The court of House Avarus bustled with activity at midday. Servants shuffled through the halls of the grand castle, carrying out orders from their masters. Scribes meticulously documented meetings with the noble family, tax records, decrees from the Archduchess, and many other crucial things. Many guests of the court gossiped; speaking of news from the other houses of Lucium, and of war rumors from abroad. There was scarcely a spot on the floor that wasn’t covered by the many people who populated the court.

One such guest, a count local to the realm of Avarus, approached the Archduchess privately on concerns over her policies. The two met in her chamber of judgment; a common room for hearing private petitions. She sat on her throne, and motioned for the count to come forward.

“Milady, Archduchess Sabina, I have sought to petition this court on behalf of my people. Many of my subjects are fishermen by trade, and the catch is often empty. Their families go hungry, and their pockets wanting in coin.”

Sabina sighed. “So, tell them to hunt the beasts that roam the land; or the birds that dot the sky.”

“These tax policies have put a great strain on my people. They can scarcely afford to buy grain of barley. The children have nothing to eat, and the mothers weep.”

“I assure you, my taxes are wholly necessary. Just as your people need food, so do my soldiers. They require pay, and they must also feed their families.” She stared into his eyes, and pierced into his soul. “Tell your people that these soldiers are for their protection. Just look at the lands of Archduke Remus. He has let his province fall into ruin at the hands of these rogue mages from the west. My province stands strong.”

“What good is an army that protects corpses?”

She laughed with a smug smile. “Have you forgotten? These same mages killed your son. It was because so many of my vassals were a stumbling block for my taxes, as you wish to be, that it happened. You son didn’t have to die. But stubbornness from so many supposed leaders allowed for it happen.”

The count’s eyes widened, and his neutral expression turned to contempt. He wrinkled his nose. “Your taxes will only bring about the death of many more sons. Not of mine, but of my people.” He felt his whole body tense up.

She rose up from her seat, and sauntered toward him; her stature dwarfing his. She looked down at him, and stared deep into his eyes once more. She began to speak in a low, condescending tone. “Perhaps I should come visit your court soon. Your wife and I have so much to catch up on. I have some most intriguing news to share. I’m sure I could work out a way to lower my taxes.”

He scoffed, and waved dismissively. “If this is some sort of threat or insult, then I pity you.”

She gracefully circled around him; her long dress whipped as she turned. “If it is a threat, I would tread carefully with such words, count.”

“Threatening your vassals will only lead to your ruin.”

She sneered, giving a suppressed and sinister laugh. “I can feel you shiver and shake as you vomit your treason. But I give you credit for trying to form a spine.”

His eye twitched. He dared not look her in the eye. “If you won’t cease this tyranny, I shall take my petition directly to King Titus. He will surely see reason.”

She cackled, almost loud enough to be heard by people in the neighboring hallways. “Such a fool.” She returned to her low tone as she grabbed onto his chin, forcing him to look at her. She caressed it as she spoke. “Your activity within Amar’s holy temple will be of far more interest to Titus. Don’t you think so?” She narrowed her eyes, and reveled in his obvious discomfort. “I shall let your people have no tax so long as you rule over them. Of course, that won’t last long. Will it?” She forcefully pinched his chin as she pushed it away.

His hands began to shake as he started to form fists.

She cackled again. Returning to her throne, she extended out her arm toward him. “So what shall it be? Shall the whole of Lucium know of your handmaid? Or shall I remove protection from your land?” She looked up, as if to contemplate something. “I wonder how your subjects will feel about mages hexing them as they break bread.” She returned her gaze to him; this time with a more stern, but elegant expression.

After an unbearable silence, he dropped to his knees. The intense pressure of his head overwhelmed him. “No! No more of this. I shall accept these taxes. No secret shall pass into anyone’s ear, nor shall any soldier be withdrawn.”

She nodded. “Then I take it we have nothing further to discuss?”

He nodded in defeat; rubbing his temples.

“Then you are dismissed, count.” She got up from her throne, and walked with him back to the main court, and waved with great elegance and formality as he left.

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One late afternoon, Sabina received a letter of summons from the king. It called for an important meeting of all the prominent noble houses; every duke, duchess, count, Archduke, and Archduchess was to be gathered at the palace in Multa. She called together her most trusted advisors, and eldest son, to accompany her; and they set out with haste to the capital.

“Is it true, mother, that the southern provinces are as lawless as they say?”

Sabina chuckled. “In the weakness of its leadership, the south has indeed become very dangerous. Even some of our domestic brigands don’t dare operate because of the filth that has poured in from the west.”

“Do you think we could perhaps convince King Titus to do more to stop these attacks?”

She reclined in her seat in the ornate carriage. “Sadly, I don’t think he has any interest in such a thing.”

He gave his mother a curious look. “Why is that?”

“Not many know this, but Titus has, in his court, an advisor that has openly expressed his sympathy for the foreign mages. I’ve heard it said that he may even be one himself.”

