Snippet #2706623

Peace, tranquility, sadness, grief. The air was permeated with such feelings around Edmond as the two churned within him. Though the night may have ended on a good note for Meera but for Edmond it had gone from wonderful to sad. One moment he was elated at progress he and Meera were making but then one momentary glimpse into his past and the weight of the world was suddenly much heavier. Edmond sighed as he navigated the castle corridors on muscle memory. Edmond hadn’t planned on going to bed right away but now with his mind awashed with so many emotions he doubt he would see much sleep tonight. As he walked he passed by a pair of large double doors leading to the Royal Chambers. One door was golden with the symbol of the sun, the other an onyx black with a symbol of the moon. There was much symbolism in both images, one being the representation of the co-leadership of both the king and queen. Traditionally the new king and his queen would take ownership of these quarters while the prior rulers if they were alive would be relocated to the Elder Chambers.

Edmond placed a hand on the lunar door to the chambers, he had always admired these chambers growing up, now they were his. Since Edmond’s parents had passed the Elder Chambers were currently unoccupied for the first time in many generations. It was Edmond’s hope the Elder Chambers would see him and Meera live to see their children grow into these chambers. Edmond sighed and let his hand slip from the door as he continued on past them. His path took him towards his office, which had once been his room before he became king. Edmond had them remade into his personal office mostly out of the comfort of familiarity.

As he approached the doors a two figures rounded the corner, “Edmond!” One of them called. When they drew closer he saw it was Ava and Claramond, both wearing serious looks, “Whats wrong girls?” Edmond said. He fixed Claramond with a smirk, “ Is Lord Cromwell’s silver tongue giving you fits?” He asked.

Claramond and Ava fixed Edmond with a hardened glare, “Sehr lustiger Herr Humor.” Claramond responded.

Edmond chuckled, “Ok Clara, I’ve had my fun.What troubles you my friends?” He asked.

Both girl’s faces turned serious once more as Ava spoke, “Edmond, there is news about your uncle.” She said. Edmond’s face turned serious, eyes narrowed and lips in a frown,

“Have they found him?” He asked.

“No, but there is information that may help us locate him. The others are waiting in our old meeting room.” She said.

Edmond nodded and pointed into his Office, “Ok, lets go.” He said as he opened the door and they walked inside.

The room itself was was a bit surprising to those who did not know Edmond. Blue dominated the room from the carpets to the curtains, showing Edmonds fondness for the color. Bookshelfs held books on various topics, mostly those which were most used or needed in his daily work. One wall had a painting of Edmond, Kyziko and his parents which he painted not too long before the fateful trip to Roclair almost a year ago. On the other side sat a weapon rack which held Edmond’s personal weapons of choice, his primary sword and the offhand dagger. Though their artistic appearance was deceiving they were very much deadly. A few more weapons sourced these two, mostly gifts from foreign friends and royalty. Behind a tapestry of foreign goddess of wisdom and warfare clad in ancient armor, Edmond pressed a series of switches hidden in the bricks of the wall. Suddenly a door swung inward, revealing a tunnel into the depths of the castle, “Lets not keep the others waiting.” Edmond said as he moved to let the girls go through first. Ava locked the door to his office before following Claramond with Edmond going through last and closing the secret entrance behind them.

With torch light illuminating their pathway the three moved along the passageways with years of familiarity guiding them. The passages ran throughout the Sky Ruler Castle, allowing one to move hidden through the castle and even reaching into locations people didn’t even know existed. It was only through years of usage or very good memory that one could navigate them without getting lost. Thankfully both were readily available to Edmond and his friends as they made good progress to their hidden sanctuary. Claramond suddenly paused and turned around, causing Ava and Edmond to stop.

“What is it Clara?” he asked. Claramond didn’t say anything, but peered into the distance.

“I could have sworn I heard someone behind us.” She said.

Edmond looked down the lit passageway and saw nothing, “Perhaps it’s just nerves Clara. We’ve all been on edge these last few days.” He said.

