Chapter 9 - Part I

Short in stature but thick in muscle, the man before Reiba did not appear intimidated at the new Lady Archne.  His brown hair and flat, slit-like eyes marked him as a robust blooded Sandoran by birth, but his ash-kissed City Enforcer steel breastplate and close cropped spiky hair betrayed his allegiance to the Scholar Empress.  Though he stood at full height, he had to tilt his head up towards the noble to be able to look her in the eye.  This fact pleased Reiba enormously as she sat cross-legged on the raised dais of the Archne receiving room.  But the man's listless brown eyes and thin beige lips indicated no insecurities or offense.

Falling on his right knee and pressing his right fist onto the woven linen mats that covered the floor from wall to wall, Secondsword Keubroc of the Eirdred City Enforcers bowed his head in respect and gave his greetings.

"My Lady, per the treaty held with honor between the Scholar Empress and your great civilization, I am here to offer and submit my services to you.  I shall take up the living quarters you deign to give me and begin my humble submission to you from that day until the day of your wedding, whenever that is to be."

"This is not warranted.  Explain yourself!" Lady Zaexyl shot back, alarmed at this sudden turn of events.  "What is the precedent?  What is reason?  I have done nothing to offend her wisdom, the Scholar Empress."

"It is no insult or offense from you nor her wisdom, but her gift to you in these troubling times.  Your husband is dead, you have no heirs.  Your in-laws are bound to be returning from the White City.  We do not wish to see the proud city of Eirdred or any of her districts in turmoil as nobles are murdered and the people struggle." he recited without emotion.

Lady Zaexyl paused a moment to consider.  She recalled the antiquated rule to have a City Enforcer take on the security concerns of a widowed district noble.  Pho-Boteth had made the charge centuries ago that they would keep the nobles propped up at a time most of the populace was in rebellion over the annexation of Eirdred into the empire.  It had not been used in several generations as Eirdred's zeitgeist had learned to accept their new sovereign, albeit with hidden rebels in some small circles.   Now though, Zaexyl suspected the City Enforcers had more clandestine motives.  She was not going to keep this man out of her house, but she needed time.

"I see.  Well perhaps your help would be welcome then, but my staff and I must prepare for your arrival.  It will take a week for the needed arrangements.  Return to us then." she gave a welcoming smile.

"I think you will find the needs of a solitary military man to not be significant.  The Empire appreciates your dedication, but your preparations need not to extend past Re'lir.  I will return then.  The Six keep theirs with you."

Lady Archne dismissed the man with a wave of her hand and before he had left her courtyard, she summoned the master of household to the room.

Re'lir.  Two days.  That does not give me much time.

"Secondsword Keubroc will be our guest for the coming months.  Prepare the sun-wing for him.  It befits a warrior to see dawn, first of us all.  Call to me Captain Denthil this evening after the dining hour.  I wish to tour my estate and ensure everything is in order beforehand."

The walk through the courtyard to the granite underbelly of her estate was a short one, but Lady Zaexyl Archne was consumed with thoughts of this current crisis.  This recent development had left her in a foul mood. 

It was for such times as these that she longed for a peer with whom she could discuss options.  Lord Thenae Lot had long left her side to attend to the duties of his own holdings, and she did not trust him with this matter in anycase.   Her household staff was also suspect.  There were those who rightly viewed her with suspicion; acknowledging that perhaps she might be the cause of the loss of their lord.  She would need to work on supplanting those people, but she'd need to do it discreetly and gradually.  Now was not the time.

No, this was a dance she needed to do alone, peerless as she was.