Otto26
Inconsistent
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2006
- Posts
- 1,520
Castor reviewed the preparations for the dinner party he was hosting on the next day with Democritus. This was meant to be a follow-up to his private discussion with Photius and changed circumstances would require that he alter things somewhat. In the study off the garden he closed the door and sat Democritus down.
"The task I mentioned is more than a simple message, Democritus. I am convinced that war is coming. The news out of Artan is, alarming. Accordingly I have decided to relocate my household to the west. When war comes I will be in a position to take immediate action and, perhaps, blunt the kingdom's offensive until the Shah can muster the field armies. If this were to become known to my political foes, they might seize the opportunity to attack me in my absence. Therefore, I will send you west. You will establish a household for me. Quietly," he explained.
"I will leave after the dinner tomorrow, lord. You may have faith that I will do exactly as you say," Democritus responded.
"I wish you to depart this evening, Democritus. I want Photius to inquire as to your whereabouts tomorrow evening and ponder what it means that I have sent my most trusted servant to the western lands," Castor said. 'And I want you gone from this house before I forget myself and throttle you,' he added mentally.
The man looked a little taken aback, but he recovered quickly. "Of course, lord. I will gather my things."
Castor clapped the man on the shoulder.
"Excellent, Democritus. I don't know what I would do without you," he said truthfully. "Oh," he continued, "since I am sending Valentus back with a message for his father you can travel in his company."
"As you wish, lord. If I may?" he indicated the doorway.
Castor nodded. "Take care Democritus, and I pray the gods speed your journey."
When Democritus left Castor sat where he could see the garden and pondered more courses of action. Sending Democritus west would serve many ends. It would separate him from any of Castor's opponents in the capitol. It would place him squarely amongst Castor's partisans. It would create the household that Castor would need to draw upon when he did, eventually, go west. It would allow him, by disappearing for a few days, to test and see if Democritus was passing information to his opponents. It was possible, after all, that the man was simply a bullying lecher. Such a man might have other uses and, as much as his heart demanded it, need not be killed.
The sight of the garden, that practical and purposeful garden, helped him to order his thoughts and to remember what was important.
"The task I mentioned is more than a simple message, Democritus. I am convinced that war is coming. The news out of Artan is, alarming. Accordingly I have decided to relocate my household to the west. When war comes I will be in a position to take immediate action and, perhaps, blunt the kingdom's offensive until the Shah can muster the field armies. If this were to become known to my political foes, they might seize the opportunity to attack me in my absence. Therefore, I will send you west. You will establish a household for me. Quietly," he explained.
"I will leave after the dinner tomorrow, lord. You may have faith that I will do exactly as you say," Democritus responded.
"I wish you to depart this evening, Democritus. I want Photius to inquire as to your whereabouts tomorrow evening and ponder what it means that I have sent my most trusted servant to the western lands," Castor said. 'And I want you gone from this house before I forget myself and throttle you,' he added mentally.
The man looked a little taken aback, but he recovered quickly. "Of course, lord. I will gather my things."
Castor clapped the man on the shoulder.
"Excellent, Democritus. I don't know what I would do without you," he said truthfully. "Oh," he continued, "since I am sending Valentus back with a message for his father you can travel in his company."
"As you wish, lord. If I may?" he indicated the doorway.
Castor nodded. "Take care Democritus, and I pray the gods speed your journey."
When Democritus left Castor sat where he could see the garden and pondered more courses of action. Sending Democritus west would serve many ends. It would separate him from any of Castor's opponents in the capitol. It would place him squarely amongst Castor's partisans. It would create the household that Castor would need to draw upon when he did, eventually, go west. It would allow him, by disappearing for a few days, to test and see if Democritus was passing information to his opponents. It was possible, after all, that the man was simply a bullying lecher. Such a man might have other uses and, as much as his heart demanded it, need not be killed.
The sight of the garden, that practical and purposeful garden, helped him to order his thoughts and to remember what was important.