Everyone was seated around a long table. Baron Creus took the central position; to his right sat Baron Heins, a middle-aged man with blond hair and a smiling face who, at first glance, seemed like a good person.
To his left was Baron Bourbon, a young man who had just succeeded his father. He had long black hair tied back in a ponytail.
The rest of the people present were landowners, knights, and people with high positions in the viscounty's militia. As for the great merchants, Baron Creus had invited none of them.
Those people were very shrewd: they knew that the changes in the viscounty would only improve their income. Baron Creus believed that if he invited them, the plan would very likely be leaked.
Receiving everyone's gazes, Baron Creus began the conversation:
"As you all already know, the lord's new ordinances are putting the noose around our necks."
"I believe we have already given the viscount lord enough opportunities, and the only thing that is clear is that his attitude toward the nobility is completely hostile."
"With the redistribution of the land and now with these two new measures, we will soon be at the level of the commoners."
"We, who dedicated all our effort to the service of the Solomon family—and this is what they pay us?"
"Putting a child in power, and most likely he is being manipulated by those vile servants around him."
"Otherwise, it is impossible that someone in a position of great nobility would establish such ridiculous things."
Reaching this point, Baron Creus stopped and let Baron Bourbon speak, who seemed very eager to give his opinion.
"I believe it must be that red-haired woman who is manipulating him. I have heard that she follows him everywhere."
At Baron Bourbon's intervention, Baron Creus mocked him inwardly, but he did not show it on the surface. Instead, he used it to his advantage:
"I have heard that witches in ancient times had red-colored hair."
This sentence provoked a sepulchral silence in the room.
It is common knowledge that, in ancient times, when the tyrant emperor ruled the world, he had a legion of these witches who only brought death in their path.
According to the history books, this legion left desolation in every place it passed through. There were never any survivors on its path; only places devoid of life were found.
No one knows what happened to that legion, only that they were not present in the war of liberty on the outskirts of Liberty City.
Many think that said legion was only a legend, but most of the noble families that fought in that war left indications of its existence. Although no one knows their characteristics, only that they were a legion of witches and sorcerers.
Baron Creus had the fortune of reading a fragment of the diary of a general of the ancient tyrant empire that said:
"We are losing the war, but His Majesty does not intend to send his legion of witches. This afternoon I saw how a witch arrived before His Majesty, always with her scarlet hair. I believe they are all the same; I have not seen a different hair color among them. After she left, His Majesty seemed tired. I dared to ask if he would finally send them to the front, but he only smiled, shook his head, and told me that they had a much more important mission."
Baron Creus could see the faces full of panic and fear in most of those present, so he had to step forward and calm things down:
"Do not worry. Even if she is a witch, do not forget that that was a long time ago. She must be a descendant with some simple magic capable of impressing the young viscount."
Everyone in the hall breathed a sigh of relief and Baron Creus continued:
"Trusting in the witch, the young viscount must feel secure, which is why he neglected the army."
In front of Baron Creus was Baron Chase, an old man who said with an unpleasant voice:
"Hehehehehehe, you should have listened to the old man's words and eliminated him as soon as he arrived."
"We already talked about that, Baron Chase. It was too risky to do it at that time," Baron Heins answered with an educated voice.
Baron Chase only smiled unpleasantly and did not reply.
"Knight Robert is the captain of the Solomon City guard and will notify us as soon as the lord leaves the city."
A sturdy man in his twenties stood up and said in a loud voice:
"Count on me. My family was in charge of collecting taxes in a small village on the coast, and with the prohibition on collecting taxes we will suffer a great blow."
"Militia Captain George is at the ready for a mobilization."
Everyone in the room marveled at Baron Creus's resources.
"In addition, I bribed a servant in the lord's mansion who will notify me of all his movements," it was Baron Heins who spoke.
"I already have more than half of the Solomon City guard, who will take control when everything is done," Baron Bourbon said loudly his contribution.
"Hehehehe, I have the mine personnel in the mountain ranges under my control," Baron Chase said darkly.
Then Baron Creus proceeded to explain the plan:
"Now, the plan is this: an urgent call will be made from the mine saying that there was an accident and that the lord's presence is needed to decide."
"Second, we will wait for the notice from the servant and the guard captain when the lord leaves Solomon City."
"Third, we will mobilize the militia under my control and head toward the mines."
"Fourth, the mine personnel under Baron Chase's control will detain him as long as possible."
"Fifth, with the militia we will besiege the lord's retinue and eliminate him."
"Sixth, Baron Bourbon will take Solomon City under his control."
"After all this is done we will discuss what measures to take."
"Cheers, gentlemen. I hope everything goes well for us and we return to an era of prosperity."
After the toast, no one stayed to celebrate. Each one returned to his territory.
One day later, at night.
André was in his study. There was a small candelabrum on his desk, while in the darkness in front of him murmurs could be heard.
If Baron Creus heard what those murmurs were saying, he would be surprised, because that was exactly what had occurred in the meeting one day earlier, in luxurious detail.
"Very well, then I will remember your contribution. You can rest easy; you will be well rewarded."
"All for serving you, my lord," answered a very low voice, barely perceptible.
"You may leave."
"Yes."
Then, under the darkness of the night, a shadow left the lord's mansion without anyone knowing which direction it took.
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