He paused, allowing the house guard to process his words.
"Every man that shows he is a true man of the Crown, more interested in justice than intrigue, shall not only spare himself a hideous death by fire when word gets out about this day, and I assure you that it will, but shall also find that the rewards for virtue are many. Those men who stand down and leave these premises shall find that gold as well as their lives shall be their recompense for being good king's men."
Jess sensed a sudden change in the armsmen before them, their gazes filled with uncertainty and avarice even as the iron discipline of but moments before had been shaken by fear of death by flame. The duke smiled gently, as if well aware of the effect his words were having upon the men before him. "A gold crown here and now to every man who will serve me in good faith this evening, with an added four gold crowns for each of you with the courage to come to my House in one week's time." His smile turned darkly amused. "Of course, such necessitates that I am alive and well in one week's time."
Jess allowed herself a moment to gaze at the duke before focusing once more on the group of men, eyes alight with avarice, impressed to see the duke's hands holding the shimmering fire of burnished gold.
"I see someone's good at squirreling away purses, even in the den of his enemies," Jess murmured, her shieldbrother nodding in turn.
“He is a master trader, after all.”
“Do we have your word, Duke diOnni?” Roared out a particularly grizzled man, no doubt nearing the autumn of his fighting years, perhaps the leader of the present band, and more appreciative than most of the ease and security that gold would bring him. “I recognize your signet ring, only now, mind you, and submit that we were utterly unaware of any foul play. Now, should we offer to aid you in leaving these premises in good faith, do we have your word we shall suffer no reprisal from your end, that gold and praise are all we have to fear?”
Duke diOnni smiled and dipped his head. “Indeed, good sir. My word is, to me, worth more than gold, and I freely promise that you shall receive nothing but those promised eagles and my sincere thanks for your willing assistance this evening, all of us being caught by surprise by the treachery that had occurred in this house.”
The grizzled man flashed a jaded smile, but nodded. “You hear that, men? Lord Fal has been playing dangerous games. Games that could get us killed. I say, instead of being flayed and burned alive for that man who would so cheaply throw us away, we instead do our guest here a just turn, avoid all talk of treason, and profit for our assistance in one night, several times what we would make working for Fal for all our days! Who is with me?”
Slowly the squad entire nodded. “And if any others wish to join us?” The grizzled soldier asked.
The duke flashed a warm smile. “To them I shall offer the same prize. A gold crown this evening even now, four more in one week's time, to all those who would come to my House and see me alive and well, in good faith.”
The man chuckled softly, nodding. “Done and done! You heard our orders, men. Let's see our employer safely home!”
And strangely, as easy as that, they were quickly escorted from the manor, tense a moment as it was, several other guardsman easily being coaxed to join their number, Duke diOnni handing out a total of ten gold crowns, the men soon laughing and jesting with the rather engaging duke, who was already encouraging them to think of running their own businesses or starting farms with the gold that would soon be theirs, more than one tentatively asking if the duke himself had need of extra guardsmen, all of them seeming genuinely at ease with the man by the time they reached Alex's family manor.
"Here you are, sir," the grizzled captain of the men who went by Gills declared as Alex quickly headed inside his own family's surprisingly well-appointed home, his family's armsmen and two young men Jess deduced must be Alex's cousin and brother but a discrete distance away as Lord Fal's former armsmen said their farewells.
“It has been a pleasure to serve you this evening,” Gills said, “regrettable as it is to find my master's House is naught but a den of vipers.” His bemused smile did nothing to hide the ice in his gaze. “We shall be by your manor in a week's time, Your Grace, and I shall be happy to tell the world your word is worth more than gold.”
And so much was said underneath those words, Jess sensed, catching the man's eyes with her own cold smile. His unspoken oath to do everything he could to strike the duke down if he broke faith, dangerous a game as that would be to play.
"You shall find the duke keeps his word, Gills, and to everyone's benefit that is. You won't have to work another day in your life, with the five gold crowns that will soon be yours. Best of all, not an ounce of blood needed to be spilled for the prize. Spilled, or lost."
