Dusk light washed over the city of Jast, the orange giving the somber city an amber hue on its black stones. The towers seemed less dark and foreboding as high as Argrave was, though he was not fond of the stronger winds here.

“I’m done,” Anneliese’s voice broke his thoughts.

Argrave turned, feeling some gold fur rub at his cheek. He wore the fancy black outfit he had had retailored a few days ago. It had taken some extra money to have it done in such a timely fashion, but he was largely satisfied with the results.

“And?” Argrave pressed her further. The rest of the company gathered around—Elaine, Stain, Elias, and Helmuth. Galamon was present, too, but he did not need to move from his spot to hear Anneliese.

Everyone save the two elves wore very elaborate clothing. Stain’s outfit was still the tight-fitting white one he’d donned when visiting Elias, and the young lord of Parbon wore his house’s colors. Elaine had donned a simple but vibrant crimson dress that seemed to meld with her hair. She most often wore the baggy gray robes, but in this dress, her statuesque figure was especially evident.

“I scanned the Count’s estate thoroughly,” Anneliese began, gaze jumping from person to person as she recounted her experience scouting with druidic magic. “Guards patrolled the outer walls and garden, but no more than usual. None of the rooms seemed to have any large gathering of troops. Of the areas I was able to explore with my pigeon, none of them seemed to be anything more than well-prepared for a banquet. I cannot account for secret rooms or hidden compartments, but the Count is not overtly preparing to take action inside.”

“I seriously doubt my brother would violate your right as a guest,” Stain spoke to Elias. “People would be speaking of it until the end of time. He can’t have that. People can only speak kindly of Jast, elsewise he’ll toss and turn in his sleep, crying and moaning in twisted agony at his sullied honor.”

“You’re doing a lot for this to happen, Veladrien,” spoke Elias to Stain. “Are you sure of it? I won’t fault you if you renege now.”

This is why I hate goody two-shoes, Argrave dialogued internally. They always try to take less than what they need, even at their own detriment. Don't give him an out, you fool... he wished to say, but Argrave was not genuinely concerned. He expected Stain's answer, and it came just as he thought it would.

“Call me Stain. It’s the name I chose—the one I want,” he insisted. “After tonight, Veladrien won’t be any more. If it’ll help this little deal work out, I’ll formally renounce my heritage. I’m sure Count Delbraun will leap forth like a dog towards a treat at the prospect of removing me from his family. Bastard. Er, no offense,” he quickly added towards Argrave, having recently discovered his identity.

“None taken,” Argrave shook his head. “Alright. So, seeing no immediate danger, I think it’d be best if we decided on a plan as to what should be done once we’re inside Delbraun’s estate.”

“We just need to get a private conversation with the Count,” Elias shook his head. “We play it by ear.”

“No, we don’t,” Argrave quickly refuted. “Our ears aren’t capable of much thought. This is too important to delegate to an organ which some people live without. The stakes are a lot larger than you can see, and I’m not talking about the beef which we might find served in these gilded halls.”

Elaine snorted, but most others were unamused by Argrave’s pun.

“Firstly, it’s imperative that we stick together. We can function better if we remain closer to each other, and in the event that something unsavory is genuinely waiting for us in the banquet hall…” Argrave bunched his hands together. “Strength in numbers, no? Moreover, we can’t say when or where we’ll encounter Delbraun, and so we all need to be by each other.”

“The Count is sure to greet us,” Elias argued. “He is the host, and we are the guest he specifically invited.”

“Do you think it would be prudent to show his face if he genuinely intends to move against you?” Elaine asked. “I see, now, why Argrave asked me along. I’m a shield. The Count won’t act against Elias easily if he risks offending the branch manager of the Order in Jast.”

“No, not a shield. Just your presence with Elias gives a lot of credibility to our offer. And now, Elias owes you a favor. He’s rather rich, if you didn’t know.” Argrave tapped his shoulder. “Look at this outfit. Silken white, gold threads… can’t have been cheap.”

“You take many liberties, putting the young lord in debt to another,” criticized Helmuth.

“What can I say? I’m a free-spirited man,” Argrave deflected.

