Chương 150: Chapter 148: Aspect

I knew this man. The memory surfaced as I settled into the chair. A chilly evening, similar to this one. I barely got back from Dusken Lake, hoarding the experience and materials from the Duskwolves, getting to Carpa late. I saw a group of people, a group that was waiting for me. The Count's men. Ser Erdin had been there. One of the knights who came with Ser Calian. He'd watched me with sly eyes, not knowing whether to trust me or not. At the time, I'd thought nothing of it. Just another NPC observing a player.

But I'd learned a lot since then.

"You remember me," Erdin said, noting my expression.

"Carpa, behind the stables," I nodded.

"You were in the envoy that was sent to appraise the adventurers.

"Calian said you beat him in the archery range, and that we had to see what you were really capable of." He settled into a chair across from us, his armor creaking slightly.

"For all his shortcomings, he was right about you: you are talented. I'm glad I had the chance to intervene tonight instead of letting Harwick and Brennan deliver you to him."

"Thank you for that," Kara said.

"We were running out of options."

"You were running out of time." Erdin's gaze was steady.

"Now, tell me everything. From the beginning. Leave nothing out." I glanced at Kara, then at Cathe, who sat quietly by the fireplace. The other three knights remained standing, positioned near the doors and windows, constantly watching over the empty streets. Then I started talking. I told them about the Tidemark Trident quest.

About how we were recruited by the Count's men, about the actual mission to retrieve the key to the Trident, about the Twinfire Burial Site and the Ravenmere Catacombs, the key fragments we'd recovered, the bosses we'd defeated. I told them about finding the Trident in the Sunken Sanctuary, dormant and powerless. About Court Mage Elindra and the scroll of restoration. About the three hours we'd spent in the vault while the weapon recharged. And I told them about the betrayal.

About Calian's true allegiance, his potential connection to Darius, and his plan to use the Trident to legitimize a coup. About the two knights he'd murdered to frame us, and the dark mage who'd appeared through a portal to coordinate the cover-up. When I finished, the room was silent.

"The Trident," Erdin said finally.

"You still have it?"

"Lothras does. He and Athos are heading south, trying to intercept the Count's retinue."

"Good. That's good." Erdin leaned back, exhaling slowly.

"Your story confirms what I've suspected for months. What I've been trying to prove."

"You knew about Calian?"

"I suspected." The knight's expression darkened.

"I've served the Vizgrad family for over twenty years. I knew Calian before he became Captain of the Count's Guard. He was ambitious, yes, but loyal. Or so I thought." He stood and moved to the window, staring out at the darkened city.

"Everything changed when the previous Captain left his position. Do you know who held that role before Calian?" I shook my head.

"Sir Darius Vizgrad." The name landed like a stone in still water.

"The Count's nephew commanded the Guard?" Kara asked.

"For six years. He was competent, I'll grant him that. But he was also positioning himself. Building relationships, cultivating loyalties, preparing for..." Erdin gestured vaguely.

"This. Whatever this is."

"When Darius stepped down to lead expeditions, Calian took his place. I thought nothing of it at first. Calian was qualified and experienced. A bit young, perhaps, but a good knight. But then I started noticing things. Knights were being transferred without explanation. New faces were appearing in the Guard, men with no history of service to the Count. Old loyalists were being sent on distant assignments or quietly encouraged to retire."

"He was replacing the Guard with his own people," I said.

"Exactly. Slowly, carefully, over the course of years. By the time I realized what was happening, the damage was already done." Erdin turned back to face us.

"Let me explain how the knightly orders of Tidemark are structured. There are three distinct organizations, each with its own purpose and chain of command." He held up one finger. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

"First: the Knights of Tidemark. The largest order, numbering over one hundred and thirty. Every newly anointed knight starts here, learning the basics of service before potentially specializing. They handle general peacekeeping, patrol duties, and serve as the backbone of the county's military. Led by Ser Guil Vern, a good man, loyal to the Count, but perhaps too trusting of his fellow officers." A second finger.

"Second: the Knights of the Sea. Around eighty strong, specialized in naval warfare and maritime security. Their jurisdiction covers the docks, the harbor, and all seaborne matters. Led by Ser Donovan Jyll, a veteran sailor who cares more about ships than politics. He's kept his order relatively clean, but he's also kept them isolated. They won't act without clear orders from above." A third finger.

"Third: the Count's Guard. Thirty-two elite knights serving directly under Count Vizgrad himself. The most skilled warriors in the county, responsible for the Count's personal protection and the most sensitive assignments. Led by Ser Calian Greywood." He lowered his hand.

"Or rather, controlled by him. I've spent the last three months mapping loyalties within the Guard. Of the thirty-two knights, twenty-one are either Calian's men or Darius's agents placed there during his tenure as Captain. Only eleven remain truly loyal to Count Vizgrad, including us four."

