by Kal Spriggs
Absolute silence met his statement. He waited a bit longer and then continued where he had been interrupted. “Now, as I stated before, Captain Gunnar of the Mircea has reported that Lady Katarina's forces successfully seized the Ryftguard and he is headed north to join up with our other naval vessels. As we had discussed with her, she has locked it down to all military traffic. This has secured our southern flank and we can now focus on the threat of the Armen.”
“My Lord,” Lady Peele said quickly, “I am not entirely certain that we of the Council really understand your reasoning. The Armen are withdrawing, if we attack them will we not just provoke them into further attacks?” Her voice showed, at least, that she genuinely wanted to understand.
Lord Schilt spoke up, his rough voice derisive. “The Armen are raiders, they're a warrior culture. From their perspective the Five Duchies are weak and their attack here proves that. If they are allowed to return north in their current numbers, with the loot and slaves they've taken, then next year they will come in greater numbers.”
Lord VanEggar smiled nervously, “I'm certain that we can work something out with them...”
“Our treasury is dangerously low,” Christoffer said with a nod at the pinched faces of Lady Peele and Jeroen Kurth. “With the impact on trade from their attack and Lord Hennings' illegal taxes, our income is going to be low. We couldn't begin to pay them off in any real numbers, and even if we could, it would only provoke them in greater numbers. They'll see it as a sign of weakness and if we put our gold there rather than towards rebuilding our military, they'll be right.” He paused and though it irritated him to do so, he explained further, “Noriel is a harsh land, Lord VanEggar, with only six months of even fair weather and eighteen months of snow and ice. They raid each other over the necessities and have bitter battles every spring over the best farmlands. To them, the Five Duchies is not only wealthy, it is soft and welcoming.”
“The plan from the Admiralty calls for us to hit them hard. Their trail elements are some of the most heavily laden down and they are moving the slowest. Hitting them will not only give us the chance to free some of our captured people, but also prevent much of the stolen plunder from making it north.” Lord Eggar looked mulish and Lady Peele looked sullen, but they didn't argue any further.
“I'll martial the ships we have here, while Captain Gunnar is headed north to meet us,” Christoffer said. “That will give us five combat vessels, along with nearly a thousand Marines to conduct attacks against the raid camps.”
“What of Duke Hector's offer?” Lord Erich said. While his tone was neutral, Christoffer didn't miss his word choice. By referring to him as Duke, it gave the offer more weight.
Christoffer grimaced, “Tactically an alliance with him would be beneficial in the short term, however, I'm not certain that he's trustworthy enough even for the length of his proposal.”
“We're not asking you to wed him,” Lady Diana said archly. She waited for the chuckles and outright guffaws to pass and even Christoffer allowed himself to smile. “From what I understand, you would merely coordinate attacks. Surely the potential benefit of working with him counters the risks. For that matter, his hatred of the Armen is well-known, I think if we count upon that we can't have too great a risk.”
Christoffer grudgingly nodded at that. “Still, if information comes out about our assistance in the seizure of the Ryftguard... it will make things difficult at best.”
Lord Erich shrugged, “It is unlikely that our full involvement would come out. Even if it did, he must realize there's a certain level of necessity. It is not as if we were directly attacking him, nor was he our ally at the time.”
Christoffer grimaced, but he didn't argue. Unfortunately, he thought, that kind of logic is all well and good, but it doesn't consider the emotional impact. While others might not see it as a betrayal, Lord Hector very well might. The loss of the Ryftguard would be a serious blow to both his security and to his appearance.
Still, it would be a tremendous advantage to coordinate their attacks against the Armen.
Lord Schilt spoke, “I'm not entirely certain I trust him myself, but when it comes down to it, coordinating with him, even at a distance, might save the lives of many of our Marines and sailors.”
Christoffer nodded at that. “Very well, I will speak with his emissary and discuss the details of his alliance. In the meantime, however, I will need the full support of the council towards this goal of our counterattack. That means not only your work here, but also your public support. Our people must know the importance of this and drawing general support is essential to boosting morale.”
He swept his gaze over the assembled council. Most of the men and women met his gaze with confidence, if not complete agreement. Here and there, though, he saw frustration and disagreement. It will have to do, he thought, I have to focus on one thing at a time.
He just hoped that once his fleet set out, that things didn't fall apart back here.
***
Christoffer stepped into his suite and paused as he found Lady Diana lounging on the couch in his sitting room. Nikolas had warned him that she was present, but he hadn't expected her to make herself quite so at home.
He also hadn't expected her to be in a scandalously low cut dress that showed off more of her figure than was strictly proper. Christoffer forced his eyes back to her face with a brief moment of gratitude for Siara's attractive figure. It had given him plenty of practice keeping his eyes where they belonged. “Lady Diana,” he nodded.
“Lord Christoffer,” she nodded and waved to the chair that faced her, “I apologize for making myself comfortable, but I find the meetings irksome and it is nice to relax after such long hours of tedium.”
