“Watcher no. Not you again!” Gail’s exasperated cry drew Val’s eyes to him as he entered the room.
Val gave him no reaction, but Bastian, who was at his side, clapped the man warmly on the shoulder and said, “Come now, we were obviously no simple pilgrims. But a reintroduction is in order.” Clara followed the pair, her expression slightly overwhelmed at the change in circumstances.
Dorius sat, dressed in his slate and gold robes, with Val and Til’wane at each shoulder - battle axe and halberd relaxed. They had purchased most of the inn rooms in the town and were even offering pay to locals who had spaces where beds could be setup. Groups of Phoenix Company soldiers had already branched off in missions to neighboring towns within the Fourth Pentarchy to source traders to bring in extra food, supplies, surgeons, and laborers who would be willing to take temporary board and pay in anticipation of moving the majority of the Pilgrims to Kal’Fall. Work was hastened by the local knowledge the scouts who were sent ahead provided. As usual, Hart, Anette and Elias had made rapid work of Dorius’ requests.
This time, Gail and Clara were guests to Dorius’ domain. Bastian and a few riders had been sent for them and returned on talon steed to negotiate their cooperation for managing the pilgrim community. The Leaping Hare had been repurposed to a base of operations for the Company outside the Keep and Val and Til’wane had supervised the movement of Dorius, Elias and Anette in the early hours of the morning via carriage. They had no illusions that the Veridian were not watching their moves, but that did not mean they could be clumsy either.
The inn keep served alongside Dorius’ servants, bringing hot tea and wet towels to refresh their guests after the ride, Clara looking particularly shaken. Dorius gestured for them to sit, and Gail took the towel, wiping his hands and face with it and tossing it to the side of the table between them.
Bastian returned to Dorius' side of the room, taking a seat underneath Val, while Anette announced, “I present the Cinereal Dragon Prince, Dorius S’Dias,” and added for Clara’s benefit, “You may refer to him as Prince.”
“I apologize for our earlier deception, I think you can hazard some guesses as to why,” started Dorius, taking a tea for himself as a gesture that they should likewise feel free to drink in his company.
Bastian added, wiping his hands as well on a towel, “Snake camp was still in place this morning.”
Gail got straight to the point, “You think showing your power and influence might change things? Somehow get us to force the Vigilants to open the gate? I’ve met with many diplomats who thought the same these past few weeks and it has made no difference.”
Dorius smiled graciously, “I have already negotiated with the Vigilants terms to open the gate again. I’m seeking your cooperation to relieve the burden on High Haven until those terms can be completed.”
Gail was dumbstruck, and Clara’s eyes were suddenly wet with gratitude, her hands coming together.
Bastian continued, “We’ll need to move those who will accept our help here, starting with the most vulnerable. We can provide men and bulls, but you know the community best.”
“That will take a great deal of effort, Sir… Prince, I am not sure…” stumbled Clara.
Dorius cut her off looking at Gail, “No, it must be done if I am to help. I am a Prince of the Fourth Pentarchy and out of respect to your independence I will not interfere beyond our borders,” he softened his tone, “The nights are growing longer, we can offer better shelter than those hovels, and likely bring enough food in for three solid meals a day.”
Clara lowered her eyes, the exhaustion now her burden was to be lifted palpable, “We will accept your help then, I will do what I can to organize the community.”
Dorius nodded, and gestured to Anette, “This is Anette, my seneschal. She will help introduce you to the captains of the Phoenix Company in my service. They will let you know what they need. And I have a favor to ask?”
Clara rose and gave an awkward curtsey, “Anything, Prince.”
“Bastian had his bow looted from our belongings during… his stay. A heavy war bow, and his quiver. I’d like it returned, no questions asked. Just pass it along to the Company if you can find it.”
Bastian blinked and had no quick witted comment to make.
Gail watched suspiciously as Clara was escorted from the room, his eyes returning to Val and Til’wane just as often as he glanced between Dorius and Bastian. Dorius ignored his discomfort and pressed onwards, “I spoke with the General of the Ivory a little about our relationship but I would hear it from you, if you are willing?”
“Who do you represent?” asked Gail cautiously.
“The Fourth Pentarch. I was asked directly to resolve the closed diplomacy between us and your State…”
“I’ll speak plainer,” Gail interjected, “I am used to seeing the periphery of the political games the Pentarchy’s families all play. The constantly jostling of power and influence. The Free Mountain State doesn’t have time for it, we are not some puppet piece in your maneuvering. Unless I am speaking directly to those in White, I would be clear who I’m interacting with. So I’ll ask again who do you represent?”
Dorius raised an eyebrow, and took a sip from his tea thoughtfully. “You are aware what my title of Cinereal implies?’ he asked finally.
“I am aware the Pentarchs make a habit of designating the branches of their families by color, preferring reds and yellows for those closer to the line of succession. I have never met a branch designated as grey,” replied Gail, watching Dorius just as carefully.
“I am cut from the line of succession. My mother is passed and I have no sisters,” announced Dorius plainly, “It is of no benefit to me to play games, even within my own family. There is nothing to gain.”
