The Assassin's Blade

by H J Peterson

  He couldn’t finish the sentence, and frankly, he didn’t really need to. Maddox, judging by the look on his face, understood the predicament perfectly.

  Of course, he did: he’d been in this world long enough.

  “I didn’t know you still cared about your father’s opinion,” Maddox said, shoving his hands into his pockets. “He doesn’t seem to give two shits about yours.”

  “I know,” Friedrich said. “That doesn’t change the fact that I need to stay on his side, until he can’t change his will, himself.”

  “When does that happen?” Maddox asked.

  “When he turns eighty.”

  Maddox cursed and ran a hand through his hair. “Friedrich, that’s thirty years away: you’ll probably turn into Lord Eltz before that happens.”

  “I won’t,” Friedrich said, remembering his promise to Katalin. “I swear on my life, I’m not going to become the same man as my father.”

  Maddox raised an eyebrow. “I… meant that he’s probably going to be dead before he turns eighty.”

  Friedrich sighed, pulling at his collar, again. “Oh. Right-“

  To his surprise, Maddox smacked his hand away from his collar.

  He flinched, looking back at his bodyguard. “What was that for?”

  “Your mother,” Maddox said. “That collar tugging thing drives her absolutely mad: she asked me to slap your hand away the next time you did it.” He looked back at him. “You should’ve seen the look on that woman’s face, Friedrich: I was actually a little scared.”

  It wasn’t too long after that that they walked into the Vorbereicher House, into the grand entry hall with its crystal chandelier and marble floors. However, Friedrich didn’t notice any of that. His nerves returned full force, to the point where he had to resist the urge to run right out of there and never come back.

  However, he didn’t. He walked right up the stairs to the second floor with Maddox at his side, up to the chambers of a body of government he didn’t think he would have access to so soon: the King’s Council.

  When he walked into the door of the small chambers, he saw that most of the other members were already there. In fact, other than the emperor, himself, they were all there: the police commissioner, the high general, air marshal, the admiral of the navy, and the secretaries of labor, treasury/commerce, agriculture, and education. All of them were quietly talking with one another, their own personal guards sitting at a card table in the corner with drinks, until they saw the newcomer walk in.

  Commissioner Bouchard frowned when he saw Friedrich. “Son, where’s Lord Eltz? Is he well?”

  “He’s not himself today, no,” Friedrich said. “He… had a few too many drinks last night, and is recovering at home. He’ll be back to his old self soon enough. I’ll be here in his stead until then.”

  “I’m not exactly surprised to hear that, if I may be so bold,” Commissioner Bouchard said as Friedrich took his seat next to the old inspector. “I’ve known that man for quite a long while, and he’s never been able to hold his liquor.”

  Friedrich nodded as he pulled his notes out from his pocket. “Believe me, commissioner: I’m well aware of my father’s alcohol habits.”

  He turned and began to go over his notes, trying to prepare himself for this meeting a little more. He should probably try and stray away from the commoner Dunram and share more from the nobleman political theorist, Münscht, who also thought that the common population was perfectly capable of sound political reasoning and should be trusted with office just as their aristocratic counterparts were-

  “Pardon me, Friedrich, but did you… bring notes to this meeting?” The commissioner looked amused, as if somebody had just told him a funny joke.

  Friedrich looked up at him, frowning. “Is that bad?”

  Commissioner Bouchard chuckled. “Son, if you were hoping to convince these men with logic, you’re sorely mistaken. These men don’t listen to political theories or statistics. They listen to their guts, power, and results.” He nodded at the notes. “You don’t have any of that in your notes, do you?”

  Friedrich shook his head.

  “Good,” Commissioner Bouchard said. “Think on your feet: you’re a much better speaker that way.”

  Friedrich’s cheeks began to burn. “Th-thank you, sir.”

  “You don’t need to call me sir, son: the only man you have to say that to is the emperor and heaven, itself,” Commissioner Bouchard said. “Just call me Emil, alright? That’s what your father calls me.”

  Before they could continue their conversation, the door opened and Manfred II walked in, the cape that marked him as the emperor of Vorbereich trailing behind him.

  Everyone stood up in respect for their emperor. Friedrich couldn’t help but watch him as he walked in. He’d never seen the man so stressed, before. Where his posture was once loose and carefree, he now walked like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.

  It broke his heart to see him like that. Manfred II was younger than he was, for heaven’s sake, and he had to figure out how to keep everybody in an entire country happy!

  “Thank you all for coming on such short notice,” Manfred II said as he sat down at the table. Everybody followed his lead and sat down right along with him. “Hopefully, this meeting will be brief and all of us can go about our business.” He looked over at Friedrich. “Where’s Lord Eltz? Is he well?”

  “He ate something that didn’t agree with him last night, your grace,” Friedrich said. “Lady Totefels thought it best that he rest for a faster recovery, so I came in his stead.”

  “We pray for Lord Eltz’s swift recover,” Manfred II said. He looked to the rest of the men at the table. “As you all already know, this meeting was called in order to determine the legality of law proposal G1073-C.”

