Chapter 19: The Counts Disposition

  The cell’s bars creaked as another blow rang out. The constant thump of flesh on flesh only accompanied by the occasional grunt of effort or moan of pain. Count Listien Albus entered the dark and dank cells underneath his castle with a huff. He was informed his son had news from the capitol for him and had been summoned. He scoffed at his own thoughts. No one summoned him least of all his own brat.

  Still he needed the information his son could provide. News had been scarce from the capitol ever since he left after the yearly Council meeting earlier in the month. News had come that elves had appeared in the kingdom for the first time in nearly fifty years.

  The grunts of effort grew louder and the pitiful cries grew weaker as he approached the last of only four cells in his dungeon. Two of his elite guards in their green and white tabards over chainmail stood at the entrance to the cell their spear held upright. As he got closer he could tell the men were trying not to listen to the sounds coming from the cell. He waved his hand at them not bothering to speak and they stepped aside obediently.

  He entered the cell and scrunched his nose up at the smell that greeted him. The small cell was smothered in the smell of blood and iron. Inside a young shirtless man stood over an older man who was naked and tied to the wall with chains. The young man had raven black hair like his own and a muscular build. He wore only his black leather pants and thick boots. Even after the count entered the boy didn’t stop methodically breathing the older man. Blood splattered as the blows came but the man looked like he was beyond the pain now.

  The man looked to be in his early sixties and had the remnants of a richly tailored tunic and jacket in him. It was now ripped and bloody. He must of been some kind of merchant. And from his dress he was likely from the capitol.

  He had to clear his throat to get the young man’s attention so focused was he on his “fun.” He turned a wide feral grin on his face. If he was anyone else seeing that level of bloodthirst in his oldest sons’ eyes would have unnerved him. But he wasn’t just anyone and he welcomed the pragmatism his son showed.

  “So what information did you have that was so important that I had to come meet you in this place?” His son grinned “Oh, it wasn’t important enough for you to come all the way down here.”

  Listien sighed, “Then why?”

  “I may have exaggerated to the page I sent to let you know I had information for you.” His son scratched the back of his head with a bloodied hand.

  “How many times have I told you to not scare the castle staff Temarius?” Listien said his voice low in warning. He did not mind his son’s viscous side but he could take it too far at times.

  His son didn’t answer so he continued.

  “Clean yourself up and have this… mess cleaned then join me in my solar. We will talk there.” He turned without another word and exited the cell. Behind him he heard his sons words.

  “Return this filth to his family, as promised.” The count found himself sighing as he realized that this would be another problem he would have to solve.

  Almost a full glass later the count found himself in his office of sorts. It was richly furnished in green and gold with a polished cherry desk and several cushioned seats. A large bookshelf lined one wall filled with tomes of knowledge. Many of the texts would have raised eyebrows at court. Another wall saw two glass doors lead out to a sweeping balcony. The balcony over saw the entire city of Taston and the capitol of the County of Kingston. Leagues and leagues filled with people who served him and his family. That’s where he was now standing in the balcony a gold and silver goblet filled with chilled wine in his hand.

  The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  A soft knock on the door was the only courtesy he received before his son barged into his office a new clean purple and silver doublet adorning his frame. His hair was still damp but well groomed. He glanced out at the balcony before coming out to join his father. The night was chilly especially here in the northern part of the kingdom. Dark clouds swirled in the night sky above. Below him the courtyard and wall were brightly lit up by torches. Guards in the green and silver of his house marched back and forth on their patrols.

  “So what information, did the man possess?” He asked his son. He put an edge in his voice to show his displeasure at having been kept waiting, his son only grunted before relenting.

  “The merchant told me that four days ago and Elven delegation arrived from the Var Toth Clan. That there was tension between the royal house and the elves over some act that the Young Prince did.”

  “Act?” Listien inquired raising his eyebrows in surprise.

  His oldest son nodded, “Apparently, the young prince stepped in and interfered with the elvish delegation on behalf of a commoner.” The boy said the last part with a sneer. He just nodded understanding taking root in his mind. He found himself spinning plan after plan in his mind. If there was tension between the elves and the royal house? Yes, those was something he could use to convince members of the council of the kings unfitness to rule. He’d been pushing for this very thing for years now.

  “Three days ago the Prince was seen leaving Illasium in the company of nearly fifty city guards and a royal knight captain.” A chuckle escaped the counts throat.

  “That bastard actually let his son out of his sight? About damn time!” The count turned back to face the city as his son continued unfazed by his interruption.

  “And the night the merchant left he got news that the king had called for a lockdown of the entire city. Which is why he packed up him and his daughter and few guards before leaving as quickly as they could.” His son fell silent but the plans and speculations in his head only grew louder. This changed a lot of his plans.

  A commotion below caught his attention and he turned to see the two guards that had been in the cell below drag the old man’s lifeless corpse from the castle entrance.

  They dragged him the gate where the guards on duty opened the gates promptly. Outside a young woman in a bright yellow dress waited. She was quite comly with black shoulder length hair but he couldn’t see nearly as much of her features from this height.

  He watched as the guard dumped the old man’s cold corpse uncaringly at the young woman’s feet. She fell over the corpse and he could hear her sobbing from where he stood. Suddenly she shot to her feel and began screaming at his guards. Something she said must’ve offended the guards because one stepped forward as if to strike her.

  From behind the young woman a man in chainmail and leather stepped forward and put himself between the guards and the lady. The count then realized that four other guards likely mercenaries hired by the merchant stood behind the young woman. A brief exchange happened and the other guards stepped forward drawing his sword and pointing it at the guards. The other four mercenaries surrounded the young woman swords bared now.

  The young woman’s sobs could still be heard over the clammer and he was beginning to think he was going to have to execute the two guards for causing such a seen. But the young woman barked a command and the mercenaries put away their swords before hefting the old man’s body delicately and backing away. They never turned their backs as they returned the way they had come.

  A sigh escaped him as he turned to his sons guestured to the gatehouse.

  “You see that right there is why I wish you would stop antagonizing the people.”

  His son scoffed, “ You’re not seriously telling me you care for the filthy Commoners.”

  It was his turn to scoff, “Hardly. But offending the Merchant houses could make things difficult.”

  His sons’ sneer was perfected. “The Merchant houses,” he spat. “Just a bunch of up jumped peasants.” Listien didn’t rebuke his son instead he nodded.

  “Yes but they are powerful. And angering them could have adverse effects for my plan. So no more having “fun” with them,” he ordered sternly. He held his son’s gaze making sure he understood before turning and heading back into the room. Plans for the future were already swirling in his mind. He needed more information. It looked like he was making another trip to the capitol.

  “Come Temarius, we have much to discuss.”