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[Thraxas]

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"He goes out from time to time, m'lord, but your brother stays largely at the villa. I do not think you have anything to worry about just yet," the spy told his employer. He added a brief smile to accentuate the confidence in his words.

It did not fool his master. "I do not pay you to think, do I? Maintain your watch. Find out who his contacts are; where he goes, how he spends his money and time. That is all you need to do," Thraxas commented dryly. "Get additional... smart... help if you need it. Now get back to your business."

The hooded figure bowed and departed.

Thraxas shook his head. Humans are such fools, and elves no better! If only I had a few more like her, he mused, speaking of Erinyes. Already she has brought me enough information about my friends and enemies to fill a small library: The Protectorate lies dormant; Umbra sleeps... only Zento and Stonegate show any signs of activity. This is good... good for Yew, good for me, and for my purposes.

Yew was being managed by a daemon lord. Only three persons knew it: his brother, Thrax, Erinyes and Ceinwyn. Erinyes was a loyal ally and Ceinwyn a loyal friend. She had not revealed his identity at the inauguration, so why would she ever? He could trust them both, therefore, not to derail his plans. His brother was another matter. It was hoped that his prestige and reputation were so low among the Lightsworn leaders that anything he said would be suspect and largely ignored. But if he found out that Thrax was talking too freely he would have to make his next departure permanent. He was nevertheless considering a pre-emptive strike to completely destroy his credibility.

His original goal had been lofty and impossible without plenty of ardent followers. As it was, only one, Erinyes, had joined his banner, though she was the very best at what she did. She made up for ten ordinary daemons. Then, as things deteriorated and all seemed lost, he received a gift, something entirely unforeseen... the rule of Yew handed to him. With one human town in his pocket, he had the means to begin and to experiment.

He had already removed the hardened criminals from the Yew jail on the pretext that it was overcrowded and the worst convicts deserved less cordial treatment than what it provided. That satisfied the keepers well enough. Those desperate men, and elves, had become the first of a series of sacrifices made at the Castle. But that supply had run out. He had to find fresh sources to pacify his god from whom he could draw strength and the insurmountable power to complete his plans.

I need an enemy. Yew needs an enemy. Who can it be? He thought it over for a while.

There is one within our very borders. He smiled to himself.
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"If a criminal has what you want, you do business with him."

[Thraxas]

---

Kayla Ariesus of Heartwood exited the portal leading into Yew. Something weighed very heavily upon her mind. She had just left a gathering of leading elves which had unanimously decided to oppose the permission of a known elf-hater, Magnate Isk, into the territory of Yew to teach his Humanis philosophy at Alderglen Academy. Her dilemma was to determine how best to accomplish the task they had assigned her: to ensure that the dissatisfaction of the elves be made known to the highest circles of the Yew community, but to do this as peacefully as possible.

Standing near the portal to meet her was a man she had recently come to know, who had only recently taken up residence in Yew. He gave her the name, Esric. She could not be certain but he appeared to be drow, though he did not comport himself as one, but instead seemed to exhibit tendencies that none of them would: an affinity and camaraderie toward the elves of Heartwood. "Good to see you, Kayla," he greeted her in the elvish tongue. "How did the meeting go?"

She nodded slightly and forced a smile. "It went as well as expected. I will need your help," she replied.

Esric smiled back. "You shall have it! I have met a man... he is half-elvish himself, who has agreed to aid us. He is quite wealthy and is in all respects sensitive toward our cause."

Kayla was taken aback. "It is too soon to be speaking of our plans to strangers, sir," she chided. "They may not understand our aims, or worse."

Esric chuckled. "No need to fear. Come with me and I shall introduce you to him."

Reluctantly she agreed to follow him. It was a very short journey from the portal to a small villa near the Winterbreeze manor. Esric led her inside and offered her a seat. "I will go and tell him you are here, milady," he said as he exited a teleporter to a higher floor.

The wait was short but uncomfortable for her. She resisted the urge to flee the place just long enough for the master of the house to appear. He was tall and lean, clad in a green cape and clothing typical of Yew: a fancy shirt and breeches with knee high boots polished to a veritable gleam. His short goatee, mustache and hair were a bright red adorning the chiseled features of a handsome human face. His slightly pointed ears were visible as his long hair was pulled back and tied into a pony tail which rested across the top front of his right shoulder. "Greetings, milady," he welcomed her. "I am Lord Thrax."

She felt a sudden need to stand, but dismissed it. "I am Kayla Ariesus, of Heartwood. A pleasure to meet you, sir."

