Fenadorn was already busy setting up a perimeter around them, ordering Lear, Sarvth and Grend and into positon. Averan left him to it, Fenadorn would see them suitably placed to cover all angles.
“Well, old Grolo certainly found us a good spot.” Sandorn said.
Averan snorted, “That old fool will get us killed Sandorn. Believe me. Those kids were harmless, and he killed them. Killed them. I don’t know if even we can work with that.”
Sandorn shrugged, “We might have to. We need everyone and everything we can get Brother. You know that. So he’s a bit crazed, he has already proved useful. And he’s loyal. Beyond loyal even.”
“Beyond mad more like.”
Averan would have continued but a low whistle that they both immediately knew as Fenadorn stopped him.
Pushing themselves closer to the ground they peered out.
Down below to their right, a lone figure was approaching rapidly.
He strode confidently towards them before taking a sharp right as he came to the alley where they would meet. Pressing himself quickly up against the wall he looked back around the corner from where he’d came. He did the same on the other side before he turned to survey the alley surrounding him.
Averan watched him closely, the figure was well hidden, his features indistinguishable. "Well?" He asked.
“That is my man,” Dranar whispered. “Alone as promised.”
“Does seem like its just him.” Averan muttered.
“It would indeed appear so.” Sandorn replied. “He doesn’t look like a man about to spring a trap. More like a man seeking to avoid one.”
“Well then?” Dranar asked.
“Another minute.” Sandorn replied.
Averan admired Sandorn’s restraint, even if he was a little too cautious at times.
They continued watching as the man shrunk back into the shadows, all but completely concealing his presence from any who might pass. Thankfully none did. The streets were quiet at such a late point. Patrols would be out on the streets, but they were only a formality Averan knew, with the wall so secure no one would suspect the Aureate twins inside the Inner Ring.
“Come on,” Sandorn muttered, “Me and you Brother. Dranar can remain for the moment.”
Dranar sighed in exasperation but said nothing.
Averan nodded and together they slowly backed away, it was important they didn’t give Fenadorn and the others position away.
They moved quickly through the dark streets. Upon entering the alley it did indeed seem empty.
“You hide well messenger. We are here. As promised.” Sandorn spoke quietly but with authority.
The messenger bowed low. “King Sandorn. Prince Averan.”
Rising he frowned seeing only the two of them.
“Lord Dranar is not with you? It was he who sent me here, he who arranged for the others to meet. He is not here?”
“We are here.” Sandorn pulled back his own hood, “Lord Dranar is not of your concern for the moment. He will be on shortly.”
“I am afraid that-”
“Don’t be,” Averan interrupted, “So long as you lead us to our waiting allies then you have no reason to be.”
The messenger stared open mouth for a moment before he finally nodded.
“So be it. I meant no offence.”
“None taken,” Sandorn assured him.
“I was told to follow your orders should my Lord be waylaid. He foresaw this situation apparently. Come then, when Lord Dranar made his plans for a meeting of the most powerful allied to your cause, this was chosen as the most suitable location. One fitting for such an occasion. The Lords gathered by Dranar and sympathetic to your cause await your arrival.”
The messenger turned and led them deeper into the alley, only stopping when he was a hands length from the wall.
There he halted and pulled out a dagger. Averan instantly drew out his axe, Sandorn took a step forward placing a hand on his sword hilt.
“Relax,” The messenger urged, “This blade is for no body but my own.”
Closing his eyes he drew the knife slowly across his hand. Averan raised a brow and looked to Sandorn but he only stared amazed.
“Dragonsteel.” Sandorn whispered.
Averan turned back to the messenger and began nodding in understanding.
“Ahh Dragonsteel. Now I see.”
Truthfully Averan couldn’t remember much about dragonsteel, he knew it had some kind of uniqueness or special skill, but could not remember what. Dragonkind were the greatest magic wielders in the world though. It was likely something along those lines. Still it didn’t make sense why the man had cut himself.
The messenger continued to mutter for at least a minute before he opened his eyes again and carefully placed his hand against the wall.
Instantly his palm alighted and the wall shifted, pulling apart like a stone curtain to reveal a dark corridor.
Averan clicked his fingers, “Blood magic, ah yes I see. Nice little blade that.”
“It is,” The messenger agreed. “Now, if you would follow me. I will lead you to the others.”
“A moment.” Sandorn waved back towards the park.
A moment was all it took for the others to regroup with them.
The messenger sighed with relief on seeing Lord Dranar between Lear and Fenadorn. He bowed low to him.
Lord Dranar nodded back, “Move quickly Rens, the sooner we are inside the better. The Twins might believe me when I say no trap awaits them now.”
“None yet at least,” Averan whispered.
“Of course,” Rens answered his Lord, returning towards the wall.
Sandorn tried to hide his uneasiness as they headed in, but Averan knew him well. Always doubting, always on edge.
