Fostering Faust Read online

  “Fine, yes. I’ll swear it. What’s your god’s name?”

  “Leah,” Alex said, looking around in each direction. He wasn’t going to get caught if he could help it. “I’ll have you swear it on her name, on pain of losing your soul.”

  “Leah and my soul!?” the merchant shrieked. Whimpering, he nodded his head regretfully.

  Unless he wanted to take his chances with the bandits, the merchant didn’t have much of a choice.

  “I swear on Leah that I’ll do everything you tell me to until we escape, on the condition that you will do everything to get me out of here,” said the merchant.

  “I swear on Leah that I’ll get you out of the cage, one way or another,” Alex said, shaking the man’s hand.

  Alex didn’t see anything, and it didn’t feel wrong.

  Actually, now that he thought about it, he felt a sense of correctness.

  “Great, great. So how are you going to get me out?”

  For a moment, Alex considered the possibilities. There were a number of things he could do to get the man out.

  In fact, he didn’t doubt he could probably use this man and get a considerable amount of effort from him.

  Except that he’d already betrayed Alex once.

  And betrayals don’t go unpunished.

  Looking around the ground, Alex found a branch as wide and as long as his arm.

  Picking it up, he wedged it between the bars and snapped it in half.

  Inspecting both breaks, he found one with definite potential to be used as a crude spear.

  “Here. Don’t reveal where I went or tell anyone about this, and use this to kill yourself. Probably stab yourself right here,” Alex said, indicating where he thought the arteries in the neck were. “Once you’re dead, they’ll probably toss your body out.

  “I’ll be responsible for you getting thrown out of the cage, because you’ll be dead. This will complete my side of the bargain.”

  The merchant screeched at him, trying to stab him with the stick.

  “There was never any agreement to get you out alive. Don’t blame me for making a bad deal. If only you hadn’t tried to leave me behind, eh? Have fun debating between your soul and your life,” Alex muttered.

  Jogging off to the side, Alex got low in a decently sized patch of grass and pretended to be a hole in the ground.

  The merchant struggled with himself for several seconds, then tossed the stick to one side.

  Giving up your soul then. Good luck with that.

  An hour passed before the train of cells suddenly started moving forward again. No one came back to check on them.

  Alex waited quietly in the brush. At the end of the line of cages was what looked to be a baggage cart. Guarded by a single man with a short sword.

  He looked rather nervous. Considering no one had come back to talk about what had happened at the front, it wasn’t that surprising.

  Alex would have been unnerved himself in that situation.

  When the last cart rolled past, Alex got to his feet and slunk over behind it, only stopping to pick up a stone as big as a baseball.

  As quietly as he could manage, he slithered up the back and over the top of the cart.

  With the guard directing all his attention toward the front, he didn’t hear Alex.

  In fact, Alex went completely unnoticed. Right up until he cracked the guard in the head with the stone.

  Stopping to steal everything worth anything, and some better clothes, Alex loaded himself up. Even going so far as to fill a backpack full of valuables. He also made sure to take anything that looked like paperwork.

  It might give him a clue as to anything about this place.

  Worst case, toilet paper.

  Setting off back the way he’d come with a backpack full of stuff, he started his new life without any idea what was going on.

  Out with the old, in with the new.

  Chapter 2

  Alex grunted and tried again.

  Struggling with a bar of metal in one hand and the back of a knife in the other, failure was his life.

  He was fighting with himself as much as with the tool. He wasn’t even sure if he was doing it right.

  “You’re not doing it right,” Leah said as she appeared on the opposite side of him.

  Her sudden appearance startled him, causing him to drop what he thought was the flint straight into the tinder pile.

  “Considering I’ve been trying at this for about an hour, I imagined I was,” Alex muttered.

  After fishing the flint out of the pile, he gestured at it.

  “Care to help me out then? Because at this rate you might as well kill me. I have no idea where I am, what’s going on, or even how to survive out here. I’m no woodsman.

  “I’m a glorified desk jockey and phone hook,” Alex said angrily.

  “You’re… not wrong. I did send you off rather abruptly, but I’ll not apologize for that. Nothing stands between me and my husband.”

  “Oh? And where is he then? I didn’t think I’d see you again.”

  “He’s asleep. He spent some time with each of us and then passed out. Now, as to my being here, you’re right. I normally wouldn’t.

  “But you already sent a soul my way in the first day. That felt like something worth rewarding for having been here less time than it took to take a crap.

  “Oh, and be sure to dig the crystal out of your pack and put it somewhere safe. It’s already quite black, so you’re paid up for the month,” she said. “And because you did so well, I’ll provide you with some guidance.

  “Head south. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west, by the way.

  “Reach the city of Brit. Announce yourself as Alexander Brit, and the rest will be solved for you. Don’t worry about not knowing anyone. I’ll fill in the blanks as needed.”

  Alex sighed, nodding his head. At least he had a direction now.

  “Great. Any chance you could—” He stopped when he realized she was already gone.

  “…help me with the fire,” he finished.

  Grumbling to no one, he gave up on it and got as comfortable as he could.

