Palace was overcrowded by servants,musicians and dancers.They were gathered there to welcome the guests to the palace as proud lord Aethric Sullivan of Silvaris was visiting the king of Eldhraen to sort out the problems that had led all of Aelvarys to suffer.
The main source of coal, tobacco, and vodka of Aelvarys was imported from Eldhraen. In return they received wine, silk and steel from the Aelvaryans.
But lately Eldhraen hadn’t delivered the goods, the proud lord Aethric, who was also the lord of banks at the council of Vaelor Ael’Tharyn had found this act as a breach of their agreement.
He couldn’t afford to let this get to the kings ears, because king had strict rules for each of his council members and he wasn’t very forgiving with the ones that broke them.
The only problem that was ever deserving of Vaelor’s attention were the ones that carried any risks to his rule and tyranny.
This wasn’t one of them, so lord Aethric was here, in Valmare. He was never fond of the place, or the people living there, or most of all, their king.
He entered the castle grounds on his white stallion, with a group of 100 guards at his back.
He was dressed in a fine white robe with a clock around his back that carried the sigil of a Bear.
From the looks of it any man who wanted him dead could fire a crossbow at his chest and he’d be lying on the floor in the pool of blood.
That’s because the looks of his clothing were deceiving.
Under all that silk and luxury he wore a pure Aelvaryan steel armor, the finest money could buy.
Twice as strong as the normal steel and much lighter.
It was practically impossible to tell if he was wearing it.
The royal family had gathered outside too.
In the middle-stood king Aldric, black bearded, who leaned on his great hammer
“Eikris” which was taller than he was. HE had million thoughts on his head.
“What does this ginger cunt want? “
Was the thought that had risen to the top of the others.
Next to him stood Vaelor, the eldest son who was more interested in the meeting than his father.
He looked closely at Aethric, how he acted, how he looked.
Queen Mariel was to the king’s left side and just like her husband, she had the same thought on her mind.
Behind them stood the three
Melisandre the eldest daughter of the king, who was fascinated by the white stallion of the high lord. She adored horses and she had never seen anything like that one.
To her right stood Robert, who had read and heard all there was to hear about him and Aethric did not let his expectations down.
Elena stood next to her brother.
She was not very keen on meeting new people, especially when those people were only there for political reasons and nothing else.
“I welcome you to the capital lord Aethric.”
Said the king, forcing himself to spit out the words.
Aethric got of his horse and walked towards Aldric and stopped around 5 paces from him.
“may we speak king Aldric, in private.”
“How direct” Elena whispered over to Robert.
“He is said to be direct, I guess I can say he has acceded my expectations.”
Robert whispered back.
“Of course, right this way” said King Aldric who felt disrespected and belittled by the man who was merely a lord of bank, no one else, but what could he do?
Shedding a blood of a Aelvaryan meant war with Aelvarys and Eldhraen was in no position to fight Silvaris, let along the entirety of Aelvarys.
They walked in the throne room where the servants had prepared seats for the guest.
A seat that was being overlooked by the Void Core.
King Aldric climbed the steps to the throne and settled in his seat. Aethric saw the seat he was given and understood what was going. He understood the king was trying to make him feel smaller than him.
“Who does this mongrel think he is?” he thought to himself but said nothing.
He quietly sat down and started talking.
“For many years, we have had an agreement king Aldric. Aelvarys always upheld its part of the deal, always delivered the goods in full.”
“So did Eldhraen” Aldric cut in the sentence.
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“Until now” Aethric added calmly” This month we have not received anything, yet you seem to be enjoying our wine, dressing in our silk and equipping yourselves with our steel, tell me what king Vaelor is to make of this?”
“We had a delay so what?”
The king asked as if he was talking about not settling a bet with his cousin rather than a pact between two Countries.
“I don’t think you understand the consequences of those actions king Aldric.
Our king is kind and patient but he will not be deceived.”
Aethric responded as if he was also not talking to a king, but rather a cousin, who had not settled a wager.
“Are you accusing us of breaking the pact, lord Aethric?” Aldric asked angrily.
“No, I am merely trying to understand what seemed to be the problem.”
He answered calmly.
King Aldric burned with anger, but he had no right to say anything, after all what he was saying was true, but he didn’t know that until the very last moment, because none of this business was ever worth his attention.
“Where is the master of wealth?” he asked
“Get me Arthur Demergad.”
Ser Nikkos bowed and said,
“At once your grace.” And he sent his men to find Arthur Demegrad.
Amidst the halls Corven Hale and Arthur Demegrad peeked at them.
“He seems to be angry you better go.”
Corven whispered to his year.
“You’re probably right, although it would be enjoyable to let Ser Nikkos’s nights chase me all around the palace. He said and let out a quiet laugh.
“Go Arthur. They will find you eventually and trust me you don’t want to see the king upset. He has beheaded men for much less.”
Corven said in a commanding voice.
“fine. I’ll go. And what will you do?”
Arthur asked.
“Go. I’ll come down soon as well.”
“I’ll meet you there then.” Demegrad told the hand of the king. He waited for a moment before a guard started walking towards them and met him in the way, avoiding Corven to be exposed.
“You asked for me your grace?”
Arthur bowed low.
“Bloody right I did”” the king shouted” Why has lord Aethric not received the goods?
