Broker -CH 18-

“Husband,” said a soft voice in Alex’s ear. “It’s time to wake. Today is the day you head out to war.”

Opening his eyes, he found Anna hovering directly over him. She was kneeling next to the bed, bringing her much closer to him in height. Her right hand was on his jaw and her left toying with his hair.

Standing a step behind her with her hands clasped in front of her, was Holly. Looking as ever lifeless and doll-like, she seemed to be made of stone.

“Good morning, dear,” Anna said, then kissed him lightly. “Daddy always said one should wake a few hours before traveling. There’s always last minute things that will be forgotten otherwise.

“Its just a smidgen past dawn right now.”

“Good morning, lord husband,” Holly said, bowing her head to him.

Holly had settled into her role rather quickly. She was quick to do anything he asked of her, and seemed very predisposed to making sure that she took care of anything he needed before he asked.

Not that he could blame her. The payment he sent off to the Lin’s had squashed the debt down to a manageable level.

Something they could afford without strain and even put a little bit away in savings.

Holly had even started crying as she watched the armed couriers Alex had hired set off for the Lin estates.

Yet he felt nothing to Holly, and there was no doubt she felt nothing for him.

Anna had been more correct than she’d realized. Holly was little more than a conquest. Less so than even his numbered projects.

Holly had given him everything in the barter, and had nothing else to offer him.

She was conquered, well and truly.

Grumbling, Alex didn’t want to get out of bed. It was warm in his bed. Comfortable.

He wanted to sleep a little longer, despite Anna being right. Perhaps it was because she was right that he felt that way.

“I’m glad you took Two to bed. I worried about your bed being empty,” Anna said, then stood up. “No lord should ever have an empty bed. I’ll work on that.”

He’d forgotten about Carla. Turning his head around to face the other way, he found Carla sleeping only inches from him. Her left hand was laying just above his privates, her right hand under his neck.

Sleeping away as if there were nothing wrong with the world at all.

“Yeah. She’s going to wake up with a terrible hangover I’m afraid. Let’s… take this elsewhere. Give her a chance to wake up without being watched,” Alex said. Carefully he set Carla’s hand aside, and clambered out of bed.

Only to have Anna press herself to him and hug him tightly.

“You must come back, husband. Even if not in one piece, you must come back. I don’t want to be a widow already. If ever,” Anna said, pressing her face to his chest. 

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Alex said, running his fingertips through Anna’s hair.

Lifting her head up, Anna kissed him, then pressed her mouth to his ear.

“Walter said he has a number of cases for you to judge. I’m going to hold them in your name. I’ll try to get pretty women with long sentences put into the dungeon,” Anna whispered. “Douglas is already aware.”

Grinning, he hugged Anna tightly.

I’m betting she can’t make deals on my behalf, but she can at least prep them for me.

Helpful little thing. She really is acting as supportively as she can.

Hugging Anna tightly, he kissed her ear.

“You’re a wonder, wife. Fill the dungeon to the brim for me. See what Douglas thinks of expanding the dungeon another level down as well.”

Anna nodded her head once, staring up at him with her idiotic smile.

***

Carla, Riley, and Valeria rode in the carriage with him. Carla on his right, and Riley and Valeria across from him.

Maxwell, David, and Walter’s man were all in another in front of them.

All around them were Maxwell’s people.

Marching in front, and behind that, was Bulwark. Alex had cajoked everyone into leaving earlier than people thought they would. His reasoning was simple. He didn’t want to run the mercenaries ragged before they’d even seen combat.

There was no point in exhausting his people before then. It’d cause only problems and fatalities.

They may be only mercenaries, but they were his mercenaries. More so since they’d put away their company banners and uniforms, and were now all in the colors and flags of Brit.

“We’ll be settled today, won’t we Master?” Riley asked, her voice bright and chipper.

Ever since she’d been allowed to leave the dungeon cell, she’d been a model personal maid. Her optimism and positive nature had shone through.

“I’d suppose so,” Alex said. The trip had been rather boring for the most part. He regretted that he wasn’t able to read as they rode.

It made him fairly sick when he tried.

“Good. I’m tired of bouncing around in this box,” Carla muttered.

“It wasn’t so bad,” Valeria countered, her sharp smile aimed at the ex-bandit. “I could think of many worse things. Like being a murdering bandit queen with friends who rape anyone they come across on the road.”

There was an animosity between those two that Alex didn’t quite understand. He was already planning on interceding when it became too much, but so far, they’d kept it civil around him.

“Or like being a sneaky cunt who likes being mistreated, and gets off on the idea of being used,” Carla said without any heat. “Or begs to get beaten.”

Riley pouted at each woman.

“Stop it, both of you,” she said. “We’re here to serve Master, not bicker.”

Valeria shrugged her shoulders.

“I’ll not hide the fact that Master rewarded me for catching that sneak-thief,” she said. “There’s no reason to be upset that all you’re good at is sleeping with him.”

