Tale of Four

Anton sat, fingers interlocked, staring at his council, as they refused to speak, waiting for him to say a word. Looking at them, Anton couldn’t help but internally click his tongue. Bar William and Lord Deacon, everyone was tense. His gaze focused on Lord Deacon for a second. Despite having declared neutrality in the war in return for his service as Chancellor, he still had to attend meetings about it, even though he didn’t offer troops or allow passage through his land.

"Is there any news on Brandon?" Anton finally spoke, turning to William Fox, Katrina’s cousin and new head of the Silent Chamber after his purge. William smiled, his appearance like his namesake, that of a fox hidden behind a soft smile.

"Lord Alkaris sent word of an invisible creature watching him during his council meeting. Besides that, nothing, Your Grace. He has vanished." William leaned back and shrugged. A second man leaned forward and spoke, Lord Aaron Bundy, the new man incharge of the Seat of War. Meeting Anton’s gaze, he quickly looked away, his body stiff as a board.

"What of House Starlight, Your Grace. I understand Prince Elias is marching on it with a small host, but Cleeve is not a man to be underestimated. He has already started his assault on Lord Walden’s lands, trying to reach the Waterway. He may be surrounded, but the man is a proven commander and knows connecting to the Waterway will provide him the support he needs." Lord Bundy said his voice was getting quieter with each word under Anton’s intense stare.

Going to take a sip of water, he stopped and held the glass up to the person behind him. Tristan stepped forward and refilled his glass, silently going back, saying nothing, keeping his head plastered to the floor. Anton silently sipped, letting the suffocating tension build.

"Cleeve is dangerous." Finishing his drink, he carefully put the glass down and spoke, "But he is surrounded and outnumbered. Lord Walden is not a weak man and will hold. In the meantime, what of House Grove and Mortly?"

"Hampton forces have been spotted slowly filtering through their lands; the path to Everlight is easier if they do." William said, "Although my little foxes are spreading, I haven’t had much time to take over, and the informaiton available to me is limited. All I can confirm is Hampton forces are marching." Anton tapped the table, the sound echoing throughout the room as he closed his eyes.

"Lord Hipply’s lands are protected by the Clearstream River; we can delay support for them. In the meantime, Lord Sunflare marches in my direction. His forces are split, but the bulk marches for the Crownlands. Lord Alkaris has promised to lay siege to the Waterway in return." Anton turned to Lord Bundy, "March on House Grove. Getting the Crownlands under order is our priority before we think of marching beyond them."

"And of Cleeve?" Lord Bundy asked in reply.

"I have personally trained Elias in war. He will take the lead." Anton replied and turned to the other man on the council, the Bookkeeper Lord Oscar Doyle, "How long before we must begin borrowing?"

"A year," Oscar said, not looking up from the set of paper before him. Pushing his glasses to refit them on his face, he frowned, "Depending on whether prices stay the same. Lord Clover will meddle with the price of grain; if he raises or lowers it, I can’t say. It also depends on whom he will support, Your Grace. Should he commit treason and declare for Prince Brandon, he won’t stop selling to us, but he will definitely mark it up. At this point, I suggest working under the assumption of six months."

There was a flash of anger in Anton’s eyes, remembering his time in the Silent Hills and the delayed food transports he needed during it. But the anger was gone in an instant, replaced by his cold glare, "Cut costs where you can; however, under no circumstances are you to raise taxes unless ordered. I cannot have the Commonfolk aiding Brandon becuase we bleed them dry." Oscar looked up and nodded and returned to his papers, pulling out a pen and scribbling on it. Anton spoke again, "If you must borrow, borrow from Lord Goldvein first. I will send word to Lord Alkaris to make sure any deal we get is favourable." Oscar nodded and tore the paper he had just worked on, scribbling on a new one.

"Keep searching for Brandon." Anton looked to William and ordered. The young man with a soft smile nodded and spoke in return.

"And what of the Blackwells?" Anton showed no reaction to Williams’ question, staring blankly ahead.

