Fallout:Blood and the Bull

Any opinion and comments are welcome

----------------

With over fifty frumentarii monitoring the surroundings and interiors of the castle, tightening the net was not difficult. We had distributed our most skilled men to watch the nobles and gather evidence to confirm our suspicions. One night, one of the boldest frumentarii scaled the castle walls, taking advantage of the shadows to infiltrate the nobles' quarters while they convened to discuss war strategies.

During one of these incursions, he discovered letters hidden in a false bottom of a drawer. The documents contained disturbing details about the movements of our forces, including precise routes taken by the mercenaries. Aware of the significance of his discovery, the frumentarii quickly made handwritten copies, ensuring the originals were returned to avoid arousing suspicion.

When he handed me the copies, I examined the words carefully under the flickering light of a lamp in my tent. The letters were explicit and damning: they contained confidential military information sent to enemy contacts. But the most incriminating detail was the sender's name: the tax collector, a man whose primary role was to manage levies and oversee the finances of the cities.

Before I could analyze further, the frumentarii added another piece to the puzzle. "Commander," he said with calm but serious intent. "I reviewed the accounting records in the tax collector's office while making these copies. His books don't add up. There are disappearing numbers and significant discrepancies suggesting embezzlement. This man isn't just selling information; he's also stealing from the coffers."

I remained silent for a moment, processing what I had just heard. The tax collector had always been considered a discreet man, almost insignificant compared to the more influential nobles. But his skill with numbers had made him a double traitor: both a spy and a thief.

"Are you certain?" I asked, keeping my gaze fixed on the documents.

"Absolutely, Commander," the frumentarii replied. "The irregularities in his books are too obvious. But these letters are the key evidence. They're enough to convict him."

I took a deep breath, making a decision. "I'll inform Count Lucien immediately. This cannot wait."

I ensured everything was prepared before confronting the noble. I knew breaking a traitor of his caliber required more than evidence; I needed something that left him with no options, something that shattered him from within. I ordered a century escorted by several frumentarii to locate his family. They were positioned strategically in a visible spot outside the dining hall, where the nobles gathered to eat and discuss the course of this succession war. Every step had to be calculated—I couldn't afford failure.

Meanwhile, I sent another group of frumentarii to raid the noble's quarters. The guards who attempted to block their way were silently eliminated, ensuring no alarm was raised in the castle. They retrieved the original letters containing irrefutable proof of his treason. Once the documents were in hand, they delivered them to me promptly, and I confirmed they were complete. It was all I needed.

With everything in place, filled with intent and determination, I entered the dining hall. The nobles were gathered around a long table, eating and discussing the state of the war. The tax collector sat at the center, his false loyalty and discretion having shielded him until now. His expression betrayed nothing unusual, but that would soon change.

Without wasting time, I strode to the center of the room. My presence silenced the conversations instantly. All eyes were on me as I tossed the letters onto the table in front of the noble, the documents spreading before him like a death sentence.

"You recognize these, I presume?" I said coldly, my tone as sharp as a blade.

The noble blinked, his face paling as he saw the letters. He tried to maintain his composure, but his trembling hands betrayed him as he reached for the documents. "I… I don't know what you're talking about," he stammered.

"You don't?" I retorted, stepping closer. "Then perhaps you can explain how these letters, containing precise details of our military movements, ended up in enemy hands. Letters written in your hand, bearing your seal, and taken directly from your quarters."

The other nobles exchanged glances, some shocked, others visibly uncomfortable. The noble swallowed hard but said nothing.

"And we won't stop there," I continued. "We know how you sent these messages—your contacts in the trade caravans, your falsified tax records. Every detail has been verified. But most importantly," I lowered my voice and leaned in close, "we know where your family is. And if you don't start talking right now, they'll be crucified for all to see—as an example of what happens to traitors."

A collective gasp echoed through the room, and the noble's eyes widened in horror. I turned toward one of the dining hall windows and gestured. One of my men outside raised a torch, illuminating the scene: his wife and children, lined up under guard, with crosses prepared behind them.

"They're ready," I said, my voice firm and devoid of emotion. "And this room has a perfect view to witness it. All you need to do is deny your guilt one more time, and I promise there will be no turning back."

The noble broke. His composure, his arrogance—everything crumbled in an instant. He fell to his knees beside the table, tears streaming down his face as he raised his hands in supplication.

"Please! Don't do it! I'll talk! I'll tell you everything!" he sobbed, his voice cracking.

I crossed my arms, watching him without mercy. "Start from the beginning. Names, contacts—every detail. And if I detect a single lie, it will be the last thing you ever do."

As the noble began to confess, the silence in the room grew heavier than ever. The other nobles watched, some frightened, others seething.

Lucien was furious—it was evident in his face, the way he ground his teeth as he listened to the noble's trembling confessions. The disappointment and rage were etched into every line of his expression.

I stepped closer to the noble, throwing a parchment in front of him along with an inkwell that clinked on the table. "Write this: 'Lucien's forces are preparing to attack Clermont with full strength, around twenty thousand men.'"

