Marcellus had wavy brown hair and dressed more like a common merchant than his position would normally have dictated. Lorenth could easily have pictured him tending a stall selling pots and pans. So far as servants went, he was rather light-hearted and smiled often. Lorenth wouldn’t tolerate to much a dour disposition within his staff. If people couldn’t bring themselves to at least enjoy the challenges of their work, Lorenth ensured that they were gently pulled aside. At which point, Marcellus had standing instructions to either fix the issue or provide a listening ear and comfort. He was even to go so far as to provide whatever assistance the servant required. If the issue persisted, then the servant was dismissed. Lorenth didn’t like that, but it occasionally was necessary. Lorenth knew better than to promote poor morale within those near him. Not only could it dilute the efficiency of his staff, if left uncorrected malcontent could be dangerous.

Marcellus entered and closed the door behind himself, “Sire, your father sent word that the meal will be ready within a bell. Did you need me for any preparations?”

“Not so far… I’ll think on that though. Did he happen to mention what we’ll be eating?”

“He didn’t, but I was rather curious myself so I made some inquiries in the kitchen. To start the meal there will be various appetizers and wines as normal. Then for the main meal, a haunch of a large Calaphor mastodon from the north plains was levied from a local hunting party in lieu of a market fee. To complement the main dish, the chefs are slicing into a new wheel of smoked apple cheddar and cooking a large batch of buttered corn. There will be plenty to ale to drink, as always. And for a special desert, the cellar master just broached a cask of cinnamon stout that he says is excellent when served sweetened and warmed. All considered, I’m looking forward to eating my fill.”

Lorenth grinned, it was a fitting meal. It had none of the exotic trimmings the larger feast would have later, but still was desirable enough to be a fitting private celebration for the royal family. The main course was one of the family favorites for special occasions, a fact well known and probably anticipated by the hunters. They would avoid the additional fees for their trade in the city and make a larger profit. “Excellent fare indeed, Marcellus. I’m looking forward to it as well.”

Marcellus grinned, “Do you require any further assistance this morning?”

Lorenth thought a moment. It was a pleasant afternoon, and midnight ride did sound good. “If you have a moment, could you swing by the stables on your way and quietly ask them to saddle Palestra for me and leave him in the yard? I’m thinking of going for a ride after the meal. It will be late, but the weather does make it seem too enjoyable to pass up.”

“Certainly! I assume that you want to follow the normal procedure?” Marcellus grinned.

The normal procedure meant that Lorenth would be going for a ride in disguise, and then would be out late at a local inn or tavern taking in the most recent gossip. It also meant that the less people who knew about it the better, the last thing that Lorenth wanted was a power-seeking noble finding out about his escapades and notifying His father. His father would likely insist on some sort of escort which would ruin the whole scenario. He preferred to bathe in the local color without the polished buffer of an armed escort. People always behaved differently when royalty was around, either through loving respect or through fear.

“Yes, Marcellus, the “normal procedure” will be fine. Please ensure that I have a hooded cloak in the saddle bags as well… something plain but hooded.”

Marcellus nodded his acknowledgement and made a casual bow, “If that will be all, I’d like to go and change prior to our luncheon with the king. May I be excused?”

“Certainly. Oh, but don’t forget the honorific if you need to address me tonight, Marcellus? I don’t mind if you leave it off in private, but the king will mind if he hears you neglect it. That has been a problem in the past, and I’d just assume give you the time to visit Darcy tonight, alright?”

Marcellus chuckled, “As you command, sire.”

The last time he had forgotten the honorific had been in the presence of several nobles, and one of the lords present had made a passing comment to the king about it. He’d then spent the rest of the night cleaning the streets in the upper city of trash and debris. That had additionally resulted in the unfortunate outcome of missing a date with his girlfriend Darcy. She’d forgiven him, but it had taken a full week.

Marcellus left to go prepare for the lunch and Lorenth walked over to window, leaned on the sill, and gazed out at the city.

He had lived there for his entire life and could name many of those who lived in the houses visible to him. They were his people in more than name only, he knew their faces, knew what they enjoyed, and knew the troubles they shared. Only just last week, he’d met the little daughter of one of the local bakers. Her name was Camilla. She was a plump little child with wondering blue eyes, straight brown hair, and a love of the color violet. She had worn a simple white dress, and a white apron checked with violet of course. Both the dress and apron were faded by a dusting of flour from her father’s kitchens. He given her a purple kerchief that he’d had with him and was rewarded with such a smile that he’d not forget it any time soon. The next day, he had sent one of the local bricklayers to the bakery with orders to build them a new oven.

Lorenth smiled again at the thought. He enjoyed helping people.

The clock of the local temple rang its bell for noon and Lorenth straightened. He’d better get going or he’d be late.

---

“There is a difference between ruling and having power. There are inferior rulers who have power but use it to no effect- or worse, they cause effects in unintended or destructive ways. There are also inferior rulers who use power effectively, but have insufficient influence to initiate effective change to the extent they desire.

The first of these is worse. While the second fails through inability, the first fails through ignorance, vice, or apathy.

The first will likely never have the chance to rule if he falls, for those who have escaped his rule will never yield willingly again. The second may fall, but like the phoenix, the fires of reformation may light and he may rise again.”

~The Compendium of Rule and Reign, Author Unknown, written 56 years after the establishment of Gandon as the trade capitol of Haltria

Brandus settled into his room after his meal and went to sleep. The next morning he only had a short amount of time to unpack prior to Kae’lo’s knock at his door, certainly not enough time to unpack all of the belongings stowed on his cart. Instead, he grabbed his travel bags from the cart which contained the bare necessities that he would need to shave, wash, and change into a set of clothes free from the grime of the road.

He had just been finishing with the last of these, settling the single knife that he carried inside his boot into place, when there was a knock at the door.

“Brandus, are you ready to leave?” Kae’lo’s muffled voice reached through the door.

Brandus walked to the door and swung it open, “I’m all set.”

Kae’lo stood on the other side, dressed in traditional leather dwarfen traveling garb, and a heavy canvas cape fastened with an ornate chain clasp shaped in the image of the same Caldoran general that adorned his sign. The axe from his mantel rested under his hand, momentarily functioning as a post to lean upon.

Brandus raised an eyebrow at the clasp, “Have you been expecting the company of Caldorans?”

Kae’lo gave a wry grin, “Not especially. I had this fashioned at the time that I named the inn, this just happens to be the first occasion that I’ve had to wear it. It isn’t something that a ‘good dwarf’ would wear while entertaining other dwarf folk, and it’s too ornate for a day pouring drinks and serving stew- if you take my meaning.”

Kae’lo looked Brandus over, “That’s a fitting outfit I suppose, but ye should arm yourself. One doesn’t present himself to a Caldoran in a leadership role while unarmed. They take it as an insult… something about it offending their honor by implying they be afraid of armed visitors.”

Brandus nodded and grabbed his staff that was leaning near the door, “Will this satisfy?”

“It should, marginally so anyway. A weapon with a sharpened edge would be better, I don’t suppose that you have one?” Kae’lo furrowed his brow.

“Unfortunately, I don’t.” Brandus smirked, “But should it become unclear that this is a weapon, I’ll be more than willing to demonstrate its effectiveness.”

Kae’lo nodded, “That should suffice, though I doubt it will be needed.”

“If everything else meets your approval, shall we go?”

“I suppose. It would be best not to keep the first sub-matria waiting after all.” Kae’lo grimaced.