Lucius

Lucius frowned behind his thick, red beard as he listened to Cassandra’s report. Cassandra Blackfeather was a tall, graceful woman with a beautiful face, dark hair, and an air of nobility that would put her right at home at a grand ball instead of the war room table she currently occupied with some of the most important people in the Empire. This came as no surprise, however, when one considered that Cassandra Blackfeather was the Spymaster of Odolenia. She claimed nothing happened in the realm without her knowing, though Lucius had cause to doubt that. She’d known nothing about the Bloodbeak attack on the frontier two years ago, after all, when he and Venza had made their way to Rentley for a routine inspection and picked Aiela up in the process.

“Am I boring you, Lucius?” Cassandra’s tone was sweet, and yet cut through his reverie like a sharp blade.

“Not at all, Cass,” he said, putting on a smile. “I’m just not particularly fond of these developments in the south.”

“Tensions between the noblemen of Serian and the clergy could lead to civil war,” said a sharply-dressed man with brown hair and a clean shaven face. He was Leon Redmane, Master of Coin and a very distant relative to Lucius, whose last name no longer matched his family’s appearance. It was unfortunate, but the name carried enough significance and ‘Brownmane’ just didn’t carry the same weight to it. “It could be a golden opportunity for us to seize some of their territory.”

A very distant relative, Lucius repeated to himself. No Greyfield would think to profit off of a war that hurt people.

“I’m not keen on their infighting spilling over to our southern borders,” Lucius commented.

“Ah, but those are your lands, are they not, old friend?” came the snide remark of Brandelis Silverlake, lifelong pain in Lucius’ ass. He was a tall man with blond hair, a well-kept beard, and a head far too large for Lucius’ liking. Brandelis headed the Silver Shield, the knight order that protected the Imperial family. “Surely, you and your Grey Guard can protect your own holdings?”

“Of course we can, Brandelis,” Lucius answered in as even a tone as he could muster. “The same way I would protect your lands to the east since you’re always here in the capital.”

Brandelis huffed. “My presence here is of the utmost importance, old friend. Or did you forget that my duty is to the Emperor? Besides, Lucius, unlike you, two of my children have been granted the Imperial Mark and are more than capable of protecting their home.”

Lucius snarled, but held his tongue. Insulting him was one thing, but his daughter? The nerve of this pompous-

“Must you two do this every meeting?” Cassandra asked with a groan, once again cutting into Lucius’ thoughts. “By the Four! You act like children.”

Lucius held back his instinct to say ‘Brandelis started it’ and instead said, “My apologies, Cassandra, and your Majesty.”

The thin, older man at the head of the table let out an amused laugh. “Nothing to forgive, Lucius.”

Despite appearances, this man held the most power in the room. In fact, he held nearly all the power in the Empire, for this frail-looking character was none other than Harway Odolenis, head of House Odolenis and the absolute Emperor of Odolenia. Despite his power, Harway gave his vassals a surprising amount of freedom, only limiting them enough that no one could truly challenge his rule. The mandatory headcount limit of the Grey Guard was part of this. Harway trusted Lucius with his life, but putting a renowned War Hero in charge of the military and allowing him to have a large personal army was a recipe for disaster. It made defending Astamarr from monsters a bit more difficult, but Lucius understood the reasoning.

The meeting continued on, with matters turning from potential foreign threats to issues with funding and infrastructure. Despite his best efforts, Lucius could not pay attention to these. He wondered if that was how Venza felt, unable to pursue the path she wished to walk, but uninterested in anything else.

The girl had turned eleven recently. If she had been born without any capacity for magic like he had, she would have been granted an Imperial Mark after her tenth birthday like Brandelis’ children and someday, a Revenant Arm like Lucius’ own sword. Unfortunately, Venza had been born a mage, which disqualified her from receiving a Mark. And even worse, despite being born a mage, she seemingly could not do magic beyond that one spell Aiela had taught her. He and Nora had been hoping Venza was merely a late bloomer as a mage, but they’d never heard of a girl so blessed with magical power that could not cast.

If she could be granted an Imperial Mark, she could have pursued a military career like he did despite being a woman. If she’d either received the Mark or been born a man, there would have been no problem at all, but with both things not going in her direction... Lucius’ eyes wandered to Emperor Harway, who looked just as bored as Lucius felt.

He wondered. Could they make an exception for her? Could he use his good relations with the Emperor to have his daughter be granted an Imperial Mark? The idea planted itself firmly in the back of Lucius’ mind, slowly growing like a plant in a field back home.

What was the harm in asking, after all? Was it not his duty as a father to make sure he did everything he could to grant his daughter the life she wanted?

It was another half hour before the meeting finally adjourned, and Lucius now approached Emperor Harway with a small grin, the idea fully bloomed in his head.

“Your Majesty,” Lucius spoke once all the meeting attenders except Brandelis had shuffled out of the room, “Might I have a word?”

Harway gave him an easy smile. “Please, Lucius, it’s Harry in private. And you may, although I hope you won’t begrudge Brandelis staying. If anything happened to me, after all, he’d be out of a job.”

