It's been a long time since I posted (almost 2 years). I decided to really treat this book like a real book. While not as popular as my Infection stories, I really like this story. I'm hoping to really stay consistent with posting this one. So here's Chapter 5 where we meet our second POV character: Jeremiah.
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NOW
JEREMIAH
Jeremiah Steineld sprawled out in the back seat of the limousine, the top button of his dress uniform's jacket undone as he looked out the window. The airport sped away as the car turned on to the highway. In the distance, he could see the city, a shining beacon of his family's status and influence. He frowned and turned away from it.
"You know, I almost missed it," he said.
"How could you not?" the man seated across from him, already drinking his second glass of whiskey, said. The eldest son of one of his father's vassal lords, Simon Bornholt had warded with the Steinelds for as long as Jeremiah could remember.
"I heard my father has made plans for another factory," Jeremiah said.
"It's true," Simon said, adjusting his own uniform collar. Where Jeremiah wore the black uniform of the Special Services, Simon wore the gray of the Reserves. "The people are very happy about it."
"They always are," Jeremiah said. He thought about the people. Another factory to fuel the endless wars of the Union. He sighed tapping the window with his knuckle.
"There's talk that your father may be moved up to the Third Seat before the harvest," Simon said before taking another long drink. Jeremiah sighed again. Moving up a seat in the Davaraugh, the highest council of the government of the Union, was an impressive enough feat but the Steinelds had long held the Fifth Seat. To leapfrog the Baincrofts and displace the Krugs would be notable if not extraordinary. His father had obviously been busy in his absence. Jeremiah wondered how much his hero son had helped in his machinations. Simon continued, "Your father would be the third most powerful man in the Union."
"I understand what the Third Seat means," Jeremiah said. Simon chuckled nervously. Jeremiah wondered how long his old friend had been his "father's man."
"You've missed quite a lot since you've been gone," Simon said, launching into the latest pieces of court drama. It was all dribble to Jeremiah. How could this be important when men and women were dying for no good reason. He tried to think of the last time he had actually been home. It was probably his brother's wedding. Had it been that long? A year. Maybe longer.
"How is my brother and his new bride...Lauren?"
"Lara Greenweld from the Harvest Downs," Simon said. "Little more than a farmer's daughter but Derek was very fond of her from his time in the Downs. I was getting to that."
Jeremiah had forgotten his brother's time warding in the Downs with Lord Buroney, Simon leaned forward.
"Their coupling hasn't been as fruitful as your father had hoped," Simon said. "That's why he brought on a new proxy."
"A new proxy?"
"Yes, Eva," Simon said, grinning. "Kind of short with a great body and just amazing legs. An ass to die for. Exotic. Dark eyes. I think she's definitely got some Northern Islander in her."
"I see," Jeremiah said. "I can't wait to meet her."
"I have a surprise for you."
"What's that?"
"I reserved some time for you at the covent house."
"Really? What makes you think I'd be interested in that?"
Simon opened his mouth but no sound came out. He looked like a fish. Jeremiah smiled crookedly.
"I just figured you need a release before seeing your father," Simon said. "Especially after being alone on the frontier."
"Yes, alone," he aid, looking out the window again. "Who did you reserve?"
"Tasha and Kienna," he said, smiling. "You remember Tasha, she's the well endowed brunette?"
"I remember her," Jeremiah said, smirking. "What about Kienna?"
"Reminded me of Eva," Simon said with a smirk. "Got some Northern Islander her."
"Hmmm, could be interesting," Jeremiah said. The car moved through the traffic as the sun began to set. Jeremiah wondered when his father was expecting him home. Not that it mattered, he could already feel his father's disappointment from here.