The 'court' as Kristof had so flatteringly called it, was a small semi-circular room bereft of all furnishing excepting a single table in the middle with six chairs around it, All plain excepting one with the crest of Jung engraved into it's back; The Count's chair. There were no windows, lighting only coming from a few magic light orbs that hung around the ceiling, giving the already oppressive chamber a sinister air. When the Count entered three of the members of the council were already present: Jerick Jung, Kristof's uncle and Head Magician; Olan Breighgoch, lead planner and supervisor of the mines; And Finally, Clyde Gibs, the head treasurer. They all sat in silence, Olan and Clyde peering over a scroll while Jerick just looked straight ahead at Kristof with a formless stare. Kristof sat in his chair and examined those two left empty, if they weren't here already it was unlikely for them to show up at all,
'Very Well.'
"So, it seems that the Dragon Elders are instituting a slowd-"
"We Know." The other three men interrupted in unison.
"Oh, uh, alright." It seemed like news traveled faster than he thought, "In order prepare for the slowdown we need to consilid-"
"Already done." Only two interrupted this time, with Olan continuing alone, "We'll have appraisers start going through every crystal we have starting tomorrow, we'll be pulling out low quality crystals and putting them in storage until the slowdown stops, however I fear this may not be enough."
"It won't be," interjected the treasurer, "Already we are in massive debt to the Holte's, and they have been getting a bit antsy of late, what with the war brewing and all. At the moment we would be needing _double_ our current trade with the dragons should we with to pay them off in a years time. Now it will only be getting worse. If you had only maintained the contract with the Mage Guild we would be fine."
"You know very well why I cancelled that contract honorable treasurer," Kristof did his best not to raise his voice in anger, "I cannot support their building of magic-fueled weapons. I've seen some of their plans, you've seen some of their plans even. You all should know it was immoral to continue our partnership."
"Immoral?" Snapped Clyde, "What's 'immoral' is your contempt for your own people! The harvest season has been a worse even than usual and if current trends continue we won't be able to import enough food to last the winter. Say what you want about your father, but he wouldn't have left those under his charge to starve!"
Kristof stood unable to find words, he looked to his uncle for assistance, but the man only replied with a silent glare.
***
Jeremy had finally managed to clamber to his feet, using the molding walls of his cell as a support. The guards must have figured him a non-threat at this point as they had only left a single man to watch over him. Well, 'man' was incorrect, the assassin figured the guard no older than sixteen and not a well grown sixteen at that. Acne pocked the youths face under wisps patchy facial hair and the kettlehelm he wore over his head was so poorly fitted that the brim sat over his eyes. Jeremy couldn't help but silently giggle as the boy constantly readjusted the helmet so he could see.
"Methinks you should get another pot there boy," The would-be assassin chided.
"I'm no boy, now shut up!"
"What's your name, boy?"
"That's none of your damn business! Now sit down and shut up!"
Jeremy just shrugged, "Well, I'll just continue calling you boy then."
The guard fumed, by the way he looked at the lock the assassin knew he was thinking of coming in to the cell and 'teach him a lesson'. "I'm no- Just call me Frederik." The lad took a breath, trying to calm himself down.
"See, that's all I needed. Now, Frederik, is it true that the Count's dragoness friend is going to eat me?"
"Trix?" Fred responded, obviously familiar with who the assassin was talking about, "I don't think so, I don't think she would have that in..." He stopped, mid sentence realizing his mistake, "Er, I mean, I don't know. I've heard stories of her eating whole villages and... uh..." It was too late, the assassin had already known enough by the time the boy had called her 'Trix'. Far too cutesy for a man eater. He simply nodded in thanks to Fred, who was now stammering in an attempt to come up with tall tales, "... She once sank a whole navy just to watch the sailors drown, she once, uh..." Jeremy just sat down and laid back against the cold walls of his cell, content with listening to the boy continue floundering.
***
Sergeant Killigan looked upon the sight with minor concern, Viatrix was chasing around the children. Now, under normal circumstances this would have caused no alarm to the veteran guard who had known of the dragon since she first started visiting six years ago. As it was though, a couple of junior sentries had apparently heard she planned to eat someone, Kristof's assassin. Again, under normal circumstances the sergeant would have blown off these concerns as the superstitions of the inexperienced, but the sincerity in there voices convinced him to explore the issue.
"Viatrix," He called out, "I need to speak to you quickly."