Chapter 5

It was, however, not until the next morning that Saw’s meeting with Chieftan Dol could take place.  And Saw was not comforted by how the meeting began, for it was apparently not to be a private meeting between him and his Supreme Leader, but also with Amnon Saxe.

“All hail the conquering hero!” Zunger Dol proclaimed spreading his arms wide as Saw Yatha strode into the room.  Amnon Saxe, respectfully stood for his former boss.

Dol crossed the majority of his office to place his hands on Saw’s shoulders.  “Let me look at you,” he said acting every inch the paternal figure Saw wanted him to be.  “A little banged up, but none the worse,” Dol patted Saw on the back.  “Come.  Sit,” he said leading Saw to a chair next to Amnon.  “I want to hear all about your exploits and how you were able to capture the Princess, but I can see on your face that you aren’t here to swap war stories.”  Dol rested himself on the edge of his desk.  “What can I do for the man who has likely secured the longevity of Merlain dominance for generations?”

Saw bowed his head slightly and said, “You are too generous with your words, my Chieftan.  I only did what duty required.”

“Don’t be modest,” Zunger said.  “There’s a lot to be said for doing one’s duty, but by every measure, Saw, you went above and beyond duty.”  Then, as if realizing for the first time there was a third person in the room, Dol said, “Oh, have you had the chance to meet our newest Head Administrator of Prisons?  I believe he used to work under you, isn’t that right, mister Saxe?”

“It is, Chieftan,” Saxe nodded.

Dol turned back to Saw, “I hope you don’t take this as an insult, my friend.  You took after Lillian so quickly and someone needed to keep an eye on things.  We had no idea when you’d return.”  Dol snickered to himself, “I’ll tell you, we had quite the time finding someone to fill your role.  Mister Saxe, perhaps you remember, how many Head Administrators were there between Saw and you?  Never mind.  It can’t be important.  Only to say that we had quite the time filling your role.  But, I want to commend you on your investment in young Saxe here.  He has not only filled your role but added a great deal to it.  I’m sure you’ve noticed the administrative advancements he’s made, as evidenced by the size of the new construction.  But it’s not just all staff and efficiency, I assure you.  You should have Mister Saxe give you a tour of the place.  I suspect even you’ll be impressed.”

“You are too kind, Chieftan,” Amnon blushed.

“It’s nothing.”  Then, turning to Saw, “So.  What’s on your mind?  I can’t believe you’re back.  I really thought you must have died out there.  Forgive me for doubting.”

“You are too perceptive, Chieftan,” Saw began, “I do have a matter to discuss with you.”

“Let’s hear it.”

“I assume that with the Princess back in our custody, the plans for her trial and execution are back in motion.”

“I hadn’t yet worked out a specific timeline, but yes, they are as in motion as they can be,” Dol said.

“If I remember the plan from before I left to hunt her down, she was to be publically tried so all of the realms could know her crimes, hear her corruption, and champion her demise.  If that is true, I would still like to play a role in the process.”

“Aha,” said Dol,” what kind of role did you have in mind?”

“To say I was an expert on the ways of Princess Lillian before her escape goes without saying.  That knowledge has only increased as I’ve been away.  I know more about her tactics, her motivations, her tells.”

“Her what?” Dol asked cocking his head.

“Sorry.  It’s a term I picked up in my travels.  She has behaviors perhaps unknown to herself that hint at what she’s thinking.”

“I see.  And because of this knowledge…” Dol encouraged.

“Thank you, Chieftan.  Because of the knowledge, I would like to take the lead on her interrogation.”

“Chieftan Dol,” Amnon began sitting up in his chair.  Dol held a calm hand up to Amnon.

“I have no doubt of your desire to see this matter come to an end.  We all know it has dragged on far too long.  But what you’re suggesting says that you don’t trust the process we have in place.  A process, I assure you, that has improved greatly in your absence.  I’m afraid that if I appoint you, you who’ve been gone through many cycles, regardless of how expert your understanding is, it would undermine the trust that I have in law enforcement.  You know as well as I do that if that trust is broken, there is the liklihood of chaos in the streets.  A strong government leads to secure people, and secure people are peaceful people.  I don’t know.  You were about to say something, Mister Saxe; what do you think of the idea?”

“I agree with you, Chieftain, that it has potential risks handling the interrogation, the very thing that will solidify our case to the other realms, to a person who fled his post in pursuit of one prisoner.”  At this, Saw visibly stiffened.  Amnon continued, “However, history shows that the Princess is beyond crafty, and we will likely need all the help we can get.  Why would we want to turn away expert help?”

Dol frowned and nodded his head.  “So, and no intended offense to you, my friend,” Dol said to Saw, “but having the person under whose watch the Princess escaped won’t cause doubt in the public’s mind?”

Saw could feel the blood draining out of his face as fast as his heart filled with rage.  How could it be possible that he’d secured the hope of Merlain dominance for generations and yet have to sit through these insults?

“What about this?” Amnon raised a finger.  “Perhaps if, admittedly, I would be much more ignorant of Lillian’s ways, but if, say, Saw took the lead of the investigation, but I was present for it all?  That way, the expert could do his thing, I could make sure everyone played within bounds, and we could report, with visual evidence, that no angle was ignored in seeing that Lillian, and by extension, all Coellum rebels would face dire consequences?”

Zingher Dol stood and strode slowly around his desk to contemplate Amnon’s suggestion.  

“If I may,” Saw interjected, feeling his influence hemorrhaging with each passing moment, “After gazing across the vast expanse of his realm, he said, “It’s obvious my credibility is not what it once was.  How could I make it right, except by seeing that Lillian face her executioner?  If there are risks with my involvement, be that as it may.  But if the prison has improved so much in my absence, and if the Head Administrator is there as my babysitter, how much risk is there?  You know I’m not one to beg, Chieftain, but if you cut me out of this, I don’t think I’ll be able to hold up my head in public.  After all I’ve done…” Saw trailed off.

Dol turned back around.  “Very well.  Saxe, make sure Fen’s office knows so we get some good stories out about this.”

“As you wish, Chieftan.”

Zungher Dol bounced lightly on the balls of his feet.  “Yes, this could be good.  This could be very good.  I’ll leave it to the two of you to work out the details.  I want no mistakes.  This has to be, or at least look, clean.  We are almost there.  I can taste it.  If all works out well, we might even be able to wrap this up by the time of the gala.”

“We will do everything in our power,” Amnon said.

Saw eyed his successor.  Is that how he’d sounded when he was younger and in meetings like this?  Saw looked back over to his leader.  His friend.  They had been through so much together, but clearly, that had changed.  Perhaps he could get back into the Chieftan’s good graces after the execution, but deep inside, Saw wondered if it would ever be like it was between them.

Dol excused the men.  They bowed and exited together.  Keetha dutifully was waiting outside the office.  She stood and handed Amnon some records.  She began to give her boss a rundown of what was next in his schedule, but Amnon stopped her.

“Could you work out the interrogation details with Saw?  We need to get on it right away and want to make sure everyone is on the same page.  Oh, and let communications know.  The Chieftan wants to make a splash.  Let them know the old guard and the new are working together for Merlain supremacy.  Something like that.”

“Got it,” Keetha said, recording the note.

“Well,” Amnon said to Saw, “we’ll be in touch.  It will be good to work with you again.”  With that, Amnon and Keetha strode away.  Saw gazed up at Dol’s highrise portraits of official efficiency.

“First, I’ll deal with Lillian,” Saw thought to himself, “then I’ll deal with him.”