A loud snapping of fractured, white hot kindling broke the silence between the two men. Perry sat in his chair; he used an iron rod to stoke the flame that sat within a basin of cast iron.
“And you are certain?”
“Absolutely,” Rothwell said with a determined look.
“You trust this man Julius?”
“I do.”
Perry stabbed into the burning wood as he thought.
“Zorren sends a company to Viemen with orders to kill? I cannot say that I am surprised.”
“The men were sent to ensure that we would fail. I am certain of it.”
“To what end?” Perry asked as he put down the poker. “I share your apprehension of Zorren, believe me I do, but what benefit would razing Viemen bring him?”
“I suspect that he and Frederick are scheming together.”
Perry shot Rothwell a piercing look.
“What makes you think such things?”
“A few months ago, I was visited out of the blue by Zorren and Duke Allan Munzhaler. And they visited Frederick’s manor twice on that same day”
“What were they discussing?”
Rothwell shook his head.
“I do not know, but Zorren’s intention was clear to me. He was making a choice between Frederick and I.”
“Who is more useful?” Perry guessed.
Rothwell nodded.
“And,” he added, leaning back into the chair, “I guess he made his choice.”
“And that is why you felt so strongly to speak ill of Lord Viemen in front of the others?” Perry asked with a raised eyebrow.
Rothwell’s expression soured.
“He did abandon this town, no matter how you might try and sway it. He is a spoiled brat who has always coveted more than he is owed or has any right to govern!”
“Relax, Julian. I do not disagree.”
“Then we must act!”
Perry remained silent at this outburst.
“If Zorren is taking such bold military action against Viemen, then we cannot sit here and do nothing. Frederick is still nowhere to be found. Zorren moved him to safety and sent in his armies to subjugate us, Perry! You must understand this!”
Perry sighed loudly.
“If Zorren wished to subjugate Viemen he would send more than Millner and his men.”
“He was scared of the dragon, Perry. And rightfully so! No one could have predicted that you and that Elfkin— ”
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
“Telhari.”
Rothwell caught himself.
“No one could have predicted that you and Telhari would have actually felled the beast. There has been no communication into or out of Viemen that I am aware of since the attack. It is likely that those in Eadenfros have no idea of what has happened. For all they know, you and I are both dead and Millner’s men have seized control.”
“The Archduke Finch visited with a company of men this morning. The Advisorship is set to meet after his return. We should expect to hear from them soon…” Perry finished as he folded his arms across his chest.
Rothwell relaxed back into his chair.
“Julius’ men have reported movement in Riverden. A rider left for the north at dawn this morning and should reach Eadenfros by tomorrow afternoon.”
“And what of the blockade?”
“It still stands.”
“Good. Let us focus on rebuilding, then.”
Rothwell gave Perry a frustrated look.
“Perry…When Eadenfros becomes aware of this, there will be nowhere to hide.”
Perry ignored him as he picked up the metal poker and stoked the flame once more.
Rothwell sat forward in his chair as his frustration continued to grow.
“They will not stand idly by, Perry! Zorren and the Advisorship will not allow a single man — let alone their enemy— to posses a weapon powerful enough to kill such a creature!”
“Telhari is not a weapon, Julian.”
“They will not see it that way! You may have forgotten how the aristocracy views the world but I—”
“I have not forgotten!”
“Then why? Why do you refuse to act!?”
“If I play their game…I am no better than them.”
“And if you don’t, you will lose.”
Perry turned from Rothwell and faced the fire.
It was soothing.
A simple thing, which lived for a simple purpose and obeyed simple laws. If you touch it, you burn. If you feed it, it grows. If you smother it, it dies.
Simple.
Unlike so many other things in this world.
“Let us work together, Perry,” Rothwell insisted. “You needn’t do anything beyond what you are already keen to do. Continue to lead your men— to be the hero that the people of Viemen know you to be. Your power, influence and strength alone are enough. Those unsightly things which must be undertaken in the shadows, allow me to enact them.”
Perry said nothing as he raised his head directly toward Rothwell.
Try as he might, he would not escape Perry’s scrutiny. For even though Perry was reluctant to partake in the business of his social contemporaries, he was nonetheless privy to the foul stench of its machinations.
“What exactly is it that you plan to do?”
“Zorren’s desperation is telling,” Julian began, “But the fact that he has begun to align himself with nobility like Frederick tells us that he is eager to begin his plans— whatever they may be.”
“Plans that involve Viemen?”
Rothwell nodded.
“Zorren made threats in our meeting to depose me. As it stands, Viemen’s resources are divided chiefly between you, the Marquess, and myself. Neither you nor I can stand that man, and so Frederick is his only option. If Zorren wishes to gain control of Viemen he will need to see us eliminated.”
Rothwell was speaking truth, that much Perry could confirm. Though, he could not tell Rothwell of his true history with Zorren, nor the business of his secret council.
“When news breaks of what took place here,” Perry started, “All eyes will be on Viemen and the Starspawn. It will be impossible for Zorren to take action right away.”
“And it will certainly disrupt his plans,” Rothwell added with a conniving grin. “Our best course of action is to have the Starspawn and Sir Perry Mannigold become so influential that you cannot be trifled with by the likes of Zorren.”
Perry laughed at the irony.
Rothwell stared blankly back at him.
“What is it?”
“It would appear that I have no choice after all,” Perry said as he shook his head.
Rothwell was not sure what Perry was referring to, but he accepted his answer all the same.
“We are in agreement then?” Rothwell asked cautiously.
Perry nodded as he spoke.
“Together we will find out what Zorren is planning and bring it to an end.”