Meta Gods War 3 by B. Miles (the ebook reader txt) 📕

sorts for her, and each of the Elders had been systematically broken-down then rebuilt into staunch allies. She bribed, borrowed, bartered, and otherwise cajoled every important man and woman in the Mansion, and as far as Cam could tell, she had the place in the palm of her hand.

“We’re gathered here for two reasons,” Galla said, her voice projected over the space. “First, to celebrate Cam’s great victory.”

A cheer rose. Hands clapped. Mugs pounded against the table. Cam gave the assembled men a tight smile, but didn’t feel the joy they showed him.

“And second,” Galla said, holding up her hands, “we’re here to discuss what to do with the prisoners.”

“Kill them all,” the Elder from Waters said. “Why should we bother with them?”

Cam saw Felin grimace at that.

“We can’t just murder a bunch of people,” Dagan said. “Even if they’re wolves, we can’t do it. They’re prisoners now, and we have a duty toward them.”

“Fuck your duty.”

“Enough,” Galla said. “Jamit, your idea is noted. And I know many agree with you. But if we begin slaughtering prisoners, tell me, how many of our allies and our neighbors will want to treat with us in the future?”

“They certainly won’t want to go to war,” Jamit said.

Laughter followed. Cam gave the man a dour stare.

“Perhaps,” Galla said. “Or perhaps they’ll only be more willing to attack us if they believe that we’re a danger to the region.”

“What do you propose, then?” Jamit asked.

“I’m only facilitating this discussion,” she said with a sly smile.

A few chuckles rang out.

“What if we made them vassals?” Dagan said.

There was a short silence after that.

“Explain yourself,” Galla said, a smile on her lips.

Cam got the sense that this was very much a staged moment. Dagan looked uncomfortable, and as he spoke, it sounded as if he were reading from a play.

“The wolves can be useful as… vassals of the Mansion,” he said. “We give them land, but do not let them own it. We tax them heavily, keep them working and under control. Maybe offer… incentives to stay here and work the fields.”

“Sounds like slavery to me,” Jamit said.

“Not slavery,” Dagan said. “We make them vassals. They can keep a share of their work, but the Mansion will take a larger tribute than normal.”

“That’s a nice idea,” Galla said. “Perhaps, in a generation, the wolves will no longer hate us anymore. We can release them from their tributes, and they can become useful members of our society.”

“We don’t want wolves on our land,” Jamit said.

A few voices echoed agreement.

Cam’s jaw felt tense. He looked up at Galla then out at the men. He leaned forward and spoke softly enough so the assembled group had to lean forward to hear him.

“Killing them won’t bring back the dead,” Cam said. “Treating them like dirt won’t keep them from attacking us again. But making them our allies? Treating them like people? That might work, in the long run. We’ll punish them for now, but one day, they’ll be free, and perhaps we’ll be able to count them among our closest friends and neighbors.”

A short silence. Only Jamit laughed this time. “You sound so idealistic, shaman.”

Cam gave him a tight smile. “And you sound like a bloodthirsty, shortsighted moron.”

Jamit’s jaw worked but no sound came out.

“Easy,” Galla said. “We’re all on the same side here. I agree with Elder Dagan that bringing the wolves under the fold will perhaps be a worthwhile endeavor.”

“Make them clear out the shattered lands,” Cam said. “Give those fields to them. If they can clear and work them, turn them into productive farms, then it’ll be worth the trouble.”

A few people murmured agreement.

“That sounds like a good plan,” Galla said. “All those in favor of giving the shattered lands to the wolf prisoners and imposing heavy taxation on them?”

More ayes than nays and Galla beamed at the group. She moved on before the grumbling could get too loud, but Cam caught Dagan giving her a look that he couldn’t quite read.

The meeting wrapped up without much more getting done. The Elders fought amongst themselves like usual and the military kept oddly silent. Key, Felin, and Miuri left to check in on their rooms and the big bed while Cam stayed back with Galla. He put his hands behind his head and watched the others bicker and filter out, and wondered how they could fight with each other so soon after winning an important battle. It was like the wolves had never happened now that they were gone, and it was back to business as usual.

“Strange, isn’t it?” Galla sat down beside Cam and leaned toward him, draping her arms around his neck. “You save their asses, and not a single one of them thanks you for it.”

Cam smiled. “I didn’t do it for thanks.”

“But it’d be nice though, right?”

“Maybe.” He took a deep breath and smelled lilacs and roses. Galla’s big eyes stared up into his and he leaned down to kiss her pouty lips.

She returned that kiss with a sigh.

“I’m glad you’re back,” she said. “Keeping these men in line’s been like catching squirrels.”

“I hope they haven’t been too bad.”

She waved a hand. “Dagan was a big help. Kraed too, once Dagan convinced him to get involved again.”

“I was wondering about that.”

“Kraed’s a surprisingly good politician. And now that he’s the head of our little Ur cathedral, he has a little bit of clout.”

“How’d he end up with that position?”

“There was nobody else.” She grinned and kissed him again. “That’s the best way to end up with a job. When there’s nobody else.”

“Story of my life.” He extricated himself from Galla’s grip and stood. His mind was heavy and sluggish as he paced across the room. He could feel Galla’s eyes on him the whole way.

“You seem off today.”

Cam turned to her. “I want to talk to you about something. But I think you’re going to read too deeply into what I’m about to say.”

She chewed her lip. “Go ahead,” she said. “Might as well