Snakes' nest
Maeve smiled at the woman she passed as she walked proudly down the long palace corridor. The heels of her sandals tapped against the marble floor, in the rhythm of her steps. The burgundy color of her long dress made of thin fabric contrasted sharply against the bright palace walls. Long, wide sleeves, a golden belt, carefully selected jewelry and aesthetically pinned hair added to her elegance and dignity.
When she reached the end of the corridor, two soldiers opened a massive door for her. She entered a richly decorated room. The walls with golden decorations and multi-colored materials were illuminated by the sun coming through the large windows. Even so, Maeve felt as if she were stepping into the snakes' nest instead of the palace council chamber. And the vipers had already gathered, ready to bite. The sorceress forced a polite smile to greet the assembled members of the royal council.
"Maevelynn! Greetings!" An obese, old man in a turban and long gray robes, who as first smiled back at Maeve was the spiritual leader of all the faithful in the kingdom. His task was to maintain a balance between the affairs of the palace and the ethical side and principles of faith. And while there was a gulf between their views on beliefs, Abbas always treated Maeve with respect and as a result, she also repaid the same.
A tall, muscular man in armor was a general of the royal guard. He also greeted her with a salute. As a soldier, he was always bored with council meetings and on that day he was leaning against the wall with the expression saying that he would like the meeting to be over, although it had not started yet.
The scared, avoiding gaze belonged to Jamal, a thin and pale purple-robed royal law advisor and expert in history. A very responsible function he performed completely did not match his appearance. But everyone knew that this stutterer was under the full control of the royal treasurer Akmar.
He also already was there. The tall man with a bald head but perfectly groomed white stubble, he, too, smiled at Maeve. This smile, however, was very insidious.
"Greetings." Maeve replied confidently, lifting her chin.
A few more men in rich clothes stood in the corner of the chamber. Representatives of the richest families in the kingdom. They liked to think they were influential as well, and the Caliph liked to have them close. They also bowed to Maeve, resuming whispering shortly after.
The grand vizier himself spoke to one of the rich. Rami had a long face and brown hair under a turban. His closely-trimmed beard is beginning to grey, making him look older than really was.
When their eyes met for a moment, Maeve could tell that he felt exactly like her - emtrapped in a nest of vipers.
She heard the guards' move. The door opened again for the coming Caliph. All conversations in the chamber ceased, and all those gathered straightened up, correcting their appearance.
"His Majesty the Caliph of Baghdad and his son Prince Mustapha, heir to the throne." One of the guards announced and the Caliph and the prince entered the room.
Over time, young and stupid Prince Casib had become the dignified and mature ruler of Baghdad. After his father's death, he had seized the throne, and despite the people's fears, his reign was good for the country. Along with his character, his look also had become more mature. The young prince with a child's face had become a mature man with a great middle-age appearance.
At his side was the eldest of his eight sons. Prince Mustapha was a year older than Marina, but for his age he was extremely mature. Adored by his people, the heir to the throne was wise like his grandfather and his goodness was known even in the most distant provinces. Apart from the fact that everything indicated he would be a good Caliph in the future, his appearance promised him to be a handsome ruler as well. The young man already had masculine features and a muscular figure. Though Maeve hated these rumors, she had to admit to herself with difficulty that she, too, sometimes envisioned the prince and her daughter as a beautiful couple. But she also knew that such a scenario was very unlikely.
Prince Mustapha had seven younger brothers. Queen Adina was called by the people the Mother of Princes. She gave Caliph and the kingdom eight royal sons and never had a daughter.
As the Caliph and his son walked into the room, each person gathered there bowed before them. Everyone bent a knee except Maeve. When they reached her, it was the prince who bowed low to her and kissed her hand.
"Baghdad remembers." He said respectfully, straightening up.
"Then the Caliph himself bowed his head "Maevelynn"
This unwritten custom had been introduced by the previous Caliph, who himself decided to bow to Sinbad and Maeve to express his gratitude for their services to the country. When the sailor and sorceress had saved his kingdom from the spectre of dark magic, he had forbidden them to bow to anyone. Successive generations of the royal family uphold this ritual to emphasize that Baghdad remembers.
