Norman sat at the council room table with his hands lightly clasped, his crown was making his head ache, but he knew better than to forgo formalities at such a time.

Aidan Helmer sat a few chairs down on his left wearing a long velour plum colored coat that looked thin and breezy. Otherwise, he wore a white tunic and black trousers. However, while his clothes were casual, his dark eyes surveying the nobility around him with a small, insolent smile, was not.

“His majesty King Matthais will be taking Lord Piereva back into custody and will place him under arrest in his family estate for a total of five years,” the Chief of Military explained while leaning back comfortably in his chair.

“That is obscenely lenient. Insultingly so,” Earl Laurent snapped darkly. “Earl Phillip Piereva violated not only Daxarian laws, but Troivackian ones as well. Are you saying your King Matthais is forgiving of these insults to his ruling? How suspicious.”

Aidan turned a charming smile to the man. “Lord Piereva has long been hotheaded. I am given to understand that one of his many crimes was even harassing my own son. Five years of his political power being stripped is more than fair in Troivackia’s harsh environment.”

“That’s right, your son was one of his targeted people while under my roof. I’m surprised you are not more personally offended by this,” mage Lee called out, and was not at all surprised to see a look of disgust mar the fire witch’s features when he realized who had addressed him.

“Well, you see mage, I have complete confidence that my son, even as a deficient witch, can still best a mere human. I am not worried for his well-being.” Before anyone could chastise his snide tone, Aidan turned back to the King.

“This is the only punishment his majesty King Matthais has offered. If you do not acquiesce to the terms, then we will be forced to require a prisoner of our own of equal value. Lord Piereva’s sister, we understand, is here in Austice as well, and given that the head of her former household is now incapcitated, this could be a wonderful opportunity to reflect on whether or not she may wish to-”

“When Lady Jenoure married Viscount Jenoure, she became a Daxarian citizen. She holds no responsibility to her former home,” Norman interjected coolly.

“Besides, even though Phillip may be forced aside, there is another brother is there not? Charles Piereva?” Lord Fuks pointed out while eyeing Aidan Helmer cautiously.

“Ah, it is unfortunate, but Lord Charles Piereva has gone missing recently.” There was a strange glimmer in the fire witch’s eyes that sent chills down everyone’s spines. “A pity really. He left behind a very dutiful wife and young child… If only Lady Jenoure could be persuaded to tend to her family during this time of distress.”

“Is the Troivackian King threatening Lady Jenoure?” Captain Antonio growled.

“Not at all, we are only asking her to think of her family as we try to negotiate her brother’s release.” Aidan resumed his charismatic grin and it made Norman’s stomach roil.

“A prisoner for a prisoner is not the usual way of doing things,” Mr. Howard pointed out in his usual distant tone.

“It may not be. Then again, neither is arresting a foreign noble and refusing to return him to his home land for his sentence.” The fire witch regarded the assistant with interest.

“Negotiating terms is not a new practice. Though I do forget it has been only a few years since you have joined the Troivackian court,” Norman observed. “For his release, we would require Lord Piereva to be stripped of his title, tenets, fined heavily, discharged from all military duties, and forever banned from our shores. For violating the laws of war, and for the assault of a member of Daxarian nobility.”

“Assault?” Aidan cocked his head to the side. Instead of appearing flustered at the King’s reply, he seemed bored.

“Ah yes, when I initially sent the missive to your King that event had not taken place. Lord Piereva had physically grabbed Lady Jenoure’s arm and seemed intent on breaking it,” Norman explained calmly, though he was already greatly uneasy over Aidan’s cavalier attitude.

“I see. Well, that can be boiled down to cultural differences. Men and women tend to have far more complicated relationships in Troivackia.”

“Are you suggesting a foreign diplomat of Earl Piereva’s level, is not aware of how to behave when visiting another Kingdom?” Mr. Howard’s flat tone drew the witch’s gaze.

“It is easy to forget ourselves when it comes to family, wouldn’t you say so, your highness?” There was a strange note that entered Aidan’s voice.

“Abuse of a family member is not what I would call an instance of ‘forgetting ourselves,’ Mr. Helmer. Do you not share the sentiment?” The King answered levelly.

“Needless violence is of course never a good thing. However, for some people discipline is best learned through more… firm methods. Too much coddling can be just as damaging in my experience.”

Norman stared at Aidan, and resisted the urge to have him beaten right then and there. Somehow, he resisted the bait. The man was clearly after some kind of reaction. Afterall, everyone knew that Daxaria’s King was notorious for being head over heels for his Queen.

