Keeping the Fire: Alembic and The Other

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“So you are certain they mean to take the valley by force?” Alembic asked.

“Of course,” the man across from him replied, “it was your belief that the Alliance would send a soldier to replace their murdered speaker. App Devenov is a spy, certainly, but Captain Brysh is the very definition of a soldier. He follows orders flawlessly.”

“Yes, well, it's who's orders he follows that more worries me. For the Alliance to send armies to the Fortress outside of Dehali valley, that would be posturing. To send a military strategist like Kaira Volaire is a different matter.”

“She is still... untested.” replied the other, musing off to the distance.

“Untested is not unproven. Lord Karmish called her the best military strategist he has ever seen and many would reserve that title for him. I had my fellow mage send me our observations on her from the academy. She's a sage of eighty in body of a twenty year old.”

“It is the youth that should worry you.” Alembic paused, partially because he hated the obfuscation that the other preferred to speak with but also because he was afraid he heard foot falls from the hallway outside. It would not be good to be discovered here.

“Explain what you mean by youth.”

“To be gifted and untested is one thing. But gifted, untested, and young is a more dangerous creature. The young have ambition and being untested makes them impatient. Look what Polena did with impatience alone.”

“And look where it put her,” replied Alembic, “but without commentary, I understand what you say. So the Alliance means to take the Dehali valley and perhaps the Fortress for themselves. Yet, they are still preparing. Fiedjan seems to be trying the same thing, but by a slower road. If Fiedjan were to do something drastic though...”

“We would see a wave of chaos as we are now witnessing. Rumor, suspicions, and the deaths of spies all of them good men and women. If Dun wishes to support the status quo it will need to make both parties back down.”

“Well the Whale is not doing that, nor is that Flinish rat doing her part. The Weatherclock may have to intervene.”

“In due time, I think that would not be wisest yet,” the other said his gaze focused intently as if thinking on a problem in Thrones, “both Tavya and Delhay are looking for him to act...”

“--And both,” Alembic interrupted, his face bearing that frustrating smile of his, “are about to leave the Fortress for Dehali city on a fool's errand.” The other looked back at him, making eye contact. There was forcefulness in his gaze, perhaps from anger at being interrupted but Alembic secretly hoped it was the humiliation of being out thought. “You have something a'course for them on the road, don't you.”

“Me? No, certainly not. But it is a dangerous road and a contentious city. Accidents happen, misunderstandings abound, and both of them are trusting to secrecy to keep them safe. Losing a brute like him or a snake like her would be best for the Fortress in the long run and both are prominent enough that it would force the Alliance and Fiedjan to deny involvement and step carefully. It would buy time.”

“More over, if Tavya and Delhay were... indisposed, the Weatherclock could take more public actions and influence the path of the Edgarans.” Alembic smiled as the other put it together.

“Your wit never ceases to surprise me Alembic. I take it you already have a few assassins in mind?”

“I do, and I can think of no crossbowman more careful with their aim in the entire fortress than those I would use. So I am off to my task.”

“Alembic,” replied the other, “you do intend this to work in favor of the greater good, don't you?”

“Our greater good my friend, our greater good.” Alembic replied, and he left the other to ruminate on that riddle.

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