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Threat To The Entire World

Riley requested a meeting with his father two days earlier than scheduled.

He entered the safe house and found Lord Caladan sitting with a goblet of wine in his hand. "Grab yourself a drink and tell me why I'm here instead of in bed with Lissandra."

Riley poured a drink and sat. "How much do you trust Demenik?"

Lord Caladan raised one eyebrow and tilted his head. "More than most, but not more than a man in my position should trust anyone. Why? Does his new friendship with the prince trouble you?"

"He's friends with Prince Adam?"

Caladan chuckled. "It seems my sources are better informed than the Keepers."

Riley shook his head and started to speak but Caladan raised one hand. "I jest with you. Demenik told me himself just yesterday."

"I'm not talking about the prince, although I should like to hear more about that."

"What is it, then?"

"He is recruiting a Keeper to his side."

"I see. That is news to me. Anyone we know?"

Riley shook his head. "A young man by the name of Bartoq, a couple years younger than I am. Good kid, very keen and effective, one territory over from mine. It is larger and patrolled by a total of five Keepers."

Caladan chuckled. "How long has he been Demenik's man?"

"They are still in the courting stage and the partnership can be stopped if you desire. Just say the word and I will speak with Bartoq."

"Do you think the move threatens us?"

Riley paused and then shook his head. "I am not certain, Father."

"You have been in this territory for years now. What is your opinion of my young lion?"

"He is different from you."

Caladan smiled. "In what ways?"

"Many, but the most profound difference is how he leads those around him. You use fear and strength to keep those who follow you in check. The mention of your name or a summons to audience inspires obedience, but it also causes trepidation."

"Of course. Fear is the best way to establish peace and make certain that everyone stays in their place for as long as possible. It also ensures that only the strongest will attempt to rise and replace those who have become weaker."

"I agree, but no one fears Demenik."

"Which keeps him where he is." Caladan smiled and took a drink of wine. "It is something he must overcome if he would rise higher in this world."

"I disagree."

"Explain."

"People are loyal to Demenik. Those who owe him money pay him back on time or early. He fosters friendships easily, and when he walks the streets, people clamour to be noticed by him. When you do the same, everyone does their best to look busy and avoid your attention."

"This is true." Caladan frowned.

"He is beloved."

"Impossible. I know what that boy is capable of and so does everyone else. Behind that smile is a monster. There have been people who did not pay him back and, I assure you, their screams filled the night so that everyone listening knew the price of not paying one's debts to Demenik. There have been other incidents as well. Assassination attempts on the lives of both him and his girlfriend, and battles with other lieutenants in my court. Demenik is feared, of that much I am certain."

"Oak is feared," Riley explained. "Stick, Mouse, and their apprentices are feared. They enforce Demenik's will."

"Which everyone knows. That is why they must fear Demenik. That is why they fear me. I do not always dirty my hands, but everyone knows I am responsible. We operate the same and so the results must be the same."

"Yet they are not."

Lord Caladan opened his mouth and then closed it, shaking his head before taking another drink of wine. "Perhaps you are right. The thought had occurred to me, but I was certain I was seeing things that were untrue."

"The boy is powerful and time will make him more so."

Caladan leaned back in his chair and looked at the ceiling. He took a deep breath through his nose and released it through his mouth. "Demenik has made my territories more prosperous than anyone else before or since. In truth, I often wish for a dozen more just like him. Let him recruit the Keeper."

"As you wish."

"Your expression tells me that you are not pleased. Are you suggesting that I eliminate him in order to protect my position?"

Riley shook his head and laughed. "That's the problem. He is so different from anyone that I have seen. A small part of me says to get rid of him, but my gut says that he is not a threat to you."

"Then who does he threaten?"

"When I consider individuals, the scope feels too small."

"Are you suggesting he is a danger to the kingdom?"

"My gut tells me it is even larger than that." Riley sighed. "I think that Demenik may be a threat to the entire world."