Thrax nodded and bowed, then seated himself across from her in an old-fashioned throne. "Would you like something to drink?"

She shook her head. "No thank you."

He nodded. "Esric tells me that you and your kinsmen have issues with the Magnate's Humanis lectures; you wish to oppose him spreading the hateful lies of that philosophy within our borders. Is this true?"

"That is basically true. Many of us have decided that Yew should not sponsor such racist notions as they may lead to the polarization of our symbiotic communities. We want our voices to be heard in this matter. I am given to understand you sympathize with our agenda?"

Thrax nodded without hesitation. "I do indeed. And I am just the man you need as your voice. You see, my own brother is the Lord Regent of Yew. I can speak to him for you and perhaps put an end to this nonsense. I am just recently moved here and did not know that he had employed the Magnate in that capacity, but when I found it out, I was aghast. My own brother is half-elvish like me. I cannot imagine what he was thinking."

His words unnerved her and made her more than a bit suspicious. "We do not wish to make trouble for you or anyone else, sir. We only want our own opinions to be heard. Surely he can see our reasoning?"

"Let me take this to him for you. If he will not listen to me, then I assure you he will not listen to anyone else! And I will make sure your name is not mentioned... only that there is talk of elves who are deeply concerned with the Magnate's continued Humanis lectures. Is that acceptable to you?"

Kayla nodded. "Yes, it seems reasonable. I will tell you that there are some of my kin who are growing impatient and if something is not done, they have threatened to take matters into their own hands. I am the voice of moderation and patience, but I have no power to dissuade them if things go too far. Please do not view this as a threat... it is not... only a warning. I am a woman of peace, foremost."

Thrax smiled. "I can see from your face that your words ring true. I will speak to him. Give me a few days, say, three, and then you shall meet me back here about this time. I will give you his response."

She smiled. "It will be as you say. Now I must be excused. I have things which must be done."

Thrax rose and led her to the door. "Three days?"

Kayla nodded. "Farewell," she saluted before leaving.

Thrax bade her goodbye and closed the door. He stroked his goatee and returned upstairs to speak with Esric.
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"If a criminal has what you want, you do business with him."

[Thraxas]

---

Thrax returned to his villa and slammed the door as he entered. Esric met him and noted his angry scowl. "It did not go so well?"

The former Governor of Alderglen ignored him, his mind racing over what transpired at the meeting between him and his brother...

"It is entirely out of the question. I will tell you what I told Archwarden Itannar... I will not exercise any censorship over the discussions of philosophies no matter how repugnant the subject may be to some. As long as instructors have worthy credentials, they will be permitted to lecture at the Academy," Thraxas had told him. "And in case you didn't know... in your lengthy absence, Magnate Isk has been voted Governor Regent more than once. I believe that honor more than qualifies him. Everyone who voted for him knew full well the extent not only of his past, but the depth of his Humanis agenda. Their confidence in him is good enough for me."

"I know him as well as anybody... you don't need to tell me, brother. He and I have had a long and useful association for many years. But that is not the issue: I am not the one who is protesting his involvement with the school; I merely came to voice the disapproval and dissatisfaction of a growing number of elves in Heartwood. I live near the portal and do not wish to see the town factionalized between humans and elves. We have all gotten along peacefully until recently," Thrax countered.

"You failed to divulge to me the name of your elf dissident."

"No I didn't; I merely elected not to reveal it."

"Withholding basic information about demagogues and potential traitors is treason."

Thrax sighed. "Nothing I have told you could in any wise be construed as demagogery or treasonous. Besides, I gave them my word that I would not divulge their name to anyone."

"You see! They know what they are doing is leading to trouble and do not wish to be associated with it! Their guilt is clear. I demand you give me a name."

"Kayla Ariesus," Thrax offered, not wishing to aggravate his hot-headed brother. "I do not know the names of the others; she would not tell me. She is harmless, I assure you."

"You will vouch for her then; her integrity and intentions?"

"Yes, without reservation."

Thraxas sat back in his chair. "You go tell this Kayla that if she or any of her elvish cohorts makes one minute's trouble for me, or the Magnate, I will make them wish they could lock up that portal and themselves inside it! I do not want to hear anymore about this."

...There was a little more small talk, but Thrax was too angry to wish to stay any longer than he had to. While he waited for Kayla to appear, deliberating on what he would tell her, Esric served him sake and kept quiet.
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"If a criminal has what you want, you do business with him."