"Such an interesting fellow, your new superior, don't you think?" Ashara shook her head in wonder. "Coming in as a wronged patient, he took practical charge of this city in a matter of weeks. Never since your late father have I seen such a dynamic leader..."

"Father had tried to wedge this city out of Skandian yoke," Arys countered. "Let's not forget that part of our history."

"As does Urdin, in a sense. Now, that House born out of dissent has fallen victim to dissent in its turn... and yet there is still someone willing to stand for its 'noble' cause. I applaud him for that, and more."

"I assume such similarities between our domains' histories had thus prompted you to declare for that dormant House, Mother?"

Asha sighed. "You might not be far wrong. Females are not expected to take the lead in this era, I know, but here I am--and this Lioness is getting older by the day."

She approached her son and laid a hand on his broad shoulder.

"I have tried my best to secure our family name and legacy, at least you could see that. When the Skandians first came here to demand reparations for your father's untimely slight, you were still a child; I remember carrying Vestra at my breast. Canny persuasion had resulted in them not uprooting us... but that is past.

"Now they will strike twice as hard, for the fact that Urdin's House is disjointed, and that we--in the Skandian view--have 'conspired' with his lot. Now, you're old enough to defend yourself and him. Now, Vestra is of an age to find a spouse. Tell me, Arys, do you thus resent my decision to subordinate you to the Eagle?"

"I could find no point to dislike about him, for all his outer hardness..."

"Truly? A few heads in his home city do not seem to think that way, I seem to recall."

"I believe we are thus probing into the Eagle's personal agendas, Mother. That does not seem very seemly."

Asha started to walk away. "Right you are. Soldiers rarely ask; they obey. Pray do not make that your primary outlook of life, though, dear Arys, lest you find yourself bowing to even the darkest crimes. Be sure to attend the evening council, hmm? I might have quite a few surprises... or rather, some of our agents do."

Arys smiled. "Until then, Mother."

***

No sooner had Asha left him, before Arys ran into his younger sister on her way to seeing the table arrangements for that day's lunch.

"Busy in and out of Mother's office, are you, Vestra? Best not overdo yourself."

"Nothing beyond my capabilities, Brother, thanks for the concern."

She smiled, continuing on her way. Arys tailed by.

"Feels a lot like our child days, if you ask me. You playing on cooking, I on soldiering... except the stakes are more realistic these days."

"Couldn't agree more. What did Mother say?"

"Oh, just something about attending another council this evening, wherein the general would be present. She talked of you too, you know."

Vestra chuckled delicately. "Me, why?"

"About time you find yourself a spouse, she said."

"Oh my. Did she brush on the topic of possible suitors too?"

"Not that I know of. Has there really been any, though? From your side, perhaps?"

She slowed her pace. "For my part? None. I am but one year past my teen days, and to be honest, it's a bit early to marry. If such an issue is already discussed, well, then it can only come with a suitor. Hence my question."

"Well," her brother said, "can't say Mother is anxious about that, at least. But you would do to prepare from now, Ves."

"Right, so we'll be talking on my terms. Personally I have no liking for the Skandians; they are like a dying beast that still struggles to get by, but there's no hiding the stench. Were I to be married into that faction, it'd most likely be to yet another prince-contender for their throne. My progeny shall be looked upon with contempt by those of fellow contenders, and I might as well be dead. That, or live on in the shadows of back-talking and royal fear."

"Then... what's your opinion on marrying someday into the reinstated House Hospodia?"

Vestra paused at this.

"Hospodia... ah, there's another matter. They seem to have a nice knack for unity, and with good reason. Some of their members might be hard, like Urdin, but he has a bigger purpose beyond the trust, loyalty, and possible admiration of those under him..."

"As if you're saying Hospodia and Skandia are inherent opposites," her brother piped in without malice.

"Oh, now, don't get me wrong, Arys. The Skandians had had their glory days, to be sure. Whatever values had supported that ideal condition are simply no longer there by our time. There are good people amongst them, you see; the only problem is we haven't found them."

