Sitting across the table from Dorian Amberborn in the resplendent, but intimate, dining room, both General Helena Vane and the Senior Mage Cyrus Fenn look conflicted about being summoned to the meeting. But it wasn’t like they had a choice. The complicated web of favors sprinkled with blackmail he commonly used ensured they would at least meet with him when asked.

  He’d invited them to a secluded dining room at the Obsidian Club, knowing that would be less suspicious than if any nosy spies saw them entering his private residence. The luxurious private rooms were one of the valuable perks of the Obsidian Club, giving powerful members a neutral place to meet and feel out potential allies and enemies.

  Members also used the rooms as places to relax and enjoy companionship among equals who understood the challenges posed by holding influential positions within the empire. Though in Dorian’s opinion, anyone who didn’t treat every social interaction like a power play was an idiot.

  Still, he enjoyed the atmosphere the Obsidian Club had created in the various rooms. They spared no expense to make them attractive to the elite of the empire. This one had soft, ambient lighting from a crystal chandelier over the circular, polished oak table with the high-backed and richly upholstered chairs the three of them sat in.

  Sconces with lights that matched the chandelier dispelled any shadows in the room and highlighted the other opulent furnishings, despite the drawn drapes over the large windows on the far wall.

  This was the usual procedure. No one wanted to advertise their identities to snoopers peering through windows with spells or skills. The club also had formidable built-in privacy devices to protect anything spoken from all but the most skilled of eavesdroppers. Here, the curtains also helped, as most listening spells required a visual target.

  As an unobtrusive servant set out their meal with skilled movements, Dorian took the free moment to enjoy the room. Looking around instead of at his two visitors also conveyed how unimportant their concerns were to him.

  Polished light colored wood adorned the furniture contrasting nicely with the dark colorings of the upholstery of the chairs and two sofas. A substantial liquor cellarette stood open along one wall, the fancy glass carafes full of various colored liquids on full display.

  Dorian noticed a soft scent wafting off a vase of flowers placed on a side table to his left and made a mental note to ask where they’d gotten them. Now that he was paying attention, he realized how much he enjoyed the relaxing combination of their subtle colors and scent. They would be a delightful addition to his personal gardens if he could negotiate for a cutting.

  Then a flurry of mouth-watering aromas overwhelmed the flowers and his own scent as the servant pulled the domes off their food with a practiced flourish. With a nod, he spoke in a quiet tone. “Enjoy your meals. Please ring the bell should you require anything else.”

  And then he gathered everything onto his cart and disappeared quickly, like an excellent servant. The door barely made a click behind him as he shut it.

  With a satisfied murmur for the professional service, Dorian leaned forward and activated the device built into the center of the table. He relaxed a fraction with the feeling of security that came from knowing their conversation was now private.

  The two watched him, waiting for him to take the lead. It felt gratifying. He took up his fork and knife and cut himself a small bite of meat. After a furtive glance at each other, they quickly followed suit.

  Though Dorian had too much control to let out a moan of pleasure, he felt the bite explode in his mouth. He recognized the distinct taste of saffron and truffle-infused jus in the bite of tender meat, a combination he’d savored before in the finest establishments of the empire. The saffron imparted a subtle floral note while the truffle added a rich earthiness that complemented the meat perfectly.

  However, as he chewed thoughtfully, Dorian detected an unfamiliar spice that tantalized his palate. It had a slightly citrusy undertone with hints of warmth reminiscent of cinnamon, but with a sharper, more exotic edge. This spice added a surprising complexity to the dish, intriguing his taste buds with its unknown origin and flavor profile.

  Curious, he glanced at Mage Fenn, who had less control over his reaction, pleasure and surprise on his face in equal proportion. General Vane, however, continued eating with the composed demeanor of someone for whom food was simply fuel for the body. Dorian kept his disdain from showing while making a note to inquire discreetly about the spice later along with the flowers. His personal chef would love the fresh addition.

  Silence filled the room as the three pretended the meal held their complete attention. It was actually true for Dorian. As he finished the last glorious bite, combining it with the perfect slice of butter-roasted asparagus, the flavors melded on his palate in a symphony he had a hard time keeping to himself. With no little regret, he carefully placed his utensils on the white tablecloth before dabbing at his mouth with the soft napkin from his lap.

  Looking up, he saw his two guests hurrying to finish, having read his cues that he was ready to talk. They both seemed more relaxed than before the meal, which made Dorian smile internally.

  Just like subtle scents, many people underestimated the power of a delectable meal. Almost universally, people were much more amenable to suggestions after a delicious meal, especially if someone else paid for it. It generated an unconscious need to reciprocate the favor, which he shamelessly took advantage of.

  This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

  “I’m sure you’re wondering why I invited you here.” Dorian gave them a gentile smile and started the conversation with something they’d all agree with. Manipulation was a fine art. “I expect you were as appalled as I was to hear of our army’s defeat at that upstart town in the outskirts.”

  “Quarrybrook.” General Vane said the name like a curse word. “If the other generals had listened to me, we’d have obliterated that traitorous town and snuffed out this silly war before it even got started.”

  “We’re agreed, then.” Dorian gave her an approving expression.

  “This is unfamiliar ground for our troops.” Mage Fenn grimaced, also looking unhappy about current events. “They’ve never had to attack from outside a city wall. The built-in magical defenses make things even harder for our mages. Our people are usually on the other side, with all the advantages of defending a powerful position.”

