The World of Tom Stafford by D.A. Sanford - HTML preview

Chapter 18: The confrontation

As expected, announcement of the Pacifica and Tridinia being infected with the agent has drawn harsh criticism from both kingdoms. The general population has turned

against me since I had the Chamberlain arrested for his disclosures. The kings have also denounced me. All is going as planned.

The castle staff is now treating us in the most formal manner. Yes and no answers instead of their usual interaction. I expected that. The leaked information on my lineage being tainted by my third great grandfathers’ expulsion is the capper.

I have received letters of condemnation from the rulers of Pacifica and Tridinia. Both have insisted that their kings be returned. They are going to be treated as heroes for going against me. They will not be restored to their Royalty but will be greeted as citizens. Just the way it was planned.

The crowd applauded Bart when he also came out against me. He stated that this action was against his mother’s morals but she still has chosen to stay by his side due to the love she still has for him. That severs his ties with me but also saving Nadean’s reputation. I’m the villain not his mother. We planned that so he could stay with the woman he has fallen for. He understands what that involves.

Now the real posturing begins.

I make a speech to the people of Seaden.

“My subjects, I now address those wild rumors that have been spread by my own people. First let me address the most important thing. It was you that chose to have me become your king based on the fact that my ancestor was the last king but went missing. It was a position that I did not want but took it on for the good of all. From the start, the manager of my staff insulted me and went to Pacifica to sabotage me.”

“I tried to give you a voice and what do you do? Spread dissention, gossip and lies about me and my heritage. Now those doubts have spread to Alandia causing their king to condemn me. Since I have been accused by a most trusted advisor, I have ordered the arrest of Chamberlain Gartage. He is now occupying a cell next to the spy, deposed King Percian.”

“What I do is for the betterment and security of Seaden that is why I confirm that there was an agent released in the two threatening kingdoms. That agent has taken away their capability of breathing surface air. It has not affected their health or life span in any way. It has made it so that the culprits that threatened our way of life cannot flee to the surface where there are many weapons of mass destruction.

“My subjects, I, your king know what is best for you. I will protect you from them. My methods have come at a price to me. My queen’s son Bartholomew, has completely disowned me, so I have stripped him of the title of prince. As of now he is considered by me as a complete stranger. He has been told not to go into the public with his opinions.”

“We will win this conflict. There are maps of the sunken war ships and if pressed, we will detonate those wrecks. I will not allow this kingdom to fall to the outside agitators. That is all for now.”

I stop the general broadcast. Gar comes up to me.

“You laid it on pretty thick in that speech.”

“How do you think they like me now?”

“They like you as much as they like barnacles growing on their butts.”

“That much?”

“Yes, that much”

“Then it is going per plan. Next is for you to escape tonight with the help of guards loyal to you. How is it with the two other kingdoms? Have they made any direct threats? Or are they just posturing.”

“They have sent formal complaints seeking information on the agent and they are now requesting reparations for illegally retaining their kings.”

“Any outright threats of aggression?”

“No and they show no military movement. No posturing.”

“Good. When you make your escape, drop the hint that there is further research in progress that would make the life spans here as they are on the surface. Start some rumors that, if I were given a chance, I would and could control all the kingdoms to ensure that peace returns but under my rule. You know what I plan to do so be assured that these rumors will not hurt me or my intensions.”

Gar states, “I’ll do it but I’ll hate it because you have been most kind towards me and the kingdom.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it. Now go and get the appearance of someone that has been mistreated and has been liberated. Always remember the plans ultimate outcome.”

Gar goes to Doris who is going to do his makeup. Some bruises scrapes and a black eye.

The next day it is discovered that he has escaped and the guards that helped him, went with him to protect him. The commander of the guard is in on this portion. When this is all over, there will be no repercussions with respect to those guards. In the public eyes, their actions will be rewarded.

Pacifica is the first to approach me. A “negotiating delegation” has requested a meeting with me to see is there is any way of settling this misunderstanding on my part as to their internal affairs. I agree to meet with them.

