False Hero 3 by Michael Plymel

Author:Michael Plymel [Plymel, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Fantasy
Published: 2022-03-25T04:00:00+00:00

Interlude 3

----- Adel -----

“That fool!” I barely manage to keep my fist from slamming onto my desk as I yell.

Instead, I put the king’s letter down and stand as I begin to pace within the small confines of my study.

No, perhaps it was I who was foolish. I’ve been so caught up in the threat of Chaos that I ignored the growing tensions between the crown and the nobility.

I sent a letter to King Edgar, informing him that the minions of Chaos have infiltrated this territory, Cador, with their agents.

There’s no doubt. They’re poised to strike at any time. Yet, the king and nobles are content to wage their own selfish war during this country’s darkest hour.

My servant and trusted friend, Albert, speaks from beside my desk. “Do you mind if I read it, my lord?”

“Do as you wish.”

Albert’s eyes scan the letter, and I can see the disappointment on his face grow with each line of text. His reaction is more subtle than my own, but no doubt he feels the same frustration as I do.

“Sir, it appears to me that the king is merely putting off the task of cleaning out the Chaos spies until after he quells the growing rebellion within Roshar.”

“My thoughts precisely, Albert. He seems content to allow it to fester. No doubt he’s underestimating the threat since there’s been no discernable destruction from the agents of Chaos.”

“But what of the recent appearance of Berserkers in the city of Reim? Fiends striking a city so close to the center of his empire would most certainly raise alarm.”

I sit back down in my chair and make a concerted effort to calm my mind. “Perhaps he’s already made arrangements that he’s not sharing with us, or maybe he simply believes them to be remnants of a raiding party that found their way here.”

“Ah, it’s true that he’s withholding information. He appears to be keeping much tighter control over the province ever since Marquis Lars’ death. This is the heart of his domain, after all.”

Although I’m the lord of this province, the capital city resides within it, along with this country’s ruler—King Edgar de Eldridge. The king’s power obviously supersedes my own, so I have to be careful not to overstep my bounds.

Each province is given a rank, and every lord who rules over a province acquires a rank equal to their territory. I once controlled the land just north of here as an Earl, but with my promotion as the lord of the Cador province—this province—I have acquired the rank to match it: Marquis.

It may seem strange that the lord of the kingdom’s most important province is relegated to the rank of Marquis, rather than the highest noble class, Duke, but there’s a clear reason for that.

Since Dukes are the pinnacle of the nobility, they have the potential to acquire power matching that of the king himself. Duke Bradley de Reinhold is one such example. The political faction he leads rivals that of the royal faction, often making it difficult for King Edgar to enforce his will without resistance.

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