Maeve replied with the polite gesture, bowing her head slightly towards both of them. "Your Highness. My Prince."
The Caliph waved to everyone inviting them to the big table, which meant it was the end of the official part. Each member of the council moved to take a sit. When the ruler looked at Maeve, she read from his gaze the question of why she was alone again. She blinked knowingly to let him know that everything was for a good reason.
They all settled by the table. The places had a specific hierarchy. The prince sat on the right side of his father, the grand vizier on the left. Maeve sat down next to the prince, the treasurer and the historian opposite her. The general sat down next to her, and everyone else took the further places.
"The first case concerns a prisoner whose release is being requested by his country's ambassadors." The grand vizier began the council's deliberations.
"Let's give him to them. Our prisons are full enough anyway." The general sniffed.
"Has anyone spoken to these ambassadors?" The Caliph asked. To Maeve, he seemed impatient, wanting to get to another topic quickly.
"I did." The grand vizier said calmly. "Their proposal is fair."
"The offer includes the payment of compensation, I hope?" Akmar interrupted vizier. It was difficult for Maeve to say whether it would be a question or a rebuke.
"Not only do we let ourselves be robbed, but we also let the thief go free." One of the rich muttered under his breath.
Everyone else, however, was scanning Akmar. The vizier raised his eyebrows. But before he commented anything the stutterer historian joined in the conversation. "Ye-ye-yes, it's a-a-a a good exchange."
"So I will sign the release letter." The Caliph cut off firmly, clearly wanting to end a topic that he did not find important.
"We also have to decide what to do with damaged crops in poor provinces. The storms left a lot of damages. Will the palace react?" The vizier continued the meeting.
"In the current situation, the crown should limit expenses." Akmar interrupted him again. Without even looking up from above the book in which he was taking notes.
"The crown will not leave the people in need. I am going to the poorest provinces myself." Stated, the prince. "They are promised support, and they will get it. His words were firm and his voice strong, which surprised even the Caliph himself. There was a long silence around the table as the prince and treasurer's eyes met. Maeve watched Akmar who purged his lips into a thin line.
"This tru-tru-truly is our tra-tra-tradition. We will fi-fi-find the the funds. I am su-su-sure." The historian spoke up.
"We will." Maeve replied because she herself could not stand the silence that once again hung over the table."My husband and I will make a donation for the prince's initiative in the poorest provinces. Other families may make donations in other parts of the kingdom." She offered with a smile of satisfaction, challenging the wealthy buffoons sitting at the table. She knew she was putting the cat among the pigeons and she did not have to wait long for the results of her provocation.
"A very generous declaration for times so unfavorable to merchants." One obese, rich man commented.
"Times are hard for everyone. However, I think that the capital can support the province that is filling its granaries. Especially in such difficult times for people, when there is poverty on the streets of Baghdad due to the crisis." Maeve's answer sparked whispers and indignation.
"Still, the offer seems very generous in times of crisis." When the comment was repeated by Akmar himself, Maeve knew her provocation was going in the right direction.
But before she could reply, the discussion was interrupted by the Caliph. "The crown will find funds for its expenses!"
Akmar nodded at the Caliph's order. "Indeed, we do not need to expose Lady Maevelynn and her husband to such expenses."
"Please don't worry about our assets, Lord Akmar." Maeve declared harshly in the response and the flames almost caught fire in her eyes. "I forgot, however, that you know our situation perfectly well, from the captured books from the Merchant Bank." She added loud and clear to get everyone's attention back again. And apparently she had achieved her goal because there was a dead silence. Even the whispers from the end of the table stopped.
Maeve studied Akmar with her eyes. The Caliph and the prince also looked up. The grand vizier raised his eyebrows at her questioningly. She nodded knowingly, meaning she was serious and awaiting an answer.