Claramond nodded, “Perhaps….It was probably nothing, let us continue.” And so they did. A few minutes later they arrived to their destination, the Chamber of the Hidden Court. It was a large stoned room with a rounded wooden table. Shelves filled with books and scrolls as well as other tools clad the walls and though it was built for work the room had comforts to make working here much easier such as padded chairs and a few kegs of drink. The name was a joke made by Edmond and Kyziko when they first formed Edmond’s court and the name just stuck over the years.

In the room nine chairs were placed at the table, three of them were occupied by Kyziko, Katherine and Flenior. "Forgive us for our tardiness. Clara thought she heard a ghost and nearly had a stroke from it.” Edmond said with a playful smile.

Claramond closed her eyes as she instinctively moved to a chair, “Halten Sie es, eines dieser Tage werde ich meine Rache haben.” She said.

Edmond smiled as he pulled out a seat for her and Ava, “You're welcome at any time Clara.” He playfully taunted as the girls took their seats before he moved to take his, “Flenior, Katherine, sis.” He greeted them before sitting down, “Now let's get to business.” Edmond said but before he could continue Kyziko cut him off.

“The seven hundred and fifty-eighth meeting of this court is now in season!” she said enthusiastically.

Everyone including Edmond just smiled and shook their head, “Yes indeed. Anyway.” Edmond turned serious, “I’m told there is no information regarding former Spymaster and my uncle Malchior Alderich.” Edmond said with such a cool and detached tone it was as if the man was not even related to him.

The others noted this before Katherine spoke, “Our spies haven't found his location as of yet but we believe even more strongly he is indeed still in Beleth somewhere.” She said.

Edmond frowned, “Well, it’s not what I to hear but I’ll take any good news I can get. It does make sense he would remain here. After all he is the best in his field and would have the skills and resources to hide for years in plain sight if he wanted to. But what proof do you have he’s still here?” Edmond asked.

It was then Ava’s turn to speak, “We have contacted many of Malchior’s foreign associates and kept them under watch for months. We were under the impression he wouldn’t stay in Beleth and never thought to watch those here. Since he can’t live without meeting with one of them and we have seen no suspicious activity since, we have to conclude he is using resources here in Beleth.” She said.

Edmond nodded, “It makes sense, but he could have more connections we don’t know of. Perhaps it’s time I got involved.” Edmond said as he leaned back, “Malchior did teach me some of his techniques as part of my education. I think its time to use them against him.” Edmond suddenly stood and walked over to get some parchment, ink and a quill much to Ava’s chagrin. He returned to his seat and began writing quickly upon the page. After about a minute he passed the page to Ava and gestured for her to read it then hand it to the person next to her, “Have some of our men keep track of places that sell these items. Malchior is a smart and cunning man but even he has some things he won’t live without.” Edmond said as the list passed through Ava to Kyziko, Katherine, Flenior and then to Claramond. “If anyone purchase these items have them followed. Eventually one or more people will return to the same place and that is where we’ll find Malchior.” He said.

Claramond pointed to the list, “Edmond some of these items are sold by a lot of places across Beleth. It’s going to take a lot of people and time to not only to follow up with this order but to even compare the information for any similarities” She said.

“That is true but at this point I’m sick of running in the circles my former uncle has put us through for the last year. I want him found now and this time justice will be served.” Edmond said.

Flenior, who had remained silent to this point, spoke out, “By the law or your hand young master?” He asked.

Edmond looked at Flenior with a calm look but everyone knew he could be angry at a person and never betray his calm appearance, “You should know the answer by now Flenior. By the law.” Edmond said almost cooly.

Flenior waved a hand, “I had to be sure Edmond. When the king of Theren was the killer of your parents you wanted justice. But now with the knowledge you had your parents killer not only right next to you but that he had been manipulating you. I can’t help but wonder what your feelings are Edmond. I want to make sure you won’t make a mistake you’ll regret the remainder of your years.” He said.

