by GR Griffin
As mortified as she was, Lenneth was also angry. And she blamed it all on Lezard, thinking betrothed or not, he had no right to come call on her so late at night. Anyone could have seen him. Could have and apparently had, the whole castle a buzz with the news that their Lord had drunkenly made a move on Lenneth. They probably knew he had spent the night in her room, and would never believe nothing had happened aside from some kisses and touching.
Lenneth fought not to curl her hands into fists, fought not to scream. Somehow her voice came out normal, her expression calm even as her skin was drained of all it's color. "Oh?" Was all she said. It was enough, Mystina laughing some more.
"Yes! The way you took on those guardsmen, fancy dress and all? It's really something to be admired."
Lenneth did not relax immediately, feeling as though the wind had been knocked out of her. But Lenneth was relived to learn that was what Mystina had been referring to when she spoke on a show.
"I really wish I could have seen it!" continued the sorceress.
"You just might get your chance for a repeat performance." Lenneth managed to say. "Several of the guards have been asking if I will spar with them again."
"Oh you must!" Mystina exclaimed. "It's the most action the guards have had in years. I know they can't possibly be a real challenge to one of your skill, but at least they offer you some exercise."
That they did, though Lenneth did not bother to inform her that the real challenge had been to fight the guards without killing or at least, severely injuring them.
"I don't think our Lord liked seeing his lady fight so." The seamstress murmured. Mystina snorted.
"Our Lord should ease up. Lest he find his bride chaffing under his rules!"
"He's not been that strict with me...." Lenneth said, a tad defensively. "And anything he does do, is out of worry for me."
"Just wait until your married." Mystina muttered. "That's when men really become controlling."
"Oh? Do you speak from experience?" Lenneth asked, curious.
"Well....no..." Mystina's look was sheepish, her tone defensive. "I've never been married. Never have I wanted to be tied down in such a manner! But I've seen the pattern repeated a hundred times with others."
"If that is true, that is depressing." Lenneth said. She looked at the seamstress, giving Mismerlla a bow. "I thank you for all you've done. You and your associates hard work. It is appreciated."
Mismerlla flushed in response to the gratitude Lenneth gave her. "Thank you, my lady!"
Lenneth nodded to her and Mystina, and moved to leave the room. Lenneth was surprised when she heard footsteps follow behind her, Mystina rushing after her.
"Lenneth, a moment if you please!"
Lenneth wanted to keep walking, but she paused just outside the seamstress' room. "Yes?"
"I..." Mystina seemed to be hesitating, as though fumbling over what words she wanted to say. "I just...oh Hel." Lenneth tried not to flinch at the cruel Goddess' name being uttered so venomously. "I'm no good at this, so I'll just flat out say it. I wanted to apologize for my behavior the other day. I was wrong to speak to you like that."
"Yes, you were." Lenneth agreed, studying Mystina's expression. "But why apologize? Pardon me, but you don't seem the type..."
Mystina grimaced. "I can admit when I am in the wrong. And I was, behaving reprehensibly to you. My words were rude, inflammatory...and for that I am sorry." Lenneth did not for one-second believe Mystina's apology, wary of the sorceress and her true motives.
"You should not involve me in your quarrel with Lezard."
"You're right about that." Mystina sighed. "I was being jealous, envious of his power and position. It made me lash out, and you were a convenient target. I won't do it again. Will you forgive me?"
Lenneth did not truly believe Mystina meant anything she said. But the former Goddess also thought it might be wise to make an ally of the sorceress. To use Mystina in her quest for ferreting out information. The sorceress might not be as high up in the hierarchy as far as Hel was concerned, but it didn't mean Mystina might not know anything. Certainly faking a friendship with this woman might bear fruit, one that might lead Lenneth to learning what she needed to find out.
"Yes, of course." Lenneth forced a smile, allowing Mystina to touch hands with her. The sorceress smiled as well, putting on a show of being relieved.