“How could the king allow such a person to hold office in his own court? The people should know of this.”

She shook her head. “I completely understand your zeal. But you must placate it for now. It’s too soon to reveal it.” She looked off to the fields as they passed by. “There will come a time when we must expose it to the good people of Lucium. But we can’t strike the iron until it’s glowing red. Too soon, and it’ll be like fighting cavalry uphill.”

He took a minute to process it. “But surely, with the people on our side, we would have everything we need to change Lucium for the better.”

She chuckled. “O, the people. A necessary part of any successful reform or change, but far from being sufficient alone. You see, they only can take you so far. What we truly need is the support of the noble houses.” She took out a small ledger, and opened it. “My vassals, of course, being the biggest priority.”

“Shouldn’t they already be subject to you?”

“Only as far as an official oath goes. If the king says ‘jump’, they’ll say ‘how high’. I’ll have to ensure their support through a more private oath.”

Titus stood in the midst of the nobility, and called them to order as each house leader took their seat in the Chamber of Counsel. “My dear patricians; I have called you all here today to discuss some troubling news.” He paused; looking as if he was afraid of something. “It seems the wrath of the gods may be upon us. The growing number of raids in both our lands and in Emporikos has stirred our two peoples against each other; even in our own land, the Altum and Acredo fight. Some say the Acredo will betray Lucium because of their Dasos roots, despite also having Altum blood; somehow the Dasos blood corrupts the pure Altum blood, so they say.”

Sabina sat with her arms folded. “Those sharp ears are a sign of their split loyalty.”

“Emporikos is one slight away from war with us. And I fear attitudes like that of Archduchess Sabina will prove volatile.” He paused to gather his thoughts. “But her efforts to increase the protection of the north province are very commendable. I ask each of you to do the same in your realms. I also ask, for those who share a border with Emporikos, that you stop any bandits from escaping Lucium. They must be brought to justice, here in Lucium. They have caused trouble in Emporikos, which has set our western neighbor against us.”

Sabina scoffed. “Those pointy-eared dragon-lovers bring woe upon themselves. They send their mages to set up dragon cults in our lands, and wonder why we can’t stop simple brigands from entering their lands.” She scoffed louder.

Other nobles began to join in with Sabina’s scoffs, but for other reasons.

Duke Ignatius of House Praelia slammed his palms on the armrests of his chair. “And what shall my people think when I have to further raise taxes to pay for this massive army? These crafty wizards have powers, the likes of which no one has ever seen before. They can kill a man without a trace. I’ve heard rumors that they have influence on the clouds, and can send lightning down at will.”

Other nobles began to share their rumors. “I’ve had reports of them flying faster than hawks, and walking on water”, said a count. “And I’ve been told they can turn a whole village to dust with a single touch of their finger”, said another.

Titus stretched out his hands. “Enough. Let us refrain from spreading wild stories like some tavern. I’m sure there is some truth to these stories. But people have a habit of embellishing their tales.”

“Those unclean mages are still a problem; even if the peasants are stretching the truth.”

Titus nodded. “I agree with the Archduchess on this one. Which is why I also ask that all of you increase your sacrifices to the gods, Iram and Sophia especially, tenfold. They have abandoned us to our woes because we have deserted them.” He briefly glanced at the statue of Sophia at the entrance of the chamber. “Do not worry about raising your taxes so greatly. Our eastern neighbors, like Septentrio, have opened new lines of trade. I shall hope to assist in the fortifying of Lucium with this new influx of wealth.”

Sabina shook her head. “That won’t matter if Emporikos cuts off our access to trade; not just with them, but with other nations. Their island territory allows them to easily control who comes through the port of Admare. Your weak policies let Emporikos be so bold, and have caused this lawlessness to spread.”

“Archduchess Sabina, I will not tolerate such disorderly and ill manners in my court.”

She scoffed. “And yet you tolerate promoters of magic in your court. What sort of message does that send to your subjects? That the foreigners invading their homes are of more importance than your own people?”

“You speak treason against the king!”

“I know your allegiances are split, Cicero. Wouldn’t surprise me if you somehow had something to do with all these magic infestations.”

“Mystiko is not to blame for your problems. Only your own incompetence in identifying your enemy has caused this. Your rash judgment and foolish accusations could start a war.”

The king sighed. “Cicero, please. You mustn’t lose your composure.”

“Sorry, my lord. But I loathe willful ignorance.” He glared at Sabina.

She glared back at him. “And I loathe those who kiss up to the enemy, and denounce their own country.” She chuckled with a sinister look. “I wonder if we’ll have to start sacrificing in the dragon cult temples on our way to Sophia’s temple…”

Cicero almost snarled at her, but Titus put his hand out as if to try and calm him.

Titus’s daughter started to sink back in her chair; unsure what to make of the frightening display of disobedience by the Archduchess.