Of Plots and Mischief

Chapter 11: Planning

Phyllon sometimes wondered how he kept being dragged into these situations. He blamed his overly developed sense of responsibility. He was sure neither the captain nor the ambassador was going to be amused by what he had let the prince agree to.

He glared at Torynik and Asmir, who watched him with smug amusement as they faced the ambassador and captain. He almost felt like he and the prince were two recalcitrant schoolboys called before the teacher as he felt their disapproval bear down upon them. Sonaya appeared mildly confused as he perched on the ship's side with a warm cup one of the sailors had offered him. 

As predicted, the ambassador made his displeasure clear to the prince, scolding him for his impulsiveness, though Phyllon could feel there was a layer of affection and worry behind it. The captain, having known him well enough, was worried, though he could sense a feeling of trust that he felt humbled by.

He wondered what Gerash was trying to achieve with his so-called errand. Who was the mercenary really? Why was he so important? He stared at Torynik, a bit troubled. There was something important that he was missing, something that he suspected related to the old spy that he could not remember for some reason or the other. Torynik noticed he was being observed and returned his gaze with a mysterious grin.

He zoned out of the rest of the conversation as Prince Karriv updated everyone regarding the matter, trying to make sense of the puzzle.

"Torynik," his soft voice cut through the silence between the ambassador's scolding. "Why is the mercenary so important?"

Torynik's grin widened as he gave a nod of approval. "Why would a mercenary famous for fighting in one specific region suddenly come so far out of his way?"

"To get more experience?" Prince Karriv suggested, leaning forward with interest, only for Torynik to shake his head.

"Money?" Sonaya asked, piping in for the first time.

Phyllon puzzled it over in his mind. "Why would he just target one region? Is it for vengeance? Politics?" He shook his head as he thought it over. "We don't have any evidence to speculate why,  but he must be trying to achieve something. " He looked up and caught Torynik's eye. "It must be connections."

Torynik smiled like a proud teacher, hearing a brilliant answer from their student. "I knew you could figure it out, kid."

"But why does the portsmaster want me involved? How does this have anything to do with the problems you mentioned earlier?" Prince Karriv asked thoughtfully.

Ambassador Jaris grew interested. "Indeed. What do we know of the man?"

"He is a skilled leader, but very unpredictable. They say he was the reason who broke the 10-day siege of Gehora, as well as the one who managed to bring an end to the Hisenwood Riots. At the same time, he is also the one who terrorized the cities along the Rauthian shores when he had a dispute with the King."

"A strategist," Ambassador Jaris mused. "How do we meet him?"

Phyllon stared at Torynik, holding a silent conversation between them with their eyes "We need to set a meeting."

Torynik merely raised an eyebrow until Phyllon sighed and slipped on his signet ring again. He felt a burst of joy from Torynik and the captain, resignation from Asmir, while the rest merely felt confused. He saw mild tears in Torynik's eyes as he gave a proud smile.

"I suppose I'll leave you all for now. There are some things I need to be doing."

This was like a signal for the meeting to come to an end, with Asmir, Ambassador Jaris  and 5he captain to take their leave, leaving the three of them at the bow alone except for an occasional sailor who passed by.

"Do you think your friend knew more than he said," the prince asked, referring to Torynik, who had left a while ago.

"Obviously, but he wouldn't say. It won't be like him."

"Who is he, by the way? He does not look like he is from around here." Sonaya asked, with seeming innocence.

"Why don't you ask him? I don't think he would think kindly of me gossiping about him."

Sonaya blanched, which Phyllon found to be an interesting reaction. He suspected he knew far more than he was letting on with his seemingly innocent questions. He decided he would keep a close eye on the young scribe.

"I can see where you get that from," the prince muttered sotto voce.

Phyllon looked up and raised an eyebrow quizzically.

"You know, letting people know about yourself."

"I don't suppose you reveal everything about you in court, Your Highness."

"That is different." The prince protested. Phyllon raised an eyebrow. The prince sighed. Phyllon felt the air and was surprised that there was no hint of mistrust or suspicion, though he could feel the frustration. He glanced around at the two young men and realised he was the oldest left in the room.

"I will try to reach out to the mercenary and let you know when and where."

"I will join you all when you meet him." Sonaya said in a silent determination.

Phyllon acknowledged him. "And we will let you know. Both of you," he said, returning his gaze to the prince.

***

"He wants to meet us outside the city. But why?" The prince thought out loud.

"He what!" The ambassador exclaimed. "You already arranged a meeting?"

"Not quite." Phyllon explained what they were doing and the message they had finally received.

"Are you sure it is him?"

"Best as any of us can be. Have you seen him before?"

"I have."

They turned around to find Torynik had just entered the room. Phyllon raised an eyebrow, and Asmir snorted softly. "Of course you have," he mumbled. Phyllon doubted anyone else had heard him.

"We should head out tomorrow."

"You don't think it is a trap."

"It is, in a way."

The ambassador exploded at this, and the prince winced as he was lectured on irresponsibility and recklessness. Phyllon looked on amused as Torynik sidled close to him.

"Are you sure you want to go with them?"

Phyllon took a deep breath and nodded sharply. "I keep my word."

Torynik stood silently before he moved back to the door. "I'll come back in the morning to go with you. Remember to pack enough for a little hiking. It would take half a day to get there."

"You know where we should go? Why didn't you tell us before?" Sonaya asked.

Torynik looked pointedly at him. "I did not know where he was heading or to whom."

"But I thought the Scourge never came to Harqor before?" the prince asked.

"The Rathuan Scourge never did."

Phyllon understood the unsaid words and wondered how everything connected. He stood up from his perch, drawing everyone's eyes to him.

"It would be a long day tomorrow." He interrupted, putting an end to the conversation. "We should all go to sleep. The prince, Sonaya, and I would have to get up pretty early. What time should we head out to Torynik? Would you be staying?"

He shook his head. "I'll come shortly before sunrise. You know what you need. Remember your responsibilities."

He disappeared as was his wont. The prince stared at where he had been. Phyllon ignored the unasked questions as he turned to Sonaya. "I think you should stay with us if you want to join us on our little expedition. We won't be waiting for anyone, and we'll be heading pretty early."