"Thank you for that." Mystina said. "Are you busy right now?"
"I find I don't have much to do, now that my dress fitting is over with." Lenneth told her. Mystina's smile became more dazzling, the woman moving to loop arms with Lenneth.
"Excellent. I have some free time as well. We can use this to go over the things Lezard is probably neglecting."
"Things?" questioned Lenneth, arching an eyebrow.
"About the wedding for one thing." Mystina explained. "I bet you've never really been to one before. And even if you have, I doubt it was one that would be done in Hel's name."
Lenneth tried not to show her displeasure at the thought of having to take vows under the blessing of the dark Goddess. "You're right about that." She reluctantly admitted. Mystina grinned, and began dragging Lenneth off, her voice chattering endlessly about aspects of the ceremony. Lenneth listened to it all, biding her time for the chance to somehow change the topic and pry information from Mystina. If Lenneth could discover something of use, it would not have been a total waste of her afternoon.
-
...
Chapter 28 : Twenty Eight
A bath and some clean clothes had done little to improve his mood, Lezard finding he still felt like crap even hours later. His head still throbbed, the headache slow to go away. He was still too sensitive to sound and light, Lezard almost hissing when Randolf gave him a greeting shout. The blonde man's voice had seemed to boom, making the brown hair mage jump in reaction to that unexpected sound.
Randolf merely grinned in response, falling into step with Lezard as he headed to the castle's library. The blonde man was in good spirits, looking robust and healthy. He certainly didn't seem to be suffering any signs of a hangover, much to Lezard's disappointment and envy. It must have shown on his face, for Randolf was chuckling, looping an overly familiar arm across Lezard's shoulders.
"I say! What you need is a bit of the hair of the dog that bit you."
"No." Lezard said quickly. "No more drinking! I've had enough of your special brew to last me a lifetime!" He shrugged off Randolf's arm, then scowled at him. "I don't understand how you can drink so much of that stuff and not be affected by it for days after."
"Just lucky I guess." Randolf had pulled out a flash. From the smell of it's contents, it had to be the same drink he had given Lezard last night. The mage could only make a face, and mutter something about how Randolf must have built up a tolerance to it's potent powers over time. Lezard also thought the man was probably damaging brain cells, might even be ruining his liver with such a horrid drink. But it was Randolf's decision to make, Lezard growling.
"Keep that flask away from me." Lezard ordered, then gave him a side long glance. "You shouldn't be drinking anyway. You've got a report to give."
"Now, now friend. You know it'll take a lot more than a flask's worth to incapacitate me." Randolf retorted, still grinning. "If that weren't true you would have never selected me for this last mission."
"Being able to retain your mind's clarity while drunk was not one of the requirements!"
"Ah, but how else was I to ferret out the local's secrets without a few drinks in me?" asked Randolf. "They would have been suspicious if my cup went without touch. No, drinking was a necessity."
"As much as whoring with the local wenches?" inquired Lezard peevishly.
"The wenches tend to know more about the comings and going of the big shots than anyone else." Randolf was unrepentant. Lezard wondered what he had done more of, the brothels or the taverns on his travels. "I tell you, more secrets are revealed in between a woman's thighs than anywhere else in the world."
"I'll take your word for it." Lezard said stiffly. If there was one thing he had never done, was talk incessantly about private dealings. In bed or out of it, especially not to someone who didn't have a right to those secrets. It rather boggled his mind to think there were fools out there who were revealing information that others would want. Information people would fight for, pay for, even die over.
Fortunately with Randolf's methods, none had had to die for the blonde man to get those secrets. However the use of those secrets would see many dead, all unfortunate casualties caught in the crossfire of Queen Hel's ambitions. It wouldn't just be Odin's own who died, even those who served Hel were in danger, though Randolf's acquired information would do much to minimize the casualties of their own forces.
