The Cardinal of Sin

Epilogue

Re-Estize Kingdom, Noble Faction

"And the brat has been disposed of."

Count Dwaas Murha Agnanaya Syfrdanol listened to the report from his agent with a growing sense of satisfaction. He displayed no reaction though. He was far too skilled a politician to do that but there was a tight sense of excitement growing inside.

"Finally," he whispered.

His agent gave him a questioning look. "Sir?"

"Finally!" he repeated. His expression might not display his joy yet his voice wasn't as restrained. He allowed himself to smile widely. "It is time," the Count announced.

The agent wasn't privy to his plans. There were some with him who were. Or at least they were privy to part of his plans. The only man fully aware of all of his plans was him. It was only prudent.

Count Dwaas softened his smile, letting it become tolerant. He could afford to indulge slightly now. "With that idiot Philip out of the way, those losers will fall back into line," he announced. He would have to arrange for a suitable reward for the Lady Gemma. She had performed admirably. And something for the Lady Tatham. It was a tragedy for her to lose all her sons, even if the last was moronic.

There were several nods from the side. His agent nodded as well. The man hadn't been selected as an agent because he was stupid but he wasn't a noble, so he couldn't fully understand matters of honour. He was wise enough to know that nobles were divinely appointed to rule. He wouldn't have been selected as an agent if he didn't at least understand that.

"Everything is perfect!" he declared. "It couldn't be better for us!" The Count deliberately said 'us' though he meant 'I'. While those accompanying him supported his plans, he was aware that they had their own plans. Their plans just made it interesting, but his would triumph. He had thought of everything.

"The old man has finally acknowledged his senility and handed the throne to that moron Zanac," Count Dwaas elaborated.

"The boy doesn't have the strength of his father." The observation came from Count Lytton.

Count Dwaas didn't like Lytton. Yet Lytton was one of the Six Great Noble's and was rather influential, so he was required to tolerate him. This particular trash noble wouldn't survive the final phase of Dwaas's plan. In order to win everything one had to be tolerant.

"He doesn't," Dwaas agreed. "And with the Sorcerous Kingdom's attention on the Slane Theocracy, they won't be interfering." Let others believe the Undead would merely watch the Re-Estize Kingdom and honour the borders. Dwaas was well aware of the danger they were in. The Kingdom was weak.

The idiot Ramposa III had let them become weak with his inaction. Dwaas would make the Kingdom strong again. He knew though, that his actions would further weaken the Kingdom. It was inevitable. In order to rebuild stronger than before, he had to destroy all the rot currently infecting the Kingdom's roots. It meant he had to act quickly and decisively. He had to show the Undead King that while the Kingdom might be weak, it was not to be trifled with.

"Now is the time to act," Dwaas told those of his faction who were gathered. "Send word to the Priests," he instructed. Given the season he couldn't rely on delivered messages. Magic was the only way to spread the word fast enough through the Kingdom. "We move in two weeks!" he declared.

His agent acknowledged his orders with a nod and quietly backed away. That left the Count to bask in the adulation of his contemporaries. Count Lytton pressed a glass of wine into his hand. Count Dwaas raised it. "A toast," he announced.

The room raised their glasses with him.

"To the new Kingdom," he said triumphantly.

"May it last for ten thousand years!" The counter phrase was uttered and the Count raised his glass higher before bringing it down to drink. The room followed suit before someone cheered.