Revolution (Chronicles of Charanthe #2)

  Chapter 15

  “We need to unite our allies,” Don said, speaking at the first meeting in their new council chamber. “That much is obvious.”

  They’d found the new headquarters without difficulty on their second interpretation of the map. An extensive series of underground rooms had been carved out of the heart of a rocky islet that was generally considered uninhabitable. The whole place had been perfectly set up, even down to the concealed harbour where they could moor a couple of small boats out of sight of both the surrounding islands and the nearest mainland town of Woolport. It hadn’t taken long after that for the Association to move their centre of operations. While Daniel and Albert had gone off on a short trading expedition to bring their stocks of medicinal herbs up to siege quantities, the rest of the council were preoccupied with the question of what they should do next.

  “What do you mean?” Ragal asked.

  “We have natural allies in our exile. The Empress has inadvertently given us access to the whole body of rebels. There’s enough will out there to completely overthrow the Imperial family, but the little knots of rebels don’t stand a chance of organising a proper revolution. We can be the force that brings them together.”

  “Since when do we want to overthrow the Empire?” Gerald asked.

  “She cast the first stone.”

  “Yes, we all know the Empire’s being stupid, but I thought we were just going to wait for this to blow over.”

  “There’s going to be a war,” Don said, leaning back in his chair. “Whether or not we take a part in it. If we stay out of it, the Empress might win, and she won’t be forgiving in victory. This way we get to be in control, and we make sure ours is the winning side. If we play this out cleverly enough, we can name our own Emperor.”

  “Or Empress,” Eleanor added.

  “Whatever. You see my point.”

  “So what exactly are you suggesting?” Laban asked.

  “We need to change what we mean by recruitment. We’ll keep up with our plans to gather up our normal cohort of new students, of course, but we need to start getting the word out to the rebels that we’ve got a flag they can march under. Eleanor, you’ve got good contacts in some of the rebel taverns in Almont, haven’t you?”

  “There are a few who know me, yes.”

  “Great. You’re going to the city to visit the Assessors anyway – you need to take a detour across town. We need to know rebel numbers, strategic points... anything that might come in useful. And start, gently, to give them a few lessons.”

  “Okay.”

  “Just enough to let them understand how much we can help them... not enough to let them run a revolution on their own.”

  “What does it matter if they manage it on their own?” Bill asked.

  “You haven’t been listening. We need to be central to their success – how else can we make sure of our place in the new regime?”

  “But...”

  Don didn’t let him finish his objection. “There are three possibilities, and only one appeals to me. Either the Empress continues to quash little pockets of rebellion” – he made squashing motions with his thumb against the table – “and grows more confident, and decides to lock us out for longer. Or some form of revolution succeeds. If it succeeds without us then we have to go on scavenging for jobs where we can find them. Whereas if we can make sure we’re instrumental, we can dictate our own terms to the new government.”