Page 78 of The Warrior
“Of course they do. Not even that stunt your wife pulled on you can take away that you are by far the most natural-born leader we have. Men have taken a few jabs at you, but can you blame them? For years you’ve been untouchable and superior to everyone else. It’s no secret that the only reason Khan is still in power is because he has you to fight his battles. I’m not the first one to question why he is the ruler and not you.”
My mind was trying to understand the ramifications of what he was saying.
“I’m sure you can depend on your wife coming back to you as soon as you take the throne.” He smirked. “Women are drawn to men with power and money. They always have been.”
An hour ago I had felt lost. Now Mr. Zobel was offering me a chance to redeem myself and show that I still had purpose.
“The question is, Magni, are you ready to do what it takes?”
“Are you asking me if I’m ready to kill Khan?”
Mr. Zobel’s eyes shone with excitement. “Well, are you?”
Folding my hands behind my back, I asked, “You really think that the people would rather have me as a ruler than Khan?”
Mr. Zobel nodded. “I’m sure of it.”
“How do you know?”
He took a long sip of his brandy, and took his time before he spoke in a confidential whisper. “People are concerned about the integration process with the Motherlands. What happens to our freedom if we become part of the Motherlands? No one is complaining about all the women that have moved here, of course, but we want to make sure that we influence them and not the other way around.”
“I see.”
“With you being married to a Northlander, you wouldn’t be as easily swayed as Khan has been.”
“Right.”
“It’s a delicate matter, of course, but I consider myself close enough to you to bring it up. I am to be your new father, after all.”
“Have you spoken to anyone else about this?”
Again he looked to the door, which told me that he hadn’t spoken to my mother about it.
“It has come up in conversation.”
“Who can we count on for support if we do this?”
In a whisper he gave me names of rich and influential people.
“And if I don’t do it? Do you have someone else in mind to take Khan’s place?”
Keeping his eyes on the golden liquid, Mr. Zobel swung the brandy around in his glass. “We would prefer it to be you.”
“And what is it that you want of me?”
“There are still holes in the border wall. We should invade.”
“The Motherlands are not defenseless.”
“No, but with the destruction from the earthquake they are weaker now than ever before.” Mr. Zobel grasped my shoulder and looked into my eyes. “Now is the time to strike and bring those bitches down.”
I gave a loud exhalation. “I hear what you’re saying.”
The old man nodded with enthusiasm. “We'll need to act fast before that damn wall is rebuilt. I say we should invite some friends over for a game of cards tonight.”
“Can we trust thesecard playersto keep quiet?” I asked.
Mr. Zobel expressed a small scoff and whispered. “With a subject of treason, I guarantee that they won’t be talking. But you have to give me your word that we can count on you to deal with your brother.”
