Chapter 144 – Winters Chaotic Dance (1)

He waltzed inside the building while tugging his coat. He looked in front and saw that there were many officials waiting for the Lord Officiator. The hall was usually empty but this time it was different. He looked from left to right and saw the soldiers. The soldiers were vigilant, and most of them were situated in corners where they can easily take cover.

He weaved through the crowd and went to the lift. He felt that the metal contraption was sluggish. He didn’t like how menacing the way it moves up. He was rather uneasy but he didn’t let himself be spooked. The lift took a while. He arrived up to the floor he was heading and he took a step forward. The hall was silent. He trotted to one of the doors and entered the room.

“Finally here?” said the man. “You are late. What happen?”

“Sorry Sir,” he said. “The roads were clogged. I had to drive through different streets to get here.”

“I see,” the man nodded. “At least you are here, Henry. What about the package?”

“It’s here, Sir.” Henry handed the package. “I think it should be satisfactory?”

The man opened the package. He looked at the parcel that was put inside a tube and started reading it. His eyes were clearly focused on what was written inside. Henry stood still. He thought that it must be something important. He didn’t really mind waiting. He was used to it.

Lately, he had been involved in strange situations. It all started when he spilled his drink on the lady he was now serving. He thought how bad his luck was. How he had to fight raiders and now he was being used as the lady’s messenger boy. He didn’t really complain that much. He has a job and he was allowed to eat on the lady’s skyship.

He could still go back home to his flat. But he rather liked the experience of flying on a ship. He had always dreamed of soaring through the clouds and the skyship that the lady owns allowed him to fulfill that dream.

“Henry,” said the man. “Tell your lady that she has done well. As expected of the daughter of that bastard. I thought she had no future.”

Henry raised an eyebrow. The man looked at Henry oddly. “She may not look like it now. But Lady Dolce Astra of Alva was famous for her laziness. She was someone that would stay and read her books inside her room than socialize with her fellow nobles. I remember her father ranting about while drunk. How useless and rebellious her daughter was. Yet now she has many fiefs of her own and in leagues with the Princess of the Maltius La Fende.”

“I see,” Henry nodded. “The Lady sure is amazing.”

“She is,” the man nodded. “She’s brilliant and talented in many aspects. Though it is a shame she is no longer a pure woman. I guess that dishonor that she did compares nothing to her achievements now. But she’s a smart woman and I guess she knows what she was doing.”

“I don’t know what to say,” Henry said. The man looked at him and grinned. “Don’t ponder about it, Henry. She’s a good fighter and someone with a brain. She will take you far as long you stay loyal to her.”

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

“I will,” said Henry. “It beats working for priests and preachers who treks the fringes of our nation.”

“It is,” the man laughed. “I was surprised to see that you are her delivery boy now. Still, it was nice meeting you again, Henry.”

“I can say the same, Sir.” Henry nodded. “I thought you’d be long dead in the battlefields by now. I guess God wanted you to serve the country longer.”

“Maybe,” the man said. “But as long as the Officiator is still in his lavish office. All I can do is make sure that he wouldn’t throw the city into chaos. He controls the taxes of the city and the productive sectors of our land. In the last month, he almost starved the western fringes of our nation in favor for the production of those walkers.”

“Ah, those walkers do pack a punch.” He agreed.

“They do. But the cost of building them is high. The materials enough could allow us to produce more weapons. I rather see more repeating rifles and mortars out on the battlefield. Sigh, I hope that he consults me next time he makes those kinds of suggestions.”

“I wish you luck on that, Sir.”

“Thank you, Henry.” the man said. “Can you escort me and be a good man and take the box with you. I think the Lord Officiator would want to get his tea.”

“Will do, Sir,” Henry nodded. The man stood up and left the door. Together, they walked through the hallways of the buildings until they reach the double doors of the Lord Officiator’s office. The man that Henry was following turned towards the guard standing dutifully.

“Stan, I see that you are dutifully standing still as ever,” the man said.

“Lord Gilbert,” he bowed. “Are you looking for the Lord Officiator Sir? He should be in.”

“Good to know,” he patted Stan’s shoulder. “Carry on with your work Stan.”

“Sir,” Stan nodded. Henry then followed Lord Gilbert into the room. He nodded at the guard as he did. Inside the room, the Lord Officiator was wading through a pile of documents. He noticed Lord Gilbert’s presence so he stopped and put his pen away.

The two exchanged pleasantries but all Henry could tell that they had tones of sarcasm in their voices. Henry was recognized by the Lord Officiator so he treated him well. The two had important things to discuss. They talked about the incoming winter and how the productions of the factories should be handled. The two discussed how to handle the food that was going to be sent to the battlefield.

Henry couldn’t understand most of them so he excused himself out and have a little chat with the guard named Stan. He entertained Stan and was friendly enough for him to waste his time with. By the time Lord Gilbert and the Lord Officiator was done talking. Henry was called out by the two. He was tasked to invite his lady to the building for they have important things to do. Henry couldn’t refuse so he nodded his head and went out of the building.