by James Dale
Jack spent the entire, unfortunate affair confined to his suite in Count Arthol's estate, where he spent the long days recuperating from his injury by immersing himself in the many books of his private library, and his copy of the Prophecies of Aaracus. Besides reading, his only other activity was fending off a seemingly endless parade of visitors. He suffered the interruption to his studies with resigned grace. They were for the most part all well-wishers come to express their sympathies and hopes for his speedy recovery, or to personally relay their shock and outrage at the nefarious deeds committed by the former Chief Steward of Brydium. Knowing they had all braved arrest by the roving patrols of Dragon Guards and the gauntlet of Golden Lions positioned outside his own door to come see him, he thought a few minutes of his time was not too much to ask.
Yet even with Captain Vanar's careful scrutiny of each caller, there were some who managed to find their way into his presence with less benevolent agendas. One such visitor was Uthor Syrbanis the Count of Cilidar. After expressing perfunctory concern for Braedan's predicament, the unscrupulous count proceeded to launch into a determined effort to purchase the mineral rights to the Ithlemere mines of Thonbor. Though Jack was uncertain about the worth of the mines located in his newly acquired duchy, he was certain the price offered for them by the count was outrageously low by any decent standard, and he politely declined to sell.
For some reason this upset Syrbanis immensely. He made another offer, which Jack again refused, though with not as much grace as before. Unused to not getting his way, the count resorted to threats and insults, perhaps thinking the former pirate, who looked far more vulnerable than he actually was, what with his thickly wrapped knee and walking cane, could be bullied into selling against his will. His patients finally at an end, Jack was more than happy to apprise the obnoxious nobleman of his error in judgment. The harmless looking cane, a gift from Prince Thonicil, suddenly became two feet of razor-sharp steel, and Jack proceeded to escort Syrbanis from his suite at sword point.
Another such visitor was the Baroness Natrina Callin, a browned eyed, buxom widow with designs on becoming the next Duchess of Thonbor. Her attempted seduction of the bachelor duke was interrupted by Gweneveare and the arrival of Jack's afternoon tea. The young lady de’Aabran promptly sent the baroness fleeing like an overly brazen scullery maid, chasing her from his room with a stream of curses that would have made the patrons of the Dancing Unicorn blush. Only Jack's convincing plea he was too hobbled by his injury to fight off the baroness' passionate advances saved him for a similar verbal lashing.
When reports of Uthor Syrbanis' brush with bared steel and Natrina Callin's rough treatment at the hands of Gweneveare became known, Jack's flow of visitors strangely came to an end. The only other person of note to come calling afterward was young Therion Thongril, one of his rescuers from the Tower of the White Horse. Ambassador Thongril's son had been in Thondil, courting the beautiful daughter of the mayor of the eastern city, when he heard of Jack's arrival in Brythond. With his suit successfully completed, Therion immediately took leave of the lovely Lysette and returned to the capital. After offering his congratulations to the new Duke of Thonbor, Therion extended an invitation to his engagement celebration, which would be held as quickly as it could be arranged after the lifting of martial law. Jack gladly accepted and two days later, when Theros decreed an end to the hunt for Valarius, the planned celebration took on duel proportions.
So it was eight days after the incident in Sir Algereon's Maze, Jack found himself in a quandary. As the Duke of Thonbor, he was one of the more powerful men in Brydium, yet without a single copper with which to purchase an engagement gift for Therion and Lysette.
"You see my dilemma?" Jack asked Kirk when he called him in to discuss his problem.
"I could loan you money," Kirk offered helpfully.
"Thanks, but no," Jack replied. "I don't think it would be proper for the Duke of Thonbor to be financial indebted to the captain of his guard."
"No. No, I guess not. What about a lending house then?" the captain suggested. "I am sure there are several in the city which would happily advance you whatever sum you need. But...you would have to put up something for security."
"All I have is Thonbor," Jack sighed. "I doubt his majesty would appreciate it if I started mortgaging it away a week after he gave it to me."
"I don't suppose he would. Perhaps I am not the best person to advise you on this matter. To tell you the truth, I have never been skilled at handling money. Sirranon would attest to...but of course!" Kirk cried suddenly, as the perfect solution occurred to him.
