POV David
Games… that's what I was playing right now. Games within games within games. I'm playing the stupid game and hoping I won't pull the stupidest prize. I sighed, faking a yawn and leaned against Veina as I played my role.
"Baroness Visher. How I envy your ability to find such a captivating man! Might I borrow him for a few days? I'll pay you handsomely for it." The viscountess across from us chuckled.
I flinched and grabbed Venia's hand and gave her a pleading look. She smiled at me before turning to the viscountess. "No… I value my man too much too share."
"A shame… perhaps after our secession and I declared Queen?" She pressed.
"I will find a suitable reward for you then, but I'm quite taken with my toy." She ran her fingers through my hair. I closed my eyes and leaned against her with a pleasant smile. Meanwhile I wanted to beat the shit out of myself for having to degrade myself like this. But it was possibly the only way they'd buy my involvement at all.
"I'd heard the Baron defeated a daemon…" the viscountess raised her glass.
"I can't beat him in a spar… but in bed..." Veina replied. I glanced away utterly repulsed by the lecherous grin of our host and 'ally'.
"With our marriage soon even this annoying tedious work will soon be less than a nuisance. I'll be able to bring two strong regiments to your aid.." Veina promised.
"Yes yes. It will be a simple matter really." She waved her hand dismissively. "We have the best general in the land on our side. Juliet Golmor hasn't been bested once in thirty years you know?"
"Oh, madam Golmor? The victor of the battles of Questan and Molfur?" Veina asked in wonder.
"Is she any good dear?" I asked quietly.
"Among the best." She murmured as she rubbed my shoulder.
The viscountess seemed rather pleased with our reactions. "Can I count on your support?"
"Yes, we'll support your endeavor." Veina smiled as we took our leave. I sighed heavily under my breath as we left the manor and headed into the town.
"Are you sure it was fine to act that way lord Fulton?" Veina asked as we mounted our horses and stored them into a slow gallop.
"It was… necessary for me to figure it all out." I grumbled.
"Figure what out?" She asked.
"How confident she is… she isn't. She's just someone else's pawn in the game. But I'll make adequate usage of this pawn regardless." I sighed again.
"It's just a shame it'll have to be war instead of politics on which this battle of wills will be fought."
"This is a game to you? This is high treason we're talking about. If her majesty discovers we even entertained the idea…" I hushed Veina with a grin.
"She already knows doesn't she?" Veina muttered in awe. I nodded.
"If I can't stop it then she'll march at the head of the royal army to put the insurrection down herself. She actually brought my attention to the matter. So it's a beneficial arrangement all around really." I replied as I stopped at the entrance of the adventure's guild and tied my horse to a post and headed inside without a care. I turned quite a few eyes when I walked in. A few apricerative whistles and then a lot of quiet murmurs.
'Is that lord Fulton? I heard he slew a daemon.'
'He doesn't seem as strong as the rumors say.'
'He might be here to drop a request.'
I ignored the idle chatter and approached the reception counter and smiled at the young man that seemed swamped with his work. He glanced up with a tired smile. "How can I help you?"
I showed him my rank, a small electrum plaque that I kept under my shirt. He nodded after he verified the plaque. "I'm here for information today, are the dealers available?"
He smiled wryly and gestured to the loft balcony that overlooked the main area where several… odd figures made their presence known. A few wore dark cloaks to hide themselves while others, those more easily assured by their reputations that they'd be left alone wore expensive and flashy clothes. I went to the table in the middle with Veina a few steps behind and sat slowly. I dropped a heavy purse on the table.
"Who here thinks they have the information I want?" I smiled as most of them looked away. One of the hooded figures approached and stood across the table.
"I believe I know." They whispered quietly.
"Juliet Golmor." I gestured to the seat.
The figure cocked their head to the side. "She is regarded as the best general of the age, commander of the Golden Dawn mercenary company."
I nodded as they took a seat as I pushed a few coins across the table. This wasn't anything deep, and they knew that. But it was enough to confirm that this was the person of my interest.
"Golmor is a renowned strategist. Particularly for her usage of knights and their devastating charges."
I nodded, "tell me about the person."
"Brash, aggressive… arrogant."
"Family?"
"The last of her line."
"Friends?"
"Only acquaintances."
"Can she be bought?"
"Loyal to her contract."
I nodded and passed the bag across the table and left. Veina hot on my heels. I stood once again before the receptionist and after a quick few words he nodded, I paid the agreed on fee and we left.
"What was that about?" Veina asked.
"My brother lacks mounted scouts, so I'll put out a contract for adventures with mounts to act as his eyes and ears… it's a temporary solution."
"You'll use adventures in a war?" Veina cried. "The guild would never allow that!"
"I'm not. And neither will my brother. The adventures are protecting the army from potential monsters attacks and warning them of potential dangers." I grinned.
"That's…" Veina sputtered.
"Crazy? Genius?" I chuckled. "It's just a loophole I'm exploiting."