A Game of Chi Book I: A Crown of Blood

Chapter 14: Lagravis III

LAGRAVIS

Lagravis had been outside the castle when the Citadel's bells tolled. He was following up on Cranvil's complaint; the crocodilian blacksmith had returned to personally ask for Lagravis' assistance on the matter. "The king doesn't understand," he had said. "He never listens. But you, my lord, you actually wanted to help me." Did I? I seem to remember giving you a pleasantry, he thought. Still, he had been asked for by name, and King Crominus was back, safe and sound, from his hunt. So he had asked to be excused for the day and see what Cranvil wanted to show him. "Remind me again what happened to you?" he asked. The two were trudging through the Citadel, heading towards Cranvil's blacksmith shop. "I was robbed, remember, my lord? I told you that I had been robbed by two ravens and a crocodile."

"Ah, yes," said Lagravis, with a vague memory stirring. "You said they attacked you and took your gold, yes?" Cranvil nodded. "And my weapons. Did you find any trace of the culprits?" Lagravis had a blank stare on his face. "You said you were going to find the people who did it; did you find any leads?" Lagravis shook his head. "In all honesty, Cranvil, there have been more pressing matters. Not that what happened to you is unimportant, but as First Advisor, there are things I must take care of first." When the crocodile nodded his head in understanding, Lagravis inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. Crominus and the council didn't take it well when we received the news, he thought. Their informant hadn't dared to assassinate the young phoenix himself, but he had written to them, telling them that the plan had failed. Not only was the girl alive, but her Cat Guides were on maximum alert. "It's Lagravis' fault!" Rukus had shouted. "He was against the plan from the beginning! He obviously intended for it to fail!" When the rest of the council had nodded their agreement, Lagravis had turned to Crominus. "What do you believe, Your Grace?" he had asked. "I believe that, intentionally or not, you are the reason this plan failed."

"What?"

"You heard me. I don't think that you planned for this failure, despite what others may think," he explained, eyeing Rukus at the end of the sentence, "but I think your heart wasn't in it. You were probably hoping that I wouldn't make good on my threat to make your son a warrior, Lagravis," he said. "But I will. You will find him a teacher. And if you find one that is inadequate, Rukus' point will be proven, and you will be singled out as the cause of the failure." The meeting had ended there, and after Crominus had retired to his quarters, Lagravis had decided to take a stroll through the Citadel to calm his nerves. When Cranvil approached him, he sent his excuses through Leonidas, the captain of the Lion Guard, the lions which had accompanied Lagravis to the Citadel ten years ago. So when the crocodilian blacksmith understood Lagravis' troubles, he was glad to have a friend on his side. For without Crominus and Laval, he was truly alone.

Lagravis and Cranvil arrived at the latter's shop, not too far from the docks where Lagravis had hired the failed assassins. Just as Cranvil had said, the door had been smashed in and the shop seemed empty. "See, my lord? My things are gone."

"Cranvil, I must confess I don't know why you brought me here," said Lagravis wearily. There was nothing in the space to give any indication as to who had stolen the blacksmiths' goods or where they had gone, and Lagravis was beginning to tire of no-win situations. "You said there would be evidence here to lead us to the culprits." Cranvil hesitated before nodding. "There is, my lord," he said. Lagravis went into the little shop hesitantly, eyeing his surroundings. The shop was quite cozy; it was made of stone and had an anvil in its centre, with a fireplace behind it. The windows were grimy and the floor covered in ash, but it felt nice and quaint. Still, Lagravis could not deny that the walls had an empty look to them; no doubt the stolen weapons had leaned against them. "There." Cranvil pointed to a broken bench in the corner with several scales and black feathers scattered about. "I fought back, my lord, but they outnumbered me. But I noticed something about the feathers." Lagravis bent over and picked one up. It was mostly black, but there was purple dotting near the edges. "I can bring this back and have it looked over," said Lagravis. "We have a raven in the King's Council. He can check it with ravens he knows to be here in the Citadel. The Master of Fire can also analyze it and see to whom it may lead back to." Cranvil nodded eagerly. "Thank you, my lord. Thank you." Nodding politely, Lagravis turned to exit the shop. "Is there anything else, Cranvil?" Before the crocodile could answer, Lagravis heard the tolling of the bells and turned to look at the castle. By Cavora, what could have happened now? He faced Cranvil and offered his excuses, which the blacksmith accepted. I need to get back there, he thought. Leaving the blacksmith shop behind, Lagravis began walking back towards the castle.