Till was due any moment. Kedan paced his study just off the throne room. He had said he would meet Till there. Kedan still wasn’t sure what he was going to say to Till. Would he confront him about Aurumist soldiers in the forest of The Great Surrounding? Would Till admit what he had done or claim innocence?

Kedan had been taught to take information as it comes and act on it. He had some information, but he needed more. He didn’t have a plan, yet. He wanted to see first what Till had to say. Kedan admitted to himself he was probably in over his head. He had all the training of a Lord of the kingdom but none of the experience. He should have paid more attention during the council meetings or not brushed off lessons with Teryn all those years.

Teryn, Kedan didn’t know what to do about her. He hadn’t spoken to her since their meeting on the stairs the day before. He had missed her already. It wasn’t just the physical act they shared together that he missed. He realized he didn’t have many friends, not real friends. He had folk who would laugh with him and drink with him, but they didn’t know the real him. Not like Teryn did. Teryn may have known him, but did he really know her?

Kedan kept pacing his study. He rubbed his hands together, trying to think what the best thing to do would be. They study door opened, and Kedan stopped pacing. He worked to keep his breath even and his face neutral. He didn’t want to show weakness. He looked up expecting to see Till being led in by the guards but instead Golnar slipped into the room followed by Teryn. Kedan felt the shock register on his face. Golnar made no note of it.

“My Lord, may I sit in on your meeting and advise you. I don’t mean to be presumptuous, but you are a young man and haven’t had the burden of the lordship long. Till has been playing his part for much longer, it would be good to have someone with experience on your side.”

Kedan felt some relief. “Yes, of course. Thank you Golnar, how good of you to come.”

“You can thank your young lady here. I hope you will excuse her talking to me, but she thought you would need some help. She has been very worried about you.”

“Teryn, is that why you were going to see Golnar yesterday?”

She nodded.

“Why didn’t you just tell me?” asked Kedan. He knew he shouldn’t be this familiar with her in front of Golnar, but it seemed Golnar already had a hint of the friendship between them.

“I thought you would object. Kedan, I mean Lord Kedan, I just wanted to help you, but how can I know more than you. I went to the wisest person I could think of. I hope you will forgive me.”

Kedan blinked and nodded his head. “Don’t hide your actions from me in the future, Teryn. There are few that I trust, and I would like to believe you are one of them.”

Teryn smiled. “Would you like me to leave my lord?”

“No, stay. You have shown wisdom. Sit out of the way and listen in. If you have any insights, let me know.”

Teryn walked and sat in a chair in the corner of the room.

Golnar looked at Kedan. “Now, my Lord, sit behind your desk. Look unbothered, like you are working on something else. Don’t let Till know you have been worrying about this.”

Kedan walked behind his desk and sat down. He took up a quill and paper. He started writing, making notes on what he knew already. There was a knock at the door and a guard stuck his head in. “Viceroy Till is here to see you, my lord. Should I send him in?”

Kedan was about to state the affirmative when Golnar spoke up. “Not yet, tell him to wait in the throne room for a moment. The young lord has other business to take care of first.”

The Guard looked at Kedan and Kedan nodded his head. “Very good, my lord.”

“I will send for Till when I am ready,” said Kedan in a bored way.

The guard left.

“Yes, my lord, make him wait. Make him worry a bit about what you are doing and what you are thinking. You are the Lord of the Kingdom, he serves you,” said Golnar smoothly.

Kedan nodded and continued to make notes. “What should I say to him, Golnar?” asked Kedan. He still wasn’t sure of what to make of this man, but Kedan knew he needed help.

“Ask him to tell you again why you need to take action in The Great Surrounding. Let him tell you the complete story. Then you can let him know that you know what he is leaving out. Let’s see his reaction to that and go from there.”

Kedan nodded, thinking this was good advice.

They waited in silence for a bit with the scratching of Kedan’s quill being the only sound in the room. When he was done making notes, he took out a small piece of paper and scratched down one more thing. Then he nodded at Golnar. Golnar went to the door and let the guards know that Till could enter.

Till entered the room in an agitated state. He looked around and saw Golnar and Teryn in the room.

“What’s this, my lord? I thought you and I were meeting alone?” asked Till briskly.

