As Duncan made his way across the marble flooring of the outer temple he heard someone shout his name from behind.
“Duncan! If you have a moment, I’d like to speak to you about what you plan to do next.” As Duncan stopped walking and turned round he saw Aurelia heading towards him. Duncan had worked on the high council alongside Aurelia since the beginning of King John's reign and was the council member whom Duncan respected the most.
“Hello Alenius” She said as she drew back the hood of her robe. Alenius nodded in response but remained quiet; she did not know the High Magister very well and had no intention of making small talk. Alenius turned back to Duncan before continuing to speak.
“I just wanted to know what you would like me to do now, since you’re acting ruler. What should I do?” Duncan paused before given a response.
"At the moment I would like you to return back to Miserth Keep with me; I am calling a high council meeting so we can discuss the next course of action. If you wish, you can travel back there in my carriage alongside me and Alenius. It would save you having to walk all the way back, as well as being able to continue this conversation in, private" Duncan said as he glanced over to a small group of nobles who were currently watching them. Political affairs was valued gossip amongst the upper class of Nyhem, and a conversation between two high council members would definitely be of interest to them.

"I never mind the walk, it is good for the heart, but I will take you up on this offer, please, lead the way." Aurelia gestured humbly, she would rather travel in a group than alone as one would never know the chances of being caught by a brigrand, assailant or even assassin on the way home.

Duncan nodded as he turned round and continued to walk outside. It was warm outside in the city of Nyhem and Duncan wondered how Aurelia was coping in her all black get-up. The temples plaza was are large open space around two hundred meters long, with stone tile covering it's flooring. Various statues of famous historical figures standing in sequence of each other and a huge fountain sat elegantly in the middle. The plaza was starting to empty of carriages and nobles but it was still chaos nether the less with the nobles arguing about who should leave first. Duncan made his way through the crowd of people to get to his carriage. As he did he faintly heard fanfare music coming from the direction of the main plaza. A odd thing to be hearing on the day of the kings funeral. However it was not of Duncan's concern at this time. The carriage it'self wasn't of any grand design and looked more like something a lowly lord may have, not a high council member. Duncan decided that the less attention his carriage drew the better. Alenius opened the door of the carriage for Duncan to get in, she then waited for Aurelia to get in as well before finally getting in herself. Once she did she gave a sharp knock on the wall of the carriage signalling the carriage driver to start moving. Duncan made himself more comfortable before finally continuing his conversation with Aurelia.
"Now that we are out of earshot, what was it you wanted to talk about"?

"I wanted to ask you, what I should do next. Do I continue with the projects that his late royal highness had me working on, or is there something else you would rather have me do?" Aurelia shifted her dress about, smoothing out the front folds of her silken dress, clasping her hands neatly together afterwards. 

The sun had been hot that day, and her forehead had begun to head along her brow line, yet she ignored by sliding open the little carriage window to let some air in. As of late, Aurelia had been working on how to use scrying from afar to include more people. She found the best way to do this was by having several people present on each of the sides, yet she was looking into specifically adding another person to the scrying loop.

"For the meantime any current projects that had been approved by King John are to be put on hold while we deal with the immediate problems facing Formaroth. Besides I am personally against spending any money on projects funded by the crown until we have dealt with a way to handle the kingdom's debt". Duncan breathed a heavy sigh, regularly he had warned the council about the millions of debt the crown was in and how they should save money instead of spend it, and now he was the one who had to deal with it. Moreover Duncan had a suspicion that the High council's economic advisor was funnelling part of the crowns profits to his own personal bank.
"What we need to focus on at the moment is getting a new king or queen on the throne, as soon as we do that; the sooner we can unify Formaroth again under one banner. As you know the Remonnet's no longer have any living relatives and the line of succession is officially dead" Duncan paused for a minute before continuing his sentence "Because of this I am putting myself forward as a candidate for the throne".

