I followed Tracey as we made our way to his private room and sat in his lounge. He luxuriated on a pillowy couch with a sloshing goblet of wine. Sinking down into comfort he pulled his feet up kicking off his shoes. “Much better.”
I made my way to an accompanying chair and sat myself down carefully before crossing my legs and gently swirled the wine in my goblet. “I’m glad we can relax in comfort. Your furniture is exquisite. I’m sure the Ursal family has taken good care of you over the years.”
Waving a hand Tracey sipped at his goblet and sighed, “The late Duke appreciated me a lot more than his son does. I tried my best to educate the young man but the need for a representative here in the capital was more important. How was the young Ursal when you were at the estate? I know it is a little lesser than this place but I haven’t heard an update in a few weeks.”
Wetting my mouth with wine I debated on how I would answer that question. “The Duke seemed well. His mother was a bit doting on him but what can one expect from a grieving wife and mother. Manners were impeccable, something rather important for the court of the king when the time comes. I was surprised how good his penmanship was when he wrote my letter of recommendation. His movements were sure in a way I wouldn’t expect from someone so young to accomplish.” I paused to bring the drink to my lips but I only mimed having another drink.
Tracey spoke after taking a long drink, “I worry the boy will be too naive to run the family. I was hoping his father would have left me in charge of the house until he became of full age to run it. However, such things are out of my control. I can only make sure that we get the better end of arrangements and secure the future of the duchy.”
“You were telling me that you were securing more arms and armor for the Ursal family. Does it have a strong enough standing force or will they be forced to pull all the men to levies?” I had to plumb for as much information as I could if I wanted to fully understand the motivations of this man. He seemed more taken with the idea of running the house than of looking out for the Duke’s needs.
“Oh I’ve seen to purchasing many groups of soldiers from the peaceful northern duchies. They don’t have anyone to compete with but each other. I did have to promise a few things. Nothing of too much consequence in the long term. Did you know the Duke had many daughters and only one son. He spent a good amount of time strengthening the bonds he had with other families with the marriage of children.” He went to drink more wine but had none left in his cup.
Tracey couldn’t reach the wine pitcher and I stepped up to refill his cup. The looser he was with information the better. Wine had its peculiar way of loosening lips. Much like pillow talk did. Sitting back down I motioned for him to continue.
“Yes, his wife carried quite a few daughters into this world. The man doted on each one. I’m sure their spoiled nature hasn’t done much for their marriages to other households. They probably expect the world to be handed to them on silver platters.”
“Oh they can’t be that bad Tracey. I’m sure they know their wifely duties in this world.”
The man huffed, “It would be better if they produced children. I’ve received several complaints that the women seem to have trouble conceiving children, I assured them it was only due to their youth. That in time their bodies would be ready. Two of the three haven’t even had their first blood and the ceremonies of marriage haven’t been completed so sometimes they feel that they are more hostage then potential bearers of the next in line.” Tracey shifted down on his couch a little more as his eyes seemed to wander off. “I worry for the Ursal house. I should be its leader in this time of need. I petitioned the Duke to let me make some more decisions on his behalf. For him to surrender some of his power to me until his fourteenth birthday. I’m sure his mother is the one stopping the decisions though.”
“Pretty bold to try and do such a thing. I’m not sure if any of the houses would go for that. I’m sure that you have the skills for it. What is your lineage? You seem to have all the skills in trading and making arrangements.” I bit off the desire to tell him his manners needed improving. That he was pushing his power as a consultant to someone of noble birth.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
“My family has served the Ursal’s as head of trade for years. I was the first that was seen as smart enough to ascend to something greater in life. I won’t be the last if my children get their act together. My wife has been refusing to bear another child. Somehow she confounds me despite all my attempts as siring more. I’m sure its some witchcraft of some kind. Or she prays to Meldred to make her womb barren. Who knows?” The man gulped more wine.
I wondered what he would do if he sired a bastard with the cook. He wasn’t of full noble birth so it might not be as scandalous. To reveal that now would be to give away some hidden card in a game. “Have you been sending updates with the going ons of the court to the Duke? He seemed to not be bothered much.”
