Beaufort and John watched apprehensively as the stranger reached up towards his hood. He seemed to hesitate for the slightest of moments, then pulled it casually back, exposing his face to the lantern’s light. He had dark blue eyes, a straight nose, and heavy eyebrows. His mouth was pressed in a firm line, and the few wrinkles on his forehead and around his eyes seemed to be carved out of stone. He gazed calmly at the two men before him, and then spoke with a deep, yet soft, voice.487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSjateYlIq
“I apologize for being late. The weather impeded my travel.”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQR9Fy4YyXu
Beaufort, though slightly disgruntled, had quickly regained his calm, with the experience of many years to help him.487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtyiAJb2eE
“Mr… Black, I presume?” He said, with the raise of an eyebrow, and a slight pause between the ‘Mr.’ and the ‘Black’ to show that he was not taken in by the fake name. 487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNUAEHetmW
Mr. Black, as he will be called, nodded, “The same. And you are…?”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXCssFnQ01
“Bear.” Then Beaufort nodded toward his assistant. “This is my comrade… Glass,” he said, enunciating every word slowly and deliberately. He leaned forward, ever so slightly, eyes fixed on Mr. Black. It was as though he was testing the informant -- looking for his reaction.487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYOEzbmXOx
“Call him not comrade, but brother” Mr. Black replied, his face devoid of emotion, “for we are men of like mind.”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQymNmSJ201
Beaufort leaned back immediately, smiled, and puffed at his pipe. “Have a seat… brother.”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsJ9pDUrCz
Mr. Black took a chair from a nearby table and sat down. John, wondering at what just happened, sat down at a signal from Beaufort. He looked carefully back and forth between the two other men. There was no way that Beaufort could have meant the word “brother” literally. There had to be some meaning to the conversation he had just had with Mr. Black. 487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNwVicFbOQ
“So… how have your travels in the crown city fared?” Beaufort asked, smiling.
“The days are warm, and the nights tolerable,” Mr. Black replied, “Up until now, the weather has been fair. The nobles have certainly been busy of late, having many balls to attend. All in all, it has been a profitable journey.”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtunOiEuXyX
Beaufort seemed happy and at ease, chatting and making light talk. Mr. Black took out his own pipe, and nodded his head now and then at something Beaufort said. They treated each other almost as old friends -- or rather, as friends of friends. John observed them carefully, and made the decision to ask about their strange introduction. If Beaufort was acting casually, it meant John was to do the same.487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzUoeQIhxQ
“Erhhm…” John cleared his throat, wondering how exactly to put forth the question, “What was with the whole “comrade, not brother” thing? It seemed slightly...out of place, as though more was meant than what you said. What was the meaning of it all?”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6K0uNFha39
He suppressed a shiver as Mr. Black turned his piercing gaze towards him, “You don’t know?”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0SdPDlTqU
“Mr. Glass is a new recruit,” Beaufort explained to Black. “Glass, I’m glad to find you an observant student. It’s a test to determine whether or not a person is of the Fraternity. Mr. Black, as you can see, passed it with flying colors.”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1gaDA5DHq
“Speaking of the Fraternity,” said Black coolly, “It would probably be in its best interest that I give you the information now, as I have a meeting with a certain person of influence in another part of the country, and I can’t stay here much longer.”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjssUszGFvB
“Yes, of course,” Beaufort said, suddenly becoming business-like, “I am very interested to hear the political views of Sir Alexander Ephram, as well as the Lords George and Harold Baxterly and their father.”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgugnU3grl
“Ahh, good old Alex,” Black said, smiling, “You’ll have no problem with him, I assure you. The knight is very firm in his opinions on taxes, as his close friends well know, and strongly resents the latest decree of the king. Though he is old-fashioned in his public views, it does us good that he believes in responsibility and good leadership over titles and money. And though it has been well covered up, the murder of the late Sir Orville Wells, the king’s dirty advisor, has been traced back to Ephram.”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpbCw8VZTx
“Sir Ephram!” Beaufort said with some surprise, “Who would have thought! What about his opinion on the sanctity of the royal family’s blood? Surely he doesn’t have such liberal views on that.”
