Chapter 17
1044 Words
The fire in Lucien's room was low when Marr walked in, he entered quickly, the heavy door closing behind him with a dull thud.
Lucien didn't look at him, he stood by the window, his back toward Marr as he stare out the fog covered rooftops
Marr stopped a few steps from Lucien and cleared his throat softly.
“ You were right, something is happening ” Marr spoke quietly
Lucien turned slowly, his expression unreadable
“ Tell me everything ” he said
Marr nodded and take a step forward Lucien
“ Elias is holding secret meetings, always at night. Only few men, I could not hear much but I saw gold being passed around ”
“ Anyone you know?” Lucien asked
“ No. But I can remember their faces when I come across any” Marr said, lowering his head
Lucien jaw tightened but he nodded “ And Aric?” He asked
“ He is harder to follow, he doesn't meet anyone directly ” Marr paused then continued “ But he sends messages through servants which are not his”
“ Clever ” Lucien said
“ They are planning something ” Marr added “ I can feel it”
Silence stretched for a moment, the fire crackling in the hearth was the only sound in the room
“ Good” Lucien finally said “ Next time, follow the servant. Don't let them out of your sight”
“ Yes of course Lucien ” Marr said then he turned and walked off
Lucien turned back to the window as the door closed behind Marr.
“ Let see how careful they are” he muttered under his breath
Then he began to pace around the room slowly, his hands behind his back
His thoughts were so loud, full of questions
He walked back to the window and pushed the curtains open
The sun were already setting, casting a soft light around the room
He turned away from the window and noticed a bottle of whiskey on his bed table.
He walked over and grabbed the bottle and then sat on the bed with a thud
He sipped the whiskey straight from the bottle and wiped the drop that slid down his jaw with the back of his hand
He lay down on the bed with a thud, the whiskey still in his, his eyes fixed on the ceiling.
Lucien stood by the window, staring out the courtyard.
The night was quiet and his head was full of thoughts
He turned sideways and called out for the guard stationed by the door.
“ Guard ”
Few seconds later, the guard walked
“ My lord” the guard said, bowing his head
“ Being me Dalen quietly. No one must know ” he said, his voice low and calm
The guard bowed and left quickly
Lucien walked over to the bedside and grabbed the whiskey from earlier and poured himself a drink this time.
He took the glass, drank from it and dropped it back in the table slowly
Then he walked slowly across the room, his hands behind his back, his head still full of thoughts
Dalen, a minor knight who is easy to overlook but was weak and he knows weak men talks when pressured.
He walked over to the chair and sat down waiting for Dalen's arrival.
Moments later, the door opened and the guard walked in
“ My Lord, he is here” The guard said, bowing down
“ Let him in”
The guard bowed and left the room, shutting the door behind
The door opened again and Dalen walked in. He bowed immediately he saw Lucien “ My Lord ” he greeted
“ Raise your head up” Lucien said coldly
Dalen raised up his head, he was confused and also trying so hard to remain composed
Dalen cleared his throats softly “ You summoned me my Lord ” he said
Lucien didn't say anything to him instead he gestured to the seat across him for Dalen to sit.
Dalen obeyed, he walked over and sat down
“ You have been meeting with my brother, taking his golds, his money and spreading his lies” Lucien said, his voice calm and his expression unreadable.
Dalen blinked, caught off guard “ I don't understand ”
“ You do ” Lucien said sharply cutting him off “ I know about you visits to Aric ”
Dalen shifted in his seat, looking pale “ I..I..I.. haven't...” Dalen stutter unable to finish his word
“ Don't lie” Lucien said “ You are not very good at it and I'm giving you the chance to tell me everything, every name, every meeting . Do that and you will walk out unharmed ”
Dalen swallowed hard, looking terrified, sweat already forming on his temple
“ I will talk ” Dalen whispered “ I will tell you everything I know”
Lucien nodded “ Good. Start talking ”
Dalen spoke fast, his voice shaking. He told Lucien about the secrets meeting , the Lords, the merchants and the guards that were part of it. They were planning something against Lucien.
Lucien listened without saying a word, his face was calm.
When Dalen finished, Lucien stood up and walked behind Dalen slowly
“ You are going to forget you ever came here” Lucien said quietly “ You will keep going to their meeting, you will pretend nothing is changed ”
Dalen turned to Lucien “ You want me to spy?” he asked, confused
Lucien's eyes narrowed “ I want you alive . Do what I say and you will stay that way”
Dalen nodded quickly, fear in his eyes “ Yes, my Lord ”
Lucien stepped closer “ And if you betray me again, you won't see death coming. Do you understand?”
“ Yes, my Lord ” Dalen whispered
“ Guard!” Lucien called out
The guard walked in and bowed
“ Take him out the back, make sure no one sees him”
Lucien said
After Dalen left, Lucien sat down and pick up a new parchment.
He wrote down the names Dalen had given him, drawing lines between them
Now, he had a list
And soon, he will make his move.
- Writer
