>>5238917“Was that wise? He is no fool, and from what I have heard a bad enemy to have.”
“There are boundaries. And Alys is one of them. He knew that would upset me, and he was right. But all it did was show his hand. I did nothing to endanger the contract. That is probably what he wanted. Leave with the money and no work done.” That's basically rationalization. But you believe it.
Friedrich thinks for a moment. “That does make sense. I am a simple man, Captain-General, these things are often beyond me.” To your surprise the man then smiles. “But if you want the man dead I will gladly do it myself. I've always had a good grasp on character, and Salaf is slime.”
You laugh quietly. “If the time comes, you're first on my list, Friedrich.”
“I am ever at your service, Captain-General.” It didn't sound sarcastic. But it was. You're pretty sure.
“Happy to hear it. See to yourself, I think I need to be alone for a while.”
“We all do at times, Captain-General, farewell.” He moves off to do, well, whatever Friedrich does in his free time. Probably plays chess with himself or something. Poor guy.
You walk back into the hall only to meet the seneschal ahead of a massive queue of complainants, great. The next five hours are basically torture. Livestock disputes? Check. Insurance fraud and claims of Insurance Scams? Check. Something called “Guard Brutality”? Ridiculous. Two men fighting over an aborted child? Yeah you won't pretend that one wasn't unusual. But it did take the better part of an hour. Luckily abortion is a capital offense so you just had one of them put to death and the other one fined for wasting your time. By the end of it, you are exhausted.
Recruitment plans and preliminary results of initial training are to be on your desk in the morning. You wolf down a meal on the chair in the audience chamber in a lull of activity, and inform the seneschal you are retiring. He assures you further inquiries will be logged for your later attention. A groan is only barely suppressed as you head to your quarters. As ever two of the men at arms attempt to accompany you and as is your habit you dismiss them almost immediately. You do not need company for stairs.
This night you are eager for bed, and the stairs are barely a nuisance as you take them, sometimes two at a time. And then you reach the top. At the uppermost door, the balcony, a dark figure looms. You reach for your dagger.