  Everybody pulled out their briefcases and pulled out their copies of proposal G1073-C at its mention. Friedrich did the same thing and began to look through the document. He didn’t know why he bothered: he practically had the thing memorized, by then.

  “I’m sure that all of you are very aware of the significance of this proposal,” Manfred II said. “Not only is it putting for the idea of a welfare program unlike anything our country has, but it’s been put forth by common members of our nation’s government. The decision we make here may very well set the precedent for years to come. I can’t stress the importance of coming to an agreement that will benefit the whole of Vorbereich.”

  Friedrich began to tug at his collar, again, uncomfortable. He didn’t need to hear that: he didn’t need anything to make him any more nervous than he already was.

  “That being said, let’s put this to a vote to see where we currently stand,” Manfred II said. “All those in favor of allowing proposal G1073-C to be debated, please show by a raise of hands.”

  Friedrich raised his hand and looked around the table…

  To discover that he was one of three members of the king’s council that were in favor of it.

  He was rather surprised, but he supposed he shouldn’t have been. The men that agreed were commoners, themselves, the only ones allowed to participate in that council: Police Commissioner Bouchard and Air Marshall Carlowe. The rest, it appeared, were in support of keeping the status quo.

  Friedrich swallowed. He’d known that this would be an uphill battle, but he’d hoped that it would be a little more even.

  “Thank you for your votes,” Manfred II said with a nod, signaling to them that it was alright to put their hands down. “All those opposed?”

  The rest of the members raised their hands, leaving the vote against Friedrich 3-6.

  Manfred II tallied the votes, then looked back up. “Thank you.”

  They all put their hands down, and Manfred II looked to Friedrich.

  “Friedrich Eltz, as the highest-ranking member of the minority group in this discussion, you may speak first.”

  “Thank you, your grace,” Friedrich said, standing up.

  He looked
around the table. He could feel his hands shaking; he could only pray that they couldn’t see him.

  “Your grace, my lords, Commissioner, Air Marshall: I thank you all for allowing me to attend this meeting,” Friedrich said. “I can only hope that I’ll be able to show you why this proposal is perfectly legal.”

  “Lord Heir, is this also the opinion of Lord Eltz?” the secretary of state asked.

  “I don’t believe so, no,” Friedrich responded.

  “And you are aware that you speaking against your father’s opinion is against protocol?”

  Friedrich’s cheeks started to burn, again. “I… umm…”

  “That isn’t a rule, Lord Faust,” Manfred II said, “Just a tradition that I, personally, find silly.” He looked over at Friedrich. “Please, lord Heir: continue with your argument.”

  Friedrich wanted to pump his fists in the air in victory, but he didn’t. He just nodded his thanks and said: “Thank you, your grace.”

  “If I may be so bold to ask, Friedrich, is it possible that your beliefs have something to do with your… rebellious streak?” Admiral Moreaux asked. “I know how much you and your father disagree, and I worry that your political beliefs are opposed to his simply to disagree with him on one more point.”

  “I understand, but you need not worry about that,” Friedrich said. “I can assure you, my beliefs on this matter have more to do with my own personal experience that it does with my father’s.”

  That seemed to satisfy him. The admiral simply sat back in his seat and nodded, letting Friedrich continue.

  “If I may speak frankly, the laws in this matter that brought us here today in the first place are absolutely ridiculous,” he began. “The people are on the verge of flat out rebellion, and this bill,” he tapped the proposal in front of him, “might be able to keep things any worse than they are, already.”

  “The commoners of the government aren’t the people rebelling, Friedrich,” the general said. “You sound like you’re suggesting that we give every commoner, whether or not they’re a member of the government.”

  Friedrich didn’t let himself back down, that time. He was pretty sure that Bouchard was right about one thing: he had to be blunt about this, not hold back: that was the way he got his point across, got these men to take the quiet, aloof heir of House Eltz seriously.

  “That’s exactly what I’m suggesting,” Friedrich said.

  Nobody spoke for a moment as that information sunk in. Even Bouchard seemed surprised.

  “So, you’re suggesting that we not only allow this bill to be discussed, but that we should go ahead and write another proposal legalizing open submissions from all Vorbereicher citizens?” Bouchard finally asked.

  “That’s insane,” the air marshal said. “I’m sorry; I’m all for commoners being allowed to participate in the government process, but this… you’ll never get through the noblemen’s council. We can’t even get them to hear this proposal, and it’s much less radical than what you’re suggesting!”

  “I know it sounds absolutely crazy, but we need this,” Friedrich said. “Do you all know the biggest reason commoners join the Archangel? Because they don’t feel like we’re listening to them. This is how we remedy it: by proving that they’re as much a part of Vorbereich as we are. We have the wonderful opportunity to change our country for the better, and it all starts right here.”

  He looked around at the men at the table. They all looked up at him, expectant looks on their faces. He could tell whether or not any of them agreed with him, and that scared him: had he just made a fool of himself in front of some of the most important men in Vorbereich?

  Well, it was too late to backtrack, now. Might as well finish his line of thought.

  “Gentlemen, we have the opportunity to make history, today,” Friedrich finally said. “I ask you to write this proposal and to declare proposal G1073-C legal. Let’s end this feud between nobles and commoners, and usher in a new era of peace in this great country of ours.”