He supposed his brother had always been like that. But whatever natural inclinations he had were compounded by the betrayals Father had experienced.
Averan strode ahead, Sandorn’s cautiousness was a perfect antidote to his brashness. Let Sandorn worry, whatever awaited them he was ready. And excited.
The man closed the entrance behind him in much the same way he’d opened it, only this time without the mumbling to himself. They were plunged then into darkness. But only for a moment, quickly a torch was lit and their way illuminated. They did not have to travel far, Rens had not gone 10 steps when he came to a door. A plain one without adornment. Oak. He met the door with three heavy knocks, after another moment the sound of an oak beam being drawn reached them and the door swung open.
Averan was surprised when Sandorn headed in first, even before the Messenger.
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
Averan laughed at his brother’s impetus and gave the messenger who’d met them a playful shove forward.
“An introduction then,” he whispered, “Something nice and cheerful like.”
The messenger raised a brow, “An introduction?”
“No. I’ll do it.” Sandorn announced ahead of them.
Averan looked around the circular room they now occupied. Before them was a round table, at which sat five people. Behind each stood a guard. Captains of their Household no doubt. Ignoring them all for the moment Averan moved up alongside Sandorn.
Sandorn had listed off likely and potential allies to prepare them should they be present. Averan had not bothered too much with listening. Too much seemed to be a waste of time. He’d learn of them after meeting, not before. Still, because of it he was now able to recognise most of those gathered on sight.
Lord Dranar had not revealed any names to them. All they knew was that this was to be a gathering of only those certain to be loyal to their cause. And now here they were.
Lord Panaer Parandin was unmistakable, his ermine cloak bound with a silver chimera. His House was a wealthy one, one of the few who truly paid attention to the sea and the trade it brought with it. They had recently risen to become one of the more prominent of the Garnet Houses. At least of those who had suffered after the disposal of the Kings.
Lady Merida of House Danann was there, she had been a first cousin to their Mother, and one of the few Averan had heard of well before he and Sandorn ever dreamed of reclaiming their throne. She was old now, possibly seventy. She looked frail yet sat up straight, proper, ladylike.
Young Lord Cendar of House Iden stood out on account of his age. He was clearly the youngest of those assembled, perhaps a year or so younger than he and Sandorn even. His grandfather had perished alongside their own Averan recalled.
Lady Liniseh of House Ledrand would have caught his eye even without any description. She was not a young woman anymore, her husband had died at sea, caught in the treacherous oceans between the new lands and the old. She had remained a widow, ruling her House with, by all accounts, an iron fist. She certainly looked a ruler, her stare seemed to penetrate his soul. He smiled at her all the same. She didn’t return it. Despite her older years, she had not lost any of her youthful beauty. Once commonly referred to as the Rose of Gorias Averan thought it still a fitting moniker.
The last he did not recognise, nor could he recall their House.
“Lords and Ladies of Gorias,” Sandorn began, “I am Sandorn Aureate. This is my Brother, Averan Aureate. We are the Twin Sons of King Drevan II and Queen Senara. I am pleased that you have agreed to this meeting. There is much for us to discuss and much to plan.”
“There is,” Lord Dranar agreed coming up behind them to pull up a seat, “much and more. Allow me to introduce to you the members of our Council. Those we have risked much in order to be here before you tonight. The five before you represent all those Houses which would offer you fealty. That is 23 Houses in all.”
“23?” Averan had to calm himself, he had never expected so many. Dranar had never mentioned this before.
Sandorn gave him a quick glance but Averan ignored him.
“23 yes.” Dranar confirmed, “Though we must remember that those Houses which would oppose us are predominantly composed of the Upper Houses, and we the lower. From what we know, our enemies hold in the Circlets 4 and Garnets 6. Along with 5 Wreath Houses. That is more than enough for them to be able to dictate how Gorias is ruled.”
“Rens,” Dranar waved his man forward, “A formal introduction if you would.”
Averan listened intently as Rens called out the titles of their co-conspirators, patiently waiting for the last one he didn’t recognise to be called.
“......and finally Lord Yan of House Dunedain.”
Dunedain. Averan was reminded of Sandorn’s words about the six most powerful, he was annoyed with himself for forgetting about such a significant House, one of two Circlet Houses not part of the New Order and the only one allied to them.
Yan was an ambitious middle-aged man. He had already made great strides in bringing his House to the fore of the Inner city but his House’s lack of prestige or past glory held him back. It wasn’t until the end days of the Kings that Dunedain had become a major player. For a House of the Forty they were still seen as relatively upstarts. Breaking in to where they didn’t belong. Sandorn had mentioned him being an eager if slightly opportunistic supporter for them, seeking a way to consolidate his Family’s position amongst Gorias’s most powerful. His presence was as welcome as it was surprising.
