The Treacherous Lord, Chapter 2

the steward entered the expansive room. His liege sat at the table, reading an old tome. 
“Well, what news do you bring me today” the noble said, closing his book and sitting up 
“Well, milord-“ the man said “-We have just received word that Kunst Tajep has been slain.” 
The noble sat straight, paying closer attention now. “Well, one of the Faithless is dead. Send our man some pay, he did good this time.” 
the steward took a step back, and bowed his head a little. “Sir, that’s the thing..... It wasn’t our man who got him, he was killed by his disinherited nephew, Johann’s cousin.” 
The noble stood up abruptly, and, while walking up the stairs to the roof, beckoned his servant to follow “Tell me more. What is the situation” 
The pair came out into the roof, the air was crisp, the sky was a clear blue. The lord gazed out over his mountainous domain, a fresh white from the blizzard last night. 
“It would seem, milord,” the steward continued “-that Johann fled the country when this happened, and that he has been granted asylum at Illoreanna, as a guest of the Emperor.” 
The nobleman stroked his chin for a moment, thinking “This.....complicates the situation. You are dismissed.” 
“Yes, my lord.” the steward left the lord, alone, who stood there, gazing from the battlements over his white-capped mountains. The rebellion in the north, the arrival of the Faithless’ Leader in Illoreanna, all could be put to use “A complicated situation......but one which we can make use of...”