Harway chuckled in that easy manner he had. It was hard to fathom this man was a conquering Emperor, but Lucius had fought at his behest in the war against Lupa, so he knew all too well that Harway could be vicious when required.

“Please, your Majesty,” Brandelis said, “If Lucius tried anything against you in my presence, we’d be short of a Lord Marshall.”

Lucius rolled his eyes and focused on the Emperor. He didn’t like Brandelis staying when he asked this, but he had no choice.

“As you wish, Harry,” Lucius said. “I was wondering if I could ask a small favor.”

“Oh?” Harway intoned, curious. “Decades of service and this is the first time I’ve so much as heard a request from you. What is it, then? Do you need funds for agriculture? Infrastructure? Is defending the border too hard? Tell me and I’ll see if I can grant it.”

Lucius beamed, feeling triumphant. “It’s about my daughter, Venza-”

“Ah, yes,” Harway said, interrupting him in his eagerness. “Is this about her mage studies? I could send her to the Magic Academy in Lilium like my own daughter.”

Lucius blinked. He hadn’t considered that. But Venza had been clear that she had very little interest nor talent for magic, despite her born abilities.

“No, Your- er, Harry,” Lucius corrected himself. “Venza has no aptitude for magic.”

He could feel Brandelis smirking. Harway quirked an eyebrow and asked, “Didn’t your daughter inherit magical talent from Nora? I was under the presumption that she’s one of the most powerful mages of her generation. Cassandra tells me every so often that there’s a powerful young mage in your territory, after all.”

Lucius considered. Cassandra must have been talking about Aiela. “I’m afraid those reports may be confused, Harry, because Venza can only cast one spell and it’s not a particularly strong one.”

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“I see,” Harway said. “Then, I am confused. What would you be asking me for, then?”

“I was wondering if my daughter could receive an Imperial Mark,” Lucius said before the conversation could be sidetracked again.

“That’s impossible,” Brandelis said. “You know mages cannot bear the Mark.”

Harway’s easy expression remained, although Lucius got the feeling the Emperor was thinking now. “How high was her affinity again? How many spheres?”

Lucius paled. What had Nora said again? One fire, one earth, one air? There was probably more. “At least four,” he said, trying to sound confident.

“Leave it to you not to know your own daughter’s magical abilities,” Brandelis said with a sneer. “My youngest son, Cyrus, is a potent mage on top of being excellent with a blade. Two blades, actually.”

Lucius gave Brandelis a look that silently said ‘Who asked’ before turning back to Harway, who looked deep in thought.

“I’m afraid it’s impossible,” Harway said.

Lucius’ heart sank. “Impossible, my lord?”

“Few know this,” Harway began, “but I will tell you, because you are a trusted ally of House Odolenis and a good friend to me.”

“I swear to keep it secret,” Lucius said, turning his eyes to Brandelis.

He shrugged, signifying he already knew what Harway was about to share.

“Make sure you do. For some reason, the body treats the Imperial Mark as a hostile spell,” Harway explained. “Therefore, when one receives the Mark, one’s magical resistance will try to dispel it. Remember. The Mark is granted to highborn children with no magic in order to give them the power to defend the Empire, but we do it when they are young so they can’t resist it.”

“But she’s only eleven,” Lucius persisted. “Surely, she cannot be strong enough to resist it?”

He knew he was lying, of course. Both Nora and Aiela had commented on Venza’s extraordinary magic resistance before. If even Nora found it difficult to overpower the girl’s defenses, then a spell that was aimed at nonmagical children would never take hold.

“I am sorry, Lucius,” Harway said, sounding sincere. “I cannot take the risk. I am informed that if the Mark is ever resisted, the entire enchantment could be disrupted. You and Brandelis could lose the ability to use your Revenant Arms, along with everyone else in the Empire who bears a Mark.”

“I understand,” Lucius said.

“What do you want to get her Marked for, anyway?” Harway asked.

“She- ” Lucius paused. That was right. Maybe he could still ask him to make an exception and let her be trained. Unmarked nobles could still lead, after all. They just needed to have a magical weapon crafted for them. House Greyfield wasn’t particularly wealthy among the nobles, but they could afford some magic gear.

“She wishes to follow in my footsteps,” Lucius said.

“A girl as Lord Marshall?” Brandelis spoke. “Ridiculous.”

“There is no rule against it,” Lucius countered. “The girl has talent.”

“I see what this is now,” Brandelis said. “You don’t want to lose the office. Come to think of it, when was the last time we had a Lord Marshall who wasn’t a Greyfield?”

“Never,” Harway and Lucius answered at the same time.

“The Greyfields have served as Lord Marshall since the founding of the Empire,” Harway explained.

“But we don’t hold the office simply because we are Greyfields,” Lucius added. “Each and every one of us has had to climb the ranks and prove ourselves. I only ask that my daughter receive the same chance.”

“Women without the Mark cannot serve,” Harway said. “You know this. We make an exception for the Marked and mages, but in general, women do not serve in the military.”

“Then please make an exception for Venza,” Lucius asked. “At least give her the chance to prove herself.”

“This is ridiculous,” Brandelis said, the amusement in his voice gone. “My daughter Britta will serve, but she is Marked, and she has spent years training so that she can enroll at the Military Academy when she turns fifteen.”

