Cykrus Aventia was seated in his study, to his side was a green stained-glass window, that let in just enough light for him to look through the letter he was holding in his hands, carefully reading it over and over.
It was sent by none other than His Royal Highness Lysander Van Tale, and as Vivienne had predicted, it was an invitation for an audience in the capital-city, the meeting was set a month apart from the battle he held with the Ironhoof family, a date which was just around the corner.
According to the letter someone would come to escort him, just like during the leadup to the competition, only this time those sent would not be protecting him but watching to make sure that he could not run away.
The wording of the letter made it clear that this invitation could not be declined, so the treasonous words he had spoken during his duel had certainly reached the kings ears, but since he wasn’t instantly declared an enemy and hunted down, there was seemingly room for negotiation.
His fingers were tapping against his desk, it was the only noise within the room, aside from his breathing.
“There is no turning back. Your dream isn’t achieved so easily...”
Then someone knocked against his room’s door, “My lord.” a muffled voice came from the other side.
Cykrus folded the letter in his hands, then picked up the envelope that wore the royal insignia and stuffed it back inside.
He set it down on the desk and stood up from his chair, “My escorts have arrived then?” he guessed while walking over and pulling the handle.
But instead, he looked upon one of his guards, and behind him was one of his generals, “My lord, a moment of your time, if I may?” he courteously asked.
Cykrus first turned to the guard, “The guests have not arrived yet?”
The man shook his head, “None so far.”
“Very well, you may enter.” Cykrus followed up.
The guard returned to his post, while Cykrus and the general re-entered the study, “My lord, I was sent to report the developments of our efforts.”
“Mhm.” Cykrus mused while taking a seat.
The general nodded, “We were able to crack down on several nobles who had been catering to the interests of the Ironhoof family, four out of five had also been accepting bribery, all of them were apprehended, and their assets seized, totalling several thousand gold coins, a written report will follow.”
“Well done.” Cykrus interjected.
“Thank you, my lord. After word of your fight with the Ironhoof family spread we were also able to note an increase in requests for citizenship, both within our capital but also in the outskirts. The patrolling squads across our land also wished to inform us of an influx of undocumented workers and villagers-”
Cykrus interrupted him, “That is fine, this much is expected. Make sure that everyone goes through the official procedures to acquire their citizenship. I want accurate numbers, coordinate with the village chiefs and ensure that they have enough funding to build new homes and set up workplaces, make use of the funding those nobles donated to us.”
“Of course. The extent of banditry in our territory has plummeted, dissidents have also become fewer, and even those have become more manageable with the threat of your wrath. The revelation of your rank was truly a blessing for all of us.” the general said.
“Additionally, we have received some letters from other families congratulating you on your breakthrough, Baron Beckett among them, and also several letters from unaffiliated mages, stating their interest in joining our forces to bolster Aventia, most were rank one, however some were also of rank two. All of them are currently under investigation, and will, thereafter, be brought before you to receive the final verdict.”
Cykrus folded his hands, “Have copies delivered to me, I am sure that we can weed out some before needing to investigate at all. We are no longer in such dire need, that we would have to accept just about anyone.”
“I will instruct my men accordingly.” the general bowed deeply, he was born within Aventia, his own father had served the previous head of the Aventia family, and though they weren’t his own achievements, he was extremely proud of Aventia and what it was becoming.
Rumours had it that Aventia was a doomed family, but all those could now be disregarded, as the family had returned to a golden age with two rank three mages at its helm!
“Before you go, are there any news about Agnes?” Cykrus sharpened his gaze, but the general ruefully shook his head, “I am afraid there is nothing new about Lady Agnes, she is still in her ‘closed door cultivation’, we are periodically sending meals to her, and empty plates are returned to us, so at the very least she is alive.”
Cykrus looked at the ceiling, “I guess no news is good news. Inform me once she leaves her quarters.”
“Understood!” the man affirmed, then left the study.
Cykrus rubbed his chin, “Rank three mages naturally draw in humans, their lands are usually safe havens, but Aventia isn’t large enough to contain big streams. Expanding will prove troublesome without enough manpower to quell rebellions and uprisings, no matter how weak the Ironhoofs have become, we’d be spreading too thin... Vivienne’s offer, no, I cannot accept it.” he frowned, relying on someone else wasn’t his style, but the greater issue was the potential unrest them allying would cause across the families.
Four rank three mages were enough to make anyone sweat and become wary of this newly formed threat, at least if Daren were to return alive.
But another knock on his door pulled him out of his thoughts, he got up again and peeked his head out of the entrance of his study, the guard was back, “I’m assuming my escorts have arrived, yes?” Cykrus lightly smiled at him.
