Role

Chapter 12

Few things truly bring me satisfaction in life, dear reader. There is
momentary delight at the harvesting of a potent soul, but it is ever
overshadowed by the knowing of what lingers behind and ahead on the path.
That dread robs the joy from much that might otherwise bring it, and it is
a thing I have grown to accept.

But watching the jaws of the vice close about Sandborn day by day is
certainly one of those few things which can rouse that rare emotion in me.
You see, dear reader, there is a thing about the rule of violent men and
women. Subjects will suffer much beneath an iron fist, but they will suffer
it with resentment if they do not believe the ruler is deserving of their
obedience. And resentment is a weapon I am all too happy to sharpen in this
endeavour.

It is better to be feared than loved, but it is better to be loved than
hated; and Sandborn is neither feared to any great degree or loved at all
by his citizenry. Meanwhile, the blades love me. Both elites seek me out
and at great length, and these are bonds I shall only strengthen. A gift
here. A kind word there. All minor inconveniences, and they are what will
bind the next War Master to me even as I poison the well from which
Sandborn will think to drink.

The divines? A more difficult proposition in some ways, for blades are
simple creatures at heart. They speak the language of violence, and it is a
tongue I know well. My endeavours into faith have been less successful, and
so I must ever tread with care. However, my relationships with the rising
stars of the divine sect are strong bar for one shaman, and I will see that
one falter and fail without great issue. One young divine has even offered
overt alliance, and while this is truly promising, it must be taken in the
knowledge that said divine may never amount to anything.

The shadow is a coin toss at this juncture. The Shadow Lord is one who I
gave the oath to, and I suspect he will remember me fondly. Yet I have not
seen much of him as is the way with shadows, so I must take opportunities
as they arise to strengthen this relationship.

And so we come to the black.

I consider myself a good judge of character, dear reader; how could I not
be, when I am so gifted at everything else? The Dread Lord clearly values
me, but his efforts to strengthen our relationship clearly transpired after
his ascension. Now, of course this could simply be that he no longer
considers me a potential adversary for his ambitions. Impossible, of course.
He will know that I covet his position, and so his efforts to placate my
ambitions are evident.

But the Dread Lord has nothing to fear. Oh no. I have something else in
mind for him, after all; for why alienate such a useful ally when his
ambitions for now can only be benefitted by my own. When the time is right,
I will nudge him to take the throne.