The noble looked up at me, trembling. His tear-filled eyes begged for mercy but found none. He lowered his gaze to the parchment and, with shaking hands, began to write. His handwriting, though unsteady, was legible. Every stroke on the parchment was a battle between fear and obedience.

When he finished, I reviewed the letter carefully. Every word was in place, exactly as I had dictated. Satisfied, I folded the document and handed it to one of my frumentarii.

"Take it to the merchant," I ordered. "The same one this traitor has been using to send his messages. Make it look like an ordinary day—let no one suspect a thing."

The frumentarii nodded and quickly left the hall, the letter in hand. I turned to Lucien, who observed the scene with a mix of anger and disgust.

"We won't attack Clermont," Lucien said finally, his voice grave but firm.

"Of course not," I replied. "But if the enemy trusts this man as a credible source, they'll move their forces to defend the town. That will leave the way clear for us to strike more important targets. His betrayal has been useful… but now we must deal with him."

I turned to my men, my words sharp and final. "Begin."

The noble looked up, his face pale and lips trembling. "No! Please, no! I did everything you asked! My family has nothing to do with this!" His pleas turned to desperate terror as he saw his wife and children being led to the crosses prepared in front of the castle.

The nails began to pierce their hands and feet, their harrowing screams filling the air. Even Lucien, with all his self-control, paled at the sound of their agonized cries. Some of the nobles present turned away, unable to watch, but I stood firm. This punishment was not just justice; it was a message to everyone present.

"Make him watch," I ordered my men. Two frumentarii approached the noble, lifted him, and dragged him to the window. The man, stunned, tried to avert his gaze, but they held his head steady. His wide eyes took in the sight of his wife and children as their bodies were doused in resin and then set aflame.

The noble screamed, his voice broken by horror and despair, as the crosses burned and the fire consumed his family. No coherent words came from his mouth, only unintelligible sounds of suffering.

"This is what your betrayal has wrought," I said coldly, staring at him without pity. "Don't look away. See what you've caused."

The dining hall fell silent, except for the screams outside and the crackling of the burning wood. The other nobles dared not move. Some were pale, others visibly trembling.

When it was over, and only black smoke rose into the sky, I turned to Lucien. His face was rigid, his anger undiminished, but he had not spoken a word against what had transpired.

With an iron dagger in hand, I approached the noble, who was sobbing on the floor. His body trembled, unable to hold itself up under the weight of his guilt and terror. Without a word, I placed the cold blade against his neck. His eyes begged for mercy, but they found none. In one swift and decisive motion, I slit his throat, letting the blood flow as he collapsed before everyone.

The silence in the dining hall was suffocating. Every noble present watched in horror as the man's body bled out onto the tiles. I rose, wiping the blade clean with a cloth offered by one of my men, and addressed the room in a firm, clear voice.

"This is the fate that awaits all of you if you think to betray the rightful heir, Lucien," I declared, gesturing firmly toward the count. "The count himself ordered this. My men will search your quarters from top to bottom. If we find anything that shouldn't be there…" I paused, glancing at the ashes of the crosses outside. "...well, you know what will happen."

The fear was palpable. The faces of the nobles were pale, and some barely managed to remain in their seats. One by one, they began to speak, confessing minor crimes: embezzlement, lies about the number of recruits, misuse of the gold meant for the war effort. It was pathetic, but necessary. Every word was an act of self-preservation after what they had just witnessed.

"Considering they now know what will happen," I said, leaning toward Lucien, "you, as a good lord, should be magnanimous about these... mistakes. Just this once."

Lucien, his voice unsteady, finally gestured weakly toward the exit. "Do it," he said without looking up.

The nobles left the hall one by one, whispers filled with tension lingering in the air. Finally, we were alone. The silence between us was heavy. Lucien, still seated, seemed more nervous than I had ever seen him. He ran a hand through his hair, visibly disturbed by everything that had happened.

"What the hell did you do, Konrad…?" he finally said, raising his eyes to meet mine. "You killed a noble… in front of everyone!"

"Your orders killed a noble, Count Lucien," I responded calmly, cleaning the last traces of blood from my dagger. "And remember… I am no peasant. I am also a noble. Just a much less fortunate one than you."

Lucien blinked, surprised by my revelation. "Oh… well… I thought I was dealing with a mere commoner." He leaned back in his chair, letting out a bitter laugh. "This changes everything. Though… I have to admit, it's not how I would have handled it. But it worked."

"I know," I replied with a slight bow. "My method may not be the most elegant, but it is effective. And now, my lord, your nobles know exactly what awaits them if they dare cross the line. Your position as leader is solidified. No one will question your authority after today."

Lucien observed me in silence for a moment, as if calculating something. Finally, he nodded slowly. "Konrad, I don't know whether to thank you or fear you. But I admit that what you did today… secures our victory, at least within these walls."

"That was my hope, my lord," I said with a slight bow. "And now, if you'll excuse me, I have an army to prepare and enemies to distract."

As I left the hall, I felt Lucien's gaze on my back. I knew that what I had done had not only secured his leadership but had also changed our relationship forever. I was no longer just his commander; I was someone he respected… and feared.

----------------

Any opinion and comments are welcome