Firebrand

The Right Head

Pelday morning, Martel's study saw the return of two previous visitors. He rose to greet the overseer and Master of Elements as they entered. "Welcome. I'm glad you would come."

"Hard to refuse summons from the captain of the city," Juliana remarked.

"We'd never turn down an invitation," Alastair added.

"Good. There's something I wish to discuss with you. It concerns the headmaster of the Lyceum."

The two members of the faculty exchanged quick looks. "What about him?" she asked.

"He seems unfit for purpose. He tried to have me thrown out, for instance, regardless of my skills. While I'm sure plenty now wish he had succeeded, a headmaster who judges the students based on their origin is not suitable for that position," Martel declared. He thought about Sparrow and how she might have been treated, had she chosen to join.

"Is this about the headmaster's inadequacies or your own desire for revenge?" Juliana asked sharply. Next to her, Alistair looked alarmed, but he did not speak.

"If I wanted revenge, I have plenty of ways to get it. I wouldn't need to invent reasons or ask for advice," Martel retorted. "Given the power that the Lyceum wields over its students, and the Empire wields through the school, I should like a headmaster that actually cares about the children. Not for my sake, obviously, but those who comes after me."

"Except you do not have the authority to name a headmaster," Juliana argued. "Simply because your soldiers have named you imperator, it does not give you a mandate to do as you wish. You are only in power because those same soldiers patrol our streets."

"Agreed. So who would have the authority?"

Juliana looked taken aback by his admission, but she quickly recovered. "In the past, the privilege has belonged exclusively to the emperor. Should he not be able, I suppose the High Council would have the authority."

"And what if I convened a new Senate?"

"To name a headmaster?" Alastair asked perplexed.

Martel shook his head. "To confirm me as imperator, ratifying my decisions, such as appointing a new head of the Lyceum."

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Both of his guests fell quiet, digesting his words. "From where would they derive their mandate? Because they have been appointed by you?" Juliana gave him a challenging look.

"You taught me a lesson once." The conversation came back vividly to him as he looked at the overseer. "You made me realise that authority comes either from leverage or consent. My soldiers provide the former, but I see the wisdom in the latter. This Senate would have representatives from every region of the Empire, and lots of them."

"The northern emissaries," Alastair mumbled.

"If this was a truly representative Senate and not simply your prefects," Juliana said slowly. "I suppose its decisions would have merit."

"I'm glad you think so." Martel gave a knowing smile. "As I intend to name you the new headmistress."

Now they both looked at him in shock. "Why?" she exclaimed.

"I'm told you're an idealist. Given the current headmaster's actions and motivations, I think that would be needed. Someone who cares about the students, as I know you do, and who isn't afraid to do the right thing stand up to tyranny, as I also know you have done."

Alistair grinned. "I think that's a marvellous idea! And really, who better than the overseer to take just one step up the ladder?"

"Do not encourage him," Juliana mumbled with a closed mouth. "Are you making me an offer? Because this is not a decision I can simply respond to."

Martel shook his head. "Just exploring the idea. I wanted your advice first, which I now have. Thank you both for coming."

***

In the evening, Eleanor joined him for supper. They sat on opposite sides of his desk, eating soup with little flavour. Martel wished he had more salts, but deliveries had been disrupted because of the civil war. "What did she say?"

"She was hesitant about accepting the position, but she agreed that our Senate would be legitimate." While Martel believed that Juliana would make a good headmistress, investigating this question had been the main purpose of the conversation.

"That is encouraging."

"It is. The overseer is a principled woman. If she accepts it, so will others. This might actually work." He felt a tinge of excitement as he shovelled hot water into his mouth.

"With the duchess behind you, there is a good chance we can make this happen. Her support, and this being her proposal, will go a long way to convince the envoys as well." Eating her meal with slightly more dignity, she glanced at him. "But if you wish to be certain, you need the duke and all of his supporters on your side as well."

Martel scraped his plate. If nothing else, the heat was pleasant; autumn had arrived, and the fortress was cold even during the day. "He will demand a lot of influence for him and his minions in return."

"As will the duchess, or she would not have proposed it," Eleanor remarked. "This is politics, Martel. You will have to make deals with people you dislike and barter favours for influence, or you shall have neither."

"And if by doing so, we give Cheval so much influence that in another year, a new war is declared, simply to be fought by others taking our place?"

"The trick will be to balance them against each other," she suggested. "The duchess is against war. A stance that has strengthened her position and faction greatly, just as the duke's influence has waned, the more that the war against Khiva proved disastrous." She finished, pushing her plate aside. "But first, we need a Senate before we can balance it."

Martel thought about seeing Cheval again, making agreements with the man who had tried to burn down a whole district in Morcaster. Would giving him an ounce of influence back cause such schemes to happen again? But if creating a Senate could end the civil war and prevent future conflicts, was it worth the risk? "Maybe I can stomach another meeting."