Gray was in the study when James got there. Judging by the frown his father was wearing, the man was already spouting somekind of rubbish at James's expense.
"James, what is this I hear about you shouting Gray away from your room and—?"
"It is exactly what you've heard. However unreasonable Gray has made me out to be. I did order him away, and not to cross my sight for the next few days until I left. Since he's still here, I have no choice but to officially suspend him for two weeks at the least."
"What are you talking about, kid?" growled the butler.
James lifted his hands in defeat. Staring to his father for help.
"See this is my problem. You've been with us too long you've essentially forgotten your place."
What was it about power that had even the favoured dog believing itself as high as its master?
The Duke stared from one to the other in perplexed silence. He looked lost for words.
"Isn't there any way this can be resolved more... peaceably."
"Your grace, you cannot mean to listen to this boy after he—"
"After he what?!" James growled. "I grow weary of this. Gray, get out of the mansion, and I don't want you back for the next two weeks. Got it."
James hated himself. He hated the power, but if he could use it to to help...
Help who exactly? Was this to help Gray learn his place? Or was it to make his iwn life more convenient? He just didn't know. He had never known.
"How dare you?!" the butler asked indignantly. "What kind of authority—?"
"I am the heir apparent to this Duchy!"
"Not for long."
James shrugged. "So what? Does that mean you'll disobey orders from my sister when she gets older? Because she's not the heir? You must know your place. I already told you what will happen if I see you around here."
Gray looked about to argue his point further, but then he stared to the Duke. James stifled a sigh. The old fool was failing to learn his lesson. Just then though, the door to the office burst open, and the Duchess stepped in.
"James?! What's going on? I heard yelling."
"...my lord Duke, please listen to what I have to say—"
"Just shut up!" James had lost all patience. "Hansworth! Hey Hansworth, where are you?!"
"But what is going on?!" the Duchess asked in growing perplexion.
"Yes, my lord," Hansworth bowed from outside the slightly open door.
How had he gotten here so fast? Well, not that it mattered currently. He pointed towards Gray.
"Get this man out of here. And explain to the knights and guards what should happen to him if he's seen here within the next two weeks."
"My lord!" Gray cried one last time.
And James was not sure if he was addressing him, or his father, or Crest who'd now appeared at the door as well. James just hoped Hansworth would obey him in this at least. He didn't want to look like a fool after—
Ahh, a smile started to take shape as the young man stepped in and grabbed the butler by the hand. It may have looked gentle, but for the way Gray struggled and pulled like a goat trying to escape its rope. Hansworth wasn't even fazed, which was amazing.
Because despite the fact that Gray was just a butler, he was a well trained warrior as well. Perhaps not one who'd dedicated all his time like a knight, but he was still pretty strong.
"Come to my room when you're done. You don't need to knock."
He nodded to his father, who sat rooted in his seat, to his mother who still wore a perplexed look, and to his brother who was frowning between him and the departing duo. He started to leave.
"Are you sure that was a good idea?" Crest asked. "I mean... I know you and him have always had your little beef, but this—"
James sighed. "I don't know, I just really wanted to do it. I don't know if its a good idea or not, but it needed doing."
"I see..."
**********************
"You wanted to see us, young master?"
"Almost three days ago now," he said as he walked past them to open his door.
They bowed to him, but he cared not. He'd done nothing to earn their respect. So these bows were, if not of fear, then of mockery. And he found it hard to believe he'd scared these two that easily.
He left the door open, and didn't look back for an instant. If that wasn't an invitation to get in, then he didn't know what would be. His mind was still reeling. He started to rummage around at his desk, at the books he'd had brought in the night before.
Why had he gone off on Gray like that? It was true that the butler needed to learn his place, but James had always been good at ingratiating himself with people. Almost like some kind of politician.
And then it hit him. James wasn't good at ingratiating himself with people. James didn't have any people skills really. But a spy did. He winced internally. Subconsciously, it seemed, he'd all but accepted his new place in this world. And in his old world, before his life had imploded, he'd been the exact kind of person he hated.
The two servants stood in front of his desk, looking uncomfortable and bemused.
The door opened again, and Hansworth entered. He sketched a bow, and this time James gestured for him to stand. He didn't know if Hansworth was also being mocking, but he had done what James asked him to, so it didn't much matter to him.
"One of you two," he addressed the two who'd come first, "shall go into the city and find me a black smith. One who works fast. Then you'll proceed to find me a tailor, find the best there is."
The two siblings looked at each other, then back to the desk.
"Both of us?—"
"No. I said only one should go. The other should pack your bags, and book passage."
"To where?" came the answer after a long silence.
James frowned at them like it was obvious. They just stared blankly.
"The capital. You guys have a job to do, don't you? The reason you're paid."
"But, the Duke—?"
"Go. I've given you your instructions. I only want to see one of you returning to show me these places I've asked for. And then I expect you to take the shortest route to the capital. Go there and prepare things for me. Oh, and take the third one as well."
Maybe it was a good idea to show his authority from time to time, as long as he still had it. Power was meant to be used after all.
"The third what, sir?"
This time he was the one with the blank stare.
"Don't even get me started," he growled. "You incompetents even left the back alley, the only place I could have escaped without any attention, unwatched. It was really grating, you know? It's like you guys were taking me for some kind of fool."
Their faces had turned white now. They just stood there gaping at him like fish. James worked hard to reign his temper in. He'd only suspected Benisen because there was a brief mention of someone of that name in the novels.
Otherwise he would never have known who the spies were. He couldn't tell them that though. Let them wonder, let them question, let them remain uncertain forever. An evil avatar appeared at his shoulder and started cackling.
Perhaps information was his greatest strength. One only he had, as far as he knew.
"Go, do what I've told you."
They left without another word. Now it was only him and Hansworth, the other man staring at him as if he were a very interesting puzzle he wanted to solve. 'I'm the kind of mystery even Sherlock Holmes would have a hard time solving.' But he did not say it out loud. Was that the thing people said about power getting to one's head?
"Hansworth, I just wanted to tell you we'll be going to get your sword when they come back."
"Huh? But I thought you'd just get me a sword from the armory or so?"
"Armory? We don't have anything like that yet. We don't even have a resident black smith yet. We are a pretty young Duchy, you see."
"But surely getting me a sword—?"
"No, the swords here may not work well for you. We'll have one made custom."
Hansworth inclined his head in approbation. James continued reading the map. 'Which route to the capital? I don't want to arrive too early. And if I could use my knowledge of the novel to get some kind of treasure while I travel—'
And then it hit him. He scrambled out of his chair and dashed out of the room. Hansworth rushed to keep up with him. He only had to go down two levels to find what he was looking for, the basement, and the man who'd put his work space in it. The new mage his father had hired not two months back.
"Young master, sir. What are you doing here?"
"Urgent communication to the town of Uluth, if you will?"
The man only gave a pained wince.
"A dragon has attacked the town. All magical communications are down as we speak."
James stared at the man. Not even daring to breathe. 'So I was right. This was around the time the dragon was in Uluth.' He was quiet all through the plodding journey back to his room.
"What do you plan to do after you get your sword, Hansworth?"
"Me? I plan to take the kids, and escort the three of you to the capital."