Gail harrumphed, “They all have some story like that.”
Dorius tucked his hands into his robe, “I am sure. Then I’ll be frank. None of the other Pentarchs or their representatives have helped you before this. I have. None of the other Pentarchs have negotiated an end to the siege the Vigilants have imposed upon your people. I have. You’ll do me the favor then of assuming I come with goodwill.”
“I have no proof of this deal you made with the Vigilants,” replied Gail sharply.
“Don’t you?” asked Dorius, gesturing up at his Laon guard.
Gail narrowed his eyes, then heaved a sigh and rubbed his eyes, “Forgive me, it has been an exhausting couple of months. I will share my opinion as you wish…”
Gail was aware the Mountain State, and by extension he, had little influence politically. But their position central to the five families of the Pentarchy and housing the High Chapel of the Vigilants meant that their only service of value was their location as neutral territory and proximity to the Prime Vigilant. Service as host to diplomats and visitors was key to how they forged their survival as a Free State. The town and its people served as a place for meeting, discussion and news between the Pentarchs, and normally they had some representative of each Pentarch in residence at the Chapel or the quarters of the town reserved for diplomats. Where he could, Gail squeezed concessions in addition to pay - trade, resources, favors - it seemed a constant battle. As Gail spoke, Val felt a growing tension in her chest.
“It all came to a halt when the Carmine Snake broke into the Sacred Valley. I have never seen the Vigilants as angry as they were. They ousted all the diplomats and pilgrims alike, set a guard to the valley’s gate and played the bells for a full day and night as they shut everything down,” explained Gail, his face set grimly as he recounted the events.
Dorius’ eyes flashed with excitement, “The Carmine Prince was the one who broke the seal?”
Gail shrugged, more talkative now he had been warmed up and was finding a sympathetic ear for his towns trials, “He wasn’t even here as a diplomat, he entered with a pilgrim’s token like you. I suppose he did not like the conclusion of his pilgrimage and thought he might get better answers from the gods directly.”
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
Dorius looked across to Elias, “The Second Pentarchy’s Citrine is the younger brother of the Carmine?”
Elias nodded, Dorius withdrew his hands from his robe and sat forward, “Do you know why the Citrine Snake was camped with you for so long then?”
Gail seemed cautious again, “I had assumed to beg forgiveness from the Vigilants for his brother’s crime. Is it not related to the deal you struck with them?”
“Yes, it is related,” replied Dorius, but his mind was distracted, “Or at least, the Carmine's actions are related…”
“How have the other Pentarchs reacted to the closing of the gate?” asked Bastian, covering for Dorius.
“I’ve seen a constant stream of diplomats and representatives, I tell them to take it up with the Vigilants and most leave after a day or so of trying. You and the Citrine Snake are the only ones that have come in person.”
“Was it the Ivory from the Fourth?” prompted Bastian.
“Yes, at first, the Ivory General from the Fourth visited several times when the gate first closed. Since, we’ve had some pushy representatives from the Viridian Dragon too.”
Dorius' attention was snapped back to the conversation, “Since when?”
Aware now Gail was stepping too close to the reasons he originally did not want to talk to them, he hesitated, then merely finished, “Since shortly after the closure.”
Dorius stood, drawing a start from Gail. He drew away from the table and began to pace to one side of the room, his fingers massaging his forehead in thought.
Bastian followed Dorius with his eyes for a moment, then turned a smile on Gail, “You’ve been very helpful to us, we hope to repay you shortly by getting the Pilgrims’ moved. The Phoenix Company can take any message you’d like to send along.”
“Wait a minute, when will the gate open? When is this deal you’ve made to come about?” asked Gail, suddenly agitated at what was the beginning of a dismissal.
Dorius did not stop his pacing as he replied, “The terms of the deal will take some time for us to fulfill. I do not have a guaranteed timeline.”
Gail rose to his feet then, “What does that mean?”
Val cleared her throat, drawing Gail’s eyes to her and she met his back in warning. Bastian shot her a glance, a warning not to make things worse, and he soothed as best he could, “We guarantee we are working as fast as we can. The Phoenix Company are in the Prince’s direct employ, let me introduce you to some men who are trying to organize additional trade through Barth, you can let us know your most urgent needs…”
“That is not what you told me!” continued Gail, moving as if to confront Dorius. Both Val and Til’wane shifted, hands changing positions on their weapons. He paused, looking at them both apprehensively.
Dorius swung mid pace to look at the mayor, his face sympathetic, “I said I had negotiated terms only. I am sorry I can not do more for now.” He gestured towards the door making it clear the man was now dismissed.
With a glance at them all in turn, Gail left as bid, Bastian seeing him to the door and waving over an escort to see him from the inn.
The moment Dorius had privacy he continued his pacing. “Sylus has been here for months,” he speculated aloud, his voice breathy.
Bastian dropped into the chair where Gail had been sitting, arms stretched along the back, “You may have to catch me up on some details I’m missing?”
