[IRP] Power Begets Power

[Lavi]

Cecily let her guardian escape, leaving her alone in the room. Whether he intended to or not, Satsume reminded her of her father's death. The thought churned more anger than sorrow. Her father, who served loyally in the war against Etruria, put down like a dog by none other than her uncle. Her father, who was not the heir and had no desire for the throne. It is this empire that enables her uncle. That and the damn church.

She stepped back into the hallway, staring in the direction that Satsume had left, and wondered. Will the lengths that she must go to destroy this new empire end in her own downfall?

Taking a deep breath, Cecily turned the other direction and back to her room.

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The caravan Lord Elbert spoke of was packed with Pheraean goods. There were metalworks, including various weapons and armor, woodworking goods, and plenty of foodstuffs. All of which would be readily sold in Laus' market, Cecily noted.

"This is quite the caravan, Lord Elbert," she commented as she and the Pheraean marquess watched workers load a chair onto a wagon. "Are you sure there are enough guards to ward off brigands?"

"I assumed that your entourage would make up for the missing manpower," Elbert smiled.

'Ah, of course. He saves a bit of money while we get passage,' Cecily thought as she silently nodded her understanding.

"You seem rather distant with some of your companions," Lord Elbert noted, gesturing towards where Lita and Goldhardt were.

"Companions of convenience, nothing more," Cecily replied, giving the marquess a stern look.

"What kind of companions are they really?" Elbert prodded.

"The kind that would not hesitate to murder any lord in his sleep," Cecily relented.

"Like Black Fang?" he asked.

"The worst kind," she replied.

"I presume you have never tried talking to them?" Lord Elbert questioned further.

"Why would I?" Cecily's stern gaze shifted as she answered.

"I can tell you, without knowing anything about those two, that there is always more than what you perceive--" Elbert began.

"--at the surface, yes I know. And I have no interest in knowing," Cecily interjected.

"With the challenges ahead, you may end up relying on them. Neither Marquess Eliwood nor Marquess Roy turned away aid, no matter the source," Elbert said.

Cecily began to protest, but the marquess had already flagged the two over. Lovely.

"Lady Cecily had appraised me of the two of you and I was wondering whether either of you have any thoughts or suggestions?" Elbert asked them.

It was then Cecily remembered that the two of them were waiting on an important letter. They offered to discuss plans last night, but she turned in for the night instead. She blushed in embarrassment, but only slightly before tucking the emotion back under the covers.

"Did you receive your letter?" she asked more directly.