Veil of Shadows

Chapter 35. Careful Diplomacy

"Lord Shadow!"

Shadow looked up, expecting to see a knight. Instead, he saw an unfamiliar man saunter into the receiving hall as if he owned it. The man was masked, so his identity was a mystery.

He frowned and called back "Who might you be?" The unknown figure replied, shrugging back the cowl of his cloak "Anonymous is my name. Address me as sir."

Shadow didn't like his first impression. "I'm afraid I don't take kindly to random noblemen marching into my hall and giving me orders." He said, trying to be polite, even though the unknown figure didn't do the same.

"I am not a random nobleman, and I requested that you call me sir." The unknown figure said. Shadow's eyes narrowed slightly and he replied "And how exactly do you know my name?"

"When you're the leader of a rebellion against Notch, your name tends to get around." The unknown figure said, and Shadow conceded the point before nodding slightly.

"You didn't answer my question. Why are you here?" Shadow repeated.

"I thought it might be useful to meet another Royal." The unknown figure said, sweeping into a bow. Shadow raised an eyebrow. "I no longer go by my title as Prince of the End." He said.

The unknown figure smiled a bit at that. "So I've heard. Such a pity, really. You could have used your title to your advantage. Which reminds me, I bring with me a proposition for you and the rebellion."

Shadow didn't like the circumstances. He replied "At the moment, I am busy. You may stay here for the night and present your proposition in the morning, if you wish, but I'm afraid I can't see you today."

The unknown figure looked shocked. He probably should have expected it - the foolish Prince was ignorant of the way things were done. "By protocol, you should-"

"In this base, there is no protocol except for mine." Shadow said firmly. "If you wish to present your proposition, you'll need to wait until my other affairs are in order."

The unknown figure's shock slowly turned to anger. "You're not earning my favor with your arrogant attitude." Shadow said. "I don't enforce protocol or etiquette here. My people do as they wish to do."

"And what of diplomatic occasions?" The unknown figure demanded.

Shadow merely grinned. "I apologize in advance for my blunt way of speech, but you don't seem the diplomatic type." The second the words came out of his mouth, he regretted them.

A dagger buried itself in his shoulder.

The unknown figure growled "Your impertinence and failure to comply with the proper diplomatic protocol have not earned my favor, boy." Shadow stared down at the dagger lodged in his arm.

Slowly, he looked up. He seemed to be thinking deeply. Then, he did the strangest thing. He smiled. "You appear have breached the sacred diplomatic rule that no blood is to be spilt by either party."

The unknown figure looked stunned. "What? How-you can't-since when do you-" The unknown figure sputtered, trying to find the right words. Shadow grabbed hold of the dagger and slid it out of his shoulder.

"And not only that, but you have drawn the blood of a commanding officer AND the Crown Prince of the End AND the leader of the current rebellion." Shadow reminded him.

The unknown figure's rage fizzled out.

"By the protocol you go by, your life should be forfeit, no?" Shadow inquired, and the unknown figure nodded slightly, unsure of what he should say or do. Shadow shook his head.

"I will grant you immunity from punishment - but only once. If you decide to come into my hall again with these circumstances, you will die. Just a fair warning." Shadow said.

The unknown figure realized suddenly that he was not dealing with an inexperienced boy. He was dealing with a boy who had fought in war, learned strategy, and had a warrior's mind and heart.

And so, the unknown figure left the receiving hall.

Several guards who had been watching the encounter sent for healers, who hurried to Shadow to help with his shoulder. But he simply waved them away, telling them it wasn't necessary.

The wound was deep, but he wouldn't bleed out. He could mend it himself.

He couldn't stop thinking about one thing the unknown figure had said. "I thought it might be useful to meet another Royal." The man had said another. Which implied that he was likely a Royal as well.

Just more parts of a puzzle that only grew larger with each piece that he found.

One of those pieces was unbelievably confusing. Shadow couldn't figure out a reasonable explanation for it, so he decided to ignore it. Somehow, for some reason, he recognized the unknown figure's voice.

Shadow walked back to his private quarters and closed the door behind him.