  Finally, Friedrich sat down, much to his shaking knees’ relief. He felt like he was going to vomit, but he managed to hold it in. That in of itself was a down right miracle.

  Now, he had to hope for some more miracles: the approval of both proposal G1073-C and his own idea.

  “Now, do any of you have any questions?” Manfred II asked.

  Friedrich almost found himself wincing as he waited for the floodgates to open and wash him and his beliefs away.

  Sure enough, it didn’t take long.

  “How come you think that either of these proposals will go through?” “Why do you think these proposals are good ideas?” “Will there be any benefits to the nobility in these proposals?” “Could the common people really make sound political decisions? Half of them can’t even read, for heaven’s sake!” Those were just a few of the questions that were thrown at him in the chaos that ensued Manfred II’s invitation to ask Friedrich questions.

  He froze in his spot for a moment, his mind blank. He couldn’t even begin to answer any of those men: he couldn’t even hear half of those men!

  “Order! Order!” Manfred II’s call made everybody quiet down, bringing order in a room that had been so chaotic just moments before then. “Please: let’s go one at a time. I don’t know about you, but I’m rather interested in hearing what he has to say.” Manfred II looked over at Admiral Moreaux. “Lord Admiral, you may start.”

  Admiral Moreaux nodded. “Thank you, your grace.” He looked at Friedrich. “Lord Heir Eltz: is it possible that these proposals will just serve to divide the nobility rather than unite noble and common Vorbereichers? I’m rather concerned that tensions between old and new families might be strained even further than they are, now. Can you guarantee that these policies won’t simply exchange one problem for another?”

  “How could he possibly answer that?” Bouchard asked before Friedrich could say anything. “He doesn’t have some crystal ball, Admiral Moreaux: I know you won’t be satisfied with any answer he might give, so why did you even bother asking?”

  “Commissioner, please don’t attack Admiral Moreaux for asking what I feel is a very legitimate question,” Manfred II warned. “I’ve kicked you out of these meetings, before: don’t make me do it, again.”

  Bouchard didn’t even attempt to hide his annoyance. He sat back in his seat and folded his arms over his chest. Friedrich could almost see the steam coming out of his ears.

  “Please answer Admiral Moreaux’s question, lord Heir,” Manfred II said with a nod.

  Friedrich resisted the urge to scratch the back of his neck. “In all honesty, I believe that Commissioner Bouchard phrased it quite well. The fact of the matter is, we really can’t predict how people will react to those proposals until we have the noblemen’s council debate on them. I apologize, Admiral Moreaux: if I felt more confident in a concrete answer to that question, I would give it to you.”

  Admiral Moreaux nodded. “I appreciate your honesty, my lord.”

  And, hopefully, the other men on the council appreciated it, too. He doubted it was enough to accept his ideas, but maybe they’d be more willing to listen, now-

  There was a massive boom, followed by the building shaking violently enough to just about throw the ten men from their spots at the table.

  Friedrich grabbed the table in an effort to steady himself. What the hell was that? It kind of reminded him of his wedding reception, when the Archangel stormed the building-

  “Was that a bomb?” Manfred II voiced Friedrich’s very concern, the one he was too scared to put into words.

  Because he knew exactly what it would mean. If it had truly been an explosion, it could only mean one thing: the New Dawn was there. And, seeing as they were the only people meeting in that building that day, Friedrich could only think of one thing they could possibly want.

  Maddox and the other guards began to get ready to investigate the ruckus, slinging their rifles over their shoulders, serious looks on their faces. Why? Wh
y did he always find himself in those sorts of situations?

  “Gentlemen, please remain calm,” Maddox instructed as a few of the guards left the room to figure out what was going on. “If we panic, we’re just going to make things worse.”

  “This is why we can’t let these proposals go through,” Lord Faust declared. “These precious commoners of lord Heir Eltz won’t act on reason: we all know they aren’t smart enough for that. They’ll act with brute force, and we ought to put them back in their place with brute force!”

  Too many of the other men voiced their agreement with Lord Faust.

  Damn it! He’d been so close to getting the men on his side, he was sure of it!

  “This is exactly why we need to send these proposals through,” Friedrich argued. “Why in the world would we want to solve our problems through violence when they could just as easily be solved without bloodshed?”

  “Because I don’t believe in rewarding this anarchist behavior,” Faust said. More men shouted their agreement. “We’ve been quite patient with this whole New Dawn movement, but it’s gone far enough. It’s time to remember the people who’s in charge!”

  More shouts of ascent.

  Friedrich could hardly believe it. These people were really going to go with Lord Faust’s plan instead of reason?

  He suddenly understood what the New Dawn was trying to do, and frankly, he agreed with them on one important belief: their government was corrupt beyond belief, and something desperately needed to change-

  The guards that had gone to investigate stumbled back into the room, coughing and gasping for air. A black plume of smoke wandered into the room after them, giving a face to the ominous truth that now faced them.

  “What’s going on?” Manfred II demanded.

  “Th-the building’s on fire, your grace,” one of the guards coughed. “All the exits have been blocked!”