"The second failure … sorry, David! Your son's demise is partially on my conscience!" Strongheart's words set everyone aback, "Don't object, hear me out! To allow the feast to be held in such strategically disadvantageous location is an embarrassment. Yes, the spot was beautiful, but we're soldiers! Let women and the regular townsfolk celebrate at nice places because they want to! We gathered the leadership of the whole regiment, to not speak of the emperor, in one place, with no options of retreat. If an enemy showed up, they could've pushed all of us down the edge … sorry, David …"
General's apology was clumsy, but he had a point. Technically cavalry had scouting units that were tasked to inspect the area, but an intelligent adversary could find a way around or even through.
Lee guessed, that regarding Farcry's son general felt guilty because the feast shouldn't have been there in the first place, but the logic was clearly faulty. But he wasn't done yet.
He said, "The third … I've grown complacent … and that's the worst thing that could happen to a soldier. All of the things I mentioned … and even several more, Virgil tried to point out to me personally, but I never listened … I've grown complacent! That is why, your majesty, I have to resign!"
After few gasps, silence filled the hall. General's announcement was a great shock to everyone, even Lee. But to him mostly because he thought that everyone worked for the empire, and previously for the kingdom, until they died. Apparently nobles had some perks.
"Jason!" The Emperor was the one who spoke first, "We've known each other since we were kids, we grew up together and practiced together …"
"Indeed!" General Strongheart rudely interrupted, but only he and the emperor knew why. He couldn't let the emperor call him a friend here, therefore had to press on, "That is why I love and respect Your Imperial Majesty from the bottom of my heart. It's not for me, I have to do it for you and the empire!"
"And what will you do? You're not dying yet, are you?" The Emperor said with a deep sigh. He didn't like it, but if Strongheart said something, he had already thought it through. The emperor actually knew the man well.
But while the simple joke let the tense atmosphere ease up a little, Lee was perplexed. It was obvious the general could be emperor's father, maybe even grandfather if he aged well! How in the world was it possible for them to grow up together?! Was the emperor on some kind of rejuvenation pills?
On the other hand, Alan also was considerably older, but he and the emperor were regarded as friends. Maybe the crown prince back then played with guys from the previous generation? These thoughts were starting to give Lee a headache and he decided to directly ask Alan later what exactly was going on. He was a child, and it was normal for him to be curious.
Looked like the general had the answer prepared beforehand. He said, "Give me a place to look after. I can guarantee you that as long as I'm alive, there won't be any rebels in the vicinity!"
"No doubts, no doubts!" The Emperor nodded with a sad smile, "Victoria, what are your thoughts?"
Emperor's question came unexpected, but under the many gazes her expression didn't change. She didn't stand up, though.
"The Strongheart family has served the Cloud Kingdom and now the Sky Empire for centuries." She said.
It was remarkable wonder of nature how beautiful the crown princess's voice was. But Lee remembered like it was yesterday that the owner of the same voice, without batting an eye, could give a cold-hearted command to take lives of dozens of innocent people. Every time he heard her voice that resembled the tune of a gentle musical instrument, he grew to despise it more and more.
Obviously Victoria never payed attention to a nobody like him. In fact, in this hall there was only one man worthy her attention, and he sat on the throne, thus everything she said was addressed to him.
Facing the emperor, she continued, "To grant the general his wish is the least we could do. In fact, he has earned the right to govern lands with rich soil to grow crops and mountains to mine gold. It would be only fitting for the Strongheart family to receive a whole region to govern as a reward for their hard work!"
'That bitch is thinking of exiling the old man!' Lee's eyes widened in revelation, 'She surely wants to be the one to control the imperial cavalry! If the old Strongheart steps down, Virgil should be the one who replaces him, that is, according to the tradition. But to give Stronghearts a larger region means … and the bigger the territory, the bigger the chance Virgil will have to join his father! And what if she persuaded the emperor to send Jaden Strongheart to another continent?!'
One didn't have to be adept in scheming to put two and two together, and the present grownups couldn't be so stupid, Lee was certain of that. He glanced around the table, at the myriad of expressions, and got his confirmation. It surely was too obvious.
But for some reason general wasn't insulted. His eyes never left the emperor, waiting for his majesty to speak. And why the emperor was smiling? It didn't make any sense.
Unfortunately Lee didn't get his answers, not that he cared. He took the court as a show for own entertainment and, more importantly, research for opportunities to finish the revenge he just started. One such was about to arise.
Emperor caught general's pleading look, thought for a bit and said, "Powel! Does the ministry of works have a suggestion? Victoria's idea isn't half bad. Why don't we gift Jaden a prosperous town or a city?"
"Your Imperial Majesty! It's like you can read minds!" Minister Powel got up, and said. Hannah was sitting next to him, but it was clear she wasn't grasping half of what transpired around her. But no one payed her any attention as Powel continued, "I have a couple ideas, but the first that came to mind is actually Elsdon! It has everything the crown princess requested, and more importantly, the governor's position will be vacant in a day!"
Few smiles sprung up around the table, guessing that he probably meant that the important part was the proximity to the capital. On the other hand, Lee felt chills looking at the princess's murderous, red eyes. He was certain that if she could, she would kill the minister of works on the spot.
Probably Powel also realized that he picked the wrong fight and tried to back out. He hurriedly said, "The mines have to be properly inspected first though. Let me contact my men and finish the report, please."
Fortunately emperor's following worlds let the man heave a sigh of relief. Emperor said, "I like the idea. You have time till the next council!"
Then he gave General Strongheart a complicated look, and said, "I need you to keep your position till the next year. Afterwards I'll personally take the command of the imperial cavalry until Virgil gains more experience. And don't think you are getting away – your expertise is invaluable and you will always be an asset to the empire! We'll finish here! The rest of questions should be addressed to Bates. Otherwise, what's the use of paying him!"
With the last joke the council meeting was concluded and the participants left in good spirits, at least on the surface. But Lee noticed the hate in Victoria's eyes when she glanced at Powel before leaving, and that gave him an idea – one that made him incredibly excited. Minister of works didn't have a clue he stepped into a trap that didn't exist yet, and a deadly one at that. And finally Lee had the opportunity to use his own abilities for a change.
During the event Maritime Minister Newman and his son Drevin never spoke a word, but they didn't have to. Lee had witnessed what the young man could turn into after having a few drinks. The disaster in Pine Village was caused by him. The father probably was no better since the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, but they had to wait. Project Powel was first.
The early half of the day was packed with new information, and actually Lee didn't know where to start. Fortunately Alan, on the way home, helped out.
He asked, "What do you think of the council?"
Lee was startled for a moment, but then quickly assumed the role of a child, at least as well as he could, and said, "Complicated. Why did the emperor say they grew up together with the general? Isn't the general old enough to be his grandfather?"