From Falls a Dark Shadow

Collinson Byswaer, ninth Archmage of the Council of Archmages, was learning that orchestrating a symphony of lies and deceit was no easy task. Not that he’d expected it to be easy, or simple, but it seemed so many things were happening now that were unexpected, unplanned. It made keeping every instrument on tune and in time much more difficult.

The newest unforeseen development was plaguing his mind as Lordess Anthenia approached him on the balcony of her apartments. She saw him lost in thought, and already knew why he was bothered.

Deep down, she took a small joy in seeing the self-assured wizard so obviously rattled.

“I take it you’ve heard?” She said, following his gaze far out across the Ring of Stone.

“I have. Any idea where he’s going?”

“I do, in fact. He’s going home.”

Confusion shined in the Archmage’s eyes.

“Home? What do you mean?”

Slynn allowed a shrewd smile on her lips. She intended to enjoy every minute of her ally’s ignorance. Lately she’d been the one so often in the dark.

“Kyrar’s allowing him to return to Ryloth to visit his brother. I suppose Adjunt’s suddenly gotten homesick or something.”

“Indeed? Out of the clear blue, so to speak?” Collinson was suspicious, his voice told her so. “With so much going on, all of a sudden the general’s closest friend, his alluvar, is going on a holiday?”

Slynn laughed, a sly chuckle that belied her enjoyment of Collinson’s obliviousness.

“Of course, it’s a ruse. Adjunt must be returning to his family’s estate to garner support in Ryloth for Kyrar’s bid for the throne. I’m certain now that he seeks it for his son.”

Collinson barely heard her; deep as he was in thought. A great revelation danced on the edge of his mind. Ryloth, Adjunt. Of course, of course.

“Wait, wait.” Collinson paused, deep in thought. “Of course, Adjunt is his surname, isn’t it? Not his first name. I, I’ve called him Adjunt so often, I fell into the trap of believing it was his...” Collinson let the thought fade.

He looked at Slynn. Her eyes danced with a vulgar mirth.

I’ll have the last laugh, he thought. So let her have her fun, while it lasts.

It all came together in those moments. Another northern saying came to mind.

‘Fortune favors the ready’.

“I trust you’ve been gathering your own support in Ryloth, my Lordess?”

“Of course. King Bracar will side with us, when the time comes, as will all the major houses. The ones who matter, anyway.”

Collinson nodded.

“Then, if Master Adjunt met with an unfortunate end while on his holiday, it really wouldn’t affect our plans.” He let that thought carry its own weight.

“Oh, poor Kyrar would just be beside himself.” Slynn answered. Somehow, her grin became even more malicious.

Collinson was immensely gratified. Fate had just handed him a decided victory. Now that he no longer needed his contact in Ryloth, he’d been about to eliminate that loose end anyway. That his enemy’s main source of counsel was about to be in the same place, well, that was just too convenient an opportunity to pass up. And it was obviously tickling the Lordess to no end. The better to keep her busy.

Yes, things had indeed just taken an unexpected turn for the better.