"And what of Arminell? I see you still have him running errands this morning." Erdudvyl took a sip from a golden goblet before delicately placing it back on the hard oak table. As she swallowed, her perfectly formed face displayed a contorted expression.

"That is a thirty-year-old wine from Ruvia. Chamlogne-var-areau. You can't tell me that you don't approve?" Ethelston chuckled as he leant back on his dark mahogany chair, his feet, naked, were placed nonchalantly on the table.

Trying to gulp in the most graceful manner, Erdudvyl placed her back of her hand on her mouth, turning her head away as she swallowed. "I dare say that perhaps you humans have not developed tastebuds." she smiled "We digress, Arminell?"

Ethelston took a smile as his counterpart attempted to remain graceful, but he knew she would not let this question remain unanswered. "I believe he is liked by the men, has experience and seems capable of performing the job well."

Erdudvyl seemed a bit confused by Ethelston's comments. "How could you come to that conclusion after such a short amount of time?"

Unlike Erdudvyl, Ethelston had no grace when drinking his wine. Rocking his head back he took a large gulp before savouring the taste as it slid down his throat. He let out a small satisfied sigh before continuing. "I'm a good judge of character." he winked towards Erdudvyl.

She looked away nervously, briefly, before returning her gaze towards him. "He's hardly trustworthy. He was ordered to not let anyone into the keep by Millendahl, two gold coins later and he just instigated a coup."

"My dear Erdudvyl, " replied Ethelston while removing his feet from the table, "What you did not take heed was how he did it. Yes, he took the coin, yes, he inadvertently got his master sent to the dungeons, but how he did it speaks volumes to me. He sent us in unarmed, and it was a thorough check too."

Erdurdvyl frowned, "I remember, he seemed particularly eager to check for hidden daggers on Loldirr."

Ethelston's laugh echoed through the hall, a laugh that was infectious and encouraged Erdudvyl to follow suit. Perhaps the wine was loosening up the little Elf.

"Next, he escorted us into the keep, prepared to take full responsibility for his actions. I say that speaks positively for his character." continued Ethelston

Erdudvyl appeared to scoff at his comment. "You humans set low standards for positive characters."

"I need to do a few check-ups, but I believe he can steer the city guard in the right direction." Ethelston replied.

Erdudvyl shook her head slightly knowing that Ethelston was unlikely to change his mind on the subject. "What of Millendahl's right-hand man, I forget his name."

"Kirken?" replied Ethelston, watching Erdudvyl as she nodded "Kirken has been a loyal member of his household for years. He served my father before he served Millendahl."

"And from what I hear, you father was betrayed?" Erdudvyl replied callously.

A small frown appeared on Ethelston's face.

"I apologise, " Erdudvyl confessed "I forget that a humans need for honesty is somewhat subjective." seeing that this response irritated Ethelston further she turned and took a long hard look in her goblet.

"There is no proof that Kirken was involved, besides, I'll need his diplomatic skills when he accompanies you to Lionmane."

Erdudvyl turned her head back quickly "Lionmane?"

Taking another gulp from his goblet, Ethelston wiped the corner of his mouth with his sleeve. "Removing Millendahl from Ravenscourt creates one huge problem, the Emperor." he explained "Millendahl was an avid supporter of the Emperor, therefore, the Emperor will likely be concerned that he has lost half of his Empire."

As he explained, Loldirr entered the hall and sat quietly by Erdudvyl, refusing to make eye contact with Ethelston. Pouring herself a drink, she quietly proceeded to look directly into the goblet's contents.

Ethelston continued "I'm sending you, with Kirken, as an representative of house Darke, to ease any concerns he may have."

"I thought the objective was to remove the Emperor and place Loldirr in his place?" asked Erdudvyl.

Loldirr turned abruptly as her name was called.

Ethelston smiled. "In time, yes, but if the Emperor feels remotely threatened, he'll send one of his reserve armies to regain Ravenscourt. From what I have seen so far of the city, we wouldn't survive long in a seige, and an all-out assault would be catastrophic. I just need you to gain me time."

"Why me?" Erdudvyl asked.

"A representative of the Deayitora Dominion? The Emperor would have no choice but to listen to you for not to upset the Elves."

