The Dreamer's Fall

Chapter 50 - Another One

Arthur glanced around Arianna's bedroom before walking to one of her dressers and rummaging through its drawers. Most of her clothes were tailored from soft, luxurious fabrics, which Arthur tossed behind him until he found one suitably common.

Drawing his sword, Arthur shredded the rough fabric until only a malformed square remained. Then he held it out to Arianna by the tip of his sword. "Use this to cover your hair for now. The shininess gives away your status."

"It should be obvious, but keep her status a secret. It may prove valuable in the future." Arthur added.

His plans for Arianna didn't end at free spell work. Arthur was still painfully ignorant regarding Minaan worship, so he intended to pick her brain about it to find ways to reprogram the people of Helagaust. Her status as a Bernish noble might also prove useful in ruling over the population as well.

Saria returned with a metallic collar, placing it upon Arianna's neck before handing its key to Arthur.

"Now that that's taken care of, let's move on to more lucrative endeavors. I have two questions for you. Your treatment going forward will depend on the outcome of your answers, so answer carefully.

"First, is there anything of value hidden or otherwise difficult to find within or around this tent?" Arthur asked.

Arianna hesitated to speak momentarily before sighing. "I-I buried my jewels and coin behind the tent. I don't care for any of it except a single necklace given to me by my late mother. Its value isn't exceptional, so I hope you won't sell it and allow me to earn it back in due time."

Jeren frowned. "You're a war slave. You have no right to ask the lord for favors."

It was a fair proposition. In exchange for holding onto the necklace, Arthur gained an uncertain degree of leverage over her. So, if that was all it took to ensure she behaved, then there was no reason to say no.

"It's fine, Jeren." Arthur glanced at Saria. "Go dig it up and bring it to me."

"As you say, lord." Saria replied before exiting the bedroom.

"I don't mind holding onto it for now as long as you perform your duties without issue. However, should you fail to do so, I won't hesitate to melt it down and sell it as scrap."

Arianna nodded respectfully. "That's all I ask."

"Now, onto my next question." Arthur smiled. "Where is the war chest?"

Foster panicked. "Young master, you shouldn't be too greedy. If the other commanding lords found out you kept the enemy's war chest to yourself, they may turn on you."

"Relax. I only intend to take my fair share before someone else finds it and claims the chest was lighter than expected." Arthur assured him before glancing toward Arianna. "Well?"

"It should be hidden away in Duke Verac's tent, but he was first to flee, taking all the mounts for himself and leaving us to die. So I'm unsure as to whether it remains where it once was." Arianna replied.

Arthur thought to himself for a moment before slapping his knee and rising off Arianna's bed. "Good, take me there, and let's find out."

As Arthur exited the tent, Saria and a few guards carried a chest large enough to contain him with room to spare. "Place it down for now and open it." His smile grew as he suddenly felt that Nithe wasn't so bad after all.

While the chest wasn't even half full, it still contained far more silver, gold, and mithril coins than he had imagined. Of course, they were all Bernish coins, but that didn't change their value too much once they were exchanged or melted down.