Chapter 123: The Gentleman’s club

"Please enter sir Mikos." A servant bowed towards Horace as he walked into the Gentleman’s club scanning its halls. Seeing Oskar with a few others he didn’t recognize in the corner he walked over smiling.

Oskar looked over and saw Horace. "Jedrick," He called out politely. "Please take a seat. I’m glad you could come."

"You went out of your way to invite me. It would just be rude if I didn’t." Horace took a seat as a servant came up behind. He ordered a small drink for himself before turning back to the rest.

"Right, where are my manners? Jedrick, this is Filip of house Kaczka, Olek of house Andrysiak, and Janusz Kilmeck a merchant who works with my family." Horace gave a polite nod to them all as he scanned them. He recognized the Duck sigil of Filip’s house and the shield of Olek’s on their jewelry, making it easier for him to deal with them.

"It’s a pleasure to meet you all. I hope for a fruitful future going forward." Horace said smiling before giving another polite bow of his head that wasn’t out of place when talking to those of higher rank.

"There is no need for all that," Filip said waving off his pleasantries. "Where we are, rank doesn’t matter if you sit at the same table as the person."

"That being said, tell us about yourself Jedrick. Oskar has told us very little." Olek cut in with a friendly smile.

"To put it bluntly I’m simply a man who wishes to help my family and kingdom. My land is not the best but I believe there are other ways to help your country that isn’t about how much grain or soldiers you can provide for it." Horace leaned in and tapped his forehead. "My mind. I wish to use it to help my fellow countrymen, it’s the one thing I have going for me."

"But how do you plan to do that? Forgive me for being blunt, but your family doesn’t have the prestige that would allow you to rise through the ranks of the court." Janusz cut in and said with a harsh tone.

Horace chuckled hearing this and took a drink, "I would have agreed years before, but I don’t think so anymore." His words got their attention and they all moved in slightly. "My father told me to come to the Capital to make new friends that could help grow the territory, but it would be the wrong place. If I wanted to grow my land, I should worm my way up into the Dabrowski family’s good books. Easiest and most sure-fire way."

"But he sent me here. I wondered why and then I realised. King Snowid." He smiled. "His reforms, whilst not everyone may agree with them, it does allow us with very little power to become something. It makes me wonder, how you all feel about this actually. I don’t doubt your skills, but you all must understand that your family’s names have been a tremendous help in gaining places of power."

Horace asked the question but wanted Oskar’s reaction. He was only 85% sure that Osakr believed him to be a spy for Snowid. This was good as it seemed he didn’t suspect him to be from the Empire. If he could prove this to be the case then he would have a way of building trust with the heir to the Dukedom.

He watched the reactions of everyone asked. Janusz was the easiest to read being a merchant he was annoyed by the restrictions on trading that had been implemented recently, so anything Snowid did annoy him. Filip remained unfazed whilst both Olek and Oskar showed slight discomfort to the question. Not enough however to give a clear answer.

"Well. Men such as yourself Jedrick seem to be someone who can help grow the power of the Commonwealth and I am willing to accept anyone who would help our beloved country." Olek gave a reply as Oskar leaned back to listen, drinking his drink trying to see how Horace would react. "But I do fear such rapid change. The nobility as it is, is stability. A perfect balance that keeps everything running. The reforms whilst a good thing, letting talented individuals rise, does threaten this stability."

"It is a scary thing, but the Empire showed it could work, albeit going about it in a very bloody way," Horace said casually peeking toward Oskar. The man gave a small snort to his comment but said nothing. The mention of the Empire incites reactions in everyone else as well. Olek showed hesitation before giving a small grown, whilst Filip still remained indifferent. The clearest was Janusz who saw it as a way to make money. It reminded him a lot of how Anton acted.

"That fucking place. I thank Sol every day I wasn’t born there." Olek said hatefully. "You know I don’t understand how His Holiness could ever call that Emporer ’Blessed’. It spits on the divine."

"Careful Olek," Oskar spoke up with a blunt voice. "We can talk about these things in private but not here. To question the Holy Lands decisions is a dangerous thing." He said getting a laugh from Filip. He very sneakily signaled with his eyes towards Horace, "Even if you think this place is private."

Horace caught it but acted as if he didn’t "It’s a wonder how our King is so brave. Saying it to his Holiness himself." His words got a laugh, remembering the tale of how Snowid questioned Pope Samuel to his face on his visit.

"Please enough about all this talk about religion." Janusz spoke up "I wonder. What is it you actually wish to achieve here Jedrick? I know you want to try and get close to the capital, but what role do you actually wish to have?"

Horace took a drink to buy time and think of something. "Well, obviously becoming an advisor to the King would be a dream come true, but I know my place. Realistically, if I could become an assistant or secretary to a high-ranking advisor, that would be good."

They all nodded hearing this. It was a grounded reason. Oskar nodded, but his suspicion of Horace rose from that answer. If he was a spy under Snowid it was a very desirable place to be.