"But of course, what?" asked Jack.
"Count Arthol! Who better to give financial advice than the Prime Minister of Brydium?" Kirk replied.
"I wouldn't want to imp..." Jack began, but Kirk was already hurrying from the room.
He returned a few minutes later with the Count of Brythond in tow.
"I was wondering when this day would come," Thain Arthol smiled. "You did not strike me as the sort of man who would be content to live off the charity of others indefinitely."
"I sorry to bother you sir," Jack apologized, shooting his impetuous young captain a scathing glare. "But I have a bit of a problem. Therion's engagement dinner is in a few days...and well...I don't have any money to buy a gift. Actually, I don't have two copper pennies to rub together."
"It is no bother," Arthol assured him with a dismissing wave. "And your...problem is not as desperate as you may think."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean,” Arthol grinned. “You are not quite the pauper you imagine yourself to be. In fact, should you inquire at the Lending House of Gilliheu, you will discover an account has been established in your name. Consider it disaster relief," the count continued quickly, seeing the protest brewing on Jack's face. "You did not expect his majesty to send you off to Thonbor without a copper Th'rakken in your pocket, did you?"
"Actually, I hadn't thought about it," Jack admitted, somewhat mollified. Truthfully, though he now had a title and the beginnings of a Thonbor garrison, if he thought of his duchy at all it was as something far in the future. A future far beyond Graith and Bloodstones and war. "Ummm...when did this happen?"
"The same day you were ennobled," Arthol replied. "Theros graciously refunded all taxes paid by Duke Lyonell over the last ten years taxes and placed them into this account. He has also exempted Thonbor from all levies and collections for the next five years. If used wisely, these funds should keep you going until you can get your duchy its feet again."
"And just how much money are we talking about?" Braedan asked.
"That..." the count smiled, "is between you and the Officers at Gilliheu. But if I had to venture a guess? Thonbor, though a hard piece of ground, was one of the richest provinces of the kingdom under Duke Lyonell. I wouldn't be surprised to learn it is a tidy sum. Now if you gentlemen will excuse me, the king has called a meeting of his Council of Ministers. I was on my way to the palace when I was waylaid by Kirk here. Captain Vanar?"
"Your grace?"
"Do you know the House of Gilliheu?"
"I do."
"Would you mind escorting our good duke there and assisting him in making a withdrawal sufficient to cover any purchases he wishes to make?"
"It would be my pleasure." Kirk nodded.
"Excellent. Then I shall be off to the palace," Count Arthol said with a crisp bow. "Good day gentlemen."
"Well Kirk," Jack said as the count departed. "Shall we go and see what our host considers a tidy sum?"
"I think it’s capital idea," the young captain agreed.
"I thought you might. Meet me out front in say...oh, ten minutes?"
Jack changed quickly, being dressed only in a lounging robe, into his preferred attire of canvas trousers, cotton shirt, and sleeveless leather vest. After further consideration however, he removed the vest and shirt and donned a light-weight coat of Ithlemere, another gift from Thonicil, before re-dressing. Now was n
ot the time to get careless. It had been over a week since Valarius had disappeared, and though he was probably long departed from Brythond, there was no reason to believe he hadn't left behind a nest of vipers to continue his work. Whatever indignant protests of innocence Ambassador Hawthorne had proclaimed to Theros, the Doridanians had not forgotten about him either. That much was certain. With such thoughts, he also added Bkormar's dagger and his Dragon Guard sword to his ensemble.
Thus, armed and armored, he went down to meet Vanar.
Eaudreuil neighed happily as Jack appeared in the courtyard, prancing like a colt at the sight of his friend.
"So, you've finally decided to climb out of your sick bed?" the Val'anna teased playfully. "When will you learn fighting without me is bad for your health?"
"I promise it won't happen again," Jack said, taking the stallion's reigns from Kirk and leaping onto his broad back with little difficulty. Yes, his knee was coming along nicely.
"I've missed you Horse-brother," Eaudreuil beamed.
