Published: February 16th 2023, 8:02:02 am
Mid Summer
It was another late night within the Banking Guild. With the city finally back open for business since the siege, caravans bringing goods and reports have been coming in almost hourly. This required members of the Guild to work extra hours to update all of their records from across the region and continent at large.
Selven placed his quill into the inkpot and poured himself some water. After he sipped a small amount, he lifted his hand and shook out his wrist. The pain of repetitive writing was getting to him.
The light at his desk flickered. He turned up the lamp just as a knock resounded at the door to the office. Glancing around and seeing that the other five desks in the room were barren, he sighed and got up.
How long have I been working alone?
He opened the door. A large telv man stood there breathing heavily while awkwardly holding onto a large chest.
“I was told to bring this up here,” the man said.
Selven sighed. “Right in here, please. Here, let me help you,” he offered.
“Thank you.”
He grabbed one of the handles and felt his muscles tense at the unexpected weight of it. What did they make this chest out of?
As they heaved the chest onto the floor next to his desk, he peeked at the origin panel. Guild Records. Duchy of Lis, Kingdom of Avira. Guild Records. Duchy of Tiloral, Kingdom of Avira. Of course, why would they separate the two? That would only make sense.
He glanced at the man who was still standing next to him. “Did you have anything else?”
The man jerked slightly. “No, sorry. I will be on my way.”
As the man walked out, two more people strolled into the office. Selven looked up, seeing his fellow clerks.
“What is that, Selven?” The high elf woman on the left, Teya, asked.
“It’s the Guild Records from the Kingdom of Avira. Both the Duchy of Lis and the Duchy of Tiloral,” he said with a bit of exasperation.
The Guild headquarters had sent out notices that explained the process numerous times. There was a reason they maintained records per select region. It allowed them to maintain control and filing of them so nothing was lost. There was no reason why the Guilds of both duchies could not send their records at the same time, but they should remain separate. Processes were processes because they allowed for efficiency and maintained standards.
Hopefully, they just sorted them inside.
He opened the chest and saw that there were just stacks of records with no semblance of order. His hopes for getting off any time soon fell.
The telv clerk sighed and shook her head. “Don’t worry Selven, we’ll sort this out. Teya and I will start sorting, you start processing?”
He slowly nodded his head. “I can do that. Where are the other two? Will they be back soon?”
The high elf shook her head. “They got pulled to assist with other duties. It’s just us.”
Selven looked to his left where a mountainous stack of papers already sat. Five more lay behind him on another desk, sorted and ready for filing. He rolled his neck and looked down. The two women started sorting through the chest and soon he had the start of a stack of documents from the Duchy of Tiloral.
Going through it, everything seemed normal. Eventually, he hit his first snag. A House’s assets moved into the negatives. It wasn’t something rare, it happened from time to time if a branch did not get an update in time. It was something that should have been caught before reaching Marketbol, as it usually only happened across…
He took a moment to grab the official ledgers for that House in the storage shelves behind him.
There it was. The House had made several withdrawals from multiple locations on the same date. However, after closer scrutiny, he realized that the updates came from multiple regions. It was a typical way for some entity to attempt to defraud the Guild.
He sighed. When will they learn? We always find out. Rumors were spreading of a new system developed by a House within Marketbol that would prevent such a situation. He was interested in seeing what came of it.
Stamping the record to be handled by the Fraud Department, he moved on. The next few records were standard fare, but then he had another uncommon occurrence appear. A House with the same name as another.
He reviewed the two and smirked in amusement at how the name of the one that originated in the Duchy of Tiloral was the same as the one that was in Marketbol. Noting that the House that was here in the city had an origin within the Kingdom of Blightwych. The same one that he had just thought of. Funny coincidence.
Selven shrugged and simply continued as per protocol. Changing the names of the Houses within the Guild’s records to reflect their national origin. It was infrequent, but not uncommon that Houses from different nations had the same name.
Grabbing his quill, he affixed the new designations.
House Reinhart-Avira.
House Reinhart-Blightwych.
Satisfied, he updated the primary Guild records to reflect the difference so that no one would possibly confuse them. Wouldn’t want that! Could you imagine? Someone taking funds from one when it was meant to be the other’s? This is why we have procedures and protocols.
