“Anias, I look fine, right?”

  “My Lady, if you did not, then I would not have allowed you outside the manor.”

  That much was true enough, I supposed. I did think the bck dress I currently wore rather suited me.

  It was still hard not to feel nervous. It was harder still not to reach out with my Gift and melt that nervousness away. It had been a week since I had first woken up, and in that time, my Gift had recovered. People who overexert themselves, especially at my age, could suffer from Gift Burnout. It had taken a few days, but I could feel the knobs in my head again.

  There was one reason I didn’t try to use my Gift.

  Liar.

  Each time I did, there was a chance the damn sword would intrude onto my thoughts. All I could do was get better at ignoring it.

  I really wish there was a knob to turn the damn thing down. My head was crowded enough with just me in it.

  “Here, My Lady.” Anias offered me a small binder. I took it, ignoring the many stares we drew.

  We were inside the Hall of Lords. It was a rather pompous name for what amounted to the central administrative building of the entire city. Self-important looking people moved this way and that, only occasionally stopping to give me a confused look.

  I walked behind Anias until she stopped just shy of a massive set of metallic doors. Three guards stood at its entrance, two of them Karr. The only human in the group gred at us, waved us to move along. I stopped closer anyway.

  “Little girl, I don’t know what you’re here for, but this isn’t where you should be.”

  “This is exactly where I should be, actually.” I held out a hand. He took it in. His face paled as he no doubt noticed the ring I now wore.

  “You’re the Veyne-”

  “Yes, and I am quite busy. Now, if you would.”

  He hurriedly nodded and stepped aside. I walked forward. Anias had expined the procedure easily enough. I moved to stand in front of the great doors and channeled the slightest bit of mana into the ring. Thankfully, it didn’t explode. I had practiced, but you never knew sometimes until it was the moment of truth. A symbol appeared on the doors, a sickle on one side and a sword on the other. It glowed with blue light.

  Creak

  The heavy doors started to swing open.

  There had been a conversation happening in the chamber. All of that conversation cut off as I stepped inside. The doors began to slide closed just the way they had opened.

  “You. Girl. Who are you? Who let you in here?”

  The chamber rgely consisted of a rge, circur table. Four men sat there. I recognized Duke Greenward by sight, and judging from his surprise, he recognized me as well. The other three were strangers, though I certainly knew of them.

  Duke Julian Indri, I could spot. Anias had shown me a portrait of the man. The other two weren’t that hard to figure out. One of the two men was dressed in a fine, but simple bck cloak. His gaze was sharp, searching. That was almost certainly Duke Corin Wardell.

  The other was older than everyone else seated here; his worn face stared at me with obvious annoyance. That was likely Duke Aurel Thalos. He was the one who had called out earlier.

  These were the Four Great Noble families of this city, during one of their monthly meetings, when they would convene and discuss the workings of Aelheim. There were supposed to be Five Houses here.

  “Well, girl? If you are some steward from House Veyne, then that is still no excuse to come in here.” Duke Thalos said again.

  “I believe I have as much a right to be here as anyone else.” I used the slightest bit of mana to project my voice, a trick Anias had taught me. It made the sound carry, without me having to speak up. “It’s a convening of the Golden Five, is it not?”

  Duke Greenward hadn’t spoken up. He was just watching me curiously. Duke Indri was unreadable. Duke Wardell nodded faintly. Duke Thalos- he looked like he was getting annoyed.

  “Guards, take this fool a-”

  I raised my right hand and channeled mana. He paused, his eyes went wide for a moment. Then, he saw my hand.

  “The door recognized the blood of Veyne, Lord Thalos. I suggest you do the same.” That was a lot nicer than what I actually wanted to say. Oh well.

  Duke Indri only looked more unreadable now. Duke Wardell smirked. I knew I’d have at least one ally here in him. Duke Greenward's face was pale, doubtless from the mana.

  “Well, I think she’s got you there, Aurel.” He gestured to his side. “Come. You are Esra, are you not? Come. Your father always sits here.”

  I nodded, stepped forward, and sat down on the seat he indicated. I stopped channeling mana.

  “Thank you, My Lords.” I smiled. “Now, we may begin properly.”

  Aelheim was a complicated city. Most cities were under the simple management of one Noble Family, who ruled over them with an iron fist. Aelheim was in the unique position of being governed by five.

  Each noble family had its own district, but was rgely in charge of managing one aspect of the city. Unsurprisingly, someone like the Greenwards were in charge of managing the city’s food. House Veyne was in charge of manning the walls and defending from monster attacks.

