About a four-day horse ride southwest of the Capital, along the southern coast sits the port city of Orlea. It is one of the oldest cities in the kingdom. The city has been under Broussard family control for over two thousand years.
In that time, the Broussa’s as they are known on the streets have amassed great wealth from its control of the ports, and their less than reputable business dealings. The Broussa’s run the city with an iron fist, squeezing out every piece of gold, silver or copper that they can. The family has a band of “adjusters” who ensure that the Broussard family gets their cut from every transaction in their city. Since Orlea is one of the most prosperous cities, the people pay without much complaint. The one’s that have complained in the past, have all disappeared without a trace.
It’s these practices that has elevated the Broussa’s to one of the richest and most influential families in the entire kingdom.
Today, Broussard Castle is abuzz with workers. The old castle was once a fort to defend the port, but was converted into a lavish home for the Broussa’s long ago. The castle sits on a manmade hill overlooking the port. The entire area is near sea level, so to give the soldiers an advantageous tactical position, a magician long forgotten had elevated the ground that the castle sits upon.
The workers are busy because the castle has visitors from across the kingdom coming. The castle is getting a deep cleaning. Every ornamental black onyx and golden amber stone has been polished and polished again. Every Trident Leaf, the family symbol, is cleaned to a bright shine. The old girl must look her best for the honored guest.
The Broussa son, Marco returned late last night from the Capital for this meeting. For Marco, the city is a welcome relief from the stresses of running the Kingdom for an absent-minded King. Here the family has been so deeply rooted in the city for so long, that the money seems to find its way to them without much effort. But in the Capital, Marco must be very coy about how he gets his increase.
The Broussa’s hold a feast for their guest that last into the mid-night hours. Wine and fine meat flow freely amongst the affluent visitors. A good time is had by all, until Marco’s father, Leonardo bids the women and children a good evening. To which they promptly leave; they know that this moment is the real reason they are here.
“A half hour, gentlemen.” Is all Leonardo says.
After a half an hour, Marco stands in the corridor to his family’s secret hall. A hidden place deep in the bowels of Broussard Castle. He is waiting to be called in to give his report.
After a few minutes of waiting, the door to the hall opens. Marco steps through. This is the third time he has been allowed inside these chambers.
He walks into a room with six men inside. Once he steps in, all of them turn to reveal their golden owl masks. Each man is wearing a black cloak that covers every part of their bodies, which draws attention to the masks. Each mask is different, each mask is of a different type of owl.
“What is the status of our plans in the Capital?” The lead owl asks.
Marco looks to the owl who asked the question. Even though her knows it’s his father, he must address him by his title.
“Great Overseer, the Coven’s plans have been accelerated in the last years that I have been in the Capital. As of today, I am working diligently to ensure that Prince John Henry will be named heir. As you know, I have successfully recruited him to our ranks.”
“How did you do that?” The Red eyed Owl asks.
“It was simple. He is the second born son; I used his jealously to ensure his loyalty. In exchange for getting him the crown, he has pledged his life to our cause. In private, the future King has bowed to me.” Marco says with pride.
“It was a dangerous gambit to reveal us to a member of the crown! How do we know that we can trust him?” Asks the Snow Owl.
“Because he is well aware that to betray us is death. He knows that with his sister, we could marry one of our families into the throne. He also knows that we have no qualms about putting an enemy to death.”
“Bah! That cross breed princess girl? None of my son’s would want her!” The Red eyed Owl responds.
“She would be but a means to an end. I assure you, every one of our son’s would take her for the power that the crown wields. Besides, as I can assure you from my experiences with the current king. The Queen is just a figure in public. The women that he has in private are top quality commoners. Every man would enjoy a harem like that.”
“But what about Prince David? He is next in line.” The Screech Owl shouts.
“I had eyewitnesses see him enter into Meego with his brother, Aero. I assure you; he is either dead or will be soon. If not by Meego’s hand, then by the one thousand loyal knights I sent to kill him, and Aero should he return. They are stationed at the Old Palace by the Dried-up Sea now, waiting to strike. Once the Meego Light returns and the door to Meego closes, John Henry will be heir.”
The Owls whisper amongst themselves, Marco is enjoying this. The official agenda that was handed down to him was way more modest than the work he has already completed.
