Chapter 6

The following day I was exploring the castle, as led by the official guide, an older chap who was a distant relation to the count. As we walked along a tower's parapet we watched as the count's golden coach came riding along. This was a disappointment, as I had been looking forward to at least two more days of Leline's affections. I thanked the guide for the tour, and left. I slipped past the guards who patiently awaited our return, the same two whom he had spoken to before about keeping an eye on me.

As I crept down a stairway which led into a small chapel, I overheard voices rising from the main staircase below. The count spoke loudly to some other person, and by the tone I judged this to be of some importance. Having just been shown every room in the west end of the castle, I ran strait for the count's main office. It was unguarded, and I walked strait through. It was a rather large office, and there were some book shelves in the back which seemed a perfect hiding place. And so there, I head, peering out between the stacked dusty books, many of which seemed a century old.

In walked the count, followed by a stranger. A servant closed the door behind him. This strange was tall, broad-shouldered and balding. He wore a black gentleman's cloak and held a fine black steel staff. The man owned a fat chin, which he held high and firm. There was an aura of arrogance about the man. The two sat, the count behind his wide oaken desk, greedy and witty eyes gazing at the stranger with an energetic gleam.

"Let's get right down to it," said the stranger, to which the count nodded with excitement. "What you're asking for is more than a simple amendment in regards to the legal affirmations of this province. 'The Blood Right' is part of a very old portion of the constitution that has been resolved, and of which few ever agreed humane."

"It is a principal that I am highly passionate upon," said Count Giles, eyes dead serious. "It is an ancient belief of our people that nobility breeds divinity with God and the Holy Planet, and its loss breeds ignorance and off-balance. It is a right given all nobles of my position, that has never been officially removed from the King's Documents."

"Indeed," said the stranger. "But many have worked well to all but abolish the principal hundreds of years ago. Since you have your uncle's permission, and his province has jurisdiction over this island, then... all you require is the permission of the Supreme Court Judge."

The count sat back in his chair and grinned greedily. "Precisely. And of course, in exchange for such a generous favor, I would be forced to return the favor. Say... fifty thousand silvers?"

"Is that all?" said the judge.

"Starting bid. Seventy thousand."

The judge cleared his throat. "I had a somewhat... larger favor to ask in turn."

"Oh?" said the count. "Such as?"

"Your island, Sholinstein, namely," replied the judge. "I want it included in your will that the inheritor shall be none other than my nephew, Esiodor. He inherits your island, I grant your desire. That is my offer, count."

"Ninety thousand?" offered the count. "Oh, very well. A very steep bargain is this. Later you can sign witness to my will, as I include your nephew as soul beneficiary. Only, my wife..."

"What of her?"

"I wish that enough be left her, so that she may move and settle down somewhere safe, and peaceful."

"Very well, we'll go over the details later."

The two men stood and shook hands. "A pleasure doing business with you," said the count.

"I know it is," said the judge, his eye flickering at him as if he had just made a pact with the devil. He left. The servant led him out, as entered another man.

This man was Neil, the Guardian of Sholinstein. This meant that he did the hiring and firing of the castle's employees, commanded the guards, and saw that the count's orders were carried out. He stood before the count as he sat back down behind his desk, his manner now quiet, yet eager.

"It worked," said the count. "I must make his nephew heir to my seat, but... I'll get my wish."

"I can imagine how the countess will take it," said Neil.

The count lowered his head. "I'll be a trial," he said with a sigh. "But it'll be worth it."

"Let me get this strait," said Neil. "All the young virgins on the island will be yours for the picking."

"Any that I desire," grinned the count. "My seeds will spread like wildfire, and nobility will bless this island. And no longer will I need to keep my discretion a secret. Of course, what happens on this island must stay on this island. Now, all these upper middle class families... and I will be the Holy Father of the island. The one who is many, and is sacred in the eyes of the people."

"Many will hate you," warned Neil. "They may riot."

"I will soon have far more soldiers to my call," said Count Giles. "The general's been waiting long enough. Send him in, and two birds will die in the stone of one day."

I waited for a time as the count wrote in his journal, wavering desire burning weakness and love and hatred in his eyes. He wrote like a man obsessed, or perhaps possessed. Finally the servant led in a second stranger, this one a tall and larger fellow, with dark golden hair, greasy and curly, and a foul breath which reached as far as me as he approached the count. He wore a dark green tunic and a drooping vest of battered scale armor. The shook nodded, and sat.

"How goes things, general?"

"The government of the eastern province of Linn is fraying with confusion," said the general. "New powerful young businessmen fight for control, while the old noblemen struggle to suppress them. It's a power struggle, and the politicians are twisted between both sides, with growing desperation. As you know, we command a large and powerful army. A mighty kingdom it would make. I have been speaking to many of its governors and mayors, and they are firmly on my side that we must take a stronger stance against the enemy in this war. All this... mayhem needs to be cleared away, and nobility needs to be reestablished.

"As you know, I am a close personal friend with Lord Kerridee," continued the general. "He is old and tiring of this mess. He secretly plans to step down, but fears that he has no heir to take his place. His nephew is one of them 'free thinkers' and refuses the political role, and with all the chaos who could blame him? There have been two attempts made for the Lord's life. My people there were much impressed with your last few visits, and see you as a man with vision and a clear head. They almost love you."

"Not as they do you, their champion," said the count.

"And they respect my word highly," nodded the general. "The Separatist movement is growing strong, and many of the people are willing to back any strong leader who leads it. Of course, they adore the province of Kirwood, and its Lord, your grandfather. Works are in motion by the nobility to turn over the province to the command of Kirwood, as Sholinstein had been. If one was to rule Linn, and help it separate from Lorail... he would be a powerful king indeed. Powerful enough to stand opposed to Lorail's leadership. And strong enough to oppose the enemy."

"The heir to my grandfather's seat is my cousin Verlin," said the count, very thoughtful. "Next in line is yours truly. If something were to happen to him... with my grandfather's failing health... I would soon become Lord of Kirwood."

"And I could promise you Linn on a silver platter," said the general. "But you must promise to restore the nobility to traditional power, and to the military."

"We will become a leading military force in the world," promised Count Giles. "As it once was. Justice will be inflicted upon those who have damaged and betrayed us."

General Kronnagur grinned with carnal zeal. "You'll be the leader that we need." The general stood, and then the count. "You're the man to restore Linn's independence, and together we can make it strong again."