Ten of Swords (Draft Only)

Chapter 44

It was days before Elise could get herself out of bed, and even by that point she should have been resting. A message had come for her, but not before it was intercepted by crown intelligence. Aarle delivered the message himself, as it tied in with something he had wanted to speak with her about anyway.

A student doctor had delivered a letter to the thieves guild under the boy's instructions, and the thieves themselves then attempted to get the message to Elise without its contents being exposed to any agent of the crown. Their efforts were in vain, as one of their people was arrested for attempting to bribe their way onto the castle grounds.

Mother,

I'm not sure how much you have heard, but we ran into some problems after we crossed the border into Charolais. Before you start to worry, I am ok. I haven't been hurt, and I still have Poppy with me. We were attacked. I don't know who by or why, but they didn't seem like highwaymen or bandits. They were too well-dressed for that. We managed to lose them in a nearby town, but Poppy and I got separated from the others.

In truth, I don't like any of what is happening. You must know that I want nothing to do with Hereskel or being a prince. I still don't believe he is my father. As for Corden and the rest, I have realised that I can't really do anything. Every time we have tried something, all I have ever managed to achieve has been making it worse. I can't help you stop them. But I know you can do it.

I have been thinking a lot about these things lately, and I have decided that it would be best if I don't come back. You need to stay there and help everyone, so I don't want you to come looking for me. Even after the fighting, I know they are still going to need you.

I promise I will be careful. It's just time for me to learn how to take care of myself. I'll stay in Charolais for a while. I'll come home when I'm ready. Lots of boys leave home at my age anyway. Find jobs. Some of them even get married.

I still miss the others sometimes. I really thought I was going to spend my whole lives with them. I know you didn't want me to be a spy or an agent, but I think I would have been happy if I could have done it with them. I miss butcher the most. I know you guys didn't always get along, but I liked him. A lot. I hope they are resting peacefully now. I think they would have agreed that I need to figure myself out.

You won't need it, but good luck. I love you. Goodbye.

Samson "Sniffles", clanless.

Despite her son's insistence that she not look for him, she had to know where he was. He might have been ready to leave, but she wasn't ready to let him go. She dragged herself out of bed even as the pain made it difficult for her to stand. Yor had caught her as she stumbled, and Aarle watched on, unsurprised by her reaction.

"Good," the agent nodded. "You're eager to find him. We need you to find him." The young man had already ordered anyone else to leave the room. If he had the power to do so, he would have made sure that Yormr wasn't there either, but it was clear from the beginning that making the man leave would be more effort than it was worse. "I am sure you have heard that the king is badly wounded and not taking visitors. That he may die soon."

"Yes." Elise's voice was not so clear and even as it had once been. After days of screaming, it was raspy and grating. Damaged. Since others could not use magic on her, it had not been healed. Elise herself was hesitant to use magic again.

"He's dead." The agent said plainly, knowing that being direct would perhaps be the best course of action. "He was killed when the castle was attacked. By a monster of some kind. We still aren't sure how it got into the castle, but I suspect it has something to do with Minette. She's been missing since then. So have several of the nights that were supposed to be protecting him."