Chapter 562: The First Prince

Princess Charlotte departed reluctantly, though not before extracting another promise that Mina would show her the Guild’s kitchens.

Her attendant Margaret followed with the expression of someone already anticipating several unpleasant conversations with the palace household.

Gregor watched them disappear among the guests and chuckled. "Guildmaster, I think the Princess just appointed Mina as her personal guide without asking anyone’s permission."

Mina looked delighted rather than concerned. "Uncle Sage, can I really show her around? I know all the good places, and I can introduce her to Maura!"

Sage patted her head. "You can help when the visit is properly arranged, Mina. Just remember that showing someone the kitchens isn’t the same as showing them the entire Headquarters."

Valeria regarded him with her customary unreadable expression. "Guildmaster, the kitchens are an important facility."

"I’m surrounded by people who think food is the foundation of civilization," Sage replied, drawing laughter from Gregor and Vanthrice.

Before the conversation could continue, Lucan noticed a small movement among the guests near the royal platform. Prince Richard had left a discussion with two senior ministers and was approaching their group, accompanied only by an attendant who remained several paces behind.

Lucan straightened and quietly warned Sage, "Guildmaster, the Crown Prince is coming this way."

Richard greeted them with an easy courtesy that nevertheless caused several nearby nobles to turn and watch. "Guildmaster Sage, I hope my sister hasn’t made too many demands of you. She has a habit of turning passing interests into household emergencies."

Sage bowed respectfully before answering, "Your Royal Highness, she was delightful. Although I suspect your palace staff may disagree when they learn she’s planning an expedition to our Headquarters."

Richard laughed, then acknowledged Lucan and Leon before looking back at Sage. "I’d appreciate a few minutes of your time. There’s something I would rather discuss away from the reception crowd. Lord Lucan is welcome to join us."

They moved to an open balcony adjoining a smaller reception chamber. Beyond its carved stone balustrade, the palace gardens shone beneath hundreds of lanterns, and the distant streets of Kingsford glittered with celebrations. Two guards remained near the entrance, far enough away to allow an ordinary conversation.

Richard rested one hand upon the balustrade. "Earlier tonight, my father asked what your Guild intends to become. I listened to your answer. What interests me now is whether its success might solve a problem our existing institutions have struggled with for years."

Sage regarded him attentively. "What sort of problem, Your Royal Highness?"

"The eastern road through the Marrowford district," Richard answered. "It connects three market towns to the river crossings supplying our inland provinces. On paper, the route falls under the administration of two neighboring lords. In practice, each insists the other should pay for clearing the monster-infested woodland between their boundaries."

Lucan frowned in recognition. "The road near Old Harrow Bridge, Your Royal Highness? I remember correspondence about attacks on caravans there."

Richard nodded. "The same road. Two patrols were sent last spring. One withdrew after suffering casualties, and the second never reached the worst section. Merchants have begun taking a detour that adds several days to their journeys. Smaller villages along the original route have lost much of their trade."

Sage’s expression grew serious. This was different from the abstract discussions of authority that had dominated much of the banquet. Richard was describing people whose livelihoods were being damaged while officials argued over jurisdiction.

"Has anyone determined what’s nesting in the woodland?" Sage asked. "A mission to reopen a road is very different from one to eliminate an unknown threat."

Richard glanced at him with approval. "That’s the first useful question I’ve heard about it tonight. Witnesses describe unusually large beasts attacking in groups, but the reports disagree about their appearance. The local commanders have requested reinforcements, and the treasury has asked which lord should bear the expense. Meanwhile, the attacks continue."

Lucan shook his head. "If neither territory accepts responsibility, the paperwork could continue for months."

"It already has," Richard replied, his frustration briefly visible. "And Marrowford isn’t an isolated case. There are roads, river crossings, and frontier settlements where the boundaries of authority are clearer on maps than they are in practice."

Sage considered the matter before responding. "Your Royal Highness, the Guild could investigate the woodland and classify the threat. But before accepting a clearing mission, we’d need reliable information about the terrain, the number of monsters, and whether the danger extends beyond the road itself."