Dorius remained on his feet, tapping his forehead as he paced. Decision made he looked at Til’wane, “Guard the door for a moment. No one enters.”
With a conspiratorial look around the room, Dorius came to sit again while the Laon exited. Anette had not returned having gone with Clara so the only bodies that remained were Bastian, Dorius, Elias and Val. Dorius tented his hands, and drew a breath. “There is something catastrophic happening to the Second Pentarchy. My cousins know what it is and are keeping it a secret from the Pentarch,” he declared.
Elias frowned, and laid his staff across the table in front of them, “That is quite a conclusion.” Bastian was silent, but he crossed one of his legs to listen.
“Gail's story aligns with the Vigilants'. They told me that a pilgrim had come to them and found no satisfactory answer in their meeting with the Prime. In response, they broke the seal of the Sacred Valley. This is not what angered the Vigilants. What angered them, and forced them to shut the town in fear, is that this pilgrim went on to wake a god who slaughtered them in its waking.”
Bastian and Elias were both quick, their faces showing they reached the same conclusions.
“You think the Carmine Snake Prince is dead?” asked Elias.
“And his task so desperate he defied the Vigilants, woke a god that has slept for centuries a paid a terrible price for it. A task his brother has taken up now as well. What can it be other than something terrible?” added Dorius.
“And your cousins?”
Dorius rocked back in his seat, “This I am less certain on, but there is something strange in these events. When we were called to the Horned Palace, we knew the Carmine were in residence. What is more, there was an attempt on my life after my Uncle sent me on my way here. The method would suggest a similar origin to at least one previous, which suggests the operation of a unified guild. But Sylus was not at that meeting and likely did not dispatch that order. Even more significant, he has been here for months, likely before my Uncle even tasked me with this.” Dorius cocked his head, his mind working even as he spoke, “They may not have known of the previous, its clumsy how obvious it was.”
“Sylus is working with Synthias?” asked Bastian.
“And Sylus’ domain is the eastern territory including the border of the Second. If anyone knows what may be happening there it would be him. I suspect he has learnt whatever is occurring within the Second, and made a deal to draw some advantage from it with Synthias.”
Elias was grim, “What makes you think the Pentarch does not know?”
Dorius spread one hand, counting his points against his fingers as he spoke, “The timeline places Sylus here within weeks of the gate closing which indicates he has been monitoring at least the Second’s movements. While Uncle was aware the Mountain State had closed their gates, he was unaware Sylus was working on it, and what's more considered it meaningless enough to task to me. And we can assume my red cousins knew I was sent here and knew Sylus was already here. My involvement was likely against their wishes but they had way to dissuade the Pentarch that would not reveal they were keeping secrets. Desperate to avoid my interference before they lost me on the road, they may have dispatched an assassin in their service, granted through their new alliance with Sylus. Synthias likely did not know there had been a previous attempt to create a pattern, and I think it very likely now Sylus did not know they tried a second time. Otherwise it was a significant miss-step to so willingly reveal his alliance with it being such a recent and obvious connection.”
“Are you suggesting high treason on the part of your cousins?” asked Elias darkly.
Dorius covered his jaw with his hands, “I am not sure. At the moment I just speculate they are keeping secret something they hope to spin to their advantage. The movement of mercenaries and resources to the east has to be obvious enough that he would know…” Dorius trailed off, second guessing the thought even as he had it
“And the nature of this deal with the Vigilants?” asked Bastian, his golden eyes carefully watching Dorius.
Dorius sighed and rubbed his face with his hands, “I am to go and negotiate with this god… I am waiting on a guide of some form they will call down for us. We will need to return in only a few days.”
“The creature in the night?” asked Bastian looking at Val.
Val nodded, and explained for Elias, “I disturbed something in the night when we had an audience with the Vigilants. It had such… emotion, it could only be the terrible and sad god the Vigilants spoke of.”
“Disturbed?” clarified Elias.
“Val set things on fire,” quipped Bastian, dragging his collar open with one finger to meaningfully reveal his peeling skin. Val glowered at Bastian in response, and he gave her a wink.
Dorius kneaded his forehead, a melancholy mood coming on him, “We shouldn’t have antagonized Sylus yesterday…”
Bastian raised an eyebrow, “Yeah, no shit.”
“It is done,” commented Elias, “Fortunate that you must return to High Haven, the sooner we can make an excuse of it the better. We are in graver danger here than expected.”
There was a knock on the door. When Dorius did not respond, staring into space in front of him as his mind raced, so Val left her post to crack the door.
Til’wane inclined his head as he peaked in at her, “The seneschal has returned, she bought this,” and he handed her a wax sealed envelope through the door. Val turned it in her hands to look at the seal, four-horned dragon in gold wax, set with a verdant green ribbon. She nodded a thanks, and shut the door again, then tossed the envelope into the table between them for all to see.
Dorius stared at it a moment, then stretched a hesitant hand and broke the seal to read the message within.
“I've been invited to a formal dinner tonight,” was all he said.