5. The Lion's share
"I do beg Your Majesty's pardon?" Angus Branguard thought he must've heard wrong. "Did you really say that we have to give up the Bodmin estate and title?"
Arthur rubbed his nose warily. "I think after all we've been through together I can be frank with you, My Lord Ravenclaw…" As usual the King chewed a bit on addressing someone other than Armand of Morgwyn by this title. Still, Armand had got his way and Angus had the Ravenclaw title now. The title and the vast estates and privileges that went with it. Market rights, tax rights for more than one merchant town, even a minting privilege.
"I should think so too" Angus said, sniffing with offence while he dusted an imagined speck of dust from his expensive coat. His younger brother Malcolm rolled his eyes.
"…and I'm grateful for the friendship and the trust that has grown between us…" Arthur continued patiently, keeping his conciliatory expression even as he was interrupted once more….
"Indeed" Angus huffed. "And may I thank Your Majesty for the honorary post of taking care of Princess Margaly during the recent crisis. In a precarious situation, my brother and I are always pleased to be of service to the Pendragons, even if the effort goes unpaid and unappreciated."
Arthur felt his muscles tense. Unpaid? The acknowledgement of the Branguard family fortune, the Saltyre fiefdom for Malcolm confirmed, the Ravenclaw property on top of everything. Unpaid?
Yet, hard as it was, the young King kept his tongue. The hint on 'a precarious situation' had been anything but subtle. Instead of being equally rude, Arthur went on as politely as before.
"As that is so I wanted to inform you of our decisions well in advance. Naturally Morgana and I had hoped that the Bodmin estate could go to your brother. However, that's not possible. One family can only get so much; that is the law of the land. To take over Bodmin, Malcolm must give up Saltyre and surely he doesn't want that."
There was, unfortunately, no reason at all why Malcolm should not want to trade the smaller, less prosperous and less significant property and title for the more prestigious one, but it was one way to keep up appearances and honestly, Arthur could not think of any other.
"Your Majesty is absolutely right" the younger Branguard now said, and a mountain rolled off Pendragon's soul. "I have plans for the Saltyre estate and I would not want to see them abandoned."
Astonished, Angus turned to face his brother. "You wouldn't want to succeed me as Earl of Bodmin?"
"As this would endanger what precious little stability we've managed to achieve, I dare say that Bodmin can rot for all I care" Malcolm thought. "If Arthur goes, we go to hell with him and all our titles and lands are history, dear brother!"
But as he knew that such ideas hardly ever came to his genuinely beloved but not especially bright sibling, he just smiled. "Indeed Angus, I would not."
Swiftly, so that Angus could not disturb negotiations further, the younger Branguard came back to the matter at hand. "And I dare say that a Pendragon King will not deny me the means to bring up Saltyre from its knees!"
"What a charming way of saying that there's a bill to pay" Arthur thought. "Which means….?" he said.
"Which means that the income from the annual great markets in Saltyre itself and at Ridgeway Castle should go to my coffers completely, including the usual Crown's share, for at least six years. Additionally I should like to see our military duties reduced; Saltyre should be obliged to supply the Crown with 200 armed men in case of war, not 300."
"With all due deference to your great and far reaching schemes dear Malcolm, I fear that we have plans for the whole realm's benefit, too. Especially for Camelot's safety. I'm afraid I must insist on the Saltyre war time obligation being fixed at 300 men, not one less. And surely you can do with a three years' lease of the income from the markets."
"300 men if you make that seven years and we will say no more of it."
"300 men and five years and not a day more!"
Malcolm cocked a brow. "300 is a great number of men for a poor estate."
Arthur smiled benevolently. "A five years' share in the markets' income is a great sum for a poor Crown."
The corners of Malcolm's mouth jerked upwards before he could hinder them. "Agreed" he said. "300 Saltyre men in case of war, heaven may spare us the trouble. In turn I can keep the full income from both markets for the duration of five years."
"I will make that official on tomorrow's Council meeting and the day after tomorrow it'll be part of the ceremony, you have my word." Arthur would have wanted to hug Malcolm; this had been much easier than he had feared.
"I take it that the Ravenclaw entitlements will not be altered?" Angus was no bright light on long-term strategies but when it came to more practical matters he knew quite well what was due to him.
Arthur bit his lip. Fleetingly he thought of Camelot's empty coffers, of the damages in the outlying villages, the necessary repairs to the battlements, the lack of men for every day duty and that many peasants and craftsmen still went hungry. Heavens, what he could do with the money the Ravenclaw estate made from mining rights alone…. Well, some things just weren't possible.
