Aetherian(Part 1): A War Begins

Garrett

 The Knight that attacked Melody yesterday wasn't a normal Knight of House Lysander. He was an Elite Knight, skilled with a blade rather than a rifle, and might have easily killed Melody if Prince Roderick hadn't killed him first. Garrett owed the young Prince everything, but at the moment, he was more concerned for the safety of his daughters. He had considered sending them both back to Snowfall, but they would understandably argue with him over it. Besides, Belle loved Roderick, and Garrett needed Melody to help him solve the murder of Lord Ingram. There were hundreds of suspects in the Ivory Tower, but he was more worried about the ones outside of it. Ser Jandar's death couldn't have been a coincidence, either. He was slain in the Highlands, where the Lysanders are the High Lords. Maybe Commander Vestarr would have to investigate all of House Lysander, including the Queen. As both the Head Counselor and Guardian Commander, he had that power.

"That was way too close, Melody," he said, scolding his daughter for her recklessness.

"They started it!" Melody argued. "Besides, what I did just proves how stupid the Lysanders' soldiers are."

"If Prince Roderick hadn't shown up, you could have been killed," Garrett reminded. "I'm just glad Trevor's teachings have paid off, otherwise you would be dead. I will be having a serious talk with the Queen when she returns."

"Why not the one who sent the Knight?" asked Melody. "How do you know it was Queen Alicent and not Lord Semil?"

"Because Lord Semil is three thousand miles away, in Green Hill," said Garrett. "It's very unlikely that he could have sent a transmission here, and the radio operators don't know about it."

"But possible?" asked Melody.

"No.," said Commander Vestarr. "The only lead we have is a dead Dragon Knight."

"I was wondering about that," Melody suggested. "As skilled as a Dragon Knight supposedly is, they could probably take on a dozen men at once, so how did one get jumped by bandits?"

"That is a good question," Garrett agreed. "Perhaps we will have to pay Ser Brett another visit."

"Perhaps," said Melody.

Suddenly, Commander Vestarr heard Ser Brett's voice through his radio ask "Commander? That Knight your daughter asked about is back, but something's wrong with him."

"Can you elaborate, Ser?" asked Garrett.

"I'm not entirely sure how to describe it, Commander," Brett answered.

"I'll come and see for myself, then," said Commander Vestarr, then he cut the transmission. "Melody, go to your chambers, lock the door, and open it only for me and your sister."

"What?" Melody whined.

"Promise me you will," Garrett urged.

"Fine," Melody reluctantly admitted.

"Thank you," said Garrett. As Melody went back to her solar, Garrett went down to the barracks to meet Ser Brett Coyle, trying desperately to stay away from the barracks where the Lysanders' soldiers stayed. The Dragon Knights' barracks were easy to identify, with the sculptor of dragon head above the door, with the golden banner of the armored centaur of House Busch hanging from it, which used to be the crimson banner with the golden dragon of House Karvine.

"Thanks for coming, Commander," Ser Brett greeted, as Garrett went through the door to the barracks.

"Thanks for inviting me, Ser," said Garrett, shaking the Dragon Knight's hand.