The knock on Lord Cobbin's door was a surprise. Who could possibly be coming to see him this early? It wasn't normal for visits to be made until early afternoon, the point of the day farthest from the night. He checked his candle clock and found that indicated that it was nearly the thirteenth hour of the day. Oh... he thought. Didn't know I'd been at this so long. “Come in,” he said, stacking up the pile of ledgers that rested in front of him.
The door creaked open gently and the head of his servant master, Itram, poked in. “Sir,” he began, “Lord Jaspar is here to see you.”
Cobbin smiled. “Just the man to see,” he said. “Send him in, please.” Itram nodded and ducked out, shutting the door behindhim.
Yes, it would be good to visit with Jaspar. It had been a while since the two of them had spoken, at least in an informal setting. The last time had been Jaspar's party a few weeks back. He's been getting more infrequent with those, Cobbin noted. Not surprising, considering our situation. A moment later, the door opened again as a stocky man with a nicely trimmed beard entered. “Jaspar!” Cobbin said, standing and moving around his desk to greet his fellow lord. “How are you? It's been toolong!”
The two clasped arms and grinned at each other. “Indeed it has,” the visiting lord said. Jaspar sat in a seat on the outer side of the desk as Cobbin gestured to it. “How has your family been?”
“Good, good,” Cobbin answered, leaning against the desk. “The kids are doing well in their classes. Barely have to help them at all anymore. And... Marylin is pregnant again.”
“Really?” Jaspar said, eyes widening. “Congratulations! A father to four... No small feat! It takes a man of courage to deal with that many.”
“I suppose. I don't feel nervous about it at this point, though. If I can handle the last three, I can handle one more. And what about you? Has that new lady of yours stuck around?”
Jaspar shrugged and grinned.
“Of course,” Cobbin chuckled, shaking his head.
“You really should just know at this point.”
“Sure, but I still hold out hope that you'll find someone before you come to the end. A false hope, it seems. You're nearly as bad as Reder.”
“I hope for the same. I just haven't quite found her yet.” Jaspar shifted in his seat. “At least I, unlike Reder, attempt to make the relationship last longer than a few days. Anyway, what about you, Cobbin? How's business?”
Cobbin shrugged. “Not good. Things got bad about a month ago, and they haven't been getting any better. What about yours?”
“The same. The mines are being... stubborn.”
“I see. Sorry to hear that. So what is it that brings you here?”
“Must I have a reason? I just wanted to drop by, see how you were doing. I hear you've been going out less lately, instead being cooped up this study of yours.”
Another knock came at the door before Jaspar could continue.
“One moment,” Cobbin said apologetically. “Yes?”
Itram came in again. “Sir, the report from Mine Seven has come in.”
“Excellent!” Cobbin said. “Come on in, let us hear it.”
The servant master stepped in and began to read the sheet of paper in his hands. “On this day, the fifteenth of Marck, Mine Seven has produced approximately four hundred grams of atmanium so far. This is less than what was expected, as a newly discovered portion that seemed promising has caved in unexpectedly.”
Cobbin hummed. “That's... concerning. Haven't had many cave-ins these last few years.”
Jaspar blinked. “You have no words for the amount?”
“I'm getting to that,” Cobbin said with a sad smile. “Four hundred grams... that's even less than yesterday's afternoon count.”
“So yours are getting low...” Jaspar mused. “That makes two of us. Do you think the others are experiencing this as well?”
“Perhaps. Hard to tell.” Cobbin turned to Itram. “Thank you for the information, Itram. You may go.” The man bowed his head slightly, left the report on Cobbin's desk, and left the room once more.
“This comes at the worst time,” Cobbin said, rubbing his eyes.
“What do you mean?” Jaspar asks, before seeming to realize the answer. “You don't mean that upstart village, do you? Hendel, I believe it was called.”