"Oh?" Jack raised an eyebrow. "Then you haven't been keeping company with a certain mare for the last week?"
“Sha'ra had been...diverting," the roan admitted.
"So, I've heard," Jack laughed. "Nicolas says you've been getting plenty of...ummm... exercise."
"A bit," Eaudreuil snorted, embarrassed by the turn of conversation.
Looking around, Jack was surprised to find only Brian and Michael with Captain Vanar. Usually when he saw one Golden Lion the others were not far.
"Where are the rest of the guys?" asked Jack.
"Eh?" Kirk stammered. The guardsman was so astounded by what he was seeing he'd missed the question. He'd heard wild tales from Count Arthol's stable boys about Duke Jack's ability to talk with the Val'anna, but until now had believed them just idle gossip. Even though he could only follow one end of the conversation, Vanar knew he was witnessing much more than comforting banter used by a horseman to calm his mount. "What did you say m'Lord?"
"Where are the rest of the guys?" Jack repeated.
"They...they're scouting out our route to the House of Gilliheu," the young captain replied. "Your grace, Can...can you actually talk to him?"
"Sure," Jack shrugged. "Though I would say argue with him is usually a better description. Don't you talk to Azaria? He's full of interesting ideas. Aren't you boy?" he said, reaching over to pat the black gelding's neck.
"Ideas?" Eaudreuil snorted. "If those flittering thoughts are ideas then I'm a..."
"Be nice," Jack admonished the Val'anna. "Azaria is sensitive for a war-horse. Now, what were we talking about Kirk? Oh yes. The lads scouting out our route. Do you think it necessary?"
"Vital," Vanar replied. "Valarius may be gone. Although it remains to be proven. But the Doridanians have not forgotten you are in Brythond." he said, echoing Jack's earlier thinking. "There are also others who would not be above arranging an...accident? Uthor Syrbanis for one. You certainly didn't make a friend of him when you chased him from your room at sword-point. He is only one of the nobles who were under consideration for the Duchy of Thonbor before you arrived. I can name seven...eight others who would kill for less."
"For a few Ithlemere mines?" Braedan asked with surprise, though he really shouldn't have been.
"There is also another reason," Michael replied.
"What other reason?" Braedan inquired.
"The Dragon Throne, of course," Vanar answered.
"As the Duke of Thonbor you are fifth in line of succession," Brian informed him.
"Excuse me?" Jack asked quietly.
"Surely you are aware of this m'Lord?" Vanar smiled. "After Prince Thonicil comes the king's brother Thaerlan, Prince of Thondil. Then comes Baerlon Tyr, the Duke of Cilidar, then you as Duke of Thonbor. After Princess Thessa delivers her babe you will of course fall to sixth, but until then... well. You really didn't know? After all the reading you've done in the last week?"
"I must have missed that somehow," Jack admitted.
"Your grace," Kirk smiled sympathetically, "I don't think you realize what you've gotten yourself into."
"Ambassador Thongril said exactly the same thing," Jack sighed. "I think I'm finally beginning to understand what he was hinting at."
The four horsemen set a leisurely pace through the city. It was a lovely spring day, there was a refreshing breeze blowing in from Lake Issa, and the streets were crowded with smiling, happy citizens rejoicing in their recently regained freedom from martial law. Like most of the people around him, this was the first time Jack had ventured outside in over a week and he was in no real hurry to reach the lending House of Gilliheu. To simply enjoy the open sky above him and to feel the comforting strength of Eaudreuil's broad back between his knees was a pleasure to be savored while it lasted. He had a feeling days like this would soon be a thing of the past.
It took the four the better part of an hour to make their way to the Circle of Services where the House of Gilliheu was located. The building they sought was a tall structure of marble and shining glass, nestled squarely in the heart of Brythond's financial district. Being one of the largest lending establishments in the kingdom, they found it surrounded by a frenzied crowd of merchants and bankers and accountants, all rushing to and fro, apparently determined to recoup in a few hours the business they'd lost during the week-long search for the traitor Th'lann. Ignoring the looks of in digitation they received as they forced their mounts through the bustling press of bodies, the four dismounted at the steps leading up to the entrance. Vanar instructed Brian and Michael to remain with the horses while he and Jack continued on.
