Clerks scuttled busily up under the dome of Topor's market while over-deacons intent on sniffing out spells examined the walls. Below at the five doorways which led to the five stairways to the circular room above the market, ten of the Gogol lords' most vicious soldiers warily stood guard. By and by the frantic maneuverings of the clerks dwindled. The over-deacons expressed satisfaction at the absence of traps and talismans. The guards' narrowed eyes grew a fraction less suspicious. At last the appropriate coded signals were given and the five lords emerged from the steep-walled safety of the spoke roads leading to the Central Plaza.
Surrounded by handpicked retainers, each crossed the plaza. Tall, thin, and in a state of extreme ill humor, Nefra sped across the flagstones as if driven by some inner rage. The next passage disgorged Topor and his retinue. The stocky, pedestrian Lord of Fear moved in a measured, businesslike manner and exuded an air of mild irritation that the operation of his vast estates should be disturbed by a meeting between himself and his fellow lords.
Zaco waddled to his entrance. By the time he reached the base of the stairs he had already become winded. He motioned to his two most stalwart guards, who advanced and clasped him beneath the shoulders, half carrying him to the conference room.
Bolam was the only one of the five who seemed unconcerned either for his safety or for the business of the conference. Lastly Hazar mounted his own set of stairs with a furious energy which left his two guards struggling to keep pace. When all the lords had arrived, the five doors were closed and bolted for the duration of the meeting. No sooner had the guards withdrawn than Nefra brought himself to his feet and began the conference on a harsh and challenging note.
"As we all know, we are called here today to formulate plans for dealing with the dangerous situation which has been created by our associate, Lord Hazar."
"My dear Lord Nefra," Hazar responded, "perhaps that is why you are here, but I was not informed that the purpose of this conference was to call a council of war against me."
"Let's not bandy words, Hazar. I called the meeting, as we all well know. The others are here only because they have no intention of being left out of whatever decisions might be made between the two of us. The long and the short of it is that we are not about to surrender our power in aid of your plans of empire."
"I don't recall, Nefra, that I have ever asked you for your cooperation in my campaign against the Hartfords. And what would be the use, in any event? Satan knows you've no stomach for any activity more strenuous than hoarding your water."
"Gentlemen, gentlemen, let us have some decorum here," Lord Bolam interrupted. "We will accomplish nothing with bickering. Nefra, you have made various charges against Lord Hazar, charges which reflect upon the safety and prosperity of us all. If you would state your points without rancor we all could get about the business of making sense out of this situation."
Nefra gritted his teeth and struggled to control his temper. After a moment's silence he began again.
"Very well, Lord Bolam. Hazar has been planning to conquer the Hartfords on his own. As far as that goes, well and good. My information is that he made arrangements with a certain Hartford wizard named Greyhorn to use his powers against the defenders of the passes through the Guardian Mountains. Again, a praiseworthy plan. Unfortunately Hazar's scheme did not rest there.
"He has inveigled Lord Zaco, through the charms of an enchantress named Mara, to supply his subdeacons with a huge quantity of bloodstones. Through a string of blunders one has come into the possession of a Hartford named Grantin. Somehow or other this Hartford, together with a dangerous revolutionary Gray, a Fanist of unknown powers, and Hazar's own enchantress Mara, have entered into a dangerous cabal against us all. Now all save Mara have escaped and are loose in the city spreading dissent and revolution among our placid Grays and threatening from within the very basis of our power.
"If that danger were not sufficient for us to urge Hazar to abandon these plans, there is still the fact of the bloodstones he demands of Lord Zaco. Need I remind you, gentlemen, that should he obtain these, our own positions would not long remain secure. Should Hazar's bloodstone-enhanced army prove their skills against the Hartfords, is it likely that they would march meekly back to Cicero and abandon their gems at Hazar's door?"
"So what would you have us do?" Topor asked in a businesslike tone.
"I would have us all agree that Zaco will supply no more powerstones to Hazar. Further, Hazar must agree to distribute equally among the five of us the bloodstones which he has already received. The rebellious Grays, the Fanist, the human with the bloodstone, and Mara must all go to the block as fast as we can round them up."
"Mara to the block?" Zaco squeaked. "No, not at all! I forbid it. I will take her into my household. I will see to it that she gets into no trouble."
Nefra, always the good politician, paused only half a second before agreeing to Zaco's demand.
"Lord Topor?"
