The Journal Entry:
One of the first clues she uncovered was a journal entry dated several months before Tristen's death. In it, he described a late-night meeting he had overheard in the palace gardens. The entry read:
"I stumbled upon a conversation tonight, hidden among the shadows of the garden. Cedric was speaking with a man I couldn't identify, their voices hushed and urgent. Cedric mentioned something about 'the plan' and 'timing is crucial.' The stranger spoke of 'external allies' and 'ensuring the queen's downfall.' I couldn't hear much more before they noticed my presence, and I had to retreat."
The Cryptic Letter:
Among Tristen's belongings, Avalyn found a letter written in a hurried scrawl, its edges frayed as if it had been handled many times. The letter was unsigned but bore the unmistakable mark of secrecy:
"Tristen, my friend,
I must warn you, there is a serpent among us, and its venomous bite could bring down the very foundation of our kingdom. Cedric is not who he appears to be. He has aligned himself with dark forces, seeking to exploit our vulnerabilities for his gain. Be cautious, my friend, and trust no one.
Yours in secrecy."
The Fragmented Conversations:
Tristen's notes also contained fragmented accounts of conversations he had overheard between Cedric and his co-conspirators. These snippets, though incomplete, painted a troubling picture of manipulation and betrayal:
"We must ensure the queen remains oblivious."
"The timing must be perfect for the plan to succeed."
"Our allies from the East are expecting results soon."
"Tristen is becoming a problem; he knows too much."
The Hidden Ledger:
Avalyn discovered a hidden ledger among Tristen's documents, detailing suspicious transactions and meetings. The ledger included coded entries that Tristen had partially deciphered, revealing payments to mercenaries and coded messages sent to unknown recipients. One particularly alarming entry read:
"Meeting with the 'Black Hand' successful. Payment delivered. Queen's downfall imminent."
The Secret Correspondence:
Another crucial piece of evidence was a series of correspondences between Cedric and a mysterious figure identified only as "X." The letters were filled with coded language and veiled threats, but Tristen had managed to decode parts of them:
"The queen's demise will pave the way for our new order."
"Ensure all loose ends are tied up before the next phase."
"Tristen's interference must be dealt with swiftly."
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The King's Captive
Mystery / ThrillerThe story starts with King Henry a ruthless and cruel king who captures a beautiful woman, Avalyn who is his prisoner. He is immediately drawn to her but he decides to torture and degrade her to the extreme to break her to obey him. However, when Ki...