  Each Lord would give a small summary of how their District was doing, before giving a rger report on what aspect of the city they governed. The other Lords would ask questions, give proposals. I didn’t partake in any of it, though I did listen. Anias had told me to just watch and listen for now. A week of frantic education could only teach someone so much.

  Then, we came to the real reason I was here.

  “Now, how about we turn our attention to our esteemed City Watch, who do so valiantly defend us from all manner of threats.” Duke Greenward’s voice was at least a little sarcastic.

  “Aye. Every year, their budget only grows to defend from attacks that never come.” Duke Thalos added. “It is high time we evaluate their expenses.”

  “Oh?” I spoke up for the first time in a while. “If you wish to discuss something under House Veyne’s jurisdiction, then you should speak directly to House Veyne, should you not?”

  All of the Dukes turned to look at me.

  “My Lady, it is regrettable what happened to Lord Adrian, but-” Duke Greenward shook his head. “Surely this matter is a little too complicated for you. I suggest you let us-”

  “No.” Just one word.

  Silence. Them.

  A whisper in my mind. My sword and I were in agreement for once. It usually never spoke up unless I used my Gift, so it was hard not to jump when it did so unexpectedly. The concept of a whispering sword was something I quickly accepted to maintain my sanity.

  I reached for the binder at my side, opened it, and pulled out a few papers. “You all suggested cutting the budget for the City Watch, because they defended from ‘attacks that never came’.” I pushed one of the papers to my side, towards Duke Wardell. “I would argue those attacks never came because we prevented them.”

  I tried to stare at all the Lords at once. “Do feel free to read these reports with me. They go into great detail.”

  House Veyne’s duty might have sounded simple and insignificant. It was not. House Veyne frequently mounted and sponsored expeditions outside the city walls to destroy newly formed dungeons in the area before they had the chance to birth truly dangerous monsters. As a result of House Veyne’s recent efforts, most years went by without any major attacks at all.

  That had not been the case before my father succeeded his father.

  It was easy to forget the need for a thing when the ugliness it guarded against had not shown its face in years.

  “These are rather thorough.” Duke Indri finally said, wondering. “Duke Adrian’s reports were always-”

  “Messier.” I acknowledged. My father was a great and competent man. Dull paperwork was not one of his strengths. “I do hope that you all can see the need for the City Watch more clearly now.” I folded my hands. “In fact, given the fact that there are more and more dungeons popping up tely, ever closer to the city, perhaps an expansion of the budget would be appropriate.”

  “I suppose this is impressive for the workings of a child.” Duke Thalos muttered reluctantly. “But we cannot yet tell if this evidence is accurate. Perhaps something was missed?”

  I smiled, reached for the binder again. There was another paper here. “I am gd you asked. I was concerned I might have missed something as well.” I raised the paper and turned it around. “Hence why I asked the Information Guild to verify our House’s records. I trust that their word is enough.” I lightly indicated their seal, marked at the bottom of their report. “You may read this if you wish. I brought plenty of spares.”

  “The Information Guild sells rumors, child.” Duke Greenward said dismissively. “They do not sell facts.”

  “If you wish to conduct an even more thorough investigation on your own,” I said sweetly. “Then I would be open to us adjourning for today, and having the vote at our next meeting. Of course, House Veyne would be happy to escort the men of House Greenward outside the city. Fair warning, though, even we cannot guarantee the safety of anyone outside the city.”

  There was silence.

  “It seems the young Lady Veyne does know something of how the world works.” Duke Julian Indri grinned. Not a reaction I would have expected.

  “I believe we have all the information we need to put this to a vote.” Duke Wardell said finally.

  “But you would say that, wouldn’t you?” Duke Greenward countered.

  “Very well.” Lord Thalos finally sighed. “A vote then. All those in favor of reducing the budget of the City Watch, raise your hands.” He had his raised even before he finished speaking. Duke Greenward raised his hand, too.

  The old man sighed again. “And those opposed?”

  I raised my hand. Duke Wardell joined me. I looked at Duke Indri, though everyone was looking at him now.

  “I must respectfully abstain.” Duke Indri just smiled. “As, this is not a matter House Indri wishes to make a decision on at this time.”

  A few of the Dukes gave him an angry glower. I knew this would happen. I’d gone over the voting patterns for this meeting over the st few years, and the pattern was always the same.

  House Wardell and House Veyne were one block. House Greenward and House Thalos were another. House Indri was often the deciding vote, though they often didn’t bother deciding at all. The result was usually gridlock.

  There was no vote to raise the budget, not that I had actually expected one.