“My daughter has also been training,” Lucius said. She’d been trained by Vosmer, of course, not him, but that didn’t help their case so he left that part out.

“Then you have filled her head with foolish notions,” Brandelis said. “Instead of accepting her lot as a mage or as a woman, you’ve planted a dream in her mind that will never see fruition. And for what? So you can keep the title of Lord Marshall in the family? So she can become the first Lady Marshall? Don’t make me laugh.”

“I did no such thing!” Lucius shot back, his voice rising. “I have discouraged her from the path since she was a child, but she wants nothing more than to follow my footsteps and I will not have you spit on my daughter’s dream just because she was not born under the right circumstances! I personally do not care if the title stays within the family or not, but I do want my daughter to lead the life she wishes to live.”

“Enough,” Harway said. He waited for the two of them to calm down before he continued. “I understand what you’re asking Lucius. It is quite an unusual request, but I am not sure you want me to grant it.”

“I don’t?” Lucius asked.

“Have you forgotten what happened to your brother?” Harway asked.

Lucius frowned. Caius had been killed in combat. “I have not, my lord.”

“Or what almost happened to you twelve years ago?” Brandelis added.

The assassination attempt on him and Nora, which they’d barely survived.

Lucius sighed. “Of course I remember.”

“As Emperor,” Harway began, “I would be happy to receive the service of a promising new recruit, especially one from such a prestigious military lineage. However, as your friend, do me a favor, leave her out of it. You of all people should know the dangers that come with the job.”

“I-”

“Think on it,” Harway said. “The next time you ask, I will grant you this boon. But consider if this is really something you want for your child.”

“I will think on it,” Lucius repeated. “Thank you, my lord.”

“Again, call me Harry,” Harway replied, mustering an easy smile once more.

There was a sudden knock upon the door. The three men looked at each other, and then Brandelis called out, “What is it? We’re in a private meeting!”

“Messenger, Lord Silverlake! I bring urgent news from Silverstone.”

Silverstone was the seat of House Silverlake’s territory and Brandelis suddenly looked pale.

“Enter!” Brandelis said.

The messenger looked winded, immediately kneeling on the floor at the sight of the Emperor. “Ah! Forgive me, my lords! But the news is-”

“If it’s so urgent, you can dispense with the formalities!” Brandelis said, an uneasy look on his face.

“It’s about your son, my lord, your eldest-”

Brandelis’ eyes widened. Lucius felt a pit in his stomach. He didn’t like the look or sound of this.

“Your children went into the woods to hunt, and-” the messenger paused. The look in Brandelis’ eyes said he’d already known that part, however, which was why he was so concerned in the first place.

“Spit it out, man!” Brandelis said, although he looked like he didn’t want to hear it at all.

“Your eldest son, Balthander, my lord-” the messenger’s voice hitched, likely from fear of Brandelis’ reaction. “He died while fighting a monster.”

Lucius had never seen his lifetime rival so pained. Brandelis looked like his world had just been taken from him. In some ways, it had been.

“And my other children?” Brandelis asked. “Cyrus? Britta?”

“They’re fine, my lord,” the messenger said. “They were the ones who reported what happened this morning.”

“I will depart for Silverstone at once,” Lucius said. “I’ll avenge-”

“You will do no such thing,” Brandelis snarled.

“What? Why not?” Lucius asked.

“Take a message back to my House,” Brandelis said, his voice cracking. “No one is to go into those woods until I return. I will hunt that monster down myself!”

“Brandelis!” Lucius implored his old rival. “You must be here to protect the Emperor. I will go and-”

“Beg your pardon, my lords, but neither of you can slay the monster,” the messenger squeaked, backing away from the angered father in front of him.

“Why the hells not!?!” Brandelis practically roared.

“Your other children already killed the monster who slew their brother,” the messenger said.

There was a moment of silence as Brandelis absorbed the information. The messenger took that as his cue to flee before the man flew into a rage. Lucius wasn’t sure what to say, but at the same time, his mind was reeling at how the eldest Silverlake, nearly a fully-grown man, could have been killed and then avenged by his siblings in one fell swoop. He might have been young, but he would have been Marked and possessed magical equipment. Lucius could not imagine what Brandelis was feeling. If that had been Venza-

No, he realized. He could imagine it. It was the same feeling of a knife twisted in his gut that he’d felt when he’d found Venza fending off that lone Bloodbeak in the forest of Rentley.

“Brandelis, I’m sorr-” Lucius began.

“Don’t.” Brandelis’ tone was sharp, dangerous. His posture had sunken, resembling more of a humanoid beast than the Emperor’s Protector.

“If that had been Venza, I-”

“Shut the fuck up, Lucius!” Brandelis cried out. “I don’t want to hear it!”

Lucius promptly shut the fuck up.

Emperor Harway placed a comforting hand on Brandelis’ shoulder, then shot a questioning look at Lucius. He spoke no words, but the message was clear:

Do you really want your daughter to be out there fighting, even if it is what she wants?

Lucius’ only answer was to look away from his lord’s questioning gaze.