“He has put up a worthy public face,” Black replied, “but he has much less honour when unobserved by the noble’s eyes, and over a glass or two of Rondel’s Ale. So long as all is discreetly done, he will have no problem in aiding our cause. And as for the Baxterly’s--”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYphzLrmgg
“Yes, what of them?” Beaufort said eagerly, “I have heard much on both sides of the story, but no sources are certain to be trusted.”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxwYQgtDUh
“You can trust mine,” Black spoke solemnly, “George Baxterly is on anything but good terms with his father, especially after his midnight rendezvous with a girl of lower rank were discovered. The father has forbid the engagement, and the young lord resents it greatly. The girl was easily persuaded to reveal her lover’s opinions on the condition that an obstacle to the marriage be removed. George is safe, though with his current occupation, he may not be of much use yet. The younger son’s loyalties are unknown, and as he has not yet entered society, little else is known either, other than his yearly allowance. The father, I regret to say, has recently been involved in a scandalous affair, which resulted in his being removed from his position of power. George Baxterly is currently the holder of his family’s estates, money, position, etc., and is about to be married to his lover.”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZT8xTZ36c
Beaufort listened with interest, raising an eyebrow at some parts of the story. When Black finished, he jotted down a few notes on a piece of paper he had pulled out, then looked up again.487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEzVLhl2YP
“What about the Lord and Lady Darsh?” he asked. “They are in a good position to help our cause.”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPuNiVb9iS
“Definitely not on our side.”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMSShjN7nr
“More’s the pity. Ah, well. What of the Lord Dalfgin?”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrLG3C81N8
“A loyal supporter to the king.”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bGam6qrex
“Sir Thorden? -- The younger, not the elder.”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBPDsxlOzp
Mr. Black took a while to answer, tapping his pipe against the table thoughtfully. 487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9X9XYfdth
“He is a young man of very little ambition or interest in the current state of affairs. He could be influenced, if promised a secure position -- as long as he has wine and women, he is content. It would be a risky move, however; he has everything he wants under the rule of the king, and won’t see much reason to make any efforts to change anything.”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiu5X0QQZB
Beaufort crossed off a few names on the paper, and frowned at the next one on the list.
“Lord Francis Musuard,” he pronounced the syllables with obvious distaste.487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Qek8RC0tE
Black raised an eyebrow at the name, “That dandy? He’s as likely to join in a rebellion as to mar his pretty face or tear his fine kid gloves.”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8FqEnsQJ1
“Lord Chestorson?”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CnGplLJuz
“A stroke of luck there -- he has made recent inquiries about the cause, and his wife holds a weekly ball to which people of all ranks are invited. They are very open-minded. It would seem that he has bent the stick the other way, after the death of his strict father.”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGjFrIaBaw
“Hmm. What about Lord John Claxton?”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIUu7jBXFQ
John started at this question, but quickly hid his reaction by adjusting the candle in the lantern, the flame of which had begun to sputter.487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15rnz4k7B0
“Claxton?” Black wrinkled his brow, as close to looking confused as he had the entire night, “As in the son of the late George Claxton and his widow, Lady Veronica?”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwBVesQn1y
“The same,” said Beaufort coolly.487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiwm6YgCSt
“I do not have adequate information on him,” Black said cautiously, “Sources say him to be a popular man in the circles of society, especially with rich young ladies, but quiet and uncommunicative about his personal opinions. He is currently studying at the University in Darton.”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZ3q7UEGOw
“Ahh, so he will probably be busy with his books for a few years more.” Beaufort yawned, “That brings us to the Duke of Fernwood.”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhuEfFvSwO
“He is under close observation by the king’s spies; being suspected of the attempt on the king’s life a few years back. Nothing of weight was ever brought against him. He is a cautious man, and has had to walk a tight line to avoid suspicion.”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dbF3i45Jw
“So you have nothing on him?”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8a76re3GD
“I never said that,” Black smiled, “He is a cautious man, but all men have their weaknesses. The Duke talks in his sleep, and his wife heard him say some very treasonous insults against the king. Theirs is an unhappy marriage, and he keeps many mistresses, so it is no wonder that she was happy to get back at him by reporting his views to the next king’s spy to inquire after him through her. Unfortunately for her, she mistook a rebel spy for one of the king, and she is now deathly ill, and incapable of spilling the secret to anyone.”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzgVNmwrgp
