Val returned to Dorius, two manservants helping him with the layers of his robes and tying of the decorative belt around his middle as he stood in the middle of his room updating Elias on the situation in High Haven, who sat and listened gravely from a bench.

  “We must send some men to encourage the pilgrims to relocate here,” insisted Dorius, “We cannot help them beyond our borders, but if they can be moved we can bring in food and medicine and provide better lodging assuming the gates will remain shut yet.”

  “You anticipate that this request from the Vigilant’s will take some time to complete?” asked Elias.

  Dorius picked up his rings one by one from the lined box one servant offered him, slipping each onto long fingers, “I do not know. I do not even know if we will be successful,” he cast a quick look at Val, “But easing the desperation there will only win us allies within High Haven.”

  “Gail is the mayor, he is a practical man, and for all official purposes the contact we need to make to meet the Pentarch’s request,” added Bastian, sitting with one leg crossed to the side where he wouldn’t get in the way.

  “We can arrange it, but it would be best to wait till you meet with this cousin and hear what their interests are here.” added Elias.

  “I do not care,” replied Dorius, derision entering his voice, “According to the Vigiliants they have been here some time and whatever help they have offered was not visible.”

  “You say a representative of the Second was there?” asked Elias, and continued when Dorius nodded, “May be that this cousin knows more of the situation on the border and has stayed their hand accordingly?”

  Dorius was not deterred, “I had considered that, and once again I do not care. I am not part of my family's inner circle and if that leads me to act against their wishes that is their problem. The conditions there are inhumane and I will not allow them.”

  “I can brief Hart on your wishes, my Lord?” asked Anette, hovering over the servants who were now repacking the crates of clothing.

  Dorius, not waiting any further for Elias’ advice, nodded. He ran fingers through his hair, and began to turn from the room casting an eye to Val, “We ready?” He did not wait for a reply, sweeping out of the room and down the stairs, Elias hobbling as fast as he could behind with his staff in hand.

  Val looked over at Bastian, who gave her an odd look and a gesture somewhere between a wave and salute in farewell, then she followed after Dorius. He would remain out of sight until his nose healed enough the bandages could be removed.

  When Val reached the bottom of the stairs to collect Til’wane, Dorius was already in his carriage, the formation of riders in blue uniforms drawing close into two tight columns ahead and behind the six bulls strapped to the front of the vehicle. Val grunted once to Til’wane to order him close to her, and gestured him up to the footboard at the back, which was her usual position. She then came round to the door on the side of the carriage Dorius exited and entered from and stepped up to the running board, grabbing the railings at the top of the carriage to settle herself one handed. With a moment of eye contact with Hart, he called the order to move out, and the riders at the front of the columns of bulls kicked their steeds forward.

  The ride to the keep was short, the outriders kept the streets clear for their passing and the Ivory was already well aware of their arrival, having raised the portcullis. As they entered the bailey, Val caught her first sight of soldiers in verdant green and gold passing between the barracks and the keep. She drew a shaky breath, it was Sylus then.

  The carriage passed through to the inner bailey, where a walkway emerged from the rock that led up to the keep. The keep itself bloomed outwards from the cliff face, perched on odd outcroppings that were too square to be natural, a hint of its magical origin.

  Val waited a moment as servants lay a runner for Dorius to walk on over the moist dirt that was the court of the inner bailey, then opened the door for him when preparations seemed complete.

  As he stepped down she caught his eye and hissed, “Viridian.” He passed her without reaction, a servant in white and gold meeting him to guide him within. Elias followed, and she felt a moment of satisfaction when Til’wane followed obediently without order next to Val as she marched behind them, and they cast horned shadows in their wake.

  They were led up past the bustle and movement of the lower keep levels through a central staircase. The majority of the workers wore whites, but she caught an occasional glimpse of deep green, and to her surprise, one in a paler seafoam color she had never seen before. At the upper levels, they were bought to a well lit sitting room, with a large harp and gilded furnishings. The party within remained sitting as they entered, distributed between the opulent lounges arranged within. Between them all, a table with sweets and tea was arranged, the food lightly picked through. It seems they had interrupted an afternoon of light conversation.

  Sylus sat at the center of the room, he was slim like Dorius but his skin lacked the rich golden hue Dorius’ got from the sun. His silver-blonde hair was tied into a neat bun at the back of his head, and a thin moustache gave him a cavalier appearance. He was dressed in a deep green, with accents in gold but his fingers and body were bare of jewelry. His mouth drew into a sardonic grin over the edge of his chalice as he watched them enter, and he leaned back in his seat.

  A woman sat at his side, dressed in matching green. Her hair was similarly silver-blonde, and arranged in a pile of curls on her head. Her back was stiff, and her posture alert in comparison to Sylus, Val recognized her as Sylus’ older sister - Virconas. A man stood behind them both at their attention, he was a smaller, thickly built man, with a quickness to his manner and a head of fizzled dark curls tied back into a pillowy tail. Val did not recognize him, and although he wore no servant uniform, instead a jerkin and belted pants in black, he wore a veridian dragon design on his sleeves.

