Steel and Sorrow: Rise of the Mercenary king

Chapter 214: Winning hand

Chapter 214: Winning hand

In her private chambers, Valeria sat with a slender silver goblet in hand, the wine within casting a dark red gleam in the low candlelight. She sipped absently, her gaze fixed on the man kneeling before her. He was middle-aged, with dark, neck-length hair framing a hawk-like nose and falling on the sides of his face. 

Valeria eyed him critically, her fingers tracing the edge of the cup as she broke the silence. "Tell me," she asked coolly, "how long have you served under Lord Marcellus?"

Ravinius kept his gaze averted, his knee firmly on the ground. "Nearly a year, your grace" he replied smoothly, his tone respectful.

Valeria's eyes drifted back to her cup, but she found little comfort in it, her distaste plain. The thought of having her steps shadowed by hired mercenaries like Ravinius unsettled her, even if he served her lover . This—this man, with no noble blood nor loyalty beyond coin, entrusted to her security by Marcellus himself? A part of her rankled at the decision,he could have at least selected someone of the equestrian class, someone with a proper lineage, and an ounce of honor that could not be bought by coins.

Valeria set her cup down with a soft clink, looking at Ravinius with renewed scrutiny. "And tell me," she asked, her voice edged with command, "how many men do you have under you?"

"Thirty, your grace" Ravinius replied promptly.

Valeria allowed a slight nod, her thoughts calculating. Thirty, she thought, her mind flicking over the advantages. At least I have some numbers.