I wrote this and the first chapter a long time ago, not really satisfied but I'm putting them here anyway. They might be given second drafts eventually.
Duke Alvis of Velthomer was preparing for a trip to Barhara to visit King Azmule at the king's request. A treaty was in the works with Agustria and Verdane in the west, and the king wanted all the dukes to be part of the process. Alvis was glad about the treaty, thinking that the nations were heading down a more cooperative path, but he was also skeptical. The current king of Verdane was a good man, having kept the nation out of any major conflicts. This was a big change from his father, who had been known as a barbarian driven by his bloodlust. The problem with the current king, Alvis thought, was that he had learned the most effective ways of gaining control over other nations by acting nicely to them. This was to be feared. Agustria was not as big a problem as it had had close ties to Alvis' homeland, Grandbell, for more than a century. But the many Agustrian lords could never be completely trusted.
Alvis was lost in his trail of thoughts about the neighbouring nations when he was interrupted by a servant.
"Sir Manfroy of Freege is here, Duke Alvis. Shall I bring him in?"
Alvis was not surprised by the news. He had hoped to be on his way to Barhara before Manfroy's next attempted visit, but realised just now how unrealistically optimistic that wish had been.
"I will talk to him in my private chamber, alone, as usual. Show him the way."
"Are you sure you don't want some guards to follow you?"
"Yes. Now go get him."
Anxious to get a few moments to himself before confronted by his visitor, Alvis almost ran to his chamber. He entered, let the door stay open and sat down behind his desk, trying to look as calm as possible. A few moments later Manfroy came through the door, shutting it behind him. The two men stared at each other for a moment.
"Please sit down," Alvis said.
Manfroy took the chair opposite from Alvis, but he did not speak. They were still looking each other in the eyes, in what Alvis thought to be a test of character strength. Alvis had not felt scared of any other person in many years, but with Manfroy it was getting very close. This man was not to joke with, a man who always had an objective in the eye and never dealt with compromises. He was an old man who seemed to know almost everything books could teach, and who knew how to deal with people. Alvis knew he would have to be carefull.
"Are you going to speak?" Alvis said after a while. He did his best not to seem conserned in any way.
"I might as well," Manfroy finally said, "but you know as well as I what I am here for. Have you thought about my proposal?"
Alvis was furious, but he stayed in his seat. "If that is all that brought you here, I will have to dissappoint you. Like I told you the last time you asked, I still don't want part in your trickeries and I don't fear your blackmail. So leave now, I will be departing soon myself."
"The gathering you are going to now can be taken advantage of. If you choose not to help me there I will pull other strings, and I do not promise that you will gain the same position."
"Be gone. With your knowledge you probably know that I can strike you dead in seconds, and no one will care." For a moment Manfroy's eyes swayed to look at the pendant hanging around Alvis' neck. He looked neither surprised nor scared. After less than a second he looked Alvis in the eyes again.
"But you won't," he replied.
"You have been nothing but an annoyance to me. I most certainly will."
Manfroy kept his calm face, but Alvis felt he could see something change in the man. Change for the darker. Manfroy nodded, sat up and left the room. Alvis stayed in his seat for a few minutes, then went back out to continue his travel preparations.