‘As much as I want to deal with this arse now, I can't tip off Matthais that we've uncovered his hidden soldiers. I wonder… if he’s trying to figure out how close Finlay and I are...’ the monarch speculated to himself as more possibilities for the fire witch’s motives cropped up.

“Mr. Helmer, this discussion is digressing. We are here to discuss the terms of Lord Piereva’s punishments. You have not yet replied to our counter offer.”

Aidan shook his head with a chuckle. “My answer should be obvious. No. King Matthais has made himself clear. Lord Piereva will only receive a punishment of five years of arrest in his family estate.”

“This is preposterous, you do realize we have the full right to demand his death?” Earl Laurent burst out angrily.

“The answer will remain the same. I expect a list of possible members of nobility to join me on the ship should these negotiations carry on for longer than the previous schedule of three days. This person will act as a placeholder until Lord Piereva is released. If we make it back to Troivackia before an agreement is met, then they will be given the same courtesy you have shown Earl Piereva.”

“We will not send an innocent citizen to be punished for Lord Piereva’s crimes. This is outrageous. Are you purposefully trying to drag on these negotiations?” Mr. Howard scoffed incredulously.

“I am only the messenger for my King.” Aidan shrugged. “Though admittedly, forcing me to abandon my wife has not put me in a favorable mood.”

Norman continued studying the witch, allowing silence to settle over the room as he leaned back in his chair. His expression was otherwise unreadable. The longer he stared at Aidan, the more uncomfortable the room grew.

“You are giving us a terrible sentence, because there is something very specific you want in return for a more respectable disciplinary action. Something not easily given. What is it?”

Aidan smiled, and moved his black eyes to the King with greater interest. “My, my, your highness. You do not think me a forthright man?”

Norman did not respond, nor did he show any emotion, and Aidan sighed, shaking his head when he realized that the royal was not going to lower himself and respond in anger.

“It is true his majesty King Matthais is interested in bringing Lady Jenoure home. However, I might be able to… persuade him to leave the Viscountess alone… if I am allowed to take my son back with me.”

The room was so shocked that even the birds outside seemed to cease their singing.

When the King still didn’t respond, Aidan decided to become a little more straightforward.

“He is not of nobility and holds no courtly position or wealth, so I am certain that this is far more favorable to all of you gentlemen present. In exchange, whatever punishment you deem fitting for Lord Piereva, King Matthais will agree with.”

“You ask that your son is evicted from Daxaria against his will?” Norman asked, his voice not betraying a single note of emotion.

“I can offer a better life for him there. In my position in the court, I am angled to become ennobled soon. He could be set to inherit a title and my wealth, which has grown quite considerably.” Aidan for once looked completely serious, and it was more than a little unnerving to the council. “It would be to his benefit. I had wanted to bring Kate with me as well, but alas, that opportunity was stolen from me.”

Norman sat for a long time, clearly in deep thought. Mage Lee, Lord Fuks, Captain Antonio, and Mr. Howard all exchanged meaningful glances. Each had plenty to say in more private times.

Then, the King of Daxaria surprised everyone present, and spoke.

“I will consider your offer, Mr.Helmer. I will have an answer for you by the end of your three day stay, now if you will excuse me, please see yourself out. There are other pressing matters the council must discuss.”

Standing with a smug smile, Aidan bowed, and turned on his heel and walked out the door leaving the entire room of nobles to stew in their uneasiness.

Well, almost the entire room... Norman was thinking it was quite an interesting notion...

*

Fin hammered the pork cutlet with added vigor as he tried to keep his mind off of stressful topics.

Topics such as how he no longer could see Annika easily because he was back at work, and she was banned from the castle until after the war.

Or how the broom he had magicked to drag his father from the room was nothing but a pile of ash outside his kitchen door by the morning when he had gone to look for it.

Or how his mother was in hiding because her former husband was in the same city, and might do her bodily harm.

Or how his aides had forgotten once again that yes, salt is necessary when making bread, and no, it was not fine to leave bits of eggshell in the batter being made for a savory pastry.

“It just adds a bit of extra crunch!” Sir Andrews complained as he continued hunting through the dough for the tiny fragments of shell.

“We could always just start over again,” Sir Lewis added hopefully as he too perused his own bowl of batter.

“You lot have wasted more ingredients than have been consumed. You will pick every bit of shell out of your bowls, or I will have you scrubbing the window from the outside,” Fin replied without looking up. “Sir Taylor is already weeding the garden, and even Hannah is back to pulling carrots. Peter is the only one of any of you to show any improvement.”

