Between the broken throne, cleft in half, Aryyad had met with Johoon in the castle of Ovespuerte. Without its Count, its Household Guard was weakened and intimidated, and two factions had complete rule over the county capital of the Commerros. Johoon’s [Marines] and Aryyad’s Human [Mercenaries] patrolled alongside the surviving Household Guard to maintain the veneer of legitimate authority as news of the death of Count Torresso of Ovespuerte had leaked. Devotees walked the streets in a solemn procession, led by the [Priests] of the Divine Decree’s temples in mourning of their Count and his supposed ascension to godhood. Their tongues were busy singing hymns of praise and canticles of grief to whisper who would be the next heir of the Commerro House.
This is the primary concern of Aryyad, now that Johoon murdered the Count. He knows what’s coming. An army might march to Ovespuerte’s gates and kill them if they learned of the truth.
“You’re saying that an army is coming?” Johoon asked.
“Yes, soon. I do not have scouts. But the nearest settlements are three days away. The lighthouse was activated when you killed the Count.”
“Then let’s clean up our mess then.”
“Your mess.” Aryyad corrected. “We need something to say when the [Lords] arrive.”
“Why?” Johoon. “I had killed the Count. Then, this city is mine by right of conquest. The Admiralty will shower me with accolades when they learn of this.”
“I don’t know how your continent does things, but it doesn’t work here, you dung-minded idiot. The [Knights] and [Squires] you didn’t kill? The people down there mourning for their Count? They will kill your remaining [Marines] if they learn of your stunt. If they die in the process, then the armies that will come will finish the job.”
“You dare talk to me like that?”
“Yes. Because I keep cleaning your mess. Even if you can stab me three times before I can blink or suffocate me with your Smoke Elemental, you won't have anyone bailing you out in this kingdom, you barbaric [Pirate]. Learn some diplomacy.”
Johoon bit back his retort.
“So, you say that they will arrive in three days?”
“Once they heard of the news, yes.”
“I will order them to lock down the city.”
“No. Too suspicious. If that Count’s son doesn’t arrive before the army arrives, we need a story.”
“So we must tell them that [Pirates] had ravaged the city.”
“Exactly. I need corpses. Physical evidence. And a way to circumvent truth spells.”
“And what about that kid? The second son.”
“I already sent the fastest [Rider] to fetch him.”
-
As Johoon and Aryyad schemed their way out of their mess, the nobles of Houses Kaminor, Commerro, and Gaviolos, who saw the beam of light piercing the night sky, had convened in their respective courts. Ovespuerte is one of the prized cities of Torregorn since they are part of the western trade routes that lead to the Golden Triangle.
The Kaminors in their mountain holds had decided to send only a scouting force led by the nearest [Lady] in Commerro lands, Adriasta Kasta Kaminor, to reconnoiter Ovespuerte’s current situation. The rest of the Commerrros were too busy bickering with each other on the opportunity to retake their capital, and a few who took the initiative had sent forces separate from each other. Ironically, the Gaviolos had a head start because of Dustitoz, who first reported the sighting and beseeched his brother to send an army larger than the other two Houses managed to send. With Feats that sped up their marches, the three forces may reach Ovespuerte in four or five days.
But unbeknownst to them, Palden only needed two days on a single horse to reach Racieros in Ascogres. With his experience, Feats, and the [Haste] enchantment applied to him, he sped through the ancient roads as the world around him blurred. Finally, he arrived in Ascogres and asked for an audience in the humble wooden fort of the town.
Palden soon found himself facing Racieros within the wooden keep, and he gave him the letter. Racieros had already received a summons to Ovespuerte, saying that his father and brother had died during a [Pirate] raid. The news by itself is unbelievable, that they could die from a simple raid. He knew the castle could repel most attacks with its embedded spells.
