Arthur hurried to the Duke's mansion after reading his father's letter. His thoughts were filled with dark scenes.
Three hundred galleys! He thought. No. No! And I am to convince the Duke to send his fleet as assistance? Insane.
It was indeed insane. He thought that his life would be without responsibility here. He was a guest, living in luxury with a fat allowance coming from Lucia every month. Of course he had to give up some pleasures and if he did partake in pleasures he would do it private. But it was a good life so far.
And now the letter just thrust him into responsibility. He could ask for advises from his advisers on how to deal with this but it would take too long. He hated this. He hated that he had to work. He hated that the survival of Holm depended on him. But it must be done.
The Duke's Mansion was a simple white building adjacent to the eastern wall of the city. The salt mines of Borondi were just outside the eastern wall and one could smell the sharpness of salt in the air. There was actually a palace located in the center but the Duke viewed living in luxury with disapproval.
Tailing behind him was Ventil, the Vice Duke. He hadn't spoken to him since his blurt earlier and it was apparent from Ventil's frown that the news also troubled him. Arthur disregarded the Vice Duke and went to enter the mansion.
The clean white walls of a building the size of the stables of Holm greeted him with simplicity. The guards were dressed in simple tunics and held wooden staves. They still searched him of course but the security was loose. The Duke was sleeping on his chair while two guards stood beside.
"I..." Arthur opened his mouth. "I need to talk with the Duke. It is urgent."
"He is sleeping, can't you see?" The guard barked.
Arthur fidgeted his fingers. "I need to talk to him now."
"Wake him up" Ventil said. "Or I will wake him myself."
Ventil's words seemed to carry more weight than Arthur's. The guard nodded and prodded the Duke.
"Arthur Vanadis requests to talk to you sire"
The old Duke opened his eyes. He yawned and stretched his wrinkly arms.
"Arthur?" Duke Gente asked and then curved a smile. "Oh it is you Arthur. Oh how glad I am to see you." He sniffed. "Is that oil I smell. Spa oil? You've been going to spas Arthur?"
Arthur felt a bead of sweat skid on his cheek. "Yes sire"
"But I've heard the dark rumors of the filth that has been going on in spas. They call it Happy Memory or something. Why would the gallant and pure Arthur go in such places?"
"To preach to them about how filthy their acts are." Ventil said, stepping forward. "I've seen him father. He shamed those workers for their dark deeds."
"Oh good!" The Duke's eyes seemed to shine. "That is good. Teach them about morals."
Arthur looked at Ventil. You are a good man. Thank you for saving me this time.
"Sire" Arthur steeled his heart. "I'm here to ask for your help."
"Help? What do you require my boy?"
"Your navy and your army"
The Duke shook his head and grinned. "What are you talking about?"
"A Wismarine fleet is currently sailing to Holm. The capital of Vanadis would soon be under siege. The Union requests the help of Borondi."
The Duke's grin vanished and was replaced with a frown. He rose from his seat and went to the window where the salty air blew. Arthur waited for a response and soon the Duke denied him.
"No" Duke Gente said. "I'm sorry but Borondi is under the threat of Lutan right now. We cannot spare help."
"But..."
"We are not allies. Not yet" The Duke turned to him. "I'm really sorry but I can't."
Arthur's felt cold inside. He failed, didn't he? Damn responsibility and damn this ambassador thing. Why do I have to deal with this?
He looked at the Duke with his one good eye. This was all he could do now. "The Union will flatten Borondi in the future if you don't help us now."
His words drew gasps from the guards. The Duke's jaw opened. "Arthur... are you threatening us with war? Is that the principles of your nation?"
Arthur's anger seared. He glared at the Duke. I gave up pleasure for you.
"Yes!" Arthur shouted. "My sister is the Queen. If you don't help us then she and her husband will come here and grind this city into dust. You hear me? And I'm sick of your pure attitude you old smelly fool! Pureness this, innocence that, well guess what? Omniscient be damned!"