Sitting there, I am introduced to the members of the delegation. I recognize that there are military dressed as civilians and a few that I know are from the surface. A fat cat politician and a few movie actors.

“This is quite a situation you have created Tom” the pompous politician declares.

I stop him there “That’s King Stafford. You take liberties that are not yours. The casual manner that you and the deposed spy king took and what you are trying to use is poor information from a fired servant.”

Now looking directly at the military,

“As far as the situation that I created, shouldn’t you ask your General here? General, why did you need all the surface dwellers down here? Cannon fodder? Excuses for martial law?”

I look back to the politician,

“I responded to a threat that Pacifica started. Your deposed king told me that Seaden was to be the first country invaded. Did you know that when you were brought here? Did these humanitarians come to meet with you while you were still on the surface? Is that why you granted them access to the satellite programing?”

All he could do is stutter then he slipped back into the smooth talker

“King Stafford, I don’t know where you got your information from. The decision was made by consensus of all four of the kingdoms. Not by Pacifica only. You are the one that has been aggressive here. The king came to honor your coronation. You had him arrested on espionage. We saw the condition of your chamberlain when he escaped.

Our king’s confessions had to be extracted by the same methods.”

Now it is my turn to act.

“You know, looking at you, I think I know you from the news. You’re from the surface, just like me. Weren’t you being investigated for involvement with the influence peddling to our, not to friendly neighbors? Back at your old profession. Trying to spin the truth in your favor? Given a choice of a new life, you fall back to old habits.”

“I can see that you are not going to cooperate. Your delusions have taken hold and you can’t listen to the truth. We will leave now. Just be aware that your foot on the neck of

Seaden is precarious. Any further move you make against Pacifica will be met with extreme prejudice.”

“We’re both from the surface. That term, extreme prejudice, is used for instructions for assassination. With that threat, I now place you and your delegation under arrest for threatening my life. Guards, lock them up.”

I have the information that both that fat cat and the general are major players in this plot to take over the four kingdoms. I want to see exactly what happens now. Without these people leading, the threat may just peter out. At least that is what I hope. They had the gall to think that I did not know who and what they are.

Through the contacts we have, I was able to bring Gar up to speed. The plan has been modified now. We have been given a bonus by holding these people. The real information needs to be leaked to the public. They need to know the involvement of the politician and the general.

Still make it at least an error in diplomatic relations to lock up all the delegation. Make our people demand that I release the remainder of the people. Only hang on to those two. Protest signs and peaceful marches are in order. This way, the two kingdoms will at least see that the people of Seaden are not against them but that they will abide in holding the perpetrators of these plots accountable.

Within a day, there are murmurs of just that. A rally was held outside the castle demanding justice for the two but freedom for the remainder of the peace delegation.

Tridinia sends a delegation of common folk. I imagine that they were screened and all are sea dwellers. They seem to be very reasonable.

“King Stafford, the people of the kingdoms need to express our thanks for uncovering this plot. We regret that this was the real reason for compelling the surface dwellers to return. Your actions though, can only be interpreted as aggression on the part of Seaden. We are here to ask for the release of the people you hold from that delegation, other than the two. We also request that you release the former king of Pacifica. Like our former king, Pacifica will guaranty his safety.”

“What guaranty do you propose that Seaden will have peaceful neighbors? It seems that we are on a one way proposition. What do you offer to assuage the uneasy the tensions between our kingdoms?” I demand.

One of them is a little frustrated and broadcasts what is on his mind, whether he meant to or not. “To have you go back to where you came from will ease the tensions. Too bad you cannot take those two with you.”

We all look at him in amazement. It was obvious, by the look on his face, that it was not for the public. OOPs.

“Now that it is on the table,” I say “please explain what that would accomplish?”