“What about the crown now?” The Great Overseer asks
“King William is a very easy man to manipulate, just give him a couple girls and he will do whatever we want. Hell, I have been cycling girls in and out of a rotation lately. It’s amazing how little he truly sees. Most get a haircut and a new name, then they are back with him and he doesn’t notice.”
“What if he does find out? Then what?”
“Then, I will blame it on the girl wanting to return to a life of luxury then kill her. All the girls are under our thumb, they know to obey. Plus, they really do get to live an easy life aside from whoring for the King.”
“What of our finances?” The Snow Owl asks, changing the subject.
“When I arrived in the Capital, the Crown had no debt and was running the kingdom fairly well. Over time, I was able to overthrow all the advisors to the King that were in my way. Today, the crown owes us, six million gold. The crown is in debt to us, and the King is so distracted that I dare say this now- the Kingdom belongs to us.”
A round of applause is given by the owls.
“Finally!” Shouts the Pigmy Owl.
“To Marco!” Shouts the Snow Owl.
The Great Overseer holds out his hands to calm the owls.
“So the crown is indebt to us, we have a King who can’t see beyond the breasts in front of his face, we have successfully eliminated two Prince’s and set the third up to be the King that kneels to us. That ties everything up except for one thing. What about the Royal Blade? I know that we sent Aero on the guise of retrieving it, but that was just to take him off the board. I hope those sand dwellers do their jobs again. The Coven wants to add that sword to the ranks of our other mystical weapons cache. Is there a chance to that we get it within our grasp?”
“Great Overseer, I took it upon myself to send Underbridge Assassin’s into Meego to retrieve it. Not just one or two. I specifically asked for every available assassin. I don’t know if that’s fifty or five hundred, but every time we have ever used them, they got the desired results. The price will be steep, but I will have the crown pay for it. So I suspect they already have it, and it should be on its way to us soon. Also, Ser Robert, sent a report from the Old Palace. There is a second magic weapon in use. It’s a battle axe. It was wielded by a man riding a Halo Bear. I have about two hundred men searching for him.” Marco replies.
“Excellent! Even if we do not get the sword, Marco… You have done more work for the Coven in the last ten years than this court has completed in two hundred. The Coven will now adjourn to my office to speak in private. Remain in this room until we return.” The Great Overseer commands.
Marco sits in a chair before the massive table. He looks above the mantle and sees the secret vigil of the Coven, two glowing owl eyes with a beak slightly cracked open in the middle. Ever since he became of age, he has worked for the Coven at the behest of his father. His entire adult life has been to further the goals of the secret society. He hopes that they return with a reward of some sort, but he can’t be certain.
He did make several power plays without the approval of the Council. Perhaps they will punish him to put him in his place for such arrogance.
The Council is gone for some time with allows Marco’s mind to race at the thought of what comes next.
Finally, as his nerves begin to get the best of him, the Owl’s return.
Marco stands as they enter.
“Marco, after convening with the Council about your actions in the Capital, and all of your victories on our behalf we have decided to reward you for all your hard work. Approach the bench to receive your reward.” The Great Overseer says
Marco steps to the table directly in front of the Overseer, his heart is beating out of his chest. A punishment could be veiled behind the idea of a reward. He knows this and has seen it. The Overseer slides him a black box.
“Open it.”
Marco opens the lid to the wooden box to find a golden owl mask.
“By the right of this Council, we bestow upon you the moniker of the ‘Horned Owl.’ Just as the Horned Owl hunts other birds of prey, you stand in the Capital and hunt down other predators and win. Welcome to the Inner Circle of the Covenant of the Whispering Owls.”
Marco picks up the mask in shock. He thought this was an honor for much older men. He looks over the beautiful mask that shows off the details of a Horned Owl’s face. He looks back to the box and finds a black cloak.
One of the other Owls helps place the cloak over Marco. As Marco places the mask over his face, the overseer takes out a dagger and hands it to Marco.
As he slides the blade across his hand, he says the words “In public we whisper, but soon our screech will be heard.”
The others repeat it.
“You have all the makings of a Great Overseer. Keep up our great work for the Kingdom.”
The magic dagger that shed just a few drops of his blood oath has already healed his hand. Marco has arrived.
Relics of the Old Age 