  “I believe it’s my turn now.” Duke Wardell murmured. He was the st person on the agenda. I was just looking forward to leaving. Keeping up appearances for this long in front of these men was really starting to wear on me.

  Click.

  Some of the exhaustion faded away. My exhaustion knob had been dialed well down for a few days now. It really couldn’t go much lower.

  LIAR.

  I winced, even if I’d known it was coming. Damn sword.

  “-it simply makes little sense.” Duke Wardell said. “More and more children go missing every day. Their numbers have been on the rise for some time now, but now it seems to have reached a boiling point. Just this week, we’ve had twenty reported cases. I dare not wonder how many haven’t been reported.”

  “Come now, surely that can’t be the main thing you are concerned with.” Duke Greenward said. “Some missing orphans? That sounds like an issue you should be discussing with your subordinates, not here.”

  My hands clenched. Some of my anger started to boil over. Sere could have easily been one of those children if I hadn’t chanced upon her that day. Perhaps she had been. Damn it, I should have been more careful then. Damn it.

  It was the casualness of the interaction that infuriated me most. Why would some Lords care about the plight of penniless orphans? That much was expected. I had at least expected them to pretend. To at least feign decency.

  Click. Click.

  I took a deep, calming breath. The sword was thankfully silent this time.

  “I do wish to discuss this here for one specific reason.” Duke Wardell whispered. “This is not simply a case of crime by many unreted individuals. If it were, we might have been able to put a stop to it. This feels far more organized. Competent.” He smiled. “So, I simply wished to see what help my other esteemed Lords could offer.”

  None of the other men’s faces so much as changed expressions. I had been looking for it. Their control over themselves was far better than mine must have been right now.

  “Then it sounds to me like another dangerous gang has taken root in the city.” Lord Thalos said solemnly. “Perhaps the City Guard could use outside help to do its duties properly?”

  Duke Thalos and Duke Wardell stared at each other.

  “Come now, do calm yourselves.” Duke Indri interjected awkwardly. “It wouldn’t do to gre at each other so, especially after young Lord Veyne. What kind of example are we setting for the girl?"

  A poor one.

  They broke eye contact. Duke Wardell slowly nodded. “Very well. In that case, I suppose there is one more matter.” He looked around the room, his eyes only briefly meeting mine. “The Bck Market is thriving, despite our best efforts to root it out. More and more of the lesser Houses turn to them.”

  His voice grew softer. “That’s not all. The bck market is awash with Artifacts. From what we have been able to gather, none of these Artifacts are truly powerful. Many of them have Magical Implement equivalents. Still, their number is worrying, and their source of origin is unknown.”

  Duke Greenward and Duke Thalos looked infinitely more interested this time.

  “Artifacts? Truly?” Duke Thalos muttered. “Has a new Relic Tomb been discovered?” This time, he gnced at me.

  “There has not, to the best of my knowledge,” I answered truthfully. Our House went beyond the city walls most often. The fact that he was even asking me was a good sign.

  A Dungeon came from the coalescence of wild mana or Demonic energy, resulting in a ‘birthing ground’ for monsters or even worse, Demons. A Relic Tomb was a remnant of one of the ancient civilizations, the only reliable pce to find an Artifact. To say that a new Relic Tomb was a discovery that would shake the Kingdom was an understatement.

  “Then you should root them out.” Duke Greenward muttered. “Even if these Artifacts are pointless, if the King hears of this….” He didn’t say anymore, though I could guess. Greater scrutiny from the Throne meant fewer chances for profit. Though, of course, nobody would ever say that part out loud.

  “I would, if we had more men. More support.” Duke Wardell countered. “Most promising young men these days want to be adventurers. Recruitment is slow. I believe House Veyne has had the same problem in manning the walls.”

  We certainly had from the reports I've read.

  “I think what Duke Wardell is trying to suggest is that we take a vote on raising the City Watch budget?” Duke Indri supplied.

  The man in question nodded.

  “Very well.” Duke Thalos sighed. Whether he sighed because he didn’t see the point or because he was simply old was anyone’s guess.

  “All those in favor?”

  Duke Wardell raised his hand. I raised mine too. Both of us stared at Duke Indri. He just smiled at us.

  “All those against?” Duke Thalos asked, his hand raised.

  “Increasing the City Watch at this time would needlessly disrupt trade. I would suggest Lord Wardell manage his domain with the resources he’s given.” Duke Greenward raised his hand.

  Duke Indri didn't vote. Not that anybody expected him to. He gnced at me for some odd reason. Did he look...apologetic?