The experienced soldier favored Jess with a considering gaze. "Frank and Albert were two of Lord Fal's favorite. Fully armored and well versed in poleaxe. Near the match of any knight, they liked to think themselves." He dipped his head. "And both are now dead. Frank killed as savagely as if he had fought a berserker with a war hammer, his very helmet shattered, and poor Albert done in with rare precision, spine crushed, even as links were burst with the killing blow."
He allowed himself a mirthless chuckle. "I shouldn't even mention the poor fool minus a head stuffed in the linen closet. His doxy was spared, trussed like a pig instead, though I fear for the poor girl's nightmares." He shrugged. "I see the tales of Highrock do not overly exaggerate. His Grace did well, hiring you pair, to say nothing of the wizards at your back."
Jess did not bother to correct the man, allowing the mercenary to believe what he would about their ranks and station. "As I said, Gills, you made a wise choice tonight, and shall be well rewarded for your virtuous decision"
"Oh, I have no doubt of that, lass. 'Tis time I left this ugly game anyway. Rather retire with a nice farm of my own, than deal with any more backbiting men of rank... present company excluded, of course."
With that he and his men bowed deeply as befitted freemen taking their leave of a named lord, even as Jess and her companions were politely ushered inside Alex's own family manor.
15
Almost before Jess knew it, she was seated at a rather grandly appointed table, Alex having introduced her to his own distinguished looking father and siblings. His older brother Samual looked nothing like Alex, in line to inherit the family title for all that he was a royal mage, a complete breach of protocol from what Jess understood, but good for him, she thought.
His sister was another matter. Slender of frame with hauntingly beautiful eyes, in many ways Alexia seemed a female version of Alex himself, not so surprising since she was his twin. For all that she apparently had no interest in becoming a battlemage, she seemed to understand Alex as only a twin could, Jera not at all discomfited by how warm their greeting and animated their conversation had been. Alex's cousin grinned. "Alexia and Alex have been as thick as thieves since the day they were born. Samual and I had to team up, just to have a fighting chance!"
Jess smiled even as Alexia laughed warmly. "Poor Christoff. Beat up by his little cousins. However did you survive?"
Christoff grinned. "By becoming a royal battlemage alongside your eldest brother, of course. It was the only chance we had."
Jess smiled in sudden remembrance. “You graduated Highrock some two years ago, no? I regret that your face is only somewhat familiar to me, focused as I was on fighting and caring for my garden, but I do recall your friendly laughter echoing throughout the dining hall, now that I think about it.”
Christoff flourished a bow. "To be so noted by the esteemed Jessica de Calenbry, Squire of War, the future commander who helped Eloquin to defeat the Knight Aspirants for three years running, now. A remarkable feat, that, and one that has been noted in a number of noble circles, often with cringes of dismay at the size of the purses lost." He flashed a teasing grin. "I hear as well that more than one smitten lord sought to have his son court you, though I have heard little in the way of any rumors regarding your future bet
rothal, if any?"
Jess chuckled throatily even as Malek grinned. "Still hooked into the Highrock grapevine, I see, Christoff," Malek noted. "Though you should know that by clever rhetoric, one Knight Commander Hyve did what he could to exclude Jess and me from participating this last year, on account of us having the 'unfair advantage' of being Delvers, never mind the fact that we had discovered our gifts only in our desperate struggles to save Highrock from dire peril."
Christoff grinned. "I had no wish to insult you or your shieldsister with that bitter remembrance, but yes, I am aware of that as well, and all assume that it was the tactics you two helped work out beforehand that assured the win. And yes, our Highrock contacts have come in handy since Samual and I have been stationed in the capital, Royal Mages of the Crown if you don't gag at such a title. Still, being at the king's personal beck and call does have its privileges."
Malek tilted his head. “So it's true, then?”
