by Tamryn Tamer
“It’s fine,” Herald Law said. “I do not expect proper manners from Herald Frost.”
“Herald Law,” Brynn sighed. “I expect proper manners from my husband.”
“Then you probably should have taken a different husband,” Herald Law said with a smug grin.
“I can’t undo my marriage,” Brynn said somberly. “No matter how much I might want to.”
“It’s unfortunate,” Herald Law said, scowling at Frost. The man’s throne lifted him a good six inches higher than everybody else at the table. “I suppose we can skip with the niceties and move this along.”
Frost glanced at Fiora’s mother as the woman rapidly scrawled notes on a paper, documenting every word of the meeting just as he’d seen Hansel do for Duke Raullon. Fiora shot him a worried glance while subtly shaking her head, indicating that he shouldn’t mention the notes.
The only time he’d ever witnessed somebody taking notes in Fiora’s meetings was when there were other nobles present. It seemed that whenever possible, the princess actively engaged in hiding the fact that her meetings ever occurred.
“Since we’re hurrying things along, I want you to release the courtesans,” Frost said sternly. “I know that you took them in because of their associations with me. I am a customer of theirs, nothing more.”
“I took them in because they are suspected of being involved in a criminal conspiracy against the nobility,” Herald Law said. “The Kina woman is also suspected of unsavory practices including blackmail and extortion along with several trading violations. She’s even housed and assisted known criminals.”
“Who told you that?” Frost asked.
“I won’t be revealing my sources,” Herald Law said smugly. “But I assure you that if they are innocent, they will be set free.”
“I would prefer to solve this diplomatically but if you harm a single…”
“Herald Law,” Brynn interrupted before Frost could finish his threat. “It’s no secret that my husband is a deviant man with obscene tastes. He frequents that brothel and is very protective of the women. While I do not doubt your investigation, surely there is something you can do. Possibly impose a fine of sorts or repossess the demihuman’s ill-gotten gains?”
“I might be willing to do that for you my lovely songbird,” Herald Law answered. “But that would still depend on the outcome of the investigation. You see, I believe that those courtesans may be involved in a plot against Zira and if they are, they must be executed for treason.”
“That would be a mistake,” Frost said while staring down Herald Law.
“Herald Law,” Brynn squeezed Frost’s thigh under the table. “Surely you don’t believe that a bunch of demis possibly thought up a plot to…”
“Thought up?” Herald Law shook his head. “No. But I believe they are involved. How much does your husband tell you about his activities Princess Brynn?”
“I don’t understand what you’re asking,” Brynn said nervously. “What activities?”
“I mean the fact that he killed an entire outpost full of guards and desecrated their bodies,” Herald Law said.
“What reason would my husband possibly have…”
“Weeks prior the guards beat and murdered several elves attempting to reach his territory,” Herald Law answered. “More than likely his goddess made him aware of the actions of those guards just as Ziralia made me aware of his actions.”
“A goddess can show you whatever they want to show you,” Frost said as he realized why Fiora’s mother was taking such dutiful notes. If he were to admit to a crime, it would be his word on record with several witnesses. “Shalia could show me the image of you fucking a sheep’s ass…”
“Disgusting…”
“I’m saying that no god or goddess should be trusted,” Frost said. “And I didn’t kill those guards. More than likely, it was bandits not wishing to draw attention to themselves.”
“We both know that’s not true,” Herald Law said, momentarily clenching his teeth. “You mercilessly butchered those men. But that’s not your only crime Herald Frost. You actively engage in espionage against the nobility, gathering information on their various misdeed as proven during that farce of a trial. You not only blackmailed the nobles but followers of Ziralia.”
“Are you admitting that you knew about the nobility and your followers committing crimes and actively ignored them?” Frost asked while glancing at Fiora’s mother, ensuring she continued to take notes. He was surprised how diligent she was in capturing every word.
“Obviously not,” Herald Law scoffed. “But in the aftermath of the trial it became apparent that you utilized that information as leverage to garner a certain verdict.”
“Herald Law,” Frost smirked. “Are you saying that the nobility and the followers of Ziralia can be bought or threatened into rendering a verdict? Such a statement would call into question your entire justice system, wouldn’t it?”
“I didn’t mean to imply you succeeded, merely attempted,” Herald Law said, pausing as he realized that documenting the meeting was a weapon that either could potentially use. “I said that you used the information as leverage to garner a certain verdict, not that you succeeded. Obviously, they performed their duty.”
“Obviously,” Frost nodded.
“Herald Law,” Brynn covered her mouth as she stifled a laugh. “While I don’t doubt the validity of your claims against my husband, I find it rather unbelievable that Herald Frost is capable of what you’re saying. You have painted him as a highly competent man but in my experience he’s more interested in laying with animals than politics.”
“I understand how it may be unbelievable to you,” Herald Law said, scowling at Frost. “But the man is still a herald. He utilizes his embassy, his courtesans, and various criminal connections to work against the interests of Zira. Even now he’s giving refuge to traitors as well as demihumans that left their assigned villages.”