Christoffer took a seat and raised an eyebrow, “I must say, I was a bit surprised to find you here.”
She quirked an eyebrow, “What, you think that I don't wish to honor my new liege lord?”
Christoffer met her gaze levelly, “I was under the impression that you did not agree with my selection.” It was one of the first things that Lord Erich had cautioned him about, just after the ceremony where the assembled nobility had sworn their oaths of fealty. Of the entire Council, only Lady Diana and Lord VanEggar had continued to oppose him as a choice as the new Grand Duke. Not that I disagree, he thought, but I suppose we do so for different reasons.
She shrugged, “I'd be lying if I said otherwise. I will not argue that you are a strong leader, that you know military tactics and strategy, or even that you truly wish to do your best.” She shrugged, “And if that were all that mattered, you would be a fine Grand Duke.”
“Do tell,” Christoffer said dryly. “You might not remember this, but I didn't exactly ask for the job.” He still felt a sense of despair at the weight of responsibility they had settled him with.
“Which isn't to say you didn't want it,” she smiled the smile of a predator. “It makes a certain level of sense, you understand, to outwardly proclaim yourself disinterested while maneuvering behind the scenes to approach that actual achievement.” She cocked her head, “A truly ambitious man would relish a situation where he could position himself as the only acceptable candidate, would he not?”
Christoffer felt a spike of anger at that, “You really think I would do that?”
“Why not?” Lady Diana asked. “It would be the smart thing to do, to ensure a strong leader in this time of crisis, would it not?” Her smile was almost condescending. “And if that were the case... well, there would only be one thing that would make your success that much better?”
Christoffer grimaced, “Enlighten me.”
“Well, an alliance of course,” Lady Diana said. “I've managed the spies and informants for the Grand Duke and the Duke's Council for cycles. I know where all the bodies are buried, I know who can be bribed, who can be bullied, and who can be conveniently... silenced. With me at your side, your reign would be unopposed. You could focus on the things that need to be done.” There was a pas
sion to her voice, one that both attracted and sickened Christoffer.
Christoffer stood, “I assume the way to cement this alliance would be by marriage?”
“Of course,” Lady Diana said as she arched her back to show off her assets. Christoffer didn't need much effort to keep his eyes on her face, her corruptibility sickened him. “It is the best way to marry, is it not, an alliance of power and beauty? Power is the ultimate aphrodisiac, after all. I might even be convinced to spend tonight with you... a sample of the goods, so to speak.”
Christoffer kept his face as expressionless as possible, so as to not show his total disgust at her attitude. He had heard that her concerns were from patriotism, but now he wondered how she had not been turned against Boir before. “I am afraid, Lady Diana, that I would rather sleep with a crocodile.”
If Christoffer were less angry, the look of surprise on her face might have made him chuckle. As it was, he kept his voice level only with difficulty, “If you think me so hungry for power, you are mistaken. Worse than that, you should have made your claims to the Council and so opposed me, rather than attempting to win me over with some scheme that sounds as bad as Emperor Dalton's secret police.” He took a deep breath, “I ask you to leave, now. I will not embrace such a dishonest course of action and even the thought of disgracing my responsibilities to prostitute myself with you makes me want to vomit.”
She stood quickly. Her eyes were wide and she had a thoughtful expression on her face. “Well, that was both unexpected and remarkably... well put.”
Her words shocked him more than her earlier offer, “What?” He had halfway expected anger or even some kind of diatribe, not the calm, collected words and her expression of interest.
She curtsied, a far more respectful expression than he had expected. “My apologies, my Lord Duke.” When she came up, her face was both collected and respectful. “I have to say that I've been surrounded by men of ambition for so long that I could not take your appearance as a man of honor at face value.” Her voice was apologetic and far more earnest than he could have expected. It was as if she had pulled away a mask to show who she truly was.
“That was some kind of ruse?” Christoffer asked incredulously.
She shrugged, “Oh, the offer to sleep together was real enough. Though I'm afraid if you had accepted the Council would need to select a new Grand Duke in the morning.” She gave a callus shrug, “I could not risk that a man like Hennings or a monster like Dalton would come to power here again.” Her eyes went distant, “The reason my family has held the positions we have, both on the Duke's Council and elsewhere is our dedication to avoiding that.”
Christoffer felt his heart go a bit cold at that, “You would have killed me.”
“Of course,” Lady Diana said, her voice as matter of fact as if they were discussing the obviousness of the sky's color. “With as popular as you have become and with the might of Boir behind you... you could be a very dangerous man. The only way to remove you would be through assassination, especially if you hid ambition or weakness behind your outward protestations of duty.”
Christoffer shrugged, “I think you overstate my popularity. Still, I take your meaning.” He shook his head, “Though I'm not entirely certain I trust you, even now.”
“That's probably wise,” she said. She shrugged and muttered something under her breath that Christoffer didn't catch. A moment later, she knelt before him, “My Duke, I swear to you on the spirits of my ancestors and in the name of the High Kings, that I am a loyal servant of Boir and my only ambition is that our Duchy rise to it's full potential.”
