Wow, I accidentally disappeared for like three months. Whoops! I've been insanely busy and completely forgot about this.
Anyway, here is Chapter Nine of my Esben and Artham fanfic. Finally, lol.
Previous Chapter
Bonifer was not alone when Esben and Artham entered the conference room. First of all, Conor was with him, dressed in the regular apparel of an Annieran guardsman: red tunic, golden armor plating, the dragon-seal emblazoned cloak, and an Annieran sword hanging at his side.
However, next to Conor, was a young woman Esben didn’t know. She had dark hair and caramel skin, and her eyes were a hard, dark brown. She met his eyes with a gaze that clearly told him that she was assessing him.
“Your Majesty, Your Highnesses.” Bonifer bowed low. When he straightened, Bonifer gestured at the young woman. “Allow me to introduce you to Alina Balan.”
She curtsied politely, her gaze flickering over the group before her. “Your Majesty and Your Highnesses. I have been told my half-brother, Asif, has been imprisoned here for murder.”
“Yes,” Esben said sharply. “He is a murderer. My brother and I are witnesses.”
Alina didn’t flinch. “I do not deny it. My brother and I have long since parted ways. He has turned to a mercenary lifestyle amongst those of whom I do not approve.”
So, she didn’t agree with her brother’s actions. That was a good sign.
“Your Majesty,” Conor said quietly. “Alina has agreed to tell us all that she knows about who her brother may be working for, but she has one request.”
“Oh-kay,” Esben said slowly. “What is it?”
“I need sanctuary,” Alina answered steadily. “The Woes are a dangerous place. My father, Asif’s father as well, made many enemies. For a while, I avoided them. But news has spread of my brother’s attack on your family, and now I am in even greater danger. Most Wanderers would never dare incur Anniera’s wrath. I would be punished in my brother’s place. All I wish is for a safe place to live. I do not care if it is here or not. I would go to Skree; all I want is to leave Shreve.”
Esben blinked.
“Well,” he said. “I’m sure we can come up with something. I’ll talk to the council. If you will not stay here, we can certainly send you to Skree.”
“But first,” Artham added. “Tell us what you know.”
The five of them sat down around the table and Alina began to talk.
“I am not sure how helpful my information will be, but I do know a few things about the Wraith. After Mister Torol and Mister Squoon found me in Yorsha Doon, I contacted some friends. The Wraith, as far as we can tell, is a middle-aged woman who has never lost a fight. She kills in the night, and many mercenaries are on her payroll. She works for a man in the Kilridge Mountains, but no one knows anything about him. It’s disturbing, actually.”
“This man in the mountains,” Bonifer said slowly. “Could he be a dissenter from Woes? One of those who blames Anniera and the Hollows for the destruction of Shreve generations ago?”
It was a decent guess, one that would explain the man’s desire to kill the leaders of those two countries. These sorts of suggestions were exactly why Bonifer was an advisor to begin with.
Alina shrugged. “He could be. Like I said, we know very little about him.”
“But he means harm to Anniera and the Hollows,” Esben said grimly.
“Since his assassin was caught, I am sure he is hunkering down,” Alina said. “The Wraith disappeared as soon as rumors of Asif’s capture began to circulate.”
Esben nodded. “Do you have any more information?”
She shook her head. “I’m afraid not.”
“Thank you for telling us this,” Esben said. He called in a maid, giving her orders to escort Alina to a bedroom. He added, in an undertone, that a guard was to be posted outside her door.
Once Alina was gone, Conor spoke. “If I may offer a proposal, Your Majesty, I could travel to Yorsha Doon to keep an ear out for any threats to Anniera. With the training I have, I could set up a spy network to keep you updated on any developments.”
“That’s an idea,” Esben said, looking over at Artham.
“Sure,” Artham said. “You could do it. You could take several of the older veterans with you. They might have some advice.”
Conor smiled. “Perfect. I’ll probably ask Kyle and Luke.”
Artham nodded. “I assumed as much.”
“Your Majesty,” Bonifer said slowly. “It would be wise to speak to the council before approving the establishment of a spy network.”
“Oh, right.” He kept forgetting. He’d only accompanied his father to council meetings a few times before . . . “Well, I’ll talk to them. I’m sure they’ll approve.”
“If they think it is a good idea, they will certainly approve.”
Esben raised an eyebrow. “Do you think it’s a good idea?”
Bonifer shrugged. “It may work, but I fear that it may be discovered and our trade disturbed. I have a strong relationship with the overseer of trade in Yorsha Doon. I would hate to see it spoiled. I know I failed to hear any word of this assassin, but now that I know to pay attention, I am sure I could keep an eye on everything.”
Conor frowned, looking over at Artham as if hoping he would step in and argue for him.
“I’m sure you could,” Esben said. “But I still think a spy network could be helpful. The Durgans might want some surveillance there as well. We should send a message to the Keeper.”
Of course, he didn’t actually know how to do that, but Bonifer would help him later. Or he could ask Uncle Tal. That might be more fun.
“In the meantime, why don’t you two get some rest?” Esben suggested. “You’ve had a long journey and I’m sure you’re tired.”
Bonfire smiled wanly. “Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Rest would be much appreciated.”
The meeting broke up.
As Esben left the room, a soldier approached him, saluting. “Your Majesty!”
“Lieutenant,” Esben said. “What is it?”
“We have moved the assassin to a secure location,” the lieutenant reported. “The move was smooth, and now he is under house arrest by some of our best guards. The windows are barred and the captain has the key to the house’s one door and the key to the gate in the wall around the cottage, as ordered.”
“Good,” Esben said, relieved the move was now completed. That was one more thing off his plate. “Tell the captain that he has my faith. Dismissed.”
The lieutenant saluted and departed.
Besides him, Artham laughed quietly. “You’ve got this leadership thing down! I’m extraneous.”
“Yeah,” Esben said. “As long as I do my job right, you should have a pretty easy life.”
Artham snorted. “Not likely. I’m sure you’ll keep me busy with a nice stream of danger.”
Esben grinned. “We’ll see.”
Bonus: A Collage :)
