Chapter 167: Side Story 9: Brothers Through War

The Hounds of the Lindonfall Family. Shadows of the Empire. The True Sword. Many names had been given to the Underwells since their formation. Esmond knew of it all and although he would rather his family be completely unknown, if he couldn’t hide it, then he would have it lathered in infamy. The decades he had spent as head of the family he had amplified the rumors surrounding them. They weren’t only the Lindonfalls dogs, but now the embodiment of the dark side of their rule. He was fine with it. Anyone who moved against his family was a fool.

Despite all of Esmond’s work, he knew that the rumors he created weren’t completely unfounded. There had to be some truth otherwise it wouldn’t be believable. He moved quickly through the obsidian castle. It was truly a great gift from Alfred. It had strong vaults that could house the secrets of the realm, and it was large enough that he could refurbish it to suit his family’s needs.

Stopping before his son’s room, he entered without knocking. He watched as Horace, quickly prepared a knife, but seeing his father, he put it away quickly. It was a good quality he had gotten from the Commonwealth, but Esmond knew he would have to drop that paranoia a touch if he wanted to be truly effective. "You are too jumpy," Esmond said coldly and Horace gave a nod in understanding.

"I know. Having people sent to kill me for weeks does that."

"Did your man come back from the Commonwealth?"

"He did." Horace reached into the drawer on his desk. "He gave me this. Right now he is laying low in Far Mile. He wants a little rest after having to escape. I gave it to him." Esmond snatched his son’s note and read it.

"He did well letting the bastard live. News in the Commonwealth of it had spread. Whilst a falling out between the Sobieski and Dabrowski families hasn’t happened yet, bad blood will definitely have formed."

"I’m sure you didn’t come here just for this." Horace knew his father would already know all this and Esmond smiled.

"You’re right. I need you to go to Almaris. Begin to take control of the criminal scene there. Adrian already has links to it when he was planning against the Safrid’s but I want it to be solidified. His releasing of the criminals of Almaris was a good plan to destabilize the city and whilst most have been locked back up, the dangerous ones have disappeared. I need you to deal with that. It’s only a matter of time before they try to influence the rest of the Empire, especially with the easy access they now have to it."

Horace sighed at his father’s order but didn’t turn it down. "I will need time to prepare. What do you want me to do? Take control of keep tabs on it."

"Try and build your influence. Once you have a big enough presence, those who are in hiding will be forced to reveal themselves to deal with the new competition. If you can get rid of them, if not work with them. That being said, you know the goods that we can’t work with."

Horace waved his hand dismissing it. "Don’t worry. I’m not stupid. If Abu found out I tried to work in human trade, he would snape my neck. I quite like my life."

"That’s fine. As long as you understand. Speak to Adrian when you arrive. He will tell you where to begin. Also, use the opportunity in Nakhla. There to much of a military presence there for those guys to make a move, but they will want to. We have to be first. That port has too much access." Saying what he wanted, Esmond left, leaving Horace alone to plan.

Horace sighed again at the task. It was an annoying one, but he knew why his father had ordered it. If they could control the underworld not only would they have more money for their work, but also have an easier time controlling things.

Despite the hard task, he was looking forward to it. It was a chance. A chance to expand his influence away from his father, but also to build something he wanted. His father’s hand in the criminal scene in the Empire’s old lands wasn’t deep enough. He was too passive with it; only using it when necessary. Horace could already see the future. He knew of Alfred’s inner circle from his father. It was all but guaranteed he would join it when his father died if nothing happened, and if he could make something like that himself he was sure Alfred would be happy.

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Abdul felt uncomfortable. EVer since he was sent to Brookhaven he had been on edge. He understood why it happened and knew that it wasn’t anything personal, only a precaution, but he couldn’t be at ease here. He was far from home and in a den of lions.

He had drowned himself in thought to keep his mind off it and only know he felt confident. Walking through the Palace halls, he walked to Isra’s office. She was the last Safrid. The family he had worked with for so many years. It was surreal, but he knew his mind would never be at ease if he never spoke with her.

Bringing the book closer to his chest, he gave a soft nod and waited. After a few seconds, a guard in pure black armour opened the door for him. It felt like he stood in front of a hungry beast, but composed himself and walked in. At the end, he saw Isra.

"I greet the Empress." Abdul made sure to be respectful and bowed. Isra looked up at him and smiled. Getting out from her desk she walked to the sofa and offered the one opposite herself to Abdul.

