A Light in the Darkness Book: The Moonlight Murderer

Chapter Forty-Nine: The Threshold of Victory

Nick entered the old shop with the others not knowing what to expect. Inside Captain Jack had a few maps laid out and was issuing orders to his men about securing several vital locales around the city. Quintus was still held up near Central Square, but Jack was working toward sending reinforcements to help his predicament. For the longest time he didn't acknowledge their presence, but Festus gave a loud cough and he looked up from the table.

He grew nervous when he saw Simon. "M-my prince I-I wasn't expecting to see you here of all places. I'd heard the Sanctuary was in chaos. It's good you made it out safely."

"Yes," Simon replied evenly. "I was hoping for a status report, Captain. We've been hearing some conflicting reports about my father, and I had hoped you could shed light on the situation."

Jack's moustache twitched and he glanced to the side. "Of course," he said slowly. "Your father has taken ill and for now, Lord Kaeso has set up a regency council to manage governmental affairs. Not a good time for all this if I may say so."

"My uncle?" Simon asked in disbelief. "What of my mother?"

"I have no idea. And who are your companions here?" the captain quickly changed the subject.

Nick removed his hood. "You know me. That one is Festus and Lars over there is a guard in your employ. We didn't come here for the runaround. Answers. Now."

The captain maintained a calm demeanor. "Nicolaus. Glad to see you're safe. Thank you for keeping a close eye on the prince but I'm more than capable of managing from here."

"Jack, something's going on here and you know it. Be honest. This regency council is a sham. We have documentation saying Simon is the lawful heir and we intend to act on it."

"I'm afraid that won't be necessary," Jack said calmly. "If you insistent on such a course of action I'll have to place you under arrest until I can confer with Lord Quintus. He's the only legitimate authority I recognize now."

"You don't get arrest me, I arrest you!" Nick quickly answered. He turned to Simon. "I have the legal power to do that, right?"

"You do." The prince confirmed.

Before Jack knew what was going Nick lit a fire and held it toward his face. Festus sighed, ignited his own flame and waved it menacingly at the other guards.

"Everybody drop your weapons or get turned to ash!" he called out. They all complied except for Lars who was about to but was stopped by Simon.

"Captain Jack, you're under arrest for suspicion of treason," Nick declared. "Anything to say?"

"You're the traitors!" he spat. "What I did, I did for the Empire."

"And was murdering all those people for the Empire too?" the jester fiercely retorted.

Jack didn't understand what he was talking about and even when pressed had no idea about the murders. He was under the assumption another conspirator was behind those crimes. When Nick tried to tell him, it was Nob was doing it, potentially at Quintus's behest, he thought the whole idea was preposterous.

"I know you have you're differences but I hardly think it's worth accusing the man of murder," the captain drawled. "He's a musician, not a serial killer."

"It's the truth whether you believe it or not," Nick insisted. "But for now, you're going to help us get out of here and make it to the palace."