Daydreams And Nightshade (DaN #1)

Chapter 4: Who doesn't love a good basement?

A lot could be said about Frey.

Aside from his saint-sculpted exterior and charisma of a world reigning preacher, his internal structure was built on academic supremacy and unrivalled ambition to outshine the sun itself.

Naturally, this had resulted in a deep rooted arrogance and one thing he simply would not stand for was being treated like everyone else, and may the archons have mercy on those who had yet to find out that his silver tongue had been forked and coated with poison from an early age.

"I'm sorry, young Lord Clausson, but we cannot make an exception," the guard outside the carriage said for perhaps the fifth time to a Frey who would have none of it. "The toll is to be paid by everyone."

"And the fact that there would be a toll is ridiculous," Frey responded for an equal amount of times, patience having begun to suffer. "There's never been a reason for a town to require money just to let people in, and if there was, my father would never decide on such a thing."

Luna tried leaning out of the carriage, perhaps also for a fifth time, to get a better look at the closed gate in front of them only to be pulled back inside by her skirts with a chastising look from Lucius.

"Everybody pays the toll, young Lord Clausson." The guard's patience was fading as well, which was cause for concern as far as peace and quiet went.

"I'm not part of everyone," Frey informed, rejecting how physically incorrect the statement was. "Even if I'd acknowledge the absurdity of this attempted law, I'm his son. He would never ask such a thing from me."

"You must realize we cannot go against your father's orders, and when he says 'everyone'—"

"Listen, Captain Frideric," Frey interrupted him, voice eerily calm again and everyone in the carriage drew a breath of dread at the usage of a name. "While I commend you for your dedication to your position we both know you never had the competence enough for your title and I was willing to look the other way despite the obvious forgeries but if you insist on treating me this way I can't help but believe you're not suited for your job, and I don't want to waste people's time by having them go over your credentials again so isn't it in everyone's interest that you let us through?"

There was a brief silence, but to everyone's surprise the guard found his words quicker than most after one of Frey's speeches.

"It is unfortunate you feel that way, young Lord Clausson, but I am following orders."

"How admirable," Frey responded, voice so tooth-achingly sweet. "Well then if you're so dedicated to following rules, I suppose I will follow your example. I just wonder what that will mean for the future of your job, or not-job."

Alright, this is going to take forever." Lucius finally rolled his eyes before standing up to step out of the carriage, and Luna crossed her arms with a huff.

"So he gets to involve himself."

"I'm in the middle of handling this, Lady Cromwell," Frey protested, but Lucius hushed him before addressing the guards.

"Here." The clinking of coins was heard. "But as young Lord Clausson says, we will be taking this up with Lord Clausson."

"Just doing our job, Lady Cromwell."

"Yes, so I heard."

"Great." Frey sent Lucius a glare as they sat down in the carriage again. "You just had to intervene and roll over in the middle of a negotiation. Now they won't think my warnings were real."

"But..." Noah's weak voice piped up. "... you weren't actually going to have him fired, right? It was a bluff."

"It was not." Frey's eyes were still narrowed. "You need to commit to your words. If they don't abide and you don't follow through they will never take you seriously again."