The aide being praised blushed at the compliment as he worked his dough in a bowl at the opposite end of the table from where Fin stood.

Sir Andrews groaned. “You’re too strict! Heather is sick again because of you!”

“It isn’t your business to worry about Heather’s delicate constitution,” Fin snapped and finally looked up only to see that both the Knights and Peter had their eyes fixed on the doorway.

Fin turned around, but with a twisting in his gut, he already sensed who had arrived.

“Good day, everyone.” Aidan Helmer strode into the kitchen, his hands clasped behind his back as he nodded to the Knights that were sitting cross legged on the floor and to Peter who visibly took a step back.

The way Aidan carried himself and looked at them all made it very clear that he believed himself to be above them. Even though the Knights on the floor technically were titled whereas he was not.

“I was hoping to have a word with your superior in private.”

Fin felt like vomiting.

“We are in the middle of preparing lunch. There is no time for an idle chat Mr. Helmer, good day.” Fin resumed tendering the cutlets, and pretended not to notice the awkward pause that filled the room.

“I will wait here then.” Aidan strode even further into the kitchen, his hands clasped behind his back casually as he looked around at the surroundings. After giving a very obvious appraisal, Aidan’s black gaze fell to Fin.

“You are in the way, Mr. Helmer.” A low rumble behind the fire witch made him turn back around. He hadn’t realized there was someone else who had entered the-

Sir Taylor glowered at Aidan threateningly. He was a hulking mass covered in sweat and dirt, and he was standing two inches from the long slanted nose that was identical to Fin’s. Somehow, Sir Taylor seemed even bigger than a few moments before.

“There is plenty of room around me.” Aidan’s disdain dripped from his throat as he beheld the threatening man before him, and didn’t bat an eye. “Are you the gardener? You should be more mindful of your place. You-”

“YOU!”

A womanly shriek pierced the air, and for once, Aidan jumped back in surprise. What unholy creature had bellowed so crazily?

Sir Taylor grinned darkly and stepped aside to reveal a red faced Hannah, who was clutching two bunches of carrots at her side, and was shaking head to toe in obvious rage.

“Get out,” she seethed. The size of her ominous aura far exceeded her small frame, and even Aidan had to wonder if the woman was a witch of some kind.

“Young lady, it is not appropriate for you to speak to your betters-”

“THE DAY A MAN LIKE YOU IS BETTER THAN ANYTHING OTHER THAN BIRD SHIT IS THE DAY I-”

Aidan turned his back on Hannah, and strode over to Fin who was watching the entire scene with mild amusement.

“You dare let an employee speak to me like that?” He shook his head. “I thought you were above such childish antics. I see you have much to learn still.”

“And I thought I made it quite clear when I blew you off an Island. You should stay away from me.” Fin’s eyes were beginning to glow, and a set of paring knives that had been peeling vegetables suddenly stopped their work and turned their points towards the fire witch.

Aidan’s gaze narrowed, and any former arrogance in his face was replaced with hardness.

“You hate me, that much is clear, but I can at least say you’ve grown into a stronger person thanks to me. I do not see you weeping into your mother’s skirts like I was afraid you still would be.”

A bunch of carrots was suddenly slammed down on the table beside Aidan’s hand, making him jump.

Hannah had surprised him for the second time that day, and her wide blue eyes stared crazily up at him only adding to the effect.

“I will shove each of these up every hole you possess and then carve new ones just to be sure I don’t waste food if you don’t get the fuck out of this kitchen.”

The room rose by several degrees in temperature, as Aidan visibly swallowed, Fin could sense the magic swelling up in the man as he and Hannah glared at each other.

“I will see you tortured for your insolence.” Aidan towered over her, and yet as much as he tried, he could not get her to back down. Even when beads of sweat began to roll down her cheek, her teeth remained clenched and her small chin pointed up stubbornly.

“You aren’t the first Troivackian to come in here trying to punish us. Though, you did speak down to the eldest son of a Baron just now, and failed to bow to three Knights.” Fin gestured casually at Sirs Lewis and Andrews who waved with wide smiles on their faces at the fire witch, while Sir Taylor stood with his legs braced and arms crossed, his brow still frowning.

The witch didn't bow as manners dictated he should. Aidan’s fury was palpable, but sure enough, he headed back to the entrance, and just before he slammed the door behind him shouted over his shoulder:

“We will have a private discussion soon, Finlay. Whether you like it or not. I promise, you will regret today, and you will be far more receptive to me in the very near future.”