“That's the one,” Cobbin sighed. “I've heard tell of their exploits. They're doing... very well. They have fresh mines, ripe with atmanium. They're making tremendous profits, as much as we have in our best days. And here we are, with our mines slowly dying off... Even caving in, it seems.”
“You're worried that their rise will seal our fall?” Jaspar asked, hands clasped on his stomach.
“I suppose. I've been thinking a lot about it lately.” He idly glanced toward the stack of papers he had been going over earlier. “My calculations do not bode well for my household.”
“Come now, Cobbin,” Jaspar said, leaning forward and spreading his hands. “You have always been the most frugal of any of us! Surely a small setback like this won't put you out completely.”
Cobbin shook his head. “I don't know... I've been working some calculations on projected atmanium production and my expenses, and it all seems to be going downhill. Best case scenario, we pull out of this slump and find a way to compete with Hendel. Worst case, well... I could be bankrupt by the end of the year.”
Jaspar was silent for a moment. “I would say that I doubt that, but I've known you long enough that I can't doubt your predictions.”
Cobbin smiled sadly, running a hand through his graying hair. “I just wish there was something I could do. I have a family, Jaspar. I have a family, and it keeps getting bigger. And the people that work for me, they have families too. This whole city, our glorious Arlen, depends on our production and trade of atmanium. If we lost it, what would become of us?”
“We would have to adapt,” Jaspar said. “It has to happen, sometimes. Bad times come around, and you change things to deal with them.”
“But how could we? Arlen is a city that is mired in tradition. We've been as we are for who knows how many generations... To change our business would be to change our very identity. I worry that Arlen as we know it would not survive, if it survived at all.”
Neither spoke for a while. The two could do nothing but sit and meditate on their state of affairs, on how far things might go.
Finally, Jaspar smiled and stood. “Cobbin, my friend, your thoughts grow too dark for your own good. You need to take a step back for awhile. If things are as bad as you say, then what can you really do about them? You'll just have to deal with your problems as they come. And if they aren't so bad, then what will it all have been for? Let this go for now. We must wait and see. If things get worse, the other lords and we shall convene and find a solution. Just like we always have.”
Cobbin smiled at his friend and stood as well. “All right. I can't promise that I won't start taking some precautions, but I will do my best to stop worrying, at least for awhile.”
His friend gave him a solid pat on the shoulder. “Glad to hear it. And speaking of not worrying, I meant to tell you that I'mholding a party tomorrow evening. I hoped you would grace my manor with your presence. Your whole family is welcome. Could be just the thing to take your mind off of all this.”
Cobbing rubbed his chin in mock thought. “I see... Well, as part of my new no-worrying initiative, I think I shall. Sounds like a fine way to spend my evening.”
“Excellent! I shall see you there, then.” The two men grasped arms once more, and Jaspar made to leave.
As he was about to close the door, Cobbin called out, “Jaspar!” The other lord stepped back in, attention gained. “I know we spoke of not worrying, of trying to move through this, hoping it's all just a temporary slump, but... please be careful. If anything did come of this simply because we weren't prepared... it would be a rather shameful way to fall.”
Jaspar gave him once last grin. “I will do my best, Cob.” With that, he closed the door.
Cobbin stepped off the dance floor of Jaspar's ballroom, his wife on his arm. “I haven't seen you dance like that in years,” she said playfully. “So graceful!”
“Well, I want to make sure our new child doesn't have too rough a ride,” he replied, “and I've been trying to be happier, more positive lately. I suppose it comes out of that as well.”
“Whatever it is, keep it up.” She gave him a warm smile, then moved to join a circle of other women sitting at a nearby table.
Now alone, Cobbin looked for a table of his own. He spied the one at which Jaspar sat, accompanied by other nobles. When the host of the party waved him over, he made his way over happily, manuevering around several couples making their way to the dance floor. He found there were no seats at the table, but a servant quickly provided one for him. He squeezed in between the portly Lord Yamon and the warmaster, Lord Ulfet.
