Descendants of the Kings (Book 2)

Ch 69.2: The meaning of power

He'd barely finished dumping the biscuits onto the plate when the door to the cell opened and Val appeared.

"Oh, biscuits. I was getting peckish," she said, grabbing one and popping it into her mouth.

Her hands and face were speckled in red, her shirt was smeared with bloody fingerprints, and there was a damp spot near her shoulder. Ella decided not to even ask why.

"Lovely," Ella muttered, passing her a cup. "How'd it go?"

"Well enough," she answered, downing a mouthful. "He was a bit rowdy at first, but nothing that couldn't be fixed with a bit of... incentive. After the third one was gone, he was quite chatty."

"The third what?" Gidden asked warily.

"Third nail," she answered casually. Gidden blanched.

"So what did you find out?" Ella pressed.

"His name's Leo Merrigan, thirty years old, general of one of the largest Hampton units. Has been at the helm of several battles. This one would have been his sixth, I believe."

"And you were right," she glanced at Gidden. "He is not noble. Not exactly. He's a brother to that nobleman Ella mentioned earlier."

"He's Lord Spencer's brother?" Ella asked in surprise. "I wasn't aware that he had any."

"Half brother, son to his father's mistress, I believe," Val said, leaning back in her chair. "One of those fuck ups aristocrats try to cover up. I don't think he was raised with the family. But apparently, now he was good enough for his brother to give him the spot as General."

"Of course, he'd need someone to cover his spot. Who better than an illegitimate half-brother," Gidden muttered.

"But why would he accept?" Ella mused with a frown.

"Prestige, honour, gold," Val enumerated with a shrug. "Who knows? But that is what we need to find out now. And most importantly, if he's willing to help us."

At that moment, Blaise stuck his head out of the doorway.

"Ella, could you come here for a moment?"

Ella stood instantly, going to him. He looked just as he had before, composed and clean, not a speck of blood on him.

"What's wrong?"

"I want to try something. Merrigan is... less abrasive now. But still holding back. I'd like to see if seeing a familiar face helps."

"I don't know him," Ella pointed out. "We didn't run in the same circles."

"Still, he might know of you," Blaise said. "It's more about what you represent."

Ella wasn't entirely sure of what he meant, but she didn't argue. "Anything I should know of?"

"No, don't worry too much. Just follow my lead," Blaise said, opening the door to let her pass.

The door to the cell was unlocked. She didn't bother knocking, she only tamped down a surge of nerves and walked in.

She blinked, adjusting her eyes to the poor lighting. Instantly, the scent of sweat, urine, and coppery blood hit her nose.

Her gaze was drawn to Merrigan, first. He sat with his back to the wall, arms relaxed over his bent knees, head tipped back. Even from that angle, with the poor lighting, the bruises and cuts on him were visible. Still, he looked surprisingly well, all things given.

Ella looked away, finding Aedion. He stood against the opposite wall, casually leaning back, his gloved hands idly toying with a knife.

He looked up as soon as she entered, a mock smile pulling across his mouth. "Ah, there you are."