Arresting A Count

The maids all nodded at the same time.

"You are ready for the feast," the head maid said. After looking over me one more time which I felt to be entirely unneeded. She went to walk out of the room as did, "If you would follow me your highness to the hall."

Pavitra sighed as she got up and followed after the maid. It seemed like she would be getting no break before the feast itself. As she walked down the hallway cursing in her head, she passed by some extremely fancy pieces of artwork she only stopped at for a second looking in interest.

The whole thing seemed surreal. Such an expensively decorated and well-maintained keep and yet the city itself was nearer a sat of disrepair, the contrast was horrifying and there was something definitely wrong here. There was also another reason why she was so focused on this city Pavitra mussed. This place would become her main connection to the rest of the kingdom. Trade would flow through here to a high extent, in truth she wanted someone that she could control in the position of power.

Then as she neared the main doors, a trumpeter blew out and special tune, and her presence at the feast itself was announced. Walking inside quickly noted the Count and his wife, there were also some military-looking people in the room, who at one glance she could tell did not want to be there at all. Last, of all, there was the representative of the adventures guild. He was sitting right next to the Count, upon her arrival it seemed like they had stopped some kind of joke as both were still smiling to themselves.

The Count seeing the Princess enter stood up. Loudly he spoke out. "Your Highness, I have prepared a seat for you here." He patted the seat which was between him and his wife. Pavitra smiled lightly and began to make her way through the hall, up to the seat. As she passed by the soldiers who were here. She quickly made a note of their rank in her head. The highest was only a lieutenant general, which she outranked. She smiled politely and exchanged some greetings as she passed by them.

Seeing her, the three soldiers all looked a bit happier, which confused Pavitra a little. She didn't say anything at this though and was soon at her seat between the Count and his wife.

As soon as she sat down, the Count had some servants bring food over almost instantly. The food itself was an assortment of local delicacies as well as some delicacies from the capital as well. The Count then went back to his discussion and Pavitra soon found herself seemingly isolated and just picking at the food, that had been placed in front of her.

Starting to feel bored, she interrupted the Count in his discussion. "Count, may I ask, why is your city in the state that it is in?"

The Count froze as she interrupted him, he looked like he was about to erupt in a fit of anger then he seemed to remember who she was, and closed his mouth. His face continued to get redder and redder though. Eventually, when it looked like steam was about to force its way out of his head, he spoke. "The people of the city, have all decided that the keep is the most important part hence why the city is like it is."

Pavitra looked at him oddly, knowing that i was a lie. A lie straight to her face and yet without any evidence she couldn't do anything. Having another look around she worked out what was going on in this place. The Count was a tyrant and was abusing his power to gain more wealth and luxury for himself. His wife well she couldn't guess what was going on there but chances are she was being abused by him.

She clenched her fists as she nodded at the Count's reply. Then he went back to the discussion that he was already having. It was something to do with arranging for the transport of some kind of cargo. It was a living cargo that was all that she could work out.

Ignoring them she looked over to the soldiers. Speaking loudly so that she could be heard. "Leautant General, what exactly is your role?"

The general hearing her got straight out of his chair and walked over to where she was sitting. Standing in front of her, he replied like all soldiers should, swiftly and decisively. "I have been stationed here in command of two regiments. Our task is to garrison a fort north of here as well as watch the nearby valley."

Pavitra looked at him with interest. There was only one valley nearby here and it was where she was heading after they had resupplied and now reorganized this city. These soldiers hadn't been placed under her direct command, but she could still order them around within the land there were assigned to...which included the valley.

"General. This valley, I will be making my way too soon, can I have one of your regiments accompany me on the journey."

The general looked at her in surprise. "That is where you are going? Of course your highness. I would send all my soldiers with you but the fort still has to have some kind of garrison. Though we are under some supply issues currently." As he said the last past his gaze shifted over to the Count. Pavitra instantly understood why these… 'Issues' were happening.

"Count, I hope you have a good explanation for this." Pavita's voice suddenly became cold. The Count shifted in his seat uncomfortably before replying. "Well, the food is needed for the city you see…"

Pavitra looked over coldly at the Count. "If you have enough food for a feast you can help the garrison. As a Count in royal lands, it is your prerogative to help and aid as well as supply the Royal army. Currently, you are not, and is this the city where I am assuming people are starving and it is in disrepair? You, Count, are lying."

Pavitra then stood out of her chair, looking over the entire room. "SOLDIERS!" Her yell surprised everyone in the room, then her guards which had accompanied her to the keep stormed into the hall room.

The Count tried to speak, "What is the meaning of thi…"

Pavitra interrupted him within seconds. "Count, I Princess Pavitra. Fith child of his majesty the King. Captain-General of the royal army. Duchess. Find you guilty of betraying the Crown's mandate. Seize him!"