Wenzel led us deeper into the middle layer of Blutstein than I’d yet ventured. Which…wasn’t saying much, considering I just got here yesterday.

  But hey, at least it was something new.

  Exciting!

  This new area of the city was visibly fancier than the business district we’d just been in. It had been guarded and gated from the rest of the city, although the soldiers had swung them wide open at the first sight of Wenzel and his entourage.

  It was easy to guess that this might just be the part of the city where the nobles gathered and lived.

  Fancier, larger tower homes dotted the winding, root-like streets, while more guards and soldiers patrolled them than had been evident outside this district. Upscale establishments and lavish boutiques took the place of the more workman-like equivalents I had already seen. Gold, gems, and elegant jewelry shone from the glass storefronts of businesses more lavish than anything I’d ever set foot in. Sometimes elegant and sometimes outright gaudy, the construction of the district spoke of a level of affluence that outright dwarfed whatever meager level of wealth I’d accrued in Kawamara.

  I suddenly and acutely felt uncomfortable in the simple traveling clothes I’d dressed in before leaving Grey’s home. They still bore evidence of windblown salt crystals from all the days I’d spent at the helm of the Astray, dotting my vest with visible white patches. I hadn’t exactly thought I’d be meeting with a prospective King today, or I…I guess I would have worn one of my nicer Kawamaran robes? It suddenly occurred to me that I didn’t have high-quality Herztalian dress.

  Something else to remedy, now that I was finally here.

  Eventually, Wenzel stopped in front of a more tastefully decorated establishment here in the noble district. While most Blustein architecture tended towards more tower-like structures, it’s not like they were a monoculture. Startlingly, this building almost reminded me of the Dwarven architecture I’d seen before, either in Addersfield, but more prominently during my time in Rhoscara. It was shorter, squatter, and wider in general, but still quite beautiful and elegant in its own way. The fa?ade seemed to be done entirely in either brass or bronze, almost coated in it really, with pastoral scenes etched into the metal. Two smartly dressed human servant men stood at either side of the stately wooden door, and just like the gates to the district, they smoothly opened it without a word. To my surprise, Wenzel actually acknowledged them with a brief, curt nod before striding inside like he owned the place.

  For all I knew, he did.

  I exchanged a glance with Grey and followed after, to find a somewhat unusual scene. Wenzel had been stopped before getting too far inside by a dwarf. A very fancy-looking dwarf at that, with a bare face and a head of slicked-back grey-speckled blonde hair, contrasted by the expensive-looking suit of somehow chic emerald brocade. He was bowing at the waist before the pack of lords, causing all of them but Wenzel to puff out like peacocks.

  “My lords, if you will follow me?” The Dwarf said politely. “A room has been prepared for you while Lord von Steinmark is busy with his meeting.”

  That caused one of the silk popinjays to blink, looking almost offended. “Now see here Franzio, we will be accompan-”

  “You will not,” Wenzel immediately interjected, silencing his underling. “Go with Franzio.” He shifted his gaze over to the dwarf and spoke brusquely. “The usual room?”

  ‘Franzio’ bowed at the waist once more. “Yes, my lord. It has been prepared for your audience with Headmaster Greycton and his apprentice, Sir Nathaniel Hart.”

  I tamped down on my wince as well as I could without my Middle Ring, displaying only a twitch of my cheek at the purposefully loud words of the dwarf. Already I could see a number of heads further into the apparent restaurant turn our way with interest as the conversation ebbed within.

  That had been on purpose. Word of this meeting was probably going to spread like wildfire among the nobility. Hell, the city itself.

  And…probably reach Oskar, as well.

  Grey only sighed and motioned for me to follow him as Wenzel walked with purpose towards a staircase off to the side. My last glimpse of the bottom floor was of the Dwarf looking up from his bow and winking at me almost impudently. I restrained the urge to roll my own eyes.

  We stayed silent as Wenzel led Grey and me down a short hallway on the second floor, eventually stopping at a door and entering with barely a pause. Once inside, I barely paid any attention to the blue, green, and brass furnishings within, instead carefully sitting down at one of the three chairs around the small coffee table within. Wenzel sat on one side, while Grey and I were on the other.

  All three of us ignored the tea set in the middle of the table, still somehow steaming after however long it had been sitting there. We had more important things to discuss than the varietals of local Blutstein tea. Like…what this guy wanted in return for my endorsement of the Herztalian crown.

  “I do not wish to be High King,” Wenzel von Steinmark said bluntly, breaking the silence.

  I blinked slowly in response, immediately thrown off my game.

