Chapter 240: I’m Home
As the evening settled into the House of Roses, the atmosphere remained tense, charged with anticipation. Josephine, the madam of the renowned courtesan house, led Gildevart, the Guildmaster, to her office. Before he began, Gildevart turned to Josephine, his expression serious.
"We need Abraham here as well," he said. "He needs to hear this."
Josephine nodded and moved to summon Abraham, but before she could, a voice emerged from the shadows. "I’m listening," Abraham said, stepping into the light. His sudden presence was almost uncanny, a testament to his skills.
Gildevart acknowledged him with a nod and then began. "The situation in Arkansas is dire. The city council appears to be swaying toward Duke Ravindor’s side. They’ve been promised noble titles, which for most wealthy merchants is an irresistible offer—prestige and status they weren’t born into but have always craved."
Josephine’s eyes narrowed. "So the council is selling us out for titles?"
Gildevart nodded gravely. "Yes. The Duke’s ambition is to swallow this city whole, making it a strategic base for his impending war against the Astellian royal family. He aims to usurp the throne, and Arkansas is a critical piece in his plans."
Abraham folded his arms, his face a mask of concern. "If he gains control of Arkansas, he’ll have a significant stronghold to launch his campaign. We can’t let that happen."
Josephine leaned forward, her voice resolute. "What do we need to do?"
Gildevart’s voice was steady, filled with the weight of responsibility. "We need to gather our allies and fortify our defenses. But we must do it wisely. If we make a move too soon, we risk exposing ourselves. If we wait too long, we might lose our chance to act."
Josephine nodded. "We have to be strategic. Who do we know is still loyal? Who can we trust?"
Abraham responded, "We have a few merchants and local leaders who have shown consistent support. We should reach out to them discreetly, and ensure their loyalty remains firm."