Valmont Estate - Eastern Territories, Afternoon
Jean-Pierre Valmont stood in his private study—room that had witnessed more consequential decisions than most kingdom council chambers, decorated with artifacts acquired through methods that would horrify the nobility he occasionally socialized with. A sword that had belonged to executed revolutionary. Ledgers documenting slave trades that technically didn't exist on official records. Map showing routes for contraband that generated more wealth than legitimate commerce ever could.
The study's current occupant beside Jean-Pierre was Marcus Thorne—his right hand for fifteen years, tactician who'd orchestrated dozens of operations ranging from smuggling to assassination to political manipulation that served Jean-Pierre's expanding influence. Thorne was younger, maybe mid-thirties, with military bearing that suggested Order service before whatever circumstance had pushed him toward Valmont's employment.