It was why they entered the library together. A meeting was about to be held. The library though large, was quite crowded under the best of circumstances. All due to the many bookcases that were crammed inside the room's four walls. Every available seat would be taken, and still some would have to stand. But there was no helping it, the library one of the only rooms big enough to both house a a large group, and have only one door to guard against potential eavesdroppers.
There was a mage on guard by the door. Some lesser nobleman who had had the unfortunate luck of being chosen for guard duty. He would keep everyone away, allowing the group inside to talk without fear of being overheard. The people present had been waiting for their Lord and Randolf's arrival, murmuring greetings as the two moved to take their seats.
Lezard nodded back, making himself as comfortable as he could manage. His eyes touched upon the familiar faces, noticing Sameer and Louville had managed to gain seating. Garrant was standing near the window, whose curtains had been drawn closed over it. It left the room dark, and a woman, Lorenta, was in the midst of lighting candles. There was others in the room, little more than a dozen men and women, all important members of Hel's planned invasion.
Lezard knew there were other people. other factions elsewhere that owed loyalty to Hel. But the nation of Flenceburg was the one that would lead the Goddess' other cities, guide them into taking action against Odin. It would happen soon, though not today. Today's meeting was the start of things, the beginning of their plots, plans being set into motion. Or at least, that's what many gathered here assumed. Lezard himself planned to try and delay the actual enacting of the plots, all in order to buy Odin more time, and prevent Hel from gaining more souls to line her armies with.
Lorenta had finished with the candles, joining Garrant over by the window. She'd actually lean against it's sill, more than a little put out that no one had given up a seat to her. No one bothered with ledgers, there would be no note taking. To write down what was said would only invite the opportunity for the wrong person to get their hands on those papers. Everyone would have to do their best to simply remember what was said here, Lezard expecting that not to be a problem with this group. They were the best and brightest Flenceburg had to offer, even if Randolf had a penchant for indulging in women and wine excessively.
Seeing that everyone who should be there was present, Lezard slowly nodded his head. "Let us begin." A murmur of agreement from the group, Sameer gesturing for permission to talk. "Speak Sameer."
"The nation of Flenceburg has been increasing it's productivity." Sameer stated. "The amount of goods we can make and grow are being stockpiled even now. We are as self reliant as we can be, our warehouses full and ready to weather the upcoming problems that may come from our Goddess' war."
"That's good." Louville nodded his approval. "When the fighting starts, we will no longer be able to import things from Odin's lands..."
"I'd be more worried about what will happen if the fighting comes here." Interrupted a man named Hipsabe. "Can we withstand it if our crop fields are razed?"
"Food might become a little scarce..." Sameer admitted. "But our warehouses have enough to successfully feed our people for at least a year, provided we all show restraint with our appetites." A pointed look at the always hungry Randolf, who snorted in response.
"I think you should worry more about our mages." He said. "You know how voracious their appetites can be, especially when they are actively casting spells."
"It's all been taking into consideration." Sameer insisted. "Priority will be given to the battling mages when it comes to food rations."
"It's as it should be." Lezard spoke. "They will need to keep their energy reserves up if they want to be of use in the fighting."
"If Queen Hel has her way...." Garrant said from over by the window. "Then we won't need to do much fighting now, will we?"
"That's the plan." Lezard nodded. They all knew, Hel wanted to avoid as much fighting in the take over of Midgard. Because for every warrior that died in battle, their souls would be sent to the heavens. There they would become einherjar, the soldiers of the Gods. Hel's intentions were to gain those warriors for her own armies, and the only way she could accomplish that was through theft. She had to ensure those warriors did not fight, but died a death without honor. The plagues would accomplish that most handily, delivering those souls into Hel's keep.
But there was danger in using the plagues, in being in close proximity to them. Lezard did not envy those who would be tasked with contaminating the cities, knowing their work could easily result in a death sentence. As if reading his mind, Lorenta was speaking.
"How goes your research, Lord Lezard?"
