While the royal forces moved around Millfall, preparing the local defenses for a possible basilisk attack, Viscount Symons was at his estate dealing with his foolish heir.
Having been out of town for weeks, attending a meeting of provincial nobles led by Duke Scott, Viscount Symons had just learned of all that had happened locally in his absence.
The Viscount was not so surprised to learn of the fall of the Defiant Tyranny and the rise of the Scarlet Syndicate and the Mazzanti family. Something like what had happened was entirely possible, and he had foreseen such a scenario during his trip to Saltstar City.
From the point of view of the head of the Symons family, the chances of Cesar surviving the previous troubles and raising his family's standing were very slim. But they existed, and when the Viscount heard how Cesar had succeeded in his absence, he was not so shocked, despite his surprise.
