Chapter 2

The gardens were maintained, though it was obvious that corners had been cut. The overgrown vegetation at the periphery gave Darras and Amina a lot of cover. This and a stealthy approach enabled them to approach the manor, where they paused to study the guards and a few others milling about.

“I think we could mix right in,” Darras murmured to Amina.

“Yes, it’s clear they are unfamiliar with each other,” Amina agreed.

“A couple of ladies are guarding, too, so they must have brought family.”

“Looks that way.”

“We’ll mix it up with the guards from the approaching carriage,” Darras replied.

“OK, let’s go,” Amina confirmed.

Darras and Amina slipped behind the various guards, dismounting from an escort of a gilded carriage. They were ignored by those dismounting, as well as the other guards milling about, waiting to be assigned barracks or posts. Acting as if they belonged there, the pair wandered into the manor to find the staff in a tizzy as they attempted to guide the various families to rooms assigned for them. The noblemen took to a large room to imbibe drinks and greet each other.

“They never learn,” Amina chuckled as the pair stood as if on guard, ignored by their ‘betters’ to the point of several unguarded conversations carrying on around them.

“True,” Darras smiled.

‘Oh my, I am getting a lot of information for Rigilo, ’ Erren added. ‘There’s also a cache of documents in Colmene’s possession, which he plans to hand over to his conspirators tomorrow.’

“Do we know where?” Darras murmured.

‘Yes, I do, ’ Erren confirmed. ‘If you move now, a squad is approaching to place genuine guards at your current post.’

Darras and Amina straightened up and left the room as another party of guards entered. The entering guards and the nobles blanked the pair as Darras followed Erren’s directions and headed upstairs to a locked room. Amina swiftly picked the lock as Darras kept watch, and the pair entered the room. From there, Darras pointed to a locked chest, and Amina opened it, withdrawing several pages amongst many before relocking the chest and then the door.

“Let’s go before someone puts two and two together,” Amina chuckled.

“Yes,” Darras smiled as the pair descended the stairs and left the manor ignored by the various guards and servants.

From there, they headed into the grounds to the wall, scaled it, and then dropped to the far side to return to the Village of Cuzvrey.

“Hope Colmene doesn’t miss these,” Amina said as they entered the inn.

“He won’t; Erren confirms it,” Darras replied as Tiruk entered the inn.

“Good,” Amina smiled. “Any luck, my love?” to Tiruk.

“Looks like the encampment’s been abandoned for over a year,” Tiruk replied. “The trail is cold.”

“Pretty much as expected,” Darras chuckled, knowing the conversation was reaching the ears of the barman.

“Money for nothing, I guess,” Amina nodded.

“Yes,” Darras agreed. “We’ll not waste any more time here; we’ll head back to Torgel in the morning.”

‘The barman has relaxed; I suspect he knows at least one of the bandits, ’ Erren informed Darras.

“They’ve behaved for over a year,” Darras murmured. “Unless you want them dealt with, I’ll let it lie.”

‘The souls of some are irredeemable, but they are currently behaving, ’ Erren agreed. ‘You have better things to do.’

“True.”

It was a long trip back to Torgel, though the trio made it back before the gateway closed to public transit. From there, they emerged at Rachtelin and went to the royal palace to request a meeting with either Rigilo or Callani. Darras showed his letter of admission, which showed both Rigilo’s and Callani’s seals. They were then escorted to the residential area of the palace, where they were shown to an office where Callani sat at a desk, along with a lady in waiting who was also a scribe.

“Darras, Lady Amina and friend, it’s good to see you, but I hope it’s not bad news?” Callani greeted them.

“This is Tiruk, agent of Crannok,” Darras introduced his friend after they gave a polite bow. “No, it’s not bad news, just a warning of potential disruption and some evidence.”

“Disruption?”

“On the planned chastisement of Fordel,” Darras explained.

“Ah, Erren doesn’t want her plans disrupted?”

“Yes, Callani, that’s why she has people like us to deal with issues like this,” Darras smiled, handing over the paperwork.

“Ah, Viscount Colmene is breaking cover,” Callani commented in a low murmur as she read the documents. “I was unaware of a few names here, too.”

“None are irredeemable, and none were possessed,” Darras added as Rigilo entered the room.

“King Rigilo,” the trio greeted him politely.

“Darras, Amina, it’s good to see you,” Rigilo smiled. “I hope you aren’t stirring up trouble for us?”

Tiruk was introduced again, and the events leading up to the visit were explained.