“...And you are certain the Duke is on our side?” Beaufort inquired.487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Cinc5bcgH
“Absolutely. All it takes is an accidental meeting at the next drunken masquerade of his, a luncheon arranged the next day, and with a few precautionary measures, he will be yours.”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFrgZCOGqA
“Wonderful. He will be of great use to us.”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WyR7KGQtI
“Indeed he will.”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeroQ1Uacn
“Well then,” Beaufort put the list away, “all that is left is for me to inquire of a certain Lord and Lady Henry Beaufort, and their son, Lord Percy Beaufort.”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrB20JCb3h
“The Lady Beaufort has delicate health, and is more often concerned by the state of her nerves than of the country. She, however, will go along with whatever her husband’s will is, as long as he leaves her alone to host tea parties for her charity club. Lord Beaufort rarely goes to balls or gatherings, attending only those hosted by the most elite, and the king’s inner circle. At home he enjoys private chats in the garden with his close friend, Sir Drake Harrowheart, where they discuss their disappointment with the people’s lack of resistance to unreasonable laws.”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwKJlP3Srg
“Where did you learn of this?” asked Beaufort calmly.487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjNJGgPWYB
“Why, the gardener’s boy. I suppose his master has placed great trust in him to allow him to trim the roses during his confidential meetings with Sir Drake. Or perhaps he merely overlooked his presence in the garden, or underestimated the ability of a supposed half-wit to understand the meaning of his treasonous conversation. However it happened, the boy heard quite enough to discover that Lord Beaufort harbours very strong feelings against most of the ways the country is run today.”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJCS04uYrg
Beaufort showed no outwards signs of anger, but John was sure that he was plotting the downfall of the treacherous gardener’s boy.487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVg0HMEGMGA
“Lord Beaufort,” Black went on to say, “believes that an overthrow of power could be arranged, so that the country would be taken over with as little bloodshed as possible. He is of the opinion that the current ruler could be disposed of, and certain advisors and persons of power. In his reasoning, Prince Charles would be crowned king, and easily manipulated by puppet masters behind the throne, one of which being Beaufort himself. From there, certain discriminatory laws could be revoked, new laws would be written, and all would have the sacred seal of the royal family. Those of the people who are not as anti-royalist as others would still have a person of royal blood on the throne, and the rest would be content with the change in laws and taxes.”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMnKlFFJ5T
“He seems in consistence with our cause,” Beaufort remarked, “Though his ambition in becoming one of the leaders of the revolution, and thereafter being given such a high position will likely be crushed. There are many others who would stand in his way, desiring the power of making decisions for themselves, or wishing the power to be given to the people. Other than that, though, I believe we can trust him. And what are the views of his son?”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2wxI35UHR
“His son,” said Black, “has similar views to the father. He, however, seems to think that separation of the classes was a necessary measure to take. He also believes in the sacredness of the royal blood, and supports imprisoning the king rather than disposing of him in a more efficient way. Unfortunately, he will be of no use to the Fraternity.”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2b9TOMj3Ye
“Whyever not?” asked Beaufort, frowning.487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1APdfYPDN
“Because Beaufort’s son,” said Black, seeming amused, “is dead.”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WOHxqany3
“What!” Beaufort exclaimed, his face paling, “It cannot be true!”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMQrhvHJnw
“Aye, but it is, Sir Bear,” the other replied, “He was attacked by bandits three days ago as he traveled homewards from a friend’s house. He received a mortal wound, and was brought to the nearest residence, only to expire an hour later from loss of blood.”
“Where did you hear of this?” Beaufort said in a strangled voice.487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBoWFrpq5z
“You remember earlier I stated I came here from the crown city. I stopped in Dirgeford to attend to some business, and heard about it from the innkeeper. I had no time to hear any more than that which I have told you, as I had to hasten from the place immediately afterwards. So you see it cannot but be true.”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLbczpi4eE
“If that is all of import you can tell us,” said Beaufort, jerkily tapping out the contents of his pipe, “then we had best be on our way.” He stood up stiffly. John followed his example.487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qfwA6Skiz
“Wait!” said Mr. Black, holding up a hand to stop them, “I have one more thing to tell you.”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdGG9AKXpq
“What is it?” Beaufort spat out.487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZEFNpsThP
“I’m afraid Lord Henry Beaufort will be incapable of helping the Fraternity as well.”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03Hud1ojfY
“How so?”487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeT66E17rKM
Slowly, casually, Mr. Black reached under his cloak and pulled out a sword. “About five minutes from now, he will be dead.”