  Okay, never mind then.

  Grey sucked in a deep, frustrated breath at the words, looking very much done with this entire farce already. “They why have you invited us to this meeting, Lord von Steinmark?”

  The noble looked as if he had realized the annoyance he had already caused. “Let me amend my words,” Wenzel said, briefly dipping his head in apology. “I do not wish to be High King forever.”

  I leaned forward, suddenly much more interested in what he had to say. “That’s an interesting distinction. What do you mean?” I asked as Grey settled down to my left.

  “Yes, do elaborate,” Grey said, narrowing his eyes. “After all, the coronation has only been delayed so long because of your bid for the throne. Need I remind you of all the guests that are even now waiting in the city for said coronation, unwilling to leave until this matter has been settled?”

  “It is an unfortunate situation, I will admit,” Wenzel said stoically. “I have played some part in that. However, Cousin Oskar will not listen to my reasoning, and it is my hope that a well-constructed argument from the two of you shall convince him. Thus, I have invited both of you here to convince you first.”

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  I exchanged a quick glance with Grey and was unsurprised at the level of irritation I could see in his. Most people probably wouldn’t be able to detect it in the man, with how used to politicking he had to be over the literal centuries of practice. But most weren’t as close as we were, even with the time we’d spent apart. I could see the implied permission as plain as day in his eyes. My mentor simply didn’t enjoy these kind of political games anymore while I…well.

  I had been developing a skill for them over time. Probably best to keep my humbling from Seimei in mind, though.

  I wasn’t perfect.

  Still, I could tell Grey wanted me to take the reins here. Probably for…a number of reasons.

  I turned from him and gestured with one open hand towards the lord opposite us. “Continue, Lord von Steinmark. What are your demands of Oskar? What are you after?”

  “Demands. Hmph.” Wenzel outright snorted, breaking his stoic mien for the first time. “I have made no demands of cousin Oskar. Rather, I have offered him a solution to a problem. You see, Oskar was raised as a second son his entire life. He was not groomed for the throne, nor even truly a position of significant leadership within the Herztalian court. It is not the way of the Eisenherz dynasty to grant position to those who do not seek to inherit the throne within the family. Rather, they are instructed in the ways of combat and guided onto the path of the High King’s protector. In the ancient past, it was only practical. The bonds between those in the Royal Family are strong, and there were none you could trust to guard you more than your own kin. Thus, the position of Herzgard came to be. Oskar was raised his entire life to assume the post of Herzgard within the Royal house, and not for rule.”

  I nodded slowly to show my understanding. “And yet, both brothers still came to be on opposing sides in the Construct War.” I pointed out.

  “Yes…” Wenzel sighed, a well of seemingly genuine regret in his voice. “A most unfortunate situation. We are all unsure as to what caused Alaric’s spouts of madness. It has only been recently that we have come to suspect it was the Vampyr’s role in his fall, with their revealed association.”

  My eyes widened at that, and I held up a hand to stop him. “Wait. Wait a second now. Nerexxa was involved with Alaric?” My eyes bounced between Wenzel and Grey for a moment. “This is the first time I’m hearing about this. Did…she have him under her spell?”

  Grey grimaced at me. “Perhaps. The truth is, we simply don’t know. King Alaric took his own life before he could be tested for outside influence. However, in the months since his death, investigations have produced evidence of their potential…dalliances.”

  “Call it what it was, Headmaster,” Wenzel said, leaning forward. “Alaric was seemingly seduced by the creature. There was a private courtship underway between the two of them, approved by Archmage Daffyd. There are documents proving this. The goal was seemingly to court Clan Calonawr, and thus the rest of the Mynydd people, by installing one of their own as the Queen. Only, Rhiannon of Clan Calonawr was long since dead, and a creature from an age of horror had occupied her body.”

  I frowned, drumming my fingers on the table. “Did Chief Gruffyd know?” I wondered aloud.

  “He denies it, of course,” Grey said heavily, reaching for the tea set.

  But we couldn’t actually know if he was telling the truth, now could we? It…did seem plausible that the Calonawr might have been in alliance talks with the Throne before they allied with the Uprising. They had only done such a thing because of the near-apocalyptic scenario of the Break Stones flooding the highlands with uncountable hordes of monsters.

  Which had all been at the instruction of ‘Rhiannon’, confessed to by the creature herself. Plans within plans within plans.

  It really was chilling just how close Nerexxa had brought Herztal, and through it Vereden itself, to the brink of absolute ruin.

  “…and Archmage Daffyd?”