Edmond’s face remained calm and impassive but a minute later it turned to one of exhaustion as he slumped into his chair, “I know what I will and will not do but you have every right to be concerned Flenior.” Edmond said, his voice tired and worn. He brought a hand to his eyes and began rubbing him, “For years I trusted Malchior, he was my uncle and family so why wouldn’t I? Even when my parents were killed I didn’t think twice about trusting him.” Edmond dropped his hand from his eyes to his arm rest with a thump, “But to find out he not only killed my parents but also gave permission to the guard to kill the king of Theren? I can’t even prove the king of Theren was involved in a plot to dethrone my father because the information came from him. But then again maybe he was and Malchior was playing both sides.”

“We’re all tangled in a large web Malchior has weaved and only now are we free to find a thread to the center of it all. All we know is he has been the unseen force behind three great tragedies in the last year.” Edmond said. No one here had to be told what tragedies Edmond was referring to.

The room was silent for a moment. Kyziko was the first to speak, “Edmond, what will you do when you find him?” She asked.

Edmond looked to her, a tired look in his face as the stress of the last year showed itself, “I will do as I had originally planned to do with the King of Theren. Take him to Roclair to be tried by his peers. I cannot remain impartial in such a trial so others must do it in my stead and I will have to prove my case to them.” He said. “With the documents we found and the testimony of the four guardsmen who Malchior basically gave permission to kill the king of Theren it shouldn’t be too much of a fight hopefully.” he said.

Claramond looked at Edmond with surprise, “The guardsmen are still alive?” She asked.

Edmond nodded, “Yes, for the same reasons I can’t punish them and knowing they killed the wrong man stayed them from taking their own lives as their honor demands. The guards won’t be mislead into killing them because only Kyziko and I can give that order now.” Edmond said.

“And what will become of the guards? For their crime of killing the King of Theren?” Katherine asked.

“The same as Malchior's, trial by their peers in Roclair. In the end once we have Malchior his and the guardsman's fate will be out of our hands.” Edmond closed his eyes once again, “I wanted justice when the King of Theren was the enemy not revenge. The same applies here. Hopefully once we have Malchior this will all come to an end.” he said. Everyone murmured their agreement before Edmond took a deep breath and sat up, “ But for now we must be patient a little longer. We’ll have him soon enough and then we can all relax for a bit. Until then let us focus on the Theren party and bridging the gap between our two nations.” Edmond said. Everyone once again gave a response of agreement, Ava doing so reluctantly, “Unless anyone else has something to bring up we can conclude this meeting and go get some rest.” Edmond said.

With that everyone stood and with a few parting words and goodnights said everyone began leaving to return to their respective rooms. Edmond however took the passageway back to his office only to have Ava follow him.

“Edmond, you’re not thinking about working late again are you?” She asked.

Edmond turned and smiled, “Hopefully only for a little bit. I want to get some things in order for the Theren treaty tonight.” He said.

Ava put a hand on her hip and said with a bit of a scolding tone, “I don’t like it when you work late Edmond. You end up spending most of the night working and don’t get enough rest.” She said.

Edmond chuckled and raised a hand to brush her cheek, which caused her to blush, “Always looking after me. I’m glad to have such a good friend like you Ava. I’ll try not to spend too much time working tonight, so go get some rest.” He cocked his head and looked at her with a smile, “Please?” He asked. Ava’s blush was quite apparent as she remained still as a statue, debating with herself. But eventually she nodded.

“Very well, just please make sure to get some rest. I worry about your well being with how much you work to make Beleth, it’s people and us happy.” She said. Edmond chuckled.

“Ok Ava I will. Now off to bed with you.” He said.

Ava pouted, “Thats my line!” She said. Edmond laughed.

“Well this time it’s mine. Now off you go.” He said as he gave her an encouraging pat.

She nodded, “Very well, good night Edmond.” She said as she turned and began walking the opposite direction towards her quarters.

“Goodnight Ava.” He responded. He watched her until she rounded the corner that went to her room before turning to head to his office. He had a lot of work to do tonight and wanted to get some of it completed before morning. Suddenly his mind drifted back to his earlier feelings and once again grief and sadness flooded him. It would also help distract his mind from more sad topics, something only work, his friends and family appeared to be the only things capable of doing.

With a sigh Edmond continued on to his office to work and find peace.

Elsewhere in the tunnels, Lord Cromwell hurriedly reached his Queen's chambers once more, having learned an abundance of vital information for the night.