9. Fenrick
NINE
FENRICK
“Oh, just in here, if you please.” Fenrick showed the three members of the Queen’s chosen group into an open room with a round table and chairs near a crackling fire. On top of the table were a pile of folders and files full of paperwork and pictures.
“Dinner will be brought to you shortly. In the meantime, feel free to start reading the gathered material.”
The father and son team nodded and walked into the room, followed by the Queen’s captain. Sloan stood by Fenrick’s side before she entered. Without even looking at him, she whispered, “There’s a nasty little rumor among the men that a certain treasurer was seen gambling in the city last night.”
“Captain,” Fenrick swallowed hard but gathered himself just as quickly, “if you are insinuating that I’m gambling with the Queen’s money, I would think twice about the accusation you’re making.”
“And why’s that?” Sloan turned her piercing green eyes on Fenrick. “Choose your next words wisely.”
“Because,” Fenrick licked his lips and leaned in to whisper in her ear, “I don’t gamble, but even if I did, I would choose to keep that a secret. You know I’m not the only one with secrets—don’t you, Captain? You know what I’m referring to, of course—a certain less than distinguished upbringing.”
“Be careful who you threaten, Treasurer. Some of us are quicker with the sword than the tongue and would go to great lengths to protect certain secrets.” Sloan walked into the room and shut the door in Fenrick’s face.
Fenrick let his fake smile fade and curled a lip at the closed door.
Children playing at things they don’t understand, Fenrick thought to himself.
But events are going better than expected.
Aareth has left before the journey has even started.
In a game where the players can choose their own pieces, it seems the Queen has chosen poorly: a drunk who already walked out, two simple-minded sorcerers, and a captain with a dark secret.
Fenrick shook his head as he walked through the palace to the rear of the building.
The sun had just set. Only a few servants and guards traveled along the palace’s extensive garden grounds.
Queen Eleanor had a soft spot for plants and flowers of all kinds.
The garden was alive with statues and fountains all designed with bats, pools, and various symbols of strength.
All of that was still outshined by the level of foliage in the garden.
Fenrick dismissed all the plants and flowers he had seen a thousand times before. Instead, he spent his time looking over his shoulder, ensuring he was not being followed.
After a few turns in the labyrinth of the palace’s garden, Fenrick was content he was alone. He stopped walking and stood next to a tall hedge. Looking through the leaves and small branches of the wall-like plant, he saw the back of a hooded figure sitting on a stone bench on the other side.
“You’re late,” the dark figure spoke in a deep voice.
“Well, that’s not my fault,” Fenrick snarled. “You need to kill the captain. She suspects something. We need to kill her now.”
“Quiet your voice, snake, before someone hears and you ruin everything. They will all be dealt with in time when my master deems it appropriate. What of the team the Queen has assembled to travel to the Outland?”
“Mercenary,” Fenrick’s voice heightened at being talked to in such a way, by someone he deemed lower than himself, “you will speak to me with respect. I don’t care who your master is. I will have soldiers here?—”
The cloaked man turned with inhuman speed. He shot a large arm through the thin hedge between them. Fenrick felt ice-cold fingers close around his throat. A second later, he was lifted from the ground.
“I will not ask you again to be quiet, snake.” The hooded figure held Fenrick as if he weighed no more than a handful of sand. “I would kill you here and now, but it seems you are more useful to The Order alive. Why, I have no clue.”
Fenrick clawed at the arm holding him suspended above the dirt, but there was no use.
He stared into the deep hood. The man’s facial features were bathed in shadows, but Fenrick could still make out the long, gruesome scar across his pale face.
Fenrick nodded as best he could. The hold around his throat was released. He fell to the ground, gasping for air.
“Now tell me all you know about the ones chosen for the journey to the Outland. I want everything, when they’re leaving, and what route they’re taking.”