Josh looked at Thyle before answering, albeit hesitant, ‘yes, my lord.’
‘Excellent, now, is that note in your hand for me?’
Josh moved swiftly across the room and handed the note to Thyle. ‘It arrived only moments ago, my lord. A messenger from the city guard left it for you.’ He said, taking a step back.
The wax seal on the note broke under the weight of his thumb and index finger, Thyle unfolded it and read.
Commander,
Given the current goings on at the palace, I doubt
you have already heard of the recent events which took
place two nights ago at the home of a family in the
Merchant’s Quarter.
I am aware that it is not common practice to inform
the Commander of the king’s Guard of crimes within the city, but given the reports which we have both seen
from the outlying towns and villages, I felt it wise to
inform you.
Two children were reported missing by their parents.
While not entirely unusual for these slum brats to run,
the children took nothing in the way of provisions or
clothing. I believe this to be the work of kidnappers
as per the details from the previous reports we’ve
received.
I shall keep you informed of new developments as they
arise.
Captain Ferras
Thyle read over the note a second time, but found the information no easier to swallow the second time round. He would have to inform the king without delay if only to reassure him it was being handled by none less than the Captain of the City Guard.
‘Josh, my sword.’ He said.
His squire dashed through to the adjoining room and returned a moment later with Thyle’s sword. Its silver hilt glistened in the light of the afternoon sun, just as it had the day he’d received it from his mentor, and previous Commander.
The sword had been a gift to the previous Commander from the late king, for twenty years of service to the kingdom. Thyle felt an overwhelming gratitude and pride when it had been handed down to him, a finer weapon could not be found in all of Emeer.
‘Is there anything else I can do for you, my lord?’ Josh asked as Thyle strapped the sword around his waist.
‘No, that will be all for now, I must see the king.’
* * *
Thyle walked at a brisk pace down the long stone hallway that led to the king’s court. Audiences were held from midday until late afternoon, and he knew the king would be finished before long, allowing them to speak in private. It wasn’t often that Thyle’s presence was needed at court, and thus he avoided it at all costs. While the court provided for essential matters to be addressed directly with the king, it was held up with petty bickering between nobles, or landowners who felt they were being mistreated or insulted by lesser men.
At the end of the stone hallway, two large wooden doors stood before him, guarded on either side by his men, the king’s Guard. The guards both saluted him before opening each of the wooden doors, revealing the enormous room.
The room was one hundred feet across, and almost twice that in length. The space was flanked on both sides by large stone columns which formed archways along the length of the room, allowing access to the buttresses. Each column was decorated with the colours of the royal family. It was all deep black surrounded by gold, the family crest, a tree of life, its branches and roots intertwined, signifying no beginning and no end, in white at the centre.
At the top of the room, Thyle could see the king upon his marble throne, a small group of men in front of him come to seek an audience. He moved towards the top of the room, and the king. Thyle kept to the left aisle, out of sight so as not to interrupt whatever matter the king was discussing with the men.
But as he grew closer and could begin to hear what the men spoke of, he no longer worried about whether he’d interrupt them. It was as he had guessed, landowners arguing about trivial matters and expecting the king to resolve the matter for them. Idiots, he mused as he waited to the king’s left.
‘I appreciate that you have come for my council and aid on this most important matter,’ the king said with an air of importance. ‘I will have to ponder on the details you have provided, and I shall send word to you when I have made my decision.’
Both land owners thanked the king for his valued time and bowed low before retreating from the room.
‘Commander, a rarity to see you in my court, are you ill perhaps?’ The king said with a mocking tone.
Thyle had known the king for many years, and while rare to jest with the king in public, his Majesty would take every opportunity to jest with him. There were few people that the king was comfortable enough with to relax and let his guard down. Thyle took this as a great sign of respect, and liked to think that he and the king were as close to friends, as a king could be with a subordinate.
‘I wasn’t, but after enduring a few moments of petty squabbles over the areas in which livestock can graze, I do believe I’m starting to feel a little ill, Your Majesty.’
The king laughed, beckoned Thyle to come closer and whispered, ‘I can only assume your presence here means there are matters of importance to discuss?’
‘Yes, Your Majesty. I have received concerning news from the Captain of the City Guard, it would be better if we discussed it in private.’ Thyle returned in a hushed voice.
* * *
King Torren had led the way to his private study which resided a floor above the great hall. It was a large room filled with books, books from one end to the other. The king loved to read, mostly about the history of the kingdom, great deeds of his ancestors and battles fought and won, and while there were far older and wiser advisers within the kingdom, His Majesty was the foremost expert on Emeer’s history.
‘You said there was news, Thyle?’ The king said, taking up residence in a large high-back chair in front of the hearth.
‘I did, Your Majesty,’ Thyle said, removing the Captain’s note from his pocket. ‘I received this note from the Captain a short time ago. He explains about two children that went missing the night before last.’
The king put his hand out for the note and Thyle handed it to him. He took a few moments to read through its contents and handed it back to Thyle. There was a short silence while Thyle waited for King Torren to digest the information.
