Chapter 11: Too Early for Celebration
"Father you will see that this is the right choice. If she was just a bastard daughter why would Lord Talley show her off to over shadow the legal one? He even presented her first, now I am even more firm in my choice. The beautiful Seena must be the most captivating morsel in all of the Middle Kingdom." Pieter, sat in a plushy chair as he swirled his glass of wine. His father sat across from him and took a deep gulp from his glass and gave a sleazy smile.
Once they had gotten to their guest rooms, they had changed into more comfortable clothes. Lord Harfic had cut a semi dashing figure when in front of the Talley family. He had a trim looking physique and a full head of hair, and though his face was only average, he looked better than most men at his age. But once he changed out of his padded coat and male corset, he looked like an entirely new man. His gut sprung out over the belt of his pants and shoulders and chest immediately shrunk. Seena might have been anticipating her future if Pieter was to age like his father had, but if she was to see him now, she would turn away in disgust at this over-indulged man.
"You have convinced me son, but that I did have my doubts. Just goes to show that even the Talley bastards have superior breeding compared to others. The blood tells my boy!" Lord Harfic exclaimed.
"Shall we have another congratulatory toast father?" Pieter refilled his glass to the brim and set down the empty bottle.
"Of course! This is a day to celebrate." Lord Harfic thrusted out his glass and Pieter uncorked a new bottle. When they raised their glasses into the air the wine spilled over and sloshed down the glass, staining the rug beneath their feet. Paying no mind to their carless revelry they enjoyed their drunkenness to the fullest.
By the time dinner came around and the manservant came back knocking on their door, Lord Harfic and Pieter were in a drunken stupor. The knocking continued rousing and angering Lord Harfic. He picked up an empty bottle and threw it at the door. The loud crash startled the manservant and the knocking ceased. The elder cam rushing out of his room concerned that something had happened. But all he saw was two drunks in a disheveled state. Their shirts were untucked and collars undone. They had wine stains on their chins and he could smell their alcohol ridden breath from across the room.
Ignoring the repugnant pair, the elder marched to the door. He opened it and looked at the stunned manservant, "The others are indisposed and won't be coming for dinner."
The manservant nodded in understanding and asked, "Will you be joining my lord?"
The elder that the Harfics had brought had closeted himself away into his private room, not wanting to spend more time than necessary with the pair, nor one to overindulge. He felt refreshed and had no desire to return to the now foul room. The elder shut the door and replied gruffly, "Yes. Well then, lead the way."
"Of course, my lord."
***
"So, you came." Lord Talley stood and greeted the Harfic elder.
"Yes, the other two, as expected, will not be joining us. Disappointed?"
Lord Talley laughed and motioned for the elder to sit as the food was laid out before them. Once their glasses were filled, all the servants left.
"Indeed, it is as expected," Lord Talley laughed again.
"Hmph. They make a mockery of the Harfic name, just a pair of discourteous buffoons."
Lord Talley sighed in sympathy. It was a sad thing how the Harfic family had suddenly decayed.
"I do have to thank you for the timely message you sent me. If I hadn't known that the old Harfic and his son had gone missing my family would currently find itself in an unfavorable predicament."
"Talley, it wasn't just the Lord and the heir, the entire main household is gone," the elder said gravely.
A look of surprise flashed over Lord Talley's face before he concealed it. He had found that always being composed and rational in the most surprising and disastrous of occasions was more than just beneficial, especially in the political waters of the capital. And he had learned to keep it up in every aspect of his life.
"Gone?" Lord Talley inquired.
The elder frowned at Lord Talley's poised manner, "Lord Talley I came today with a warning. The current king has grown paranoid and is ordering a cull."
"History has shown that every king feels paranoia," Lord Talley calmly said.
Frustrated, the elder continued, "This is different from the usual paranoia. He is hunting for anyone that carries the blood of the old ancestors. Whispers are spreading through the old circles that the blood is awakening."
With this piece of news Lord Talley finally couldn't hold back his astonishment. When the gods had left the earth eons ago, the blood of the ancestors had thinned out. Tales of magical creatures and heroes of considerable strength had become only tales. Many people took them to be only myths and legends now. The few believers were those who could trace their lineage back to the ancient times.
"Is this true? The blood is awakening?" Lord Talley asked seriously. His voice had lowered considerably as he leaned closer to the elder. He frowned, if this was true then…he dared not even finish the thought.
Finally, satisfied with Lord Talley's reaction the elder went on, "For now, it is being covered up. But the numerous disappearances from households, the capturing of nobles off the street, all can be traced back to this. Those that are missing have been reported to have shown the characteristics of the ancients."
Lord Talley sat back, completely stunned. "You have delivered invaluable information. How can I repay the favor?"
"Protect any of those in your family who need it, and if you can help me find anything about what happened to my nephew..." The wrinkles on the elders faced creased with countless worries. The entire Harfic family was in trouble, but in his heart, he was most worried for his nephew and his son. They were the closet family he had left.
"You have my word. I will use all of my resources to help you gather what information can be found."
"Thank you, Lord Talley." The elder let out a relieved breath and felt the weight on his chest lessen. His main mission for coming was completed.
With the important matters settled the elder joked, "Are you not worried about your daughter marrying that dimwit?" casting away the dreary atmosphere.
Playing along Lord Talley jested back, "No, it is you who should be worrying about that dimwit relation of yours. That girl will have him at her beck and call for the rest of his life."
"Not worried that he will tire of her?"
"He might, but he won't dare too. Give it a few months and you will see. I imagine you will be kept very busy soon."
"Just what I need, another headache to deal with at my age." Their glances met and they both let out exasperated laughs. Troublesome relatives without doubt had grayed more than a few of their hairs over the years.
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11am Visiting Character: *ahem**ahem* Hello! Nameless mob character here. Please help support this novel so that I have the chance to change into a named mob character.
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