The guard smiled in return, “Uh, no, my lord... Priest Simerlin is waiting outside, he is requesting to meet with you, he mentioned something about having made a deal with you. Should I... send him away?”
Cykrus scratched his head, he had nearly forgotten about that matter, “Send him in, alone, we are not to be disturbed.” lest someone overhears their conversation, and things get out of hand.
“Yes, my lord.” the guard saluted, then returned down the hallway.
Cykrus grabbed a heap of papers and repositioned them onto another table, freeing up a second chair in the process, which he placed on the opposite side of his desk, before sitting down on his own.
A few minutes later the door swung open, and the priest, wearing a gold, red, and white gown stepped inside, closing the door behind himself, “Lord Cykrus, always a pleasure to see you.” Simerlin wore a wide grin.
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“It’s been a while, Simerlin, have a seat, how have you been?” Cykrus indulged in some small talk.
“Great! Truly wonderful, even better after hearing the news about you, haha!” he burst out.
Cykrus sighed, “Cutting right to the chase then.”
“Of course, we both aren’t the type to beat around the bush. You promised me support when you reach rank three.” Simerlin squinted his eyes, “I think that condition has been met. Or were you thinking of going back on your words?”
Cykrus looked him dead in the eye, that thought did cross his mind, but it was enough to offend the royal family, becoming enemies with the church on top would not end well, “Don’t worry, I wasn’t planning to. But nonetheless you are putting me in a tough position, joining the church’s infighting, I have more to lose than I stand to gain.”
Simerlin nodded, “I understand you and your situation quite well.” he said while pointing at the letter bearing the royal crest on his desk, “I ask that you at least hear me out before making up your mind.”
“You seem to have a lot of eyes and ears. Go on.” Cykrus waved his hand through the air.
Simerlin showed a fully blown smile, “You are overestimating the danger of what I require of you, all that I need is for you to escort me to meet a priest in service of the main church in Astafor, I can handle the rest by myself.”
Cykrus’ brows furrowed, “You are leaving out too many details, what exactly do you plan to do with this priest once you are alone, surely whatever you do will implicate me. And why would you need a rank three mage to escort you into the church, aren’t you one of its members? Wouldn't you get by more easily without me tagging along?”
Simerlin chuckled, “As I said, you worry too much. I will just be having a little chat with that priest, I assure you that there will be no repercussions for you there. In fact, said priest is no major figure, their might is nothing you need to concern yourself with. About why I need a rank three mage with me... let’s call it a diversion tactic.”
As he heard Cykrus’ grumbling he hastily continued, “One more thing, although we made a deal beforehand, to which I am currently enforcing my end of the bargain, it’s not like our cooperation needs to end after this.”
“Ho?” Simerlin’s words caught his attention again.
“I have to admit, a little birdie told me that Aventia will soon be undergoing major redevelopments due to your victory against the despicable Ironhoof family, and that birdie also mentioned that you would be facing a dilemma, a small crisis if you will.” Simerlin continued.
Cykrus raised his eyebrow.
“Overpopulation is quite the thing, there is a need to create shelter, to provide clothing, work, and most importantly... food. Aventia isn’t big, and neither is it rich in farmland, where will you be taking these rations from?"
“Ap-ap-ap! Don’t answer that.” he raised his hands before Cykrus could make a peep.
“Those rations won’t be free, and you’ll have to juggle import and export, and I promise you, Aventia does not have enough valuable goods to export for now, to overcome this.”
He inhaled, “Here is my proposition... I do not know what you think of the church, and neither do I care, it doesn’t matter to me if you believe in the gods, and neither does it to the pope, but what matters is that we can both benefit off of the other. Give it some thought, what does the church have in overflow? Manpower, in masses, and willing to aid whichever goal their higher-ups desire of them.”
Cykrus eyes widened a bit.
“I assure you, that I can support you in invading the land of the Ironhoofs, and through the reputation of the church I bring along, there will be no one to intervene, for we have a righteous purpose, to liberate the populace that is suffering from their inept leadership.” Simerlin beamed.
“My followers will take over the towns and rein in the citizens, then we can slowly integrate them into your rule. All that, and the only thing you need to do is escort me to a single meeting... Of course, there may come a time in the future when I need to rely on you again, but I truly believe that we can have a mutually beneficial relation.” he concluded his speech, awaiting Cykrus’ response with bated breath.
Cykrus closed his eyes, he allowed the words he had just heard to take up the entirety of his mind, mulling over every bit of information he had just been given, and weighing the options he was presented with.