"Lord Akmar?" The grand vizier prompted him to answer, in a calm but firm voice.
"After a rather unsuccessful meeting with guilds, I also decided to take steps to deal with the crisis." Akmar replied confidently.
"By surveillance of merchants' transactions?" Maeve asked sarcastically.
"Usually, problems with the smuggling of goods should be looked for there." He grunted. "By checking the books I hope to find suspicious flows, cruises..."
""Among our most trusted allies?" This time the prince intervened, firmly and forcefully.
"We can not exclude anyone, My Prince." Akamr continued. "Especially among our most trusted allies, who can use their influence and position to make our guard down."
Maeve clenched her hands on the armrests of the chair in anger, at the same time trying to hide the emotions on her face when his words were sinking in, until her patience finally reached its limits. "I beg your pardon!" She yelled unbelieving in the accusations.
"Enough!" Caliph, who had been silent so far, shouted, striking the table with his fist. "Leave us, all of you!" He ordered, and all the participants without a word, got up from the table and bowing as they left the room. Akmar was the last, leaving the Caliph, Prince, Grand Vizier and Maeve alone.
"Give me one good reason not to immediately leave the city, Casib!" Maeve fired as soon as the door got closed.
"Perhaps your husband's absence is a good enough reason!?" The Caliph also shouted in response as he got up from his seat.
Before Maeve could react, however, the prince spoke, raising his hands to calm the situation. "Please. Fighting with each other won't lead us anywhere"
Maeve took a deep breath and exchanged a knowing look with the Caliph. They both knew the young man was right.
"I admit that Akmar's actions are quite unconventional…" The vizier started.
"Unconventional?" Maeve scoffed.
"Maeve, he is a trusted man, his family has served the crown for generations. Maybe just like everyone, he wants to help." He added.
"As a treasurer, he works with the people of the desert, Rami. What if he acts against our guilds?" Maeve argued.
"We don't have any evidence." The vizier continued calmly. "Representatives of the desert families will come in the coming days to sit down with us for talks."
We don't have evidence YET. Maeve pressed her lips together. She looked towards the Caliph, who was pacing nervously around the room. He was clearly concerned about something that had not yet been said aloud.
"And I hope you know what you are doing, bringing them here…" Rami added to Maeve. He himself was not in favor of provoking desert guilds, but the Caliph had succumbed to Maeve's persuasion a few days earlier.
"I do." Maeve confirmed, though she did not have a plan yet.
"The fact is, we must be careful when talking to them." The young prince added. "And carefully choose our people for that."
"They are not our biggest concern." Caliph finally mumbled.
"Then what is it?" Maeve asked, seeing that there was something happening. The vizier gave her a letter to read as the answer. She instantly recognized the seal of a neighboring kingdom and quickly scanned the contents of the document.
She felt a prick in her stomach. "Breaking peace treaties?"
"They accuse us of breaking trade rules." The vizier explained. "We do not control the crisis, we do not control taxes, prices and trades."
Maeve began to read the entire text again as if this time she was to discover a different context. "I have fought for this alliance for so long. Sinbad and I brought the peace treaty to Baghdad. A war?" She questioned incredulously what was in the letter.
"That's why we thought that you both would travel as the ambassadors to discuss these matters." The vizier Rami declared.
The choice seemed obvious, even to Maeve. They should be ambassadors. But now so much was happening. But now her husband was elsewhere at her request. "Sinbad is on his way to The Perch Bay."
Everyone looked at her as she said that.
"We are one step away from the war, and he is sightseeing!?" The Caliph exploded again.
"It is the crisis within the kingdom that leads us to war! I just want to remind you that we are both trying to solve it!" Maeve screamed in response. "And that's what Sinbad is doing! He is looking for the source of the problem where it should be looked for, unlike Akmar!"
"Your Grace…" began the vizier, anticipating more screams. "The trade crisis is poisoning our realm. Lady Maevelynn is needed more here. I believe that whatever she and her husband have planned, it will be more successful than all the other actions." He nodded at Maeve as he wanted her to be sure he truly believed in her intentions and her plan. "Please allow me to go on a diplomatic mission to negotiate." He asked Caliph.
