ANDREW BLACK

Chapter 16

Andrew Black

A day later.

'Why is it that peace seems so far from me these days?' Andrew sighed internally. He dropped the letter on the table straightening it out, the symbol of Black Association at the very top.

'Just a single day is all I ask for,' he pleaded with his subconscious.

Right about now he was beginning to hate receiving letters. Unfortunately, these letters were the only way he could offer his services but of late these same letters seemed to want to choke him. They wanted to rid him of the wonderful life he had created for himself and his money- Oh no no, that couldn't go anywhere.

Andrew picked up the short and precise letter, the weightless paper suddenly becoming heavier in his hand the further he read that by the time he was done his arms were limp on the table. He felt his pent up frustration forcing him to a slouch.

Andrew Black,

As you are well aware the creation of Black Association is one that aids the peace in Wruning. It is an image that has been kept intact for many many years. However an action of recent has threatened to tarnish the image of the Association and we cannot and must never allow that.
For the first, the most important rule of the Association to blend into the background at all times was broken. This was through the sadistic and uncultured display of a public execution of a person of Wruning in the town centre and worse than his death are the possibilities of rumors spreading that this was indeed a death by the hand of a son. Such rumors as you well know do not further build the organisation but will only tear it down as things best hidden in the dark will be brought to light.
This negligence or worse defiance to the Association's ways can not be overlooked and as such, your presence is requested at Shadow's Watchtower so you may plead your case and tell us why the Association is indeed guilty of this ridiculous display.
The Association is highly disappointed. However, this is not a matter to be discussed in writing. You presence is requested immediately. Do not keep us waiting, time is a friend to none.

Signed,
Elders.

Andrew felt his shoulder slouch further and he used all the strength from his morning meal to force his shoulders back up and his back to rigidity. He juggled the wordings of the letter in his mind trying to understand what went wrong. The previous night the sons were given no assignment, and worked as they ought to for the people of Wruning guarding the South gates. It could have been anyone from Barnes, to Mirthgust to Hugh and ... "Levison Dalte,"

The name rolling off his lips as it registered and whatever that was holding him up broke. His back leaned forward and his shoulders sagged into a slouch. A terrible look for a man of authority but looks were far off on his list of importance right now. The first was Levison Dalte but if he was being entirely honest with himself, Merlissa Highmore had always being priority, right from the very first letter.

The sky faded and Levi ought to arrive any moment now with the other sons. Andrew really wanted to believe Levi was a lot smarter, but some part of the letter 'sadistic display' was not sitting right with him as it somewhat defined Levi's form of killings.

He folded the letter neatly and returned it to its off-white envelope and then attempted to re-seal it with the old seal.

'I can pretend as though I had not read it,' he said to himself but he knew he was only buying time to prolong the inevitable. He tossed it into the drawer right untop of the beginning of his problems; the royal letter from Merlissa Highmore. He really was beginning to hate recieving letters.