Chapter 15

“As disobedient as ever. Your time in the wilderness was ill spent.” Tiberius said, frowning at the seated young man before him. Wil, ignoring his father, looked at his brother and smiled.

“It’s good to see you again, Markus. How is Kathryn?” Wil asked. Tiberius flushed red in anger at Wil’s slight against him. He was about to speak when Markus stepped forward, deflecting his anger.

“She’s well. She’s in the Capital, with the children.” Markus explained, returning Wil’s smile.

“Children? Congratulations! I apologize for not being here to see them born, but things have been…hectic.” Wil said, closing the book and standing. Finally, Wil turned and responded to his father.

“So, you have summoned me, and I have returned. What do you want?” Wil asked, his smile and cheerful mood instantly changing to ice, a coldness that matched his father’s rage. Tiberius had changed in the years Wil had been gone.

The man seemed more emotional, his feelings clearly written on his face. The man Wil remembered had been detached, cold and rationale. His emotions were always buried deeply. Seeing him like this, so easily taunted, was a shock.

“What I want is for a son that doesn’t shame me! You’ve been gallivanting around the world for a decade, without a thought or care for this family. It’s time you return, put your selfishness behind you and do your duty!” Tiberius hissed out from between clenched teeth.

“If I recall correctly, you were the one who sent me ‘gallivanting’ in the first place.” Wil replied dryly, not rising to his father’s anger.

“Because you were too lazy and self-centered to do what was expected of you. Years spent in the academy, and you were still Rank 1! Your sister was thrice the mage you were, and she was half a decade younger!” Tiberius exclaimed.

“You should look at it as a blessing. At least you had one child that took after you, to mold how you wanted. How is she, by the way? Still killing animals around the estate, or has she moved on to actual people now?” Wil asked.

“Your sister, whatever her faults, understands her duty. Tabitha will elevate our family, something that neither of you were capable of. At least one of my children wasn’t a complete disappointment.”

“Father, you wound me! You only had to say the word and I would have married the third prince. Alas, it seems I’m too late. They seem a match made in the heavens.” Wil teased, flashing Markus a smile. His brother didn’t return it, although there was a definite glint in his eyes.

“Jest all you want, Wilhelm. But it’s time for you to give back to this family. Your marriage has already been arranged. It will demonstrate to the nobility that we are united, putting an end to these obnoxious rumors that have been pestering me.”

“Marriage? To whom?” Wil asked, surprised and impressed that his father already had this arranged. He had no intention of going through with it, or even humoring the man, but Wil was continuously amazed at how Tiberius Brookmoor seemed to always push forward, ignoring any obstacles around him.

“Duchess Copperland’s daughter is of age. The marriage comes with a considerable dowery, including a barony title in the north. It is a good match, more than you deserve considering your reputation.” Tiberius informed him, moving over to his desk and sitting down.

“Indeed, and let me guess, you will control the dowery, and the running of the estate, until such a time as you deem me ‘ready?’ This is quite a good deal for you father. Money, and more influence in the north, something you sorely lacked.” Wil reasoned.

He caught Markus giving him a look, telling him not to argue and to let it go. But Wil was no longer the weak, scared boy that would let his father push him around. He gave Markus a small shake of his head.

“You will marry the girl and that is final. If you do not, Markus will ensure that you follow my orders. And if even that doesn’t sway you, perhaps your friends in Elbing will.”

“What do you mean?” Wil asked, his tone serious as his stomach filled with ice.

“I will speak plainly since you do not have the capabilities of understanding my meaning. Do your duty, marry the girl, move to the north and oversee your new territory, in my name, or I will do everything in my considerable power to ruin that merchant girl’s business. I will drive them into the sea! They will be hounded for the rest of their days!” Tiberius spat out, slamming his hand on his desk aggressively.

Markus moved beside Wil, laying a hand on his arm, a warning that this was not the time or place to fight.

“Not now, Wil.” Markus whispered, his grip like iron around Wil’s arm. He angrily shook him off, staring daggers at his brother. With the Earl behind him, Wil silently mouthed ‘follow my lead’.

“I was willing to play along with this charade, brother, until he threatened the only people who ever gave a damn about me. What does he have on you? What threat is hanging over your head to keep you on such a short leash. Goddess burn you, you’re Rank 17, you could pull this building down around him and he wouldn’t be able to stop you!” Wil exclaimed.