"If you say so. Well, Sister, I'll be taking my break now. Do let me know when lunch is prepared, will you?"

She giggled. "Rest assured, dear brother."

***

The lunch was served ten minutes later, and as usual Urdin was also invited to the table. Ever since his recuperation in Estreon, Asha seemed to have regarded him as a living substitute for her long-deceased husband, Aerion. She had made some suggestions to this end to Arys one day, but never to Vestra.

The mayoress found it odd, therefore, that the Eagle seemed ill at ease this time around.

"I think I figured out some hints behind Hospodia's usurpation," he replied with a tinge of sadness when asked on the subject. "I hope to complete this mental puzzle by the end of today's council."

"Meantime... could we not do anything about it, sir?" Vestra inquired. "We may not be related by blood, but we did experience such feeling of loss. If--"

"Your family has done more than what was asked, Ves. You provided me a haven of new acquaintances, a place of personal recovery..." he shifted his gaze to Ashara, "...and now, a base of operations, along with your soldiers and treasury--almost for nothing! To think such were the fruits of what had begun as a formal inquiry of this city's loyalties..!"

Arys or Vestra would gladly have tried to comfort the now-sullen former general, had a slight uplifting of their mother's palm not prevented such a gesture.

"Well, sir," Ashara inquired carefully at length, "do you think you can spare us some of these details?"

"I'm afraid this is not the perfect forum, Asha." Urdin was striving to maintain his usual self-composure, Vestra saw. "You will hear of them, and maybe a bit more, at the council. Let's hope your agents do have new things to offer."

Asha relented. "As you wish."

***

The evening council was not as grandiose as Arys might have expected. Urdin sat at the head of round table facing Kalasnir and Shirsa, while being flanked by Arys and the mayoress. The only other one present was Kasnaf, head of the agents entrusted to look into the Eagle's case. Right now he was enumerating his reports.

"My agents reported that the rebellious spirit is permeating beyond Elbar, Madam Mayor, well into some of the outposts in 'the Link'."

"Have you any indications on which outposts have been affected?" Asha inquired.

"It spread quickly and completely to at least three outposts: the Capricorn, Virgo and Libra Points. The Leo Point is relatively unaffected, but I've heard reports about the authorities there engaged in nightly searches for malcontents; whereas the Scorpio Point, nearest this city, is of course still loyal."

Urdin grunted in approval. "Something I need to keep in mind when the eastward march begins. Anything else, maybe the mastermind's name?"

The spymaster licked his own lip. "About that... it may greatly displease you, sir."

"As if the rebellions don't already. Say it, and look at me in the eye as you do so."

Kasnaf did. "Pardons again, Sir Urdin. It was a certain Vasmir. We have yet to discover the rank--"

"Major-general," Ingeras' brother blurted, "my second-in-command. Promoted after the Siege of Balaras; came in alongside the third wave of reinforcements after the battle of Tishka. He is the perpetrator? Any proof?"

"So said my informant, sir. His was among the best spot for information-gathering. Went so far as to say he witnessed your lord brother's murder..."

Urdi stood and exhaled heavily in checked rage. "Was it the same man?"

"Apparently so, sir."

"Oath-breaker. Usurper. Kingslayer. And above all, my own direct subordinate! All those years!" Urdin shouted at the room. "What else have I not heard, spymaster?"

"Er... nothing. We shall keep you informed, sir."

"That you do. Kasnaf, is it?"

"At your service."

"Do you happen to know the name of this exceptionally well-positioned agent?"

"We recognize our agents not by name, sir, but by merit. Apologies."

"As if you are saying that being an eyewitness to a king's murder is not merit enough... But that's fine. There are limits to what spymasters would care to divulge, even to their closest." The Eagle resumed his seat. "I'll track him down myself."

Kasnaf inclined his head.

"Would that be all, Urdi?" Asha beside him asked with some sympathy.

"I need to be alone, mayoress, thanks for your cooperation."

"Really wish we could do more." She stood up. "This council is concluded. Viva Hospodia."

For once Urdin did not care to join, his expression indescribable.