XIV—Nero Angelo of Florencia

They were equals, Dukes of the Florencian Empire.

Nero Angelo strode through the carpeted corridors of the House of Gates, Zaan Blackwater at his side. Behind them scurried their attendants, “friends” and sycophants.

“So… Abassir, you say?”

“Lands filled with monsters and gold, my friend,” Zaan said. “They’re absolutely teeming with wealth waiting to be taken!”

“Do you even need my help?”

“I could always use more help. My soldiers grow weary of the fighting. I need fresh reinforcements regularly, both to replenish the dead, but also to replenish my ranks because of deserters and of course the men whose time has passed.”

“Ah, I see.”

“There’s so much land—the territory is vast. My armies have made immense progress, but even so, it’s been slow going.”

When they reached one of the unused chambers, Nero had no need to open the door, as one of his many servants did that for him.

Striding into the chamber, he found someone there he had not been expecting. He stopped, puffed on his pipe and frowned. “Lord Silvanus?”

He turned, the man he was talking to also lifting his head. It was Duke Dante Lorintos of Florencia.

“Duke Angelo,” Maximilian said with a nod. “What are you doing here?”

“Why…” Nero said, “I believe these chambers have been reserved for my use. And what are you two doing here?”

But Maximilian Silvanus of Lucia did not respond to that question. Instead he said, “You are mistaken. This is Lucian territory.”

If that was the case, this could soon become an “incident” between Florencia and Lucia.

“Anicus!” Nero yelled.

His servant appeared from behind their small procession. “My lord Angelo?”

“I thought you said that this room had been reserved for me and my guest—and yet we find Lord Silvanus of Lucia occupying this space.”

“I—I apologize, my lord, there must have been some mistake—“

“I don’t want your apologies you useless cretin! Find me an unused chamber on the godsdamned Florencian side or I’ll have your hide whipped raw.”

Zaan smiled with a chuckle.

“There is no need to have your man punished,” Dante said. “A simple mistake.”

“Indeed,” Maximilian said.

Useless servants can’t get anything right.

“Anyway,” Nero said. “How goes it, you two?”

“Well enough,” Dante said.

“And you, Lord Silvanus?” Nero asked.

“They go glowingly,” Maximilian said sarcastically.

“Excellent,” Nero said. “I’ve just been talking with Lord Blackwater. He says there are ripe lands to the east—an empire called Abassir. He is currently in the process of conquering these lands, are you not?”

Zaan said nothing, only spread his arms, indicating his foreign clothes and the opulent jewels hanging across his body. Atop the shawl covering his shoulders was a pendant with emeralds the size of a small child’s fist.

“Do you not have enough trouble with us Lucians?” Maximilian asked. “Why do you make trouble elsewhere?”

“Ha!” Zaan said with a dismissive flick of his hand. “There is nothing to gain by this war, other than to satisfy personal hatred. In other lands, I am a king!”

“That is treason,” Dante Lorintos said. “All lands and vassal states taken by the Florencian nobility belong to Emperor Justin.”

“Yes, well,” Nero said, “I am certain Lord Blackwater meant what he said in a less than literal sense. Am I not mistaken?”

“You are not,” Zaan said.

Of course, I know different, Nero thought, a smile that he would allow them to see coming to his face. Perhaps he would go to war with Zaan to carve out new kingdoms.

“Your own exploits are told of even in Lucia,” Nero said as he addressed Duke Dante Lorintos.

“I am surprised you know Lucian law so well,” Zaan said, his air one of contempt and feigned amusement.

“I make it a point to be well aware of both Florencian and Lucian law, including our histories.”

“Is that so?” Nero asked as he puffed on his pipe. “For when you inevitable conquer Lucia with us, I am sure.” He laughed.

Dante didn’t move, but Maximilian Solvanus visibly angered.

“Careful,” Zaan said. “We came to this chamber by accident. You wouldn’t want to ruin the parley, now would you?”

Dante stepped forward. “It would be best if you two left these chambers immediately. You are trespassing on Lucian grounds.”

“But our fellow Florencian is here,” Nero said, nodding toward Dante. He shrugged, giving off an impression that this was no large matter—that it should be well understood that this room was technically neutral territory for the time being. “A Florencian duke no less.”

“He has invited me here to speak on matters of neutrality.”

“Mmm,” Nero noised. “Truer words have not been spoken, Duke.” Knowing that Dante would not budge—the prickly sea urchin!—he smiled, proffered an overly exaggerated bow ending in him flourishing his hand dramatically, he said, “Our apologies. Come, Zaan, let us leave this chamber so that we can discuss our own business in a more... agreeable setting.”

Neither Duke Dante Lorintos, nor Maximilian Silvanus said anything as they watched Nero and Zaan leisurely stroll out of the chamber. They went left, where what was clearly Florencian territory ahead.

In a low tone he said to the other lord, “I’ll be certain to send my man Anicus to your front lines, Zaan.”

Zaan smiled. “I look forward to having the extra man.”

Together the two lords laughed.