8

Ætharr sat in the hall, looking around at the rest of the people enjoying themselves.

The Ealdor had come to ensure that Vogel and Burg contributed troops to the expedition. While this stern reason underlay his visit, he covered it up by holding a party in Vogel's hall. Ironically, it was close to where he had first been called Ealdor. The memory did not help his troubled mind.

He had come for a darker reason. One that played right into his plan against the Loptrio tribe. He needed Vogel's participation, and if the weasel would not cooperate, then he'd have to find someone else and fast.

So he was nervous, and in his nervousness he began to drink some of the strongest ale that Calador produced. He knew that he should not drink too much, but it steadied his nerves.

He looked around at the other prominent members of Calador's ruling class. Ptolemy and Judos were there, seated comfortably, speaking together. Craterus was standing off to the side, his large figure held stiffly in this setting. Craterus seemed to feel awkward in this place, and Ætharr couldn't help but feel sorry for the rugged fighter.

One-eyed Rojo, captain of Ætharr's bodyguard, helped himself to a meal of roast fish and potatoes, washing it down with a lighter ale than what many of the others were drinking. Young Gyras sat with Rojo, drinking mostly water as he indulged his hunger.

In the center of the hall, male weasels played the instruments, while females danced wildly with the acrobatic skills of Calador weasels. The instruments were well played, and the lithe movements of the weasels were not unnoticed in that crowd.

Ætharr smiled at Ædall, sitting next to him, "Times like this makes you wish you weren't married, cousin?"

Ædall shuddered, "You've had too much to drink, Ætharr."

The Ealdor's wide grin faltered, "Come now, Ædall, all in good jest."

Ædall merely shrugged, "I remember a time when you said the drink broke a creature's rationality and his ability."

Ætharr smiled contentedly, "I still believe that. However, I shall berate myself later."

Horal and Jinn came up, "Greetings, old friends!"

Ætharr roared with happiness, embracing both creatures. Ædall too smiled and welcomed them, "It's good to have all my old friends together in the same damn room again!" He beckoned to Ptolemy and Judos, who joined the four friends.

Ætharr looked at the faces watching him and felt truly happy; he had it good, he thought. These five friends were true and loyal; not one of them even considered betraying him, and he could rely on them all. In the middle of his emotional contentment, he lifted his goblet, "To old friends and their families!"

The five creatures smiled and raised their glasses in return, and began to sit around their lord and friend.

Ætharr noticed Judos looked nervous. The otter seemed to be bothered a lot these days, the weasel thought, and in his hazy mood, Ætharr figured that Judos was worried about the new campaign against the Loptrio tribe. Well, no matter. His plan would make it much easier for them to attack.

He looked around, to where Rosheen stood, little Nuala at her side. Rosheen had a discontented look about her face, and young Nuala looked very uneasy in this party atmosphere. The logical voice in the back of Ætharr's mind cursed himself for having brought his young daughter along with him. It had seemed bad to leave her behind without her father, and so he had brought Rosheen and now they would hear of this. Unless he could get rid of them somehow.

He got up towards them, kissing them both.

Rosheen gave him a questioning look, "You're drunk."

Ætharr grinned ruefully and shrugged, "I'll be fine." He could hear the slur of his own speech.

Nuala, with all childishness, asked why Daddy was wobbling. Ætharr laughed at that and gave her another kiss.

Rosheen put a paw on Ætharr's shoulder to steady him, "It's about the boys, isn't it?"

Ætharr paused, remembering the look on Ædelmær's face when they took him away, and all the joy from before fled from his mind.

Rosheen offered a pained look, "Why did you have to do that to them? It's hurting you so much! It's hurting me so much! And they'll never forget how their parents did nothing to save them."

Ætharr lifted up his paws, "I went through the same thing and I grew up fine!"

Rosheen looked at him increduously, "Ætharr you have nightmares twice a week, and you never mention your father's name!"

Ætharr spoke again, "I do not blame him for what he did! I didn't blame him as a child! Our sons are due home in three weeks and it will all be over!"

Rosheen looked at him with a hard-set look, "They'll not forget it, Ætharr. And neither will you." Taking Nuala by the hand, she went to leave.

Ætharr called after her, "Where will you be staying?"

Rosheen turned and spoke to him, "I'm going back to Æthelly."

Ætharr did a double take that he would only do when drunk, and turned to one of the guards standing around, "Sagleus! My wife and daughter will be going home tonight. Take forty sober troops and escort them home!"

Rosheen nodded, "Thank-you, Ætharr."

He lifted his arm in a half gesture, "I'm sorry." He suddenly felt miserable. He and Rosheen rarely fought, and when they did, they were usually quite civil, but he still felt angry after each one. Angry and miserable.

Then again, a little voice in his head spoke, it might be useful for you tonight.

Ætharr sat back down next to Judos, who took the opportunity to speak to him, "How's Rosheen?"

Ætharr shrugged, "She's well. She'll be better when the boys come back."

Judos gave him a sympathetic look, "You know, this is the first time I've ever seen you drink heavily to quench sorrow."

Ætharr grinned, "Normally I let it fester inside of me until I sleep."

Judos sighed and took the smallest of sips from his goblet, "I hear that Vogel and Burg are unhappy."

