War and Want

The fireplace blazed, casting long shadows across the dark crimson room. The heavy curtains obstructed the view of the pouring rain, the room was silent save for the subtle clink of ice against crystal glass.

Romulus Mirethorn scanned the faces in the dark room, there was more whiskey in his glass tonight, if Lyra had seen it, she would have scolded him but perhaps he could be excused. It was not everyday one sat so close to the enemy.

Nathan Carrick was less imposing than the rumours suggested, he was a boy by all accounts, barely out of his teens, lanky, tanned with messy dark curls and faint scars on his body and yet there was something in his stare that unnerved him. Like a hound barely restrained, unnaturally still with hazel eyes that seemed to flash gold. Beside him was Evan Dorren and his elder brother Stefan Dorren, both as tired and battleworn as Carrick, their sandy hair darkened by grime and sweat.

The door opened and Alucard Grimhale walked in. A stern, salt and pepper haired man with piercing blue eyes and a perpetual frown.

“Grimhale.” Romulus tipped his head forward in greeting.

“Mirethorn.” Alucard said, his voice low.

He took in Romulus’ tired appearance, his lighter frame and his lips thinned for a moment, in recognition, in pity.

Stefan stood from his seat and offered his hand. Alucard shook it.

“Dorren,” He said. “Still alive I see.”

“Still alive.” Stefan said politely.

They had last seen each other when Stefan had been carried away by the Gilded Hand to be questioned on Nathan’s whereabouts. Alucard had secretly arranged his escape but not before he had been tortured half to death. Alucard looked at Nathan and Evan, they said nothing to him but Evan’s eyes softened slightly.

“Whiskey or dark rum?” Romulus asked.

“Whiskey,” Alucard said. “And the same for Ravelle.”

Romulus nodded. “I take it Rennard won’t be joining us.”

Alucard took the whiskey and huffed before tossing it back. He returned the glass to Romulus for another drink.

“Vex is watching him like a hawk, if he steps foot on British soil he’ll be killed.” Alucard said.

Romulus said nothing. It wasn’t only Maeron Vex and the Gilded Hand who posed a threat to Joran Rennard, the other threat was the 22 year old young man watching silently from the otherside of the table.

The door opened again and Harwin Ravelle walked in. He was taller than the rest, pale with dark hair and gleaming amber eyes. There was a scar running down the length of his face, given to him by Frank Dorren. He saw Evan and Stefan and he smirked. He ran a finger lightly over his scar.

“How is your father?” He asked. “Still breathing I assume?”

Evan stood up sharply and Stefan bristled. Harwin had gotten a scar but as a Mute, Frank had been outmatched and barely gotten away with his life.

“That’s not funny.” Nathan said quietly.

The room went still. Harwin scoffed.

“Let us begin.” Alucard said in a tone that left no room for argument.

Romulus handed Harwin a drink. For a moment there was silence as they regarded each other with varying degrees of mistrust.

“We all know why we are here.” Alucard said. “The Gilded Hand must be eradicated with immediate effect, the resistance has been a thorn in Vex’s side but the time for guerrila warfare is at an end, we must unite and meet him in open battle.”

His voice was unrushed but firm, as though the outcome were already decided and he was simply getting everyone on the same page.

“The resistance has experience, training, and manpower.” Evan said. “More join us every day, what exactly are you offering?”

Harwin scoffed. “A bunch of starved school boys and girls running around the woods throwing curses at the backs of their enemies hardly counts as an army. If Vex had any sense he would have starved you out and let the winter take the lot of you.”

Romulus cleared his throat, sending a warning glance at Harwin and Stefan held up his hand before Evan could retort. Alucard carried on as though the tension in the air didn’t affect him.

“It works well to your advantage that Vex has grown paranoid enough to surround himself with those who know nothing of war.” Alucard said. “The resistance is to credit for his state of mind but that will not protect you forever, we offer the true key to all war. Supplies. Funding. You will have what you need to take the Gilded Hand in open battle and put an end to this once and for-all.”

“What do you want in return?” Nathan asked.

Romulus and Harwin glanced at Alucard.

“The restoration of the ancient rites, the Great Houses and a written guarantee of your sworn loyalty to the royal family and their seat in the Archemont.” Alucard said.

Nathan said nothing. He looked down at his hands. Back the great houses, back the Crown. The same Crown that had watched his family burn, that had not sent aid when it was needed most and when that same fire came for them, they fled to France. Back cowards, traitors. It made him feel sick.

“When we win, Nathan will become the most famous man in our world.” Stefan said. “The one who did what no one else could, what none of you could.”

Nathan looked at Stefan and opened his mouth to protest but Stefan nudged his leg under the table.

“He is the sole heir to the House of Carrick, entitled to a seat in the Archemont and warden of the Carrick estate and fortune,” Stefan continued. “At his word the people could either accept or completely reject the reinstatement of the royal family.”

“Get to the point boy.” Harwin growled.

Stefan didn’t even look at him, instead he glanced at Evan who nodded and cleared his throat.

“We have 2000 fighting men and women ready to go, with medication, food and lodgings we can have an additional 400 ready by the end of the month.” Evan said.

Stefan spoke again. “We also require each house hoping for an alliance to send a representative along with those willing to fight.”

Harwin leaned forward to speak but Alucard held up his hand.

“It is to be expected.” He said. “An alliance always requires that the blood of two houses are shed together.”

Harwin grumbled but leaned back in his seat.

“It is done.” Alucard said. “You will have supplies, lodgings, food, representatives and men to bolster your ranks. In return when the war is done Nathan Carrick will honour our alliance by his sworn allegiance to the crown and by marriage.”

For the first time Nathan and Evan looked caught off guard. It was almost comical how young they looked in their shock. Were it not for the dire circumstances Romulus would have laughed. Only Stefan remained calm, as though he too had been expecting this.

“What?” Nathan choked out.

Stefan nudged his leg under the table again but this time it didn’t work.

“Marriage?” Nathan asked.

Alucard’s frown remained in place, but there was a flicker of something like amusement in his eyes.

“You requested representatives from each house and we also have requested a representative, your needs concern the war, our needs concern the aftermath, though you are not required to marry a representative from each house you align with.” Alucard said.

Nathan stared at him. “That’s completely off the table.”

“It is not a condition that can be negotiated young Carrick.” Alucard said.

Evan put a hand on Nathan’s shoulder. His eyes calculating. “And he can choose which daughter of the great houses to marry?”

“Yes.” Alucard said.

Evan nodded and Nathan frowned at him but he didn’t protest, trusting that Evan had a plan.

“Are we in one accord?” Alucard asked.

Nathan sighed. He wanted time to think about this but in such perilous times, there was no time for deliberation. He glanced at Stefan who gave him a grim smile. Then he looked at Evan, his best-friend. Evan nodded.

He took a deep breath and answered. “Yes.”