Deathstalker 06 - Deathstalker Legacy

the monitor screens, folded her arms across her chest and looked severely at Douglas. "You screw up out there in the House today, and all your good intentions will come to nothing. I keep my ear to the ground. I hear things. For some time now, a lot of people have been talking about doing away with the constitutional monarch entirely. Making the Empire into a Republic or a Federation."
    "People have been saying that since Robert and Constance were crowned," said Douglas, unmoved.
    "Yes, but these are important people we're talking about now. People of position and influence. Robert and Constance were adored by the general populace, and made important and effective political contributions to the running of things. William and Niamh . . . didn't have that kind of charisma, or impact.
    They were popular enough, but William never had his fathers deft political touch. Or any real interest in acquiring one. God knows I did my best to provide him with information he could use, but he just didn't care. Some unkind people have been saying, inside and outside the House, that the Empire's already effectively been without a real constitutional monarch for over a century, and managed quite well without one."
    "People may be saying these things," said Douglas. "But is anyone listening? Anyone who matters?"
    "As yet, most people are still reluctant to commit themselves, one way or the other. The MPs like having
    a King and Speaker, because it detracts attention away from them when they need someone to publicly carry the can for necessary but unpopular measures. But that could change really quickly if you don't convince Parliament that you're too popular, too useful, and too powerful to be easily ousted."
    "Well, that shouldn't be too difficult," said Lewis. "Your record as a Paragon shows you're trustworthy; all you have to do today is show everyone that your heart's in the right place."
    The others sighed quietly, almost in unison. "It's not that simple," said Anne.
    "Why not?" Lewis said stubbornly. "Let the MPs be devious and shifty and make their little deals in smoke-filled back rooms. The King is supposed to be better than that. Why can't Douglas just stand up for what he believes in?"
    "I really don't have time for this," said Anne.
    "Your trouble, Lewis," said Jesamine, "is that because you're an honorable man, you expect everyone else to be too. But the universe doesn't work like that. How someone with your trusting nature ever survived the mean streets of Logres is a mystery to me."
    "I knew where I was in the mean streets," said Lewis. "They were full of criminals and scumbags."
    "So is Parliament!" snapped Anne. "Nice guys don't survive long in politics, and no one ever got to be a Member of Parliament without learning how to fight dirty. They might come into the House meaning well, but they soon learn that idealism doesn't get you anywhere, and good intentions alone won't get you reelected. You have to be seen to deliver something tangible for the voters back home. Politics is all about the art of the deal, and what you can get away with."
    Lewis looked at Douglas. "I thought you were planning to change all that?"
    "I am," said Douglas, meeting Lewis's gaze steadily. "In time. But I'm just one man, fighting an established system. And a system that, for all its faults, works tolerably well. This is a Golden Age, after all. Trust me, Lewis. I know what I'm doing."
    "Well, I wish I did," said Lewis. "I don't even know exactly what you want me to do as Champion, Douglas. I can't just be a glorified bodyguard, standing around waiting for something to happen. You're already surrounded by the best security in the world. I'm not made for ceremonies, and looking good in public. Nice new outfit or not. I need ... to be doing something. To be making a difference. Or I swear I'll resign, and you can let Finn have the job anyway."
    "I need you, Lewis," said Douglas. "I'll always need you. To be my sounding board, to be my conscience and keep me honest, as well as keeping me safe."
    "Right," said Anne. "The best security systems in the world can't keep out a terrorist who doesn't care about dying as long as he can take his target with him. Just by being King, Douglas already has enemies.
    We've already intercepted over two hundred death threats."
    Douglas looked at her. "We have? And just when were you going to tell me this?"
    "Don't worry about it now," Anne said briskly. "You have an entire department set up to deal with things