51 Tense Situation

While Hal was busy filling Marla up with enough essence to boost her cultivation base, Hector Edgar organized a conference.

A conference to determine how to best move forward regarding the Holger situation, and thus in the Edgar castle court around a large ornate table sat the other three Great family heads and two other family heads that were there to represent the Plebeian family class.

Gregory Payne had his eyes closed. A picture of calmness, but the tension around him told of the storm in his mind and the rage that was building up.

Edvard Krast was also preoccupied. During the last week, he had mulled over his treatment at Melinda's mansion and how she had shed any semblance of courtesy and even gone as far as slapping his face. His hand folded into a fist as the slap had left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Ford Horst should have been the most carefree of them all. He had no antagonist and his fellow competitors all seemed to be preoccupied with issues (Their calmness was not fooling anyone) however only he knew the things he was going through, which was a good thing because he had no intention of airing out his dirty laundry in public.

However he did have them. His son had become introverted as of late and had hardly any interest in anything, after he had been told off for believing the words of the 'soothsayer', Frank never mentioned it again, in fact he hardly spoke anymore.

And then there was his daughter, Amelia who this past week seemed to be walking on air. Often absentminded and sometimes giggling to herself. Ford was not an idiot and he could read the signs, now he wondered who the bastard he was going to beat up was.

And finally his wife. Or more accurately the mother of his children who came to salmon city around Twenty years ago when Ford was still filled with slight carefreeness and vigour of youth, even though he was not much stronger back then than he was now.

Emily was beautiful and she had an exotic air around her, so when she approached him, he would have been an idiot to say no. They went at it like animals and one year later they had the twins.

Thoughts of dominating Emily had never crossed his mind and he merely counted himself lucky enough to share her bed, as for where she was from, she never told him and he never had the guts to ask.

All three of this Great family heads, knowingly or unknowingly had a person in common... Hal.

They all had preoccupying issues, that kept their mind busy as they awaited the commencement of the conference.

"Thank you all for coming. As you know, A plebeian family was destroyed with one of it's member's body still missing. I have called you here so as to decide on what to do with it's estate and if necessary, take preventive measures to ensure we are safe should this be the first of many attacks" Hector said in detail and looked to those present.

"You mean to tell me that you don't plan to find those responsible" said Bale one of the plebeian representative in in a tone of outrage

"Yes, I don't have time to waste on that, I'd rather spend resources ensuring the safety of those that are still alive" Hector said with a nod of his head

"What about justice?" Asked Tod the other representative

But it would not be Hector that would reply, but Edvard who chuckled

"Justice? In this strength oriented environment, you want to seek justice? Okay then, get strong enough and seek it for yourself" Edvard said with a sneer

This was what annoyed him the most about this class, they were too whiny. When a situation such as this would arise, they begin to seek recompense. What a joke. He thought and even though he had not yet said anything, Ford secretly agreed.

The faces of the representative turned ugly. This was not the first time the Great families had shut them down.

Hector sighed and continued "What shall we do with the Holger estate"

"Isn't that obvious? It should be a decision of the plebeians, the Holgers were after all one of us" said Tod in a tone that suggested that anything contrary to this was against common sense

"Hem hem. Excuse me, are you an Holger, do you by any chance have any amount of their perverted blood running through your veins." Ford asked and looked at the two in turn and in lieu of their silence he said "I didn't think so"

"There is one member of that family not accounted for, or have you forgotten that" Bale said, His voice slowly rising

"When you find him, be sure to give him my regards" Ford said unconcerned

"You VULTURES!" Tod cried aloud...

*Slam*

...and hit the table with his hand.

Edvard merely chuckled at the display and turned to Hector

"I propose an auction and to keep it perfectly civil, we will let everyone interested and with enough wealth to bid on it"

*Bam!"

"Preposterous" Bale roared and turned his attention to Gregory who until then had been silent.

The friendship between Gregory and Corban was no secret and as such Bale had not expected this apparent indifference.

How could he have understood the storm that was brewing inside Gregory and the Anger he was feeling in the presence of the very same man who had stopped him from seeking vengeance for the death if his son.

The fact that strength ruled in this city was true, he was a testament of that statement as he was powerless and forced to swallow his anger and then sit through this annoying meeting. As such he couldn't care less about Bale's grievances.

Faced with Gregory's indifference, The anger of both representatives pushed past the brink and they lost control unleashing their cultivation base.

The heads of the Hector, Ford, Edvard and even the indifferent Gregory, snapped up and they faced the duo who had stood up in anger.

Both were at the peak stage of the Cosmic Armament realm.

The Great family Heads were shocked. The duo of course did not scare them as they remained outnumbered. What shocked them was what this represented.

Since when did Plebeian family heads have such strength.

The duo were just as shocked, appalled actually for losing their cool. They suppressed their anger.

"We will see you at...the Auction" The two said and left already shivering slightly at their stupidity and the consequences it would bring.

...

Fidwud Tavern

An establishment of the Plebeian Fidwud family. A place that always bolstered with conversation and alcohol.

*Bam*

A mug of alcoholic brew was slammed on the table as an heavily bearded and wiped His mouth as he sighed with satisfaction.

"Ah, another" he called and the one in front of him, who looked a little more refined nodded and gesticulated with a drunken slur.

"Eh, did you hear the news, Dev? The refined looking man in front asked

"Aye, Vil. I heard the news. A coup is brewing" Dev said in a loud booming voice that carried through the tavern.

"Do you believe it, Dev?" Vil asked as he took a swig of wine

"Bah, it's none sense I tell yeh. How could they have the strength for a coup it just... -hic- makes no sense" Dev said as he took another swig to curb his hiccups

A group of two men came over "Who is organizing a coup?" said the skinny one among the newcomers

"The Plebeian families of course. who else?" Vil practically yelled in an offhand tone of voice while he gulped more drinks down

The conversation had finally caught the attention of those present and they began to stir to these piece of news.

Of course Dev and vil as well as the two newcomers were Hal's recently branded men who were here to not only make mention of a coup and thereby start a rumor but to also study the reaction of the Plebeians.

And their reaction was just as he had expected