“Pick. It. Up.” Lordling Parcel said, in the same way one threatens a dog after it has already eaten your food.

Twice the Servant Branch had been commanded.

Twice he had denied the request.

"Branch!" the Glasbin fae ordered. Why was he so worried?

Daniel observed Glasbin.

Ah.

This was the second attack by the Surmount Butler. It made sense, why else would a Sky Court Lordlings be attending what must be a rather sensitive meeting of the Friggans of the Mist Court and several key Wizard factions? The Surmount Butler could have colluded with Lordling Parcel or even the main force behind the Sky Court.

Clearly, the Surmount Butler was allied to a different O'Tells Lord than the one hosting this event. Infighting was the expected outcome, but if the Servants began acting against Lords...

That often ended poorly for the Servant. No matter how much the lord values the servant, there was hardly a single lord who would see his base of power be destroyed rather than...retire their servant, or allow their feuding rival the opportunity to remove that servant.

Whatever blackmail the Surmount Butler possessed must be very critical and damning indeed. Either that, or he was a spymaster and allowed certain privileges.

Surmount Butler and the Sky Court were allied then. This meant there was at least one O'Tells Lord allied with the Walsa Alliance.

Daniel felt his head hurt as he struggled with the implications. The O'Tells House may be headed to civil war.

This meant that Lordling Parcel was the main threat. The second attack was often the most difficult to avoid. The first was the doorknob, and the third was no doubt planned and ready to enact, but could Daniel avoid this conflict without bringing the hall into chaos...A hex on a door was a pale comparison to ruining the beginning talks of a budding relationship between these new, and untried allies.

The Glasbin fae must know that this was a scheme, but one that he was afraid of being caught in the backlash.

Perhaps the Glasbin fae was not so willing to go against Daniel but had similarly been ordered...

Interesting.

Or the Glasbin fae had been hoping that Daniel would touch the hex, unravel it, and then not have to go through whatever second scheme concocted by the Surmount Butler...

The Surmount Butler had arranged chaos with Lordling Parcel. Servant Branch was too small to ever overcome it.

But Daniel, the True Named former Heirling? Perhaps he had a chance.

“Pick. It. Up.” Lordling Parcel said, the third time.

The binding on Daniel was enacted, especially since he had made the guest speak their demands three times. The twisting of the binding hurt him.

What to do? How to avoid a fight? Elswith had no love lost with the Sword Faction, and the Wizard Alliance was always...interesting, the Mist Court had good relations with Elswith. He hoped to see it prosper.

What did he really know of Lordling Parcel? Very little....once talented...excellent seat during Griffin riding...lazy...romantic interest with Silvia, which her court denied due to Lordling Parcel's poor standing...

Ah. Daniel saw a sliver of a path forward.

He could do little to stop this...but he knew enough to at least temporarily halt the conflict.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

He would just have to pick up the handkerchief. He didn't want to. He hated bending the knee. But this was a part of himself he could break. It wouldn't be enough to cease the conflict, but the words that he would speak would do...something. Hopefully, make Parcel rage, change career paths and try the role of Servant, and reach for the doorknob and activate the hex. Parcel would disrupt the meeting, but a Lordling being rude and loud was something all at the Citadel had come to expect in some way.

If not for the misdeed of the hex on the doorknob, Servant Branch would have been too tightly bonded to answer as he needed. The hex had created just enough space for him to do as he needed.

“This servant thanks you for such clear instructions,” Daniel said, his words smooth despite himself. The former Lordling Heirling of the Red Sword bent and collected the loose handkerchief. He felt the muscles in his jaw twitch, but he schooled his face.

As his fingers collected the handkerchief, the Servant Branch paused, deliberately, by Lordling Parcel’s shoes. “My Good Lordling, might this one suggest avoiding the area near the bog leaf plants?” He saw nothing, of course. The shoes were clean. But Lordling Parcel reacted anyway.

Daniel's bluff was not caught.

“Stop talking nonsense!” Lordling Parcel ordered sharply.

Daniel straightened and offered the handkerchief.

The bluff was a simple one, one designed to separate Lordling Parcel from his Circle.

Last year Silvia had rejected Parcel’s suite of a marriage alliance. Daniel was bemused, either the romantic feelings had gone both ways, or Parcel had haunted the land near her dwelling again.

“I only comment that you should wash that out. Stains very badly. Lordling Silvia, you live near the bog leaf plants. Perhaps your valet may lend some knowledge to Lordling Parcel’s valet.”

Given Silvia’s face, Parcel was in the latter category again. “Lordling Parcel, I told you that my parents insist that I focus on growing my influence and improving my use of authority before serious marriage alliances are discussed! Stop stalking my land.” She lifted her chin. “I’m starting to think the alliance you offered is for my land, rather than me.”

Daniel was bluffing. But was it bluffing when one knew one's enemy was a hopeless romantic? And it seemed, even if he was not correct, it was plausible. And he knew these people, and he knew that even if he was a little correct, Parcel’s reaction would condemn himself.

The Law of Fae became thick in the air. The various Lordlings no doubt were under compulsions by their various Courts, Houses, or Elders, to prevent the continued attempted union of Parcel and Silvia.

Silvia stood straight, and her hand fell to where her sword would normally rest. Anger, embarrassment, shame...

Oh, she had known that Lordling Parcel was there but wished for deniability. Perhaps they met up there.

She could not reveal this information either.

If Daniel gave them a minute to catch their breath, they would realize the nature of the bluff.

Best to keep pushing forward then.

"Lordling Silvia, do your Lordly parents approve of your growth? This humble servant has heard that you have been practicing alone in the forest. Surely you must have seen large improvements...."

"Leave her out of this."

"Lordling Parcel, you don't have to defend me. It makes it seem as though I am not capable of handling the Servant class."

Compulsions are tricky things to avoid. Also called geis. Like bindings, but with no pain, it was basically a promise of a set of behaviors or conditions. Silvia and Parcel, and to some extent the entire circle, were purposefully ignoring the orders to ban the relationship.

“Elswith is being duplicitous." Lordling Parcel said evasively. "He is gambling again."

Lordling Silvia crossed her arms. If Daniel remembered correctly, she was kind but very very proud. Hopefully, that had not changed. “Perhaps I should have Elswi….this servant eat with us and leave you out here to open doors. Won’t you eat with us?” she said, looking at Daniel at that moment as an equal.

"Lordling Parcel can attempt to open the door, but it is very difficult. This Servant doubts he has the skill." If Lordling Parcel opened the door, the hex would go off. A lordling could stand to the disruption better than a servant, after all.

Everything had been going well so far, following along with his designs. But Lordling Parcel did not move to open the door. No helping it then, Daniel mused. He had to keep the pressure up between the individual members of this Circle. “Apologies, good Lordling Silvia. This servant has a strict duty today.” Lordling Silvia appreciated order being maintained, especially where it regarded her.

What he said pleased her, and Lordling Parcel was still clearly in her disfavor. She nodded. “Next time, then. I will speak compliments of your service to the house. You do it credit. More than some people.” She glared at Lordling Parcel and sauntered through the door into the meeting beyond.

The other Lordlings followed her, leaving Lordling Parcel behind.

Daniel felt relief wash over him. The worst of it is over. Whatever trouble Lordling Parcel had planned seemed momentarily abandoned. If he caused trouble now, he may suffer further consequences within his own Circle. A Circle of Lordlings causing trouble would be forgivable. But a singular Lordling...Former Lordling Elswith would testify that it had very far-reaching consequences.

But Servant Branch had over-spoken. The Law of Fae would allow some small retribution. And what a Lordling considered small could be enough to crush a servant.