"Well from what I know of you Jedrick it should be possible." Oskar friendlily said, "But you should be careful if you do. The capital is a place all about loyalty. A very scary place for someone not prepared."

"Thank you for the warning."’90%’His belief grew even more from that. The subtle change in his eyes added to the strange remark that probed him was enough.’Let’s play on it.’"Enough about me." He turned to Janusz, "Tell me. You’re a merchant and one that works with Oskar’s family. The trade restrictions with the Bactirans, how are you faring?" He said kindly, pretending to be worried.

Janusz smiled pointing at him, "It annoys me, but not too much of a headache. Us merchants always are the first to hear about new things where money can be made. Sure the tea trade fell through, but weapons are the new avenue." Horace ears percked up but he didn’t let it show, instead indicating for him to continue. Janusz looked to Oskar pausing briefly, but got a small nod for him to continue. "The King is increasing production and buying a lot. Whilst everyone thinks it is because of the military reforms, and part of it is, it’s mainly going abroad."

"Abroad?" Horace questioned, but he struggled to keep down his excitement hearing this. Oskar heard the slight change in his voice and raised an eyebrow.

"I’m not too sure but it’s what I have heard. I can’t follow the trail however, the King has made it a very hard thing to do. But when I do, that’s where the money is."

"Interesting. Maybe he’s selling to the Lisaponic Empire. Would make sense keeping it so hidden if he wishes to trade with The Bactrians once their war is over." Filip asked, interested in the topic.

"It would make sense." Oskar said, "I can have a look for you Janusz." The merchant gave a happy smile silently thanking him.

"What about the empire?" Horace asked the question carefully. They all looked at him confused other than Oskar who squinted for a second. Janusz asked him to continue and Horace was happy to oblige. "We know the empire recently conquered the Safrid land. And I’m sure men there are not happy with the current ruler. Sending support to them wouldn’t be too strange. We’ve seen it happen many times before."

They all sat in silence for a while and Janusz nodded hearing it, thinking it was possible. "Maybe, but that’s a dangerous thought to say aloud Jedrick. If the Old Snake of the Empire caught wind of even a rumor it could spell trouble for the Commonwealth." Oskar said politely. Horace smiled and nodded ending the topic there. Any further pushing on it would arouse the man’s suspicion too much.

"It was just a theory. Think nothing of it." Horace said, but it was enough for him. He was all but assured that it was where the weapons were going, especially from Oskar’s guarded reaction.

The five sat in silence for a couple of seconds, and Horace could feel the eyes of Oskar subtly looking at him. He turned to him and smiled. "I want to say it again. Thank you for introducing me to Oskar." He needed to break the tension he had just created.

"It’s nothing. We’re friends after all." Oskar said politely, but he couldn’t get the suspicion out of his eyes saying it.’99%.’If Horace wasn’t sure before he was now. The way he acted was becoming more obvious with every question that delved into their thoughts about things.

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Horace spent a long time with the four, but no more valuable information could be gathered. Despite that, he had a clear understanding of things now. He was sure Oskar suspected him of being a spy for Snowid, but also the Commonwealth was funding a Khorish rebellion.

’Funding of rebels. Look into it. Weapon shipments.’He took out his pen and paper writing a small note before once more going across the street and putting it through the small flap in the door. He returned and began his next plan to use Oskar. With his suspensions he could now approach as an agent of the Commonwealth, it just depended on how he wanted to do it.

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"What did you all think of him?" Oskar asked the three back in his manor.

"Smart," Filip answered instantly. "He was leading us in the conversation for the most part. Much like someone seasoned in court life." Oskar and Olek nodded.

"Observant as well." Olek carried on for Filip. "He was watching us. I only realised after a while, but he was observing our reactions to everything, whilst keeping his to a minimum." He shook his head and let out a sigh, "I don’t believe him. He’s too aware for someone who came from such a small family."

"So you agree with me," Oskar asked getting a nod from the two. He looked towards Janusz. "What about you."

"He seemed like a decent businessman. He instantly understood where weapons would go if being sold. As well I realized he was watching us for reactions, but it’s nothing special to me. Merchants do it all the time. I guess it is different for nobles, however." Janusz said unbothered. He didn’t really differ from the others in his assessment, but he didn’t see it as completely strange for someone to have those skills. He had worked with many nobles and most showed a similar level of observation.

"You’re right. But he was watching everyone at once. He hardly let anything get passed him. It’s too good. I’m sure he picked up on things we didn’t realize." Oskar said taking a seat exhausted. "If I was to guess he is one of Konrad’s men. Getting close to me would make sense.

"So you going to distance yourself?" Filip asked getting a shake of the head in response.

"No. For one whilst I have suspicions I don’t know why he approached me. Second, it would just bring unnecessary suspicions to my family if I did. We are loyal to Snowid but if we did something to show that we weren’t, direct or indirect, it wouldn’t be good." Oskar put his hand on his chin and thought for a while. The three remained silent letting him think.

"Go. I need to send a letter to my father." The three bowed and left, leaving Oskar to plan how to deal with his issue.