Rachel stepped into Markov's office. He was sitting behind his desk with his hands resting on its surface. His broad shoulders and barrel chest stretched his jacket to its limits but he was less intimidating now that she had spent some time with him. She knew that she still had a long way to go to earn his full trust, but he had been fair with her so far. He had shown far less hostility towards her than Gail Thompson.
Several familiar faces stood around the small desk. Harris leant against the wall to her right, and Vanmarek stood to her left, looking down at the floor. Willow was smiling as always, his voluminous blue robe looking larger than ever. A five pointed gold star hung around his neck.
Rachel wondered why they had invited the diplomat. 'What's the news?' she said, as the door slid closed behind her.
'There's been some progress in satisfying the guilds,' Markov said. 'I've just had word from Lord Hades. He's sending a representative to answer their concerns.'
Vanmarek pulled his hands out of his pockets. 'If the guilds stop protesting, I don't know what I'll do with myself all day.'
'I wouldn't worry about that,' Harris said. 'The guilds have been protesting since before I was born. I don't see them ending their protests any time soon.'
Markov ignored their banter and turned to face Willow. 'I want you to speak to the guilds. They've been asking for a meeting with the lords for a long time and it looks like it finally might happen.'
Willow looked startled. He raised his hands as though catching an invisible ball. 'The lords are coming?' he said.
Markov nodded. 'Lord. Singular.'
Willow looked suddenly pale. 'Will Lord Hades be attending the meeting himself?'
'No,' Markov said. 'It will be another of the lords. Lord Goran.'
Rachel gazed down at the floor. 'I don't think this is a good idea,' she said.
Markov locked eyes with her. 'And why is that?'
Rachel had no answer. She tried to find the words to describe how she was feeling but she could think of nothing that would make any sense to the others. 'What do we know about Lord Goran?' she said.
Markov clicked his jaw. 'As of now, not much, but he's coming to speak to the guilds. We'll need to be very careful how we handle this. Vanmarek, I'm putting you in charge of security for the meeting.'
Vanmarek nodded and folded his arms. 'When will the meeting be held?'
'Tomorrow.'
Vanmarek frowned. 'That doesn't leave us much time to prepare.'
'General,' Willow said. 'I'm not sure the guilds will be able to gather so soon. Their ways are slow. There will be many points to address before they will attend such a meeting. They may have conditions that need to be discussed.'
'There can be no conditions,' Markov said. 'Tell them they can come tomorrow or they can wait another hundred years for the next meeting.
Willow's mouth worked through a series of shapes but no sound came out. Rachel wondered if his sensitive disposition was going into shock.
'Willow, I need you to arrange this with Gumptor,' Markov said. 'We can't allow all the guildmasters to attend the meeting. It will be impossible to keep them under control. Tell Gumptor that he can only bring two guildmasters with him.'
Willow looked as though he was about to faint. 'General, I don't think Guildmaster Gumptor will agree to such terms. He will insist that all twelve guilds are represented.'
'The other guilds can send their junior guildsmen. I just don't want all the guildmasters ganging up on Lord Goran. We need to keep this simple.'
'Where will the meeting be held?' Vanmarek said. He was making notes on a console that he'd pulled from a pocket in his combat trousers.
'I was thinking of using Wolfhammer Hall. We should be able to get a hundred or so people in there, and there's only one entrance to deal with.'
'It will be difficult to arrange at such short notice,' Willow said. 'Perhaps if I had a week to arrange this, I might be able to come up with something that the guilds will agree to. Can the meeting not be postponed?'
'No,' Markov said. 'It can't. The meeting will go ahead tomorrow. If the guilds don't attend then it will be their loss.'
Willow swallowed hard, rubbing his hands together in front of his ample belly. Rachel didn't envy his role. She avoided speaking to the guilds whenever possible. Their ways required far more patience than she would ever have.
'Do you need me to do anything for this?' Harris said, rubbing his grey beard with one hand.
Markov gazed towards him, his eyes lost in thought. 'Help Vanmarek with whatever security arrangements we need.'
Harris nodded.
'What about me?' Rachel said.
'I want you to be present at the meeting. Stay close to Willow but leave the talking to him. He'll be chairing the meeting.'
Rachel pursed her lips. She was about to protest at being told to keep her mouth shut, but then she saw Willow's expression and she started to laugh. Willow turned to face her with wide eyes.
'It looks like you're going to be busy,' she said.
Willow was too stunned to speak.
'You'll be fine,' Markov said, looking at Willow. 'We'll all be there. If anything goes wrong I'm sure Rachel will keep you out of trouble.'
It was Rachel's turn to look surprised, and this time Markov almost laughed at her.
'I think I'm going to enjoy this,' he said.
Harris was examining the back of his hands. 'Are there any special requirements for this meeting,' he said.
Markov nodded. 'It's going to be a difficult situation for all of us. I want plenty of experience in the hall. I need people who think fast on their feet.'
Rachel folded her arms. She still didn't think that the meeting was a good idea, but it looked like Markov had made up his mind.