  “Vanished into thin air, seemingly at the same time that Leonard Ashran did,” Wenzel said, meeting my frown with his own. “And so uncertainty remains on all sides, and I am not sure Oskar is up to the task of navigating the fraught waters of rule that lay before him in the next few years. Tell me, Headmaster, during the campaign did cousin Oskar display particularly insightful command? Did he make wise judgments to the various commanders of the Uprising?”

  Tellingly, Grey remained silent for a moment. “He was…a capable small unit commander.” He said carefully.

  “Yes,” Wenzel said heavily. “As he was trained to do. And that is the problem. Headmaster, Sir Hart, I have repeatedly beseeched cousin Oskar to let me act in his stead as Regent for the next four years, until he reaches the age of twenty-one. In the intervening time, he can learn all he needs to act as a suitable King both from me and from the Royal advisors. It is a simple fact that his judgment is considered…questionable by the high nobility, though he retains broad support from the populace. Which is all well and good, but a High King must maintain a balance of favorability between both sections of society, or else it shall not function. I have acted in careful neutrality during all these years of conflict, choosing to position myself in such a way as to serve the Eisenherz dynasty in case the worst comes to pass. And it has. I am the eldest son of House von Steinmark and possess all of the training that Oskar lacks in this crucial point of time, as well as being a battlefield-proven veteran in a previous conflict.”

  I turned to Grey with a raised eyebrow. In response, he grimaced but nodded. “Yes, Lord von Steinmark volunteered his House forces during the War of Winter Bonds, culminating in the battle of Ryesfield. A much…smaller, localized conflict some decade and a half ago. He distinguished himself in the conflict and earned a knighthood from the then High King.”

  Well, that ratcheted up Wenzel’s age in my mind. He barely looked like he was my age, but he had to be at least double it.

  Which meant he had some levels on me as well.

  “I was a much young man, and eager to prove myself,” Wenzel nodded. “And from that conflict came a distaste for war, which contributed to my decision to sit out what came to be known as the Construct War. Gentlemen, surely you can see that Herztal cannot risk descending into open warfare once again? I fear that the political situation within the country shall not stabilize with cousin Oskar at the helm, inexperienced in rule as he is.”

  I sat back to consider the problem. I…could see where he was coming from, I suppose. I’d had more than one problem with Oskar in the past, and both had come from the younger Prince jumping the gun on judgments. Oskar was a bit…impulsive, and that didn’t lead to stable rule.

  One problem, though.

  “What do you get out of this, Lord von Steinmark?” I asked politely.

  In response, Wenzel raised one eyebrow. “Beyond, you mean, working to ensure stability in my country before Oskar is ready for rule?” He steepled his fingers together on the surface of the table. “As House Olsen has been both wiped out and dispossessed, it has occurred to my own that Elderwyck is in need of new rulers. Thus, the service we have asked of the Assembly is that House von Steinmark be granted the seat of the Duchy of Elderwyck in return. I would act as Regent Lord of Herztal while Oskar is trained in rule, while the rest of my House would resettle from the Capital in the ruined city of Elderwyck, and work to restore it to its former glory.”

  Ah. Now this I understood much easier. Some nice enlightened self-interest. Wenzel wasn’t just acting out of a patriotic desire to save Herztal from Oskar’s inexperienced rule; he was trying to enrich his family as well. After all, Elderwyck was the largest trading port in the Kingdom.

  At the very least, I had to admire the balls Wenzel had to just come out and say that. It was a type of direct behavior I didn't normally associate with the nobility.

  Well. Other than Azarus, I suppose.

  Still, I think I’d heard enough of his side of the story. At least, for now.

  I stood up from my chair, and seemingly at the same instant Grey did the same. “Thank you for the explanation, Lord von Steinmark,” I said, smiling non-committedly. “I believe my mentor and I shall require time to deliberate on your request.”

  “Yes…we certainly shall,” Grey said slowly, eyeing the man across the table with an assessing gaze.

  Said man seemed to understand and stood from his own chair. “Of course,” Wenzel said, inclining his head. “These are matters of grave import, after all. Shall I…show the two of you out?”

  “No, no,” I shook my head. “It’s a short walk, and the Headmaster and I must start discussing the matter with all due haste. We shall see you again soon, Lord von Steinmark.”

  With that, Grey and I turned and left the small meeting room where we had been discussing the fate of Herztal.

  My last sight of it, before the door closed behind us, was of Wenzel von Steinmark standing utterly still behind the table, watching us go with measured tranquility in his dark gaze.