"Naturally" the King answered courteously. "I wouldn't dream to have it otherwise."
Angus beamed. Securing the Ravenclaw fortunes for his family had been his life's dream. He was in seventh heaven and more than willing to share his good fortune. "That means 1200 men in case of war for the royal troops and a pretty penny for the treasury as soon as I can reopen trade and workings that have been damaged in the latest turmoil."
"Your Lordship's graciousness is most appreciated" Arthur said warmheartedly and Malcolm gritted his teeth to hide his smirk. As long as one could still tell when a courtesy was only a courtesy and when it came directly from the royal heart, one could feel secure, much more secure than one had felt with Uther.
Unfortunately one could always trust Angus Branguard to spoil a perfect day. "There is, of course, the matter of Breckenridge Castle…." he said hesitatingly, and Arthur frowned. "Enough is enough" this frown said warningly.
"You should discuss that with the Queen, Angus" Malcolm intervened with all possible haste. "Breckenridge is part of her dowry rights."
"Dowry rights? What dowry rights? She isn't married, is she?"
"But she is Queen, is she not" Malcolm said, saving his King the trouble of finding patience where it was running out so very quickly. "What does it matter that the King is her brother, not her husband."
"My sister would be more than willing to discuss this triviality with Your Lordship directly. She is Mistress of her own fortune of course" Arthur took up the rescue rope where Malcolm had thrown it.
It was more than plain from his awkward face that Angus was imagining his upcoming discussion with Morgana. "Nnoo" he drawled after a while "I wouldn't want to incommode a great Lady about such a trifle."
"Good Gods, if the mere mentioning of Morgana can earn the Crown an estate as prosperous as Breckenridge, I should mention her more often" Arthur thought.
He clearly considered the discussion closed, and so Angus brought up the last issue on his list in haste and it blundered out accordingly. "Your Majesty still has to formalize our guardianship of Princess Margaly, just in case something happens to you during her minority."
The older Branguard's expression had hardened. He looked most determined and yet he squirmed uncomfortably in his chair as the King now rose slowly; his face being nothing less than predatory.
"Don't get this the wrong way, Arthur" Malcom came to Angus' rescue once more, in true fear for his brother's well being. "What Angus really meant was…"
"..to tell me what and what not I have to do on behalf of my own child!" Pendragon had his hand on his sword, and Malcolm felt sweat running down his spine. Damn Angus and his concept of negotiating! "Do I have Your Majesty's permission to speak openly?"
"As you've so far needed no permission to do so, by all means, proceed" Arthur replied acidly. "The risk is yours."
"We all hope for a save delivery of the Lady Guinivere's second child, but presently Princess Margaly is sole heir to the throne of Camelot. Forgive me for mentioning it, but even your father saw fit to issue an act of succession under guardianship for your minority. Traditionally the guardianship is part of the Ravenclaw honorary entitlements. King Uther honoured this tradition and so did you, only a few days ago. Life is looking brighter now for sure, but honestly Arthur, could you vouch for Marke and the others staying loyal to you in future?"
As Arthur kept silent, Malcolm leaned forward for greater urgency. "Should Lot or Erec ever get hold of you and your family, it would be a living hell. But if we Branguards had the guardianship, we could demand Margaly's and your wife's release into our custody, no matter what happens to you and your sister. As he obviously wants to play this by the rules, Marke could do nothing to prevent it."
"My child has a mother. The guardianship goes with the regency; both are her privilege and nobody else's." Nothing in the King's face relented and still Malcolm knew from the fact that this conversation wasn't over yet that he had gotten through to him.
"Forgive me Sire, but whilst Queen Morgana is a force to be reckoned with, how long to do you think her former handmaiden would last in this snake pit that's called the Court of Camelot? Alone?"
Artur didn't even flinch at the word 'handmaiden'. "Then we would have to make sure that my wife wouldn't be alone, would we not" he said coldly. "Just in case, of course."
"But we..."
"One more interruption, My Lord Saltyre, and you and your brother will learn the respect due to your King in one of my deeper dungeons, and fuck all privileges of nobility! NOW. IS. THAT. CLEAR?
"Perfectly clear, Your Majesty" Malcolm pressed out, one hand firmly on Angus' arm to quieten him for dear life.
"Good. Just make sure you won't forget it again. As to your ….. request: tomorrow's Council will pass an act for succession under guardianship, just as you fancied it."
Saltyre relaxed visibly and Arthur smirked. "With some minor amendments, I'm afraid. If I'm dead or taken prisoner, the guardianship and the regency will go to my sister, if she's not able to take over, both go to my wife, with unlimited and unrestrained authority. You and your brother will be heads of the Crown Council; as such you'll be obliged to secure the Lady Guinivere's regency and my daughter's succession, on peril of losing everything you have. The knights' corps of Camelot will hold you to this obligation, just as it did by King Uther's order during my minority."