"Twenty-one out of thirty-two," I repeated.

"That's nearly two-thirds of the Count's personal guard."

"It gets worse. Calian's influence extends beyond the Guard. He'd placed sympathizers throughout the Knights of Tidemark and even a few in the Knights of the Sea. I estimate that between direct agents and useful idiots who simply follow orders without questioning them, Darius effectively controls close to half of all the knights in the county." Kara made a small sound of dismay.

"Half?"

"Or close to it. I don't know the exact numbers among the regular soldiers, but I fear the infiltration there is equally severe. Darius has been planning this for years. He's always been a patient one." Erdin's voice carried grudging respect.

"If I'm being honest, he may already rival the Count in total military power." The implications were staggering. This wasn't just a coup attempt; it was an organization that had been building toward this moment for years, slowly hollowing out the Count's power base while maintaining the appearance of loyalty.

"Why hasn't Darius acted before now?" I asked.

"If he has this much strength—""Legitimacy," Cathe spoke for the first time since we'd arrived. Her voice was quiet but certain.

"Raw military power isn't enough to hold a throne. Not in the long term. Silverwing would just send a cleansing army and be done with it. Darius needed something to justify his claim, something that would make the people accept him as ruler rather than usurper."

"The Trident," Kara said. Cathe nodded.

"The Tidemark Trident is more than a weapon. It's a symbol of rightful rule in this county. Whoever wields it has a claim that goes beyond bloodlines or politics. If Darius had taken power by force, he'd face rebellion, resistance, endless challenges to his authority, and the potential wrath of Duke Dayne or King Seraf. But if he takes power while holding the Trident..."

"He becomes the legitimate ruler in the eyes of the people," I finished.

"Exactly. That's why they needed you to retrieve it. That's why Calian cultivated your group so carefully. You were tools, framed as help for the Count, when in reality you were the ones making the coup possible in the first place." It stung to hear it laid out so bluntly, but he wasn't wrong. We'd been played.

"So what do we do?" Kara asked.

"We have the Trident. Darius doesn't. That's something, right?"

"It's everything," Erdin said.

"Without the Trident, Darius's coup becomes much more difficult. But we need to get it to Count Vizgrad before the ceremony on Sunday. If Darius makes his move without the Trident, he'll have to do it through naked force, and even if he has the power to do so, he could only get the Trident by killing the one who holds it. And the loyal knights of the county will not let that happen."

"Lothras and Athos are already heading toward the Count's retinue," I said.

"But they don't know any of this. They're just trying to find Cathe."

"Then we need to join them." Erdin nodded toward Cathe.

"She'll go with you. The Count trusts her; she's been at his side ever since she was a child. If she vouches for your story and you present the Trident, he'll listen."

"And you?"

"I stay here. Coordinate with the loyal knights. When the Count returns to Tidemark, he'll need allies in place: people ready to move against Calian's faction the moment he gives the order." Erdin's expression hardened.

"This is going to get bloody. There's no avoiding it. But if we act decisively, we can minimize the damage."

"What about the dark mage?" I asked.

"The one who appeared after Calian killed those knights. He's not part of the military structure." Erdin's face grew troubled.

"That's the part I understand least. In my investigations, I've uncovered references to... an organization. Something external, not native to Tidemark or even to this kingdom. They've been supporting Darius and Calian with resources, information, and magic beyond what either should have access to."

"Who are they?"

"I don't know. The references are vague—coded messages, overheard conversations, rumors among Calian's inner circle. But whoever they are, they're powerful. Powerful enough that Darius considers them valuable allies despite the risks of dealing with unknown entities." I thought about the fragment I'd shown High Priest Aldric. The Church of Abyss. The Kingdom of Baal. Is there a connection?

"We need to move," Cathe said, rising from her chair.

"If we're going to reach the Count before the ceremony, we can't afford to waste any more time."

"Agreed." Erdin moved to one of the other knights and spoke quietly. The man nodded and slipped out the door.

"What about our reputation?" I asked.

"We're still outlaws as far as the system is concerned."

"The Count can clear that with a word once he hears the truth. Until then, stay off main roads and avoid any knights you don't recognize. My people will find you if they need to." He offered his hand, and I shook it.

"You're taking a risk here," Erdin said.

"And I'm grateful for it. To be honest, I had my doubts about you adventurers. I feared you could join Calian, and a bunch of immortal allies with them would mean all the more trouble for us. But it looks like you're not afraid to stand up to corruption and lies."

"You're taking a way bigger risk. It's the least we could do."

"You saying that just proves my point. Thank you." He released my hand and stepped back.

"Now go. Find your friends. Save the Count. And when this is over, Tidemark will owe you a debt that can never be fully repaid." Cathe was already at the door, a traveling cloak pulled over her shoulders.

"Ready?" she asked. I looked at Kara. She nodded.

"Ready." We were about to slip out into the night when the whole room exploded.