Chapter 141: The Sacrifical Lamb

Chimel arrived at the meeting point. After days spent deciding what he wished to do, he eventually decided that maybe it was his destiny to lead the faction against the king. All the bad luck he had suffered in the past was being made up for now, and he could now finally show his true colours.

Knocking on the hard metal door, a flap opened. It closed soon after, and a series of locks were opened, and the door opened. Chimel had never seen this place before and felt scared to go down, but composed himself and entered. If what he had been told was true, he would see many people who wished to follow him, and he had to not disappoint.

No sunlight reached down into the large room, only being dimly lit by candles. All around a large table, nobles spoke in hushed voices and he saw Horace standing g there talking to someone he recognized instantly and felt his heart beat from immense excitement.

Horace felt the eyes on him and turned to face him, breaking into a wide smile. "Count. Thank you for coming. I’m glad you didn’t disappoint all these fine gentlemen." Chimel breathed in deeply and put on a charming smile.

"Thank you for the warm welcome." He walked before the Marquess and bowed slightly, "Your Grace. You honour me." Piast looked at him with a face full of pity, but rubbed it off.

"I applaud you for your speech. It moved me greatly, and I felt it was my duty to help you protect our way of life." He spoke with politeness, not found when talking to those of lower rank. He made sure to look into both Horace and Chimel, and seeing that the name Horace gave him was real and linked with the noble faction, he trusted it more. After a few conversations, he also knew how to use someone like Chimel.

Horace clapped his hands together, getting the attention of everyone. He pushed Chimel to the head seat. "Gentleman. The main guest has arrived. Let us begin." Chimel looked at the Marquees, who took a seat away from him, and Chimel felt his blood flow in pride. They were all here because of him.

"Thank you all." Chimel took his seat and spoke once it went quiet. "We are all here for the same reason. To defend our way of life against the King. Of course, we are loyal vassals and would never dare think anything rebellious." His words got nods from the others who hoped he wasn’t so foolish as to suggest otherwise so openly. "But we have our liberties awarded to us due to our rank, and an infringement on this is an attack on our way of life." He had practised over and over what he wished to say if it were real, and now he finally could prove himself to everyone here.

"That is why I propose to begin our plans to cease the new obligations that King Snowid has forced upon us. His placing the Crown Prince as his regent while he deals with the terror from the sea is the perfect chance." More nodded in agreement, and the Marquess had to hide his smirk.

It was obvious to him that Chimel had no clue about anything related to the Crown Prince, or he would never say that. He wasn’t someone who was easy to go against, inheriting the same qualities as his father. But he also knew that things would be easier without Snowid. He didn’t say anything, however, wishing to keep himself distanced enough so he wouldn’t face backlash. His presence here was already uncomfortable for his liking.

"I believe that if we use the invasion as a pretext, we can gather more support and put pressure on the Regent. The crown needs us more than we need it right now, and so if we offer an ultimatum, then maybe we can see not an exact return to the old ways, but enough of one where we finally are not tied down to its complete authority."

’A bunch of empty words.’Piast could only sigh internally. He offered no real way and it was clear he didn’t think it through. Although the idea of an ultimatum was nice, he couldn’t think of anything Snowid would want more than the noble’s military power.

"We are all smart men, and I hope that you all will help me achieve this." Piast shook his head, unknown to everyone. Chimel looked down at the table and saw them look at him with confusion. Only then did he realise that he needed to offer something first. His mind spun and he quickly thought of something. "Personally, I think we should offer new obligations that do not force us to give up our powers so easily." His words got some to move forward, interested in the idea.

"In stripping ourselves of our soldiers, the crown offers us leniencies in other things, such as tax, or freedom of trade. The regulations on trade are something that I’m sure we do not like." Some agreed whilst others moved back disinterested once more. Those that did had already been briefed by the Marquess of his plan to use Chimel as a sacrifice, and seeing him say things like that, they knew they had found the right man. They could tell he thought himself smarter than he was and decided it was good enough.

Horace saw the table becoming mixed in their opinions. He needed to keep them more interested in using him. More than just a voice for them. "Count." He spoke up, getting everyone’s attention. Piast saw this and was heavily interested, recognising Horace’s ability in the few conversations they had had leading up to today. "Perhaps if we get on the side of the wives of the nobility we may have an easier chance to persuade them."

"Why should we care for women?" Chimel said in annoyance. Horace smiled upon hearing this. He knew the power they could hold in the Empire, especially because of someone like Isra. Piast was interested in where he was going with it. It was something he didn’t think of, but knew the value it could bring. His own wife was someone who could change his mind on things quite easily if she pressured him enough.

"Your lands. You heard the tragic tales of what happened there, haven’t you?" Chimel froze but nodded deeply, trying to show a more caring part of himself that was easily seen through. "If we enhance these rumours, spread them in the tea houses and meeting places, it could strike the fear they already have. They repeatedly go to their husbands, who are then forced to look into this more and see how big of a failure the defence of the coast was to ease their spouse’s worries."

"Right now, people know what happened, but not the full extent, especially as we move north. We show how brutal it was. Once these things are in the air, ideas of how it could have been avoided could begin to appear. Maybe if the coastal nobles still had their armies, things would have been different. Things like this." Horace saw from Chimel’s reaction what type of man he was. "Women are more sentimental people. They don’t see armies but human life. Tell of all the rapes, murders, and torture people were put through."

Chimel saw the table agreeing with Horace’s plan. It was more subtle and would force the nobility to move in a way that wasn’t outright offensive against the crown. Piast nodded in agreement. Instead of outright attacking the crown and having meetings, swaying public opinion would be safer. In the long run, they would be able to have more support.

The count froze at Horace’s suggestion, but seeing the reactions from the table, he nodded and smiled. "A good plan. But it’s a bit too subtle, don’t you think?"

"Yes, but subtly at first will get them on our side. We need more people to follow you before outright challenging the Crown. We can’t be too aggressive yet. Only when we have a great amount of support can we put pressure on the crown with the ideas you have?"

The count fiddled with his hands under the table and nodded. "A good point." He looked around. "Anyone else?" Everyone looked at one another in silence for a couple of seconds. After a while, one finally spoke up, getting the others to be more open with suggestions.

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"Is he good enough for you?" Horace walked over to Piast. The man stood a distance away from the place they had just been in. The sun was setting, showing how long they had been inside, and Horace stretched his arms, tired.

"He has no plan and all the ambition for it. He will be easy to use." The Marquess said coldly, getting a satisfied nod from Horace. "But I fear with him in charge the Piast family may suffer."

"It is why you must keep some distance. Today was necessary for you to come, but in the future, use a proxy." He got a nod in agreement and the two watched as the crowded street walked passed them.

"Have any plans for an accident been made yet." He spoke vaguely, but Horace knew what he meant.

"I have a few ideas, but nothing concrete. I need more information. The only problem is Konrad." Saying the name caused the Marquees to go wide-eyed as he looked at Horace.

"You know of him?" Konrad was someone few in the Kingdom knew. Only the powerful or those within the Palace truly understood. Horace gave a slow nod.

"Yes. A scary man. But fortunately, he is only one man. I need something to take his attention away."

"I may be able to provide that, but it will be hard." The Marquess grabbed his chin, thinking. "I will get back to you if I can, but like I said, it will be hard."

Horace understood and reached out his hand. "I will be waiting. In the meantime, I need to make some plans." They shook hands, leaving one another.