The Despot Jalafiel

Chapter One: The Redflower

Year 1252

IT WAS CONSIDERED quite an honor to serve as the right hand man and foremost advisor to any hand of nobility, as it was a commoners fast track to wealth, luxury, and respect. An advisor or councilor who possessed loyalty and a sharp mind could encourage trading, economy, and lead a family's lands to prosperity. A dim-witted advisory was almost certain to bring a grant of land into debt, encourage peasant rebellions due to an ill-adjusted tax, or invite criminals and bandits.

But having a moron as the right-hand man to a lordship was sometimes preferred to an intelligent one. A smart councilor certainly inhabited a seat of power. The men and women given these special conditions bore the noble lord's seal of authority, and could use it to secure their own power. By secretly networking with the noble houses peasants and servants, a councilor could be a powerful tool of propaganda. Loyalties would sway away from the lord and then the face of the advisory would appear to be heroically debating in the interests of the citizens. A hidden signal, such as a loud whistle, would be sounded one day and the peasants and servants under the lord would swarm the throne room and execute the master and mistress. In this way the councilor would secure the title of the deceased nobility for his or herself, and would use their new found power to further their own means.

"But what are the chances of that happening?" a man of high stature asked himself as he stroked his grayed beard. Ralph, the Baron of Redflower peered through a large, arched window in the throne room as he stood with his hands clasped behind his back. "Well, what do you think, Felicia?"

A woman in her late forties (but appeared a few years younger) lightly touched her cheek to her husbands shoulder. Felicia's blue eyes peered thoughtfully into her husbands dark green, and she spoke with confidence. "I think everything will be perfect. Lord knows you need to help dealing with the Barony anyway, especially after Chester's unexpected death."

Chester was the previous advisor to the Barony of Redflower, and a personal friend of Ralph himself. It was a sad day when Chester was slain by the known outlaw Jack Wood. Chester was stabbed three times by a four pronged pitchfork, leaving twelve wounds for blood to pour and no chance of survival. Wood was eventually subdued by the constable of Redflower and sentenced to death by hanging, but the loss of Chester was more than personal. Chester was truly loyal to both the people and the Baron of Redflower, and he would be missed by many.

Five months later, and the dead winter of February demanded someone who knew how to handle resources. Ralph was smart, but one man can't deal with the large and small decisions demanded by political power and sovereignty. Today was the day a new advisor was expected to arrive.

The noble couple both straightened their posture as they saw a small carriage traveling the road leading right to the castle. "I suppose we're about to find everything out," Felicia spoke. Ralph waved his hand at an available servant. "Make sure Joseph is present when our man arrives." The servant bowed and retreated hastily to find the young Joseph.

Ralph nodded to Felicia, who hooked her arm in her husband's as they began to walk out of the throne room and to a stairwell that would lead to the drawbridge. The noble couple walked elegantly down the hard cobbled steps, and soon they were in the courtyard itself. The courtyard was beautiful even in the dead of winter: the redflower, as the Barony itself was titled after, bloomed all year round and provided a dose of color against the bleak gray and white of the season, dead in the center of the courtyard in a circular garden. It was rectangular in nature, and very well opened to the dim winter sun. Servants and citizens of the castle walked about, some saluting the Baron and Baroness, others continuing on to complete some important task.

Ralph signaled the castle guard atop the high walls to lower the drawbridge. The man in charge of lowering and raising the drawbridge saluted in reply, and soon the fortresses most important defense was left penetrable, leaving Felicia and Ralph to stare at the simple wooden carriage before them, drawn by two horses. The driver flashed a smile in politeness, although the missing teeth didn't have the intended effect on the Baron and his wife. The driver hopped off the vehicle to retrieve the expected guest from the traveling compartment.

Knock, knock. "We've arrived."

A long leg covered in common wool was the first sight of the new advisor, and soon the rest of the lanky body appeared. He retrieved a few pieces of silver from a satchel on his belt, and paid the driver before turning and bowing at the master and mistress of Redflower.

"Pleased to meet you, Lord Ralph, Lady Felicia," said the man with a dashing smile and complex, hazel eyes. He extended a hand to Ralph, who shook his own hand heartily, and in a way respectful to Felicia, kissed her hand tenderly with a slight bow.

"We are much obliged," spoke Felicia. "But to whom do we have the pleasure of meeting?"

The man raised both of his hands to exaggerate a point. "But of course! How rude of me... my name is Jalafiel."

The master and mistress shared a look of curiosity. "Jalafiel," Ralph pondered aloud. "That's an unusual name. What does it mean?"

Jalafiel shrugged. "I don't have a clue. Had an unusual father I suppose, never met the chap though. But enough about me! Is there someplace I could learn about you two, about the Barony, about the people of this wondrous castle? I hope I don't seem too eager."

"Not at all," assured Ralph. "I need a man willing to learn. Please, follow us on a tour of the castle. And don't be hesitant – take my side, you're my right-hand now."