“Golnar is my trusted advisor and Teryn is my trusted friend. They will join us. I value their insight into my matters.”

“You are sure, Lord Kedan?” asked Till. “I can come back another time if it is more convenient.”

“You will meet with me now, here with all of us. I want this matter put to rest today. Till, tell us what exactly is going on in The Great Surrounding that concerns you,” said Kedan with as much confidence as he could muster.

Till looked unsure but began talking. “It is as I said the other day, Lord Kedan. Lessons are inadequate, children grow up barely knowing anything about the way of the ancients. The folk are proud and think they don’t need Aurumist or the council to rule over them. Then there are whispers in the forest of an uprising, of a new leader being chosen. The talks of magic are back in folks’ mouths. Whether it's true or not, it is there. I think we need more order in the villages and in the forest.”

“How do you propose we do that, Till?” asked Lord Kedan as he wrote things down on his paper, not bothering to look up.

“I think sending an advance group of soldiers from the city would be a good start. Followed by a battalion at a later date if needed.”

“Interesting thought, Till. Will it do the trick do you think?” asked Kedan.

“I think so, yes. We can always try, my lord, and if we need more actions, we can take them,” said Till with confidence.

Kedan didn’t say anything for a few moments, He just continued writing. Eventually he put down his quill. He looked up at Till.

“I’ve heard some interesting news from The Great Surrounding, Till. I’ve heard that Aurumist soldiers have already been seen in the forest and in some of the villages. Are you aware of this?”

Till’s eyes got large, but he didn’t speak.

“Your lord is asking a question of you, viceroy, answer him,” said Golnar.

“My Lord, it is not unusual for a few soldiers to be sent out, to collect some new workers for the city, especially those who require re-education. It is nothing.”

Kedan looked to Golnar,” Can you verify this Golnar? Is this usual? Using Aurumist soldiers just for this task seems like a waste of resources.”

“It would be Lord Kedan. No, this is not usual activity. I have not seen it in all my years. For the number of soldiers, I have heard about, a direct order from someone high up would have to have been made.”

“Viceroy Till, do you want to tell me something?” asked Kedan.

Till fidgeted but said in a haughty voice, “The soldiers of Aurumist are ultimately under my command. I may order them as I please.”

“That’s true, but I believe if you thought what you were doing was on the up and up you wouldn’t have just lied to Lord Kedan, and you did just lie,” said Golnar.

“The lordship is still young. I had to make the order months ago. I didn’t want to bother him then, but now things are progressing faster than I thought. I wish I could shield the young lord longer, but we needed to act, and we need to act still. I will ask forgiveness if you want, but it does not change the fact.”

“The problem is, Till, how can I trust you? I value trust very highly. If you lied to me in the past, how can I not believe you will do it again?”

“I make a vow now to keep you informed on all further actions before they take place. I will not act again in such a way,” said Till, but he did not sound like he meant it.

“I have the ability to dispose and appoint new viceroys. That is correct isn’t it Golnar?”

‘Yes, my lord. If you feel a viceroy is not serving in the best interest of the kingdom, you need only give the word and a new one can be chosen. There are many who would like the honor, even some of those on the council who would not mind coming to the city to rule instead of the lands they now live,” said Golnar looking at Till.

Till looked fearful then.

“Now that you mention the council, I would like their consent if I am to remove a viceroy, and no matter what I decide they should be made aware of Till’s actions. How would they respond do you think? Till, how confident are you in your alliances on the council?”

“My lord, there is no reason to do that. I have made a mistake. It will not happen again. If you want me to call back the soldiers, I will, just give me the word.” Till was now practically begging. Kedan found that he liked having this power over him.

“Are we having any success with the soldiers you have sent? Tell me of any progress,” said Kedan standing up behind his desk.

“It’s too soon to tell. It's only been a few months, and the soldiers have been very careful to only act when needed. They are to return with their first group of children for re-education from the East and West villages in seven days’ time.”

“What about the forest? Has there been any unusual activity reported there?” ask Golnar.

“No, not yet” answered Till.

“And Clarton, what of the large village. What action has been taken there?” asked Golnar. He stared at Till barely blinking.

