Ludwig, Sagishi, and Fhiess rejoin the others in the grand hall of the House of Targus, where they meet up with Barrow and Vess only a scant few minutes before the vote is supposed to open. The drowess seems positively jubilant, and Barrow seems as proud of his legislative accomplishments as he ever was about counting himself among the Endowed, mistaken or not.
The stairs to the gallery arent amenable to Ludwigs anatomy, but the central chamber of the House itself is cathedral-like in its proportions, and the grand doorway to the house floor is more than tall enough to accommodate him. With a mixture of cajoling and threats, Barrow is able to talk his way past the guards in their ornate armor. Theres no seating available to them, but they at least have a front row seat to see how the sausage is made, as it were.
The House is built almost like a stadium: There are three sections for the legislators, one for each Chamber of the House, arranged around the dias in the center. The upper levels are the gallery, which is already filled with spectators as vendors wander up and down the aisles, barking their prices for refreshments. More than a few drow are in attendance, obvious in the way they tower above their neighbors when seated.
At ten bells, someone approaches the speaking trumpet on the dias. Vess furrows her brow, which catches Barrows attention. Whos that? he asks.
Thats the parliamentarian from the Chamber of Ossc, she says. What would he be doing at the podium, unless--
The representative from Ossc seizes the trumpet and begins speaking, and the crowd quiets down to listen. Its a dry litany of rules and bylaws being invoked, and in the end its thoroughly unclear what it is he has even said, but a wave of astonished murmurs rocks through the gathered audience.
Hes moving for a vote of no confidence! Vess gasps. Theyre going to hold a snap selection for the new Forge Lord before proceeding!
Barrow casts a sidelong glance at the Endowed. By the Oneiroi, lads, what did you have the publisher put in that advisory memo?
The vote for a new Forge Lord is conducted through secret ballot, and as the individual legislators are called upon one at a time to deposit their vote in the hopper, a steady stream of pages and aides comes and goes delivering the news of the votes in the other Chambers. Ance has delivered, as expected, and Mafun seems to have honored their side of the bargain, regardless of the fate of Peaseblossom. House Pandam is secured. It isnt long before news comes of Yarl and Narn voting to pass the measure as well, but it is joined by the news that the Forge Lord of Ell has vetoed the measure.
Vess tugs at a braid of her hair in an anxious tic. It all depends on who is selected Forge Lord of Targus, now, she says. By Eilistraee, if they elect someone from Chamber Farni, they might doom us! She tugs on her hair with both hands as she releases a groan of frustration.
Now, now, lass, things arent necessarily so dire as that, Barrow says, patting her on the arm with a meaty hand.
Arent they though? she says, wheeling on Barrow. The previous Forge Lord was of Chamber Lunus! Chamber Ossc just opened up proceedings to depose him! Tell me, who could that have struck a bargain with, if not Farni?
As though in answer to her question, the Master of Ceremonies ascends the podium, and seizes the speaking trumpet. The vote is tallied, she announces. And, with a majority of 168 votes, the venerable Chamber of Targus has selected, for its new Forge Lord, Vozzo Oliff!
With a sharp intake of breath, Vess grabs at Barrows shoulder for balance, a broad grin on her face. Hes done it! she hisses. My goddess, I dont know how he headed off Farnis play, but hes done it! My people will finally have a voice!
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