Richard folded his arms. "And payment? That’s the argument everyone returns to."

"Someone must commission the work," Sage answered. "It could be the affected merchants, the neighboring territories, or an authority willing to fund an emergency mission. The important thing is establishing one responsible client and clear conditions, rather than sending Adventurers into a dispute between two employers."

Richard gave a slow nod. "You would separate the immediate danger from the argument over which noble failed in his duties."

"I’d leave that argument to the people responsible for governing the territory," Sage replied. "If the road is dangerous, the Guild can help determine why and offer qualified Adventurers a properly funded assignment. We can’t settle a quarrel over borders simply by defeating monsters."

For the first time since approaching them, Richard smiled with genuine amusement. "An answer several of my advisers could benefit from hearing. They keep proposing committees to resolve the dispute. You propose finding out what is eating the travelers."

Lucan laughed softly. "With respect, Your Royal Highness, the committees may still be necessary afterward."

"Unfortunately, Lord Lucan, I’m well aware," Richard replied. "I’ve spent enough time attending them to know that even a successful expedition won’t prevent two lords from arguing over the bill."

Sage looked toward the distant city lights. "There’s another problem. Clearing a road once doesn’t guarantee it remains safe. If monsters return six months later, the merchants will face the same danger all over again."

Richard turned toward him. "What would you suggest?"

"Regular reports from travelers, a way for local communities to submit new warnings, and smaller missions before threats grow beyond their ability to manage," Sage explained. "A nearby Guild branch could help with that, but only if there’s enough demand to sustain its staff. I wouldn’t build an entire branch solely because one road needs clearing."

Richard considered the answer carefully. "So you’d begin with an investigation, perhaps a temporary arrangement, and determine whether a permanent presence is justified."

"Exactly, Your Royal Highness," Sage replied. "And if the woodland contains something beyond the capabilities of available Adventurers, I’d rather report that honestly than promise a victory we can’t deliver."

A moment of silence followed as the sounds of music drifted through the open doors. Richard seemed less interested in impressing Sage than in testing whether his proposed solution would survive contact with the realities of provincial government.

"My younger brother Cedric has probably already spoken with you," Richard remarked eventually, his tone conversational. "He’s exceptionally good at recognizing opportunities."

Sage exchanged a glance with Lucan before answering, "His Royal Highness made a generous proposal. We had different views concerning certain conditions, but the conversation remained courteous."

Richard did not press him for details. "Then I’ll avoid asking what was said privately. I will tell you something, however. A service that relies upon the trust of unrelated territories cannot afford to be regarded as the property of one court faction. That would defeat much of what makes your Guild interesting."

Sage studied the Crown Prince with renewed respect. "I’m glad you understand that, Your Royal Highness. Cooperation becomes difficult when everyone assumes we’re working for their rivals."

Richard nodded. "And I have no desire to exchange one administrative difficulty for another. If an arrangement requires your employees to answer to my household instead of their own leadership, it isn’t the arrangement I’m looking for."

Lucan remained silent, but Sage noticed the approval in his expression. Richard had acknowledged the Guild’s independence without asking for an oath, an appointment, or a share of its revenue.

A palace attendant appeared at the doorway and bowed. "Your Royal Highness, the Chancellor requests your presence before the next ceremonial presentation."

Richard acknowledged him with a nod before turning back to Sage. "It seems my responsibilities have found me again. I won’t ask you to make any decisions tonight, Guildmaster. Nor would I expect you to accept a mission based solely upon a conversation at a birthday banquet."

Sage smiled. "I appreciate that, Your Royal Highness. If you can provide the reports concerning Marrowford, I’d be interested in reviewing them."

"I’ll have copies prepared," Richard replied. "But the road is only one example of a larger problem. I’ve been considering an arrangement that might help the Crown respond to such situations without interfering in the Guild’s affairs."

Richard offered his hand, and Sage accepted it respectfully. "Visit me after the banquet, Guildmaster. We can examine the reports properly, and I’ll explain the opportunity I have in mind. If we find terms that suit both sides, Westmark’s people may have something worth celebrating long after my father’s birthday has passed."