“And that is why, when we are on our deathbeds, I will be the one to survive at least five seconds longer than you!” Ulfet said to Yamon, finishing what would appear to be a heated argument, but the words and wry grin on the warmaster's face told that itwas anything but serious.
“I suppose you've got me there,” Yamon chuckled. “Ah, Cobbin!” He extended a hand toward his fellow nobleman and the twoshook hands as Cobbin got comfortable.
“Evening, gentlemen,” he said, looking around the table. “And lady.” He nodded to the only female noble, Lady Ernis, who politely nodded back. All told, every Arlenian noble was at this table, except for the always absent Lord Reder.
When he inquired after the missing noble's location, Yamon said, “Oh, you know Reder. He's probably off flirting. In fact, I think I saw him with that girl who's in visiting from another town. He always wants what he can't keep.”
“Oh?” Cobbin said. “I didn't know you were entertaining such a guest, Jaspar. Who is she?”
“Her name is Annet,” Jaspar explained, “and she comes from Ophens. She's passing through Arlen on her way to visit her parents in Gonde. I met her while out in town today. She needed a place to stay the night, and I thought it would be no problem to provide her with a room in my house, and my ball as well.”
Before any more could be said about the new arrival, Yamon spoke up. “So, Ulfet, how are the violin lessons going? Going to play with the band for us tonight?”
“Not in your lifetime,” Ulfet said, crossing his arms. “Unless you'd like to shorten it, but I hear death by terrible violin playing isa pretty bad way to go.”
The night continued on smoothly. Food flew off of plates, drinks gushed out of glasses, feet glided across the floor. It was almost enough for Cobbin to forget about his troubles completely.
Almost.
As he came back to sit at the nobles' table after yet another dance, Lord Reder finally arrived, a young dark-haired woman on his arm. “Who's this, Reder?” Cobbin said, moving to meet the pair. “You would not happen to be Lady Annet, would you?”
“She is,” Reder said. “Annet, this is Lord Cobbin, one of my fellow nobles.”
“Pleased to meet you,” the woman said.
“Likewise,” Cobbin said with a slight bow.
“She's passing through Arlen on her way to another town,” Reder explained.
“So I have heard. Will you both sit with us for the evening?”
Reder looked to Annet. “I would be happy to,” she said. Another couple of chairs and an extra table were drawn up to make room, allowing all the nobles and their company to sit comfortably. Jaspar introduced Annet to the other nobles, then hailed a servant and requested that drinks be brought out for the new company.
“So, Lady Annet,” Cobbin said, “Jaspar tells me you are from Ophens. How are things there?”
“Not so good, my lord,” Annet replied. “The city is filled with unrest. The church of Emer's funds have been nearly exhausted by their war efforts, and poverty is widespread. I was no longer able to support myself, thus I am travelling to Gonde to live with my family for a while.”
“Blasted zealots, those Emereans,” Yamon mumbled. “What do they hope to accomplish? Trying to rid the world of organized government? Not bloody likely...”
“Yet you cannot deny their effectiveness,” Ulfet said. “Their Birthers have toppled more cities than any army in history.”
“Doesn't seem to have done them much good now though, does it?” said Lady Ernis, sipping her tea. “I believe they take no spoils from their conquests. They believe such wealth would bring only vanity and strife to their people. If so, then they were doomed to crumble from the start. How can they survive with no major source of income? Is this not the case, Lady Annet?”
“It is, Lady Ernis,” Annet said as the drinks for her and Reder arrived. “What little money the city had came from food and cloth trade, but neither market provided enough income to keep up with the church's demands and the needs of the people. New markets have begun springing up to try to fill the void. People being captured by the church and sold off as slaves,and... well, you understand why I couldn't stay.”
“Of course,” Jaspar said. “I would have found my way out of there quickly as well, were I in your position. I am sorry, though, that your home has fallen so low.”