A scowl edged onto Erdudvyl's face "But I do not speak for the Dominion."

Ethelston smiled and leant back in his chair "Emperor Arnaud doesn't know that."

"You are taking a massive gamble with this." Erdudvyl condemned.

"You're going to meet the Emperor?" Loldirr asked, finally picking up on the conversation. "I must go with you."

"Are you insane? Lionmane is literally the most dangerous place for you to be. I've never met Emperor Arnaud, but from stories he's unpredictable. He's executed people in the past for looking at him wrong." Ethelston commented.

"I would say the middle of the Necromancer's army is probably more dangerous." Loldirr responded sarcastically.

Erdudvyl turned to Loldirr "For once, I agree with Ethelston. If this Emperor got a whiff that you are the rightful heir he would do anything to kill you."

A scowl swept onto Loldirr's forehead. "Nearly everyone wants to kill me these days. I was told to get to know your enemy, plus I would like to meet the man who killed my parents and visit the apparent seat of my throne. I will not be an Empress who cowers behind her subjects or is too afraid to face adversity. I must go with Erdudvyl."

"Who taught you that nugget of information?" Ethelston asked.

Immediately, Loldirr turned her gaze away from Ethelston, her eyes stared at the table in front of her "Your father." she mumbled, her voice appearing to trail off into obscurity.

Ethelston sighed. "Loldirr, look, my father and I were not close but I understood he did what he did for something far greater than myself. He was an overcomplicated man but his plans and reasons were solid. Now it is my honour to follow in his footsteps, to protect you at all cost. Do not dwell on his death because many more will follow his fate for your safety. That is the way of someone of your importance."

"Ethelston speaks true, " Erdudvyl reiterated "You have to accept that people will die for you. By the time the Necromancer will be defeated, hundreds of thousands will die in your name. It will be up to you whether they die because they have to, or because they want to."

"I did not know my father well, but I know him well enough that he wanted to protect you at all cost. Head up young Loldirr." Ethelston responded with a smile.

Hanging on every word, Loldirr listened carefully. She didn't want anyone to die in her name, but she was starting to realise that some things were out of her control.

Other things, however, were still very much in her control. "I still need to accompany Erdudvyl to Lionmane. I may not be an Empress yet, but this is something I must do." Loldirr emphasised.

Erdudvyl looked towards the stubborn young woman and sighed before facing Ethelston. She showed a brief smile before nodding showing her approval. It had become obvious that Loldirr would not back down.

"So be it." responded Ethelston. "I will begin preparations after an errand I must complete. Be prepared to travel within the next few days."

Taking a large swig from his goblet, Ethelston slammed the goblet on the table and wiped his mouth. Standing up he headed toward the door, the smacking of bare feet hitting stone echoing through the hall, before turning to the two women. "Remember, though, that the decisions you make now do not only affect you. They will cause a ripple effect across the entire realm." he warned before pushing the doors of the hall wide open.

Exiting the hall he turned towards his chambers to prepare for his most important task of the day. Appeasing the Emperor was paramount but there were still plenty of domestic issues that needed to be dealt with. Ravenscourt could still be torn apart by his arrival, it was up to the Duke to ensure the damage was limited.

***

Walking through the cobbled streets of the upper town of Ravenscourt brought back some strange memories of Ethelston running through them as a child.

As he looked around vaguely familiar streets, he felt somewhat discombobulated by the memories that flashed by. As if they belonged to a completely different person.

The firstborn and only child of the Grand Duke of Ravenscourt to turning his back on his heritage to become one of the most infamous mercenaries throughout the realms. Now he was back as the Grand Duke, or he will be once his position had been made secure.

"May I ask where we are going milord?" Arminell asked as he escorted him through the streets.

"To see an old friend." Ethelston replied, somewhat relieved to be brought back from his wandering thoughts.

"I just wanted to say that it's a privilege that I may accompany you milord." Arminell responded.

Immediately Ethelston stopped in his tracks and turned towards the ageing city watchman. "Arminell, at the moment I like you, but there are a few things that you must understand."

"Yes, milord?"