“My herald,” Brynn said sweetly. “Surely this isn’t about the demihuman villages. We assign them to their own specific villages in order to keep them away from human villages. Even in Blackwater they’re only allowed to leave their designated zone briefly for work. I’m certain my father doesn’t care about some stray animals.”
“It’s about the insult and violations of the law,” Herald Law said. “Your husband engaged in a conflict against the previous governor of Blackwater before executing him, he protects suspected traitors, he engages in espionage, he murders soldiers, he blackmails and extorts nobles, and he does so with impunity.”
“Sounds like a lot of accusations without much evidence,” Frost said. “And I believe the only people you can prove that I killed attempted to kill me first.”
“The only ones we can prove,” Herald Law sneered. “Yes, that is the case.”
“My herald,” Brynn said while smiling across the table at Herald Law. “I’m sure my father has heard these suspicions before, so why has he finally approved an investigation?”
“Right,” Herald Law grinned. “Because previously your father decided that even if Herald Frost was engaging in these types of behaviors, they were independent. Herald Frost is the ruler of a territory that’s a fraction of the size of Blackwater and could be wiped out anytime he wanted. But recently we have reason to believe he’s not acting alone.”
“Huh?” Frost asked, somewhat confused by the revelation and wondering whose pocket they thought he was in. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“May I present to you the Prophet of Riliandra, Elias Frid,” Herald Law said while gesturing at the weaselly man that’d been sitting quietly throughout the meeting.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you Herald Frost,” Elias said, nodding politely. “I’ve heard many things about you.”
“Herald Law,” Frost glared at the dark-haired man. “Are you aware that this man attempted to kill my wife?”
“That was a misunderstanding,” Elias said. “I was unaware that you had married the dem
on. I would have never ordered my men to capture her had I known as my only target is the usurper Darius Asmund.”
“To kill a herald is a particularly vile crime,” Herald Law said. “Darius Asmund not only killed a herald but also the King of Rilia as well as several noble families.”
“If you have a problem with King Asmund you should take it up with him,” Frost said while staring at the prophet. “It has nothing to do with me.”
“But it does,” Herald Law said, standing up from his seat. “It’s like I said, King Leaucault left you alone because he believed you were acting alone. Now, we know that you’re not.”
“You think I’m working for my brother-in-law?” Frost asked while glaring at the prophet. “That’s ridiculous. Did this little weasel say that?”
“Herald Frost,” Herald Law grinned as he walked around his chair, placing his hands on the back of it as if standing behind a podium. “Surely it must seem ridiculous to you. You appeared out of nowhere claiming to be the Herald of Shalia. You then managed to secure land in Blackwater based on that claim and almost immediately afterward, messengers from Rilia were on your doorstep. Even now you’re acting to facilitate a marriage between the governess of Blackwater and the man. Surely you must see how it looks?”
“I’m stuck between two powerful nations,” Frost said, shrugging as he looked around the table. “Obviously I want them to be peaceful.”
“That makes complete sense,” Herald Law said, walking slowly toward Elias. He reached the dark-haired prophet and placed his hands on the man’s shoulders. “At least until the prophet offered us a piece of information we previously didn’t have.”
“What might that be?” Frost asked.
“Do you know what happens when you kill a herald?” Herald Law asked, staring at the table. “Anybody? Nobody? Well, I suppose I’ll answer then. The goddess and her followers will summon a new one.”
“Okay,” Frost said. “And?”
“You tell them what you told us,” Herald Law said, grinning as Elias slowly stood up. “I want to enjoy this.”
“After the death of my herald I gathered up any followers of Riliandra I could find,” Elias said. “My goddess was admittedly upset with me at the time for reasons that I don’t want to get into, but we came to an agreement. She would provide us with a new herald powerful enough to defeat Darius Asmund. We made the arrangements and we engaged in the summoning ritual to open a gate to another world. The portal was open and the herald should have come through, but he never arrived. The goddess said that when they arrived at the portal it was already gone, but that was impossible.”
“Even more interesting was the time of the summoning,” Herald Law said. “It seems to be virtually the exact time that you were summoned.”
Frost vaguely recalled Shalia mentioning beating somebody to a portal but it was like a distant dream. It was certainly possible that Shalia hijacked Riliandra’s portal and that would explain why the elves were so unsure of him being the Herald of Shalia at first. They never summoned a herald.
“The reason you’re such a high level is that Riliandra and her followers used an enormous amount of power to ensure the new herald could stand against Darius Asmund.”
“So, you’re saying what?” Frost asked, trying not to laugh at how badly Shalia fucked over Riliandra if it were true. “That I’m your herald?”
“More that you could be,” Herald Law said before the prophet could answer. He tapped Elias’ shoulder, indicating that the gaunt man should sit back down. “You see, when King Leaucault found out that you were potentially the Herald of Riliandra he started looking at your actions through a different lens. Is the herald of the second most powerful country on the continent attempting to destabilize Zira? That is why I’m here.”
“Then let’s make it a short visit,” Frost said. “The answer is no. I’m the Herald of Shalia.”
“Only because you choose to be,” Herald Law said. “Which brings us to the other reason I’m here. It seems that fate has gifted us all a rather unique opportunity. An opportunity that benefits all of us. You get to choose whether you want to be the herald of a cursed goddess with a handful of followers or the herald of the second most powerful nation in Zira.”
