Chapter 5
Chapter
Five
“What’s the plan, Your Highness? …Your Highness?”
Xavier pulled his attention to the speaker with an effort. “What was that?”
“I was asking for your instructions,” Mitchell repeated patiently. “If we want to be settled in Alton in good time, we shouldn’t delay leaving any longer.”
“Leaving here?” Xavier said quickly. “No, I don’t think we should do that.”
The captain frowned, more in confusion than displeasure. “I thought we’d decided to base ourselves in Alton.”
“Sure, but that was before,” Xavier said reasonably.
“Before…what, Your Highness?” The captain was lost.
“Before I got a good look around town,” Xavier informed him. “I don’t feel we’ve come close to plumbing the depths of all there is to be learned here.”
“I’m sure you’re right,” Captain Mitchell said, patient as always.
“But it’s likely there’s even more to learn in Alton, given it’s the site of the most recent disappearance.
I thought we wanted to start our investigation there before the trail went cold.
And reports are that the inn there is larger and more comfortable. ”
“The inn here is fine,” Xavier said. “Of course we need to begin our investigation in Alton, but I don’t see why we can’t continue to be based here.
It’s not far away, the travel is no issue.
Who knows? Maybe if there are perpetrators still lurking in Alton, they’ll be lulled into a false sense of security by a little bit of distance.
We could even plant a man there unobtrusively and not advertise that he’s part of our investigation. ”
“We could consider that.”
The captain sounded thoughtful, and Xavier almost felt guilty for successfully masking his self-serving plans as an investigative strategy.
Almost.
Alina was here. Alina. And she was alone and basically destitute. He had enough burning questions to make up for the last decade of not caring about anything much at all. There was no way he was simply walking away without finding out more.
“Of course, if rumors are to be believed, we should be looking for the perpetrators at the refinement site, not in Alton,” Captain Mitchell mused, unaware of Xavier’s divided attention.
“All the more reason to stay here,” Xavier said. “This is the closest town to the refinement site.”
“That’s something,” Captain Mitchell agreed. “What did you think of the interviews we conducted this morning, Your Highness?”
I think Alina was in one of them, and everything else is entirely uninteresting in comparison to that lightning strike.
Aloud, Xavier said, “Pretty consistent story from everyone. Without any concrete details. So most likely all based on the same rumors, and no one actually has firsthand information.”
“You’ve been paying attention to my lessons,” the captain said, smiling slightly.
Xavier chuckled. “Don’t give me credit for it, there was very little else to do on the journey.” A disgruntled mewl sounded from the creature perched on top of his head, and he hastened to correct himself. “Except for bonding with my main lady, of course.”
The captain was openly smiling now, and Xavier lowered his voice conspiratorially.
“Is it just me, or does she seem to actually understand what I say? It’s uncanny.”
“I think, Your Highness, the creature’s displeasure was more based on the way you tilted your head when you laughed,” the guard said with perfect solemnity.
“Maybe you’re right.”
Xavier sighed as he pulled Zuzu down and deposited her into the pocket of his cloak.
They were inside the private parlor they’d claimed at the inn, and normally he wouldn’t wear a traveling cloak indoors.
But Zuzu fit snugly inside the pocket, and he didn’t especially enjoy her leaving fur, feathers, or worse on his other garments.
The anzu wriggled upright to pop her head into the fresh air, placing her wings over the top of the pocket and sniffing the air with her cat’s nose.
“You are the strangest creature known to man,” Xavier informed her.
“I don’t know, Your Highness,” commented Captain Mitchell. “Have you ever seen a tarand? They can change their hides to camouflage with their surroundings so completely that they vanish.”
“Very impressive, I’m sure,” Xavier said.
“But the rest of the time, they just look like regular reindeer, right? Unlike this abomination of nature.” He bopped a finger on Zuzu’s nose, a gesture she apparently enjoyed, judging by the purr that made his pocket vibrate.
“Heaven help me when you develop your full abilities,” he told her.
“I hope you spout water, because if you’re a fire-breather, I foresee a great deal of stress for my protectors. ”
The door opened, one of Xavier’s personal guards appearing momentarily before he allowed another member of their party to enter. The man in question wasn’t strictly part of the investigation team. He was the liaison the king had sent to check on the chameleon steel refinement station.
“Blair,” the captain greeted him.