“Sorry for that but there it is. Your actions, since your ascension to the position of king, have been provocative. Somewhat justified, but it is not the way that we handle these types of matters. Being from the surface, you do not have the intricate knowledge of how we do things. If you were to abdicate in favor of Chamberlain Gartage becoming king. The natural order will return to the kingdoms. We in turn will make sure that no one from the surface will be in a position of power for at least one hundred years.”

“That would imply that I will need to return to the surface?”

Knowing that I would have to anyways.

“Yes” they say.

“What about those, from the surface, who want to stay?”

“They will not be bothered as long as they abide with our customs.”

I ask the guard to get Doris.

“Gentlemen, I have a lot to consider. Some of what you say needs to be discussed with my subordinates. In the meantime, would you consider being my guests here in the castle?”

Doris comes in.

“Doris, would you please prepare accommodations for these gentlemen. The suites that the kings stayed in will be appropriate. You gentlemen staying?”

They say that they will stay.

“We hope this means there is room for negotiations.”

Doris leads them away.

I call for Nadean, Jim, Brian, Reba, Charles, Susan, and Doris.

After bringing them up to speed on the plan to restore the balance in the kingdoms, I inform them of my decision.

“Nadean and I have discussed this in length. All that I have done is to foil the Pacifica conspirators. Once that is accomplished, it has been my plan to return to the surface after abdicating the throne. By making them doubt my motives, it opens the way for Gar to return to power but now as their king.

The Tridinia group have paved the way for that to happen. They have proposed that there be no surface people in charge for one hundred years and hint at more concessions if I will go back to the surface.

Since you were the ones that came with me, I thought that you ought to be the first to know.”

Nadean tells them, “Tom and I are going back to Thornton. We feel that we do not belong here in this twilight world. We, I want to go back home.”

Jim now speaks his mind.

“Tom has kept me informed on this. When I heard of his wanting to return to the surface, I was relieved. I thought that I was the only one that had these feelings. I miss the sun, the smells and yes talking with my mouth. Telepathy was fun at first but now I am always on guard with my thoughts. I find that leaking thoughts are a big problem. I want to go home.”

Surprisingly Reba voices the same opinion.

“This started to be paradise but as the veneer was peeled back, there are problems here that are the same. There was more peace in Thornton with our small family. We just did not realize it. I have settled this with my mom and I want to go back.”

“When this finally goes down,” I say “I will go up to see the condition of Thornton. It should be relatively good. Then I will come and get Nadean”

She stops me right there.

“You’re not leaving me behind! I’m going with you. By the way, what season is it there?”

“Good question” Susan says “Why don’t I pop my head up there and see. Not being in the public view, it won’t look suspicious. I have missed my old life so I have done it quite a few times. It should be late spring.”

Everyone felt the same, it’s time to go home. With only the few hundred couples on the surface, we will be at peace. The only reason for weapons are for hunting and animal control. By the way, it will be nice to have something that does not come from the sea for food.

I explain that two days from the day that Nadean and I surface. We will return to the riverside park. There should be no problems at Thornton. We turned off everything back there. We then will wait for the next people to surface.

After the end of a week from when I surface, Jim will be the last out of the water. He has a task to do.

I have not told them about my final task.

We received word from Gar that he was in agreement with the new part of the overall plan. He added a few concessions that he would like to see. He wanted to temporally take the kings role but eventually move to a regularly elected official instead of king, limited to one term only.

The other thing would be to move those wrecks of the warships to the deepest trench in the ocean. Then bury them under the dirt. That way the temptation for the surface people won’t be there.

The next day I meet with the delegation and relay those conditions.

“If you are willing to put this in writing and sign it, I will release the others as agreed. We retain the two for our trial. The former king of Pacifica will go free. He can make his own decision as to where he wants to go.”

“What about your leaving for the surface?”

“That will be when I see that things have calmed down. I need to see that you are living up to your end, then I will set things in motion in Seaden. I need the populace to want me to return to the surface. They need to really want this. Even you will see their resolve. I will tell you that it won’t be too long. It’s should be the spring season up there.”