"Surely we could do without that last bit..." Angus said, appalled by the idea that the greatest family in the land should be answerable to a bunch of mere knights.
"Nothing of this is open to debate" Arthur interrupted him brusquely. "You'll accept or I'll make Sirs Leon and Elyan trustees of the guardianship."
"But that would effectively make us their subjects during a regency" Angus complained.
"Exactly! Naturally Your Lordships could always rely on my rude health and my ability to keep my enemies at bay. In this case we wouldn't need a settlement for the guardianship."
"Your Majesty has surely found the best of all possible solutions" Malcolm stated drily. "My brother and I will be honoured to accept your terms in tomorrow's Council."
"Well, that's settled then" Arthur said, at which both brothers took their clue - and a speedy good-bye.
Once outside, Angus shook his head in bewilderment. "Do you understand that? One might think he still distrusts us."
"Whatever gave you that idea?" Malcolm retorted, clearly on edge. "Why should the King distrust you after you tried to plunder his treasury before you practically ordered him to deliver his daughter into your hands?"
"I did no such thing! I was perfectly in the right with my demands!"
"Angus, if Margaly were my child, I'd chopped off your head in there, without thinking twice."
Ignoring his brother's shocked face, Malcolm walked on and so they made their way through the castle, greeting people here and there, avoiding collisions with the bustling servants and all the time they kept their voices low.
"I had no intention of harming the child. What do you take me for? The guardianship must be settled, that's all" Angus stubbornly insisted.
"Well, it is settled now, is it not." Malcolm was quivering with impatience and the aftermath of the tension he had felt. Had his brother any idea what he had risked in there?
The elder Branguard saw the tale-telling signs and decided to give his little brother some peace. Usually, Malcolm's assessment of their situation was correct anyway. But other things were still too bad and he just had to voice his anger. "I do not understand why you gave up Bodmin so easily, Malcolm."
Saltyre drew a deep, desperate breath to calm himself. "Angus, dear brother, let's be glad that the King did what he did, as I have no wish to become a Christian. Churches are expensive to build and even more expensive to run and think of all the rules I'd have to obey, at least in public."
"How does religion come into it?" Angus was genuinely confused now.
"Do you remember a man named Marke of Cornwall? Does that ring a bell with you?"
"Malcolm, I will not allow you to speak to me like that. I am your liege after all!" Angus thought that he had indulged his baby brother long enough now.
"Sorry, Angus. Please forgive me. It's just that these things are very complicated and they affect us and our future almost as much as they affect Arthur and his lot."
"They do?"
"Yes, Angus. They do." Malcolm looked at is brother despairingly. "Please let me explain it to you?" Only silently he added "again!"
"Go ahead" his brother replied.
"Arthur cannot ignore Marke's actual power, but he cannot treat him as an equal either, as Cornwall is traditionally a subject to the Camelot Crown. In the name of peace and mutual trust, Marke is prepared to take Cornwall as a fiefdom from Arthur, but he insists on documented rights and privileges for his church and faith in turn. Arthur is willing to grant that, but only in exchange for the Christians tolerating the rebuilding of the Old Religion. Can you follow my drift? Good."
Malcolm sighed impatiently before he continued. "Marke could live with that, but Erec can't, or so he claims, take that on his oh so very pious conscience. He has to be silenced before he can stir up trouble and for that Arthur needs land and titles, as he has got no cash to waste. There's also Lot, whose greedy hands must be filled. Now, fortunately Leodegrance died without an heir, but his estate is big and powerful, as it guards the most vulnerable part of Camelot's borders. So my bet is that it will go to Tristan, as an additional favour to Marke, and that leaves the Bodmin estate free to go to Erec. Understood?"
"I'm not an imbecile, you know." Angus's head swam but he could not admit that, could he.
"Surely you're not, Angus. So you do see Arthur's predicament?"
"How come you know all that?" Angus asked, piqued as always at being left in the dark while his younger brother had obviously been made a confidant in such sensitive matters.
"Young Merlin, our new unwilling advisor, came to me a few days ago, together with old Geoffrey. They explained some of it to me, doubtlessly to pave the way for Arthur and his suggestions. The rest I figured out myself."
"What rest?" Angus said, still peeved.
