Chapter 563: The Five Great Houses

By the time Sage and Lucan returned from their conversation with Crown Prince Richard, the royal banquet had entered its most sociable hours.

The formal presentations were largely finished, musicians had exchanged ceremonial compositions for livelier melodies, and distinguished guests were moving freely between the banquet hall and adjoining reception chambers.

Sage had barely collected another drink when Lucan noticed several familiar figures approaching from the eastern gallery.

"Guildmaster, it seems my grandfather has decided you’ve enjoyed enough peace for one evening," Lucan remarked with an amused expression. "And judging by the company he’s bringing, I suspect we’re about to meet half the Kingdom’s political establishment."

Duke Roland Auremont approached with Lord Benedict and Lady Eleanor accompanying him. Despite his advanced age, the Duke carried himself with unmistakable authority, and the nobles nearby instinctively made room for his party.

"Guildmaster Sage, I trust the evening has treated you well," Roland greeted him, offering a measured smile. "My grandson tells me you’ve already attracted considerable royal attention."

Sage bowed respectfully. "Your Grace, it’s been an eventful celebration. His Majesty has been a gracious host."

Roland chuckled before gesturing toward the gathering behind him. "Then allow me to make your evening slightly more eventful. There are several people who have expressed an interest in meeting you, and I thought proper introductions would be preferable to leaving them to approach you individually."

Lucan leaned closer to Sage as they followed. "Grandfather doesn’t usually volunteer to introduce someone to the other Great Houses, Guildmaster. He’s making it rather obvious that House Auremont considers you worth knowing."

Sage glanced toward the Duke’s retreating figure. "And I’m guessing that isn’t necessarily a harmless gesture."

"Not remotely," Lucan replied, smiling. "But at least you’ll know who’s watching."

Their first destination was a gathering near the banquet hall’s northern windows, where Duke Albrecht Hohenberg stood alongside his eldest son Heinrich and his brother, Lord Dietrich.

The Hohenbergs were unmistakable among the assembled aristocracy. Albrecht was a broad-shouldered man whose stern bearing resembled that of a veteran commander more than a courtier. Heinrich stood beside him with disciplined posture, while Dietrich greeted Lucan with recognition.

"Roland, I wondered when you’d bring the famous Guildmaster over," Albrecht remarked, examining Sage openly. "My brother has spoken favorably of your organization."

Dietrich nodded in agreement. "We discussed monster suppression and frontier emergencies recently, Guildmaster. I informed my brother that your people appear more practical than several contractors we’ve employed."

Sage smiled politely. "I’m pleased to hear that, Lord Dietrich. Reliable work is the best advertisement we can offer."

Heinrich regarded Sage with interest. "Our northern territories suffer periodic monster migrations. The Royal Army handles the larger threats, but scattered attacks still cause problems for isolated settlements. Your Adventurers might find considerable work there."

Albrecht folded his arms before adding, "Provided they understand that frontier security isn’t a tournament. I’ve seen capable Warriors become liabilities because they refused to follow instructions during an emergency."

Sage nodded seriously. "Your Grace, Adventurers who accept coordinated assignments must understand their responsibilities. Independence doesn’t excuse recklessness, particularly when other people’s lives are involved."

Albrecht appeared satisfied with the answer. "Good. Then perhaps we’ll have reason to speak again when your expansion reaches the north."

As they departed, Lucan quietly explained that the Hohenbergs possessed longstanding military connections, and that several younger officers associated with the family admired Fourth Prince Julian’s enthusiasm for martial affairs.

"That doesn’t mean Duke Albrecht intends to support Julian’s succession," Lucan cautioned. "His family values military stability above youthful enthusiasm. Don’t confuse friendly relationships with political commitments."

Sage nodded, beginning to appreciate how carefully the Great Houses maintained their options.

Their next encounter proved considerably different.

Duke Philippe Valois stood beside a beautifully dressed woman with an elegant bearing and a younger nobleman Sage recognized from an earlier discussion about Guild commerce.

"Guildmaster Sage, we meet again," Charles Valois greeted him pleasantly. "I hope you’ve reconsidered how much easier your commercial operations could become with an experienced trading partner."

Sage chuckled. "Lord Charles, I haven’t forgotten our conversation. I’m still interested in reliable partners, just not exclusive arrangements."

Duke Philippe laughed softly. "Then my son has already discovered that you negotiate carefully. A useful quality in someone managing such an ambitious enterprise."

He introduced his sister, Lady Marguerite, who regarded Sage with an appraising expression.

"Your Guild has created an interesting marketplace," Marguerite observed. "Warriors acquire materials, merchants compete to purchase them, and your establishments benefit from the resulting traffic. It’s an arrangement that attracts attention from every major trading company in Kingsford."

"Competition encourages merchants to offer fair prices," Sage replied. "And Adventurers appreciate having choices when selling what they’ve earned."

Charles smiled, although his expression suggested that unrestricted competition wasn’t his preferred outcome.

Philippe regarded Sage thoughtfully. "House Valois has survived changes of monarchs, ministers, and trade regulations by understanding where commerce is heading. I suspect your Guild will influence the Kingdom’s markets considerably."

Lucan waited until they had moved away before offering his interpretation.