Samual gave a solemn nod. "It is indeed. Nobles with a talent for flame, only the best of the best, mind you, shall be allowed to inherit the family title if they swear fealty to the king, both as their liege lord and as a battlemage in direct service to the Crown. Not for every noble with a sparkling of talent, but we all know that most with mild or warped gifts for commanding the elements are politely labeled as eccentric and allowed to go about their lives even as heads of their clans, free of any censure or penalty, so long as they don't stick their necks out too far in Court."
Josie smiled. “And of course, no one minds if the heir to a House has the healer's gift.”
"And why should they?" Duke diOnni gazed fondly at Josie and Raphael both. "For what more useful talent could House or Crown ask for, than noble heirs with the gifts to heal the sick and infirm, perhaps one day even the king himself?"
Josie blushed and grinned, and Jess couldn't help smiling at the thought of Josie giving birth to the future heir of the diOnni fortunes, a child who would perhaps become a gifted mage as well, one day. It warmed Jess's heart to hear the duke's subtle declaration that he would accept and embrace as legitimate and beloved any offspring from Josie and Raphael's union. The impulsive hug shared by Josie and Jera made it clear that the duke's words were welcome news.
Christoff turned to Samual, eyes twinkling with the warmth of the moment. "What liberal times we live in, cousin. How very refreshing!"
“Endearing it is, but has anyone stopped to consider the ramifications of the king formally acknowledging the rights of mages to rule and control their own Houses? There are reasons why checks and balances were put in place by the Red Queen herself, many centuries ago.”
Jess blinked, gazing at a less than pleased looking Twilight. She frowned, then nodded. “The king is consolidating his power, concerned more with the present than he is with risking instability in centuries to come.”
Twilight sighed and shook his head. “Really, Jess. Some thoughts are best voiced silently. At least you had the common sense to whisper it, and look at your poor Hound, choking on his wine, having caught your words and wise enough to know what it would mean, should anyone else hear.”
Jess blinked and flushed, clapping her shieldbrother's back even as he gasped and laughed, flushing still. “'Tis all right, my friends. I but sipped wine down the wrong pipe!” His gaze when he faced Jess was cool, shaking his head in silent reproval.
Jess flushed and lowered her head, knowing her shieldbrother was right. Even here, hero of the hour, among her closest friends, some things should never be spoken aloud. For all the players in the great game of Houses knew the true mercurial nature of their ruler, and Eloquin made damn sure in his own way that his Squires were all well versed in the need for a very prudent measuring of their words, should they ever attend the capital. Who, after all, would know better the royal temperament than he who had once been the king's most ruthless dagger, wielded with deadly precision and savagery in wars still fresh in the hearts and minds of so very many?
Jess smiled with relief when Alex's father made his appearance, exchanging solemn greetings with the duke, the two smiling as if the best of friends.
"It is a singular honor to host you this evening, Your Grace," Lord Velice declared. "Your son has long been a close friend of my own. It is my sincere hope that you and yours will make yourselves welcome for as long as you desire. Now please, take your ease and let us hear of the exciting events that I understand have occurred this evening."
Jess blinked, only then taking in the friendly countenance of not one but two Guild Bards, as their colorful uniforms and the deferential air all paid them did attest, both catching the eyes of Malek and herself and smiling conspiratorially, as if already the best of friends.
“Don't ask me how, but if rumor were a pigeon, it roosts squarely within the Adventurer's Guild. They were at the back doorstep even as we all arrived,” Alex whispered apologetically. “But fear not. They promised to interfere in nothing, swearing to have no political affiliation, and are merely here to observe and record of our exploits in Shadow, before we plan the rejoinder to the evening's opening gambit.
Jess grimaced and nodded, realizing that there was no help for it, chilled to note as well that energized and alive as she felt, she could sense the first sweet stirrings of gentle fatigue washing over her, making it clear that on some level her body was aware of its recent Delve, and sought rest and renewal. She grimaced, sharing a look with her brother-in-arms. They would be strong and see this through. Not until the diOnni manor was clear of vermin would they rest.
