Chapter 10

New Responsibilities

Zefran entered the throne room with as much grace and calm as he could muster. Without any prompting the highly decorated guard to his right announced him to the chamber, “Prince Zefran Einheart, fourth of his name, Former Lord Commander of the 12th Gunnery Legion, and Hero of Mist Lake.”

Zefran scowled internally. Hero of Mist Lake? A little rewriting of history. More like the Betrayer of Mist Lake.

“The Prince may approach the throne.” The Emperor stated.

Zefran approached, noting that only the Council of Regents and his immediate family were in attendance. The principal of which was his brother, the Crown Prince Regent of Warheimr, Magnus IV. His elder brother looked down his crooked nose at Zefran as he closed to within ten paces of the throne. Magnus’s grizzled face looked nothing like their fathers, riddled with scars, receding grey and brown hair, and crow’s feet from the sun.

The others standing a step or two below his fathers elevated position were the Lord Regents Carmine, Josue, Bennett and Her Grace, Lady Falk of Arless, the third realm of the empire. Collectively with his brother and sister they made up the Council of Regents.

“As you may have noticed Lord Regent Arnos is not in attendance today,” His brother’s croaky voice barely carrying between them, “In celebration of your return, and as a reward for your service to our country. The Emperor,” He gestured up to where their father was sitting, “our Lord father, has invited you to accept the position as Regent of Commerce.”

“What of Lord Arnos?” Zefran asked.

This time Lord Carmine spoke, “After his many decades of service Lord Arnos has decided to retire to his estate in the Foeworth prefecture, on the continent of Arless.”

More likely removed, besides Lady Falk he was the last of my mother’s appointees to the council. Zefran’s eyes darted over the faces in front of him attempting to consume as much information as possible in the brief moment he would have them all in one place. It wasn’t often that the entire Council of Regents were in attendance. Most often the Regents of the Principalities would remain in their respective corners of the empire.

His brother mostly ruled with sadistic pleasure in Warheimr these days; putting down peasant rebellions and oppressing the people with an iron fist. Lord Josue and Bennett each controlled the treasury and military respectively, and had about as much deceit between them as a coal mine canary. No, of the nobles in front of him he knew he would have to watch Carmine and his sister the closest. Between them they had more spies and agents than the rest of the world combined.

Carmine the Lord Regent of Marshalls, the Marshalls being the largest policing force in the empire. There was a Marshall on every ship in the empire, around every corner, and in every dark alley. Enforcing the empire’s, and Carmine’s, will wherever they set their secretive feet.

His sister on the other hand had command of the Iron College of Science and Sorcery. The preeminent college of the Empire, only the most gifted of students were accepted. Between the greatest minds in the land and the most powerful sorcerers, she could glean information or invent her way out of and into anything.

He bowed his head in sublimation, “I accept this great honor, as Prince Regent of Commerce.”

“Good,” His brother said, “I hereby conclude this meeting of Regents. Gods protect you all.”

He dismounted the steps and brushed past Zefran, “Good luck, little brother,” he said with a quite sarcastic tone. Zefran looked down at his boots in contemplation as the meeting broke up and the Regents went their separate ways. A pair of small high heeled feet stood just a few paces from his melancholy. He looked up to the owner expecting his sister but found Lady Falk standing before him. Her red lips contorted in a half-hearted smile.

He returned the smile with a smirk and gestured for her to join him as they left the chamber, “How have you been?” He asked.

“As well as I can be? Your mother doesn’t let me return to Arless much,” She trailed off, “My father’s health is failing, and I’ve petitioned the Queen to allow me back to the continent. She assures me that he is receiving the best of care and not to worry, but I fear that he isn’t long for this world.”

Zefran could tell the request was coming before she could even articulate it, “You want me to speak to my mother for you?”

Her eyes fluttered, she turned and grabbed his arm pulling him close, “Would you? I would be most grateful to you if you would.” Her tone all innocence, slowly working her hand over his chest and playing with the buttons of his coat.

He knew her tactics, and guile for political maneuvering. At first she played the innocent girl, then moved on to more sultry tactics. Her ability to maneuver men was legendary, even if you knew what was happening. She had worked her way from royal handmaiden to Lady Regent of Arless in only ten years.

Luckily he had never been susceptible to her charms, though it didn’t stop him from taking advantage. He pulled her aside into a nook of a side corridor, pressing closer till he could feel the curve of her against his body. Allowing her the comfort of feeling like she was in control. “If you were to get me a list of Arnos’ contacts that would be amenable to continuing relations with me. My willingness to aid you could be persuaded,” He said softly.

She turned her head away from his advances, just as he knew she would, “You are in a far better position than I to procure those names.”

“Isn’t that what I’m doing, procuring names?”

She turned completely away from him then looked over her shoulder at him, “Why is it that, I always feel like you get the larger share of the bed when we strike a deal.”

Zefran rushed behind her and wrapped his hands around her waist so she couldn’t move, and whispered in her ear, “Because my dear Becca, while you may be the older, I’m the wiser.”

He let go and passed her by without another word, and didn’t even look back.