  He just hoped it wasn’t going to get cold tonight.

  “That’d be great. Freeze to death just as I start to figure out what the hell is going on.”

  ***

  Up ahead, two guards were dressed in what looked like rigid leather armor. Alex really wasn’t quite sure since, well, he knew very little about arms and armaments.

  They appeared to be outfitted in what he could only assume were the local colors and guards' expectation.

  Behind them, a rather large wooden palisade stretched on and on for quite a while. Between two large wooden towers was an open gate.

  Inside that gate lay what looked like a scene from any number of fantasy movies.

  Houses, people, streets—it all looked like a documentary.

  Well, so long as you add about ten pounds of dirt to everyone and everything.

  It looks rather unhealthy.

  With any luck, I can get this squared away, and maybe get some information. Maybe even a shower and a clean set of clothes.

  Not completely impossible, given that my family name is the same as the city… I imagine I might be in the leading family.

  Son of the… whatever… maybe? Nephew? Son-in-law? Cousin?

  “Stop right there. Declare yourself,” a guard said when Alex got close enough.

  Taking a breath, Alex looked to the guard who’d confronted him.

  “I’m Alexan—”

  “Count Brit! You’re safe!” said the second guard, bowing low to him immediately.

  Apparently I’m a count. The count?

  Sounds like they didn’t know where I was.

  The guard who’d challenged him bowed immediately after the second.

  We can use this. If we’re the count, and we control everyone, could we support a Leah-is-the-one-to-swear-on type of campaign? Let’s get everything set up on the a
ssumption that yes, we can, and go from there.

  And then—

  Before Alex had time to react, a contingent of soldiers broke out of a tower door he hadn’t noticed. Freezing up like a deer in headlights, Alex didn’t move as they rushed towards him.

  They came into formation around him and then closed in, pressing him tight between them.

  The guards at Alex’s sides secured him physically, and suddenly he was being hustled into the city.

  People were shoved out of the way. The soldiers moved at a pretty fast pace, more or less carrying Alex along at this point.

  Houses that resembled hovels went by quickly.

  Replaced by houses that were clearly elevated in station. The buildings kept growing, ever larger. As he was rushed along, Alex couldn’t help but wonder at the obvious disparity.

  Having classes is a positive thing, I would say. It’s the gap between that causes problems.

  The disparity.

  As they raced him up along a boulevard, he finally had an idea where they were taking him. At the end of the boulevard was what he could only mentally label a castle wall.

  It was a large, impressive thing made of stone. Towers dotted its length, very clearly manned.

  No sooner than they'd rushed him up to the gate entrance, the guards fell away.

  A new set of guards, dressed in chain mail and simple metal breastplates, replaced the first set. Alex was pressed tightly in the center and whisked away, ever deeper into the city.

  Not fighting or even considering resisting, Alex did his best to avoid being a burden.

  He was fairly certain they were doing this out of fear for his safety, but no one ever made it without having a healthy amount of caution.

  In no time at all, Alex found himself in what was clearly a keep. A stone monstrosity that rose up in a secured location inside the wall.

  Not bothering to keep up with what was going on, Alex only paid attention when the guards suddenly peeled away from him.

  Standing in a richly appointed bedroom, he watched as maids and servants scurried out the door. The guards all bowed and exited as quickly as they’d rushed him in.

  All was silent as Alex was suddenly alone in what he assumed was his bedroom.

  A set of clothes was laid out on the bed, and fresh fruit and cheese on the table.

  “Uh…” Alex said, briefly inspecting the room. “Hello?”

  No one was there.

  Frowning, Alex went over to the clothing that’d been laid out and lifted the tunic up. Turning slightly, he saw himself in the mirror for the first time.

  A green-eyed and brown-haired Alex Brit stared back at him. Alex was apparently young in years. Perhaps mid-twenties to early thirties. Despite looking disheveled, he was clearly handsome and had a good physique, if without obvious muscle.

  Before he could do anything else, the door swung open and several men came in.

  “Count Brit!” said the older gentleman in the center, bowing as soon as he spoke.

  Walter Ciril, chamberlain.

  The information came from nowhere and just popped up in his thoughts.

  What? Is this what she was talking about?

  Leah had promised him information, after all.

  “Count,” said the man dressed in full armor on Walter’s left. He bowed as deeply as Walter, if hesitating for only a second.

  Maxwell Bench, city commander.

  The man on Walter’s right bowed, saying nothing.

  Frederick Wills, envoy to the king.

  Alright… I’m guessing these three must be responsible for the city when I’m gone. Otherwise why would they rush to see me?

  Temporary council of Brit. Enacted by the envoy to govern the city in the count’s absence. No other living members of the Brit family exist.

  Ok, handy for the information to just provide itself. It’d be nice if it happened in advance, but… whatever.

  “Greetings, Walter, Maxwell, Frederick. I apologize in advance, but I’m afraid… I took a blow to the head. Some of my memories, and even my thoughts, are a bit fuzzy,” Alex said, trying to get ahead of anything strange they might notice about him.