Christoffer sat back slowly as he made sense of what she'd said... and what she hadn't. “You're a Restorationist,” he said finally. It was more than a slight shock, it was something far more profound than that. The Restorationists wanted to restore the High Kings, in the process, they would make the Five Duchies subject to that authority again, at the same time restoring the old codes of laws, the old protections for all citizens, and the unification of the Five Duchies against their foes. The spymaster had just admitted that she valued an authority higher than his own... and that was meant to reassure him. In an odd way, he thought, it does. He had worked with Captain Elias Wachter, a man both possessed of solid integrity and a keen mind, who had admitted he too was a Restorationist.
She gave him a slight nod. “This is not something I advertise, as you might expect. It is something I kept secret from Grand Duke Becket, since, well his own opinions of the Restorationists was well enough known.” Christoffer nodded at that. Becket and his closest advisers had openly mocked them, when he didn't caution that their goals bordered on treason. “But given your own statements, I think that while you are not yourself one of us, you can... sympathize with our goals.”
He frowned, “So long as the interests of Boir are first in your mind, then I will not hold that against you.” He shook his head, “This conversation has taken an interesting turn.”
She gave him a nod, “It has, my Lord.” Her voice took on a more business-like tone, “Now, I used to conduct a private brief with Grand Duke Becket once a week where I would give him updates from my networks. I also conduct the brief to the Council, but some of the details are... delicate, so I prefer to keep them to as few people as possible. I trust you would like to continue that policy?”
Christoffer nodded slowly, “Yes, get with my assistant to schedule it.”
She nodded in return, though he saw her hesitate slightly, “My Lord, be cautious about Lord VanEggar. He's a spiteful, envious little man and even though he was never a real candidate for the next Grand Duke, he's always seen himself as having that potential. My people have noticed some of his lackeys developing an interest in you and those around you.”
Christoffer shrugged. Lord VanEggar didn't worry him, not as much as Admiral Hennings or the Armen. Still, he would tell Nikolas and Siara to be cautious, lest the man think he could blackmail or bully them to try to gain some leverage.
She didn't seem satisfied by that response, he saw. But she left it at that, “Well, then, my Lord, enjoy your night.” She turned and left, somehow with a measure of grace that made her scandalous outfit look proper.
Christoffer stood silent for a while after she left. For the most part, he was contemplating the implications of her true loyalties... and the calculation she possessed to plan to murder him should he prove to be the threat she feared.
There was a part of him, though, that recognized the emptiness of the room and wanted to call Siara in. He feared the weakness he felt when he resisted that impulse. The Armen woman was invaluable to him, he could readily admit, but it wasn't her input or advice he craved just then, it was the sound of her voice and the twinkle of humor in her eyes... as well as the way she continually challenged him. He had to resist that, now, more than ever, he knew. If he took advantage of her, both as a man of his age and also of his position, then he would do her disservice. To say nothing of how it would undermine his authority and the dignity of his position. I cannot allow myself to think of her as more than a respected subordinate, he thought harshly, or at most a friend.
Even so, long after he had gone back to his reports, his mind drifted back to Siara and he wondered what she would think about Lady Diana.
***
Admiral Elias Wachter
The Citadel, Boirton, Duchy of Boir
26th of Martaan, Cycle 1000 Post Sundering
“Admiral!” Lord Tarken said, his voice warm, “Welcome. I trust you are settling into your new duties well?”
Elias gave Lord Tarken a formal bow, “Yes, my Lord. And, again, I wanted to thank you for the promotion...”
The Grand Duke waved his hand to interrupt, “Nonsense, it was well deserved. If you hadn't already noticed, we are critically short on competent and loyal senior officers just now.” The tone of his voice suggested that he had seen Elias's report on officer readiness he'd sent to the Admiralty earlier that day.
“Well, I am glad
that you consider me among that number,” Elias said. He paused then, suddenly uncertain at how to proceed.
“Well,” Lord Tarken said, “While I am certain I could ask you for details on your report, I'm also certain I should leave those details to a more appropriate level.”
Elias nodded. That was one thing he appreciated when he had served under him as a ship's captain. Lord Christoffer Tarken knew well enough when to leave matters to others to handle and when he needed to become involved himself. Which brings me to this question, he thought. He took a deep breath, “My Lord, I have to admit, I've come with a question of a somewhat personal matter.”
The Grand Duke sat back in his seat and he cocked an eyebrow, “I trust, given our working relationship that this is something outside the normal channels?” There was no give in his voice, a sign that despite their service together, he wouldn't do any favors to Elias that he wouldn't do for anyone else. One more reason to be glad that he is our new Grand Duke, he thought.
Elias took a deep breath, “Yes. I've told you before that my family is descended from the old Ducal Guard and that we have some ties to the Restorationist movement, have I not, my Lord?”