  “Well then.” Duke Thalos coughed. “I believe the matter has been decided decisively.”

  There was only one difference between a vote that was rejected and a vote that couldn’t reach a decision. A rejection meant the same vote couldn’t be held for six months, save for extraordinary circumstances.

  Duke Wardell grunted. He was not the most expressive man, from what I’d gathered over the course of this meeting. His grunt might as well have been a full sentence.

  “That should do it for this month’s agenda.” Duke Thalos said, already rising. His gaze found me. “I do hope Duke Adrian will be able to join us next month.”

  In other words, you hope you don’t see me again.

  “I do hope my father will recover.” I would step aside in a heartbeat if that miracle happened.

  I was one of the first to leave, dragging myself over to the now-open great doors. Anias waited for me just off to the side. Her gaze found me.

  “My Lady? How did it go?”

  I groaned. “About as well as I’d expected. Not as bad as I’d feared, not as good as I’d hoped. That should sum it up.” I looked at my hands. They were trembling. My vision was a little blurry. My eyes felt heavy. It was the strangest thing to see all the signs of exhaustion and yet not quite feel it. I needed rest.

  Anias nodded slowly, patting my shoulder. “You did well, Esra.” She smiled. “I didn’t think anyone could read that much in just a week.”

  “Any God will tell you I didn’t want to.”

  Anias and I had gotten closer this past week. After all, I’d pretty much been holed up inside my father's office with her for days. It was hard not to feel closer after that.

  “My Lady.” Anias stepped away.

  I turned and saw Duke Wardell standing behind me. “Apologies for interrupting, Lady Esra.”

  I gave him a curtsy. “No apologies needed, My Lord.”

  “I simply wished to commend you for today.” Duke Wardell’s face had the barest hint of a smile. “I was concerned about what would happen if House Veyne wasn’t present today.”

  The tenuous bance keeping this city ‘neutral’ would have shattered.

  “I am just gd I was able to do my part as a daughter of House Veyne,” I said simply.

  His smile widened, now unmistakable. “Ah, I do see why Adrian talked about you so.”

  “Pardon?”

  He shook his head. “He has been rather complimentary these st two months. That’s all.”

  Something coiled inside my chest.

  “Do get some rest, though, My Lady.” Duke Wardell said seriously. “You did a commendable job, but- pardon me for saying this, your exhaustion is rather obvious.”

  “I will certainly endeavor to do nothing but rest as soon as I get home.” I gave the man a smile back.

  “A shame that will have to wait for just a moment longer.” Duke Wardell’s smile was gone. He turned.

  I hadn’t noticed Duke Indri approach.

  “Ah, no need to end your conversation early.” Duke Indri said hurriedly. “I simply wished to speak to Lady Veyne for a moment.”

  I waited. Perhaps I should have curtsied too, but it was a little te for that.

  He looked at me for a moment, nodding to himself. “It’s simply that Lord Adrian and I had had some prior agreements we meant to discuss in detail, that is, before Lord Adrian-” He shook his head. “I merely wondered if Lady Esra intends to take his pce in said agreements and discussions?”

  You’re really asking me if House Veyne will continue to court House Indri like it always had, or if you were going to go over to the Greenward and Thalos camp, right? Perhaps that's what that look earlier had been.

  Damn it father, you should have wrapped up your loose ends yourself.

  It was rather shameless, though a man in Duke Indri’s position could afford to be shameless.

  Break.

  I winced. Damn sword, this isn’t the time or pce.

  “I do pn to,” I said after a moment, giving him my best smile. “I am afraid the attack has left me rather weak, but I will come to Indri Manor soon.”

  Duke Indri smiled. “Good, see that you do.” Then, he was walking away.

  “Never liked the man.” Duke Wardell grumbled. “Despite what Adrian always said.”

  “Pardon?”

  Duke Wardell looked at me and shook his head, looking embarrassed. “Apologies, I shouldn’t have misspoken. I simply meant that Duke Adrian and Duke Indri were very close, especially during the Sword God war. After that, they seemed to drift apart. They have only just started associating again recently but....” He looked around, shook his head. “I must be going now, My Lady. I fear my own sons might have destroyed my manor in the time I’ve been away.”

  Then, he walked away too, leaving Anias and me. We were alone.

  I swayed on my feet. Anias caught and straightened me immediately. My hands were clenching and unclenching. Some of it was exhaustion. Much of it was fury.

  I kept my tone light.

  “Anias?”

  “Yes?”

  “I don’t suppose it would be proper if you carried me to the Circle with your Gift.”

  “It would not, My Lady.” She said apologetically.