The Duke's jaw dropped. Silence prevailed inside the room. The Duke's face then contorted. "Out!" He shouted. "Get lost and don't come back!"
Arthur realized the foolishness of his actions. But it was too late. The guards grabbed his arms and threw him outside the building. He slumped against the gate with his butt on the cobbled street.
Why? Why did he say those things? He is an idiot isn't he?
"You are the worst ambassador ever" Ventil's voice sounded from above. Arthur looked and Ventil was standing over him.
"I am"
"My father would never hear any of your words now."
"I know."
"But I would."
"What?" Arthur looked up.
"I am the Vice Duke. I have power over the navy and the army."
Arthur shook his head. "And why would you help us?"
To that, Ventil smiled. "Let's just say that I have more sense than my father."
***
"And I'm saying this to you!" Leopold's voice thundered in the streets of Holm. "There's nothing you should worry about. The Wismarine fleet is coming but we will sink them. Omniscient be praised! They will never have this city."
It was a poor attempt of giving a speech to the people of Holm. Talking wasn't his strong point, exacerbated by his old cracking voice. But it was enough to gather a crowd. What started as a few people watching him out of curiosity turned into a mob of listeners. The Vanadians listened to him with arms crossed and raised eyebrows.
Rupert stood behind him, hand gripping the hilt of his sword in a show of virility. Many in the city still hated him. Leopold didn't care. Let them hate as long as they listened- as long as they believed his lies.
"You lie!" A Vanadian said from the crowd, a man with a chiseled face matched with a full brown beard. His shiny silk robes marked him as a merchant. But then again, all Vanadians were merchants by blood. "I've heard that the invaders have more than three hundred galleys. Omniscience. They will hammer through our walls with the might of thousands."
"Ah you old senile fool!" Leopold pointed at the naysayer. "Spreading false rumors is a crime against the crown of the Union. Speak truth or I'll have you hanged for treason. Tell us the truth now. How many galleys?"
The man flinched. His eyes bulged as his jaw dropped.
"I asked you how many!" Leopold shouted.
"More than three hundred galleys sire" The merchant said. "That's what I've heard from my cousin who heard it from somebody else. I swear."
"One more lie. I'm warning you. One more lie and you'll hang. How many galleys!?"
The crowd all heaved a look at the merchant. Leopold felt sorry for the man. But alas, it must be done.
"More than two hundred?" The merchant said in a squeaky tone.
"Less than that. Your cousin is a deaf and a dolt." Leopold turned to the other people in the crowd. "There's nothing to worry about. We will hold Holm. Borondi is sending a hundred ships into our aid. The Lady of Greenwater is sailing here as we speak. And Grand Master Henry is galloping to reinforce us with the force of twenty thousand armored knights! This foolish assault by our enemies will end just like the others. So go about your usual business. Do not bother with matters already addressed. All hail the Union!"
Leopold threw his fist in the air but nobody in the crowd gave a response. He felt like a fool but cared little about it. As long as they believe his lies, he thought.
He stepped down from the platform, Rupert following behind. The crowd dispersed after, calmer than before.
"You just lied to the whole population of Holm" William met him with a scowl from a corner. His son was still in armor.
"Hardly the whole population."
"But it will spread. Your lies will spread."
"Good" Leopold walked beside William, smooth street of Holm beneath his boots. "Let it spread. Let them believe."
"It is a lie."
"It is a necessity" Leopold halted and looked at his son. "The last thing we want right now is panic among the populace."
"But Grand Master Henry is not coming. Greenwater is still not sailing. Borondi hasn't sent a response to our plea yet." William sighed under his armor. "I know it's necessary."
"But you don't approve of it. Lying and cheating and the things that I do."
"No" William shook his head. A smile erupted from his lips. "In contrary I must thank you. You filthy your hands for the sake of this city."
Appreciation. Oh how good it felt. Leopold hid his smile. Yes, keep praising your father, he thought.
"Well I still have more work to do it seems" Leopold resumed walking. "Go organize the defenses. I'll meet you tonight and we'll drink some Hadean with Edmund."