Chapter 35.2

Eirwen could tell from their eyes, the militia members were thinking about how easily a hand could slip past them in these close quarters. It took some a few counts more than others, but they made the right decision. To a man, they raised their hands and stepped back, making very clear they had no intent of drawing a weapon.

Red didn't even wait for them to reach that conclusion, sauntering towards and around the Warden. The man realised he was now outnumbered, fear entering his eyes. But there was still rage there, still with the upper hand. He raged at the idea of losing his authority. "You have no right to replace me! My authority is beyond reproach!"

She looked at him, her face an awfully familiar cold mask. She hated him for causing that. All day she had managed, had avoided losing herself over the fights, over everyone being in danger. And then came this fool, making her lose herself by his ridiculous attempt to restrain her. The final drop that tore her into pieces.

Red took hold of both the Warden's shoulders, then slowly pushed him down into his chair. His left hand remained on the shoulder, fingers bent inwards, made very clear what he'd do the very instant the man decided to become a threat. His right stayed free, his posture now allowing him to either strike the man or draw a weapon. And Eirwen hated that she was now analysing that in full detail. As well as the look in Red's eyes. Hidden as it may be, she could tell he had caught on.

She spoke to distract herself from that. "Warden Ulchel. I never held any ill intent towards you. But since you chose to wield your authority as a weapon at me, I have no choice but to desire your replacement. I know Wardens are occasionally replaced by their own, even sometimes due to their own voluntary retirement. So I am offering you such a retirement, to take your possessions and leave this place. Where you go then, is none of my concerns, as long as you make room for another Warden to take care of this town."

He scoffed, and the resolve in his eyes made her uncomfortable. This fool was seeking death because he refused to admit he lived wrong. "And who will take my place? Sure, if I step aside, one will. But I refuse, milady. No heartless noble gets to take my place and expect the next person to be their loyal puppet."

He had a smug smile on his face. He still thought he could win this. She looked at the others. He had convinced them. "I don't need a puppet. I need someone with both smarts and ambition. Apparently these men lack both, given how easily they made themselves your accomplices. Red. Call over Blacktree, post-haste. Tell him to bring a dozen. Six for outside, six for here. Warn Rook."

He nodded and began sending out his mental instructions. She took the time to sigh and sit down. "Fang, tie up the Warden for me. Light, if any of his men try anything, kill them all. I know you could defeat them even without killing, but we're following the mountain rules here. The only mercy enemies get, is a quick death."

She ignored the man's protests, which were silenced when Fang gagged him, and the way the man's subordinates looked at her in fear. She felt no sympathy for them. If any of them had stepped forward, she wouldn't have been forced to take control by force.

Once Red had sent out his messages, he kept his focus on the room. As for Eirwen, she switched her focus to the distant Lord Blacktree. The former Vicomte was clearly in a rush, as was the rest of his household. Mere moments later, he rushed out with a dozen by his side, leaving the rest behind at full alert. Mayhaps she should have listened in on what orders Red had given him.

With a sigh, she asked instead. "Lord Blacktree sure is in a rush. What did you tell him?" Red smiled, the rest was just in shock. Distant mental communication was something people had to get used to, and the same for her sensing range.

"Just that I was delivering an order, and that Lady Snow demanded his presence at the Warden's quarters at once." He gave a wry smile. "I think he's still in disbelief, but me delivering an order was all he needed to know that I'm not the one in charge right now. He's taking this very serious, it seems. He's bringing both sons and one of his daughters, as well as half his personal guard."

"And of course you recognise them. Sometimes you even terrify me, Mo Stór, with that excellent memory of yours. Once he's here, warn all militia members to get out of the way, please."

Another moment later, and Blacktree already arrived outside. He entered and made his way upstairs quick, Red's warning making sure nobody was foolish enough to get in his way. Two knights entered the room first, Sir Doire one of them. They were surprised at the sight, but kept their composure. "All clear, milord!"

Blacktree and his oldest son entered, the others stayed outside. A good thing, otherwise the large room would still have become a bit too cramped. Their first sight was Red, standing at the Warden's desk. And then their eyes moved right, towards Eirwen. The knights hadn't recognised her. They did. And that very instant, Red's warning rang out inside their heads.

"Don't."

Eirwen smiled at how he had made sure to let her hear, without addressing anyone else. She took the momentum he had granted her. "Lord Blacktree. I wish I could say it's a pleasure to meet you, but unfortunately, circumstances are less than ideal. You have heard of Red, who is my primary guide right now. I'm miss Snow, though the Warden here insists on treating me as Lady Snow. And that is where our unfortune comes in."

She pointed at the Warden with her chin, still gagged with his arms tied on his back, Fang ready to cut him down if needed. Eirwen hadn't expected the guide to be so ready to act on her behalf, but she was going with the flow just fine.

"I came to Warden Ulchel with a conundrum, seeking his aid. He declined, then proceeded to take me captive." Blacktree's eyes opened wide at realising the man's audacity. "So I sought to replace him, but while I offered him his life and possessions, he refused. And due to how he refused, none of his men are willing to step up and take his place. Which is a problem, because I came to scout the mountains for the sake of Verglas, not to dominate them. I don't want to challenge the independence, as much as the Warden insists on claiming otherwise."

The militia members looked down at her statements. They knew that she had offered them a great opportunity. Declining it would cost them, but they didn't dare take it. Worthless cowards. She needed someone better, for the days to come.

"So tell me, Lord Blacktree, do you know of anyone both ready and willing to take up the mantle of Warden?"

He paused and thought about that for a few counts, before shaking his head. "I'm afraid not, milady."

She almost cursed at the title, but she'd use the authority he had just granted her. "That is a shame. Then, until you do find a proper replacement, you'll be stuck as Warden Blacktree. Fang, you can remove Ulchel's gag now."

Before Blacktree had gathered himself, Ulchel's curses already filled the room. "Usurpers! You have no right to my position! Your plots are useless as they will never grant you my legitimacy, you valley rats!"

Blacktree just looked in judgement, but his son grasped his weapon, glaring at the man that had just attacked his father's honour. His father waved him back. "We're not cutting him down like that. He's a coward, he wants us to kill him, because that is better a fate than losing his position. He's but a fool, who never had any legitimacy but has convinced himself otherwise."

His son held back, Ulchel didn't. "I alone have the right to rule here! You hold no authority within the mountains, only the true ruler does!"

Blacktree shook his head, having understood the role he had to play here. "Miss Snow here represents the will of House Verglas. Even though the mountains are leaderless, they still are part of the Duchess's domain. So you don't get to claim a higher authority than her."

A count of hesitation, barely visible on the man's face, before he chose his next argument. "Unlike you, I serve the real rulers, not the usurpers. My loyalty lies with Duke Cináed Flameheart and his son and heir, Marquis Aodhán Flameheart!"

Ah, to think that in his despair, he'd flee straight into treason. What a fool he was.