There was a long line waiting admittance into the prestigious lending house, but Kirk used his captain's rank and a few well-placed elbows to work their way to the front. Finding a harried doorman, he informed the man Jack Braedan, his grace the Duke of Thonbor, required an immediate audience with an officer of the bank. The doorman looked skeptically at Jack, dressed as he was in his usual riding attire. Thankfully however, Vanar was in his freshly tailored captain's uniform. After a brief hesitation, the doorman bowed.
"This way sirs."
They followed him into a large, regally furnished anteroom where both men were politely asked to check their weapons before they were admitted into the main hall. Once inside, the House of Gilliheu resembled any large bank in America; marble floors, soft couches, potted plants and tellers behind mahogany counters. The only difference Jack could find between this lending house and the Bangor First National was the absence of security cameras, a Cappuccino machine and a current issue of Fortune 500 Magazine.
"Wait here please," the doorman instructed, and walked over to a nearby desk where a neatly dressed young man was pouring over a tall stack of ledgers. He spoke a few words then pointed to Jack and the young man sprang from his chair as if it had suddenly burst into flames.
"I am Richard de'Bracy," he bowed, rushing over to Braedan. "Junior Officer of the House of Gilliheu."
"Mister de'Bracy," Jack smiled. "I am..."
"Jack Hawkfinder. The Duke of Thonbor," the young man nodded excitedly. "I recognize you from father's description. Perhaps you remember him? Sir Bergen de'Bracy? You met him at the reception at the palace. "
"Of course," Jack lied. "Distinguished fellow? Graying slightly at the temples?" In truth, he would not have known Bergen de'Bracy if the man walked up this instant and kicked him in the shins. But his safe description fit half the people in attendance at his reception.
"That's father," de'Bracy laughed. "Though he would be mortified if you recalled him only by his graying hair."
"Then we won't mention it again," Jack smiled.
"What can I do for you your grace?" the young officer asked.
"I have recently learned our gracious king has made certain funds available to me in your house," Jack explained. "I was wondering if it might be possible to make a withdrawal."
"Of course," de'Bracy nodded. "I am responsible for the placement of new accounts into
our files, if they were deposited within the month your records should still be on my desk. If you will follow me?"
de'Bracy had two chairs brought out for Captain Vanar and Jack, and once they were seated, he began to search through the stacks of ledgers on his desk for Jack's file.
"Here it is," he smiled, locating it on the bottom of the first stack. "How much were you planning to withdraw?"
"I don't know," Jack shrugged. "It would be helpful if I knew the amount his majesty has placed at my disposal."
"Then let's find out, shall we?" de'Bracy said, breaking the seal on the ledger and running his finger down the column of figures. When he reached the bottom of the page, his eyes widened and he whistled quite unprofessionally.
"Well?" Jack smiled.
"Four hundred and fifty thousand Th'rakken," de'Bracy whispered. "Gold."
"Yh’s merciful throne!" Kirk gasped.
"So, a lot then?" Jack asked casually. Being a Braedan, he was no stranger to large amounts of money, judging from the look on the young officer's face however, the sum mentioned was considered extraordinary by the two men.
"I would not be surprised to learn yours is the largest account currently on deposit in our house," de'Bracy informed him.
"A tidy sum then?" Jack nodded. "What do you think Kirk? Will a thousand Th'rakken be enough?"
"A thousand?" Kirk gasped.
"Too much?"
"Unless you are planning to buy half the bazaar!"
"Your grace," de'Bracy said quickly, "that much gold...a thousand Th'rakken would be some-what cumbersome. Might I suggest say...two hundred?"
"Kirk?"
"Two hundred will be plenty m'Lord."
"Two hundred it is then," Jack nodded. "See to it Mister de'Bracy."
"It will take a few minutes to make the necessary arrangements," the young officer replied. "Would you care for some refreshments while I see to the paperwork?"
"Nothing for me thank you," Jack smiled. "Kirk?"
"Too early for wine?" his captain asked.
"We're fine Mister de'Bracy." Jack replied, much to Kirk’s disappointment.