Heir of the Gods

Ch. 53: Gathering Clouds

Elias looked up from his desk at the sound of a knock. "Come," he called, leaning back in his chair and rubbing at his eyes. The door creaked open, followed by the sound of boots and the dull thud of a fist hitting a chest.

Keeping his eyes closed in an effort to stave of the headache that had been brewing since the afternoon, he didn't immediately address whoever had come in. Malitech didn't knock and anyone else who would come to his office bore two things: reports on ship movements for various nations or new orders from the prince.

It startled him when whoever it was cleared his throat, demanding Elias' attention.

"Excuse me, Cap'n," the man said, his accent marking him as someone from southwestern Metus, near the coast. 

Elias gritted his teeth, slowly opening his eyes. A man who appeared to be in his mid-thirties stood before him. He wore plain clothes, a dark coat over a simple wool shirt and trousers. But the fan of black feathers tattooed across the back of his right hand marked him as one of Malitech's guards. Elias' stomach knotted, but he made sure to keep his face impassive.

Ever since Cassia had escaped Malitech's net nearly a month ago, Elias had lived in fear of the moment the prince would learn of his lie. That Malitech would somehow be made aware of the fact that Elias had been mere yards from Cassia. That the prince would learn Elias had simply watched as she scrambled up the side of a Sorian ship and been borne away into the west.

The prince knew his sister was gone from Levitum. How, Elias didn't know.

None of the Black Crests had been there to witness what he had done. He'd made it to the alley behind the Raven's Well just as the first guard had been emerging from the cellar doors. When the guard had asked why Elias was so out of breath and limping, Elias hadn't thought, he'd just answered.

Wiping his sweaty hands on his pants, Elias shook his head at the Black Crest. "When I got down into the cellar," he said, still panting a little, "this door was being opened. Someone was running out."

The guard had taken an excited step toward him. "Was it her?" he asked, making sure to pitch his voice low. "Was the prince's source right about her being here?"

Before he realized what he was doing, Elias shook his head. 

The guard looked down in disappointment, missing Elias' grimace. His mind began to scramble, sorting through the options left to him now.

Short of killing the guard—something Elias was reluctant to do—he really only had one option.

"Just a thief looking for something to eat," he muttered.

The guard frowned. "You gave chase?"

Elias fought a wince, drawing himself up to his full height, even as his knee screamed. "Are you questioning my actions?" he asked, trying to imitate the low, silky tone Malitech used when he was displeased.

It must have worked, because the guard blanched and shook his head.

"I didn't realize it was nothing but a thief until I caught them," he said, not entirely sure he should be explaining himself to the Black Crest. Superior officers didn't owe explanations. Noblemen didn't owe explanations.

Yet, he couldn't help but feel having another to corroborate his story might prove useful in the future. 

Elias blinked himself out of the memory, realizing he hadn't yet given the guard permission to speak. He sighed and waved a hand, leaning back in his chair. The guard pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and held it out to him. "For you, sir."