The Eighth God Ch. 07

"Good morning everyone." He said as he sat down, wasting no time. "I'm afraid I bear grave tidings."

"I-Is it my father?" Prince Avery said as he half-stood, with a scared expression on his face.

"No, your highness." Orvon reassured him. "Please." He gestured for Avery to sit back down again. "I have learned from one of my top agents of a Candran plot to invade as soon as the king passes. I've also made contact with my agents at the border, who confirmed that the Candrans are secretly amassing large numbers of troops at several settlements near the border."

"What?!" General Kalman roared as he stood abruptly. "Do we not have a treaty with the Candrans?"

Orvon shrugged. "They will stop at nothing if they see a good chance to invade and seize control of our runestone mines." He sighed. "Let's be honest, this day is long overdue. For how long did you think our larger, wealthier neighbor was willing to let a small kingdom like ours keep the monopoly on something as valuable as runestones?"

"What's the plan?" Queen Carosa asked.

"Well, the majority of our troops are tied up in the campaign against the Kaskarian barbarian tribes, and there isn't enough time to recall them from the west. Even if we could get them back them in time, it would leave our western flank unprotected." Orvon replied. "Luckily a large portion of our troops currently sits in the capital, having just returned with Prince Ravon. I intend to send them along with levied troops from the landed nobles to the border, under the command of General Kalman." Orvon replied, nodding to the big man.

"Let me go instead!" Ravon roared. "I'll break the Candran armies upon my fists." He said as he shook his clenched fist in the air.

"Sit down, Ravon." The Queen said as she put a hand on her son's arm. "This is unacceptable, my lord." She said, turning to the minister.

Orvon smirked, knowing full well that she intended to keep Ravon and all of his troops in the capital in anticipation for the struggle for the throne. "Well..." He said slyly. "The decision is ultimately left up to General Kalman, who serves as our Minister of Defense."

Kalman shrugged. "I'm really a minister in name only. I'll confirm whatever orders you deem the most optimal, old friend."

The queen stood, her face pinched with dissatisfaction. "Orvon. I need to speak to you in private." She said.

Orvon nodded and brought her into a side room. "What are your concerns?" He asked mildly.

"Have you gone and allied yourself with Jacob, Orvon?" Carosa demanded. "You know full well that with all of Ravon's troops out of the city, Jacob will use that opportunity to make his move!"

Orvon looked at her with a cool gaze, and replied calmly. "If the Candrans are not stopped, there won't be a throne left to sit on."

"Having Jacob on the throne is hardly any better!" The queen said, her anger rising.

"Be glad I'm sending the general instead of Ravon." Orvon said. "And I'll also levy the additional soldiers mostly from those who are loyal to Jacob."

The queen thought for a little while, biting her lip. "Fine. But on one condition."

"What is it?"

"Leave Lord Elbon's troops alone."

Orvon raised an eyebrow. So she's managed to get Elbon on her side, has she... He thought. "Are you so convinced that you'll need to resort to violence?"

Carosa sneered. "Jacob will do anything to seize the throne, and I will be prepared. Besides," She admitted. "Ravon is not exactly... Well-equipped in a battle of wits and politics."

Orvon nodded, and made to return to the meeting chamber. "Hold on." The queen stopped him. "And what are your plans regarding the succession, Orvon? You can hardly expect me to believe you will remain neutral?"

Orvon frowned and whirled on her. "Some of us are still trying to keep the kingdom together." He snarled. "You can't even fathom that, can you? That someone can place the well-being of the kingdom above their own selfish grabs at power?"

Carosa took a step back, slightly taken aback by the ferocity of Orvon's words. "I-I still intend to keep you as minister once Ravon is on the throne, Orvon... You've always taken care of the kingdom, and I don't plan to change that."

"Hmpf." Orvon sniffed dismissively. "And you think you can keep your beast of a son in check?"

"You underestimate me, my lord." Carosa drew herself up haughtily.

"No... If there's one thing I've always prided myself on... It's my ability to judge people." Orvon said as he stepped back to the meeting room.

Once back in front of the rest of the royal family, Orvon said in a clear voice. "There's also the matter of a leak from the palace." He paused to look at each of them in turn. "I've taken the liberty of replacing the staff closest to the King, and I have relocated some to my own residence for questioning." A convenient excuse for him to place Sinda under his care. He doubted that any of the slaves were the source of the leaks. Although it didn't hurt to be certain.

"If the king passes, I'd also like for the news to remain secret for as long as possible." Orvon said. "I doubt the Candrans would wait for long, even if they don't receive word of the king's death. But it's generally a good idea not to let your enemies receive a clear signal."

He turned to General Kalman. "Will your subordinates to the west manage to quell the barbarians?"

Kalman nodded. "Yes. Alarin is especially capable. He reminds me of a younger you, sometimes."

"Very well." Orvon concluded. "That'll be all from me. I must be off to discuss defenses with the Mages' Guild. Please excuse me." He bowed and left the chamber.

He breathed a sigh of relief once he closed the doors to the chamber. Now... Onto the hard part.