It had been a minor thing, but something he’d wanted to use as an example for the three of them. Rewards would be dispensed for exemplary services.

Catching a minor thief who had been stealing supplies was an example he’d needed. Valeria had caught them in the dead of night, and turned him over to Maxwell immediately.

How she caught him, she didn’t say. Apparently she’d been practicing her field-craft when it went down.

And as far as he knew, she hadn’t spoiled her cover either. Everyone viewed Valeria as his personal camp-woman who he had taken to war with him.

As a reward for maintaining cover, and catching the thief, she’d asked to be shackled, gagged, and put into his bed.

Miscalculated a bit with that one. If I had known she would have fully embraced her masochism I wouldn’t have encouraged it to begin with.

Now I have to go backwards for my deals if I want anything out of her.

Or… or I use her to capture people who I could use instead… huh.

Grinning at the idea, he turned to Valeria.

“Actually, that reminds me. I need a private chat with you later,” Alex said.

Valeria nodded her head slowly, uncertain.

“I think we’re here,” Carla said, deliberately changing the subject.

“Why’s that, Two?” Riley asked, trying to peek out the window.

“Because I can see the Duke’s guard heading this way. Along with the Duke,” Carla said. “Everyone is making way for them.”

“Grand. Alright, One, Three, stay with the coach. If we don’t come back soon, set up camp for us.

“Two, you’re with me. Go ahead and open the door and let’s go meet our liege,” Alex said.

“Thank the gods,” Carla said, and opened the door without another word. Stepping out of the coach, she quickly fell out of sight.

Alex smiled at Riley and Valeria, then stepped out as well.

Carla was already pushing her way through the ranks, Alex falling in right behind her. Around him his guard fell into place, even a standard bearer sporting the house of Brit coat of arms.

Coming out the far side of the marching ranks, Alex found the duke was waiting for him.

“Good tidings, Count Brit. You’re several days earlier than expected,” said the Duke. He was dressed warmly, despite the weather being fair.

Getting on in years and can’t keep your body heat anymore?

“Good tidings, Duke Tanulf. I must apologize. I found myself eager and couldn’t remain in Brit any longer.

“Fine, fine. Did you bring your wives with you or are you traveling by yourself?” asked the older man.

Odd question. I wonder if I should worry about him trying to have my wives killed.

“I am indeed traveling without my wives. They’re both minding the county while I’m out and about,” Alex said with an easy smile.

“Ah. I’m sure that’s uncomfortable. I know I simply never got a good meal until I hired a personal chef.”

“I’m afraid I haven’t gone about doing that. This’ll be my first time on campaign, Duke.”

“Then I invite you to dinner, Count. You can meet my daughter. She’s traveling with me for some experience in campaigns.”

Thats odd. Bringing your daughter along to a war.

Duke Ranulf’s son was slain last year during a border skirmish with Duke Gaelis.

The line of succession now falls to his oldest daughter, and last living child.

Ah. That makes more sense. And also why I was being targeted to marry. A matrilineal marriage to me would have given our children two titles to work with.

That or I’d be dead as soon as the first child was born.

“I accept the invitation, and will be there,” Alex said bowing his head.

“Perfect. We’ll sup at the sixth bell. I can’t imagine any more of my vassals arriving today so it’ll just be you, my daughter, and I. No need to bring any guards, I’ll have my own people on hand,” the duke said. Turning his horse, lord Tanulf left, dismissing Alex without a word.

“I don’t like him,” Carla said under her breath.

“And yet, I cannot decline without putting us at risk. It’ll be fine, it’s just dinner. Worst case scenario, they ask some uncomfortable questions,” Alex said. Then he smiled and turned to Carla. “And isn’t today the first of the new week?”

Carla shook her head with a growl.

“Fine. That’s the deal, I’ll be waiting for you,” she said. “Come to bed early at least?”

“I’ll try. As soon as the dinner ends, I’ll join you.” Alex paused unsure if he wanted to ask her the question that was at the forefront of his mind. “You won’t be drunk this time, will you?”

“No. On duty tonight. Can’t.”

“Good.”

At least he could look forward to having a sober Carla go down on him tonight.

The bodyguards she’d tried to hire hadn’t shown up yet, and was supposed to meet them here in the field no later then tomorrow.

Carla’s deal however, remained in place.

She’d forced it on him, without any input from him, and he wasn’t about to let her out of it.

Getting head was worth her bad attitude.

***

Dressed in finery, Alex showed up right as the sixth bell chimed. He’d made sure to time it precisely. If he was neither early, nor late, there was nothing that could be said.

Keeping everything as tight as he could, and as close to the vest as he was able, Alex would be able to keep the duke out of his life.

“Count Brit, the duke is expecting you,” said the guard outside the pavilion. “Please proceed inside. Dinner will be served promptly.”

I would hope so.