‘I see why the Captain would have cause for concern. Children missing from within the city walls, and I assume by his reference to the previous reports, these children also disappeared without raising an alarm.’
‘It would appear so, Your Majesty.’ Thyle said.
‘Grave news indeed. Had there been more reports from across Emeer?’
‘Over a dozen children reported, but there may be more from remote areas, some parents might assume their children ran off, and decided against reporting it to the local authorities.’
The news wasn’t good, Thyle knew that, but as there had been no evidence of foul play, and no sightings of anyone taking children, there were little the constables across the kingdom could do to investigate further. Wondering about what course of action to suggest, he noticed the king seemed lost in thought and had yet to reply or even acknowledge his last statement.
‘Your Majesty?’ Thyle said, concerned.
‘Hmm? Oh, yes. This concerns me greatly, Thyle. When we received reports from the east coast towns, I believed the children may have been friends, or distant relatives. The close timing of the disappearances brought me to the conclusion they ran away together. But now more reports from the midlands and worse, from within these very walls.’ The king said, pausing for a moment. ‘Action must be taken to prevent more kidnappings.’
‘I understand your concern, sir, but there has been no evidence of kidnappings, and to suggest this to the people before we know for sure, may insight a panic.’
‘There is reassurance in action, my friend, and I
fear now we have waited far too long for it.’ The king said, getting up from his chair.
Thyle followed the king with his gaze as he paced around the room before settling at the large window looking out over the city. Torren had not been king long, and this was the first real action he would have to take to protect his people. It was clear the burden weighed heavy on the king, and Thyle wished there was something he could do to lighten it, even a little.
‘Then action we will take, Your Majesty. Command it, and it shall be done.’ Thyle said, standing to attention.
The king stood at the window, staring out at his kingdom, before turning to Thyle with a look of determination on his face.
‘I believe this could be the work of slavers from the lands across the sea to the east. My father spoke of the last war with that savage race and how they enslaved people from all kingdoms across this world. It has been decades since they attacked Emeer and were defeated, perhaps it has taken a generation to recoup their loses, and this is a prelude to war.’
He wasn’t sure how the king had jumped from missing children, to war. Thyle felt it his job to help the king where he may, including talking him down from something that would be seen by many, as an overreaction by an inexperienced king. While Thyle didn’t have anymore experience than Torren, he didn’t have the weight of the kingdom influencing his judgement.
‘Your Majesty, I don’t think we should jump to such conclusions. At the worst, this might be greedy mine owners from the north, looking for new labourers. Give me time to investigate.’ Thyle pleaded.
‘You can of course, Thyle, but inaction could mean more of my people lost,’ the king said, moving closer to Thyle. ‘For now, the city watch shall be doubled from tonight until this matter is resolved. The Captain is to be informed immediately.’
‘Of course, sir, I will send word right away.’ Thyle said, bowing before making his way to the door.
‘Commander.’ The king began. ‘You are to oversee this matter, inform the Captain you control the city guard assigned to these kidnappings, and you have final say in all matters related to it.’
Thyle paused at the door, unsure of what to say. That was not part of his duties, and to take responsibility away from the Captain of the City Guard would be seen as an insult. It was his job to serve The king, to protect him and his family, to obey his every command. He could not outright refuse.
‘I understand, sir, but the city is not within my jurisdiction as Commander of the king’s Guard. I do not believe it would be wise to relieve the Captain of his duties.’ Thyle said with great reluctance.
‘Your jurisdiction is what I say it is, Commander, and if the Captain would like to debate that, he can see me himself.’
That was the final word, Thyle knew that tone, there would be no persuading the king otherwise. He bowed again and left the room to inform the Captain in person as he would expect from someone if he were to be relieved of his own sworn duties.
EIGHT
Light cascaded out ahead of them, a mystical dance illuminating the streets in a furious whirlwind of reds and oranges. Laughter filled the air, punctuated only by the cries for one more tune. Selene could barely hear the music above the crowd when her and Gareth rounded the corner to the Hairy Lemon. It had become a tradition to blow off some steam before a big job, and given the levels of stress among the group, they felt it was almost required of them this time.
They drew closer to the door, the vivacious atmosphere more and more apparent. She could hear stringed instruments being expertly strummed while a familiar voice sang out. Clear and smooth, the voice quietened the crowd to a murmur, every soul entranced by the angelic tones.
‘Looks like she’s started early tonight.’ Selene said.
‘We’ll be up early tomorrow, we can’t blame her for wanting an early start on the night.’ Gareth replied.
A large man, in every sense of the word, stood before the tavern door. It was the last effort by a desperate proprietor, to weed out the kind of people who looked for nothing but trouble. The guard instinctively raised a hand to stop them at the entrance before he realised who it was that stood before him.
‘Sorry, Gareth, didn’t see your face in the shadows there.’ He said.
‘Not a problem, Gregor. How’s it going in there tonight?’ Gareth asked.
‘Good, good. Great crowd in, and your girl’s just started there, voice of an angel she has.’
