Yulen raised an eyebrow. “Rather than me ask him, I have a better idea.”
“Which is?”
“Let me send someone in there to check it out. Someone…unobtrusive.”
“Who you got in mind?”
“I’ll let you know. Let’s see how the markets are doing.”
Casting one final glance at the encampment, and not spotting the woman he’d hoped to see, Mattox followed behind his father as they continued to walk the wall. Soldiers on watch acknowledged them as they passed by. Every ten yards they were greeted by the sentry standing watch in the tower overlooking both the compound and outer grounds. They were almost even with the second gate that divided the market area and shops from the inner apartments when Yulen spoke again.
“Every five years, when I send out the invitations, your mother and I make sure two-thirds of the invites are to battle lords who’ve never attended one of these meetings, and a third have. Keep that in mind,” Yulen informed his son.
“I wondered why we had repeats,” Mattox confessed.
“They’re to lend credence to what we’re saying. And to answer the others’ questions during down time.” Yulen glanced at him. “Be sure that one-third are your staunchest supporters. People you can count on to watch your back when the shit is falling heavy and thick.”
Mattox nodded. It made perfect sense. The newbies would check to see if what the battle lord of Alta Novis preached was true and authentic, or if he was trying to blow smoke up their asses.
“How do you know who to send invites to? Which newbies?”
“I ask the attending battle lords for suggestions.”
He was hit with an “ah-ha” moment. “That explains why they’re coming from farther and farther away.”
“Yes.”
“And the Mutah?”
Yulen paused to look at him. It confirmed his belief, and Mattox smiled.
“You don’t use that tactic with the Mutah compounds.”
“Actually, your mother handles those. Ask her if you want to know more.”
“Don’t worry. I will.”
They reached the area where the majority of shops and markets were located. In the lantern lights, it was easy to see the stalls and booths being erected for the coming days. These little confabs provided a massive economic boon to the compound, as well as to the chain of compounds any of the battle lords traveling to and from the convention stopped at along the way.
After a few minutes of observing the shopkeepers, they continued toward the front main gates. So far, things appeared to be as normal as could be expected, considering the compound’s population had increased by more than fifty percent.
“We’ll be lucky to get through this next week without some kind of major kerfuffle throwing everything out of whack,” Mattox quipped.
Yulen threw him a scathing look. “Shut up or take it back.”
“No take backies,” Mattox retorted, adding a grin. “I haven’t said anything you haven’t already thought of.”
“Sir!” The call came from below. They spotted a soldier running toward the wall. Yulen hurried over to the nearest ladder and climbed down to meet him, with Mattox close behind.
“Yes?”
“The delegation from Truegrove needs to speak with you. They say it’s urgent.”
“Lead on.”
The guard took off for the other side the compound at a brisk walk, with Yulen and Mattox on his tail. Passing the main stables, he headed for the side entrance that faced the south side of the fortress where the Mutah representatives were encamped. A short man with hair that moved in thick red ringlets, along with two other Mutah, were waiting for them on the other side of the doorway.
Yulen waved for them to enter. “We can discuss this inside, if you prefer. We’ll have more privacy.”
