Chapter 167: Beastfolk Politics and an Assassination Attempt 1

"Why are you telling me all this?"

Lynessa shot Tanaka a sideways look as they walked along the thoroughfare of the eastern district towards the academy. The streets were busy with people and the merchants were just beginning to pack up for the afternoon, but the girl was still explaining the complicated political situation between the Beastfolk nations.

"Because you asked me about it, Lord Tanaka," she said. "I asked you about the Foxfolk and the Rabbit Kingdom. How did we end up with the royal council, territory disputes and three separate marriage alliances?" Tanaka asked.

The young cat beastfolk cast her ears back. "I’m sorry," she said. Tanaka exhaled in amusement. "That wasn’t a complaint. Please, continue," he said. Lynessa’s ears shot forward again. She explained that the Wolf Crown was the highest authority in the Beastfolk Lands with King Aldren Greymane presiding over disputes between the major nations and clans.

Despite this, the Lion Tribe, Foxfolk and Rabbit Kingdom all had their own ruling bodies, laws and territories, and none of them had relinquished total jurisdiction to the Wolf King. "Their rulers attend the general meeting because their decisions concern all nations," Lynessa explained. "The Lion King is especially important because he commands one of the largest armies, and the Foxfolk have considerable leverage over trade and magical commerce."

"And the rabbits?" Tanaka asked. Lynessa’s ears twitched. "They have some of the richest farmland in Bravelm," she said. "Their medicines, enchanted farming tools and healing practitioners are desirable in almost every nation, which is why Queen Elowen Whiteburrow prefers to keep her people neutral." Tanaka nodded.

He had met the lion king Garrath Goldmane already and the man definitely had the personality of one who enjoyed measuring a person’s abilities before deciding on a course of action. If the Foxfolk were merchants who traded in information and the rabbits were neutral traders who dealt in goods, then the general meeting would certainly be an interesting prospect. "What about the lesser races?" Tanaka asked.

"Some have independent settlements," the girl said, "while others swear fealty to one of the great powers. A few of the minor clans have representatives in the Wolf Crown’s council, mostly those who control important commercial routes or resources." "So the Wolf King has to balance the needs of everybody without letting the powerful nations trample the weak ones?" Tanaka asked.

Lynessa blinked. "That sounds about right. Although I don’t think anyone would use that particular phrase," she said. Tanaka chuckled. He knew exactly what she meant.

They were walking along a narrower street where the buildings became smaller and more commercial signs began to appear. The academy district was just ahead and Lynessa had grown quiet as they neared it. Tanaka glanced at the girl’s collar. "Those Foxfolk from yesterday. Can they legally force you to work for them?" he asked.

Lynessa’s expression tightened. "House Velmire has a debt of payment to Lady Mereth," she said. "She agreed to provide certain services in exchange for repayment of the debt and I’m one of the workers they’ve requested." "Even when the work requires magic that you can’t perform?" Tanaka asked. The girl nodded.

"They don’t care whether I’m able to or not. They just want the work done," she said. Tanaka’s smile faded. "What happens if you refuse?" he asked. Lynessa hesitated before answering. "I could be punished for refusing my master’s orders and House Velmire can claim that the payment agreement has not been honoured. Lady Mereth would rather not owe anyone money if she can avoid it," she explained.

Lynessa spoke in a flat tone, as if stating an unpleasant fact about the weather, but Tanaka understood enough to know that it was the attitude that irritated him. He had met plenty of people who believed that their power gave them the right to dictate matters to others, but it still rankled when someone said it with such casual disregard. "And the three that attacked you?" Tanaka asked. "They were only supposed to scare me into working for them," Lynessa said.

Tanaka stopped walking. Lynessa came to a halt as well. "That’s supposed to be comforting?" he asked. She looked down at her paws. "No," she said. Tanaka said nothing for a few seconds. He could have told the girl to leave immediately and offered her a place to stay in Eldoris, but he knew that taking her away without understanding the situation could cause more problems than it solved.

He had already told her that Eldoris would accept someone without magical abilities. He meant it, but he preferred to keep helping her out of this situation rather than dragging her into a new one. "All right," Tanaka said. "We’ll leave that matter to the people responsible for it for now. If House Velmire attempts to use it as an excuse to threaten you again, then let me know," he said.

Lynessa looked up. "You would help me?" she asked. "Didn’t I already do that yesterday?" Tanaka asked. The girl’s ears wiggled. Then she gave Tanaka a surprised smile. "Yes, Lord Tanaka," she said. They resumed walking until they reached the academy district.

A woman was standing near the entrance talking to two servants. Her tiger ears rotated as she spotted Lynessa approaching and her gaze snapped to the young cat beastfolk. "Where have you been?" she demanded. Lynessa lowered her head. "I’m sorry, mistress. I was delayed," she replied. The woman was about to chide the girl when she noticed Tanaka standing beside Lynessa. Surprise registered on the woman’s face and she straightened up immediately.

"Lord Tanaka Eldoris?" she asked. Tanaka gave a polite nod. "That’s right," he said. The woman bowed. "Lady Mereth Raukhan. It is an honour to meet you," she said. Tanaka returned the bow with equal courtesy. "I was returning Lynessa. We ran into a few of House Velmire’s people on the way and there was some sort of argument," he said. Mereth’s gaze flicked over Lynessa’s shoulder to where Tanaka was standing.

"What kind of argument was it?" she asked. "Not a serious one," Tanaka said. "However, I suggest that you resolve any further disagreements with House Velmire that you might have before they become a more pressing issue," he added. Mereth stiffened slightly. "Of course, Lord Tanaka. I’ll look into it," she said.

Tanaka couldn’t tell whether the woman was relieved that he had warned her or annoyed that he had taken an interest in the matter at all. He had no intention of threatening her, but he also had no illusions about what yesterday’s attempt on Lynessa’s life had been. He turned to face Lynessa. "Take care of yourself," he said.

The girl hesitated for a moment before bowing to him. "Thank you for helping me, Lord Tanaka," she said. Tanaka smiled and walked away. Lynessa watched him disappear beyond the gates of the academy district before following Mereth inside. She had no idea if she would ever see the man again, but the words he had said to her as he left stayed with her. You don’t need magic to live in Eldoris.

For someone who had spent the majority of her life being judged by what she didn’t have, it was a strange thing to say. And a strangely comforting one, Lynessa thought.