Discussing the Treaties
Chapter 3 - Part 3 (Voyage of the Dawn Breaker)
Once she was gone, the two taghta women cautiously looked up at Rhyslin. “What of us, Mac Draoidheachd?”
“You may stay,” Rhyslin whispered, his voice tinged with pain. “I might need your advice.”
Neither spoke as they moved to flank him. Lilly accepted a chair and cautiously sat down. When he ignored her, she slowly relaxed and crossed her ankles as she adjusted her skirt.
The bound taghta crawled to his left side and knelt, her knees slightly parted and her hand's palm up on her thighs. When all movement ceased, Rhyslin mumbled, “Marcus, would you go get Torval and K'tek? I will need them to witness this accord once it's fixed.”
Behind him, he heard a whispered complaint, and Marcus said, “Be silent, Mo Cridhe[1]. In your hurry to make history, you forgot how many luchd saor[2] are needed to sign a treaty that binds the saor-shealbhan.” She must have whispered the answer because he affirmed, “That's right, four. Now come along, and let's go find Torval and K'tek.”
The door closed behind Marcus and Natolie, allowing silence as Rhyslin rested his head in his left hand. When the headache had lessened enough that he could think, he raised his head. “Can we all agree that this treaty will not work as written?” He waited as the three women discussed it, and when all three nodded, he leaned forward. “What do you want from the Saor-shealbhan nan Raointean Mòra[3]?”
Allanagh and Ilyriatri immediately looked at Mayana, who returned the look with a raised brow. “Can you tell us about your treaty with Mayana?” Allanagh inquired.
It was Rhyslin's turn to glance at the red-haired queen, who gave a slight nod. “Mayana has petitioned for Clann na beinne [4]to join the Saor-shealbhan.”
“We didn't know that it was an option,” Ilyriatri stated as she leaned forward, suddenly interested.
Rhyslin softly sighed as he shook his head and commented, “That's because Mathair has never thought to ask about it. She's always considered me as a king.”
Allanagh's blue eyes met his. “What are the benefits and drawbacks of joining the Saor-shealbhan?”
Very good, Bhanrigh Allanagh, Rhyslin thought; now that you are no longer afraid, we'll see how intelligent you are. He looked away from her to see if Ilyriatri was just as clever. He blinked when he found her gazing at him. What is that about? That's not your usual casual disinterest. “There are many benefits to joining the Saor-shealbhan. You will be free to travel throughout the Saor-shealbhan, you will be free to work for whomever you wish, or you may start your own business, and you may live wherever you wish.”
“What if we are attacked again?” Allanagh inquired; the recent Orcan attack was still fresh in her mind.
“You would be under our protection, and we would defend you,” he commented.
“Would we be required to provide anything for the protection?” Ilyriatri cautiously inquired as she watched him. Now that he's not disappointed, he's calm as a tranquil lake. Rana was correct; there was something special about him.
“The only thing that would be required is the land upon which we can build the fortress,” Rhyslin answered. “We will, of course, buy the land and the materials to build the fortress, and we will provide the soldiers to man the fort and carry out patrols.” He paused, giving the women a moment to consider what that entailed.
“Will we be required to merge our armies?” Allanagh asked after they conferred.
The draoidh shook his head, "No, we don't require you to give up your military, and we hope we can work together to provide a defense.” He relaxed in the chair as Allanagh and Ilyriatri pulled Mayana into a huddle and interrogated her.
“We have two more questions,” Ilyriatri said as she once again gazed at him. “What if one of your citizens breaks our laws, or one of our citizens breaks Saor-shealbhan law?”
It's about time someone asked that question, Rhyslin thought as he closed his eyes and took a slow, deep breath, which the women around him immediately noticed. “Anyone who breaks your laws is subject to your legal system, and vice versa.” He opened his eyes to find Flur, Ilyriatri, and Vuuroena watching him closely. “As long as the accused can face his accuser and the proceedings are fair, the Saor-shealbhan will accept the verdict.” Why are those three watching me like that? He wondered as he tried to remember where he had left off.
“All free people are responsible for themselves and must face the consequences of their actions.”
The women nodded. “That's most enlightened,” Allanagh commented. We believe the same thing.” Then she hesitated, looking to Mayana and Ilyriatri for support. “What if, at some point in the future, one of our countries wants to leave the Saor-shealbhan?”
Interesting. Rhyslin gazed at the three women. “Nobody is forced to stay in the Saor-shealbhan. If a member country or state wants to leave, they can. Any joint military forces would disband, and depending upon subsequent contracts, Saor-shealbhan forces would either withdraw to our forts or completely withdraw to our borders.”
“That is unexpected,” Allanagh whispered as she turned back to the other two. “Can you give us a few mionaidean to discuss this?”
“Of course,” Rhyslin muttered as he rested against the back of his chair. “Take all the time you need. I'll be right here.” He winced as the pain in his head sharpened.
“How bad is the pain?” Lilly inquired as she reached out and brushed her fingers across his head.
Rhyslin allowed the touch, gasping softly as her fingers traced the nerves behind his ear. “About the same as always,” he admitted to the taghta. “Some days are better, some worse.”
Lilly shook her head, “I'm sure that Mathair has told you how to diminish the pain. Has she not?”
“She has,” Rhyslin admitted.
“And?” Her fingers found where the nerves bundled and deftly pressed down, drawing a sigh of relief from his lips.
“It's never going to happen.”
Her fingers stopped, and he cracked an eyelid to find her staring at him. “Why not?”
“Because I would rather die than bind a woman to me for the rest of her life,” he stated, then relaxed slightly as another pair of hands gently massaged the back of his head. “Ana, you don't have to do ...” he let out a sigh of relief as the bound taghta found the spot where most of the pain was centered.
“I don't have to, but I want to, Maighstir,” she replied, “I live to serve.”
Under the touch of both taghta, the pain was brought down to manageable levels. “Thank you,” He whispered as he opened his eyes.
"It was our pleasure," Ana replied as she returned to her place at his side and again knelt. Lilly echoed her assertion as she leaned back in her chair.
[1] My heart
[2] Free men
[3] Freeholds of the Great Plains.
[4] Children of the Mountain
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