Winter was nearing its midpoint. The snow showed no signs of melting anytime soon in the north province, except for the land of House Cibus that bordered an inlet sea along the eastern border of Lucium. The seat of House Cibus, Parvum, was at the heart of the house’s territory, and subject to many flurries of snow. Such weather was something Lucullus and Tiberius had come to know all too well. Worse still, the more obscure roads they took had the worst of it. The main roads received regular traffic and maintenance, so the snow that was on those roads tended to be packed down, and far easier to walk in.

The sight of Parvum’s gates was a light at the end of the tunnel on their journey. Within the walls of the city, they found comfort in both the break from the snow flurries of the open country, and the great crowds they could blend in with. Their clothes allowed them to disappear into the crowds, if ever they ran into trouble.

The two men went around the various taverns in search of leads on the Furum Forum, looking for anything that could direct them on where to even find a Forum hideout. Nothing. From one tavern to another, they searched for rumors like it was gold; it certainly felt like they were searching for gold. They went from taverns, to alehouses, even to inns, and scarcely was there a mention of the Forum. Tiberius, in particular, found it strange that so few dared to even mention the Forum’s name. As they began to search the seedier places, in the more dangerous parts of the city, the Forum was finally being mentioned more.

At last, Lucullus heard a particular patron raving about the Forum: “That son of Sabina visited the Duri Manor a week or so back. I bet he’s finally going to destroy the Forum.”

“You and your wild theories,” another patron belched.

“Why else would he visit them?”

“He’s probably looking for those brigands that broke out of the Wall a couple months ago.”

The patron scoffed. “I thought that was left to the local guards to find.”

“Doesn’t mean he won’t go find ‘em himself.”

“The Forum’s probably the best place to find them, anyhow. An’ everyone knows that Trajan’s the only man who ain’t been robbed by those thieves. He’s got some kind of special deal.”

Lucullus made haste to find Tiberius, and informed him of what he discovered.

“Sounds quite risky.”

Lucullus nodded. “It is. But I don’t see any better option.”

“I think we need to investigate this Trajan a bit further before we barge into his home.”

Pontius returned to Castle Avarus late in the evening, when the sun was low in the sky, and nearly gone behind the rolling snowy hills of the countryside. The evening rays streamed in through the tall stained glass windows of the castle. The long shadows cast through them were almost completely unobstructed; there was hardly a soul in the main court at this time. Pontius knelt down as he approached Sabina.

She looked upon him with curiosity, though she expertly hid it. “You have returned, son. What news have you brought?”

He reached into his satchel, and presented the evidence he gathered. “Trajan of the Duri Family has indeed made deals with the Furum Forum, just as you suspected.”

Her expression became gradually more content, with a subtle wicked grin creeping across her face. “Good.”

“He sent his men after me, and was less than cooperative when I tried to investigate him.”

She chuckled. “Of course he did. That means you ought to prepare your men to ride back to the Duri Manor by midday tomorrow.”

He looked at her, confused. “You want me to go back?”

She nodded. “Trajan has long outlived his usefulness. Make sure he isn’t useful to anyone else.”

“And the rest of his family?”

“Do unto them as you do to Trajan.”

He nodded.

Their conversation was interrupted by the loud creaking of the court doors. Pontius and Sabina turned their gaze to the far side of the room, noticing a man approaching. His manners seemed to be a cut above the peasant rabble that often wandered into Sabina’s court, but he didn’t carry himself in the same arrogant fashion as did most of her guests. When the man was at the foot of Sabina’s throne, mere feet from Sabina, he knelt down, and bowed his head in reverence.

She looked down at him with a mix of curiosity and agitation. “Who might you be?”

He looked up at her with a slight trembling as he briefly made eye contact. “I am Captain Tullius of Agros, my lady.”

“And what business do you have in my court?” She stared deep into his soul.

He felt a chill nearly overtake his body. “I have come to speak with Marquis Pontius.”

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She glanced over at her son. “Anything that shall sound in my son’s ears also sounds in mine. What have you come to tell him?”

“I bring both news and plans. They relate to the escaped prisoner, Lucullus.”

Pontius felt a brief sense of nervousness. He anxiously awaited the explanation.

“I have recently spotted Lucullus traveling eastward, likely toward Parvum.”

Sabina smirked. “Interesting. Wouldn’t you say, Pontius?”

He nodded.

“Continue, Tullius. I am intrigued.”

“Indeed, there is much more. Some of the men I went scouting with also recognized the man he was traveling with: a rather weathered looking man — definitely older than Lucullus by some years — who was about his height, had a thick beard — though it was messy — and was of a similar build to Lucullus, too.”

“Who is this other person?”

“The other scouts seemed to think either Cornelius or Tiberius. They couldn’t come to an agreement on it. But they noted that he was — and perhaps he still is — a prominent member of a group called the Insidiators. In fact, he is supposedly one of its founding members.”

She glanced over at Pontius. “I think you may have found our most useful ally.” She returned her gaze to Tullius. “This is valuable information, and, as thanks for this incredible discovery, I would like to invite you to stay the night in Castle Avarus before making your return trip to Agros.”

“I would be honored to stay in such a prestigious castle as this.”

