Duke Zelos commanded the guards to come and notify himself and Duke Aldan once the council reconvened after which he and Henrick walked the empty corridors in silence but for the sound of their heavy boots on the intricately detailed marble floor. As they appeared at what seemed an impasse in the hallway Duke Zelos pressed three ornate points on a mosaic wall depicting a scene from a historic battlefield. This caused the wall to slide back, opening into a private room well away from all the chambers.
“This is his majesty’s private room when he attends the council. There is also a passage back to the Castle should he need an exit.” Duke Zelos ended the silence with his introduction. “The fact I’m telling you about this place should tell you how bad things are right now for the Kingdom.”
“I know, I sensed it. Should the King remain incapacitated a long while the nobles will split into two distinct factions at least causing civil war and leaving us vulnerable to outside forces. How is my father-in-law doing? Does he know of Eluna’s disappearance?”
“I informed him during one of his clearer bouts of awareness and the resulting storm his wrath called down upon us left his guards severely injured and his wounds worsened. Whilst I think he remains aware I believe he’s focused on recovery so that he can help find her.”
“And recovery remains a strong possibility?”
“You know Sturm, always one to defy expectations. The healers said from their analysis of the poison he would have been lucky to make it back to the capital but from what we can tell he is using his bloodline to eliminate some of the poison from within.”
“That’s fantastic news Arien.”
“It is but it doesn’t solve our current dilemma. The King is vulnerable and the line of succession as of right now is in an even worse position with Eluna missing and Crius, well Crius can’t inherit the Tempest bloodline with a broken core.”
“Bloodline isn’t everything, you’ve proven that Arien by rising to your current position just based on your swordsmanship.”
“It will matter to the Kingdom and especially the nobles who are set against you. When the King recovers, they will call for him to produce a new heir. Preferably a male heir who can inherit the bloodline.”
“This is why I hate our system. Meritocracy is the future. The ruler should be the most capable person both physically and intellectually.”
“I can’t say I disagree but out there be careful, they will call your words treasonous. Well hopefully Crius can grow up to fit your criteria and keep our kingdom safe.”
“He will, you should have seen the night he was born. Even I could feel the power in his blood, it cowed my ember lion into submission, and I wasn’t even in the room.”
“Truly?”
“Truly, I feel he could topple the continent when he comes into his power. I don’t even say that as a boasting father.”
“Oh?” Arien turned his head, listening as he seemed distracted by something occurring in another place. “Two guards are approaching at pace.”
“Something must have happened.” Henrick immediately surmised.
“My thoughts exactly. Let us meet them outside. It won’t do to keep them waiting. And remember I’m on your side but I can’t play favourites as the King’s proxy. Everything you do needs to be done legally.”
“Understood” and he held out his arm. Duke Zelos reciprocated, grasping each other’s wrists.
Sealing the room as they exited Duke Zelos turned to find the two guards ready to report.
“Go ahead. Don’t let formalities lead to further harm.”
“The witness has died. The healers were unable to save him from the damage inflicted by the truth oath.”
Flames formed on Duke Aldan’s fist as he struck the wall with his arm, shattering an ornate mosaic and leaving a gaping hole into another room.
“Report in as we head back. Clearly, we can’t delay our return. I imagine that the other nobles have already begun to bicker.”
“Indeed, Your Grace.”
As they quickly made their way through the winding halls once more the guards updated them on the situation. As none of the other nobles had strayed too far from the chambers, they had received the news concurrently, this in turn lead to finger pointing from both sides. Each claiming that the other didn’t want the truth known and that they were perverting the course of true justice. The only ones who appeared unscathed were the Lords of Justice as they were deemed independent. That was until Duke Zelos reentered the chamber.
“Why is there a dead witness under your care Viscount Chadwick?”
“We are investigating that now, Your Grace.”
“It seems some sort of poison was used.”
“Do you know the poison?”
“No. We are waiting for a specialist to arrive to review the chemical structure of the compound and from there…”
“From there you can ascertain when the witness was most likely poisoned.” Duke Zelos finished for him.
“Guard, run to the Castle. I want the Kings Chief Alchemist here within the next twenty minutes.”
“As you wish, Your Grace.”
The guard quickly left the chamber. And Duke Zelos then allowed his gaze to run over everyone within the room before he spoke in an overpowering tone that brought goosebumps to all but Duke Aldan in the room.
“I. Do. Not. Appreciate. What. I. Am. Seeing.” He slowly enunciated the first part of his statement. “We should be united at a time like this. I am going to bring this proceeding to a close but clearly one amongst our number has committed treason. I hope that should anyone be aware of who this individual is they turn them in immediately or risk the same punishment as coconspirators. I find Duke Aldan clear of any wrongdoing and that he should instead be awarded a merit for the swift justice he has performed on behalf of the Kingdom. I will leave the level of merit for the King to decide when he has fully recovered.”
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The nobles all shuffled awkwardly and were getting ready to hastily retreat from the chambers or risk the further brunt of Duke Zelos’ icy stare when he spoke again.
“There is one final bit of business while everyone is still together. While the King was severely ill on the road, he did sign a legally binding decree, a week ago I should add, stating that Crius Aldan is the Crown Prince and sole heir to the Tempest Kingdom.” He gave a brief pause for it to sink in “and therefore the attack on Duke Aldan outside the Capital is considered an attack on the Crown and treason. All perpetrators, and their accomplices, will be considered traitors to the crown and punished accordingly. As such I am also granting Duke Aldan and the Kings Guard enhanced privileges, including torture, during their investigations. They no longer report to this council, they instead report directly to the King or myself as I am currently acting proxy.”
“This is all very good” Duchess Huntington stood up “but how do we know we won’t abuse his powers.”