  A smaller lady sat on her own at another lounge, she was so young Val wondered at her being with their company. Her hands lay delicately folded in her lap, and her eyes were lowered demurely to the floor. Her hair had the family's signature silver, although hers tended to a strawberry blonde. Her dress was the seafoam color Val had spotted in the movement of the keep.

  Seated with them was a number of women, nobly dressed but none wearing the royal gold, each with a faintly condescending look on their faces as they examined the arrivals to their afternoon’s entertainment. Sylus’ advisors hovered to one edge of the room, as well as a variety of servants and handmaids waiting for instruction.

  “Cousin,” called Sylus in greeting, his eyes looking Dorius up and down, “It has been too long. Why is it you are never at the family gatherings?” he covered his mouth in the palest imitation of shock, “Ah, I forget, you are rarely invited.”

  Dorius stood a moment, assessing the room with a tight mouth, “Sylus. You’ve fallen from our Uncle’s esteem if you are this far from civilization?”

  Sylus smirked a grin in response, “And you are any different?”

  Val stamped the butt of her axe on the ground behind the couch opposite Sylus, startling the three women sitting there from their repose. One had the courage to meet her eyes, and she gave a low growl in her throat and flared her nostrils in response. They gathered their skirts and rose.

  Dorius swept into the couch as if it had been unoccupied the whole time, folding his hands within his robes and returned Sylus’ smirk, “I am under no illusions about what Uncle thinks of me. The question is what he thinks of you to have sent us both to this backwater.”

  Val planted her axe between her feet and stood at attention behind Dorius. Til’wane entered the room then behind Elias, taking a position by the doorway and drawing eyes.

  “Oh you found another one!” commented Virconas stiffly, hiding her lower face with the edge of her sleeve, “You know I spoke with a fascinating young academic who speculated your brute was a species of rock Fae at the last Winter Reception.”

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  Dorius gave her a thin smile, shifting to a more obliging tone of voice, “Indeed? I have received no such introduction?”

  “I’m sure he would appreciate the chance to study it. They have old papers documenting the species of Fae, classified by all manner of physical descriptions, it would be fascinating to know certain lineages are not yet extinct-”

  “Since when has Fae biology interested you?” asked Sylus mockingly to his sister.

  The corners of Virconas’ eyes tightened behind her sleeve, but she was silent at her brother’s rebuke. Dorius was not watching them, instead his eyes were skimming the platter of small finger snacks between them all.

  Elias cleared his throat from the wall beside Til’wane, and Dorius looked over his shoulder in confusion, “What?”

  Elias cleared his throat again, tipping his staff in the direction of the young lady in seafoam.

  “Oh yes, who’s this then?”

  Sylus visibly scowled at the casual address, and lowered his chalice to the center table.

  “You have the pleasure of meeting my youngest sister, Alanis. Uncle recently bestowed her the title of Celadon on her fourteenth birthday.” Sylus turned his eye on Dorius, a twist of derision coming to his upper lip that was accentuated by his moustache, “My family is blessed with many women, a strong foundation for continuing the family line.”

  The flock of ladies sitting with them gave a twitter of amusement, many hiding their faces with the edges of their fans so it was unclear who had and had not laughed.

  Dorius cast a glance in the girl's direction, she was stiff backed like her sister, and kept her face towards the ground. He then settled back into his chair, withdrawing one hand from his sleeves and placing it to his lips, “Yes, well done, we all know where I stand,” he muttered, his tone tired as if this game no longer amused him. He then softened his tone slightly, “Welcome cousin.”

  The girl looked up momentarily, doe eyes large and watery and gave him a nod in return. She then strayed to stare openly at Val, mouth trembling slightly. Val fixed her gaze on the far wall and pretended to be oblivious to the discussion in the room.

  “I am also excited,” continued Sylus, a grin coming to his face as he gestured to the man dressed in black, “To introduce my new brother-in-law.”

  Dorius raised an eyebrow, “I did not hear?”

  “We wed just after the Winter Reception,” said Virconas before her brother could add another sideways remark, “He has joined his strength to the Viridian’s claim.”

  “And what trade do you bring to the family?” asked Dorius half-heartedly.

  “My guild is wealthy and well connected, my Lord,” replied the man obediently, his face neutral.

  “Gustave here is in the Assassins guild,” added Sylus, his eyes fixed on Dorius.

  Val barely controlled her face, and hoped the breath she suddenly drew did not give her away. Dorius was successful in keeping his face still, but a cold sweat sprung to his brow making him look uncomfortable beneath his robes. He hid his hand within his robe and replied with a hitch to his breath, “A fortunate alliance then for you Cousin.”