“None yet. I was hoping to speak to Bernot before we sent soldiers to the largest city. I would not like to cause any unrest in the city until we have Bernot’s support.”

“Do you doubt we will have it?” asked Kedan. He came from around his desk and stood next to Golnar.

“I’m not sure. He has spent his whole life in The Great Surrounding. Clarton is his home. He might need some convincing.”

“I suggest you start working on convincing him. I want you to travel to Clarton tomorrow. Spend time there. See for yourself what is going on. I don’t expect to see you back for at least 40 days,” said Kedan. Golnar nodded his approval.

“Forty days in Clarton? My Lord, surely not so long. Why don’t we call Bernot here? It will be much easier to convince him here in the opulence of the city away from all those he knows and cares about.”

“I think not. I need a firsthand account of what is going on from someone who is not affected by sentiment. You will go. You will spend time with the folk of Clarton, all folk, in all rings. Talk with Bernot, make him see that action needs to be taken. When you have his consent and a full report of things, bring him back to Aurumist and we will take action with the council’s approval.”

Till made a loud noise with his breath. He eyed Golnar. “Is this your idea? Have you been filling the young lord’s head with your ideas?”

“No, you insult your Lord by making such an accusation. Lord Kedan is perfectly capable of ruling over the kingdom,” said Golnar. “Come on Till, walk out with me. You have much to prepare and quickly.”

Till looked like he wanted to stay something else, but instead he bowed his head and said, “I will go tomorrow, my lord. Expect regular reports from me.”

“Very good, Till, safe travels. Golnar, will I see you for dinner later? I feel we have much to speak of.”

“Yes, my Lord. I will be at dinner tonight” replied Golnar. He opened the door and held it open for Till who left the room, Golnar behind him.

Teryn came up to stand next to Kedan. “That was very impressive, my lord.”

Kedan smiled and turned to Teryn. He put his arms around her and kissed her. “Come to me tonight, somewhere special. This will tell you where.” He placed the small note in her hand.

She kissed him once more and pulled back, giving a pretty bow.

“As you wish, my lord.”

She left through the door, leaving Kedan with a wicked smile on his face.

Later that night, Kedan waited in the highest tower in the palace. The room was very small and dark. He brought one lit candle with him and it sat on the small table in the room. He looked out the window and could see all the great manors of Aurumist. They were all aglow with lights as families dined. Many were probably having parties. He looked where the large manor he grew up in stood. It was shining bright.

Mother must be entertaining, he thought.

Kedan heard Teryn’s footsteps on the stairs outside. She opened the door quickly and walked in. She was wearing a very thin dress under a blue cloak.

“Hello, my lord. It is nice to see you this evening.”

She came over and put her arms around Kedan. He smiled at her. He took her hands and brought her in front of him.

“You are very beautiful, Teryn. You are one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen, even simply dressed as you are.”

“You are too kind.”

“It’s true. Come here, look out the window with me.”

He led her to the small window.

“It’s a wonderful view. The city is so beautiful at night,” said Teryn with a sigh.

“It is. Do you see that large house with every window lit up? That is where I grew up. My father and mother are there now with many important guests I suspect. And that house there, that is the Fawner family. They are extraordinarily rich and very influential. They have a pretty daughter about our age. She plays the harp and sings like an angel. And there that large house to the left. The Quillen’s live there. They actually have the most exquisite twin girls who came of age last year. I went to their society introductions, and they are both charming.”

“What are you telling me all this?” asked Teryn.

“Where is the house you grew up in, Teryn? Show it to me.”

She sighed. “It is behind all the manors you see. You can’t see it from here.”

“No, you can’t. Soon I will need to be married, and I will choose a girl form one of these houses we can see. You will go on to become who you were meant to, an advisor to the Lady of Regventus. You will serve my wife. You can never be more than that, I hope you realize that. I do not need you to take care of me or go to Golnar for my benefit. You need to remember your place.”

Teryn’s jaw was clenched, but she gave a tight smile and said, “Of course my Lord. I wouldn’t dream of overstepping my place.”

“Good. You can go now. If you want to continue on as we have, I am not opposed, but you must remember who I am and who you are.”

Teryn gave a quick curtsy and practically ran from the room. Kedan turned and continued to look out the window.