"No." The ruler replied immediately. "You will go to the basin. All generals are to mobilize there in the coming days."
This was what Maeve feared the most. In his agitation and insensitivity, Casib made hasty decisions. The prince also seemed concerned.
"Father" he turned shyly to his parent. "Aren't those steps too hasty? They might find it a provocation."
"Our army must be ready for any circumstance!" Casib announced firmly. "They should know we shouldn't be threatened."
And Maeve should had known that The Caliph did not think rationally in such situations. His son is already overwhelmed by his composure and wisdom.
"We should negotiate to buy us time to resolve the internal crisis." The Prince spoke again.
"I agree, Your Majesty. We should send an ambassador anyway. The grand vizier supported the prince.
"Mustapha will go." The Caliph announced another sudden decision.
Maeve knew this course of events would make things more complicated. Without the support of a calm prince and reasonable Rami, she herself would not be able to confront the guild.
"You should go." She spoke at last, and everyone's eyes were now focused on her. She had to quickly explain her opposition to the will of the ruler. "They will understand their mistake and will not break the treaty if they have to face the Great Caliph of Baghdad himself."
The hidden compliment clearly changed the Caliph's attitude. "So what about the people of the desert?"
"It was my idea and I will sit down with them to talks. The crown will be represented by the heir to the throne." Maeve replied calmly. "Your journey will reassure everyone that we have everything under control."
"I have to agree, Your Majesty. It will buy us time to calm the situation on the spot." Grand Vizier added. "The prince will be able to handle the duties in the capital properly, I am sure."
"What about Akmar?" The still unconvinced Caliph asked.
"I will meditate, Father." Finally, the prince spoke up, too. "With the people of the desert. And if necessary, in the case of a dispute at court." He spoke with a confident voice. "I will take over the books seized from the bank personally."
Casib was silent for a long moment as everyone was looking at him, waiting for a decision.
"Very good then." He said finally. "I will go on a diplomatic trip with the queen. Her cousin lives there at court." Everyone nodded. "Mustapha will lead talks with the desert guilds." The young prince nodded again. "The grand vizier will mobilize our army in the river valley." He pointed at Rami. "If there are any indications that my talks are going awry, the prince will give the order to attack."
Maeve and Rami exchanged glances at his words. The Caliph continued, "As for you, Maeve, I hope you know what you're doing and your actions will eventually bring results.
"Don't worry, Your Majesty." Maeve snapped in "This exactly how things gonna be."
OoO
After the council was over, Maeve walked the halls of the palace again. This time in the company of the grand vizier. Her mind was spinning with new sensations. Two days ago she had thought she had a good plan, now she wasn't sure of anything.
"The Caliph would like me to solve the crisis with a spell." Maeve mumbled, "But smuggling and corruption in the court cannot be solved with magic."
"We don't know what we're up against, Maeve." The vizier told mysteriously. Maeve raised both eyebrows, so he elaborated. "Corruption and smuggling have always taken place, and yet we did not face war. Our subjects did not suffer poverty, and I did not see terror and rebellion in their eyes."
She watched him carefully, listening. The sorceress also tried to combine his words with other known facts.
"As if there was something more behind it all. As if an unknown force was poisoning the realm from within." Rami sounded terrified. It sowed more anxiety in Maeve's heart, as well. "The prince will listen to you. He is young but prudent. He will not make any hasty decisions." Rami said softly, trying to reassure her.
"I'm more worried about his father." She replied, knowing that rash decisions could be expected from this side.
"I will only respond to the orders from the palace. "The vizier answered. "To avoid speculation that the Caliph's order was due to foreign pressure." He added with a small smile.
She understood his clever hint, and she too responded with a smile.
"Be careful, Maeve. Whatever we're up against." Rami shook her hand gently as he left, leaving Maeve with her storm of thoughts.