All the documents were lying haphazardly on the elegant table. Aktis, staring out the window, was thinking hard about her situation. With Brandis' death, her world had collapsed on her head.
Brandis had chosen a bad time to leave this world. He had always liked to ride alone to his fief. This time he had been found with three arrows in his back, without shoes, a cloak, a ring, or a purse. It looked like a robbery.
It looked like it.
Aktis was not naive, someone wanted Brandis dead. Her first suspicion was directed at Emfer, Tendred and his new wife. However she had no evidence.
What was even worse, a few weeks after Brandis' death, eight lords from the most important families had arrived at the court.
Today they were to meet and discuss the care of the king's youngest son and who would take power until the boy reached the age of sixteen. To be clear, no one had bothered to invite Aktis to this meeting. Alas they forgot one thing, as regent, she did not need an invitation.
She got up from the table and went to the large mirror in which she could see her entire figure. She adjusted her outfit, smoothed out the non-existent folds and instinctively touched the royal tiara, which she placed on her head to remind everyone who she was. She smiled at her own reflection and headed to the audience hall. She ordered the court marshal to accompany her entrance to the hall with a loud recitation of her titles. The doors opened, the gathered lords looked at the woman entering and heard three knocks of the marshal's staff and then the loud voice of the court marshal.
"Aktis Selina Gelwah, queen dowager and current regent of the principality of Fenigrid, countess of Gwenal and Lower Onutia."
Aktis, smiling gently, entered the hall, heading straight for the royal throne, then sat down and motioned for the lords to do the same. She had previously taken care of all the details, even setting the table in such a way that everyone would sit with the royal throne and her person in front of them. The entire Grand Eight.
"Hmm, well - began Lord Gilron, a dry, gangly man with great aspirations and wandering eyes - I think we can begin. We have gathered here to choose a new steward and guardian of the young king Galdar."
"Rightly so - Barton, Brandis' younger brother, talk over lord Gilron - until now, this function has been entrusted to my family and I am ready to take on this task."
"This function was entrusted to your brother and he is dead. - said the fat Lord Tymelin, shaking his double chin with excitement. - It's time for another family, another governor to take care of this matter."
"Why? Up until now, my brother Brandis has performed his role admirably - the young Lord Barton, with a determined face, rolled his eyes boldly at all those gathered. - We would still stand guard over the Kingdom."
"Yes, performing this role and other tasks." Said the old Lord Walin quietly with a disgusting smile, glancing at Aktis.
"Gentlemen, there is no point in arguing - said Lord Gilron conciliatory - we are to make a choice together for the sake of this country.
"And what about Tendred? - at the sound of that name Aktis felt the blood drain from her face. Lord Fladmor, the oldest of the eight calmly continued - Prince Tendred has the greatest right to govern Fenigrid and is in his prime and strength."
"Lord Fladmor, perhaps your memory is failing you - an ironic smile appeared on Lord Colen's face - but Prince Tendred was removed from Fenigrid by his own father, due to - the smile appeared on Colen's face again - certain serious doubts."
"My memory is impeccable, Lord Colen, as for the aforementioned doubts, whatever they may be - old Fladmor did not let himself be put off - at the moment the Prince has settled down, he has a wife from the Katamirian nobility and a well-run court in Emfer."
"Yes, yes, and so far he has shown no interest in Fenigrid - Lord Tymelin waved his hand dismissively - it is better if the power is entrusted to someone who cares about the Kingdom."
The hall was in chaos, the lords were shouting over each other, trying to get their point across. Lord Fladmor, after a long moment of silence, nodded sadly and raised his hand to silence the arguing lords.
"Esteemed gentlemen - Lord Fladmor stood up to draw attention to himself - Esteemed gentlemen, I ask for a moment of attention and to respect my gray head - after these words there was silence - there is one more thing that needs attention, we are facing war."
"What war?" - Barton was surprised
"It is only a matter of time before the Equerd troops knock on our gates. - Lord Fladmor sat down again, tired from all this effort - who will lead us then? Who will unite us? Or will we open the gates to the Equerds and give them our estates and surrender our daughters to perdition, just like it is happening in Kanror?"
It became quiet again, this moment was eagerly used by Aktis, who had been silent until now.
"Dear lords, you will not manage anything in an atmosphere of argument. Peace and reason are the best advisors and time is needed by each of us to organize our thoughts. - she rose from the royal throne and approached the table of eight lords - it would be best to meet after the spring solstice, then each of you will propose a candidate and the vote will take place."
"Rightly so - agreed Lord Colen and looked at Aktis carefully - now we will not reach an agreement."
"Yes, yes, let's meet after the solstice." Lord Tymelin supported the idea.
"Excellent, I invite you to a modest refreshment in your honor, my lords." Said Aktis ingratiatingly and, swaying her hips slightly, she headed for the exit, followed by all eight of them.
The modest refreshment turned out to be a lavish dinner. The tables were bending under the weight of roasted meat, there was no shortage of poultry or fish. Additionally, Aktis took care of delicacies in the form of dried fruits imported from across the sea. The lords stuffed their bellies and Aktis, giving out smiles left and right, tried to exchange a few words with everyone. After a hearty meal, everyone went to their chambers and Aktis returned to the office with a large mirror.
She looked at her reflection, she looked almost like a queen, almost. She already knew where she stood, conversations over dinner were the most important. One of the old men even had the nerve to propose marriage and joint rule to her. Drooling, disgusting Walin. They agreed to her proposal to meet after the solstice, but Aktis knew that this was her last order. Without Brandis by her side, her situation was even more shaky and uncertain. With one movement of her hand, she angrily threw all the documents off the table onto the ground. She nervously paced around the office.
She wanted to go to the secret room, but Jefre wasn't there. He didn't give any sign of life either. Her order should have been carried out long ago. She knew the capabilities of the bright-eyed lover and knew how effective he could be. If Setia was still alive, it was because Jefre wanted her to be. But why? She had no clue.
As for now she had to start working with one of the lords and rule together, asking him for permission and becoming his lover or setting them against each other. Yes, the second option was better. She would write to Lord Walin, that old drooling perv, that she accepted his marriage proposal. Then she would meet with Lord Colen and promise him herself and the position of steward on the condition that Walin's candidacy was eliminated. It would always be a beginning.
The less agreement among the eight, the easier it would be to control the situation. The only positive news she received was from Marwin.
Tendred was running out of money. Apparently, his wife's wealth was not that great. What's more, Tendred wrote her a letter inviting her to the celebration of the spring solstice. The letter was in a conciliatory tone, from the tone of it, Tendred not only sought agreement between the lines, it could be read that he had some kind of proposition for her. She did not intend to accept this invitation, but in the face of the situation and Lord Fladmor's words, she decided to meet with her brother-in-law in Emfer. In the meantime, she would find Jefre and find out what stopped him, or maybe who? Either way, she will be sure of how to act, and that is always better than ignorance and fear of the unknown eventualities.