There was nothing in the paper about this."
"Of course not. Organised too. Tribes are joining one another to stage larger and larger raids. The Emperor has decided to keep this news from the masses for now." Ajorion leant back. His chair creaked. "The Empire is threatened on three fronts, Malspire. The rebellion is spreading. Thank the gods we managed to hold onto the port of Umuron or it would simply be impossible to gain back the western colonies."
"Surely a focussed effort by the Navy would finish them off," I said, having often wondered at the lack of strength shown by the Navy in regards to the rebellion.
"How naive," said my father. "Do you have any idea how much it costs to run the Navy? We are borrowing heavily as it is just to keep the wolves at bay. The Guild of Sea Merchants are always happy to lend us more but every penny they lend the Empire is another link added to the chain they have round our necks. Soon we shall all be the slaves of the blasted guild. No, the Emperor will not allow that. We must make do."
"I thought the Emperor had a large stake in the guild?"
"As do I, but an empire is not run by a group of shareholders. It is run by an emperor and his lords. The Guild of Sea Merchants has its uses to us all, but it grows too powerful and influential."
"I see."
"And to top it all off, that damned cult is spreading like wildfire, preaching the end of days, infecting the Empire like a rotting plague."
"The Black Cult?"
"Yes. Now they are insane!"
The Black Cult or Cult of Sciorl was an ancient order of secretive villains, as far as I could tell, intent on the destruction of everything. Chaos was their goal and the end of the world, the prize, although I was not so avers to the idea. The world was a cruel and bitter place and perhaps it was time for a new start, I had to admit. The group was different to the dark gods and their evil followers in that the dark powers simply wanted control whereas the Black Cult wanted death. Again - madness. "They worship the black god, Sciorl don't they?"
"The Destroyer, yes. Religion, Malspire!" said Lord Ardalrion, shaking his head but said no more. The Navy was my father's life, made of solid wood, hard men, rules and regulations, discipline and order. Religion was a mystery to both myself and Ajorion, there to be respected and honoured but of little use when it comes to the tides and navigation and tactics and logistics. In general the Ardalrions acknowledged the gods and dutifully prayed and donated when required, but otherwise lived by more practical philosophies.
After another short silence, I then said, "I was hoping to find Ajator here."
"He is in the city. Not staying here though. You'll probably find him at the barracks... You're a Ardalrion, Malspire," the Duke added now wanting to discuss another subject. "You do realise that the name means something don't you?"
"Of course. I'm second in line to the duchy."
"Exactly," said Ajorion who did not look too pleased about it. "I have had reports."
"Reports?" I knew that Crosp had been sending reports back to the Naval Office. The captain had no qualms about telling me so.
"Crosp doesn't think much of you. I can't say I blame him. Look at you! The Undertaker! Clean yourself up boy, trim that hair. To be an officer, you have to look the part and act the part. Stand tall."
I did not answer.
"Well?"
"Well what, father? I will never measure up to Ajator's standards even if I tried. I am sorry if my appearance displeases you."
"Damn your black soul boy! As an Ardalrion, you will make an effort. You are the son of a lord admiral."
"I am that. I shall clean myself up," I said reluctantly. I was in no mood for a fight with the duke.
"See that you do. That damned Crosp is starting to annoy me, but he is right!"
***
I left my father to seek out my brother picking up Willan on the way who I found stuffing his mouth with bread and fish. I was keen to find Ajator.
On route, I considered Ajator; he was
"Of course not. Organised too. Tribes are joining one another to stage larger and larger raids. The Emperor has decided to keep this news from the masses for now." Ajorion leant back. His chair creaked. "The Empire is threatened on three fronts, Malspire. The rebellion is spreading. Thank the gods we managed to hold onto the port of Umuron or it would simply be impossible to gain back the western colonies."
"Surely a focussed effort by the Navy would finish them off," I said, having often wondered at the lack of strength shown by the Navy in regards to the rebellion.
"How naive," said my father. "Do you have any idea how much it costs to run the Navy? We are borrowing heavily as it is just to keep the wolves at bay. The Guild of Sea Merchants are always happy to lend us more but every penny they lend the Empire is another link added to the chain they have round our necks. Soon we shall all be the slaves of the blasted guild. No, the Emperor will not allow that. We must make do."
"I thought the Emperor had a large stake in the guild?"
"As do I, but an empire is not run by a group of shareholders. It is run by an emperor and his lords. The Guild of Sea Merchants has its uses to us all, but it grows too powerful and influential."
"I see."
"And to top it all off, that damned cult is spreading like wildfire, preaching the end of days, infecting the Empire like a rotting plague."
"The Black Cult?"
"Yes. Now they are insane!"
The Black Cult or Cult of Sciorl was an ancient order of secretive villains, as far as I could tell, intent on the destruction of everything. Chaos was their goal and the end of the world, the prize, although I was not so avers to the idea. The world was a cruel and bitter place and perhaps it was time for a new start, I had to admit. The group was different to the dark gods and their evil followers in that the dark powers simply wanted control whereas the Black Cult wanted death. Again - madness. "They worship the black god, Sciorl don't they?"
"The Destroyer, yes. Religion, Malspire!" said Lord Ardalrion, shaking his head but said no more. The Navy was my father's life, made of solid wood, hard men, rules and regulations, discipline and order. Religion was a mystery to both myself and Ajorion, there to be respected and honoured but of little use when it comes to the tides and navigation and tactics and logistics. In general the Ardalrions acknowledged the gods and dutifully prayed and donated when required, but otherwise lived by more practical philosophies.
After another short silence, I then said, "I was hoping to find Ajator here."
"He is in the city. Not staying here though. You'll probably find him at the barracks... You're a Ardalrion, Malspire," the Duke added now wanting to discuss another subject. "You do realise that the name means something don't you?"
"Of course. I'm second in line to the duchy."
"Exactly," said Ajorion who did not look too pleased about it. "I have had reports."
"Reports?" I knew that Crosp had been sending reports back to the Naval Office. The captain had no qualms about telling me so.
"Crosp doesn't think much of you. I can't say I blame him. Look at you! The Undertaker! Clean yourself up boy, trim that hair. To be an officer, you have to look the part and act the part. Stand tall."
I did not answer.
"Well?"
"Well what, father? I will never measure up to Ajator's standards even if I tried. I am sorry if my appearance displeases you."
"Damn your black soul boy! As an Ardalrion, you will make an effort. You are the son of a lord admiral."
"I am that. I shall clean myself up," I said reluctantly. I was in no mood for a fight with the duke.
"See that you do. That damned Crosp is starting to annoy me, but he is right!"
***
I left my father to seek out my brother picking up Willan on the way who I found stuffing his mouth with bread and fish. I was keen to find Ajator.
On route, I considered Ajator; he was
Similar Books