When he reopened them, they looked almost firm, “I must applaud you, there are few individuals that ever stood before me with a proposition and made me waver with their reasoning.”
“You are too kind, it is natural for a priest to pray to his gods with a golden tongue, and to speak to his fellow mortals with a silver tongue.” Simerlin’s smile looked truly genuine, it was an expression he wore nearly all of the time.
Cykrus rested his chin on the arch of his folded hands, “A silver tongue... you must have been a merchant in your previous lifetime, my good priest, but there is one thing that I do not understand... where exactly will you take all of these followers from? As of now you are no more than the local priest of a small family’s territory, I find it hard to imagine how that could change as quickly as you describe it.”
Simerlin bobbed his head up and down, “Let’s call it a... divine revelation, the gods have smiled down upon me and graced me with an outlook of a bright future.”
Cykrus blinked several times, “You... are not expecting me to believe that, right?”
Simerlin shrugged, “As I’ve said, it matters not whether you believe in the gods and their miracles, for your faith has no influence on the outcome.”
The two stared at each other in silence, the tension in the air was malleable.
Simerlin rose to his feet, “It’s fine if you need to ponder over this matter, I only ask that you reach out to me once you’ve decided, in the event that I must consult and employ someone else.” he reached for the door’s handle but halted.
“I hate gambling, I don’t appreciate being put on the spot either, but this once, I shall make an exception. Simerlin, I agree to your proposal. Coincidentally, I will soon be departing for Astafor-” the lord of Aventia spoke to the priest’s turned back.
Simerlin’s eyes lit up, “Then may we meet in the royal capital. I have much to prepare, farewell Lord Cykrus.” he left feeling pleased, Cykrus not so much.
This uncertainty could spell the end of him and all of Aventia, but on the other side of the coin was an unimaginable amount of growth that could help him and his land to be catapulted into an even stronger state, where he would no longer have to play the role of the oppressed, but stand firm with unshakeable borders!
It was a small but crucial step that would help him escape the royal family’s grasp and move towards true and unfettered freedom.
The greater the risk, the greater the reward, now it was up to his meeting with His Majesty to determine if that growth would ever come to pass or not, but yet another knock pulled his attention to his study’s door.
He scowled and trotted to the door, pulling it open with force, “What is it now?”
The same guard was standing before him, his head was lowered, and he tried to make himself as small as possible, “Forgive me for disturbing you...”
“If it's another visitor, send them away, I’ve had enough for one day.” Cykrus sighed, he was exhausted and accidentally took it out on the guard.
The guard gulped, “My lord, uhm, he has already been taken to the guest hall and is being served wine.” he lifted his palm, at the centre of which was a small token.
“What?! Whoever gave that order-!” Cykrus’ sight fell onto the token, “...deserves a raise! I will go and personally welcome our guest, have my study locked.”
The guard made way while Cykrus rushed off with the token, quickly walking through the halls to reach the important person carrying the insignia of the royal family.
The maids bowed as he passed them in a hurry, then he barged into the guest hall, where the headmaid Lena was sipping a dark purple liquor with a man slightly older than himself, “Excuse me for making you wait.” Cykrus spoke, yet unable to recognise who he was dealing with.
“No need to worry Lord Aventia, good wine and a beautiful woman to keep me company are more than enough to make time fly.” the man winked at Lena, then turned to face him...
“Duke Monotay? Welcome to Aventia.” Cykrus cupped his fist and bowed lightly, “What brings someone as busy as you out here?” he was baffled.
“Why of course, I was chosen to escort you. Not just anyone is qualified for such a task, and to be honest, I am not as busy as you might be expecting, you know, since the competition, where I was put in charge of, failed miserably... I am terribly sorry about your disciple.” Duke Monotay bowed deeply.
Cykrus was caught by surprise, the failure of the competition may have had partially to do with his and His Majesty’s error in judgement, but he never expected an apology... was this a perk of his new strength?
That people could walk all over him while he was rank two, but they now showed him some level of respect?
“Please rise, and don’t pronounce my disciple dead until we have found his body. I am sure that His Highness is making you all work day and night to rectify that mistake, for the sake of the families and all their offspring.” Cykrus wasn’t particularly bothered, rather, it was all the other families that now had grievances with the royal family for taking their most promising and heavily invested mages, some even speculated that this was a calculated move to supress them.
Cykrus cleared his throat, “I am sure that you must be tired from your journey, would you like to rest, and depart tomorrow?”
“Thank you, but as much as I would love to indulge myself, I cannot afford to disappoint His Majesty and return later than announced.” Duke Monotay kindly refused.
Cykrus nodded in understanding, “Very well, then let us be off.”