I have given you one task, managing all finances, agreements and pacts and you fail even at that?!”
“You must forgive my negligence your grace.
I should’ve ordered it to be sent a fortnight ago, but the dock repairments, and the castle laborers managed to keep me focused on them to the point where it slipped my mind.”
“Disgraceful” Shouted the king” You shamed us, you made the lords of Aelvarys question my honor, what am I to make of this, tell me lord Arthur?”
“I will not try to defend myself your grace.
I am guilty of all those crimes.
I deserve everything you have for me, but I ask only this once to find it in your heart to forgive my shameful actions and I assure you I will never disappoint your trust ever again.”
“He speaks the truth your grace” Corven entered the chambers “The master of wealth made a mistake, a serious one, but he will make every effort and fix it. He has been a faithful servant; it would be a shame to punish a man over one mistake. The mistake that can be easily fixed.”
“Corven” the king started” Do you understand what you ask of me?”
“I understand your grace. I know it’s a difficult thing to do but it’s the right one.”
“The right one would be throwing him out of the palace and getting myself a master of wealth who doesn’t get carried away by minorities and forgets the major one.”
“And what minorities are those?” Corven spoke this time to him as his lifelong friend.
“You are my king and I am your hand, and long before we were king and hand we were friends, so I hold myself responsible to point out a mistake when you are making one.
This is a mistake Aldric.”
Corven walked closer to the Throne.
Aethric sat in his seat, enjoying the show, thinking to himself
“Eldhraens. So tiny, and pity, Pathetic beings.”
“Do not forget yourself Corven” said the king.
“Forget myself. Seems to be that you’re the one forgetting yourself old friend. While you debate if you should throw Arthur out, could’ve just agreed to let him stay, and he would have the goods ready to be sent until now, instead we stand here waste lord Aethric’s time and make ourselves look uncivilized.”
“Corven!” the king shouted.
“Yes old friend” Corven walked even closer to the throne basically standing in front of it, where king’s guard stood” I have to speak in this manner from time to time to prevent you from doing something that’s wrong which you are doing right now”
Said this Corven did and him ending the sentence and Ser Nikkos’s fist landing on his face was one.
Corven staggered back, his nose started bleeding as he groaned in pain.
“Choose your words wisely, when talking to a king lord Corven” Nikkos added coldly.
“Ser Nikkos!!” Shouted the king
Ser Nikkos turned around and simply bowed “Your grace.”
Corven kept wiping the blood from his face, as he looked up to the throne.
“For the sake of our lifelong friendship Corven and of my queen I am letting you keep your tongue, but know this, if you ever speak to me that way again, you will not have to worry about your tongue.”
Your wife will have to adapt to widows life and your son will have to learn to live without a father.
Never forget your status Corven and remember your place”
King said fiercely.
Corven smiled behind the arm that was covering his face, then he bowed
“You must forgive me your grace, I spoke out of term, of course I never meant any disrespect.”
“yes, yes save it” the king responded.
“Arthur Demegrad will stay as the master of wealth, and he will prepare the goods for sending immediately.”
The king ordered.
“Thank you, your grace. It will be done at once.” Said Arthur Demegrad, then he bowed and left quickly to get the goods ready.
“Very well” Lord Aethric spoke up “Then we’ll be taking the goods ourselves”
“Of course” the king responded” and lord Corven will accompany you with 100 knights of my own along the way, to ensure the safe transportation of the goods.
Let there be no reason for us to ever have to meet in those circumstances lord Aethric”
“I hope so, king Aldric” He responded.
“We’ll leave at sunrise”
“Very well. Lord Corven ready your horse, I will give you 100 men to accompany and you will go with lord Aethric to Silvaris”
“Ensure that everything is fine and then return to the capital.”
“Will be done your grace.” Corven bowed and left the throne room as Nikkos stared at him with a satisfied face.
Lord Aethric left as well.
Corven walked out in the garden where he saw his sister, who immediately asked him of the blood on his face
“It’s nothing” He responded and left without saying another word.
He walked up the stairs on the right side of the castle to the tower of wealth and made it to the chamber.
He entered without a knock.
Arthur was already waiting for him.
“Well, that didn’t exactly go as planned now did it?
“No my friend, you are mistaken, it went exactly as planned.”
Corven responded.
“Did that plan, involve your nose being bashed in by Ser Nikkos?”
“That son of a whore. I’ll show him what it is to be humiliated.”
“you better raise an army then, cause I don’t think you going alone against him is a good idea.”
Demegrad responded.
“You’ll see, everyone will see.
But first, let’s go along with the play.
Let’s make Nikkos feel like he succeeded, and when he expects it the least, he will suffer the most”
“Yes, yes. Now go, rest. You have a big day ahead of you.”
“you be careful Demegrad. Nikkos might have been able to embarrass me, but you definitely aren’t going to.”
“Wasn’t my intention, but I am glad you feel that way.”
The master of wealth didn’t back down.
Corven chuckled and left
“So long my friend. Try and keep that head on your shoulders while I am gone.”
“I could wish the same for you.”
He said.
Corven walked out and looked over the wall, at the stunning sunset. Valmare was dreadful, city smelled of sweat and piss, people looked like rats and the weather was unpredictable man would need to move