“That is no longer your concern Esme.”
“And what happens if the King succumbs to his injury as was clearly feared? Crius Aldan is two months old and unable to rule. Who would be the acting regent? Duke Aldan?”
“That is correct. Duke Aldan would become the King Regent.”
“Surely a Regency Council Pro Tempore would be more appropriate.”
“Unless the King wakes up and changes his decree then no. This is His will and I. Will. Ensure. It is carried out. Now does anybody else think the King is wrong?”
A long empty silence filled the room as nobody dared to even shuffle.
“Perfect. Now get out of my sight.”
*****************************************
A short while later Lord Drax and several of his faction were congregated in a private lounge of one of the many drinking establishments under their control. The main topic of discussion was who would be daft enough to attack Duke Aldan but Lord Drax was quick to steer the conversation to how Duke Aldan was once again disregarding rules and that he and his friends would be the ruin of the Kingdom with their attack first and ask questions second approach.
They weren’t expecting anyone else to attend but the door was opened by one of the attendants and in walked Duchess Huntington who had once again found time to change outfits. Now she was wearing a low-cut black dress that stopped above the knee showing off shapely calves and an impressive cleavage. Lord Drax instantly salivated upon seeing her scintillating figure.
“Duchess Huntington, what brings you here?”
“I believed a drink was necessary. Also, I had some private matters to discuss with you regarding Duke Aldan.”
“Ah, please come this way then although I’m not sure how I can actually help.” His heart racing and he couldn’t help licking his lips at the thought of being alone with her. He was secretly hoping that she had changed her attire to lure him into…
“Please stop. If you think one more lewd thought about me, I will inflict unending pain on you, and it will begin with the loss of your eyes, tongue, and lips.” She stated as the door closed behind her.
Lord Drax was caught off guard at the statement and walked into the corner of his desk, before stumbling, tripping over a chair and falling backwards into the wall.
Not caring about any injuries, he may have sustained in his fall or even if he was listening, she continued. “I hoped you’d have got enough satisfaction from Lady Eluna this evening before the council meeting began that you could at least control yourself and your depraved mind for one short meeting.”
“You, you, you know… know about that?” he stammered.
“Of course, I do. I just need to know that nothing is going to blow back on Nox Reges.”
Lord Drax stood up straight looking indignant at this. “Blowback? Maybe I should turn them in myself? They couldn’t even kill one little baby. Now even if Lady Eluna gives me an heir, they will only be second to the throne.”
“Oh, a bit of spine at last. Shame that the power you have built is all for show and useless in combat. I’ve seen how you react when a strong opponent appears. Sure, you might fight if your life is on the line, but true battle experience would win out every time.”
“Enough, I will not accept these insults.”
“You will, and you will also fall inline. I expect your offspring to be more competent than you in the future. Only then will they be useful to my long-term plans.”
“Your long term plans?”
“Yes, my plans.”
“I don’t suppose you’ll be sharing them with me?”
“That’s correct. I’m not convinced you play a part in my plans but, there are many possible paths this kingdom could take over the next few years and several that could lead to an increase in standing for us.”
“Then why come here tonight?”
“The King is going to recover, he will be weak for a while but it appears his bloodline has given him a natural, albeit weak resistance to the poison used. As he is going to recover we may as well help him and claim some benefits, our organisation knows the poison favoured by those responsible and as such we know of a few items that can expedite the healing process. You will purchase them from us at a premium and gift them to the King. Who knows, you may finally become a Duke.”
“Finally, no more Duke Aldan looking down on me.”
“Yes, he has become something of a problem. Unrest would have been fine were the King to perish but Henrick becoming Regent would ruin our organisation. No we need you to gain power and run him out of the Capital.”
“I can do that. I’m going to bend Eluna to my will and use her to break his heart and spirit.” He gleefully rubbed his hands together cackling at the thought of Duke Aldan’s fall from grace.
“Good, this is the list of items you need to purchase and a recipe for a common herbal remedy that the other kingdom uses that requires the ingredients. They will be in our auction tomorrow night so I’d suggest you do everything you can to win them.”
She then abruptly downed her drink, stood up and exited without another word. Outside the establishment she entered her private carriage and headed off to an enterprise under her control. One that housed darker operations. Inside awaited some of her private guards along with three men all covered in varying degrees of injuries, one even missing the lower part of his leg.
I’m not going to discuss your failures instead I want to know how our other operation is progressing.
Hopping forward on his remaining leg Three began to report.
“We have narrowed down to four candidates of the lesser peerage that fit your requirements and of those four, three are within our faction.”
“Who is the potential suitor for my hand in marriage that is outside our faction?” She asked, not even looking up from the papers she had begun to review on her desk.
“That would be Earl Whitlock.”
“Ah, the graceful jaguar bloodline. Obviously a lower bloodline, much weaker than my father’s but it might just be enough to rouse the shadow panther bloodline in my offspring.”
“Shall I accept his advances on your behalf, Your Grace?”
“Certainly, open dialogue. Ask for a time and place for a first rendezvous but I intend to be wed and pregnant within the next three months.”
“Yes, Your Grace. I’ll see to it right now.”
“Also, Three, you are demoted to Four. Four and Five you are the new Two and Three. I’d like you both to begin the vetting process, we need a new Five. Maybe a new Four depending on how useful the current Four stays. Lastly, place a bounty on House Aldan and their elites. Henrick has upset my plans too many times these last few days.”
“Yes, Your Grace.” And with that they quickly exited the office.
‘Jericho Whitlock, I wonder if you can keep me satisfied long enough to stay alive.’ She mused to herself once alone. ‘It’s a while since I’ve had a worthwhile sparring partner.’