Chapter 33

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[The Master]

“Fucking useless, why am I surrounded by incompetent oafs.” The master shouted, startling the other members of the meeting. They said nothing however, subservient should not interrupt the master, speak when spoken too and never interject your opinion. That was the rule for surviving the master and those who didn’t learn it didn’t last long.

“Friar, I want you to make sure you’re heading to Littlebrook when the church sends their delegates. Herald, work with friar to forge the necessary seals to make it happen. Friar, contact me once you’re there, I’ll have work for you.”

“Yes master.” The friar replied taking his leave.

“Herald?”

“Yes master” Herald relplied.

“Good work, with Lady Eloith, the beginning of war looms on the horizon. But we have more work to do. The Garthian alliance is a collection of weak minded fools and a letter in the right place can help it tumble down. I need you to make a seal for the House Baralise to stamp upon the letter. The arrangement will be the same as last time. Do a good job and I shall reward you.”

“Yes master. It shall be done. I will not disappoint you master.” Herald replied backing out of the meeting and collapsing his spell.

The master allowed the frown to fall from his face and a smile bubbled forth. Things were going to plan. Yes, those idiot mercenaries had failed. But they were bandits for a reason and competence and intelligence were not the reasons. Still they had their uses, limited as they may be.

Something was up with this dungeon; a simple dungeon should not have been able to stop his forces. Especially one so new. He needed more information.

“Contact the squire, I need him.”

“Yes master.” His assistant replied, cowering in fear. What a snivelling coward the master thought to himself. He was going to kill the man soon; he couldn’t stand his stink. Cowardice and morals stank to high heaven and the master couldn’t tolerate it.

*** 1 day later ***

“Master” the squire spoke, bowing low to the ground.

“Squire, I have a task for you.”

“yes master?” The squire responded eagerly. The man was a sycophant to the highest degree, it was what made him so useful to the master, he had been the squire for ears now and though the master found it disgusting, it was useful.

“A new dungeon has been discovered, in the Avaltjarn. I think it is time the prince went delving. When the guild starts up there, I want the prince to visit and you must find out everything you can about the dungeon. Can you do that squire?”

“Of course, master, only yesterday the prince was complaining about being bored. It shall be easy to suggest such a course to him, he has always fancied himself an adventurer. The chance to challenge a new dungeon shall be most enticing.”

“Squire?” The master asked, keeping his tone light.

“Yes master?”

“Shut up!”

“…”

“Do your job and shut up! I do not care about the prince. Just do the job and don’t fail me! You know the consequences of failure all too well, are you eager to relearn the lesson.”

“No master.” The squire replied, fear making his words stick and he stuttered in response.

“Good, you may go.”

“Yes master”

Squire left and master smiled again. Yes, he could see it now. His plans were well on the way.