Chapter 28 Aristide
Aristide
Iwas ashamed to admit that my attention slipped more than once while my secretary, Madeline, read the report of all the goings-on around the kingdom which might merit my attention. I had been up late the previous night, after all, engaging in some highly pleasurable activities.
…none of which memories were really appropriate to dwell on in the moment, it seemed. I ran a hand through my unruly curls, pausing to prod at where the crown dug into my temples, promising a headache later.
“Sightings of the monster have only been from afar; no one has survived close contact. It is not known what manner of beast or monster it is. We have sent couriers to Kar Hadast, Holbaek, and Lentibelsinea to inquire as to whether their scholars know anything about what kind of creature rends it victims into pieces, dropping the remains leagues away from where they were first seized.”
I made sure to sit up straight—it was what my parents would have wanted—when Madeline read the death count from the east.
“Oh, and this is odd,” she said, and paused.
“What?” I asked, eager for any news, hopefully brighter than the fact of an unknown creature carrying out massacres among my already beleaguered people.
“Not a few days’ distance from here, there was another massacre. A mounted knight and his men buried all the corpses, refusing help from the local villagers. They even found a child still alive in the carnage.”
“Did anyone get the knight’s name?”
“No, your majesty. The villagers did not provide our agent with any more information than that.”
I slouched once more into my divan; I would occupy a more throne-like chair later in the day, when I received the noble retinues still trickling in to answer my call.
And then there would be a reception—which was usually enjoyable—and a late night—also enjoyable—and then I would do it all again the next day—which was decidedly less so.
“Well, let’s hope he’s headed here. We’ll need all the help we can get, between Matapa and this beast.”