He unraveled the string tied to it and read the letter, written in Torregornian script:
Dearest friend,
Whatever or whoever you hear the news from, know that they are lies. Your father and brother had been killed by a [Captain] named Johoon Silverleg, collaborating with a [Merchant] named Aryyad. However, we had to collaborate with him so we couldn’t starve. For your safety and ours, you must go along with their schemes for now. You must come with Palden to Ovespuerte before an army arrives to investigate. When the time comes, we will make plans of our own.
-Cultrost and Numisley
Racieros already knew that his father was dead when he awoke in the middle of the night, when he became a [Count] in full, as the voice of the world had given him the Feats that his father once held, a privilege of the royal and noble bloodlines of Humanity.
“Tell the [Servants] to prepare my things. I will be traveling to Ovespuerte shortly.” Racieros said briskly.
Soon, Palden was leading Racieros’ carriage on their way back to Ovespuerte. In the solitude of the carriage, he silently covered his teary eyes, stifling his cracking voice on his way home.
-
While Palden was traveling with Racieros and his [Knights] in tow, the death of Count Torresso Rahmeiros Commerro had been officially announced by the [Captain] of the Household Guard. With the lie he was ordered to tell the populace, the Count inevitably became a martyr who protected the city from unknown [Pirates] who came in the middle of the night. The masses readily accepted this lie, but the wiser leaders of the guilds and districts thought otherwise, that there is something beyond it. They already noticed the [Mercenaries] who often accompanied the [Knights] and [Squires] of Commerro’s Household Guard and the sudden election of a new Guildmaster of Ovespuerte’s Merchant’s Guild. Those who attempted to do something about it were instead bribed with silver coins or the threat of murder to maintain the illusion of legitimate rule before Racieros arrived.
Within the illusion are the various gangs that took advantage of the chaos. Smuggling activity is now the highest that it has ever been. Yet, the plunderers of the Diamond Shore and the trading company of Aryyad’s Acquisitions wanted a fat and hefty cut of their profits since they were the ones who could sail to faraway shores with their ships. Ironically, Ovespuerte’s gangs preferred it when the [Merchants] who fled stayed here, despite the patrols of the Household Guard, because it was cheaper and more profitable. The monopoly of these two groups had prompted more frequent thefts than ever before.
As one of the [Smugglers] directly working under Johoon’s supervision, Tosi had more income than he had earned in previous months, for he held the lives of more minor [Smugglers] under him. With the authority given to him by the [Captain] of the Diamond Shore, the gangs have to pay through him if they want Johoon’s ships to smuggle their goods. The fat man giggled as he counted the silver coins he earned for the day, but his eyes drifted to the door ajar.
“Who-”
Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.
Tosi gurgled as a knife pierced his throat. The fountains of blood stained the silver coins arrayed on his table. The pudgy corpse tumbled down with a meaty thunk on the wooden second floor of the tavern. Rhmarha emerged from the daytime shadows, stepping into the rays of light from the sun beyond the shutters. She picked up the chair Tosi was sitting on and threw it at the shutters, splintering it into falling pieces. Seeing Rhmarha’s signal from the tavern, Raudaeiz and the rest of the gang charged in, kicking down the door to bludgeon and stab the [Thugs] inside, sparing the [Bartender], the [Waitresses] and [Waiters]. The short scuffle ended the reign of Tosi’s gang in these streets, and with the increasing reputation of the new gang, more desperate folks would join them. Raudaeiz ordered his gang to steal the smuggled goods and the hidden pouches of silver coins
Raudaeiz found Rhmarha in Tosi’s office, seeing the corpse on the floor.
“Well done,” Raudaeiz said. “You can have the coins on the table. That’s your salary for today.”
Rhmarha grabbed the bloodied silver coins on the table without hesitation.
“I have another task for you. A fairly simple task.” Raudaeiz said.
“What is it?” Rhmarha asked, slightly miffed.
“Just accompany me to my associate. I’m sure that he will see you as a valuable asset.”