"Continue investigating them, but keep it hidden." William nodded, "Also," Turning to lord Bundy, he carried on, "Mobilise, expecting little assistance. I do not understand what game they are playing, but I know they did not support me in good faith; they had a desire to get rid of Brandon." Lord Bundy sighed but nodded. Looking to lord Deacon, Anton’s mood softened ever so slightly, almost unnoticeable. "I will take to the field at some point. I leave you in charge, alongside Elias, if I do."

"Your Grace, even in that position, I will try to stay neutral. Whilst I will take no action to hamper your war effort, know that I will do nothing to aid it. My sole concern is the realm." Lord Deacon confidently replied, not allowing room for argument.

"Then Lord Deacon." William leaned forward, "Should you not be supporting your king in earnest and help crush this rebellion?" Lord Deacon looked at William and scoffed.

"Do not try to get a reaction out of me." Lord Deacon’s eyes chilled, the warmth usually in his foggy pupils gone, "I have served longer than you have lived. Even when the Desert rose, I did not act in a way that supported the crown or the desert. My sole concern is the realm and its stability."

"And yet you refuse to help end a war that could restore stability. No one doubts your loyalty, Lord Deacon, but it is misplaced." William quipped, never dropping his friendly smile.

"Enough." Anton’s voice was low, "Lord Deacon, I understand your neutrality, but understand that if your actions impede me in any way, I will revoke your title. Not out of distrust or hate, but necessity. I know your loyalty to the realm." Anton turned to William, "You are Head of the Shadow Chamber, William, not King. When questioning my chancellor before me, I cannot help but assume you believe you know better."

William placed a hand on his chest, "Your Grace. My job is to question, I mean no offence." Looking to Lord Deacon, he smiled, "But I understand. I shall keep my concerns and questions to myself, unless necessary." Anton nodded and rose.

"Everyone out." The council stood and bowed, departing one by one. After they all left, a white dove, hidden atop a chandelier, flew down, landing on Tristan’s shoulder. Anton looked down at Annabell, "Well?"

"The guy incharge of war is sceptical."

"I could tell. What else?"

"The guy with glasses held back from saying everything." Anton’s gaze narrowed, making Annabell step back. Fully closing his eyes, he took a deep breath.

"What else?"

"That fox is hiding many secrets." Anton nodded, not needing anything more. Although he had Tristan as a cupbearer for Annabella’s ability to sense lies and hidden truths, there was only so much she could do, as she was unable to read the minds of the men herself.

"Leave." Tristan placed a hand on his chest and bowed, placing the chalice of water he held on the table.

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Lord Limb looked at the distant fort, made out of sandstone. Atop the thick yellow walls, desert soldiers lined the walls, wearing thin chainmail and leather armour, cloth wrapped around their faces. The towers atop the gates saw the distant raiding forces watching them, and with it, bells echoed acorss the sands as more soldiers took the walls, ready for them, unsure if more were coming.

"My Lord." Lord Limb looked over at his aide, seeing the sweating man rubbing his forehead with a gaze full of worry that he might make the wrong decision.

"How far out is the marching force?" Lord Limb asked, looking back at the fort.

"The force heading for the waterway is a few days out. I give it a week if they face no interruptions." The aide took out a small letter and handed it to Lord Limb. "This arrived from Lord Alkaris."

Lord Limb nodded and quickly read the letter. Rolling it back up, he pushed it down his sleeve to safely store it away. "Lord Alkaris has passed Seven Spire and begun marching south." His tone was flat as he said that. With a deep breath, he looked around his force, which wore unmarked armour, masquerading as bandits. It was a flimsy disguise; no group of bandits ever able to afford the equipment they used without a lord’s backing.

"The closest village. Where is it?" His aide looked at him for a moment.

"It depends on which direction you wish for us to go. The closest from this position is past the fort, but there is one on the road to the Waterway." Lord Limb nodded.

"We move for the Waterway. Draw them out of the fort." Making his decision, Lord Limb looked at his men, gave his order and led them towards their next target, ignoring the looming sandstone fort.

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