"Wait outside please." Ordering the guard the two were alone. Abdul looked at her, almost analyzing her. But eventually, he smiled.

"You are much different from when you where a child." It was a slip of the tongue and he quickly went to correct himself, but Isra’s laugh eased him.

"It’s fine Abdul. You can be at ease here." Her head slightly tilted. "You seem stressed."

"I miss my home. That is all." It was a melancholic voice and Isra could sympathize with him.

"I will see if you can go home soon. The situation has calmed down now." To her words, Abdul gave his thanks. "So why have you come to see me."

"I just wondered. You are the last of your family. The Sultanate is gone, and the faith is once more being suppressed, albeit in a way that I didn’t expect." Isra could hear he wasn’t angry about it, instead sounding more thankful that it could exist at all. "Everything has happened so quickly and I just want to know, how do you deal with it?"

Isra sighed and looked out the window. "I naver had love for our home. I was treated as a witch by some and a problem by others. I was sold off by my father like cattle to secure an alliance." Her words didn’t surprise Abdul. He knew her as a child. She was a free spirit who had her life controlled. "That being said I do understand your worries. I won’t explain how, but I do."

Her mind thought of the old world. Going from doing what she loved to a pretty doll her father could use was something she resent but in the end, accepted. Only when she arrived in the Kingdom could she finally begin to remove the shackles on her. "It must be hard for you. I can’t offer good advice but I will try. You will never be happy Abdul if you remain how you are. So either accept it and remain dissatisfied or find a new path. Leave the Empire, and work with it; it doesn’t matter."

It wasn’t what he wanted to hear, but Abdul knew that this was likely to happen. His head fell. he couldn’t leave he knew that. If he did where would he even go. He couldn’t abandon his fellow faithful and he didn’t want to leave his home. But could he accept staying like this?

"Think on my words. The answer wont come quickly. But eventually you will find it. Trust me." Isra’s smile looked brighter then usual to Abdul who could only nod.

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"Ivar," Finn called out to the man who turned to face him flashing a smile. "Why did you call me?"

"Finn, my friend." Ivar went over and wrapped his arm around the man’s shoulder, guiding him down the dirt roads of the town. "My faith has been proven, and I have been rewarded." He looked at him, that cheeky smile confusing Finn. "You know look at a Jarl my friend."

"A Jarl? You?" Finn laughed at his friend’s words and pretended to wipe away tears. "I don’t believe it."

"You should. I offered a gift to our God and passed her tests. She recognized me, Finn." It was obvious how happy he was, and Finn could hear the deep worship in it.

"But why have you called for me? You didn’t do it just to brag." Ivar led Finn to the walls. Exiting the gate, a large snowy expanse filled their view.

"You’re right. I didn’t only call for you to brag." Ivar removed his arm and looked deep into his eyes. "Me and you are brothers Finn. Not related by blood, but through war. When you couldn’t join the Great Raid I was devastated but I understood. But now I need you. I want you to become my right hand."

Finn was touched but didn’t answer straight away. He turned to face the white expanse that spread for miles. "You know my faith isn’t as true as yours. Whilst I recognize her as a God, I don’t feel as strongly as you. Despite this, you still wish for this."

"Finn." Ivar smiled. "You are the only man I can trust with this. I need your help. Me and you. We will be unstoppable." Despite saying that he sighed. "I know your faith is not a pure as mine and whilst I can’t respect you for that, I’m willing to push it aside. You’re my brother after all. But I know it’s time, you will see the truth. When all the Jarls and Kings are under our Queen’s banner and they worship her name along the rest of the Gods, you will see the truth."

It scared Finn the level of worship Ivar held for Helga and made him wonder what happened during the Great Raid to cause this. He had heard tales, but what he saw in Ivar was a whole different beast. He had seen those faithful to Helga, but his level of worship had already reached insanity.

"I’ll agree. I want to see why your faith is this strong. And by your side is the best way I will." His answer made Ivar smile. Reaching behind his back he pulled a small dagger. Cutting his hand open he passed it to Finn who did the same.

The two clasped hands. "We are bound by blood now my friend. And with this pact, you will see the truth." Finn silently nodded to his words. It was admiral his friends devotion but he never hoped to have it himself. A part of him was lost. Finn couldn’t say exactly what it was but it was gone.