“Easy choice,” Frost said calmly. “I’ll choose my current followers.”
“I told you,” Fiora said conceitedly, smirking at Herald Law. “The man adores his pets.”
“Be quiet,” her mother said while continuing to take notes. “The herald is speaking.”
“Keep the demihumans and monsters and whatever else you’ve taken a liking to,” Herald Law said. “I don’t care for a few pointy-eared vermin. In fact, I don’t even care if you worship Riliandra…”
“What?” Elias snapped. “That’s not what we agreed to!”
“We never agreed to anything,” Herald Law said, smirking at the prophet. “You provided information in exchange for sanctuary. You have your sanctuary. Everything else was just conjecture.”
“He can’t become the herald without my support,” Elias said angrily.
“Elias,” Herald Law shook his head. “We’re getting ahead of ourselves. We still have no idea how Herald Frost is going to respond to the proposal.”
“What is the proposal exactly?” Frost asked. “I declare myself Herald of Riliandra and with Elias’ support people rally around me and overthrow King Asmund?”
“Actually, it’s much simpler,” Herald Law said. “It’s like I said, fate has provided us a unique opportunity. Currently, Darius Asmund is for all intents and purposes, the king of Rilia and the current heir to the crown of Rilia would be King Asmund’s closest living relative who happens be your wife.”
“I think I see where you’re going with this…” Frost chuckled.
“You would both be the Herald of Riliandra and the King of Rilia,” Herald Law said. “With the support of Elias, even the military would be forced to acknowledge you as the rightful leader of Rilia.”
“You want me to kill Darius,” Frost scoffed while shaking his head. “Head to head I could probably do it but he has an army of guards.”
“Most of the time,” Herald Law smiled at Fiora. “But Princess Fiora’s marriage negotiations will be taking place in your territory. He’ll only have a small number of guards and be completely helpless within your territory.”
“Did my father approve this plan?” Brynn asked.
“Zira has nothing to do with this plan,” Herald Law answered. “Herald Frost is not a citizen of Zira. Whatever he does, he does of his own accord.”
“And what about the hostages?” Frost asked. “Those don’t count?”
“We don’t have any hostages,” Herald Law said, taking his seat. “We have criminals waiting to be interrogated.”
“And the soldiers surrounding my embassy?” Frost asked.
“They are monitoring your embassy for potential acts of espionage,” Herald Law said, grinning maniacally. “But if it was found that you weren’t in the service of Darius Asmund then all treason investigations would likely stop. And as for the other offenses, none of them are too severe and if the king of a neighboring kingdom requested it, we’d likely release the prisoners.”
“Husband,” Brynn smirked at him.. “I believe that accepting the position of Herald of Riliandra would be the wisest choice.”
“You think so?” Frost asked.
“I do,” Brynn said. “Imagine how much fun you could have if you had the wealth of Rilia. And there are far more demihumans than your current territory. And I’m fully capable of managing the country while you do whatever pleases you.”
“I can ensure that all of your herald duties are fulfilled by trusted followers of Riliandra,” Elias added.
“Hmm,” Frost leaned back in his chair to think.
Frost imagined that if he refused to kill King Asmund, Herald Law would pick out a hostage and make an example of them. As soon as that happened, Frost would have no choice but to make an exampl
e of Herald Law. If that happened things would likely escalate until he was crushed by Zira’s army.
“Okay,” Frost nodded while looking around the table. At the very least, accepting the proposal bought time. “But I want assurances that the hostages won’t be harmed.”
“They’re not hostages,” Herald Law said. “But I assure you that we won’t begin questioning them.”
“Also,” Frost smiled at Elias. “Elias will accompany me to my territory.”
“Absolutely not,” Elias said while standing up. “I’ve been offered sanctuary and I have no intention of…”
“Then no deal,” Frost said coldly while glaring at Herald Law. “I need to make sure that Elias makes the announcement that I am the Herald of Riliandra. If he doesn’t make that announcement, Rilia’s army will view me as the guy that killed their king.”
“That’s a fair point,” Herald Law said while glancing at Elias. “But I believe Elias is worried about his safety as well. I can’t in good conscience force him to join you.”
“Then I can’t kill King Asmund,” Frost said bluntly. “If I were in your place, I would kill Elias the moment I found out that King Asmund was dead. Rilia’s army would ravage Pluma and without a successor the country would fall into disarray. King Asmund’s wives would be fighting each other for leadership and of course Zira would support his wife Tabitha.”
“Wait,” Elias glanced nervously at Herald Law, clearly never realizing that the herald would benefit from killing him. After several seconds brooding over his options, the prophet made a decision. “Very well. But I want insurance that Herald Frost won’t harm me.”
“You already have hostages,” Frost said. “What better insurance is there?”
“How about me?” Brynn asked, jumping on the opportunity Elias presented her. “I could stay in Blackwater as an additional hostage!”
“Can’t say I’m a fan of that idea,” Frost said.
“Husband,” Brynn smiled. “I haven’t seen my herald in ages and the party was so busy that I barely got a chance to speak to him.””