A yawn escaped him as he grabbed the next record and moved on.
It was going to be a long night.
* * *
Late Summer
Elodie walked into the Banking Guild. She paused as she noted all of the activity. It had been weeks since the siege had been lifted and, still, the Guilds were inundated with the need to catch up to the rest of the region.
She was here to check on the status of funds for the House. They should have received another transfer from their contract with the Farum siblings, and their first payment from the Marketbol Smithing Guild would be today.
It had taken a bit of convincing with Koren in tow, but she had managed to wring out the same deal as the one Sloane had made in Thirdghyll. The payments from that deal had transferred to the guild’s new location in Vilstaf and had finally borne fruit a few weeks ago.
As a ruby-tier House, they received preferential treatment within the city. Although, even if they were the lowest tier–wood–they would have been given priority service after Sloane had literally saved the city. There were talks of erecting a statue of her in the park of heroes.
Elodie wasn’t sure if the city would actually do it, but they clearly wanted Sloane to return once her quest was completed. I wouldn’t be surprised if they offered a seat on the council to convince her.
Sloane and House Reinhart represented the single largest new source of income and progress in such a short period that this city had ever seen.
A high elf that she’d worked with several times now approached her with a smile.
“Ms. Romaris, welcome! Are you here on House Reinhart business?”
Elodie nodded. “I am.”
He gestured and invited her to follow him. They walked into a small office that was richly decorated, and one of several that were only utilized for business with important clients.
She sat down on a cushioned chair covered in expensive fabric and smiled at the man as he took the chair across a table from her. He already held a large portfolio that she knew would contain records for House Reinhart within.
“Now, what can the Banking Guild do for House Reinhart today?” he asked.
Elodie pulled out her planner–a wonderful concept that Sloane had introduced–and opened it to the notes section. She readied her pen and inkwell and glanced up into the amused look of the man across from her.
“Sorry, yes. I wish to ascertain the status of our account. Specifically, there should have been several deposits made within the last two days that I need to verify. One from…”
She listed out what she was expecting and the man pulled the portfolio open and started scrolling his finger across the records.
“Yes, those have been deposited in the following amounts...” He stated a number for each.
Elodie nodded along as she dutifully annotated the numbers down.
She heard him make a noise so she glanced up. “Sorry, what was that?”
He shook his head. “Oh, nothing, just a curiosity.”
Elodie tilted her head. She’d worked for the Guild. Curiosities usually meant something that was other than the norm. House Reinhart did not need anything except normality. It was crucial to their development.
“What is so curious? Anything that I should be concerned about?” she asked.
Another shake of the head.
“No. Just that they annotated the origin behind your House name. That is–”
Elodie froze and her eyes shot open. “That means there is another House with the same name.”
He twitched slightly. Realization flashed. “Oh, right. Romaris. I forgot that you–”
Her own realization made her jump up. The high elf’s head jerked back in surprise.
Elodie leaned forward onto the table, staring at the man. “Where is the other House?”
He looked taken aback. “Ms. Elodie, you know I cannot–”
“Damn it! Tell me where the damn House is or I swear I will go to the Grandmaster!”
He sucked in a breath. “Avira. The Duchy of Tiloral. It’s probably nothing–”
“I have to go.”
She quickly shoved her things back into her satchel. Elodie burst from the room and practically ran out of the Guild.
A confused high elf still sat in the meeting room. Unsure of what to make of what just happened. He knew that he had to report it. However, he just was not certain as to whom.
Elodie rushed toward her waiting carriage. She yelled at the guards. They had to get to the campus. Quickly. She needed to speak to Ernald and Adaega.
Thankfully, the men did not even question her. The carriage sped down the streets with reckless abandon. People jumped out of the way as the guards yelled for everyone to move. A few members of the city guard rushed behind them on horseback.
They came to a sliding stop in front of the center, but Elodie was already jumping out and darting forward. She yelled at the Senior Guardsman who had come running out, telling him to handle the city’s men.
Elodie took a deep breath and gathered herself before barging into Adaega’s office.
Adaega screamed and jerked back. Ernald whirled around from where he had been having a moment with the human woman.