Jalafiel nodded and silently appeared at his new masters left side, eager to learn and make a proper impression on the people of the fortress. The trio walked through the courtyard, and Jalafiel was introduced to several denizens of the fort. "It's a beautiful place," the advisor complimented. Jalafiel's eyes widened in mock surprise at the red flowers growing vibrantly in the circular garden. "These must be the famous Redflower... I truly am stunned!"

"Yes," commented an elderly female passerby. "They are beautiful, but the flower is for more than looks. Have you told him, Felicia?"

Felicia shook her head to indicate a "no." The elderly women raised an eyebrow and pursed her lips in distaste. "Felicia, you must tell our guest the story... it's a tradition!"

Jalafiel wondered how Felicia would reply... this lowly lady was talking disrespectfully, to a Baroness nonetheless! Jalafiel payed close attention, and hid surprise when Felicia replied.

"Of course mother. You're right, I should tell him. But first, mother, this is Jalafiel, my husband's new advisor. Jalafiel, this is Theresa."

Jalafiel extended a hand and feigned a jovial expression. "Pleased to meet you!" he exclaimed.

Theresa examined Jalafiel's outstretched hand with a beady, squinted eye before taking the offer lightly. "The pleasure is all mine," assured Theresa.

"Well then," concluded Ralph. "Tell the story of the Redflower, Felicia."

Felicia nodded and looked down at the ground. "The story begins like this..."

Several generations ago, Ralph's direct ancestor first came upon the land that was to be called Redflower. This ancient link, Roger, was a knight and war veteran for the King in the war against the Franks, and after the long and costly war, decided to set out on his own and claim land that had previously been untamed.

For weeks Roger traveled the vast lands, passing through forest and plains in an effort to discover the perfect place to settle down. Roger could take any property he wanted, but instead of taking the first piece of land he found, Roger wanted something a bit more refined.

Imagine the knight's surprise when he came upon the lush hills and plains of present day Redflower, where wind created a symphony of billowing red and bright green.

"This is the place," Roger declared as he set his standard in the moist earth that was later to become the great castle. Roger was only one man, and could not hardly build an entire community by himself. The knight left his standard in the ground as he trotted away on his horse to find some nearby settlement.

Roger did find a small town of people very close by, however, they were anything but friendly. Unknowingly, Roger had trotted into a tribe of Scots. The angry barbarians lifted their swords above their heads and prepared to slay the knight, and an arrow wounded Roger's horse. With several men intent on slaying their new guest, Roger had only one choice: to run.

And run he did. Roger ran, darting through fields of grass until he came upon the field of swaying red flowers. The fleeing knight entered the field, with his attackers close behind. Roger survived the attack against all odds, and upon exiting the field, he noticed his attackers were nowhere to be found.

Until he looked upon his standard. There, for the whole world to see, were twenty human heads severed from their respective bodies. Roger knew not entirely what he stumbled upon, but he was thankful for his good fortune.

"Quite a gruesome story," Jalafiel added.

Theresa shook her head. "The point is, Redflower is impenetrable from all attacks. One day, you will see."

"Thank you for you're insight, and the wonderful story then," said Jalafiel.

Theresa nodded, along with Felicia and Ralph. "Say," began the Baron. "Where is Joseph, anyway?"

"Joseph?" asked Jalafiel aloud.

"Yes," mused Ralph as he scratched his chin. "My son, Joseph. He's twelve years old, turning into a fine young man. I wanted him to meet you when you arrived."

As Ralph finished this sentence, a lad dressed in a simple olive green tunic and brown leggings strode to the gathering company. As the lad neared, he opened his mouth to speak. "Mother, Father, I'm sorry I'm late. I was in the forest, hunting with Jacob. When I received your message, I came as quickly as I could." Joseph lifted an eyebrow to Jalafiel. "You must be Father's new councilman. I'm Joseph."

"Charmed, Joseph. I'm Jalafiel. You say you were hunting? What game do you hunt?"

"The usual sorts," Joseph replied. "Wild turkey, the occasional deer, pheasant and the such with the traditional bow and arrow. Jacob and I caught a fat bird today, which means fresh meat for supper."

"Good job, son," Ralph commented. "Now, what do you all say we show Jalafiel the rest of the castle before dinner?

Jalafiel shut the door to his private chamber quietly, and assured himself that the lock was bolted down tight. Jalafiel sighed, it had been a long day.

But a productive one. Tomorrow, he would become the Baron's right hand of power, and he would gradually begin to earn his trust. And when he had the Baron's trust, he would slowly but surely gain the citizen's trust. And when he had the trust of both parties, he would bribe the guards that were prone to such things and hire ones that weren't. Jalafiel would eventually take over all political power, and when the time was right, a coup would storm the throne room and kill the honorable family themselves.

The takeover from advisory to the respectable title of Baron was certain to be a long road of at least a few years, but the reward in the end was so tantalizing. Jalafiel smiled and mentally prided himself in the fact that step one in his takeover had been completed.