Battle of Her

Amos 2

Amos

"Garrick!" I call out, the half eaten tray of breakfast sits off to the side. My door opens and Garrick, my personal guard stands before me.

"Your highness." He says with a nod, I smirk at him. We grew up together and he tries to stay formal but its very hard and always makes me laugh a little.

"Garrick, Ive found some discrepancies between some documents from that day of the attack." That gets his attention, he walks towards the desk, grabbing the papers from my hands.

"Amos, these are identical?" He asks me, looking up at me. I frown, shaking my head.

"They were made to look identical. But look here," I say walking around the desk and looking over his shoulder with him. I point to the official report, the marks of something being changed, the words not lining up. "You see that? Someone changed this." I say looking over at him. He looks at me and frowns. I quickly step back.

"Its a stretch Amos. But it's definitely something." He finally says, handing me back the papers.

"I was hoping to bring in the Captain, see if he remembers anything being scheduled or switches happening that night. Someone not being where they said they were." I ramble, going back to the other side of my desk and sitting down. "Then I can go through witness statements and see if there is anything that can confirm or deny his words." I look up and see Garrick staring at me. really thinking it through.

"Amos," He starts gently.

"This is all I have." I tell him firmly. "After weeks, this is all I have." I sigh, looking down. "I have to try."

Garrick moves and sits down, grabbing a stack of papers.

"Then this is where we start. We will find them." I smile letting out a breath I didnt realize I was holding. He's the only person I can trust with this, and he's going to help me.

"We are looking for this name. Xalvador may have had an altercation with him yesterday. See if any of the witness statements mention him." I tell Garrick, showing him the name.

I didnt ask him to stay and help me with this, but im glad that he is. He reminds me that I'm not alone with this.

We search in silence for awhile, reading through paper after paper. I made sure everyone was interviewed from that night. No one was missed. But right now, as I read through multiple statements that mean absolutely nothing I wonder if that was the right move.

"Amos." I look up immediately. Garricks face is pale and he hands me the paper he was reading.

I look through the paper, my anger reaching new heights for every word I read.

"Bring me the Captain." I tell Garrick. He nods and stands immediately, leaving the room as quick as he could.

I take deep breathes as I wait for Garrick to bring me the Captain. Trying to keep a cool, level head. I need to be able to talk to him rationally.

It doesn't take long before there's a knock on my door and in comes Captain Hale and Gerrick.

"Your highness," Captain Hale says, bowing slightly.

"Captain Hale, Sir Garrick. Thank you for coming to my office." I say, motioning for him to take a seat.

"Of course your highness, do you have questions about rotations?" He asks calmly.

I've always been a fan of Captain Hale. He's an older gentleman, knows how to train great soldiers and knights, knows how to be loyal and kind.

"Can you take a look at this for me?" I ask, handing him his report of the days rotations and who is stationed where. He grabs it, looking it over carefully.

"This appears to be my report on rotation and stations on the day of the attack your highness." He answers truthfully.

"Right," I hand him the office report, the one with the royal seal, "and this one?"

He takes it and looks it over. He frowns a little, taking a little longer to read it.

"Your highness, this looks to be the official report from that night."

"You sound unsure." I tell him, wanting him to tell me the truth of what he's seeing.

"Well, it mostly matches mine. I give a copy of my report to the royal chancelor." He explains, taking both sheets of papers and looking between them.

"Okay?"

"Well, your highness. This isn't my handwriting on the official report. This area here was changed." He looks uncomfortable. I frown, my stomach dropping. Its information I already knew, but was hoping wasn't true.

"Where?" I ask leaning over as he points it out. "And who can change this report without you knowing?" I ask him carefully. He sets the papers down and looks at me, really stares at me. Suddenly I'm not sure I want to know.

"Only Royals your highness."

I dismiss the Captain quickly after that, I needed some time to think. To process. I go to find Ariella, but when I come to her rooms, I find them empty.

Panic sets in as I spin around and quickly grab a maid that was wondering by.

"Where's Ariella?" I ask her, she squeaks a bit before answering.

"Out in the gardens your highness, with Sir Xalvador." I release the maid and a breath. I start heading that direction.

The table is empty where they sat for breakfast only a short hour ago, so I continue on. It doesn't take long before I spot them. I was about to head over to check on her but I stopped quickly when I realize.

She's sitting on a bench, Xalvador standing nearby, and He's handing her a red poppie flower.

"Different isn't so bad, Princess," Xalvador says. I watch as she stares at him for a moment before taking the flower. Xalvador then steps back, standing beside her again.

Im not entirely sure how long I stood there and stared at her and the red poppy, until Garrick finally touches my arm.

"Let's go Amos, we have work to do."

I nod and turn back to the castle. Ari is safe, and we have work to do.