She smiled, causing her sharp cheekbones to become even more prominent. “It matters little, but how exactly did you manage to fall in with a scout party in my province? I heard you say that you were from Agros.”

“Lord Quintilius, the head of my village, recommended me to Duke Ignatius when the word got out about him forming a search party to find Lucullus. I can’t go into too much detail, since I don’t take confidentiality lightly, but this scout party ended up traveling north to follow Lucullus’s trail. We figured the best place to start would’ve been closer to the Avarus Wall. As the blessing of Sophia and Iram would have it, we spotted them traveling along a path rarely traveled on their way east.”

“And you didn’t attack, or make an arrest?”

“I am captain of the Agros guard. Making such an arrest would go beyond the scope of my office. And even though we outnumbered them two-to-one, none of the others would dare go against them. They didn’t fear Lucullus as much as they did the other man. They were rookies for sure, except one, and likely avoided a fight out of fear for what might’ve happened if they chose to engage. Seeing that this wasn’t going to end well — especially considering the timidness of the rookies — I opted to let them report directly back to Duke Ignatius, and I came here to find Pontius.”

She nodded. “Well, any friend or trusted associate of Pontius shall have my full trust. Now, what was this you were mentioning about plans?”

“Given his new friends, I would say it’s only a matter of time before he comes after me.”

“Why would he come after you?”

He cleared his throat. “We were once very close friends, almost brothers. When he began to mess in areas he shouldn’t have, it was ultimately my decision to call for his arrest. Quintilius would’ve overridden my authority if I didn’t do it, but I knew it was my duty to do it. It wasn’t easy to do that to him, and I know he resents me for it. He’s the type that doesn’t take transgressions lightly.”

She put on a sympathetic tone, and her expression radiated a certain comfort, one which neither Pontius nor Tullius could describe. “I can sense some regret in your voice. But this I tell you: it is only that fool, Lucullus, who should have regrets. He had a friend as good as you, and Sophia only knows what else, yet he squandered all of it. And for what? All he received was the punishment due for his foolish actions. You have done well. I find no fault in your actions.”

“Thank you, Archduchess Sabina.”

“Now, continue. What was the rest of your plan?”

“Since he will no doubt come after me, and that time, I think, is rapidly approaching: I suggest that the bounties for Lucullus be minimized.”

Sabina stood there, hardly reacting to the suggestion. Her composed mask was almost unshakable when she needed it. “And why should I do that?”

“Because it will embolden him to strike at me. When he does, we can lay a trap for him. Marquis Pontius could wait with his men to ambush Lucullus and whoever he brings with him. He won’t see it coming. If he couldn’t foresee his arrest last time, then I suspect this time won’t be any different. His vindictiveness will be his downfall.”

She began to smile. “You have spoken well, Tullius. And I sense that you may prove useful in other matters as well. But such matters shall come in due time.” She paced around him. “I only have one concern for this magnificent plan: what will Ignatius do when Lucullus and his friends venture through his jurisdiction?”

Tullius hesitated. “He will probably arrest him for the bounty.”

“As I suspected.” She paused, allowing an uneasy silence to fill the room as she gazed at one of her stained glass windows. “It will be necessary that you share certain details of this plan with Ignatius.”

Pontius shook his head, flabbergasted. “Why should the Duke need to know any of this?”

“If Lucullus truly has made allies with the Insidiators, it would be foolish to rush in and capture him too early. And I know that Ignatius will be too focused on the bounty to consider such things on his own. The opportunity would be wasted if we didn’t try to catch some Insidiators along with Lucullus. Of course, the Duke must keep some pressure on Lucullus, lest he become suspicious of us. Ignatius must cooperate with the trap we are setting, and must be given incentive.”

Tullius nodded. “What would you have me tell him?”

She smiled arrogantly, admiring her own plan. “Tell him that I shall offer him double the bounty on Lucullus if he shall assist me in trapping Lucullus at Agros. It will be child’s play to capture Lucullus, then. He must also turn Lucullus over to me, should he be the one to capture him, if he wants the payment.”

“It shall be done, Archduchess.”

“Rise, Captain Tullius. You have spoken well. She put her hands on his shoulders, and stared into his eyes with a piercing gaze. Her pupils dilated as she studied him. I can see that you will be a great asset to House Avarus, and thus to Lucium. Go now, and rest. I’ll send for the servants to prepare you a chamber fit for a most esteemed guest. In the morning, you shall go and fulfill what we have discussed here.” She released his shoulders.

He nodded, and followed the servants as they arrived in the main hall.

Pontius glanced at him as he walked by. Once Tullius was gone, he returned his attention to his mother. “I don’t think that was necessary.”

She smirked. “You can never be too careful.”

He shook his head. “I wouldn’t call that ‘being careful’.”

“You worry too much.” She let out a suppressed chuckle. “Looks like you will have a different itinerary. It seems Trajan will live to see another day.”

The Duri Manor was an impressive structure, even among the other imposing houses in the district. Approaching the door felt more intimidating than facing one of the north province’s infamous grizzly bears. Lucullus, with some hesitation, knocked on the door. Despite his nerves, each of his hits against the door was firm. With a slow creak, the ornate gold-plated door opened.