“Your brother, unlike you, understands his place. He knows that without my backing, his marriage will be annulled, since I never approved it in the first place. If I were to die, letters stating as much would be sent to the Imperial Palace. Your brother would be disowned, his wife’s honor ruined, his children penniless.”

“That’s all? Gods above, that’s what he is holding over you!” Wil shouted, before breaking into a laugh. “What does that matter? Let him burn everything down around him, at least you’d be free. Who cares if he approves your marriage? He’s a bitter old man, screaming into the void.”

“You don’t understand Wil, Kathryn’s honor-”

“Honor be damned! It’s worthless, just like his opinion or my reputation. I’ve had enough of this bullshit. If you aren’t willing to stand up for yourself, don’t expect me to help you.” Wil said, scowling at his brother.

“Be reasonable, fool. Or don’t you care about that Quentin woman? Would you see everything she worked for tossed aside for your pride.” Tiberius said, a smirk on his face.

“She would rather lose everything than be beholden to someone like you. But thankfully, it won’t come to that. You see, I’ve been visiting several old friends while you were out. One in particular, Margaret Herrington, had some very interesting things to say about you, Father.” Wil replied, his own smirk emerging as his father’s fell away.

“Is that supposed to mean something to me?” He asked.

“On its own? No. Combined with your financials, however, it does paint a beautiful picture, one that I’m sure the Emperor would be interested in. She mentioned several introductions she’s made to you, and I must say, some of the names were quite illuminating.”

Wil was shooting in the dark, Margaret’s introductions to the Earl hadn’t meant anything to him, he didn’t recognize a single name, but his father didn’t know that.

Margaret had said his Father was involved on some level with whatever Tabitha was planning, but couldn’t guide him on how far he was in on it.

Lucky for him, the color drained from the Earl’s face, letting Wil know that he had hit the mark.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. The woman is a buffoon and is obviously mistaken. I doubt the Emperor would believe anything she said, especially over his own cousin.”

Wil let his disgust and anger for the man fade, looking at Markus briefly to ensure he was following along, before turning back to his father.

“I know you’re planning something, Father. Something involving Tabitha and the Third Prince. I know you’re financing the people she has been meeting with. It’s as obvious as the Sun in the sky that Tabitha hasn’t had some miraculous change of heart and suddenly fell in love with that idiot. I know you think that you can connive your way into more power, but you should understand better than anyone what she is capable of.”

“Gods above! I’ve seen some of the letters she wrote, in her own hand! She’s forming connections with half the imperial court! When had Tabitha cared about politics at all?”

“She understands her duty! Better than either of you ever have!” Tiberius roared, standing from his desk, and leaning over it menacingly.

“Bullshit! She would stab any one of us in the back before doing her ‘duty’, just for a lark! If you think you have her under your control, you’re an idiot! I wouldn’t care, I’d let this whole Earldom burn, but the people I suspect she’s working with, they’ll take more than our family down with them. It’s going to be Aachen all over again, and you’re going to be responsible!” Wil shouted, matching his father’s intensity.

“Get out.” Tiberius growled, pointing at the door. “Get out, and never return. I’ll have you hunted down, and that whore you’re tangled up with. I’ll see you both flayed!”

“You’ve lost your gods damned mind. You always were a bastard, but now you’re a mad one on top of it. For the love of the gods, see reason!” Wil pleaded.

“You’re not helping, Wil. You should leave. It was a mistake to bring you here.” Markus said grimly, placing a hand on Wil’s shoulder, trying to lead him out of the room.

“Burn you both. I’ve tried to make you see reason, now we do this my way.” Wil said, pulling out the small, toy house that held Margaret.

Before Markus could react, Wil had used ‘Misty Step’ to disappear and reappear next to his father. The Earl, much lower in Rank, was helpless as he was pulled into the small house, the open door sucking him into it.

With a loud bang, the door slammed shut, sealing him inside. Wil tucked the Toy House back into his bag of holding, turning, and looking at his brother who was shaking his head.

“When I asked you to help investigate, I didn’t mean for you to kidnap him.” Markus said dryly.

“I’ll add it to my list of crimes. Besides, he has company there. Margaret will talk his ear off.” Wil said, grinning. “Nice acting, by the way. I doubt he suspects you at all. I didn’t think you would catch on.”

“We’ve played this before. The rational elder brother trying to keep you in line. Now, tell me what exactly you’ve found.”