I called upon the Blood needle. Summoned, it appeared in my hand and with it I found comfort. I unsheathed the blade. The scabbard fell on the table with a dull thud as I turned towards the door. The rapier's cool hilt was in a reverse grip with the blade hidden behind my back as I twisted the warm doorknob. I opened the door wide enough to peek at the guest. I recognised him, and he shouldn't be here.
Lucius Aelius Varro was drawn to the hallway but his gaze turned towards me once the door was open. Even with the lack of wind, his golden hair rippled as he turned to face me.
" I would like to discuss something with you," his voice was silky and confident.
I was torn between letting him in or dismissing him entirely. He pushed his circular glasses back to the bridge of his nose waiting for my reply. There would not be one. I promptly closed the door and went back to my desk.
As soon as I sat down, the door opened and Lucius had ushered himself in.
Instinctively Revelation was activated. The blood needle followed the trail of a singular silver thread that forced the blade towards Lucius' neck. I stopped when I was an inch away from his neck.
"I have an offer you cannot refuse," Lucius said.
"And what might that be?"
"Me," Lucius regaining his confidence," I am the offer you cannot refuse."
I lowered the blood needle and went back to my seat.
"Why is that? I do not need a chancellor's son in any way or form. So please leave while I am still polite."
"I know you are building your own faction within your family like your elder siblings and I believe I might be of use."
"What makes you think I am doing that?" I asked as I sheathed the rapier. Revelation began morphing into its passivity.
"Your induction of Tyr Marcius, a former palatine stationed in Nighthold, into your estate."
I was as intrigued as I was shocked.
"How did you know of this?" I asked.
Lucius stepped forward with one huge stride," You have been under investigation for some time now but I shelved some of your reports from other representatives of the Old families."
"Do you know what I was doing in Nighthold?"
"No."
I was relieved slightly.
"What suspicions garnered investigations from your lot?"
I pointed Lucius to a seat on the edge of the desk a step away from where he stood.
"Before your adventures in Nighthold you were acting out of the norm and those inconsistencies carried on for six or so months prompting the investigations. It was to confirm whether you are in leagues with either the rebel or Zoinist cells within the academy or even beyond," Lucius explained as he took his seat.
From his seat, I could not help but notice he looked delicate. Though he was of typical ectomorph build: tall and lean, the delicacy could be attributed to his slightly effeminate facial appearance. It was not very prevalent but his golden irises did not help his case.
"What did you conclude from the investigations?"
"Inconclusive. There was not enough evidence that highlighted you were becoming a traitor."
I did not follow up with a question. I waited for the silence to linger. I could feel my vision distorting. Blobs of light were devoured by Revelation, leaving me in a world of gray and black. Lucius was shrouded by a thin black fog with streaks of red cracks within it. It told all I needed to know. He had a weakness that I had to pry out before I could decide.
"You know leveraging what you know about me isn't enough to bar me from killing you if I were to choose to?" I asked.
"I am well aware," Lucius answered.
He doesn't fear me. Is it confidence or arrogance?
Possibly both.
"Then what is your goal for whatever this is?"
"For me to join your faction," his voice faltered for the first time.
"Why are you so sure that I am building a faction?"
"You have gained ambition and it shows with your recent actions even the duel with Darsius. You might know it but the Senate has upped your rating to elite within their scale though not on par with Livia or your siblings."
It was shocking to be propelled to such a status. I could not fully grasp what it meant to be classified as Elite, but I understood that anything I would do henceforth would be taken for more than it seemed.
"Your solution to this?"
"I am in control of a dark guild bound to the UmbraePactum. I have the means to protect your activities from prying eyes. My greatest strength is where you're weakest."
"Why not bank on yourself?"
"I lack the strength, talent and support to do so myself," Lucius said.
"What do you want in return?" I leaned towards him.
"I would help destroying my family in the foreseeable future."
The response drew a smirk from me. It was impossible. I saw the fire in his eyes. Is he serious? I questioned.
" It might be impossible if I were allied to someone else but the circumstances change. If it's you, with the right variables and time it is possible."
"You have so much faith in me. I will reciprocate but before I make a decision we have to exchange words in the way I best."
"And how is that?" Lucius asked.
"We duel. Set up a duel for," I stalled my words thinking," Friday this week. I have the afternoon free then."
Lucius' stern face broke into a smile. He had not thought the conversation would lead to this. It was an appropriate measure of strength or character. I was already convinced that he could be essential to my pursuit of survival. I was itching for a fight and an opportunity could be seized here.
"Okay. You already know the outcome however I will indulge."
"Agreed then."
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The Iūdicium is a classified document reserved for 108 chancellors of The Senate. The document holds information on individuals who are believed to be the pillars of the next generation. The individuals are numbered at 108 and are all regarded as Elite talents based on a wide range of criteria. The current top talent is Livia Thessara Aurelia, while the lowest-rated talent is Cassian Valerian Atrius, a recent addition who occupies the spot previously held by Serenya Talia Aurex. This document is used to track and ensure effective nurturing of these talents ensuring a healthy crop of leaders within every iteration of the Imperium's existence.
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