Fic: Twenty Roads Cazaril Did Not Take

[jeriendhal]

"One man," Dondo wheedled. "A single man, of low rank, with no family."

Chancellor dy Jironal stared back his brother, over the stack of papers waiting for his attention on his office desk. "No," he repeated. "Dondo, you ask too much of me this time. Do you seriously imagine that the commander of Gortoget would not be missed, if he was left unransomed?"

"I certainly would not miss him," his brother declared. "He besmirched my honor."

"Your honor never needed outside aid on that account. You indulge yourself too much," dy Jironal stated coldly.

"Not all of us are as ascetic as you," Dondo replied. "So I have my pleasures. What of it?"

"Your pleasures have consequences, which I have shielded you from, repeatedly. Well not this time. The Castillar dy Cazaril is a hero in more than one eye, for holding out against the Roknari for so long. His disappearance would cause too many questions to be asked at court, especially given that I am selling the fortress to our enemies in the first place." Dy Jironal stood up a little straighter in his seat. "In fact, his heroism actually deserves a reward. Say, for example, the post of the Holy General of the Daughter's Order, whose command will be opening shortly, once the current general finally gets around to dying properly."

"What!" Dondo shouted. "The generalship was to go to me! You promised me, brother!"

"A promise I have now rescinded. Your petty attempt at revenge against dy Cazaril was childish, Dondo. It speaks ill of you, especially given the deep responsibility the command of the Daughter's Order would be."

"What of loyalty?" Dondo demanded. "Do you imagine that stiff-necked fool Cazaril would be willing to go along with your scheming? He won't be bribed, I promise you that."

"His loyalty to Chalion is what will yoke him to his position, and to me," dy Jironal stated. "He will be grateful to be rescued, once I inform him of how perilously close he came to be sold to the Roknari slavers. He will also be uncertain of his new, exalted command, and will certainly be seeking advice on how to lead it. Who better to go to than the Holy General of the Order of the Son?"

"You think he will truly serve you?"

Dy, Jironal folded his hands together atop his desk. "Everyone in Chalion serves me, dear brother, even Orico." His voice grew a shade colder, causing Dondo to step back involuntarily. "Otherwise, they are my enemy."

Comments

[colliemommie.livejournal.com]

Very enjoyable, and what a great premise. Can't wait to read the other 19!

[enleve.livejournal.com]

Ooh, the brothers fighting! I like that last paragraph.