65 Collecting Pieces (1/2)
A firm knock on the door caused Corco to stop writing mid-sentence. Not too long ago, his thoughts had been clouded by deep worries. The defilement of his father's grave and the war for succession had grasped his mind and never let go. However, over the past few days, answers and good news had piled up into mountains which had crushed his worries and cleared his mind, even though some of the answers hadn't been to his liking, to say the least.
Thus, he had finally found time to write out his thoughts on governance and morality. He intended to repay the debt he owed as soon as possible. Self-taught as he was, Corco didn't have a teacher to present to the green prince and his sister, but the knowledge he would offer was far more valuable.
Once he had started to write, he had fought himself over how much of his secret treasure horde he wanted to give away. On one hand, the future was unpredictable and any modern wisdom he spread outside could be used by eventual foes. On the other hand, what he would reveal wouldn't change the fundamental strength of the Verdant Isles. On top of that, becoming the de facto teacher of the future green king could prove to be invaluable, and one could never have enough allies. In short, things had been going so well, Corco already considered the time after he would take over the throne.
”Enter!” he said with his eyes still glued to the paper in his front, trying to pick that sentence back up where he had left it.
Fadelio's attempt at opening the door was complicated by the stacks of writings behind the hinges. After some hesitation from the warrior, a bit of force overcame the obstacle and created an avalanche of paper. The study had already been small before, but since his Corco had sunk into his own writings again, it had been further filled by a steady stream of old books, new drafts and crumpled up mistakes. At first Fadelio gave his master a careful look to check if he had disturbed a part of his friend's absurd sorting system, but he was soon relieved to find him undeterred in his endeavor. No longer burdened by his bad conscience, Fadelio could fulfill his duties.
”Master, we are ready for the meeting.”
Corco looked up and spotted the tall man across the desk, through the flecks of paper that danced in the air. The deferential attitude his friend had been showing ever since their return to the capital was still strange to the prince. However, he did not let it show on his face. For now, they would still adhere to the rules of others. Only once they took control of the empire could they implement changes.
The prince organized his papers as he watched his closest allies enter the room. Meanwhile, Fadelio was tidied up some of the paperwork to create enough space for all the new arrivals to sit. Both his uncle Sonco and his early ally Vitus Petrocilius took a seat opposite of the prince. After all the players had taken their seats, Fadelio closed the door once again to wait outside. Loyal or not, no warrior would be allowed to participate in secret talks like these, and Lord Petrocilius was still a stickler for the rules.
”So, where do we stand exactly?” Corco asked.
”Progress has been smooth. House Ogulno has decided to join our cause as well,” Vitus replied, his nose wrinkled from the strong smell of the paper.
Even though Corco still didn't share the conservative lord's convictions, his calm help had been invaluable throughout these days, so Corco returned a gratified nod.
”That makes 42 then. Just two more Houses and we have a majority in the Nobles' Assembly,” Sonco added in a flat voice.
His uncle seemed distracted, fiddling with the small, bound notebook and sharpened piece of coal. Ever since he had received them from his nephew, Sonco had used his new treasures to keep track of all the estates and their allegiances. After Corco had gifted him the simple items ten days ago, his uncle had brought them everywhere he went.
”Earlier, the younger Saliena came by for a talk. The old Lord of Porcero has made his decision and transmitted it to his son. It seems like Porcero has been convinced, just like you expected.”
”43 then. Excellent. Just one more house and we have a majority.”
His curiosity piqued, Petrocilius looked over Sonco's shoulder and stole a glimpse at the notebook. At the top of the list, he found a strange entry.
”What about Pluritac? Why would the prince's House not vote for him?”
”Urgh...” Sonco grunted as his forehead wrinkled in annoyance.
Just the thought of the answer taxed his self control to its limit. It took his all not to crumple up his precious notes. Instead of the incapacitated Sonco, Corco answered the question with a cynical smile.
”Well, technically, Spuria Ichilia is the empress mother. Which means that, technically, she is the head of the house. Can you see that woman ever cast a vote for me? Maybe one on my execution, but nothing else.”
”But... she's an Ichilia. How could she be in charge of the Pluritac vote?”
Vitus widened his eyes, though Corco couldn't tell whether it was in shock or in fury. The lord should have been well aware of the rules of nobility, but Corco still answered with patience. The eastern lord should have a hard time believing that his precious, all powerful rules could be bent and abused to such a degree. Maybe he would see the light once he was confronted with reality.
”That's how it works. The second a woman leaves the doorstep for marriage, she becomes part of her new family. You knew that though. That's how our ancestors set up the rules.”
”In any case, we will need one more name on our list,” Sonco chimed in to end the pointless back and forth between his nephew and his friend, ”Fortunately for us, I have been invited to a meeting tonight at Lord Rubria's mansion. If we can win over one more family, one of our two tasks will be complete.”
”Isn't the Rubria clan firmly entrenched in Amautu's side? What would they want with us all of a sudden?”
Corco smelled a conspiracy, another one.
”I'm not sure. But it cannot hurt to at least go over and hear them out,” Sonco replied.