"That was almost a compliment, Guildmaster. Duke Philippe rarely praises a commercial enterprise without first calculating how much money might pass through it."

Sage laughed. "And Charles still wants purchasing privileges."

"Naturally," Lucan replied. "But notice that his father didn’t repeat the demand. House Valois prefers keeping negotiations open, especially while the Royal Family’s future political balance remains uncertain."

Their conversation was interrupted when Lady Eleanor introduced them to Duke Wilhelm Falkenberg and his family.

Wilhelm possessed the patient manner of a man accustomed to listening through lengthy administrative meetings. His wife, Duchess Helena, greeted Sage graciously, while their daughter Beatrice appeared particularly interested in the Guild’s effects upon smaller communities.

"Guildmaster, I’ve heard that villages near Evergreen have benefited from increased trade since your organization began operating there," Beatrice remarked. "Has the improvement been substantial?"

Sage considered the question before answering. "It has helped local businesses, Lady Beatrice. Adventurers need food, accommodation, equipment, and transportation. Their spending creates opportunities for merchants and ordinary residents."

Helena nodded approvingly. "That is encouraging. Our family supports several agricultural communities where limited access to markets remains a persistent difficulty."

Wilhelm adjusted his spectacles before speaking. "New roads and commercial facilities require planning, however. A prosperous settlement can become overwhelmed when population and traffic increase faster than its infrastructure."

Sage agreed readily. "Your Grace, we’ve encountered similar challenges. A Guild branch needs adequate roads, storage, sanitation, and dependable suppliers. Those considerations matter just as much as constructing the Headquarters itself."

Beatrice smiled. "Then perhaps our administrators could exchange information with yours. I imagine both sides would learn something useful."

Wilhelm appeared pleased by the suggestion, though he offered no immediate commitment.

As they departed, Lucan explained that House Falkenberg’s influence came from its extensive responsibilities in agriculture, roads, and provincial administration. Certain members maintained intellectual and administrative ties with Third Prince Adrian, whose interest in institutional reform had earned their respect.

"Again, Guildmaster, don’t mistake shared interests for unanimous support," Lucan added. "The Great Houses are families, not armies marching behind a single banner."

Sage shook his head with amusement. "You nobles certainly make ordinary conversations complicated."

Lucan grinned. "That’s because ordinary conversations are considerably cheaper than political mistakes."

Their final introduction came shortly afterward, when Duke Roland approached a gathering surrounding Duke Robert Lancaster. Lord Geoffrey stood beside his elder brother, while William Lancaster conversed with two younger nobles whose elaborate clothing suggested considerable wealth.

Robert was a distinguished gentleman with neatly combed dark hair and a carefully maintained beard. His expression remained courteous as Roland introduced Sage, although his eyes examined the Guildmaster with unmistakable scrutiny.

"Guildmaster Sage, your accomplishments have become a frequent subject of discussion among the nobility," Robert remarked. "It seems impossible to attend a gathering in Kingsford without hearing something about the Adventurer Guild."

Sage inclined his head respectfully. "I hope most of what you’ve heard has been favorable, Your Grace."

Robert smiled faintly. "Impressive, certainly. Whether every consequence of your expansion will prove favorable remains to be seen."

Geoffrey stepped forward, recognizing Sage from their earlier conversation. "My brother has been reviewing several reports concerning the Guild’s growing commercial influence. Your dungeon operations have attracted particular attention."

William joined the discussion with a polite expression. "Many independent Warriors now prefer registering with your organization rather than accepting traditional contracts. Several established mercenary companies have complained about losing recruits."

Sage answered calmly. "Adventurers choose where they wish to work, Lord William. We don’t prevent anyone from joining a mercenary company or accepting lawful employment elsewhere."

Robert studied him for a moment before replying, "Of course. Nevertheless, when thousands of Warriors begin gathering under one institution, the consequences extend beyond individual employment decisions."

Roland entered the conversation with a measured smile. "Surely providing opportunities for capable Warriors isn’t something we should discourage, Robert. The Kingdom has no shortage of dangerous territories requiring attention."

Robert acknowledged the remark without conceding his point. "I don’t dispute the benefits, Roland. I merely believe institutions acquiring substantial influence deserve appropriate scrutiny."

Sage noticed several nearby nobles had stopped their conversations to listen. Roland’s willingness to defend the Guild was attracting almost as much attention as Robert’s questions.

Lucan leaned slightly toward Sage and murmured, "Guildmaster, they’re no longer discussing employment. Grandfather has publicly associated our House with the Guild, and Duke Robert is reminding everyone that Lancaster intends to examine that relationship carefully."

Sage understood immediately. What appeared to be a harmless exchange of opinions was gradually becoming a contest over influence, with the Adventurer Guild standing directly between two of Westmark’s most powerful families.

Robert placed his glass upon a nearby table before turning his attention fully toward Sage. His courteous expression remained unchanged, but his next words carried considerably greater weight.

"There’s one matter I’ve been particularly curious about, Guildmaster," Robert began, drawing the attention of the surrounding nobles. "Your organization already controls access to numerous dungeons, including the extraordinary S-Rank Dungeon near Greyfen. Given the wealth, resources, and strategic importance of such places, shouldn’t we question whether an independent organization ought to be permitted to control so many of them?"