The Fire and The Storm - The Nexus of Kellaran #2 novel Chapter 103

Part 17

“Well now I’m very curious!” Talia chuckled. “How is it that you got to know Amirgath?”

“Oh, we were talking about asking him and maybe some of the other gods to do something for us, and he showed up and said they would.” Fire giggled. “Along with Quewanak, Falgaroth and Visinniria. I think they’re giving us quite a lot of their attention, though it might have been because we were chatting with Zarkog at the time.”

“And you’re doing a fine job of seeming nonchalant about it, too.” Mark laughed as he set her down. “Are you going to tell us about it, or just keep us in suspense with cryptic hints?”

“Well I’d sure like to, but it would take a while and we still have things to do before the Assembly meeting tonight. So here;” Six grinned as the children Linked with their parents and shared the experience, and gave them a moment to consider it.

“I hope you don’t mind that we plan to take over running the world from you after we win the tournament.” Val giggled to Mark as she hugged his thigh. “But really, you don’t seem that interested in running it anyway. Will you even enter the tournament?”

“More important than that, will you speak in the Assembly in favor of letting the winner of the tournament assume the leadership of The Just Alliance?” Six insistently inquired.

“Well.” Mark said with a proud smile, and paused before he continued. “I suppose I’ll have to field a team. My supporters wouldn’t stand for it if I didn’t.

“And I’m going to suggest that we hold the tournament, then ask the Assembly if they’ll approve the winner as Leader, and if they agree, then we’ll ask the people. All of them. If there’s strong support for it all the way down the line, then I’ll go along with it and give the new Leader my full and honest support. And that’s all I’m willing to commit to.

“Even with the gods running the tournament, and even with all of them sworn to justice, it’s still too big a risk to guarantee that the winner will get the Leadership. If Zarkog or Zwak Deathbringer or someone like that wins, and a major part of the Assembly or the population disagree with it, it could throw everything into chaos just when we’re facing the demons. There’s no use having the most technically qualified Leader if no one wants to follow him. Then you just have a commander, and maybe a bunch of disobedient or mutinous subordinates.”

“Ah. Good points there, Father.” Six nodded. “So really, if we want to lead The Just Alliance, we have to win the tournament, and before the tournament is held, we need to win over the Assembly and the populace.”

“That’s about it, Son.” Mark chuckled as he gave the boy a pat on the back and a momentary firm rub.

“We’ll definitely need a planning session on that.” Fire decided, then changed the subject.

“How are your efforts at recovering innocent people’s property coming along?”