“The sign to you will be that I will pardon the chamberlain and return him to his post. If he accepts, I will abdicate with in the week. I have invited the ones that came down with me to leave with me to the surface There is one of them that I have asked to be the last.

When he comes up, this under sea world is yours. As long as you don’t interfere with us on the surface, I will not care about or interfere with you.”

All terms are agreed with and the deal is signed.

Myself and the leader of the delegation broadcast the news. I release the agreed upon people. Gildar Percian asks Alandia for asylum and is granted it. He leaves Seaden.

The remainder of the released leave with the people from Tridinia. Things start to calm down even in the other kingdoms.

Now there is a clamor to forgive Gar. Kar comes to me with the public council’s request on just that. I give it a few days then issue the formal pardon. In that I requested that he consider returning to the chamberlain’s post. As planned, he shows great reluctance to return to my side but for the greater good of Seaden, he accepts.

In a private meeting with Jim, Gar and Kar, I go over the final plans.

“Now that things are calming down, two days from now I will announce that I am giving up the rights to the crown in perpetuity. Then I will invite anyone that wants to return to the surface to make the decision within a week. After that, no one from below will be accepted in my section of the surface. We will protect it from that point. No one that returns to the surface will return to the underwater world.”

I ask both Gar and Kar to spread the rumors so the people can get at least a notion of what is going on.

The other three kingdoms have already relieved any of the surface people from government leadership positions. All throughout the sea, a peaceful routine is returning.

Even the angst about the returns has eased considerably. It’s time.

As per the secret agreement with Tridinia and Alandia in agreement with the arrangement, I make my first and only worldwide broadcast.

“I address the world but most important, I address the people of Seaden. I, Thomas Stafford, King of Seaden, on this day do here by abdicate my throne and as my last action appoint Chamberlain Gartage as the new king of Seaden. He has cared for this kingdom for long years as regent but now has accepted the throne.”

`

Now Gar addresses the world

“I have accepted the role as the king of Seaden. My first act is to pardon, with the exception of the two conspirators from Pacifica, anyone that played a role of helping me behind the scenes. I also pardon Thomas Stafford, he will return to the surface world, which he has agreed to do for the betterment of all kingdoms. He had requested this one last turn to address the people of Seaden.”

“I have told the people that returned with me from Thornton, that want to go back, to do so within five days from now.”

I address the people once more.

“Today, Nadean and I will leave for the surface to check on the settlement that we left.

We will return with transportation for those who want to return to the surface in our area.

Those that come back to the surface will never be allowed to come back to the water world. As per the agreement, the water kingdoms will not be allowed to put anyone in exile on the surface.”

The reaction to this announcement is mixed but the vast majority of opinions are that it is best for everyone for me to leave.

Both Nadean and I have what few items we want to take with us packed. Our transportation to that river park is here. I tell Gar that it is my wish that he holds the

research team until the seven days have passed. At the end of the seven days, I will leave a final written message for the water world in a canister that will be in the underwater area where all the shoes were left when we came under.

I gave that letter to Jim. He will be the last up per our personal agreement. He has the canister I gave him. When he surfaces on that last day, he will open it. Put the letter in it and then drop it into the river.

Nadean and I say our last goodbyes. Unlike when we arrived at the castle, there were only a few people lining up to see us off. We did not wave this time.

“Nadean, my wife, are you really okay with this?”

“I am a little perturbed that you ask me that again.” She tells me “But I know that it is out of loving concern for me. Bart will be just fine. He now has a good life. Sometimes I will come to the park. He and I set up a mail system. He will leave mail on the shore on the first of the month and return the first of the next month to get my message and leave his next. I’ll miss him but that is his growing up.”

We reach the point that the transport can’t come any further. It is only a few hundred yards and what we have is not very much. We say good bye to the driver and go towards the shore.

“Look, there is the shoe pile. Want to look for your shoes?” I ask.

“You have got to be kidding. They are ruined by now.”

“I don’t know. I liked those boots and they were waterproof.”

“We will find something up there. Let’s go.”

“Yes dear.”