The Fires of Esus - Ranger's Apprentice

Chapter 16: The King's Son

A few hours later, after dinner, Alyss sat in her office chair, wearing a long tunic and leggings with tall boots, a warm cloak, and her saber drawn and laid across her knees. From the other side of the desk, where Athol would be sitting any minute now, the blade wasn't visible. Halt had advised her not to stab herself with it accidentally, but that having it out and ready was the best way to respond quickly if he tried anything.

Speaking of Halt, only a few minutes ago, he had slipped inside one of the cabinets along the wall, the one that she kept her extra work dresses and clothing in. They had agreed it would be best for him to hear the meeting, but to still give Athol the illusion of privacy. He was currently nestled between her wig boxes and her makeup disguise kits on the floor, invisible in the darkness, and then covered further by the cabinet doors as she closed them. He sat so quietly, and so still, that Alyss forgot he was in there momentarily.

Pauline was in the set next to Alyss, in similar attire and hiding her own knife. She was the perfect option - unknown to Athol, but still briefed on the situation and exceptionally prepared to defend herself. Both she and Alyss carried knives and sabers now, and both of them knew how to use them with ease. One couldn't become a Courier without being trained to use a weapon of their choice. It was one of the things Pauline had implemented in Courier training when she had been designated the head of the Diplomatic Corps many years ago. Alyss was a prime example of why it had become a very important and valuable part of their training. Her saber had saved her life many times now, and it made her a more confident and dependable Courier when she could protect herself and even threaten someone effectively when needed.

She had pressed her blade against more than a few Baron's throats to get them to cooperate. She did not regret it.

Right on time, she heard the smallest of taps on the cabinet door, Halt's signal that he heard someone coming down the darkened hallway, as all the other Couriers had gone home for the day. She sat up a bit straighter and set her face into a cool, emotionless, practiced expression. Pauline's hand gently rested on her knee, sending her silent support before she also prepared herself.

A pale hand curled around the doorframe, and Athol's head leaned into view. He wore a dark green cloak, so dark it looked black, and his eyes were little pinpricks of light, reflections from the candles, in the shadow of his face. "My Lady?" he whispered.

She nodded once. "Come in."

His eyes swept the room as he entered slowly, taking careful quiet steps on the stone floor. He was no Ranger, but he could certainly move quietly. He was not a blundering fool, like so many were. He still radiated nervousness, but it seemed better now that he wasn't in public. Less sweating, less twitching, and less stuttering were all things Alyss appreciated.

He spread his hands wide, revealing his dark robes and a belt without a weapon in sight. "I'm unarmed. I come with the information I could not share before."

I wouldn't be surprised if he's lying about being weaponless, but neither am I, so I suppose it's only fair. "Please sit." As he sat, she gestured to Pauline. "This is Lady Pauline, my friend. She knows everything the King told us."

He nodded a greeting to her, and then turned back to Alyss, as if he was waiting for her to ask him a question.

"Tell us everything," she said instead.

He lowered his hood, took a deep breath, and began. "I know the King told you about the druids, so that makes this a lot easier." He pulled aside his collar to reveal a now familiar tattoo, a swirl with the other smaller marks around it. Before Alyss could clearly see any of the other symbols, he covered it back up. "I am a druid in the court of King Carr, I came from the same tribe as he did before I became part of the court, because I'm his son."