"Not as swift as I would like." The lie came off his tongue smoothly, Lezard doing a frustrated grimace. "The strain of virus Hel would make use of, is proving particularly resistant to all medicines. I've not yet been able to find a remedy to counteract it completely." That troubled them all, the people shifting uncomfortably.
"Are we in danger from it as well?" Lorenta wanted to know.
"Not at the moment. But if one of our own gets infected...and brings that infection to us?" Another grimace, Lezard shrugging his shoulders. "It would be better to wait until the cures are found."
"But will our Queen wait any longer?" Louville asked.
"Surely she's not so big a fool as to risk her living army to bolster her dead one!" protested Hipsabe. "If anyone will win this war for her, it will be us mages!"
"If that were true, she would have been victorious decades before any of us were born." Lezard pointed out. "No, she needs more than just spell casters. She needs those able to fight, to be able to protect her magic users while they are in the midst of preparing spells. It will take both types working together to gain Queen Hel her victory."
A low muted grumble from Hipsabe, showing he did not think much of warriors, of the protection they would give the mages. "I will make our Queen understand the need to wait just a little longer." Continued Lezard. "I am confidant the medicinal breakthrough we need is just around the corner." Another lie on his part, Lezard having long ago discovered the cures needed to counteract the diseases Hel would unleash on the land.
"Work swiftly but take care." Lorenta advised him with a thin smile. "We cannot afford to lose you, my Lord."
"Thank you Lorenta." He smiled back at her. "But there will always be someone able to replace me should the unthinkable happen."
"None as capable as you though!" protested Randolf. "Honestly, what is Queen Hel thinking, having her best man work with such a dangerous disease?"
"Queen Hel can still make use of me, even if I were to succumb to her plague." Lezard pointed out with a sigh.
"Hmph." Randolf snorted. "You know as well as I do, that when we die, our powers diminish by half at least."
"Ah but is not our Lord the most powerful of any mage to ever exist?" inquired Lorenta. "I think even if his power was cut in half, Lord Lezard would still be a formidable opponent."
"Our Goddess is no fool." Insisted Randolf, having to choose his words carefully to avoid blaspheming. "She will want to use Lezard at his full potential."
"She will want to make use of us all." Lezard said, trying to
put an end to such talk. "Even a single mage might make the difference towards victory." He smiled then. trying to appear relaxed. "Don't worry. I have no intention of dying any time soon."
"Intentions are all well and good..." grumbled Randolf. "But even you cannot predict the future." He looked at Lezard, his brown eyes full of concern. "I wish you'd delegate this dangerous work to someone else..."
"I am no coward." Lezard retorted.
Randolf's face flashed his alarm. "I meant to imply no such thing!"
"Nor would I endanger some lesser mage with this kind of work." That was the truth, Lezard knowing few would be able to handle the containment spells needed to keep the disease from affecting themselves and anyone else they came in contact with. Of the mages gathered in the library, only three might stand a chance of managing containment. And none of them were eager to volunteer towards risking their own necks.
"Queen He's plagues will sweep across Midgard." Lezard continued. "They will target Odin's holdings. That fool God will never realize the truth of what is happening until it's too late. By that time, thousands will have died. He won't even be able to muster up a feeble defense with those that remain."
"And then our armies will move in to crush the last resistance." Louville grinned.
Lezard nodded. "By that point, it won't matter if a few die while fighting. It will be slim pickings for the King of the heavens. He will have to make do with whatever einherjar are left from the war with the undead."
There was smiles all around, the group feeling confidant about their chances in invading the heavens. Lezard smiled too, though inwardly he was worried. Hel's plans were too good, too close to seizing victory for the underworld. Lezard could only hope Odin would take to heart his warnings, use the medicines the mage had produced, as well as up the divine protection around the cities. Odin could very well put a blessing so strong it would keep out the worse of the plagues, though Lezard wondered if the God would be willing to expend such a huge amount of energy to do so.