The Gifted

Chapter Ten: Informant

I made my way down the stone corridor lined with tapestries, not at all happy for my destination.  They had interrupted an important meeting with my top men.  There had been an increasing number of reports of fires in the area and the citizens were taking the full brunt of it.  Some had even proclaimed slavery was involved and the perpetrators were only growing more bold.  Their last attack had been at an inn not too far from here.  If they weren't brought under control soon...

I cursed under my breath at the entire situation.  The council had been holding meetings more than usual since the intruder in the castle, but I knew something was different when they called for my presence.  It made me uneasy.  Had I not proven my loyalty?  Did they still suspect me? I immediately tossed out the idea.  If that were the case, I would already be dead.  The King didn't believe in second chances.

Coming to the council room's doors, the guards stationed outside stood more at attention when I passed.  There were sounds of heated arguments and bitter talk wafting into the hallway and I prepared mentally as I walked into the room.  Every seat of the u-shaped table in the center of the room was filled with a council member. 

"-aven't found them!?  She is making a mockery of us!" The man was red with anger.

"Calm yourself, Lord Gregory.  Keep in mind that her capture is not our main goal here and the matter will be resolved soon."

Gregory's face turned even more red. "Lord Montier, I'm amazed you are even allowed to remain on the council. Seeing as how you have raised two traitors now!" The room quieted. The whispers from the other council members halting as they noticed who the latest outburst was directed towards.

Lord Montier looked at the man seated across the room from him, a deadly look on his face. "You forget your place Gregory. The Montier bloodline is the strongest in service to his Majesty and you would do well to remember that." His voice was low and barely audible, but the threat was clear.  Huffing, Lord Gregory immediately quieted down, but his face remained several shades of red.

"Enough."  The King looked back and forth at the two council members until his eyes finally landed on me.  "Captain, glad you could join us."

I bowed to the King at the head of the table, "The honor is mine, your Majesty.  I apologize for the delay, I was wrapped up in a meeting of my own"

One council member turned to me, the creases on his face showing his age.  "Ah yes, the arson cases. You concern yourself with that when we have such a crisis on our hands?"

I cleared my throat, hoping to get rid of any traces of venom in my tone.  "There is reason for me to believe that the arson is just a cover for human trafficking, Sir."

The man waved my comment off, "yes, yes, we've all heard the rumors. However, that is not our top priority right now."

My hands clenched at my side, the only visible sign that his words angered me.  "Excuse my impertinence my Lord, but my men with families in the area would disagree."

"Why you rude litt-" the King held up a hand, stopping the man from going any further.

"This is not the reason I summoned you Captain and I would watch your words.  You speak to someone of higher status than yourself."

I gave another quick bow, "my apologies my King.  I'm afraid lack of sleep has had an affect on me." It wasn't a complete lie.  Normally, I would never be so bold as to disrespect a council member in front of the King.  I must be losing my edge.

"Now, let us move on.  How does the search go?  Any news?"

I spoke up, addressing the entire council. "I'm doing everything I can, but my men are too thinly spread. If you would allow me to pull some from the main force, I could redistribute them to look for the rebels. Otherwise, I'm afraid it's a lost cause." This was true.  The men Evelyn were with were skilled and I found myself thankful for it.

There were whispers amongst the council members, until one finally announced,  "We can't publicly allow the knowledge that the King's greatest weapon as changed allegiance. That would bring pandemonium and display a lack of control on our part. However, we can't allow someone that powerful to join our enemy either."

Many council members nodded in agreement.  "Which is why we summoned you here, Captain.  We have a lead and would like for you to see to this personally."  My breathing slowed.  A lead?  How?  There had been no sightings since Evelyn left the castle.  Where would this lead come from? 

As if to answer my questions, a door to the side of the room opened and a man walked in.  He was a commoner and from the looks of him, not a very respectable one.  His clothes were disheveled and his eyes were full of greed, but what really caught my eye were the burns that ran along one side of his face.  They looked recent, a month old tops. 

He gave a flashy bow towards the King, "Your Majesty. Hear You're looking for an elemental?"

Lord Montier leaned forward in his seat, "Tell the Captain what you know." 

The man smiled and, suddenly, I felt as if all of my efforts to protect Evelyn were going to completely fall apart.  

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A/N:

Hey there!  

Like the new perspective?  I know it's short.  I'm thinking of throwing in some more every now and then, but let me know what you guys think! Interested in someone else's POV? Let me know! 

After all, if you guys don't enjoy it then it kinda defeats the purpose. 

Lastly, please help support this book by voting on the chapters you really enjoy!  A big thanks to everyone who has added The Gifted to their public reading list!  That's such a big compliment!

Till next time!