  “Of course, Count,” Walter said as all three men stood up. “No man could undergo what you have and come out the same. I’m sure.”

  The envoy gave him a predatory smile.

  “We’re simply glad to have you back, Count,” said Frederick.

  Uh huh. You were probably hoping to benefit from this. You may not have been responsible, but you’re still a problem, I bet.

  “Sir, my sincerest apologies. This is entirely my fault,” Maxwell said, bowing again and then falling to a knee.

  Kidnapping and capture of Alexander Brit was due to Alexander Brit’s illegal gambling activities.

  Of course it was. Because only a person willing to bargain their soul to Leah would be part of a deal like this.

  And clearly the previous Alex has done so, since I now live in his body. So… I’m not a good person, I imagine.

  That’s fine. It makes this easier.

  “Ah, no, Max,” Alex said, shortening the man’s name. “It wasn’t. This was my fault. And I’ve learned from my mistakes this time. It’ll not happen again, and I plan on making sure this is the last time you will ever be put in this position.”

  Max lifted his head and stared hard at Alex.

  Walter looked rather confused himself. He opened his mouth only to close it again.

  “I mean it. I know this was my own fault, and that'll be the last of that,” Alex said, giving them a smile.

  I can do this. It’s just like managing a company from the top. Not a big deal.

  We just have to keep everything in line for the CEO and the board.

  “I’d like to put several meetings together today,” Alex continued before anyone could respond. “And I’d like our accounts audited. I have a sudden need to know where everything is, and how much of it we have.

  “After that, I’d like to have performance reviews for everyone in the keep itself. Then the inner-courtyard. And after that, everyone we’re paying for in the city.

  “I imagine it’ll be a good time for a pay-scale evaluation to make sure we’re at market value.”

  Good time for a loyalty check.

  Loyalty to the count is insured by an allegiance oath that brings death and the loss of one’s soul if broken. The souls are sent to whomever the allegiance oath is sworn to.

  All those sworn will wear pins that hold their oaths on their lapels or collars, in the crest of those they are sworn to.

  Pins can be determined as genuine by simply touching them.

  Huh. Reacts to my thoughts too, huh? Unnerving.

  A bit too convenient for my own liking. Or my paranoia. Or both.

  But… that makes it easier, I suppose, as far as loyalty goes. Don’t have to worry about internal politics.

  Max stood up slowly, his armor rattling as he did so. Walter and Frederick both wore shocked faces.

  Now that Alex looked, Max and Walter also both wore pins on their collars. The design on both was a square with a blue background. On that field of blue, a slash ran from one corner to another in black, and a raven sat across the middle.

  The one on Frederick’s was different, a golden crown within a purple square.

  Guessing the blue raven is me, and the crown is the king.

  What else would matter to a medieval city?

  Food and trade, probably. More than likely a silver and gold standard, right?

  No paper currency.

  “At the same time, we’ll need to evaluate our trade. Both incoming and outgoing. Doubly so for taxes and tariffs.

  “And last, but probably not least, food. I’d really like to get a handle on where we are with production, consumption, and forecasted harvest numbers.

  “Admittedly that’ll be weak, given that we don’t control the weather, but it’s worth doing if at least to have a gauge to work from.”

 
Max, Walter, and Frederick all stood motionless.

  Unspeaking.

  “Is there a problem with any of those requests?” Alex asked, looking from one to another.

  Frederick cleared his throat and held out a pin.

  “Here is your allegiance pin; I think it would be good for you to fasten it back to your collar. It was sent to us with your ransom letter,” the envoy said.

  Alex nodded his head, took the pin from the man and held it up in his hand.

  “As you like,” Alex said, then turned and fastened it to the collar of the shirt laid out for him. Once it was in place, he pulled off the clothes he was wearing and got into the ones laid out for him.

  Alex had led a full life, and stripping down to his undershorts in front of three men didn’t disturb him in the least.

  Having to do this for some of those cute female doctors every year was more embarrassing. Always ended up with the young ones who had no experience… Stupid low-budget health plan.

  In no time at all, he was dressed in the new clothes, idly fingering the pin as he turned to the envoy.

  They’re nervous by my change in personality.

  That’s fine. We’ll blame this all on my ordeal, and say I’ve grown into my title.

  Reaching up, he pressed his fingers to the pin on his collar.

  “I, Alex Brit, remain a faithful retainer to the true and only king, but I’ll no longer be blind to my own duties. Anything else you’d have me take care of? Or can we move on to my requests?” Alex asked.

  All three men waited, as if expecting something to happen to Alex.

  “If you three aren’t up to the task, I don’t have any other choice but to start looking for—”

  “No, no, sire. I can take care of everything you’ve asked,” Walter said, hurrying forward two steps and bowing deeply again.

  “My liege,” Max said, bowing as well. “I’ll not fail.”

  “Great. Now, Fred—can I call you Fred? I want to talk about the laws of the land versus the laws of the county, and where I can institute some new policies,” Alex said, walking over to a table.

  He pulled out a chair and sat down. With a smile for Fred, he gestured to a nearby chair.

  Now to find out how much leeway we truly have.

  ***