“Shit! Elodie! What are you doing?” Adaega snapped.
“I found her.”
Ernald narrowed his eyes. “Who?” Adaega looked ready to complain about how Elodie had barged in. Their embarrassment at getting caught could wait.
“Sloane’s daughter.”
Both Adaega and Ernald froze.
“...What?” Ernald asked, slowly.
Elodie took a deep breath. “There is a second House Reinhart. It is in Avira, the Duchy of Tiloral.”
Adaega gasped. “That means–”
The knight nodded. “That Sloane will be traveling right through there when she arrives in Avira by sea. They’re already too far, there’s no way we will make it to Swanbrook before they leave.” He paused and stroked his chin. “However…”
“What?” Adaega asked.
“She is escorting that girl from the church to Calling. A courier may be able to make it in time. It will be expensive–”
“We can afford it,” Elodie said without hesitation.
The knight nodded. Adaega kept turning her head back and forth between the two of them. “Then we need to hurry. We will need to write this in a way that will not be overly apparent to others.”
Adaega shrugged. “That’s easy. We just tell her the object of her quest is in Tiloral.”
“What do we do if the courier misses her or can’t find her?” Elodie asked.
Ernald crossed his arms. “In that case, the best we can do is send a courier toward the City of Avira and hope to catch her there. We do have the luxury of knowing her current destination,” he pointed out.
Wait. She had an idea. One that was a bit crazy. “What if we sent two couriers? Right now. One to Calling to try and catch her, and another to the Duchy of Tiloral? But where more specifically…”
The three of them fell into silence as each sought to come up with a solution. It wasn’t simple. If only they’d found out a few weeks ago before they had left. Adaega seemed to be at a loss, which wasn’t a surprise to Elodie. The terran didn’t know this world. She had adapted admirably to the city and its lifestyle, but there were definite gaps in her knowledge that she and Ernald were helping her with.
Snapping fingers jerked her from her thoughts.
“Huh. Actually, that’s simple. The Grand Temple of the Celestials. Strathmore. Sloane’s other deal with the Church was to enlist their help. We can send a courier straight to the source, and they could probably get a message to Sloane’s daughter,” Ernald suggested.
They all agreed. It was a plan, and Elodie hoped that it worked. She shook her head. It was crazy…
Ernald chuckled. She and Adaega looked up at the knight. “What is so funny?” Adaega asked her lover.
"Sloane’s daughter is ten years old, nearly eleven if I remember correctly. She has formed her own House. That is not some insignificant feat… the two of them aren’t even…” He sighed and shook his head. “Like mother, like daughter…”
Elodie nodded.
Like mother, like daughter indeed.
* * *
Present
A man ran down a path until it reached a house. He spoke silently to one of the assembled guards. Their blue tabards and silver pauldron were polished until you could see your reflection in the embossed dragon. A match to his own gear. The wall of bodies they made was meant to keep others out and to ensure those within did not leave.
It was the second time they had to do this.
A throng of people stood outside, servants, guards, and family members alike. Everyone was silent, quietly shivering, but refusing to utter a word of their discomfort. It did not matter that it was a misty, overcast day. That the air was cold. The ground wet. That did not stop the proceedings.
Now, one could not completely blame the staff of the household. No. They were not there in the dreary weather out of any sort of punishment. Indeed, the members of the staff stood resolutely. For they were there as witnesses.
For House Trenlore had been given a chance.
The House Reinhart guard gently pushed his way to the front where the sight forced him to pause.
Baron Camus Trenlore had lasted two whole seasons before he managed to squander that sole chance. The baron was getting the dressing down of his life.
No matter how important his message was, the guard knew that now was not the time to interrupt. He drew himself to attention and nodded to Ser Theran, who inclined his head in recognition.
For now, he would simply watch.
The count paused. The high elf majordomo took a moment to gather himself.
He continued, “Baron Trenlore. Again. Again you have forgotten your place. You constantly seek to ruin your own House, and by proxy ruin the reputation of House Reinhart. To whom you pledged fealty. I am unsure whether your mind is addled, for that could only be the reason you somehow seem to continually forget that fact. Now, I do hope you remember what I stated the last time we were in this same position. After all, I warned you what would happen.”