  “And fighting other people instead of beasts?” Vane shook her head, her frustration easy to read. “If this continues much longer, there’ll be no hope for any of us to survive the hordes. Are these rebels insane? They’re going to pull the entire empire down with their actions.”

  “They’re no more insane than anyone in the empire fighting to improve their power foothold. We all know plenty who only look out for their own selfish aspirations. The rebels are just going outside the established methods we’ve all agreed to follow, right?”

  Both aimed a look of surprise at his backhanded acceptance of what the rebels were doing.

  “That means we need to educate them on why we have long-established rules that keep the empire intact.” Dorian let his expression harden. “And do it with extreme prejudice.”

  Vane immediately matched his demeanor, her face turning wolfish.

  Fenn nodded, too, but with a healthy dose of skepticism. “How are we going to do what our current leaders haven’t managed? What makes you and your plans better?”

  “Well, for one, they failed to give the rebels the respect of a worthy opponent.” He ticked off one finger before raising another. “Second, they forgot the most important consideration we always follow with any defiance of the empire’s long-standing laws. Any response needs immediate and overwhelming force if we don’t want the insurrection to spread.”

  “It’s already too late for that.” Fenn sat back and folded his arms in clear body language that he wasn’t convinced.

  “It is true we missed the optimal chance to quash this little rebellion, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t an opportunity to make up for the empire’s failure.”

  Vane leaned forward, nodding with a bloodthirsty glint in her eyes.

  “There is a third premise to our empire’s tactics that we all know, without needing to explicitly state it.”

  Vane’s gaze narrowed in confusion for a moment before understanding and greed replaced it.

  Dorian nodded to him in acknowledgment. “To the winners go the spoils.”

  Fenn frowned. “The three of us don’t have enough pull to control the empire’s next plan. Which means whether it succeeds or fails, we can’t reap the benefits. We also won’t be brought low like the idiots who backed our first inadequate response. How do you expect us to push ourselves into a position to influence any of that, much less walk away with the rewards?”

  Dorian stifled his flash of irritation at Fenn’s continued obstinacy, but knew if he could win Fenn over, he’d be an even more valuable ally.

  “We’ll do that by not pushing for the obvious agenda.”

  Now Vane was the one to frown. “I thought you said we needed an overwhelming force. That means gathering a larger army this time and taking care of these rebel cities once and for all, right?”

  Dorian raised a brow toward her. “Don’t you think that’s exactly what our current leaders are proposing at the moment?”

  She flushed, taken aback by his opposition. “Yes. At least from the rumors I’ve heard lately.”

  “You have a different idea?” Fenn asked. “Didn’t you just say the empire had forgotten to follow its usual methods of overwhelming force?”

  “Yes, I did. But what I didn’t say was how we would get there.” Dorian straightened, letting a hint of a smug smile emerge. He pushed on his Charisma and his Influence skill while doing his best to portray someone who had a secret and powerful plan. “I can’t share it all with you, but can give you the gist of it. The only requirement is obviously your commitment to secrecy. Though one of our critical tactics will be to bring other allies on board, we will need to agree on who to approach before sharing any details.” Dorian kept using we instead of I during his approach. His chances of success grew the more he made them feel a part of the planning.

  Both leaned forward, looking intrigued despite their skepticism. Dorian made sure he only portrayed confidence, not smugness.

  “First, we all know many other leaders in the mid-tiers of power like us. Plenty are dissatisfied with the way we handled Quarrybrook. They’re also hungry, considering how few scraps those in charge let trickle down. We can take advantage of both.”

  Vane’s brows drew together, but Dorian could see Fenn was quicker on the uptake.

  “In exchange for their support of our plans, we would agree to a more equitable division of the spoils?” he asked.

  “Exactly.” Dorian gave the mage an approving look. “And while they’re scrambling around trying to stomp out the new rebel cities that keep cropping up like cockroaches, we’ll work in the background gathering troops and resources for a powerful push that no rebellion could stand against.”

  Vane was shaking her head. “And how do you think we’ll be able to siphon off that kind of support? If there’s something our rulers pay particular attention to, it’s each fighter and every coin.”

  “Because we’ll be doing it for them.” Dorian sat back with a satisfied chuckle at how Vane had given him the perfect question. “Only when they try to call on all the power we’ve gathered in our staging city—” He gave a helpless shrug.

  The two stared at him for a long moment. Dorian enjoyed watching the understanding dawn on them.

  It was Vane who spoke first. “If we used our people to gather everyone in a staging city, then it’ll be simple for orders to get delayed or lost.”

  Fenn nodded, giving her an excited look. “Not to mention, this will be too far from the capital for anyone opposing us to micromanage. It won’t take many people planted in the right positions for us to take over control of it all.”

  “Oh. One more thing.” Dorian spoke with a casual aplomb that he knew would make the reveal all the more powerful. “Inquisitor Lilith Graves has also agreed to support this endeavor with all of her people and influence.”

  Their response was gratifying, a mix of excitement and the touch of unease that everyone felt when dealing with the top Inquisitors in the empire. Mentioning her addition to the team seemed to have exactly the effect he'd hoped for, making them eager to join him too.

  Dorian let his smile match the excitement and hunger in theirs and leaned forward to finish making plans.

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