Elias waved a hand. “It’s fine, Helmuth,” he interjected. “Alright. Say the Count doesn’t arrive. Say he’s not even present. What—”

“He is present,” Anneliese shook her head. “I have seen him wandering.”

Elias rubbed his fingers together. “How do you know what he looks like?”

“Argrave described him. Ashen hair kept slicked back, middle-aged, tall, orange eyes.”

“And how does Argrave know?” Elias prodded further. “The Count scarcely leaves his estate, let alone Jast.”

Argrave quickly supplied, “Stain told me,” placing his hands on the teenager’s shoulders.

“I did…?” He looked at Argrave, then quickly caught on. “Oh, right, I did,” he said with certainty.

“Indeed,” Argrave nodded, quickly pulling free his hand. “And to answer your earlier question, Elias—the beauty of a banquet is that other people will be in attendance. Most prominently, the local nobility of Jast will be present. It takes but a few pointed inquiries to incite their own curiosity; soon enough, they’ll be mirroring our own sentiments.” Argrave put his hand to his chest. “Why isn’t the host present? When will the host be present? That sort of thing is insulting to the nobility, as you know. Might be they’ll make a fuss for us.”

Elias bit his lip, thinking, then nodded. “It seems a reasonable solution. I don’t think I would have been able to come up with that on short notice. Perhaps it was naïve of me to think that people were fundamentally unpredictable.”

“Of course, if they are fellow conspirators working with the Count, nothing will come of it,” Argrave shook his head. “That alone should tip us off. It would be a good warning bell.”

“Then is that all?” Elias questioned.

“No,” Argrave shook his head. “I’ll be doing most of the talking—it’s what I’m good at, as I’m sure you agree—but this next part is very important, because he’ll likely be seeking you out for responses.” Argrave stepped forward, pointing at Elias’ face. “Do not allow him to decide at a later date. He must decide on this betrothal at this banquet.”

Elias looked up at Argrave, meeting his gaze. “Why?”

“You would make a terrible merchant,” Argrave shook his head, then held out two hands to represent two examples. “Let’s say you have two buyers of your product. One offers a very good deal. You know, however, the other buyer might be capable of offering even more. What do you do to maximize profits?”

Elias mused, and then bitterly answered, “I would tell the other buyer about the good offer, trying to get more out of him.” He shook his head. “You think the Count will go to Elbraille—or perhaps even Vasquer—and look for a better deal.”

“Precisely,” Argrave tapped his temple. “Like I said, I’ll be talking. I don’t want you botching this entire thing by saying something foolish. If you’re unsure, consult me. Don’t do any ear-playing or gut-following. Think with your gut and you’re acting out of your ass.”

Helmuth shook his head in disapproval at Argrave’s insolent words, but Elaine seemed quite amused. A silence stretched out as Argrave thought of more he could say, but he came to the conclusion that there was nothing more to add.

Argrave stepped away, shooting his cuffs and straightening his coat. “I hope the food doesn’t blow. I hate fancy dishes.”

“Is there nothing more? If so, we should probably head for the main gates,” Helmuth commented.

“Some few guests have already arrived,” noted Anneliese, looking out across the hill leading from Jast up to Count Delbraun’s estate. “I will remain here, keeping an eye on things with my druidic magic. Should anything seem awry, I will fly into the banquet hall and perch on someone’s shoulder.”

“Be careful,” Argrave cautioned. “If your pigeon is shot with a quarrel, god forbid, there will be a good deal of backlash.”

“Best I suffer some than let everyone be unwitting of what is coming,” she rebuked.

“If that’s your choice,” Argrave shook his head. “Alright. If there’s nothing more…”

Elaine raised one hand. “Do you need nothing from me? Should I merely stand around looking pretty?”

“You’d have no difficulty with that, I’m sure,” Argrave complimented smoothly. “I gave you no direction because I have no issue with any interjection you might have. Unless it’s a deliberate sabotage, of course. That would not be ideal.”

“No, you have my full support,” she shook her head. “This matter with that elven spellcaster, Rowe—the deal is not yet finalized, but this could be huge for me. I have to thank you for bringing him to me.”

“I thought you might like that,” Argrave nodded. “It’s no trouble. We can talk of it later, if you wish. For now… let’s go, shall we?” Argrave spoke to everyone.