“Captain. Your Highness.” Blair nodded to the captain and bowed to Xavier. “I’m glad I caught you before you left. I wanted to check in.”
“It seems we’re not leaving,” Captain Mitchell said. “We intend to make camp in this town.”
“You do?” Blair seemed taken aback. “I thought you were removing to Alton before dark.”
“Change in plans,” Xavier said cheerfully.
He saw the wary look on the other man’s face and clapped him bracingly on the shoulder.
“Take heart, soldier. The foe is not so fearsome. I know cats usually don’t agree with you, but I haven’t heard a single sneeze, and I’ve seen no evidence that your eyes are itching. ”
“I’m no soldier, Your Highness, and grateful for it,” Blair said, smiling faintly. “I never had much aptitude for fighting. And I can’t deny you’re right. Although I admit to remaining wary, so far I haven’t had any ill effects.”
“Because Zuzu isn’t actually a cat,” Xavier said. “She’s something else altogether. Something unnatural and abominable, but at least it doesn’t seem to be something that upsets your system.”
“You make me sound delicate, Your Highness,” Blair said mournfully. “His Majesty will assign me to a lifeless border outpost after you report on my performance in this assignment.”
“No risk of that,” Xavier told him. “Don’t undervalue yourself, Blair. You’re the only member of the diplomatic team to have spent time in both Carrack and Dernan, which makes you invaluable to negotiations regarding refinement of the chameleon steel.”
“Your Highness is kind.” Blair looked surprised, as if he hadn’t thought Xavier would know anything about the complex agreement that had Siqual using its desert to refine chameleon steel from reclusive Dernan on behalf of Carrack.
Xavier knew he had a reputation for irresponsibility, but just how useless and uninformed did his own people think he was? The deal was the centerpiece of Siqual’s three-way alliance with the kingdoms of Carrack and Dernan, and had been a significant focus in the castle for over a year.
“Did you enjoy your time in those other kingdoms?” he asked.
“Yes, Your Highness.” Blair gave an apologetic smile. “Dernan less so. It’s a very restrictive kingdom, without much vision. But Carrack was fascinating. There are many things they do differently from us, and I learned a great deal while I was there.”
“Making you invaluable upon your return,” Xavier encouraged him.
“When were you planning to depart for your visit to the refinement station?” Captain Mitchell asked Blair.
“I had intended to go tomorrow,” Blair said. “But if you wish me to remain on hand—”
“No, there’s no need to delay just because we’re still here,” Xavier said. “You can base yourself here as well, we’re close enough that you can travel to and from the site within the day, allowing for more regular reports on what you find.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Blair said. “You’re going to stay here for the entire duration of the investigation?”
“That’s the current plan,” Xavier told him. “It will depend on what we uncover, of course.”
“Of course.”
Blair still looked faintly skeptical, clearly doubting the prince’s ability to keep interest long enough to stick with the task.
It was becoming evident that he’d indulged his wayward persona a little too much.
He got a certain enjoyment from fulfilling all expectations as to his irresponsibility, but he didn’t want to be seen as completely incompetent.
Xavier dismissed Blair, turning his attention back to the captain. “You’ll make arrangements to extend our accommodations?”
“I will,” Mitchell confirmed. “And I’ll also look into sending someone to stay in Alton without advertising a connection to our investigation.
It will be interesting to see what unofficial questions yield before we open a formal investigation there.
” He quirked an eyebrow. “Do you have a preference as to who should be given the assignment?”
“I’m sure you’ll know best,” Xavier said, unconcerned. “They’re your team.”
“Actually, Your Highness,” Mitchell chided him, “we’re all part of your team.”
“Ah, but I’m a mere apprentice, Captain,” Xavier said with a disarming smile. “I rely on your advice.” Making his voice more serious, he added, “I really would appreciate your advice as to our next step here.”
Captain Mitchell had an answer ready. “I’ve been considering it, Your Highness, and I think we should enlist help from someone local.
I was going to suggest we do so in Alton, but I think we should find someone from this town as well.
We should find someone competent, and pay them for their efforts.
This is a close community, and the authority of the crown doesn’t change the fact that we’re strangers.
People will always be guarded in what they say to us, and we won’t recognize unusual behavior the way someone familiar with these people might. ”
“An excellent suggestion,” Xavier said, taking the opening at a gallop. “I know just who we should ask.”
“Do you?” The captain blinked in surprise. “Who?”