9.7.1

[in order for this to work, I have to explain how Ket got caught. That retarded bit with falling down the great stair can be edited out. Instead Ket is captured earlier, and we can get some information revealed through basically standard monologuing. I feel like the reader might not understand these events in their proper context otherwise. Later on, I'll have to bend the plot to fit.]

The heavy door to the druid's private chamber within Bharrak Keep banged shut. The room, while not large, was decorated lavishly and lit with many lamps. The elder druid's fine cream robes and emerald sash (a symbol of rank) contrasted vividly with the simple, dirty garments Ket wore.

“A drought upon you, Ket!” Jinkash raged. “Do you have any concept what you have done?”

“Have I accidentally lengthened the growing season in the south? Maybe caused a far-away island to suffer a dry winter? Could it be I have actually made the great desert a tiny bit dryer by this storm?”

“Don't be insolent. We do far more than look after the rain, we look after the people. A king alone does not make the land, nor to the people. We are the only unity men have ever had, and we must stand aloof! It will be the sea-kings war again, can't you see it? I should have you drawn!” Jinkash's head seemed quite ready to explode, but he forced himself to calm. “As you seem to be aware. Fool! Running off in a peasant's clothes, where would you go? You are the hero here, would you run to the hands of your enemies to find comfort? Yes, they would offer you a bed, certainly. One beneath the dirt, not warm but quite cozy. Or did you seek to beg forgiveness of Chartamnet? You think Kael-Monjaro has weight still, and they would waste their influence to save you?” When Ket hesitated to reply, Jinkash shouted again for him to speak. Spittle sprayed the younger druid.

“I sought work as stormcalmer.”

“A stormcalmer! So you'd flee to the navy of the orcs? Has Ujardtis too little power, than you would throw your lot in to even their odds? They're driving Cafaria back at every turn. How many wars would you foil, boy? How many of Morketal's careful plans would you undo?

“I never got your message. Your reply. I begged to help them, but you never said no.”

“Oh, I didn't? Fancy that, I saw the message there. Yes, it arrived in more than enough time for your to stop your little disaster. The huskarls took it, yes I know, the messenger avoided the flood. But somehow you didn't receive it. Very convenient, I'm sure. But now you've trapped us. Don't you understand the doom we're facing?” Jinkash crossed the chamber with long strides and banged twice on the door. A guard entered, not part of the king's huskarls but a common soldier who could afford only a leather tunic. “Where is Goleph? Go and get him. I do not want to be misunderstood.”

Jinkash turned to Ket again. “I formally strip you of your rank. As you have so appropriately removed your garments already, there is no further ceremony to be preformed. You are no longer a druid, but the oath to Morketal which you once swore binds you more tightly now than ever.” Ket said nothing, so the older goblin continued. His raving passed blankly into rambling. “The Order is more important than any king – or any emperor. We are not above politics, but above such expression of them. So long as the Order survives, the people survive. Do you understand? Eth strands ready to wipe us out. Not some miserable tribe, bereft of lordship over clans and turned instead to pig farming. The whole of the goblin world turns on his axis, and you would oppose him? Do you think you would win this war in one battle?”

“It could be negotiated. Crelocthen has a position of strength, now, they can bargain with Eth.”

“Bargin! Eth bargins with those who have no position, he crushes those who show backbone. He will chew up Bharrak and vomit the pieces upon Morketal. At best. No, you have not won the war against Eth, but you have ruined a far greater war.”

Now Ket was confused.

“Here! See the extent of your crime!” Jinkash produced a letter from a small drawer in his writing desk. Booted feet tramped in the hall, and Ket hurried to read before the Huskarl Goleph arrived.

From Chartamnet , Druid of the Second Order, in reply to Jinkash, Embarrary of the Permant Order of Druids to Bharrak, High Druid of the Third Order.

My friend, I know your heart is with the people you have served for so long. Bharrak has a special relationship with the Wizard, and its people a special place among the Wizard's People. This will always be. They do not possess the constitution or the momentum the Wizard's People need now. The expansion of Uerd is well known. The unity of so many orcs, once warring states, to Knruerd is slowly being realized. But the extent of their power and the threat of their intentions is known by very few. This is the new Ured, the black-hearted empire revealed. Their oligarchs have become decisive: the blood-mages are superior to every other species. A species to themselves, and all lower forms can hope, at best, to be their slaves.

“I don't understand,” Ket said. “What does this have to do with me? I've done nothing to help Ured.”

“You have. You have betrayed your species. War will be upon us soon, and goblin-kind must be united to have a chance at survival. The new Uerd is out to exterminate any who might fight. They will keep some as slaves only to appease the elder ones – in case the Dragons might return and treat Uerd like they did the empire of Nephilim.”

Ket saw the horrible decision. “You Monsters! You accuse me of breaking the ancient neutrality. but the order shattered it long ago! How long have you planned our demise.”

“Listen to yourself, Ket. You are of the Order. More importantly, you are a Goblin. Eth must win this war, do you understand? There is no other choice. Bharrak must fade quietly. Their allies will desert them, their armies surrender in mass; There must be no question of the victor, not the slightest doubt of Eth's conquest. And then, as many as possible must be made ready. The Corsairs are failing. They have already failed, do you understand? There is nothing they can do to prevent Uerd from landing, now.”

Jinkash summoned the guard again. “Find somewhere for Ket to stay. He is to remain within Bharrak until further notice, do you understand?”