Every Day in May (grand prize winner) ✔

May 21st

A few weeks after he arrived in the city, Jeffers showed up at the gates of the Tower and told them he was looking for work—there was no way the Leader would turn him down. The soldiers on duty had a good laugh—that is, until Jeffers showed them the scar on his neck.

"I saved our dear Leader's life." He ran his finger along the crescent-shaped ridge of pink flesh.  "In exchange, the gods thought it best to spare mine.  I'm here to pledge whatever time I have left in service to the Leader."

That did the trick. Jeffers was led into a reception room, his story verified. Several hours later, the Leader himself came to greet him.

"My Leader." Jeffers bowed.

Graden had instructed him to exercise caution. "I'd prefer it if you didn't get your throat slit open again, so do not attempt to kill the Leader just because it's your first opportunity to do so since your 'act of valor.'"

Act of valor. Jeffers' ire was raised at these words—until he saw Graden's face, fit to burst with laughter.

"Shut up, kid."  He'd jostled Graden's shoulder and that was that; it simply took too much energy for Jeffers to continue disliking my brother.  Where Graden had initially reminded him of the Leader's men come to usurp the western soldiers, he now saw him for what he truly was—a tactical genius and a charismatic leader.  If Graden instructed him not to kill the Leader outright, then he wouldn't do it—no matter how much he might want to.

Jeffers' job was to infiltrate and that's exactly what he did.  After explaining to the Leader that he'd been out of the Army for a number of years, first recovering from his injury, then caring for his aging parents before they passed, he told him why he'd finally come to the city.

"The Dissent brought me here." He paced the room, then finally circled around to stand in front of the Leader and the two guards flanking him.  "They've gained momentum.  I know the Tower is well fortified.  Still, the Dissenters could be anywhere."

"Nonsense." The Leader, according to Jeffers' account of the conversation, shifted uncomfortably at the mention of the rebel group he'd supposedly obliterated years ago.  "I would know if they were close at hand."

"Would you?" Jeffers raised an eyebrow. "Even so, my instincts tell me we must be vigilant.  I saved your life once. Give me the chance to do it again."

He has been working for your father ever since. You've never seen him.  You rarely even see the handful of guards who are allowed to know you exist.  But I assure you, Jeffers is here, waiting for my brother to say the word.