“We knew Colmene was suspect; his allegiance has always been to the former Council,” Rigilo nodded. “That’s why I removed him from the capital.”

“He’s feeling the pinch from the new taxation system,” Tiruk explained. “He’s not a good manager of his lands.”

“Even with the higher prices from trade?” Callani asked.

“No bribe money,” Amina smiled. “He’s seriously out of pocket and can’t maintain his former indulgent lifestyle.”

“Ah,” Rigilo chuckled. “But I see he’s suddenly received an influx of funding.”

“From Fordel, yes,” Darras replied. “According to Erren, it’s being smuggled in by Darmelans, and he’s using it to bribe your former opponents who haven’t accepted your rule to stir up trouble and prevent you from deploying the full Royal Army to Fordel.”

“Typical,” Rigilo sighed.

“I’ll deploy the Auditor General and his people to those mentioned on the list,” Callani nodded. “If they suddenly have an influx of unexplained coin, they’ll find and deal with it.”

“And increase your reputation as a petty tyrant?” Rigilo chuckled.

“I care not,” Callani smiled gleefully. “As those who have crossed me found out to their regret.”

“Yes,” Rigilo replied. “It’s difficult to accuse when faced with hard evidence of wrongdoing or misguided thinking.”

“Your new Council are well aware of your approval of me ... well, now they are.”

“Yes, I doubt Baron Cole will forget the roasting you gave him as he tried to cut corners on the ways and means provisions to redecorate the banquet hall,” Rigilo laughed. “Nor did he enjoy me endorsing your criticism when he complained.”

“He’s a good man,” Callani admitted. “It’s just that he saw the banquet hall as an extension of your prestige when inviting foreign guests.”

“Well, he knows how little you or I care about our prestige, particularly as there is so much more of importance to do within the Kingdom by way of essential repairs.”

“We’ll get there eventually,” Callani chuckled. “In about five or so years.”

“And we’ll allow him to supervise it,” Rigilo laughed.

“I’m glad you have things in hand, my friends,” Darras smiled.

“We do,” Rigilo nodded. “But a lot of that comes from having responsible subordinates running the Duchies, keeping an eye on the Earldoms, etc.”

“All loyal, too,” Darras agreed.

“They are. Miront prioritised the new docks in Cranagh, and the sales of grain and other consumables from there to Iversirion have massively increased,” Callani replied. “With a corresponding increase in wooden products and Dwarven goods in return.”

“Glad it worked out,” Darras nodded.

“Oh, we still have massive debt hanging over us, but thanks to King Leandomus, it’s manageable,” Callani replied. “Two good harvests and improved infrastructure by way of roads and the dredging of the Rachtele have enabled us to increase our exports to our neighbours massively.”

“And train the Royal Army regarding Fordel, too,” Rigilo added.

“They’re ready?” Darras asked.

“They are,” Rigilo confirmed. “Though there are only a few who are aware of this.”

“My guild stands ready to assist, Rigilo,” Amina confirmed.

“That’s appreciated,” Rigilo smiled. “There are no better urban scouts.”

“Well, you know what Erren desires from your chastisement,” Darras nodded. “What is it that you intend?”

“Our primary reason is Fordel’s holding of our national treasures,” Callani replied. “That’s our casus belli, at least.”

“They claim they are holding them for the government in exile,” Rigilo added. “We suspect they are being used to provide comfort for the former Council.”

“They are,” Darras confirmed. “Erren will supply via her priests a detailed list of where the still accessible treasures are.”

“Still accessible?” Callani asked, though it was clear she suspected.

“A lot of the gold, including the crown of state, was melted down to bullion,” Darras replied.

“That,” Rigilo replied, his eyes blazing. “Was a reprehensible act and will cost them dearly.”

“They’ll blame it on the former Council,” Darras added. “However, it was bought by the Temple of Darmela and destroyed out of malice because Erren supposedly blessed it.”

“Did she?” Rigilo asked, slightly diverted.

“No, but that’s the tradition.” Darras smiled. “Erren blesses people, not objects.”

“Good excuse to burn Darmela’s temples to the ground, though.”

“Feel free to wreck her religion and the mercantile classes; just try to avoid any excesses against the common folk,” Darras warned.

“We will; Jertin is selecting specific targets, and I will not permit unrestrained looting,” Rigilo confirmed.

“Also, feel free to chastise the mercenary forces they have; they target any followers of Erren who shelter Acolytes of hers.”