“Don't be sorry, Lord Jaspar,” she said, waving a hand as though to push back his sentiments. “Is it not the nature of cities to rise and fall? Change is the only constant in the world, after all.” She smiled wryly and sipped at her tea.
Well, isn't that comforting, thought Cobbin. He looked to Jaspar, and found the man staring into his glass. He seemed distant, detached...
Jaspar's eyes came back up, more alert than ever. “You know, I'm feeling tired,” he said. “I'm afraid we may have to wrap up this party early.”
“But we're just getting start,” Yamon said, looking a bit surprised. “We haven't even had the third course yet!”
“Yes, well,” Jaspar said, taking his cloth napkin from his lap and folding it neatly, setting it on his empty plate. “Perhaps we should start considering whether we should be having a third course at all.” He waved a hand at his master servant, who stood not too far from the table. “Mayar, please inform the guests that the ball has come to an end.”
“And if they ask why?” Mayar asked respectfully.
“I don't know, tell them I'm not feeling well or something,” Jaspar said with a wave of his hand. Mayar set off, systematically delivering the message to each patron. A few came by to deliver their regards and thanks to their host, but most simply left right away. Cobbin saw Marylin heading towards the door and caught her eye. She gave him a questioning look, but he waved her on. He would meet her back at the house later.
“I suppose I shall take my leave as well then,” Ulfet said, standing up. “It's been good to see you all. I hope the rest of yourstay here goes well, Lady Annet, as well as your journey.” Ulfet gathered his things and left the building. Yamon, Ernis, and Reder soon followed, the latter giving an overly fond farewell to Annet before departing, but Cobbin stayed behind. He had to speak with Jaspar...
Within moments, the ballroom was empty, except for Jaspar, Cobbin, and Annet at the one table, and the servants tidying up the rest of the room.
“What was that all about?” Cobbin asked. “Not like you to call a party short like that.” He felt he already knew the answer, but he needed to hear it from Jaspar's own mouth.
“I just... I realized what was happening,” Jaspar said. “Here we are, in the midst of having our own city on the brink of collapse, and I'm wasting my money on a frivolous ball...”
Cobbin looked to Annet, nervous about discussing Arlen's financial difficulties in front of a foreigner, but found her resting her head leisurely on her hand and staring intently at Jaspar, then at him. “Having troubles, are we?” she asked slyly.
“Worry not, Lady Annet,” Jaspar said, shaking his head. “It need not concern you.”
She hummed and readjusted herself, folding both arms in front of her and leaning forward on them. “Perhaps our meeting was not by chance, Lord Jaspar.” Jaspar gave her a quizzical look. “You seem to have a problem, my lord, and I... I may have a solution.”
“And what do you know of our problems?” Cobbin asked.
“Only what I can gather,” she said. “Arlen has been generating income by being the sole provider of atmanium in the world. Now, a small village by the name of Hendel has become a new provider of the same material. Its mines are new and plentiful, while yours grow emptier by the day. One can only assume that the city's nobles would fear an economic collapse, complete bankruptcy. But there is a solution. What if, my lords, Hendel were to be removed from the situation entirely?”
“We can't go to war with them,” Jaspar said. “It wouldn't be right, and I'm not sure we have the resources anyway.”
“Not war, my lord,” Annet said, raising a finger. “I prefer the term... implosion.”
“Stop circling the bush, Lady Annet,” Cobbin said. “What are you trying to tell us?”
“I have contacts within a group known as the Vanquished Ashes,” Annet said. “Experts in the art of toppling nations. I believe they would listen to your case, and solve your problem, for a price.” She smirked at their expressions of piqued interest. “They say their leader was once an Emerean Birther, but left the order to sell his skills instead of using them for a faith he did not hold to. They are quite effective.”
Toppling nations? Cobbin mused. Could this be the solution?
“No,” Jaspar said, putting his hands firmly on the table. “We haven't tried everything yet. We have to take other routes, option besides... destroying them.”
