Page 76 of Stranger's Choice
“We want the power to determine how much the people are taxed and how that money is spent,” Tjalik said.
“We want the magical races to have the same rights and privileges as humans, without the indignities of the imperial-oracle treaty,” Heolin said.
“We want the Emperor’s Will to be disbanded, and the members compensated for their years of service without freedom,” Pianti added.
The Emperor glowered at Pianti, but had shown almost no reaction to the men’s demands. This might be easier than Sebin had expected. He gave a shallow bow to the Emperor. “Your Imperial Majesty, with your permission, I will talk to these people about their demands, and then we can discuss their terms.”
“I will not abdicate,” the Emperor repeated.
“Of course,” Sebin said. “I’m sure I can find an alternative. With your permission, Imperial Majesty?”
The Emperor didn’t agree so much as he did not disagree. Sebin assumed that was the best they would get and turned back to Heolin and Tjalik. He pointed at a nearby nook, empty since the rebels had stormed the Star Room. “Why don’t we move over there?”
Both men and two women walked over with Sebin. One woman stood in the entry of the nook, facing the room. The other sat down next to Heolin. Sebin felt a breeze across his face and then she spoke. “No one will hear us now.”
“Perfect,” Sebin said. “We can pretend to talk for a little while, then I’ll go back to the Emperor. I suspect disbanding the Will will be the hardest point to get him to agree on.”
Tjalik snorted. “He doesn’t want to give up his power. I’m not sure he will give in so easily.”
“No.” Sebin shook his head. “He doesn’t want to give up his position. He enjoys the power of being emperor, not the responsibility of ruling over an empire. So long as he doesn’t realize how much income he will lose, I suspect his approval of the Assembly will come easily enough.”
“How can he not realize that we won’t channel the taxes into his coffers?”
Heolin frowned. “I don’t think he knows how much of his personal wealth comes from taxes. He has never paid much attention to such things.”
“Exactly.” Sebin held out his hands like he was placating the men. Better to assume someone was watching. “The Emperor spends money and knows there will always be more. He doesn’t worry about where it comes from. Not that I know how much of his wealth is from taxes; the imperial family could have plenty in their own right.”
“I hope you are right,” Tjalik muttered. “If he only digs his heels in on the Will, we can give that up easily enough.”
“No.” Sebin wouldn’t budge on this point. Not only was freeing the Will Pianti’s one request in exchange for her help, it was the right thing to do. Even though the termination of the imperial-oracle treaty would free Auraelie, he wouldn’t abandon the rest of the Will.
Heolin nodded in agreement. “We must be better than the Emperor from the start, or all this is for naught.”
Sebin stayed with the leaders of the rebels for another quarter of an hour, then rose and went back to the Emperor. Pianti and Qilar were still keeping the Emperor and Lhashiki apart, and a dozen or so rebels surrounded them, keeping everyone else away.
“Your Imperial Majesty,” Sebin greeted the Emperor, “I believe I know how all parties can walk away content this evening.”
The Emperor glared at the people caging him. He had lost some of his equanimity while Sebin spoke with Heolin and Tjalik. “What compromise do you propose, Prince Sebin?”
“A few simple changes. If you approve an Assembly of humans and the magical races, I think that will take care of most of their demands. Of course, you will have to grant authority to the Assembly, but really that just means less work for you in the long run. They’ll do the work, but you will still be the Emperor.”
The Emperor didn’t even hesitate—he truly had no idea what he was agreeing to or what authority he would be ceding, because he never used his authority to govern. “Fine, but I will not disband the Will.”
Sebin saw Pianti step forward from the corner of his eye, but she stopped herself after a single step.
“Disband, no.” Sebin smiled. “You will offer the members of your Will wages. They will still be your most talented servants and be compensated accordingly. They’ll also have to have the choice to leave your service, but I’m sure you need not worry about that.”
The Emperor looked from Lhashiki to Qilar. After a moment, he nodded. “Any who choose to leave don’t deserve to be in my Will, anyway.”
Sebin could see him thinking through the various members of his Will, assuring himself that they would all remain loyal, and that Qilar was an exception. He spoke before the Emperor could remember the one member of the Will he already had a reason to doubt the loyalty of.
“The oracle, of course, will have to be sent home. Heolin would not budge on that point.”
The Emperor stilled. “No. The treaty gives me the right to an oracle.”
“I know. And Heolin insists the treaty must end, but I think you’ll be happy with the compromise I came up with, Your Imperial Majesty.”
“Tell me.”