Aurelia listened to Duncan as he spoke, when he said that he would be putting a stop to the projects due to financial concerns from the Formaroth's ever growing debt, her heart sank to the bottom of her stomach, and she had to restrain a cry when she heard him listing himself as a candidate for the throne.
"Do you believe the people will readily accept you, Duncan? You're known to most within Nyhem as, The Snake. I would think the people would object to the idea of you becoming the next king, if you intend to do so, I would suggest winning the hearts and minds of the people. Make them believe you will take care of their problems, which mostly comes in the form of these exorbitant taxes the people pay. I think, then, they would accept you with open arms, and eager hearts and minds. Tell me then, when do you plan to allow the other candidates to stake their claims? On the morrow? Or the end of the week?" Her words were honest, she spoke no lies, Aurelia had become acquainted with the people of Nyhem more so than the court officials. 
She would listen in the market to the gossip and hearsay that was exchanged between so many disgruntled citizens. People lost their homes, and struggled to even provide for their families; food was more expensive, and buying anything other than needed, would cost a fortune! A newly tailored dress, ran for at least fifteen gold pieces, years before, it only cost 10 silver pieces. A drink of ale cost on average 3 silver pieces.

"I am calling a meeting for all the kingdom's leaders here in Nyhem. Those who believe themselves to have a valid right to the throne will put forward their claim and the leaders of the other kingdoms can decide themselves who they wish to support" Though Duncan spoke calmly, he knew that if someone else had a strong claim to the throne like he did, it would likely result in another civil war.
"I will admit my reputation with the people certainly isn't something to be envious of, but it could be much worse. At the the very least people aren't throwing things at me as I walk down the street, which is more than can be said for most lords and ladies in this city" Duncan smirked. "Though I will agree with you, if I want the people to support my claim I will have to make sure they realise I am a competent ruler". Duncan went quiet for a minute as he reflected back on Aurelia's advice. When it came to matters about the common people she was something of an expert. Despite the snobbish remarks that Edward Du Paraquette kept making about her, her reputation was held in high esteem by most. It would be foolish for him to ignore her advise on such matters. Not to mention, now that Nyhem was getting financial support from Cawaport to pay off the crowns debt, reducing the citizen's taxes would now be possible.
"Do you believe that reducing the taxes would greatly improve my standing with the people of Nyhem"? Duncan said to Aurelia. As Duncan looked out of the window of the carriage he saw the entrance to Miserth Keep coming into view.

Sighing, Aurelia contemplated whether or not lowering the taxes would indeed boost citizen morale in Nyhem towards Duncan, it was a good idea and a natural one. She let her gaze venture out the window, and she spotted the keep coming into view as they neared their destination.
"I would like to think so. Though, I have to say, you would have to do something else for the people, something to really win them over. Who is the most hated person in all of Formaroth?" Aurelia knew where she was going with this. Not only would Duncan have to lower taxes, and not by much, but if he could rid a person the people despised, and replace them with someone more efficient, the people would applaud at the change. She wracked her mind, trying to think of someone, the constable perhaps? Mildred, from the church? 
"Someone in the public eye that the people detest, if you will. I believe, you, yourself would be excluded from that circle." Here, she turned her gaze to him and smiled playfully.

Duncan went silent for a short while as he mulled over what she said. Someone the people hated. That definition fit a lot of people here in Nyhem. However he needed to be careful. If he removed someone too powerful it would have future ramifications on him. If he removed someone of low importance it would have next to no effect on his popularity of the people. Duncan's face suddenly lit up as an idea came to mind.
"I think I know just the person" Duncan said smugly "I believe you share my suspicions about Edward stealing money from the crowns finances? If we can find evidence of this then we can finally replace him with someone more competent".

"Despite how bold those accusations are, I do sincerely believe that Parquette does indeed delve his fingers into the royal honey pot on occasion. If there were a way to expose his misgivings to the public's eye, I believe that would satisfy the people, and make you look ever more justly in their eyes; and that of course, is what we want." A dark smile came across Aurelia's face as she considered on how to obtain such evidence. 

"How do you propose we catch him? The best idea that comes to mind, is to have a hidden eye in the treasury when he goes into steal, though that may prove more difficult." She was very poignant in her words, and did not like to mince them. The truth never hurt anyone.