  “I am done bragging about my family's many fortunes,” sighed Sylus with a casual shrug, his eyes firmly fixed on Dorius, “What news do you bring? What cause for your visit?”

  Dorius’s confidence when he had entered was shaken, and he did not meet his cousin’s gaze as he stared at the sweets arranged between them. Val could not tell if he was actually shaken by the admission of Gustave’s addition to Sylus’ side, or if it were an act to goad his cousin into thinking he had the upper hand.

  “Uncle sent me to negotiate with the Mountain State, it apparently they have been turning away our messengers,” he responded, surprisingly forthright.

  Sylus smoothed the edges of his moustache as he thought, “Ah yes. An important task indeed. And what will you do first?”

  “I sent some Company men to scout ahead and report back soon.”

  Sylus sighed again, “I see, is that it? You will have to discuss with us your findings when they return, we may be able to help one another.”

  Dorius turned an eye to look at his cousin for the first time, “Help one another?”

  “Oh I did not mean much by it, other than as an offer of support. We are scouting out some lands for Alanis. She insists on not joining the Veridian so I’m diligently ensuring that we recommend the best lands for her appanage. We have been touring the eastern borders in search of something suitable.”

  “You have not been in contact with the Mountain State?” asked Dorius cautiously.

  Sylus twisted the tip of his moustache, “No more than the gossip their trade caravan brings. They told a very interesting tale this past visit, almost like a minstrel’s ballad. Something about fire and barbaric horned Fae.”

  Val was careful to keep her eyes on the wall, but she felt his crystal blue gaze pass her way probing her for a reaction as he did with Dorius.

  Dorius returned his gaze to the table between them, purposely avoiding the accusation in Sylus’ words, “I will be sure to let you know the truth of it once the Company returns then.”

  Elias cleared his throat again, drawing eyes from the room. “Forgive me my Princes, Princesses. I am an old man and can only stand so long. I beg, can we retire, and you can catch up with your cousins at dinner?”

  Sylus rose to his feet, the flock of ladies fanning their faces slyly, “Of course. Shame me. Dorius you should have said as much. We will have the Whites show you to a spare wing of rooms, I am afraid there may not be much room for your retinue in the stables and barracks however, do you have the coin to pay for their stay in town? I can lend you some?”

  Dorius allowed himself a scowl at that gibe, “I am not a pauper,” he declared.

  Sylus nodded his head knowingly, “Of course. Get settled, I look forward to your company for dinner.”

  “Let us know if you are missing anything, I’m sure our staff can help if you do not have the men,” added Virconas, her tone sincere.

  Dorius glanced at her, and the corners of his eyes softened, “I will see you soon Cousin. And you Alanis,” he added to the girl who raised her head to look at him again, stiff backed like her older sister.

  Dorius turned to the door, calling a sharp “Guard,” after him that spurred Val and Til’wane close behind him. The door was not even shut before a trickle of laughter followed them. Anette was already waiting for them, her face impassive as she led them to the wing of the keep they had been assigned. Dorius had a dark expression, but did not allow himself to speak until they were tucked deeply within his own rooms and Val and Til’wane had swept the servants and hallways to scout the layout and confirm they were alone. When she finally gave him the all clear, he slumped into a chaise with an exhausted sigh.

  “Outplayed at every turn,” he remarked as Elias took a seat nearby and began to draw out the document cases servants had stacked.

  Elias nodded grimly, “At least he is confident enough that he has shown his hand. We must show that it was a mistake to do so.”

  Dorius kneaded his forehead, “Bragging to his garden of flowers is always his highest priority.”

  “It was an error to let slip his Brother-In-Laws trade,” added Val, leaning against the wall by the door so she could keep one ear listening to the halls. She had stationed Til’wane in the halls at the singular entrance to their wing.

  Dorius was silent a moment, turning a thought in his head, “I think he gave away more than he intended. The point was to shake me, which likely means that the threat was never serious. It was a joke he was done with and got his laugh from, and now it remains only a threat of what could have been.”

  “Cruel joke to lose two men to,” commented Elias.

  Dorius shrugged, “Let him throw away his goodwill with his new connections on a jest. They learnt of Val’s strength and should take us seriously.”

  Val hummed, “I am not sure that is a good thing. If a contract is ever placed with the guild in earnest, they already know what they are up against.”

  “Hopefully they will price the contract accordingly, and it will be too high except for the most eager buyers,” Dorius allowed himself a smirk of satisfaction at the thought.

  “Are we in danger here, then?” asked Val thoughtfully.

  Dorius seemed to consider this, then shook his head, “Sylus is subtle enough to know it would be a bad look if anything happened to me here. So no, I think it will be safe enough for a few days.” Dorius kept his hands within his sleeves, his head tilted in thought. Seeming to make a decision, he raised his eyes to Elias, “I have some matters to update you on then…”