Raudaeiz thought it would be a good idea to introduce her to Numisley and Cultrost, along with his gift of silver coins and his accomplishment of establishing a foothold in Ovespuerte’s criminal world, so that the Gildin Brothers would be indebted to him. If Numisley ever breaks his promise to him, Rhmarha could assassinate him on his behalf.
“If it's that simple, sure.” Rhmarha agreed.
-
Numisley reviewed the latest Feats he gained, reading the brown book to cross-reference their possible uses. The thick book contains a pervasive list of Feats, Roles, and other abilities the World’s Voice gives and their known effects. From what he gathered, [Joint Venture: Shared Inventory] that he gained from his partnership with Aryyad enabled him to sell and restock Aryyad’s goods on his behalf. [Emergency Funds: 5 Gold] would enable him to purchase anything for the company within five gold coins of any denomination, even without money, but will incur a debt that needs to be paid. Before he went to one of the docks now owned by Aryyad and his company, he hid in a cleverly disguised hiding place, enhanced by his [Secret Compartment] Feat.
Numisley, Cultrost, and the rest of their company had gone to the familiar stone and wood wharves of Reagusha upon Aryyad’s request. Numisley and Cultrost, who covered his horns with a hood for this task, arrived with two of the Household Guard and two of Aryyad’s [Mercenaries] riding a cart pulled by Graten and three of his Human [Mercenaries].
The few idle [Fishmongers] and other seafood vendors of the various stalls and some of the workmen hauling their latest catch in barrels and boxes had glanced or stared at the new arrivals. Tisruda, the [Fishmonger] who once supplied them with fermented fish, first approached Numisley and Cultrost, being familiar with them.
“Long time no see, Numisley, Cultrost! How’s business?” Tisruda greeted. The two spear-wielding [Squires] wearing the orange and green colors of Commerro’s Household Guard stared at the [Fishmonger] who suddenly approached the brothers.
“Better now. We got bankrupt, but now–”
“Sorry. We are here on very important business. To announce the news for this district.” Numisley interrupted Cultrost. Cultrost’s eyebrows were furrowed with the thought of how the [Fishmongers] interpret the news.
“Important business?” Tisruda asked, then he noticed the two members of the Household Guard flanking the brothers. “The news must be pretty important. Apologies.”
“No problem,” Cultrost said.
Numisley puffed up his chest and cleared his throat. He pulled out a leather cylinder embossed with the crest of the Commerro House and read its contents aloud. For a second, Numisley admired Aryyad’s impeccable penmanship before he spoke:
“People of Wharf Regusha! I was assigned by the city’s provisional authority to deliver this news!”
The [Fishmongers] started to whisper among themselves. Their lips carried words of worry. They heard of the Count of Ovespuerte’s death and saw his body paraded by the [Priests] and [Acolytes] of the city’s temple. They wonder about which authority Numisley speaks on behalf of. They only knew of their Count’s two sons, Racieros and Verrespadion. Some voiced their worst fears that the two brothers may come to blows for the power of Ovespuerte’s throne.
“On the provisional authority of the [Guard Captain] Household Guard of Commerro, Tuirre Cartala, who is sworn to the Divine Decree in the Temple of Ovespuerte to uphold the holy throne of the Commerros until Lord Racieros Rahmeiros Commerro takes his rightful place as the successor of Torresso Rahmeiros Commerro, all [Fishmongers] and related Roles who sell all manner of seafood in the district of Regusha will be required to pay 10% of their proceeds to the [Tax Collectors] who will come tomorrow to repair the damages from the [Pirate] attacks yesterday. That is all.”
Murmurs rose among the crowd. They had already paid taxes to the Count last month, which was less profitable for the [Fishmongers]. With the sudden tribute, some weren't sure they could pay it.
“Is that true that we were under attack by [Pirates] that night?” Tisruda asked. “I heard rumors that [Mercenaries] from one of the ships attacked the castle.”