Alex entered and found himself in front of a house servant.

“After me, sir,” said the man in Tanulf livery.

Feeling a bit ridiculous following a house servant deeper into what essentially was a giant tent, Alex said nothing.

Two turns later, and he was standing in front of a small dinning table with six settings.

Two were already accounted for, the duke and his daughter, and the third was set and empty.

The duke looked up and gave Alex a once over, then nodded his head.

“Precisely on time. Thank you for joining us,” the duke said. He was dressed much more simply than Alex, but he was also the host. That sort of thing was forgiven more often than not.

“This is my daughter, Regina,” the duke said, indicating the young woman.

She wasn’t as pretty as Anna or Riley, or as well put together as either of them, but she hadn’t missed the genetic lottery either.

Prettier than Carla or Holly, and probably even to Valeria.

Her hair was brown, medium length, and her eyes were brown as well. With a fair complexion, she would certainly fetch suitors.

Alex just had a couple of women who were far and above the norm around him.

Thinking back to the duke, Alex couldn’t deny that once upon a time, Tanulf was probably an attractive man.

“Lady Regina, a pleasure,” Alex said, ducking his head to the woman.

“Count Brit,” she said with a smile.

Taking his seat, Alex looked to the duke for direction.

“We were just talking about the reason we’re here,” said the duke. “I haven’t shared it around much, but I might as well start with you. You’re the least likely to know the details so might need the more information.”

“That would be greatly appreciated. Indeed, I’m afraid I don’t know the specifics.”

“We do have a valid casus belli for this. My goal is to imprison the Duke of Gaelis. I’ll not take his life, but I will keep him in a dank cell until he dies.”

Casus what?

Casus Belli, a justification for war that meets the requirements of the peerage, and honor.

Valid casus belli for declarations of war must be approved by one’s liege lord.

Forbidding a vassal to go to war who has a valid casus belli, creates a casus belli for the vassal to go to war with their liege lord, and invalidates their oath for a period of one year.

Well that’s dangerous. In a world where an oath is loyalty, invalidating that oath creates some scary concerns.

In fact, I could think of a number of ways I could use it to my advantage.

“-uld of spared my son. He chose not to. I have proof of it, and gave it to our king, who honorably approved my wish.

“I’ll have Gaelis rot in life, and then death. Without him, his vassals will run rampant through his entire duchy,” Tanulf said with some heat.

“Truth be told, I feel the cold hand of death on me at all times these days,” the duke said, his volume dropping off rapidly. “Soon Regina will succeed me as the duchess. This will probably be my last action as the duke.”

Alex smiled politely and nodded his head.

“I can certainly understand. I would ask what you would have me do to support you, my duke?”

Tanulf gave him a wretched smile, his head bobbing slightly.

“You’ll be holding the left flank, count Brit.”

From his memories came the concept that in historical battles, the right flank was where one put their elite troops. To try and turn the enemies flank as quickly as possible.

In return, one put their worst troops on the left flank, and hoped they could hold long enough that you could turn the flank of the enemy first.

In other words, the duke planned on sacrificing Brit to the last man if it came down to it. Or see him be routed and run, at which point he’d work to revoke his title.

“I understand. Any particular orders, or just hold the flank, sir?” Alex asked, unperturbed.

Having hired Bulwark, he’d already set up an exist strategy for himself.

Professionals who lived the life of war, and had a high number of veterans.

No, Alex was going to be able to handle this. Maybe if he got lucky, his opponent would under-estimate him. Maybe even give Alex a chance to earn some glory.

“Just hold the flank long enough for us to turn theirs. That’s all,” Tanulf said evenly. “Though if it comes down to it, I’d say dishonor before death is the better option. I’m sure we’d be able to work something out that would restore your honor.”

That leaves me open to interpret my orders fairly cleanly, so long as I hold the flank.

In fact, I could justify that as being nothing more than an end result, couldn’t I?

“I understand. I’ll be sure to hold the flank,” Alex said.

“Count Brit, I’m curious,” Regina said, getting his attention.

“About what, dear lady?”

“Your county has recently undergone some very… interesting changes. I’ve even had the good fortune to know what your taxes are as father shared them with me, after we received your vassalage from the king.

“The county of Brit is rather well off,” she said.

“We’re definitely doing very well. I made sure that our taxes are well documented, so that there’s no cause for concern. Though, forgive me Lady Tanulf, I did not hear a question in there.”

“Too true. My apologies for not being direct. My question is, how did you do it? I didn’t see any massive sweeping changes put forth to the king. He would have told us.”

Alex smiled, unable to help himself. His answer to those who didn’t know, was rather simple.

And as misleading as he could make it.

“I stopped wasting all of Brit’s income on myself, and grew up,” Alex said. “After that, it wasn’t hard to achieve.”

The duke said nothing, watching him, and Regina gave him a large, and Alex thought, very predatory smile.