Waving a hand Tracey wafted my words away like one would do with bad gas. “Why bother the young man with things he can’t control? It would better serve him if I did as much as possible to take it off his plate and provide the realm with more goods and troops. I’m sure that he knows of the war though. I did send word of that.”
More information that I needed to confirm but how would I go about accomplishing that if I didn’t know the code. What could I do to see if this man knew the code before I tried to get him into a drunk enough stupor to fall asleep on the couch and give me access to his memories. As I was lost in thought he stood up and made his way over to the rope and pulled it several times before returning to his couch.
“I am surprised that he sent a foot messenger and not a pigeon to me though. The letter he wrote seemed like it had little information in it from what I could tell. You were right about his penmanship though. It has improved greatly in the last few months. I can only imagine how much parchment and ink he must have gone through to accomplish it.”
I cursed myself deep down for not looking at each of the letters and resealing them. I could have figured out if they were in code even if I didn’t know it. It would’ve confirmed that he knew that it was. The head servant stepped into the room as I kept silent.
“You rang master Ermine?” The man said as he bowed at the waist.
Tracey let the air linger in silence for a heartbeat as if he forgot that he had sent a summons to the house. “Ah yes, I was hoping you could send someone to prepare a bath for me. I’ve had a long day and a soak in the hot water would do me some good. Also, send someone to rub my shoulders for me. I’m awfully tense after signing some trade treaties.”
“Your will be done.”
The interruption seemed to derail Tracey to the point he didn’t know where or what he was talking about. I saw an opportunity. “Maybe you could help me send a message to him? I wanted to update him on my travels in a few days. Of the people I would praise that serve him in the cities. I was met with such hospitality that some of the cities almost made me want to stay if not for the messages I carried in his name. Also I have some letters for other houses as well that I must deliver.”
“I’ve no desire to help write any missives to be sent via pigeon. It is such a pain to write so small that you can barely fit much at all. Blaster birds aren’t as good as horse riders. I’m rather surprised he sent someone on foot through the lands with letters. They can’t be of much importance if that is the case.”
I sighed in thought, “What do you do if there are sensitive things to tell the duke? I’m sure there are some pieces of news that are best kept hidden, aren't there?” I had to be brazen at this moment and hope the wine had done its job.
Without pause he replied, “There is but it is such a hassle to make it look seamless. Stacking letters and using code words is such a pain in my arse.”
He did know the code. The servants weren’t sending me on a goose chase through the ramblings of old men writing in journals. I would have to keep the clue, stacking letters. Finding out what code words could mean. Maybe if I looked at more of a volume of examples instead of trying to break down a single page I could piece something together.
Tracey let out a large yawn and set his goblet down on the floor. “The days are getting longer it seems. I wish my family would come and visit but they refused to follow my summons. I’m sure it is some blasted way my wife is getting back at me.”
Some kernel of curiosity burned in my mind at that moment. “That seems strange. I don’t know many people that would not hear back from their family. Have you received anything back from them? Something to the effect that they wouldn’t be coming to see you?”
“My wife has never been the best at communicating with me. I’ve sent her updates and calls for her to make so that we remain in good standing. She is quite the socialite and is good at making sure the wives of other houses follow through with their offers.” There seemed to be a loneliness in his and I understood more of why he was seeking comfort in another woman’s arms. “Just wish I could see my eldest some more. I fear he is not getting the best education and that his mother is pouring honeyed venom about me into his ear.”
I started to make a list in my head of the things I needed to accomplish. One, break the code so that I could write a proper message to the Duke. The warning the servants spoke of that people were being held hostage and that the Ermine household didn’t know this. Or remained ignorant for his own good. Two, look into why messages via pigeon weren’t happening as often as I expected. Three, arrange to perform for the court so I could further weasel my way into this blighted place. If I wanted to know its secrets, I needed to dive into its depths.
The servants came for him and he looked at me, “I think this is where we part ways for the night. I have plenty to do in the morning and lots of people to make deals with. Got to make sure those soldiers are already marching.”
I was escorted out the room and watched as we parted ways. I didn’t have the opportunity to cheat my way into learning the code by sifting through his memories. Though he did give me a clue with his wine coursing through his mind. I headed to my room. Ermine wasn’t the only one that was going to have a long day.