Chapter 115: Tomorrow’s Ranking

Varek was reporting to Cassian.

"I’ve arranged Black Banner’s votes as you ordered, Master. I’ll inform you immediately if anything changes."

Cassian nodded.

He intended to leave second place to Ironwake. He had friends too, and with no Fortune Duel Writs left, there was no reason to give those rewards to an enemy.

"There is one difficulty," Varek continued. "They have so many votes that Black Banner will still have to take most of the top twenty. Anything else would make them suspicious."

"That’s fine. Have you checked their funds?"

"Yes, Master. Every Warden interested in the Ranking is in this ledger."

He sent the file.

Thirty-four names. The richest was Cedric Voss of Thornfield, with twenty-eight million Aether. Even the poorer ones still had several million.

They could not compare with the likes of Seraphine or the strongest Lords Black Banner had once possessed. But these were about the last wealthy Wardens the faction had left here.

"Well done," Cassian said. "Keep me informed."

Varek bowed his head, then hesitated.

"Are you sure you don’t want me to direct some votes to Riftward? It would expose me, but getting you into the top ten wouldn’t be difficult."

The method was simple enough. Just before settlement, Varek could privately tell selected Lords to vote for Riftward and order them to keep it secret.

"No need. Keep Black Banner’s allocation under control."

Cassian was not refusing to protect Varek’s cover. If his plan went as intended, the three Sorns would be exposed after tomorrow’s election anyway.

He simply did not need the votes.

More than a million Ballots were already in his own hands.

After ending the call, he asked Rhea to bring him paper and a pen. She returned with both, and he began to write.

1. Riftward — 1,000,000+ votes.

2. Ironwake — 500,000+ votes.

He considered the next line for a moment.

3. Greyfen.

The rest followed. Before long, he had written down all twenty places.

Cassian walked to the rail and flicked the edge of the sheet with a finger.

"Tomorrow’s Ranking."

He looked down the list with satisfaction.

"No wonder so many people want power. Having the whole thing in your hands feels wonderful."

He let go.

The thin sheet of paper drifted away on the sea breeze.

——

In the homeworld, Aveline received an important visitor.

"General Hale. Is it the election in the Shattered Marches that brings you here?"

Edric Hale was one of the senior generals of the King’s Frontier Legion. He was tall and broad, with a full head of silver hair and eyes that had lost none of their vigor. His voice filled the room.

"A Commander can extend his Waygate access across the entire Marches map. With that kind of reach, he’ll be almost impossible to dislodge. If our side loses the seat, everything those young Lords have built there may be lost."

He shook his head.

"I’m not the only one watching tomorrow’s result. All the old men in the Legion are following it. An entire Marches territory is at stake."

Aveline grew serious.

"I’ve already put House Vayne’s resources and trade contacts to work getting naval troops and warships to our newcomers. My only daughter is there too, General. I understand."

Then she sighed.

"And our Lords have agreed to give up their own Ranking rewards to support Darian Frost."

"I heard." Hale nodded. "Sensible young people. Especially Cassian Vale. No family behind him, and still he’s willing to put everyone else first. Some of us old men could learn from him."

His expression changed.

"There’s something else. Dreadshore has just elected its Commander. Black Banner won through sheer numbers."

Aveline’s eyes widened.

"What happened to our Lords?"

"Most got out. They used Relocation Writs before Black Banner imposed a Spatial Lock."

She let out the breath she had been holding. The established territories, even the higher Realms, depended on each new generation of Lords. They could not afford to keep losing that future.

Then something occurred to her.

"You’re telling me this because Dreadshore and the Shattered Marches are in the same Province?"

"Exactly. One of our Lords risked his life scouting the wider Province. This is the information he brought back."

"What is it called?" Aveline asked at once.

The sooner she knew, the sooner she could help Elara prepare.

"Tidecrown Province," Hale said firmly. "Or Tidecrown Isle."

——

Elara called a meeting of Riftward’s officers.

Cassian was a little surprised, but accepted the video request at once. Once everyone was present, she smiled at them.

"Does everyone have a warship for the hunt? I’ve brought back three unactivated ones."

After that brief opening, she began sharing the information she had just received.

"Tidecrown Isle?" Cassian repeated.

Elara glanced toward his image.

"Have you heard of it?"

"No. Go on."

She nodded.

"From what we know, it’s a huge island between the newcomer sectors held by the Crown’s side and Black Banner. The Shattered Marches are only one part of it. There are thirty-two Marches territories on the island, with Lords from at least three other outside factions as well. We don’t know the proportions yet."

Whenever a new cohort entered the Realm, the great powers rushed to collect information and map the new territories. Thanks to Elara, they were among the first here to hear these findings.

Cassian had known the Marches lay on the coast. He had not expected them to be part of an immense island.

For newcomers, that could be a blessing or a problem. With good warships and troops suited to naval combat, a Lord could develop much faster than one confined to the inland hunting grounds. Without them, the sea would hold that Lord back.

Cassian had twelve Ghost Carriers.

The location suited him very well.

"This will become common knowledge soon," Elara said. "While we still have the chance, stock up on naval troops, warships, and useful equipment. The prices will rise once everyone knows."

Her expression brightened.

"If Darian takes command, we can put a fleet together and start exploring the open sea."

"And if he loses?" Nessa asked.

Elara sighed.

"Then we’ll have to leave the Shattered Marches."

Nessa looked unhappy.

"We should have backed Cassian. But he gave Darian the chance."

Tobias and Rowan agreed. They would have preferred Cassian to represent their side too.

The flying Art had already reached both Chapterhouses. The Eclipse troops could take to the air, and the people who had received that help had good reason to trust him.

Tobias already had the Blood Duke line. Cassian had also sent Rowan the Epic Troop Sigil dropped by the Hydra on the beach, and the Sigil was now in Rowan’s hands. Both men had benefited from his strength directly. Naturally, they wanted him at the head of the Marches.

"Cassian sacrificed his own chance for everyone else," Elara said.

She glanced toward his image.

"Apparently, the military has already made you an example for the new Lords. They’re circulating your decision among their people. If it goes well, they may even put you in their teaching materials."

Cassian’s face fell.

"Please don’t. I’m not that virtuous. Don’t hold me to it."

The others looked at him.

"Use Seraphine instead!"

This was getting out of hand. They were putting him on a pedestal he had never asked for.

When tomorrow’s noon result came out, just how many people were going to turn on him?