‘That she does, Gregor.’ Gareth said, patting Gregor on the shoulder as they walked past him, and pushed through the door to the tavern.
The crowd stomped their feet on the hard wooden floors as a thunderous clap resonated around the room. Another song down, how many more would follow, no one knew, again they cried out for one more.
‘She’s definitely got them going tonight.’ Gareth tried to shout above the noise.
‘Yeah, your girl’s doing great.’ Selene said, eyeing him up.
He nudged her a little, ‘oh, come on, you know what he meant.’
Selene continued to move forward, a cheeky smile across her face as she was enveloped by the crowd. There was no reason to be jealous, no need to worry, Gareth loved and worshipped her, she knew that. Had there been a cause for concern, the lady in question was the last person in all of Emeer she would worry about. Even if Marisa hadn’t been Selene’s friend the past few years, she was loyal, honourable, and had too much dignity to ever be that person. Selene enjoyed playing with Gareth from time to time.
He was at her side again before she’d reached the bar. He wrapped his arms around her waist and leaned in close.
‘You drive me insane, lady, you know that?’ He whispered in her ear, and lingered there for a moment.
The soft caress of his breath on her neck was enough to send excitement coursing through her body. She couldn’t help it, it was her weak spot, and he knew it.
‘Stop that, you know what it does to me.’ She said, playfully pulling away.
‘It’s my secret weapon.’ He declared.
The Hairy Lemon was far older than its current patrons or owner, and if not clear from its exterior, it shined through when within. Ancient stone walls, grout long since crumbled at its edges, no coverings and lavish hangings, or shelves holding expensive trinkets. This was a tavern much like the people who frequented it, broken by time and the world, with nothing to show but character. And character it had.
Its ageing walls held stories, from the men who hewed the stone a century before, to the first owner who laid the bricks himself. The enormous long bar, dark brown, carved from giant redwood trees of the Forest of Lugh in the east. Its edges rubbed smooth from hands that gripped it tight while telling tales of long gone heroes. A place where all were welcomed, status be damned, one coin was as good as another.
Gareth eyed the large gentleman behind the far end of the bar who was expertly pouring ale from the hand pumped tap. A perfect foam reached over the lip of the tankard which forced a smile from the barman. He looked up from his endeavour, caught Gareth in the corner of his eye and gave him a wink.
‘Just a moment there, young man.’ The man said, handing the ale to his customer.
‘Take your time, Mick, we’re here for the night.’ Gareth called out.
Selene gave him a questioning look.
‘What?’ He asked.
‘You’d like to be able to use a lock pick tomorrow, right?’ She said.
He laughed aloud, ‘we’ll be fine, I didn’t say we were drinking for the night, but look at this place, it’s as good as it gets here. Why not enjoy ourselves, it’s going to be fine.’
Mick shuffled along towards the two, a weary smile on his face. ‘Hello there, you two. Don’t usually see you both in the middle of the week.’
‘We needed to blow off some steam and have a little fun for the night. How you doing, Mick? Looking a little worse for wear.’ Gareth said, concerned.
‘Ah, don’t you worry about me, lad, nothing I can’t handle. What can I get you?�
� He said, his voice strained, clearly not telling them the whole story.
She could see the worry increase on Gareth’s face and noted to ask him more in private. He cared for Mick and his family, if there was something going on, he would get to the bottom of it in his own way.
‘Your finest ale, Mick, and some wine for my beautiful lady here.’ He said, ever the charmer.
‘By finest, you mean cheapest, I take it?’ Mick laughed to himself as he poured the mug of ale for Gareth.
Gareth may have enjoyed the finest things, but even with his elevated position within the guild, he dared not waste money on such things. His family came first. Gareth had spent years working his way through the ranks, doing everything he could to provide a better home for his mother and sisters. With his father gone, he felt it his responsibility to take care of them.
Most of his money went on moving his family to nicer accommodation within the slums. They no longer shared one room between them. His mother had her own bedroom, sisters shared another between them. Even though he spent half his nights at the guild, he had his own space at home too, for he could never be away from them for too long.
‘You look far too deep in thought for a night supposed to be filled with frivolities.’ He said, dragging her back to her surroundings.
‘Just remembering why I love you so much.’
‘Oh yeah?’ He asked.
‘Yeah. I find it’s necessary once in a while. You know, after you’ve bugged me so much that I start asking ‘why, Selene, why are you putting yourself through all this.’’ She kept her face stern and cold.
He stared at her with intensity for a moment, then broke the silence. ‘I ask myself that same question.’ He paused purposefully. ‘Still can’t come up with a good enough answer.’
Selene punched him in the arm, ‘don’t push your luck.’
Gareth laughed, rubbing his arm. ‘Hey, you started it.’
She laughed then too and allowed him to pull her close. He leaned in slowly and kissed her as if they stood there alone, not a soul around them, wrapped in each other’s embrace. The world spun as it always did when he kissed her that way. Her stomach flipped upside down and she felt light as if she could simply kick off and float away.
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