“Before we begin,” Sandorn began, “Allow me to reiterate our position. I and my Brother will restore House Aureate to Kingship. Those who follow us will be granted all they once had as they stand by our side. We won’t forgive those who once betrayed us, but neither will we forget those who choose to stand with us. Many houses will be utterly destroyed when we are finished. Their riches, land, power and strength will be yours to divide.”
“We are all here because we believe in what you represent, what your Family once represented.” Lady Merida cast her eyes over all those gathered before resting on first Sandorn’s and then Averan’s own eyes. “What it can represent in the future. Our city may have no King in name, but those who call themselves the New Order rule as ones by any other metric.”
“You have a plan then?” Lord Yan raised a brow, “You have done well to get this far I won’t deny that, yet the most difficult part remains to be resolved.”
“We are Aureates,” Averan smiled, “We always have a plan. A good one too. Sandorn.”
Sandorn raised his eyes slightly at Averan’s tone but took a step forward to stand at the head of the table.
“We take the Palace.”
Sandorn’s words drew a number of shared expressions of surprise. Dranar looked both impressed and pleased, Averan could not help but notice. Like the others, it was his first time hearing of such a plan. Dranar at least seemed to approve of the boldness.
“The palace is a shadow of its former glory, a glorified meeting room for the Forty to hold their pseudo Councils. We take the palace and return it to the pride of Gorias once more. Its entrance from below was destroyed by the collapse of one of the tunnels but with a few good men and some hard days work it can be cleared. The palace was once our Family’s home, though elegant it was built with security in mind. From any foe, out or inside the city, and that includes Chimeras. We can hold them out there, we have enough men to man the palace walls. If it is as you say and there are 23 Houses willing to support us then all I ask is 10 men from each House. A number small enough to go unnoticed but large enough to help secure any vulnerable areas.”
“I like it,” Lord Cendar announced, “If the palace is ours the New Order will be forced to attack, they could not such an insult as that to go unchecked. Once they make their plans of attack we sabotage it, turn the attack on them without warning. By the time they realise that they’ve been deceived we will have already achieved victory.”
“Exactly,” Sandorn smiled happily at Cendar’s words.
Averan too was impressed by the fervor displayed in the young Lord’s response.
“And are you sure you will be able to take the Palace? Expecting an attack or not it won’t be easily overrun.” Panaer’s voice was loud, booming, one used to be being heard. “We need to be sure of success. Once we move that’s it. There will be no going back. For any of us. ”
“Exactly, one chance. It’s better this way.” Averan shrugged, “There’s no reason to have a Plan A because it only distracts from Plan B. We must make it work. We will make it work.”
“We will do as we claim. Do not doubt us..” Sandorn added.
“I don’t,” Yan answered, “But I know what it is to plan, and to fail. Your plan is a good one I give you that. But there are still variables.”
Averan shook his head, “There will always be variables, this is no easy thing we seek to accomplish. But it is time to act. We wait then it is only to the advantage of our enemies, not us.”
Sandorn nodded at Averan’s words. Gods I’m speaking like him. What the hell is happening here.
Sandorn ran his hand through his hair, Averan couldn’t help noticing the lingering stare given to his brother by Lady Liniseh.
“A week from now. That is when we make our attack. Hide yourselves, stay reclusive and keep suspicions away until the Palace is ours. They can’t risk attacking one House without being sure of its deceit. Act as normal and keep them from knowing your true intentions. Once they deem to retake the palace we will await your signal before launching an attack. Beset on both sides we’ll easily surround and overwhelm them, all before they have time to realise just what is happening.”
“Since I have already revealed myself, me and my family will help take the Palace. It may be we will need to use our Beasts. There will be at least some Chimeras of the New Order amongst those inside it. We’ll use the tunnels to safely convene and update on what is occurring and where.”
Murmurs of agreement greeted Dranar’s words.
“A week from now,” Avern repeated. “Does anyone take issue with this?”
No protest arrived.
Dranar stood up and took a beaker from off the center of the large table. Pouring himself a cup he passed the beaker around one by one until everyone had a cup in front of them.
Dranar raised his own, “Well then, it seems our Royalty has not been idle. Their plans solid and their ideas well thought out. I for one am pleased. The Twins Aureate are the Blood of King, in appearance and nature it seems.”
“Indeed,” Lady Merida said raising her cup to join him. “Together we shall restore the Kings and our own Houses to their rightful places.”
One by one the others joined them until only Yan was remaining.
It took a moment but he slowly raised his own, “To the Twins Aureate, sons of Devan Aureate. And to all gathered here now, together we will succeed in our aims. I for one will do anything to make it so.”
Sandorn and Averan raised their own cups and together they drank.
He caught Sandorn’s eye as they toasted, this was a moment they had long planned for, and now it was finally here. Strangely Averan felt a pang of sadness. He didn’t know why. Thoughts of the future? Maybe it is because we will soon have our lives changed forever? A simple smile from Sandorn was all it took to calm him. Whatever happened, the Twins of Aureate would succeed. He silently added his thought to the toast.