“I agree,” Cobbin said, nodding. “We should speak with them, try to resolve things peacefully, a mutually beneficial compromise. Perhaps they'll sympathize.”
“Very well,” Annet said. “If you change your mind, you are welcome to the Ashes' service any time. For now, I will take my leave. Have a good night, my lords.” She stood from the table and headed for a nearby stairwell.
“I should go too,” Cobbin said as he stood as well. “Marylin will be wondering where I am.”
Jaspar was staring distantly again, but nodded. As Cobbin turned to leave, Jaspar said, “If it comes down to it, will we take her offer?”
Cobbin stood silently for a moment. What are we willing to do to save ourselves? “I don't know, Jaspar, but I can't deny how... how tempted I was. Tempted to just take it immediately, and get into contact with these people.”
“I feel the same,” Jaspar said. “Good night, Cobbin.”
“Good night, Jaspar.”
A week later, Cobbin came downstairs from his study and into the large common room of his mansion. His wife and threes children sat at the dining table, nearly finished with dinner. None of them were speaking. It was quiet enough to hear the spirits pounding at the walls outside. Cobbin didn't like to think of them. The spirits of those who had died by weapons made of atmanium centuries ago still haunted the world, held back only by the metal that slew them. They came every night, but he did his best to ignore them.
“There's still some food left,” Marylin said.
“Mmm, yes,” Cobbin said distractedly. “Thank you.”
She gave him a stern look. “Hard work today?”
He sighed. “We finally got a response from that town,” he said. “They want nothing to do with us, apparently.”
“And how are the mines?”
“Today brought us the smallest recorded hauls in Arlenian history,” Cobbin said as he grabbed a few hunks of deer meat for his plate. “Barely a hundred grams of atmanium came out of the mines. Not just one, mind you. That was the total for all of them put together.”
“I... what are we to do, then?” Marylin asked.
“I don't know, darling,” Cobbin said. “We just have to find a way. There has to be a way out of this...” He sat down beside his daughter, Syra, ready to eat.
The servant master, Itram, stepped into the room. “My lord, I have received news from Lord Yamon,” he said.
“What is it?” Cobbin said, cutting through his meat. “Good news, I hope.”
“Unfortunately not, my lord,” Itram said. “Lord Yamon has received a letter containing threats on his life. He fears they are quite serious, and would like your advice on whether he should attend the council meeting in two days.”
Cobbin hummed in thought, putting a piece of meat into his mouth. “Yamon has always been a fearful one, but in these times... we can't be too careful. Have him stay home this time, and see if Ulfet will let him have an extra regiment of guards for awhile.”
“Consider it done, my lord,” Itram said, and took his leave.
“Death threats now?” Marylin said, incredulous.
Cobbin rubbed his eyes. “I don't know what's happening... Everything seems to be going wrong. And I... I just don't know what to about it. I'm a noble of this great city, the other nobles look to me for advice, and what can I give them? What can I give our citizens? Absolutely nothing...”
“It's okay, Cob,” Marylin said affectionately. “We'll find a way to make it through all this. This isn't the first time we've had hard times.”
“But it's never been this bad, never this many things all wrong at once...” he said, head in hands. “I'm too old to start again...” Cobbin look up at his wife, around at his children. These, more than any, were the ones he worried for. The threats coming on Arlen weren't just bad for him, but for his family. For every family that lived in the city.
And he had no good solution.
Unless...
“I... I have to go,” Cobbin said, standing abruptly from the table, shoving his chair back noisily.
“But you just came down,” Marylin said, looking concerned.
“Something has come to my attention,” he said, grabbing a coat by the door. “I... I may know a way out of our predicament. And time is of the essence. I'm so sorry to leave for dinner. It was delicious, and I will definitely be eating what's leftover tomorrow!”
And he was gone.
“You must be mad,” Jaspar said, quickly closing the door behind Cobbin. “Going out at night, while those... things roam?
