The two brothers stood silently as the old Marquis rubbed his eyes
wearily. “My sight is failing me. I don’t know how much longer it will be
before I’m blind. Kurnos believes I may have two years left before I begin
my journey toward the River Styx. The point, my sons, is that I’m not
ready to give up my crown. Lestat has won the quest, and is the rightful
heir, but the peasants are already talking of murdering me and setting
Lestat as their true and just Marquis.” He laughed, a harsh bark of a
sound, “You and I all know that Lestat is no saint. He enjoys sexual
pleasure to a fault and the pleasures of liquor nearly as much. True he is
a fine hunter and a natural leader, but I doubt he is Marquis material. At
any rate, I don’t want him to be my heir. He’s more trouble than he’s
worth, and I’d rather he not take my place.”
Jean-Luc was cleverer than either Augustin or the Marquis himself. He
was skeptical of the entire tale, and his eyes narrowed a fraction. “I
think you’re just reluctant to give up your power. This entire tale is a
ruse.”
The old Marquis laughed. “Jean-Luc, you will make a fine Marquis!
Whoever heard of an optimist in that lofty position anyway? Yes of course
you’re right. Most clever of you. Now, listen to my plan. I have
commissioned Kurnos’ master, a practitioner of the Black Arts, to create a
pack of demon wolves. I am going to send the three of you on a final quest
and, as Lestat journeys in search of what I require of him, the demons
will ambush him and slay him on the spot. How does that sound?”
The two brothers were in agreement that the plan sounded very good
indeed. The next day, Lestat and his brothers met before the Marquis and
Marquise. “I’m glad you are all here, for there is a final stipulation
that I must place upon you, my sons.” The Marquis studied each of them
before continuing, easily avoiding the confused eye of his wife. “There is
a final quest for the three of you, and whomever succeeds within a years
time from this day will become my incontestable heir.”
Lestat was shocked into silence at first, but when he noticed the
wicked smiles of his two brothers he knew this event was nothing more than
an evil scheme. “But father, what of the quest that I won? Did it mean
nothing?”
The old Marquis smiled. “Of course it was important, Lestat, but this
is far more important! The quest is to find the most beautiful and noble
wife in the world. Whomever succeeds within a year to this day shall have
my title and estate.” He looked at Lestat and feigned innocence. “You
wouldn’t want me to be deprived of grandchildren, would you?”
“I suppose not, father.” It was all Lestat could do to keep from
slashing the old man to ribbons.
The old Marquis sat back, pleased with himself. “Very well then! Let
the quest
begin.”
