Albania nodded and looked around.
My eyes narrowed at her concern. Did she really think she would be followed?
Leaning in closer, Daniel asked: “What’s going on?”
“My father and Mother are being kept under house arrest and I am having to deal with Ares and his goonies. They have sieged all our yield for the year. Ordericous will starve in a matter of months,”
I nodded.
“Our farms are being patrolled by soldiers and our own military detachment has turned against us. Our people are slaving away in the fields,”
“Do they know you are here?”
Albania paused.
“That’s the weird thing. They wanted me to come here. They demanded it. I wanted to stay and protect my people, but they wanted me gone,”
“Did they give you a message?”
“No, they just said to tell you everything. There’s nothing you can do,”
I leaned back in my chair. Allowing the warm afternoon sun to heat my skin. I smiled at the arrogance of the military. Did they really think the House of Fireheart was weak and powerless against their plot to raise an illegal army and kill the Queen? The sheer ignorance of the idea was laughable.
“So, you’re telling me the military has seized your land and taken you all prisoner?”
“Yes, but it’s all legal,”
Thinking about her last comment, I knew she was right. It was within Ares’ power to do all these things. Of course, using the legal powers to this extent hadn’t been done in over a thousand years. Yet it was all legal. Nonetheless, Alessandria needed to hear this.
“Albania, do you want your land back?”
She looked confused.
“Yes! Those are my people. It is my duty to protect them and make money from them,”
“Alessandria and I will free your land for a price?”
“Don’t be stupid Daniel,”
My dulled blade spun faster.
“You cannot free my land. Your House isn’t powerful enough,”
“Do not concern yourself with the method. But we want something in exchange?”
“Fine. I doubt this will cost me anything. What do you desire then?”
Looking her dead in the eye before I remembered how much I hate eye contact, I firmly said: “Alessandria wants to change the law about gays becoming Lords of Noble Houses. When her legal change comes to the vote, we want your House’s unquestioning support,”
She busted out laughing.
“Wow, the House of Fireheart really has lost itself. That will never get to court. The legal change will be rejected,”
“As I said leave the method to us,”
“Fine. You’ll never be able to get my land back but if you do, sure. We will support your legal change on our honour,”