Topor had made up his mind long before the meeting. Hazar's power had become too great, but Toper's dependence upon the Grays had made it impossible for him to protest. Now, as part of a joint action, Hazar's humbling would give Topor better bargaining power. "I also agree," Topor answered.
In light of the inclusion of Mara as part of the deal Zaco's vote was a foregone conclusion. He would lose nothing by reason of the arrangement. The other lords would pay him as much for his stones as Hazar, perhaps more if a bidding could be arranged. "I am in favor as well," Zaco answered.
"I, too, I am afraid, must agree with my associates, Lord Hazar," Bolam added politely. "Please don't take this as a personal affront, but I think we would all feel somewhat easier if we maintained the balance of power which we have so wisely instituted over the years. Since I assume that you are against the proposal, it's four to one in favor of Nefra's plan."
"And if I do not agree?" Hazar asked in an offhand manner.
"Even the power of the stones you now possess is not sufficient to stand against all of us. You and your guards need Nefra's water, Topor's food. But of course we all hope it will not come to that eventuality. Why don't you consider the matter? Tomorrow will be time enough to send your messengers to each of our quarters with a proportionate share of the powerstones and your suggestion as to what would be a fair price for them."
"Very well, gentlemen; I will consider the matter further. Be assured that I will take action before tomorrow has passed."
Hazar rapidly descended the stairs. Once out the door he signaled his men. From various positions around the Central Plaza crossbows peeked out. Bolts flew at the soldiers guarding the exits of the other four lords. Within two seconds of Hazar's departure, eight guards were dead. Hazar's soldiers raced across the plaza and tapped wedges into the five doors. These mere physical restraints would not secure the portals against wizards with the powers of the four lords, but they were meant as only the briefest delaying tactic.
As quickly as they had advanced Hazar's guards withdrew, their flight accompanied by three sharp whistle blasts. Five seconds later another of Hazar's servants erupted from the main entrance to the market beneath the conference room. No longer did the under-deacon carry the shopping sack which had been in his possession when he entered the market.
Before the remaining lords of Cicero were even aware that their guards had been disposed of and the doors jammed, Hazar and his men fled the Central Plaza. Inside Topor's market a crude gunpowder fuse sputtered as it ate its way through the lining of the under-deacon's pack. Chemical explosives had always proved too dangerous for successful use in battle, but Hazar, with a true genius for murderous schemes, had realized that they would function magnificently as an instrument of wholesale slaughter.
No more than fifteen seconds after Hazar had left the meeting the crude package of black powder and phosphorus exploded with a dull, thudding roar. The roof of the market, which was also the floor of the meeting chamber, was blasted by a fiery bolt a yard in diameter. The explosion filled the conference room with sizzling fragments of wood and stone.
Ten minutes later the whole of Topor's market, the conference room and its inhabitants alike, were naught but a scattered pile of blackened, smoking fragments. In one stroke Hazar had become lord of all Cicero.
In triumph Lord Hazar strode back to his apartments, followed by a fawning retinue. At rapid intervals messengers and underlings approached him, were admitted through the cordon of guards, and delivered reports of unconditional success. Hazar had almost reached the entrance to his quarters astride the Gate of Fear when Derma caught his attention.
"My lord, you recall that you instructed me to have our spies watch Saschim the tailor in case he might receive information about Greyhorn's nephew?"
"Derma, that is ancient history. We captured the Hartford without any help from Trecko."
"Yes, my lord, but we never countermanded the order. Trecko has continued to watch and now reports that Saschim has received a communication from Yon Diggery."
Hazar halted and gave Derma his full attention, "And what is the nature of this communication?"
"That Yon Diggery is on the Hartford's trail. The tailor is to keep his ears open and inform Diggery of any important events which might take place in Cicero."
"Specifically, Derma, was the tailor told where this Grantin is now?"
"Not exactly, my lord, only that he escaped the city with the Fanist and the rebel Gray, and that they travel through the wilderness on a northwesterly course."
"Northwesterly… There is nothing there, nothing except Zaco's mine. For a bumpkin and an imbecile that one has managed to give us more than enough trouble. We must not underestimate him again. Tell Croman, Jasper, and Wax to begin work at once on the spell of magnificent transport. If and when Grantin reaches the mine I must be there waiting for him. And tell them to make the spell strong enough to carry three."
"Three, my lord?"
"Myself, his uncle Greyhorn, who may be of some use after all, and the enchantress Mara. If he is really smitten with her, she may be just the lever I need to finish him off."