Numisley feared that, in some way, they might be implicated in the murders of Torresso and Verrespadion. He and Cultrost saw the crowd whispering doubt with each other, and they understood why. Taxes are always contentious, especially for [Merchants] like them. They remember their father always grumbling about Renimburg’s taxes when autumn came around. Hence, he always evades taxes whenever he can. In this case, Ovespuerte has supposedly been attacked, and they can’t blame them for being worried.
“Yes,” Numisley answered without further elaboration.
“May his Majesty protect us and Commerro’s scions,” Tisruda said a prayer and returned to his stall.
Numisley and Cultrost’s job was done, and they rode back to Arryad’s warehouse. With his [Mercenaries] patrolling with the remaining Household Guard and the men of the Diamond Shore strutting in the docks and intimidating whoever comes their way, it is evident that the port is now governed by a new power. Aryyad and Johoon seek to maintain the veneer of traditional authority of the city to avoid a riot.
Aryyad was standing in front of the warehouse when Numisley and Cultrost arrived. Cultrost lifted Numisley out of the cart and helped him stand. There were many more laborers than usual in this warehouse, moving a large amount of cargo.
“We delivered the news,” Numisley informed Aryyad.
“How did Reagusha take it?” Aryyad asked.
“Not as violent as we expected,” Numisley answered.
“I knew I could count on you two.” Aryyad smiled as he thought of future plans. Aside from Numisley and Cultrost, he sent his people and the members of the Household Guard, disguised under the authority of their Guard Captain, to deliver news of his demands. “I’m afraid this delicate matter has some…difficulties. When is your [Caravan Master] coming back?”
Numisley and Cultrost glanced at each other, knowing what each other was thinking. They haven’t told Aryyad about Palden’s Role since he is acting as the company's [Wagon Driver]. He must have a Feat similar to Numisley’s [Eye for Potential].
“If all goes well, Palden would arrive here two or three days later,” Cultrost answered.
Aryyad, as someone who had sailed farther than these two young [Traders], knew the costs and difficulty of traveling. He assumed the worst situation: an army from the nearby noble domains would arrive outside Ovespuerte’s walls, and everything that Aryyad had hastily built in this city would fall. Johoon’s impulsiveness had given him this chance to take this city. Still, it was also a destructive risk that may cause him to lose everything. He had to sway two main factions in Ovespuerte: the Guildmasters of Ovespuerte’s districts and the Temple of Ovespuerte, the latter being the hardest to convince because of their faith and cunning. They have no reason to betray their greater kingdom of Torregorn unless he gives them a reason to.
“In that case, if an army arrives before Palden and Racieros, prepare to escape. You and your employees can come with us to the island of Karaz in the Golden Triangle.”
The Golden Triangle? Numisley’s ears perked up. The place where the brothers intend to make their fortune selling secrets. If Numisley cannot claim his heritage here, he and Cultrost must carve their place there.
“But, I have one more task for you two. In your…source, do you have something that may implicate the [Priests] of that temple?” Aryyad pointed to the colonnaded temple sitting upon a cliff on the city's eastern edge, near the walls facing inland. “Here is the list of [Priests] in that temple.”
Numisley glanced at the list, and he knew some of the names from the book.
“It costs two gold for each name in that list.” Numisley stood his ground.
“I thought we were partners?” Aryyad’s tone became disappointed, and it nudged Numisley.
Numisley almost said that he would give the secrets for one gold. Still, he knew about the charm ability that Aryyad has right now.
“Business partners. Selling my secrets is another thing entirely. That is not in our contract after all.”
Aryyad paused for a second.
“I’ll pay.”
“I’ll consult my sources,” Numisley answered. “You can pay me then.”
Numisley and Cultrost went back to the inn to rest. Aryyad later met with Johoon to discuss future plans regarding the resistant Guildmasters and the Temple of Ovespuerte’s [Priests] yet to be bribed, who were suspicious of their actions despite their efforts to cover their tracks.
The day after tomorrow, the bribed [Guards] of Ovespuerte saw movement in the forests and scrying spells in the sky.