Deathstalker 06 - Deathstalker Legacy

channel?"
    "Yes, if you don't mind appearing hesitant and unsure. And if you're willing to risk the comm channel being jammed at a particularly inopportune moment. It's what I'd do, if I wanted to make you look bad.
    You have to be prepared for everything the honorable Members and their staff can throw at you. Those last few pages you've got are particularly important; they're my very latest intelligence reports on which MPs are on our side, which aren't, who wouldn't be even if we paid them, and those who might just be swayed by a really good performance today. Parliament is all about allies and enemies, and how they can switch from one to the other according to the subject you're discussing."
    "I thought it was supposed to be about passing laws, establishing ethical structures, and deciding questions of principles," said Lewis.
    Douglas and Anne and Jesamine all looked at him for a moment. "Don't be silly, Lewis," said Jesamine, beating the others to it. "Decisions are made in the House by majority vote. Which means if you want to get anything done, you have to convince other people to support you. And that means making deals. I support you on this, and you support me on that. This is politics. If you want morality, go to Church."
    "Very succinct, Jes," said Anne. "I'm surprised. You've been studying up on this, haven't you?"
    "Darling, I've always believed in researching my roles thoroughly," said Jesamine. "And politics and show business are really very similar. In the end, it all comes down to egos."
    "You should know," Lewis said generously.
    Jesamine smiled at him. "I will make you suffer hideously for that, sweetie."
    "Hush, children," said Anne. "Or mama spank. Douglas; it's vitally important you make a good impression on your first day as Speaker. You have to establish yourself as a useful presence, and a
    strong character, but with no personal ax to grind. By the end of today, we need you to be loved, admired, respected, and even a little feared."
    "All on my first day?" said Douglas, just a little plaintively. "Couldn't I start with something simpler, like walking on water?"
    "It's all down to image," said Jesamine. "Presenting the right appearence. You act the part convincingly enough, and everyone will believe it. Even you. That's true of politics or show business."
    "I will not be acting," Douglas said sternly. "I will not lie to the House, or pretend to be what I'm not. I became King to lead by example, and that is what I will do."
    "Then you won't last long in politics," said Anne, exasperatedly. "No one's asking you to lie, Douglas!
    Just to be careful what you say, and how you say it. You can't lead by example if no one's sure exactly what example you're trying to set. What did I tell you last night? Presentation, presentation, presentation!"
    Douglas sighed and sank back in his chair, pouting sulkily. "Feels just like my first day at school. Don't know anything or anyone. Wondering where the toilets are and if I've forgotten my lunch money. Things were so much simpler when I was just a Paragon. And I feel naked without my weapons!"
    "You can't bear arms in Parliament!" Anne said firmly. "No one can. It's traditional. Otherwise you'd have duels on the floor of the House any time someone looked like losing an argument. Lewis only gets to wear his because as Champion he's your official bodyguard. From now on, we're your weapons; Lewis and Jes and me. You point us at your problems, and we solve them for you. Don't be nervous, Douglas."
    "I'm not nervous! I just. . . want to get on with it. Get a move on. All this sitting around waiting to go is driving me crazy."
    "Easy . . ." said Lewis, moving in closer to his friend, to be supportive. "Let the enemy do the worrying.
    We know all about them, and they don't know a damned thing about what we're planning. Use that."
    "Just play it cool," Anne said soothingly. "Don't let them rattle you. Some of them will undoubtedly try to throw you, just to see if they can. But they only think they're testing you; in reality, we're testing them.
    Looking for their weak spots, searching out their hidden pressure points. The only King and Speaker they've known is your father; they're too used to having their own way to take you seriously. Until it's too late. By the time we're finished, well be playing Parliament like a musical instrument. And we'll be calling the tune. Because we're smarter and better prepared than they are."
    "No," said Douglas. "Because I am