Their first night in the Manor was spent burning the bodies of the Amata’s men and securing the walls and Gates. The Amata had grown careless in his unchallenged reign, his defences built more on overconfidence than sound planning. Only once he had personally made rounds of the manor and a complete guard had been put in place did Sandorn finally retire to the Mansion proper. Averan had been likewise preoccupied dealing with what was left of the Amata’s men.
Sleep came easy to Sandorn, he had won the Amata’s own chamber from Averan in a game of coins. The luxurious sheets and bed were a world removed from what he had become accustomed to. As it was he woke after several peaceful hours, feeling refreshed and ready for the new challenges ahead.
The Amata had not been lying when he said he had many friends within the city, both in the Outer and Inner rings it seemed. Still, most of those friends would be content enough once they made it clear they would be running things from now on. Killing the Amata had been a pipe dream of so many that achieving the feat and destroying his infamous battalion in the process would give them renown and time enough to establish their own status and connections.
Sandorn had already ordered a replacement pane for the Gallery window, but for now he and his Brother were using the Dining Hall on the second floor for their base of operations. It was far more impressive than the cellars and tavern alcoves they were used to calling their meetings.
Sandorn savored the wine, drinking slowly. Averan made no distinction between it and the usual fare they drank but Sandorn could taste it. The Amata had been a man of good taste, Wine from Tralor was as highly sought as it was expensive, its pleasant flavor soothed him.
Averan reached for the beaker on the table but finding it empty he pushed it and his cup away from him. Drawing a dagger he began to idly etch into the table. Sandorn fought the urge to chastise him, Averan already accused him of being overbearing, he had to choose his Battles, a few marks on the table was not one he needed to win.
“So it’ll be the other Clan Leaders first. We need to get them on side before we do anything else.” Averan didn’t look up as he spoke.
“Yes,” Sandorn agreed, “but that shouldn’t be too difficult, rumors of just how we defeated the Amata and his army of men will keep them in line. If we could dismantle his entire Empire in a matter of weeks think of what we could do to a simple Clan. We’ll send Fenador around with a few others to claim our tribute. Eight others maybe, just to be sure. And any who resist we’ll call on them ourselves. That threat should be enough to tame them. They think us Monsters.”
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“We’ll need more men to continue operations here,” Averan stated, “We gathered up some of the Amata’s men left behind, we’ll keep them at a distance for now, see how they react to our new regime before we trust them with anything else. That and I’ve already identified a few men of the City Guard in search of a new line of work too. Another twenty should be enough for now, the Manor can be easily defended with a mindful and alert Guard. There are a few already waiting outside.”
Averan stopped playing with the knife and looked up at him.
“So that’s that. But now then. What about the big question? The Forty already know who and what we are, are we to just continue on as before? We can’t ignore such a threat. They destroyed us at our height, think of what they can do to us now, us two alone won’t be enough to stop them.”
“Not all the Forty Averan.” Sandorn laid down his cup.
“Think about it, why would they use the Amata, why bother? Wouldn’t have it been easier for them to do it themselves? Of course, but they do not want it out that we are Twins of the Royal Blood. Even the Houses have rules. They could not risk exposure. They wanted us killed, nameless unimportant clan deaths. Not every Family wanted us gone brother. We proceed as before, get as much power as we can. The higher we rise the easier it will be for any Houses sympathetic to reach out to us. And they will come, I am sure of it. We must be ready when they do.”
Averan nodded, wearily he got to his feet, “I think I’ll join Fenador, the Amata did us a favor keeping his rivals weak, none of them are fit to challenge us. Still, it is best I accompany the men. Let the other Clan leaders know we will be taking a proactive role in the underground.”
Sandorn waved him away, “Fine, just be alert and don’t kill needlessly Brother, these are our people now, every one of them. Make them give respect, but be graceful about it. They won’t like being ordered about by ones so young.”
Averan smiled as he headed for the door, “Graceful? Yes, I’ll be just that brother, cool, calm and collected. I’ll find you when we’ve done the rounds.”
Sandorn leaned back in his chair, there was much to think about.
But it could wait, for now he wished only for wine. Grabbing a fresh bottle he’d hidden under the table he poured it into his own cup. There was much left to do. But the scheming could wait for one bottle at least.