They looked to where the theigns were sitting. Burg was pre-occupied with one of the serving girls, while Vogel stared balefully into space drinking deeply from his goblet.

Ætharr grunted, "Burg will not betray me. He didn't betray me when I was at my weakest, and neither did Vogel. But Vogel must be dealt with sometime."

Judos nodded, "How are the recruiters coming along?"

Ætharr grinned, "The numbers are all in as expected, Judos. We march to war on time, give them a hard thrashing, and then I'll come home to my sons' return from their training."

Suddenly a voice rang out, "A toast! A toast!"

Judos and Ætharr looked to where Vogel was standing upright, waving his full goblet in mock solemnity.

The drunk theign continued, "A toast to good times and prosperous people!"

The others in the crowd repeated the words and drank, but Vogel continued.

"And to the war that our Ealdor will lead us in! A war that should expect much riches to those who are invited to attend!"

Ætharr heard the sound in Vogel's tone and did not like it, "You have something to say, Vogel? Say it where it matters."

Vogel gave a mock bow, "My master! I have no charge against your greatness! The one who made me theign of a swamp for more than twenty-five seasons!"

Ætharr looked at Vogel in amusement, "A swamp? In the last ten seasons, you've gained good Millar land as your charge. And since you've made me bring it up, how is that settlement going?"

Vogel was stung by the reminder of how his administration was not the best since his drinking. He spoke up, "I managed it for all these years very well, and sheltered you from your uncle!"

Ætharr paused, surprised by the mention of the traitor who arranged for his brother the Ealdor's murder and persecuted Calador for many seasons.

Vogel went on, "I'll mention Ælfer's name, Ætharr. And that of Ællear your father! I'm not going to forget the past because it makes you cry."

Ætharr answered quickly, "Will you also mention plots of taking the Ealdorship for yourself, as you have thundered in the alehouses the last few seasons?"

The room went silent now. This was treason being dabbled around.

Burg looked at Vogel in surprise and hastily stood up to speak to Ætharr, "Ealdor, please, forgive him for his hasty words..."

"That will do, Burg. You have no place in this quarrel and I want to keep it that way." Ætharr interrupted. Burg nodded reluctantly and sat down again.

Vogel chuckled and leered at Burg. He spoke in a loud voice that dripped with insult, "So you quake before the all-mighty, do you not? You spineless cur, you and all the others who say sweet things in his ear. People like Ptolemy, Gyras, Horal!"

With each name, he stared at the person and spoke with as much contempt as he could.

Judos was surprised at Vogel's wandering tongue. As the otter looked, he could see that the others were quite offended. Gyras, always so hot-tempered, had almost stood up before being pulled down by one of his bodyguards. Ptolemy looked at Vogel under furrowed brows, while Horal growled to himself.

Ætharr knew he had to get Vogel out of the room for this to work properly. Ben and Lanvor had their orders and would secretly arrive here tomorrow.

He shouted out, "Vogel!"

The weasel turned sardonically toward him, "Your Highness?"

"You've said just enough that can be blamed on the drink in your hand. Depart with decency and take rest!"

The gauntlet was thrown now. The theigns suddenly ordered everyone but themselves out of the room. Judos watched as the others departed and felt scared.

Vogel's face molted into a furious glare, "Decency? Decency coming out of your mouth when you place outsiders over those who saved your life and protected you as a child?"

Judos and Rojo suddenly stood up angrily. Ætharr waved themm down and said, "They have been more help than you have ever been, Vogel!"

"Look at these words!" Vogel burst out angrily as Craterus and Burg tried to take him out of the room forcibly. He fought against them, screaming out his words at Ætharr, "You betray the image of Calador itself! What would your ancestors say if they saw you now!"

Ætharr normally would not have run forward to attack Vogel, but he had drunk too much that night. However he never reached Vogel for he was restrained by Gyras, Rojo, and Ædall. The others crowded around to prevent a fight, but also did not wish to interfere too greatly.

"Arrest him for treason!" Ætharr swore in his fury as he lunged forward again.

"Get Vogel out of here!" Judos called out, trying to quell the madness. He turned to a number of Ætharr's bodyguards to help restrain both drunk weasels.

Vogel continued to yell, "You are no longer an Ealdor, you're a damn tyrant, a despot! So what happened to Keld, eh! Who did you send to kill him?"

Ætharr roared in anger, but in the back of his mind, he noticed a spear being carried by one of the guards.

Vogel spoke in a more contemptuous voice, "Your father would have been ashamed to see you become the way you are! It's certainly a merciful thing that he died before seeing all this!"

Ætharr gave a cry of anger that he had not made all night, and grabbed the spear from a guard. He plunged it right into Vogel's neck, the point coming out the back. Vogel did not even have time to whimper; he was dead before he hit the ground.

The theigns stared in horror at the body. Vogel had certainly spoken words that were fit for treason, but nobody here could have imagined that he would be killed for it.

Ætharr looked at the body and felt paralyzed by the thought of what he had done. Had he really allowed himself to lose control and kill a theign?

In the back of his mind, he knew that it had to be done. It was now time to prepare the plot to defeat the Loptrio once and for all. And the death of a theign had been necessary to begin the plan.