CHAPTER IX #8
“Lord Kaven and his man will be deposed. They will no longer be welcomed in the Kingdom of Disce. I have yet to make a decision on his wife, Lady Esme.”
Maude’s eyes dart sharply to Keane, grimacing. “But who governs?”
“That will be for the people of Etter to decide, Duhni,” Keane replies softly.
The old woman stares at the King in disbelief, leaning heavily on her cane before she bows her head. “Very well.”
“There is another matter…” Keane continues.
Lord Alexander takes a step forward, his voice steady. “We know of the green agate that is shuffled between the humans here. From where does it come? And for who’s use?”
Maude eyes both men with a small grin. “You’ve been busy over the last two days, boys.”
“Not us,” Keane let’s his eyes fall on me, “but Lady Alexis.”
The Discerni chuckles. “Why am I not surprised…”
“The agate?” he presses.
“A small cave west of Etter. They have the humans mine and bring it back under cover.”
“But for what purpose?” Lord Alexander grimaces.
I frown, also wanting to know the answer to this question. While green agate is not illegal, its sale and transfer is still closely watched throughout all of Disce.
“Protection,” the old woman shrugs, her features telling the men she truly does not know.
“Trade. My niece tells me stories of a dark market in which the Woodlands Discerni exchange the stone amongst themselves, under cover for shared secrets. This revelation is new, however, and unconfirmed. The agate is also new, with its mining only beginning after news reached Etter of His late Grace’s death. ”
Lord Alexander turns slowly to Keane, the two of them looking at each other in silent communication.
What is Woodlands up to? And why do they feel the need to harbor green agate for themselves?
Unless they’re anticipating Keane, knowing that Zander’s son doesn’t hold the same beliefs as his father.
Is it for protection? Or preparation?
I frown, not sure if I want to know the answer.
Commander Linden is not a big man, though he holds himself proud and seasoned, commanding a small company of three hundred mixed Discerni and humans soldiers who all look at him with deep respect.
He stands with the top of his head reaching Keane’s shoulders, his own shoulders broad and his arms muscled with a hardened look about him that commands admiration.
His brown hair is cut short all the way around his head, the rest of his sharp Discerni features remaining calm and aware of the men around him.
I remember him from Keane’s coronation, remember him dropping to his knee in oath, his own voice steady and proud as he addressed the new King.
The woods around us are dark with the night, our camp greeting the incomers as they ride into the evening. All three hundred of the soldiers are situated around us, each of them hidden by Desmond’s stealth.
Old Maude was tasked with speaking to Stefan after the company arrived.
She left with the Master Informer, her lips grinning as she sat in the front of the saddle with his arms around her.
The group that rides with them is small, a simple ten soldiers that carry all of the wood that Cal, Nathaniel, Sam and Bryson gathered during the day.
While their ride is simple, their goal is a hard one.
The humans of the village need to be convinced to each leave piles of wood in front of their homes tonight without any reason as to why.
Maude was sent specifically to convince Stefan, knowing that if her great nephew left the wood out before his pub, many others would follow.
Her and Desmond would then work alongside the barkeep to spread the word to people he could trust, with the Master Informer lending his own commanding presence in the hopes they would remain quiet about it.
The task is indeed a gamble, especially when I envision the lifeless faces of the humans of Etter. Will anyone from the village actually have the bravery to leave the wood as needed? Or will Keane have to resort to his own methods, burning down their homes in the process?
Keane and Linden return to the tent to talk strategy, while I head off to spend the rest of the night with my friends. They’re all sitting together around a fire when I arrive, each of them sharpening their weapons in a tense calm.
I take a seat and smile at all the soldiers walking around, happy to see Knowledge so willing to come to aide.
The men here are some of the same that move in and out of Bardot, those that live in soldier’s quarters and train at the eastern gate.
A few of them I recognize, catching their small nods and familiar eyes as they glance to Stormfall on my shoulder.
A few others look at me questioningly, noticing my departure from the King’s tent curiously.
But all of them have the eyes of readiness, not yet briefed on why they’re called to travel into Woodlands, though understanding by the tenseness that consumes the forest that something serious is about to happen.
“Rider to the south,” a voice calls quietly, turning everyone’s gazes into the woods.
I hold my breath.
Rider? As in just one?
Holis catches my glance just as the full company stills around us, everyone hoping that Desmond’s summoning is strong enough to hide our camp.
I stand and take a few quiet steps between the soldiers and horses, Holis quick at my back when I draw the small dagger from beneath my bicep.
The two of us move together towards the edge of the camp, a few of the soldiers eyeing us in curiosity as they draw their bows and angle them into the night.
“Do you see anyone?” I whisper.
Holis shakes his head, brows furrowed. “No. But I hear him. A single rider.”
“The Discerni of Etter don’t move on horses,” I frown in confusion.
Holis nods, the two of us holding our breath as we look out towards the dark forest. The sounds of soft hooves move quietly against the brush, inching closer as the outline of a tall man rides under a dim and shimmering bottle of moonslight.
I let out a deep breath at the sight and smile, taking a step out to greet him.
Holis reaches a hand to stop me, but it’s too late.
I’ve passed through Desmond’s barrier of stealth and meet the man’s eyes, watching as his gaze goes wide.
“What?” he stammers. “How?”
“Come!” I whisper to the Discerni with a grin. “This way, Lord Crisjan! We need to get you out of the woods.”
“Young Alexis,” he shakes his head, unable to comprehend where I just came from.
“Please,” I step forward, reaching for his reins. “I can explain in just a bit.”
The older Discerni frowns but doesn’t say another word, letting me lead him back through Desmond’s stealth and into the hidden company.
If I thought he was shocked at seeing me, it’s nothing compared to the pure look of surprise that now graces his features.
He stares back at the many human and Discerni soldiers who slowly begin to lower their bows, his hand moving up to his temple as he tries to process what he’s seeing.
“What is going on here, Alexis?” Crisjan leans over his horse, his voice a bare whisper.
I shake my head at the Lord and look back to him. “That is for His Grace to tell you, not me.”
The Discerni frowns just slightly, still eyeing the men around him.
“This is unprecedented.”
“It is,” I nod solemnly, searching his gaze, “but what of you? What are you doing out here in the middle of the night?”
Crisjan gives me a proud smile as he sits straight in his saddle.
“No one rides through Auclair without my knowledge, Lady Alexis.”
I laugh at the Lord as Holis grins at my side, the two of us making our way back to Keane’s tent. The King stands quietly in front of the camp with Canon at his side, his eyes finding mine as I bring Crisjan’s horse to stop and let the Lord swing himself off.
“A surprising turn of my night, Your Grace,” Crisjan walks up to Keane with a bow.
Keane looks back at the Lord in hard thought, his features without emotion as he considers his next words.
“I need to know if you were followed, Crisjan,” he says steadily.
Crisjan frowns, shaking his head before he looks behind him to the company of men.
“I was not, Your Grace.”
“But you trailed my men from Auclair?” the King continues as the full of the camp stands around, listening to the conversation.
“The group of men I followed was not this large,” the Knowledge Discerni nods in honesty, meeting Keane’s gaze, “but yes. I’ve been trailing them since I noticed their departure from Auclair.”