends, and in your memories you have seen the Emperor - you - rescuing a maiden from a bull-headed giant and slaying it with a slash of your sword. You nod your head. "I thought they were just stories."
"It's a real construct, Sir Camna. The Concordiat has an interest in its history, and would like to explore it. Of course, the Empire is unlikely to give us permission, so..."
"You know where it is." It was not a question, but a statement of fact.
"Yes, that is why I'm here." He was indeed here for the Labyrinth. You smile at Zhang. "What can I do for you, then?"
"We need you to open the door."
"That's an amazingly simple request, Zhang. Why do you need me? I am sure there are plenty of other doormen willing to help you."
"It has to be you, Sir Camna, and no others. You are special, are you not?" Zhang's tight smile splits to show his teeth, widening into an ugly grin.
You struggle to keep your nerve. If it was the Labyrinth of legends, associated with the First Emperor, there was probably only one reason why they'd need you. They knew of your powers, and somehow that was needed to open the door. Your mind starts whirling. Did they know from your Watchers? Did they have an extensive spy network of their own? Could Runikylos have sold you out to them? After all, this was his idea, though your Watchers haven't reported anything on him having any contact with the Concordiat. In fact, from what you knew, few people in the Empire had any contact with the Concordiat, beyond that of the usual trade links, illegal or otherwise. You keep your composure and give Zhang a winning smile.
"What happens if I don't?"
"Then you don't, and we go on our separate ways. We have other ways we can try. If you do, then matters in Tamur will be resolved to your pleasure. I think that is incentive enough." said Zhang matter-of-factly, and that was that.
***
A. You accept the offer. This is why you were here, were you not?
1. You ask for the invasion to be halted. This would improve your standing in Runikylos's eyes.
2. You want Tamur. Obtaining kingship by conquest is an old tradition, and you know just the right puppet for such a purpose. Without Concordiat support, Tamur would fall easily once it started a fight.
3. You want something else (Propose your own reasonable option).
B. You reject the offer, going your separate ways. This was a bit too risky for your tastes. Best not to do anything strange for now, until your Watchers can find out more about the Concordiat's intentions.
C. Your Watchers are close by. You attack Zhang to bring him in for interrogation and find out what he knows. You can dispose of him quietly once you are satisfied. The currents around Crete can be treacherous at times.
