Elantris - Brandon Sanderson [151]
The man squirmed uncomfortably, and Sarene smiled. “That is why I am going to bribe you. What will it take for you to let the people come and get food freely?”
Aanden balked, obviously uncertain how to proceed. The woman, however, spoke firmly. “You have a scribe to write down our demands?”
“I do,” Sarene said, gesturing for Shuden to pull out his paper and charcoalpen.
The list was extensive—even larger than Sarene had expected—and it included many odd items. She had assumed they would request weapons, perhaps even gold. Karata’s demands, however, began with cloth, moved through various grains, some worked-metal sheets, lengths of wood, straw, and ended with oil. The message was clear: Rule of Elantris depended not on force or wealth, but on controlling basic necessities.
Sarene agreed to the demands curtly. If she had been dealing with Aanden only, she would have argued for less, but this Karata was a straightforward, unwavering woman—the type who didn’t have much patience for haggling.
“Is that everything?” Sarene asked as Shuden scribbled down the final request.
“That will do for the first few days,” Karata said.
Sarene narrowed her eyes. “Fine. But I have one rule you have to follow. You can’t forbid anyone from coming to the courtyard. Rule as despots if you wish, but at least let the people suffer with full stomachs.”
“You have my word,” Karata said. “I will keep no one back.”
Sarene nodded, motioning that the meeting was finished. Karata assigned a guide to lead them back to the gate—not Spirit, this time. He stayed behind, approaching the city’s two tyrants as Sarene left the building.
“Was that good enough, my lord?” Mareshe asked eagerly.
“Mareshe, that was perfect,” Raoden replied, watching the retreating princess with satisfaction.
Mareshe smiled modestly. “Well, my lord, I do my best. I haven’t much experience with acting, but I do think I played a properly decisive and intimidating leader.”
Raoden caught Karata’s eye. The gruff woman was trying very hard not to laugh. The pompous artisan had been perfect—neither decisive or intimidating. People outside Elantris saw the city as a lawless realm lorded over by harsh, thieving despots. Together Mareshe and Karata had portrayed exactly what the princess and her companions had expected to see.
“She suspected something, sule,” Galladon noted, walking out of the shadows at the side of the room.
“Yes, but she doesn’t know what,” Raoden said. “Let her suspect that ‘Aanden’ and Karata are playing tricks on her; it will do no harm.”
Galladon shook his head slightly, his bald head shining in the dim light. “What’s the point? Why not bring her to the chapel; let her see what we really are?”
“I’d like to, Galladon,” Raoden said. “But we can’t afford to let out our secret. The people of Arelon tolerate Elantris because the Elantrians are so pitiful. If they discover we’re establishing a civilized society, their fears will surface. A mass of moaning wretches is one thing, a legion of unkillable monstrosities is another.”
Karata nodded, saying nothing. Galladon, the eternal skeptic, simply shook his head—as if unsure what to think.
“Well, she certainly is determined. Kolo?” he finally asked, referring to Sarene.
“Determined indeed,” Raoden agreed. Then, with amusement, he continued, “And I don’t think she likes me very much.”
“She thinks you’re the lackey of a tyrant,” Karata pointed out. “Is she supposed to like you?”
“True,” Raoden said. “However, I think we should add a clause to our agreement that says I can attend all of her distributions. I want to keep an eye on our benevolent princess—she doesn’t strike me as the type to do anything without several motives, and I wonder just what made her decide to do her Trial here in Elantris.”
“That went well,” Eondel said, watching their guide disappear back into Elantris.
“You got away easily,” Shuden agreed. “The things they demanded can be obtained without much expenditure.”
Sarene nodded