The early morning air was crisp as Eryk went through his preparations for the day. The special session loomed, and he had spent much of the previous evening considering every possible scenario. Information gathered from the gathering had been enlightening, but it was still incomplete. He needed to be ready for surprises, but he also had a few of his own to reveal.
Before leaving his chambers, Eryk met with Lord Lavelle. "Remember, Eryk," his father said, his voice low, "the nobles will be watching for any signs of weakness. They're looking for leverage."
Eryk nodded. "Then let's make sure they don't find any."
…..
The grand chamber was filled with nobles when Eryk arrived. The room's circular layout allowed for all families to face the central podium where speakers would address the assembly. Eryk noted the seating arrangements with interest. House Vale was positioned close to certain overseer mages, while a few influential families were grouped together, hinting at alliances.
As he took his seat, Eryk saw Selene sitting nearby, her expression composed but alert. He gave a small nod to her, a silent acknowledgment of their shared understanding.
…..
Lord Lavelle's voice carried through the chamber as he began the session. "Noble families of the realm, we have gathered to discuss matters of importance—not only regarding the recent competitions but also the future we wish to shape." His tone was firm, with a hint of warning. "The strength of our alliances must be built on transparency. If there are those among us who have sought to manipulate events for their own gain, let them be brought to light."
Eryk carefully observed the reactions across the room. Several nobles exchanged uneasy glances, and there was a tension in the air, especially near House Vale's section.
…..
When it was his turn to speak, Eryk rose and approached the central podium. He began by presenting the evidence he and Selene had uncovered—subtle at first, a discussion of the coded ledger and rumors of bribery involving overseer mages. He framed his arguments to suggest that there had been attempts to influence the outcomes of the competitions, without directly accusing any one house.
A noble from House Vale quickly stood to challenge him. "These accusations are based on hearsay and conjecture," the man said with a dismissive wave. "Young Lavelle, you cannot expect this assembly to take your claims seriously without concrete evidence."
Eryk met the man's gaze with a calm intensity. "I'm not making accusations, only presenting facts," he replied. "If we wish to ensure the integrity of these competitions, we should be willing to investigate all possibilities, rather than dismiss them out of hand."
His words were measured, each one designed to sow doubt and keep the pressure from falling solely on House Lavelle.
…..
As the debates continued, a lower-ranking noble unexpectedly rose, his face pale and hands trembling. "I… I have something to confess," he stammered. The noble's voice cracked as he admitted to having knowledge of bribes offered to overseer mages, implicating at least two prominent families.
The chamber erupted into murmurs, with many nobles exchanging shocked looks. Eryk suppressed a smile, maintaining a composed facade as he watched the ripple effect spread. The sudden confession had shifted the focus, turning the assembly's attention towards investigating how deep the corruption ran.
…..
Eryk seized the opportunity to suggest a solution. "Given these recent revelations, it would be wise to form a committee to oversee future competitions and investigate these allegations thoroughly," he said. "I propose that the committee consist of neutral overseer mages, unaligned with any one house, to ensure fairness."
The idea of a committee gained traction, as it not only addressed the issue of corruption but also created a formal process for overseeing the competitions moving forward. Eryk's suggestion diluted the pressure on House Lavelle, as it shifted the investigation's scope to include multiple families.
…..
As the discussions continued, Eryk's mind flashed back to the previous night. In a quiet room away from prying ears, he had spoken with a few minor nobles, subtly encouraging them to share any information they knew about bribery. Eryk had anticipated that a few might confess during the session, and while he had not directly orchestrated the noble's outburst, he had created the conditions for such a confession to feel like the right move.
He had also planted hints during his conversations, guiding the investigation's direction. The ledger he had presented was only part of the evidence. The rest, he had subtly suggested, could be found if the committee was thorough enough. This ensured that any findings would appear legitimate, while minimizing risks to his own family.
…..
The session eventually reached its conclusion, with the assembly agreeing to form the proposed committee. The noble houses departed with a mix of uncertainty and relief, knowing that the investigation would now be out of their direct control. Eryk watched the nobles file out of the chamber, his expression giving little away.
…..
As the chamber emptied, Eryk lingered for a moment, his thoughts drifting over the day's events. He had played his part well, using the special session not only to protect House Lavelle but to gain an advantage in the ongoing power struggles. The formation of the committee would buy him time to solidify his alliances and prepare for the next move.
Selene approached him, her eyes studying his face. "You were prepared for that confession, weren't you?" she asked quietly.
Eryk gave a small, knowing smile. "Let's just say I accounted for several possibilities," he replied. "The important thing is that we now have the time we need."
Selene nodded, her expression softening with a hint of admiration. "You're a few steps ahead of them, aren't you?"
"More or less," Eryk said, his gaze drifting to the exit where the last of the nobles had disappeared. "But this is only the beginning."