“Can we still contact her?” Cobbin asked, ignoring the accusation. “Lady Annet, is she still here?”
“You're in luck,” Japsar said, exasperated. “She decided to stay for quite awhile longer. She's in her room now.”
“We have to talk to her, get in contact with her people.”726Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ne6rSFAzb
“Why? Has something happened?”
“We got the response from Hendel today,” Cobbin explained. “They want nothing to do with us. They've refused all diplomacy and offers. I... I don't know what else to do, besides this.”
Jaspar's head dipped. “I understand. If you think it's the only way...”
“I've tried everything, Jaspar. We've looked for new deposits, we've doubled mining efforts, we've tried to strike a deal with Hendel. Lord Yamon is receiving death threats now for gods' sake! Nothing is working. The only way out is to... remove the competition. It pains me to say that, but I see no other option if Arlen is to survive.”
Jaspar nodded. “Follow me,” he said, beckoning Cobbin further into the mansion. He led Cobbin up a flight of stairs and out into an ornate hall, lined with red and gold carpet, the walls adorned with carefully crafted candles and tapestries. “You know, you interrupted my dinner for this.”
“I interrupted my own dinner for this,” Cobbin said. “We've no time to waste.” They came to a stop at the end of the hall, a red wooden door to their right.
“This is hers,” Jaspar said, gesturing to the door. “You're absolutely sure about this?”
Cobbin said nothing as he knocked on the door. He heard quiet footsteps on the other side, then the door opened to reveal Annet, a plate of half-eaten food in her hand, staring at her guests, not a lick of surprise in her eyes. “Finally came around, did you?” she said.
Cobbin grimaced. “We need your help,” he said. “How do we contact the Ashes?”
“The Vanquished Ashes are always closer than you might think,” she said slyly, moving back and setting her plate on a table. “I can arrange a meeting with them within two days. But our leader will be curious as to what you are offering...”
Cobbin looked to Jaspar. “Whatever it takes,” he said. “We will discuss with the other lords and put together what we think to be a proper payment.”
Annet smiled approvingly. Clearly, the thought of five wealthy nobles combining their funds was appealing to her. “And where would you like to meet, my lords?”
“Have him visit us in the council hall,” Cobbin said. “We were already planning to meet on that day, and we can discuss there privately.”
“Very well,” Annet said. “I shall contact the Ashes tomorrow, and set up the meeting. I will pass the response along to Lord Jaspar, and things will be set. Now, if I may finish my dinner...”
“Of course,” Jaspar said with a forced smile. Annet closed the door, leaving the two lords outside. “I can't tell you how uncomfortable it's been, having that woman under my roof all this time.”
“I'm hopeful that it will all be worth it,” Cobbin said reassuringly. “If we all come together, we can come out of this with our city intact.”
Jaspar hummed in thought, beginning to walk back down the hall. “Do you wonder if... if it's not worth it, sometimes?” he asked.
“Asking this woman and her mysterious friends for help?” Cobbin said. “Absolutely. It pains me, knowing that... they will bring a fate onto Hendel that should have befallen us. They fall, we take control of their mines, and we keep on living as we have. Don't think I can't see the shamefulness of it all.”
“I suppose I can't help but wonder,” Jaspar said, rubbing the back of his head. “Would the people of Hendel resort to the same if they were in our position? Would they be so desperate?”
Cobbin shivered. “We... we have more to lose. They are new, a smaller population. For us, the damage would be much worse. Not hundreds, but thousands of families would be out of work. They'd have to move somewhere else, and who knows how many would survive the trip. On the other hand, if Hendel falls, we can take in their refugees. We would be able to find the resources, especially if we controlled their mines. If theirs are as plentiful as I've heard, we should be able to make produce incredible amounts of atmaniun from them with our superior mining technology. I know it's hard, but this really is the lesser of two evils.”
“I hope you're right, Cob,” Jaspar said, beginning his descent back down the stairs. “For all our sakes, I hope.”
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