Cormyr_ a novel - Ed Greenwood [58]
Ondeth was silent.
"But if orcs did this," the mage continued, "If the pig faces were responsible, then your settlement continues. Will your men tell that lie to save your people?"
Ondeth's brows did not rise. "Why would they want to lie?"
Baerauble ignored the question. "If you told them to, would they obey you?"
Ondeth thought about it for a moment, looking at the others. The Silvers already had a large and growing brood in the settlement, Rayburton a daughter, and Smye a wife heavy with their first child. They had all argued with Mondar about the wisdom of settling beyond the walls. Yes, they would-reluctantly-agree, if the alternative was explained to them.
"Aye," said Ondeth. "They would obey."
"Let this be the work of the goblin-kin, then," said Baerauble. "I will go back and work peace among the discontented elves. But there is another matter: Why will these men obey you?"
Ondeth blinked. "Because they choose to. They're reasonable men, and they know they cannot take on the elves themselves and have any hope of victory." Yet, he added to himself.
Baerauble shook his head. "They follow you because they choose to, but also because you choose to lead. You are the founder of your town, and the strongest voice in it. Were I to ask them to do this thing, regardless of the soundness of my arguments, they would ignore me, even though it would mean their own deaths. You they will listen to."
"What are you saying, mage?" Faerlthann asked, looking from his father to the elf-friend and back.
"You are their leader in truth," said Baerauble. "I want you to be leader in name as well. Declare yourself king, or duke, or whatever rank you so choose. I can offer the support of Iliphar and the court in this matter. With Mondar dead now, there is no other strong voice. Marry your Minda if you want to seal the matter." He ignored the younger Obarskyr's sharp intake of breath at the mention of Minda's name.
Ondeth did not look at his son, but instead regarded the wizard. The elven attack had come when Minda was not present and had silenced the only man in a hundred miles who could challenge Ondeth's tacit leadership of Suzail. If it were blamed on orcs or goblins, the peaceful lives of Suzailans could continue alongside the elves with the threat of death under elven arrows helping the town elders keep the secret of the assault.
How much did Baerauble know of this massacre?
Ondeth watched the crackling flames, aware of the scrutiny of both the mage and his own son. If he were to agree, that would mean Faerlthann would gain everything upon his death. More than a farm, more than a name, Faerlthann would have a kingdom. Would that be enough for the young man to forgive him his affair with Mondar's sister?
At length, Ondeth opened his mouth and said deliberately, "No."
The mage protested, "But-"
"No," repeated the farmer. "Many of us have seen kings, and in general they are a bad lot. If I command these men, it is by their choice, not mine. If they obey the strictures you and the elves have laid down, it is through loyalty to me, not fear of you. If they hide this foul deed, it will be through their own desire to remain, not any order I enforce upon them."
He looked at the pyre, where the Bleths were barely recognizable as things that had been human. "No, I cannot be your puppet king, dancing to elven tunes," Ondeth continued. "You have no authority to offer me such a title. These men do, and they have had their fill of monarchs and official leaders. I will see that your secret is kept, because it is in all our best interests to keep it secret. But I will not take a crown born out of a massacre."
The flames were beginning to die now, thick smoke pouring from the pyre. The smell of burned flesh hung heavily in the air.
At length, Baerauble spoke. "I will convey your refusal back to Iliphar's court. Know, Ondeth Obarskyr, that the elves are concerned about the growth of your little settlement. If you will not take