The high elf baron drew up to his full height and attempted to stare down the slightly shorter count. He held the smugness of someone who thought they had everything figured out.
He could not be more wrong.
You only had to look at the two guards of House Reinhart standing at either side of him, or the knight in full plate armor that stood atop the steps to the small manor. Or if you realized that all of his guards were unarmed and stood impotently within the crowd. Not that a single one would have raised a hand in his defense.
“I do not know who you think you are, Ser Norric. But–”
A slap resounded in the area. The guard blinked. Ser Theran pulled back his hand to where he was suddenly much closer. Impossibly closer.
“You will address the Count with the respect he is due,” the knight stated calmly.
Count Siveril Norric sighed and shook his head. A glare settled on the baron who had fallen to one knee and was caressing a now very red cheek.
“Very well. By the authority granted to me by our liege, I hereby strip all titles granted upon Baron Trenlore and those present of his household. House Trenlore shall pass to Lady Ilyana Trenlore upon her age of majority next week. Baroness Trenlore will be notified immediately. Until then, Ser Theran will oversee the operations of the House.”
There it was. The true reason for the count and House Reinhart’s attendance. The baron had been given until the young lady-in-waiting’s birthday to correct his ways. He had not.
Mr. Camus Trenlore’s face turned into a scowl as he stood and took a step forward before both arms were grabbed by the two guards behind him.
Count Norric was unfazed. “Remove them from the premises.”
Camus Trenlore had nearly affected the reputation of House Reinhart with his poor business dealings–including some more… illegal undertakings. Even that did not anger the count as much as when he’d heard about Lady Ilyana’s last meal.
Everyone gathered ignored the protesting and cursing from the members of the House. When the sounds of their shouting and complaints were muted by distance, Count Norric addressed those gathered.
“I regret that you all had to stand outside on this dreary day. I regret that I was forced to action, but House Reinhart will not stand for such actions amongst those who owe it fealty. You all are to maintain this House for your new liege. Ser Theran will ensure that this occurs. All knights of the House will answer to him. Until the day your lady returns from her studies. Now, excuse me. I have urgent business to attend to.”
The guard straightened his back as the count strode toward him. He should not have been surprised that the count knew he was there for him. Nor that his message was urgent.
“You have a message?”
The guard bowed to his House’s majordomo. “Yes, milord. Lady Batteux awaits you at the manor. She has urgent news and will await your return.”
Count Norric narrowed his eyes. “You rode all this way from Strathmore? Alone?”
“Yes, milord. Time was of the essence. I came as quickly as I could.”
The count gestured to one of the other guards. “See that both he and his horse are rested and well-fed.” He turned toward another guard. “Prepare my carriage. We need to expedite our return.”
* * *
A new season was upon them. House Reinhart had thus far withstood all trials of the past year.
The princess would soon attend the Royal Academy.
The business with House Trenlore was finally resolved.
His own lands south and its town of Galehaven were doing well after a modest investment from House Reinhart. The majority of the soldiers that the duke had promised were even now based within the county. Others had been selected to protect the princess’s assets within the city.
Tensions were high. Even after two seasons. He still remembered as if it were yesterday when he received news of the attack on the princess. Angwin’s army had been burned and cut to pieces. Siveril still did not know what to think of the matter. Those two women let that girl fight an army. That the girl won did bring a bit of warmth to his heart.
The duke had summoned Angwin and demanded answers. Then, in a clear shot at the Crown Prince, censured him in no uncertain terms. The marquess was placed on house arrest within his march. Those of his House and those under his employ in any form were not to leave his lands without ducal permission.
The crown was not happy with the matter and had made their displeasure known by increasing taxes for all sea-based imports and increasing fees for foreigners to enter through the port. Taxes and fees that only affected the Tiloral Duchy.
Count Siveril Norric stepped from his carriage and strode up toward the Reinhart Manor. The doors were promptly opened and he made his way to the parlor. Inside, the Guildmaster for the duchy’s Banking Guild sat by the fire, calmly sipping on some tea.
“Guildmaster Batteux, to what do we owe the pleasure? I was informed it was urgent.”
The woman smiled and gestured to the chair next to her. “Sit, Siveril. Please, call me Maeva. I fear this conversation will be best done while seated.”