A small glimmer appeared in Duncan's eyes, such political scheming was his area of experience and he took great enjoyment in discussing it. 
"I don't think the keeping watch of the treasury would help, as much as I hate to admit it, the man isn't an idiot. He wouldn't risk directly stealing from the kingdom's vault right under everyone's noses. What he does is far more dubious; he steals it before it even makes it to the keep. Instead of sending the coin straight to the crown's treasury he would have it redirected back to his own personal vault. What we need is someone to get a copy of his finance accounts". Duncan stopped talking as the carriage pulled up beside the entrance of the keep. However Duncan had no intention of getting out just yet.
"Not to mention, if I manage to get Edward and his wife arrested, I am sure his son would be most grateful and would likely throw the Du Parquette support behind me" Duncan said as he let a sly smile grow across his face.

Aurelia cocked an eyebrow at the last part he uttered, "Come now Duncan, don't you think that is a bit much? Arresting his wife as well, and making his child suffer the loss of both parents? I think that would turn out the over way, I would think the child would grow to despise you for imprisoning his father and mother. But alas, there is only so much we can do." She let her thoughts wander on how to obtain the records of Edward du Parquette's finance records.
"Parquette would have a financial ledger, you're right about that. Is there anyone close to Parquette that would allow us to offer them some money to retrieve the ledger for us, perhaps? A bribe can work wonders, if done properly." Aurelia added thoughtfully. She glanced out the window and noticed the carriage had pulled to a stop outside Miserth Keep.
"Shall we vacate the carriage? Unless you have other plans that is." The entire time they spoke, Aurelia had kept her eye upon Alenius, the woman hadn't said a word at all.

Duncan couldn't but laugh at the notion of Edward's son being upset about the loss of his father.
"Clearly you have never met his son. He has a great amount of resentment towards both his father and mother. Trust me he would have them removed from power as soon as he got the chance. As for Edward's wife, well, she herself is hated by the people for the incompetent and unfair way she rules the land, surely it would be for the greater good if she were to also be removed"? Duncan said innocently. "As for bribing the financial ledger, that shouldn't be too much trouble". As Duncan followed Aurelia's gaze he made eye contact with Alenius, she didn't care for politics and it was clear from the look on her face that this conversation bored her. For her sake he decided to continue this conversation later.
"I believe I am now ready to head back to the keep, I am calling a High council meeting sometime soon, do you believe you will be able to attend"? As Duncan existed the carriage a cool breeze blew past, the keep was much cooler than other area's in the city due to it's close proximity to the sea. Before he walked off he turned back to Aurelia.
"Considering the help you have given me I believe it only fair that I return the favour" Duncan said with a smile "I am sure I spare a bit of money to finance one or two of your projects"

She raised her hands in defense and chuckled, "I only know Edward through castle affairs, forgive me for not knowing of his marital life or that of his children, or at least not caring enough to know." Aurelia followed Duncan out of the carriage and stepped into the sunlight. She glanced at the keep, and gave an inward sigh; being at the keep depressed her, but the idea of retiring to her chambers raised her spirits.
"Yes of course, I will be there, as I always am. Send a pageboy for me before the meeting starts, and I will give my presence." She didn't mind the High Council, but she detested some of the members on the council, like Parquette. She treated all of the members cordially, and on occasion, did she have to raise her voice out of their blinded ignorance. When Duncan offered to finance one or two of her projects Aurelia only returned the smile, her bright, green-gold eyes sparkling with a mischevious, playful glint. 
"I will decide which project will be most beneficial, I shall tell you after the meeting if there is time. I bid you farewell Duncan, or shall I say, my liege?" Aurelia gave a haughty laugh, she was only joking, but it would serve true if Duncan truly became king. "And to you Alenius, I bid you ado." With that, Aurelia set off on a brisk march into the keep, her silk gown shimmering like black ink in the sunlight before she disappeared within.

As Aurelia made her way back to the keep Duncan and Alenius followed closely behind. However before they could make it back past the gateway they were intercepted by one of the city guards
"Your grace, I must inform you of a situation that has caused a great deal of disruption in the city. The cause of this chaos appears to be a mercenary captain by the name of Claus Rotstein


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