Briefly and succinctly, Malek and Raphael both told their versions of the evening's events, Jess cringing to hear how wicked and treacherous Lord Fal had been, how perilous the situation had been for her friends, even before their arrival.
“We were attempting to aid Jess in the location of artifacts that we fear might be being used by diabolists for purposes most foul,” Raphael confessed, all of them having agreed unanimously to hold nothing back, that the situation was too dire to worry about any conflict of interest between Guild and Highrock. Savvy as he was, Raphael was still careful to leave out his own family's folly in having sold the Chalice of Absolution in the first place, for all that he was otherwise candid and forward. “Lord Fal, a man we had long thought a friend to our family, let it be known that he had made contact with a... fellow lord who supposedly had the resources to track down the last recorded owner of this chalice.
Raphael flashed an apologetic smile at the colorfully attired bard gazing so attentively at him, the other bard having delegated himself to soothing and comforting the three exhausted girls who had come so close to death, making it clear those three, at least, having been so injured, their very souls thrust in peril, must return to the Guildhall and prepare for rest in ideal accommodations even now, lest they be lost forever to dream, when next they sleep.
"Please forgive me, honored Guild representative," Raphael apologized, "if I am at all vague. For I fear that many of the shadowy players involved may never be caught, and would strike at us even now, if they could. So I do hope you will understand if I decline to name some of the players."
The bard grimaced before conceding with a slow nod. "I do understand, young Lord Raphael. Your safety is of paramount concern. And fear not, for having tread paths few would dare, even if under enchantments of a nature we can barely fathom, you have still, in some respects, ventured into realms we have sought the understanding of since the very founding of our organization. Thus, you may rest assured, your well-being from this point forward is of interest to us, to say nothing of your family's status within the Guild. For we are already friends, so to speak, however... informal our understanding." The bard allowed himself a cool smile. "Your opponents would do well to consider all the possible consequences before making moves that may be to their own peril, in the end."
Jess and Malek exchanged glances. It seemed almost as if the Guild itself threatened to strike retribution against any player in dark circles who moved against the duke, a
nd the duke's relieved smile, to say nothing of Lord Velice's own, made it quite clear that these words, uttered by a man bedecked near as colorfully as any fool, carried weight in noble circles.
“Bloody hells, just how potent is this Guild?” Malek quietly murmured.
The bard suddenly grinned, turning to a suddenly flustered Malek and winking, for all that he was seated on the other side of the table. “Quite potent, I assure you, young Delver.” He chuckled softly, making a jest of it, for all that the polite looks of confusion around him made it clear that none save Malek and Jess had even heard his words.
“And, with the assurance that the Guild itself takes an interest in your affairs, pray continue, young Lord Raphael,” the curly haired bard nodded encouragingly.
“Thank you, Lute, I shall be happy to.” Raphael closed his eyes, regaining his train of thought, the duke himself apparently happy to let Raphael speak for the both of them. “In any event, when Father and I had arrived at Lord Fal's manor, we were greeted as warmly as could be expected, retiring to Fal's personal chambers, greeted with cheese, wine, and crossbows aimed at our hearts.”
Raphael paled with haunted remembrance. “It was more than a slight shock, I assure you. We had merely gone to entertain a line of questioning, and had been as circumspect as one could be in that sort of situation. Lord Fal had originally treated the matter almost as an aside, offended not in the least by our queries, more concerned, he said, about making use of Father's shipping fleet. Or such were his reassurances before we had met to converse in his private study.”
“In any event, there we were, Lord Fal gazing coldly at us like a man more than ready to do murder, after having greeted us like the warmest of friends but minutes before, when two other lords chose that moment to make their entrance, one of them none other than the bastard who had butchered my friend Allen in a mockery of a duel right before me the day before.”
Lute nodded sadly at that. “I had heard about that bit of bloodsport, young Raphael. For all that the Guild takes no formal stance in the game of Houses, I am well aware that nobles forcing duels against commoners working for an opposing lord has become an issue of some contention.
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