David Nassau, Marquis of Athlum, along with his generals, retainers, soldiers, and hired mercenaries had been assigned a building near Ghor Castle. This building was to be their quarters during their stay in Ghor, at the command of the Duke of the city. The Marquis himself entered the building after his meeting with the Duke, accompanied silently by Torgal and Blocter. The sovani and the yama, very aware of the tension in their young master, had said nothing since departing Ghor Castle. David was glad he had retainers who cared enough to be aware of his mental space and give him time to think quietly.
In truth, David had made the decision of these particular guards for his meeting carefully. If he included Rush (and sometimes it was difficult for the Marquis to think of him as a responsible adult), David Nassau had five generals who served him directly. Rush was ill-suited for political meetings with a figure such as the Duke; Emmy was too inexperienced to have insight; Pagus would have talked his ear off with small insights into the Duke's mannerisms and behaviors. David had chosen Torgal and Blocter because they were both strong with the blade, which all in Ghor would respect. As a yama, it would do Blocter honor to be in the Duke of Ghor's presence, and at the same time, Blocter would tolerate no direct disrespect to the Marquis. Torgal was David's oldest friend and closest advisor, and a keen observer in many situations. When they were alone, Torgal would provide good counsel on today's meeting.
For now, David silently led his generals to where his soldiers were bunked. The three entered a large common room where the soldiers were staying. Over a dozen men and women filled the room with conversation and laughter. David smiled a genuine smile. It was good to see his soldiers at their ease, going about their daily lives. He made it a point to remember what was worth fighting for as often as possible.
Some of the men noticed David's presence. The Marquis was pleased to note that although their backs straightened, they did not stop what they were doing completely to give him false honors. David nodded slightly to acknowledge the soldiers and mercenaries.
His eyes noted those who the Duke would need to question about the Third Committee. Nora and Irina were sitting together. Nora was devouring a loaf of bread while loudly trying to teach Irina to swear. Irina was smiling, but not participating. Leshau was bouncing around the room enthusiastically. Jager was having a sort of staring contest with Baulson from opposite ends of the room. Glenys, her small muscular frame tense, was sitting formally at a table speaking with Rush. David noted them all in turn. They would each need to be presented to the Duke. Two more important witnesses were not present, which complicated things for David.
Rush, following Glenys's line of sight, spotted David at the entrance to the room. The smile he flashed was bright and youthful, and most refreshing to David, genuine. The boy (and David could think of him as nothing else) was always truly himself. Rush got up and approached David. Slapping him on the shoulder, Rush asked, "So Dave, how did things go with the Duke?"
From behind him, David could hear the almost inaudible sigh of Torgal. David had to stop himself from chuckling. Torgal's exasperation with Rush's informality had been almost constant since their first meeting. Yet by not mentioning it himself, David excused the behavior, and responded, "It went well Rush. However, I'd like to speak with you and Irina, if you please."
Rush's face became concerned. "Is it serious?"
David shook his head. "Come, let us sit down." David led Rush back to the table where he had been sitting. As Rush went to get Irina, Glenys stood formally from her seat. "Please, my Lord Nassau," she said, bowing her head. Glenys quickly retreated from the table.
As David sat down, he wondered once again about that woman's origins. She had been dodgy about her past, stating only that she was a mercenary with a mission. In style and speech, David could not place her, and that was unusual for a man as learned as he. For the tenth time, David let it go, reminding himself that some who worked for him would never reveal the full depths of their past. Torgal and Blocter sat down at his sides, and Rush and Irina took places across the table from David. This was an informal meeting, but rank still had its place, it seemed.
From behind him, David felt Jager shift his attention onto their conversation. There would come a time, David was sure, when he would be more comfortable with the mercenary's presence, but it was not this day. Still, he continued to ask the Sykes, "Do you have any way of contacting your parents? Surely, Irina, as their representative to the Academy, you have some method of reaching them."
Irina shook her head. "Sorry, Lord David," she replied, "We can't do that."
David stroked his chin. "I see." After a moment's hesitation, he decided to confide in Rush and Irina. Surely they had earned it by this point. "Your parents have been summoned to an inquiry by the Duke of Ghor. They shall have to travel here immediately." This information, though it sounded simple, would have conveyed a great deal of information to any of the Duke's political enemies.
The most troubling of those enemies was the reason for the inquiry, and a former member of that group was standing on the wall directly behind David. From behind him, Jager spoke up, "Yo, if you need somebody picked up, Lob Omen and I can go get 'em."
David tensed almost immeasurably. Rush and Irina shared a look filled with trepidation. Torgal's scowl deepened. Even Jager seemed to realize he had gone too far. He shrugged awkwardly and said, "Or not. Whateva." With that, he left his place at the wall and wandered out of the room.
Eyes followed Jager as he left. After a few more moments of silence, David let out a small breath of relief. "In any case…if we have no means of contacting your parents, it would be best if we returned to Athlum. I can't simply send a runner due to the nature of this inquiry. This will also give us more time to prepare." Torgal nodded knowingly. Torgal and David both understood that if the Third Committee was the subject, Irina would surely also be called on to speak.
Rush merely smiled and said, "Okay Dave, whatever you say." Rush's immediate response made David smile. Though not much for formality, Rush was a fountain of loyalty.
David stood and projected his voice across the whole room, "May I have your attention?" All the casual conversations in the room stopped when they heard the voice of their lord. Everyone looked at the Marquis to hear his proclamation. Formally, David announced, "Tomorrow, we return to Athlum!"