"Should I decide for you to continue working with me, understand that I hate kiss arses." Ethelston responded bluntly

Arminell's wide eyes showed his shock at his Lord's tone of language.

"Always speak the truth with me, however hard it may be. I don't need you to tell me how great I am, I already have a reputation that suggests as such. What I need is someone to tell me how great I am not. To keep me focused on doing what's right. If you do this, you and I will get along just fine." Ethelston explained. "Can you do that?"

"Aye, milord." Arminell smiled.

Ethelston returned the smile, patting him on his shoulder, as he turned towards walking down the streets once more. After a few minutes, they reached a reasonable sized wooden and stone house. Its carefully crated windows and doors suggested this person was of some wealth and influence within the city.

The overgrown weeded garden suggested, though, that perhaps they were going through hard times; like the rest of the city.

"Wait here Arminell." Ethelston ordered as he knocked before entering the house.

As he entered, an aged bald-headed man, possibly in his sixtieth winter, sat looking at him with soulless dark eyes. As the man stared at him more, a small smile crept onto the man's face, his cheeks seemed to twitch, as if smiling was an effort that he had rarely done over the past few years.

With a broken, but soft voice, he said "Could I see a resemblance to a boy long lost?"

Ethelston smiled and stroked his beard, "You can't recognise me can you?"

"Hah! Of cause not." the man responded standing to his feet with ease. He may look aged, but it was obvious his wits and physicality were not. "I may be retired, young Ethelston, but my methods are not."

"Jarendrud, it's so good to see you again." Ethelston smiled as the two of the embraced like long lost friends.

"Let me get my best ale, we have years to catch up on." Jarendrud reacted.

Ethelston threw his arms out wide, "I would never say no to Ale. Especially if it's your best. I just hope you have plenty for our catch up."

***

The candles had long been flickering as the moon was high in the sky, but time seemed to have stood still as the two men, Ethelston and Jarendrud, had been reminiscing.

"And my daughter, Chrys, she's been the best since her mother passed. She's far to mature for her age, but she's had to grow up quickly, especially since..." Jarendrud hesitated.

"Since what?" Ethelston asked.

Jarendrud shook his head "No matter. Your father, have you heard from him?"

"He's dead." Ethelston responded, perhaps a little too callously than he intended.

Jarendrud remained quiet, looking away to hide the small amount of sorrow in his eyes. Turning back he asked "The child?"

"Alive and in the keep."

A joyous smile appeared on Jarendrud's face. "It was not all for nothing."

"Your daughter, Chrys, I've assigned her as Loldirr's personal maidservant. Is she discreet?" Ethelston asked.

"My daughter can talk for the twelve realms, she got that from her mother. Her discretion she most definitely got from her father. Loldirr, a girl? The last Aex-Igh? I assume you wish to continue in your father's footsteps and make plans for placing her on the throne?"

Ethelston nodded as he took another swig from his tankard. "Absolutely, which brings me to the main reason why I'm here. I need my father's spymaster to work for me." he petitioned.

Jarendrud wiped his bald head, a tell he had to indicate a sign of stress. "I failed you and your father, and Ravenscourt has suffered for years as a result. Why me?"

Ethelston leant forward. "There is no one I trust more and you are the best at your business."

Ethelston couldn't tell if it was the flickering of the candle or if Jarendrud was actually crying. The man who he had known most of his life was not one for expressing emotion.

"But I failed your family, I did not see what Millendahl and Arnaud had planned until it was to late." Jarendrud sobbed.

"And despite how quickly we had to act, you managed to save me, my father and the last of the Aex-Igh's. That was no easy feat."

"But your mother?" Jarendrud responded.

It felt like Ethelston had been punched in the stomach when his mother was mentioned. Turning his head away, Ethelston did not want to show the grief that tarnished his face. Gaining his composure, he turned his head once more. "My mother was a casualty of war. You did what you could, in situations like that there will always be collateral damage. Finish what you started, end the strife that has stricken the land, help me place the rightful heir on the throne."

He nodded ever so slightly before a small smile appeared "Is she likely to be a good Empress?" Jarendrud responded.

A smile crept onto Ethelston's face. "She's still working out who she wants to be, but I believe she has the potential to bring stability and prosperity back to the Isovine Empire."