Veil of Shadows

Chapter 41. Pay the Price

Notch had been at the window overlooking the courtyard when the Hero Squad appeared.

"The Hero Squad is here, then?"

"I just saw them arrive."

"Are they missing any members?"

"It looks as if Steph and Patch aren't there. And Pro is with them, for some reason. I thought I confined her to her rooms."

"They're not missing anyone else? You're sure?"

"Nobody else."

"Fine, that's not a problem. Just don't screw things up and remember our deal."

Notch sighed, but let the implied insult go unnoticed. As usual. He turned back to the window to watch the Hero Squad as they made their way to the main entrance of the fortress.

As much as it grated on his pride, he had to admit that he was considering breaking the pact with the man who hid his identity behind a black full-face mask.

There was something untrustworthy about him that made Notch wonder what had convinced him to make the deal in the first place. Something made him wonder if the man was going to keep his side of the deal, or if this was some grand trick.

"Soon, we will destroy all who oppose you. We will make Minecraftia a powerful kingdom to rule all others, a kingdom to be feared and respected." Maybe he was laying it on a bit thick, but it had the desired effect.

Notch straightened a little. That was why he had agreed to the deal. He was losing control over his people, and was worried that the rebellion might break his kingdom. When the man promised power in return for a few favors, he hadn't thought twice.

"They've brought Shadow with them. I'm surprised they managed it this quickly." Notch murmured, more to himself than the man beside him.

Notch heard a sharp intake of breath, and looked over at him. "Is something wrong?"

"He's making trouble, as usual. Making a mess of my plans, just as he always has." He said, fury evident in his voice. "He causes chaos for me, in his own stupidly honorable way."

There was a long pause, and that statement hung in the air between them, turning the tension so thick that it could be sliced with a knife. The silence wrapped around them, suffocating them, until a voice shattered it.

"Like father, like son." The man said casually.

~

For a while, the Hero Squad stared at the fortress, uncertain what to do. Eventually, they all snapped out of it and made for the main entrance, where the guards on duty greeted them and one went off to inform Notch of their return.

After a few minutes, four other guards arrived to escort Shadow to his prison cell, where he would await questioning and his eventual execution.

"Alright, mission's taken care of. So what now?" Wolf asked, glancing around the group. Ranger stayed quiet, as was expected.

The others weren't given the time to answer as a voice said "Hero Squad! How wonderful it is to see you all again." It was none other than King Notch himself.

They all turned to face him. Notch smiled broadly and inclined his head. "You have done my kingdom a great service. It is an honor to call you my knights. The leader of the rebellion has been captured, and without a leader to follow, they will fall apart."

Nobody bothered to tell him that Shadow had surrendered of his own will. "Alright, so is there anything else you need help with before we all take a break? Because I think we all need a break." Blaze said.

"None at all. And I've planned a dance for the Hero Squad and anyone else you want to invite. You deserve a while of relaxation." Notch replied. Then, he paused, and fixed his gaze on Ranger.

When she realized Notch was looking at her, a cold wave of fear rushed over her. "Though if you don't mind, I would like to speak with Ranger in private. We have some things to discuss that do not concern the rest of you." Notch said, looking at each of them in turn.

Within moments, Ranger and Notch had vanished, leaving the others behind.

They reappeared in a hallway, and Ranger was briefly blinded by the bright lights on the ceiling. "What's this about?" She asked, trying to sound casual. As was usual, she failed miserably.

"I need to have a conversation with you about what happened at Greenvale, as well as whether or not you have any affiliation with Shadow." Notch said, watching her carefully for any reaction.

As soon as Greenvale was mentioned, Ranger's heart sank. This was the price she had to pay for keeping secrets. There was always a price. At that moment, she would have given almost anything to make that price free.