"If I were to become a Christian, I might be in Marke's good books but of what use would that be? If he were to turn against Arthur again, I'd be his sworn enemy, as good as you. With Marke and Erec throwing around their weight on their faith's behalf, we Branguards must be with the Old Religion, or we'll never have peace in Camelot. So I rather keep Saltyre, both of us in the King's good graces, and, most of all, away from the Queen's and the Lady Morgause's potential enemies."
"You mean, Erec will take on the High Priestess on these religious matters?"
"Morgause and our friend Morgwyn seem to think so."
"What gives you that idea?"
"They're here. They arrived last night. And the Lady is not happy, that much is certain."
"Oh dear."
"I couldn't have phrased it better, dear brother."
Angus thought it all over for a while. During lunching he was done with his thinking, as they were in the habit of lunching rather late. He found it all well and good as things had turned out and most of all he was glad that they had made their piles before Morgause and the Isle came into things. The Lady or the Queen – they both gave him the creep. And ever since he had finally understood who and what Armand of Morgwyn was, the man did too.
Really, how very lucky he was to have such a clever brother. Not that he'd ever tell Malcolm that, of course.
The more he thought about it, the better Angus' mood became, until he felt like chatting a bit.
"Won't the King be obliged to give some substantial rewards to his followers of the first hour, so to say?" He snorted sarcastically. "I wonder how long our liegemen and knights would stay if we didn't give them something for their troubles."
"There is talk that Erec will have to give up his old estate in order to get Bodmin. That would include the guardianship of Erec's ward Alaine, Sir …. Sir… whatever the name of her late father was. She'll inherit a vast fortune on her marriage. Naturally it can't be compared with our property but still – for a man with not a penny to his pocket she's a very good catch. And a cute little thing too. Blond, kind hearted, not too clever and a figure – divine is the word. A bit high-strung, though. But manageable."
"So Sir Leon will be the lucky fellow."
"No. He's got back his old estate and title, the one Uther deprived him of, and he's sure glad that he's out of this nasty business for good. I dare say he'd rather choose his own bride when the time comes. Some girl less beautiful but with more brains I shouldn't wonder."
"Then which one? As Arthur's brother in law, Elyan will surely find something more worthwhile than an arranged marriage? By the way, quite a career for a blacksmith's son."
Well mannered as they were they both kept silent about the career of the same blacksmith's daughter.
"I think Gwaine is going to have Erec's title and land as I have it on very good authority that the girl will go to somebody else" Malcolm replied.
"And who might that be?" Angus loved a juicy piece of gossip, although he'd never admit that either.
"It seems that our young King and his sister, between all their other trials and tribulations, have thought about an advantageous and very speedy marriage for another friend of theirs. Sir Lancelot is the chosen one and you know what?" Malcolm grinned merrily at his brother. "Nobody's told him so far."
Angus thought that through over the fifth course – mutton with fresh vegetables – and, naturally, he found a hair in the soup of this marriage, although it wasn't his to eat.
"Wouldn't that bring Sir Lancelot into Erec's wake?" he asked. "I mean, as Erec has surely brought up the girl in the Christian faith an' all and as she undoubtedly feels indebted to him? A woman can put the most peculiar ideas into a husband's head."
"Even better if Arthur can claim that one of his most trusted knights and followers is in the new religion's camp. As I said before, big brother, it's all about the balance of power."
"Even so" Angus said musingly, chewing on his mutton. "If I were the King, I'd think twice about that." But then he shrugged carelessly. "Well, it should be all right I guess. Lancelot is Arthur's friend after all."
Malcolm's stomach fluttered a bit, as he suddenly remembered some evil gossip he had recently heard. Unsettled by the memory, the younger Branguard watched his sibling taking on his lunch in earnest now, visibly happy and completely content. "Dear Angus" Malcolm thought with sudden protectiveness. "You're such a lovable, blind squirrel; let's hope you've not found the proverbial nut."
A/N: I admit this is mostly about politics. But I think that running a Kingdom must include some political issues :-)
I hope you'll like it anyway. Next chapter will be more about magic and - about what's going on between Morgause and Armand of Morgwyn. For the romantics among you and/or fans of a somewhat darker love story: the next chapter should be a chapter for you.
Nota Bene: I hope no one is insulted by the referrences to the Christian religion. This story is not about religion but about people who abuse their power to satisfy their greed, even if this means to misuse religion, the knight's code or any part of common human decency. So this is not about Christianity, but about our friends from Camelot and some very evil villains and some other people who are caught in between.
I hope that makes things clearer. By the way: One other remark. Usually I do not have real villains in a story but people who go astray or lose focus on what they really want. But I think this 'Erec' person is going to be an exception of this rule. I hate him already.
Please enjoy and don't forget to use that review button!