Lord Seldam sat at a fanciful table, with fine dining plates and a glass of exquisite wine in one hand. Across the table from him sat his wife, Clara. Between being the Lord of Jovin City and having two wonderful kids to look after, the two of them have rarely had time for themselves. That day was one of those rare days, pivotal moments in their marriage that he would always cherish.

  “How’s work been?” Clara asked, taking a sip from her glass of wine and setting it back on the table.

  “Stressful,” Lord Seldam answered truthfully. “I wish I wasn’t so damn busy all the time so I could spend more time with you.” He couldn’t help but smile. Marveling at his beautiful wife, he often wondered how he’d been so lucky. Lucky to be tied to this wonderful woman, be wealthy, and be surrounded by wonderful people.

  “Oh, don’t you worry honey. After dinner, I will take all that stress away,” Clara said, a mischievous look plain on her face.

  After ten years of being married, the spark was still there. He sat his wine glass on the table and gave her a smile. “I would love nothing more than that.”

  They used the time it took for their meal to arrive to discuss several things. Things Seldam wanted to talk about but was caught up in work instead. Things such as their childrens’ performance in schooling, what they had in mind in the future, and at last, the rebellion.

  “Galvin is here in the city,” he said abruptly.

  “So I heard,” Clara gave a chuckle before taking another sip of her wine. “So how do you intend to go about capturing him and sending him off to the king?”

  Lord Seldam shook his head. “I’m not going to do such thing. He’s rallied up the people here, you know. Caused quite the uproar.”

  “I’ve seen the streets. Heard the news. He’s quite the handful. What do you mean you’re not going to capture him and send him to Rathalin?”

  “You know how I feel about the king’s rule,” Lord Seldam spoke, choosing his words carefully. If there were ever a time he would need the support of his wonderful wife, it would be now. He didn’t think he could go on if the support wasn’t there. “I intend to join him in this crusade.”

  Clara just stared, her expression blank. That was one thing he hated about her. At times, she was hard to read. When she wasn’t being flirtatious with him, all other emotions were hard to discern.

  She pursed her lips. “Well,” she began.

  She doesn’t agree.

  “Well?” Seldam pressed.

  “I agree with you disagreeing with the king,” she spoke. Her voice remained steady. Calm. Not a hint of anger within. He knew his wife better than that to know that she didn’t want him joining up with Galvin. “But, I don’t think the way the rebels, Justice or whatever they’re calling themselves, is right either. I think what you’ve been doing here is the best you can do. A city where you’re in charge, separate from the king but still under him, working change. The best way to change a nation is from the inside. All this fighting and killing will cause the rift to widen between loyalists and the rebels.”

  Seldam sat there for a moment, letting the words hang in the air. He had often listened to his wife in the past and followed her advice. She was a well-informed woman and spoke reason every time she talked. But he couldn’t agree with her this time. In truth, he’d been waiting a long time for an opportunity like this to arise, and he’d be a fool to not latch on to it.

  “You can’t change things from the inside,” he finally said. “You can ignore it, but if you ignore it, it’s still going to be there. I can’t ignore it any longer. Do you know how often do I see slave traders wandering my streets with breathing, living people tied to shackles, shirtless, and their ribcage visible from malnourishment? And do you know how powerless I am to stop that? I can’t stop slave traders wandering my streets because the king himself has declared it a right of man.

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  “I’ve spoken with the king, Clara. I’ve seen the darkness in his eyes. He must be removed from the throne. He isn’t one to listen to reason and change his mind on how to run this nation.”

  Clara sat there thoughtfully, her expression remaining stoic. “But do you have to bring the city of Jovin into the rebellion. Did you think what would happen if we were to lose the battle? To me, your children, your people?”

  “We won’t lose,” Seldam promised her. “Galvin’s shared his plans with me and I think it’s a good course of action. He’s going to wait until the army is nearly here, go out with some members of Justicar on boats, and recruit people to come and help us without the army seeing them. I feel like they can really win this fight!”

  Seldam certainly did not expect their evening together to proceed in this manner. He thought this would be a time where he could unwind and let off some steam, but talking about it was just going to add to it.

  “Galvin… Do you think you can trust him?” his wife said, twirling her matte black hair. “If I do recall correctly, the last time he was in Jovin City, he threatened you into getting what he wanted, no?”

  “Yes,” Lord Seldam affirmed. “But things were different then. Now, I think we really have a chance to make things right. If Galvin is right… then there will be a battle in this city.”

  Clara nodded. “It’s been a while since I’ve held a dagger, but I will do my best to defend you.”

  Seldam shook his head. “I want you out of the city before they arrive. I want you to take the kids and go somewhere else. Somewhere safe for the time being. I don’t know what I would do with myself if harm befell you guys.”

  Clara sprang to her feet, knocking her chair back. “What? No!” Her outburst surprised Seldam. “If you think I’m going to sit somewhere safe while you’re risking your life here, then you’re wrong. I’m going to stay here and help you.”

  This time, Lord Seldam was the one who was calm. He rested his chin on his knuckles and breathed in deeply. “No,” he spoke, his tone cold. “This is final. I’m not sure if Galvin is right in saying the army is going to come here. But in the off chance that he is, you will take the kids, and you three will leave. That’s final. I’m not going to debate it.”

  Seldam could see the anger in her eyes now. The calm and reasonable demeanor she had before was replaced with white hot anger. Her knuckles had grown white from gripping the tablecloth.

  Their night was ruined, no doubt about that. His voice softened next he spoke. “I’m sorry Clara. I want you guys to be safe.”

  “What about you?” she demanded. “Don’t you think we want the same for you? How can you make this decision for other people?”

  “Because I am the lord of this city, and the lord of the house. To ensure you guys make it so safety, I will have people escort you out of the town when reports come of an oncoming army. I’m sorry, Clara. This is non-negotiable. I hope you can understand this.”

  She let go of the tablecloth and stormed off, leaving the restaurant. Lord Seldam leaned back in his chair and sighed. He knew it wasn’t wise to bring up the rebellion, but a part of him wanted to get that off his chest, even though it had ruined his night.

  “Will the mistress be returning?” their waiter approached, carrying a silver tray with two more glasses of wine on top.

  Seldam shook his head. “No, she won’t. And I’ll be taking my leave as well. I apologize. I’ll send you the money for the food we ordered and the wine,” he said. He got up off his chair and gathered his belongings before departing.