He took a calming breath. Without jumping to conclusions, he sat. “...Maeva. Why are you here?”
The high elf woman set her cup down. “We recently received an update from Marketbol. A routine exchange of records allows the guild to maintain its accuracy of accounts. I was made aware of a change to your account. The Banking Guild now reflects your House as Reinhart-Avira…”
He squinted, not seeing the woman’s point. “...And that means?”
She drew in a breath. “It means that there is another House Reinhart.”
Siveril froze. That means…
“I can tell from your face that you know what it means. We found the girl’s mother. I also believe that you did not know where she was. It appears as if the mother is far more cautious than the daughter.”
He tilted his head in confusion. “What are you getting at, Maeva?”
“House Reinhart-Blightwych’s head is a Baroness Sloane Reinhart. Now, admittedly, it took me some time to rectify the difference. Once I did, it all became clear. I believe she realizes that after arriving, she is at a disadvantage if she claims to be a Queen. For she was alone. She had no army nor land. Nothing to support her claim–your princess was lucky in this regard. Well, lucky and able to burn an army to cinders. But I digress. Queen Reinhart chose a status that would not make anyone blink, let alone scrutinize. Barons and Baronesses are common. Especially in Western Ikios.”
Siveril found himself nodding. It did make a certain amount of sense. Blightwych. He frowned. He glanced up and–
Maeva smiled. “I see that you came to the same confusion I did. Why did the update come from Marketbol instead of Blightwych? I looked into that. I learned that due to the duchy’s new port troubles, there have been fewer reports coming to us through Maireharbora. In fact, the last report from Blightwych was before this would have been sent out. It’s clear that my fellow Guildmaster there would rather cut us out until we resolve our issues. I have, of course, sent notice of this breach of protocol to Marketbol. We will likely not see any resolution with that for some time.”
Siveril did not care about the guild’s politics. He only cared about the information the woman had learned. “Do you know where to find this other House Reinhart in Blightwych?”
She shook her head. “No. I do not. That is not something maintained in the records. Only the nation of origin. Blightwych is not overly large. Your best bet would be to search in Arginwych, the capital.”
Siveril stood. “Maeva, I would like to thank you for this information. I also request–”
The woman pushed off of the chair and stood as well. “Do not worry, Siveril. I will keep this information secret. I did not tell you the best part.”
He narrowed his eyes. “What is that?”
“House Reinhart-Blightwych is a ruby-tier House. Baronesses do not get that status. Clearly, the Guild knows the princess’s mother is important. It would not do for me to harm any relationship that may be forming. After all, your House has already established a positive one.”
The woman was correct. The Banking Guild’s ruby-tier was reserved for dukes or members of equal status. Only royalty received a higher tier. And if Gwyn’s mother is trying to remain discreet, that higher status would not help matters.
“Thank you. It seems I suddenly have much more work to accomplish. If you will excuse me. Perhaps we can meet again soon over some tea?”
She smiled. “That would be lovely, Count Norric.”
“I will see you then, Lady Batteux.”
* * *
“So, we need to send a team to search for this House Reinhart within Blightwych,” Theran clarified.
Siveril nodded. “Yes. As soon as possible. We will also send at least two people as couriers to the capital. Her Highness must be notified.”
Theran nodded. “I will get two teams together and send them out at once.”
“Good.”
“I’m sure Her Highness will be excited about this news,” Theran added.
Siveril chuckled. “I am excited for her. But yes, we will be hard-pressed to convince her to remain within the Academy. Luckily, that is a job for Taenya.”
They would simply have to tell the princess that they knew generally where her mother was. Then when they find her, they can send a second notice. Siveril was sure Gwyn’s mother would want to rush to the capital herself. After all, it’s exactly what I would do.
He leaned back in his chair and smiled.
Things are looking up.
Especially for that girl. She’s been through so much.
He glanced at Theran. “Let’s get to work.”
The young knight nodded. “Understood. I will assemble the teams.”
“Good. Then we will come up with a preliminary plan for a House merger as well. It doesn’t hurt to be ready.”
Certainly not. If Gwyn has amassed this much support, I wonder what the mother has?
He shook his head.
Like mother, like daughter.