Chapter 354: Subterfuge (3)
Theye here on an important errand, an errand that would probably decide their house fate.
Then suddenly they heard the sound of a carriage outside, arriving with the horses neighing outside.
''Quickly open the door'' Lord Robert barking orders to the attendants.
There is some excitement on his voice, clearly he has felt happy that the man has arrived after the intense and suffocating silence of the great hall.
The attendants run to the front door and open it quickly and finally the noble lords fear is dispel.
He had arrived.
The Snake has arrived.
Ss enter with his usual theatricality, scanning the noble lords and his surrounding with his hawk like eyes, like nothing could escape his wistful gaze.
Looking at the worry faces of the other noble lords, Ss had half a mind to chuckle. And then heugh, a jovial kind ofugh, dispelling the anxiety of everyone present.
''HAHAHA. My fellow friends. I have arrived, and surely as daye after night, I havee to bring you Light'' he said with a hint of theatricality entering the scene.
Many of the nobles are ustomed of Lord Ss making a scene so they treat it like always, a normal behavior of one of the most cunning man ever to be employed by the Vermont''s.
He struts and then he sits at the top seat in the hall.
''So my friends, why the sullen looks? Be happy. Be merry. It has been a long time since we meet, though thest time we meet we part with a bitter taste'' he said as the attendantse and pour some wine for him.
He sipped the wine a little then he put it back down.
He looks at Robert his eyes squinting and he smile his usual mischievous smile, showing a very childlike mischievousness smile, like a kid in front of a sugar store.
''So I heard your request Lord Robert. Sheesh. I have told you. I have advised you when you propose this to me a month ago. I have told you it is futile. It is risky. Yet, you in your stubbornnessnever listen. Now he is fuming with anger. And you know how he is. It is not easy to soothe his anger. That is why I say not to mess with our lord.''
''I do not have any other choices old friend. This I have told you in detail. Mynd, my men are mine to squander and following the young lordto war even-''
''You fought in thest war'' Ss interjected.
''In Aethend. In the Dukedom. Not in a foreignnd. Not against a Kingdom so much bigger than us. I have no choice but to oppose the young lord request''
''People always have choices Robert. They always have. They just don''t know it or not wise enough to know the other choices. Sometimes you make choices in life and sometimes choices make you. So better make it count, Robert. Though most of the times they are just blind into see what is in front of them.'' He said it with a smiling expression, a malevolent one.though that is his default expression.
Ss is seen smiling from the top of the chair. Of course the nobles don''t know they are making a mistake right now.
To ask Lord Ss to be an intermediary.
Ss then asked
''Tell me your worries and let me see if the situation can be salvaged. Let light in and I will shine away the darkly shadows'' Lord Ss said quoting the Book of Light again as his prologue.
They then expressed their terror of crossing the border and pointed out the reason why their refusal is not against the sacred oath of fealty to lord Arial.
Lord Robert exined to Ss that their obligation does not extend outside of Arrandy which means in Vangua their fealty is void.
They were not bound to serve beyond the borders is the argument they are making against their unwillingness to aid Lord Arial Vermont on his conquest.
Ss listened to these reason and theirint with great patience, not once his facial expression change, and showing nothing whether he is pleased or displeased.
After hearing their argument Ss decided he had heard enough.
''I have listened to your argument and I have understood your plight.'' He deres. Then he turns his gaze to Robert.
''Robert as a courtesy to old friend, I will ept to act as a go between this coalition of yours and our lord, the dragon''
The noble is ecstatic with Ss reply and his willingness to help them. They cheer Ss with happy hearts, believing this matter is solved.
''However'' Ss said amidst the cheer and the jubnt cheer stopped. They all knew Ss always have a price.
But what does he want this time? Ss is a man that can be bought but only with the right price.
Of course these noble lords underestimate some qualities that made him great in Arial eyes.
And that is the unshakeable loyalty to Vermont family.
''Not gold'' Ss said and sigh of relief reverberated in the hall.
''I want full power to act as an attorney to your cause. I will consult you and the lord..on my terms''
The other listening to this reasonable request from Ss doubt him no longer and quickly they agree with this.
Then he feast that night with the other noble lords, while telling them that he will visit them, a few dayster.
Of course the coalition of noble lords could not know that Ss is Arial eyes and ears, a wily politician of Arial, whose outstanding quality, a redeeming quality of his cunningness is his outstanding loyalty.
It is an alternative n concocted by Ss when Robert sends the letter to oppose Arial venture.
Sipping wine and drinking the ox soup, Ss has already begun his infiltration, his subterfuge.
He has brought his chatur pieces to the table and the Councilor has made its moves.
And once a councilor moves, no lies remains undiscovered, no plots ever hidden.and Ss is waiting for his lord to bring out the Knight piece to the table.
Or is it the Dragon piece he will bring to the table? Ss chuckle a bit, imagining the fun thing that will happen.
Certainly this is the life for Ss. He never had a dull day in Arrandy.
But that night, in a mansion outside the city a feast is happening, and for now Ss will enjoy it for the momentous task ahead.
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