The Ancient World Order

Chapter 18: Miranda Telea of The Empire

It ached in Miranda's head. It was too much to take in, Alden's words were hammering through her fragile mind.

"What do you mean you can't find her?" Wilfred lashed out at Alden. "You have one key witness who could reveal a conspiracy. A witness that might well prove I am right. And you lost her?"

Alden had told Miranda and Wilfred about what he had uncovered at a visit with Prince Julian to a high-end brothel. Apparently, it was frequently visited by highborns. Alden had claimed that Leland was involved with conspirators and traitors of The New Way. In addition, he had been romantically engaged with Gareth Morg, who was also a member of that same secret society. What she heard from Victoria, her brother Gareth had apparently gone on away on a long journey, to a destination unknown at the same time as Leland got arrested. It was suspiciously convenient.

Alden started to shake nervously in front of his father. It wasn't too strange, Wilfred seemed to have lost his patience decades ago. It was just hours before the coronation where he would be appointed Chancellor, the second most powerful man in the Empire. While Wilfred and Miranda were getting dressed and ready for the coronation ceremony, Alden had just marched through their door and dropped this bomb. It couldn't have come at a worse time. In just a few days, Miranda would make her departure back to Sail's End, supporting Eilas in his endeavour in raising the Mandos army. In addition, she had to make her father and brother assemble the Telean army as well. The entire Empire was mustering for war. But first and foremost, she would take a detour to Amberhold, to discuss matters with Brad, urging him to stand down. If it wasn't too late already, judging from Wilfred and Brad's frequent correspondents, he was just days away from marching on Atorn, to root out the last Church elements from his lands. This would be the same as a declaration of war on Charles Morg, as Atorn was a shared border town between their lands. It mattered little for Brad; he was out for blood, the more the merrier. It put Wilfred in a peculiar position. He either stood by his ally and joined in an all-out war, which would well enough involve the entire Empire. Or, he throws Brad to the wolves. As Wilfred was heavily burdened by guilt, as he had promised Brad to free his son, but failed, he could never even consider this option. Even though Brad brought war upon himself, defying Wilfred's every word to restrain himself.

"Might just be temporarily missing." Alden stuttered. "Maybe we scared her away, she must have realised she had said too much."

"Or maybe someone is cutting all loose ends!" Wilfred snapped. "You should have brought her here immediately!"

"Easy to say now!" Miranda said in defence of her son. "Alden had no clue what she would reveal. You know that as well!"

Wilfred just stared back at her, not knowing what to say. He looked tired, so tired. The time in the Capital had taken a toll on him, Emma, Leland, his old friends turning their back on him.

"Although..." Miranda hesitated at first to continue. "It all adds as proof to what you already suspect. Someone is after Brad or even us. They have yet to reveal themselves. And they will go to lengths to prevent that from happening. They are not afraid of murdering for it... Not even sons of high lords. We have to be careful."

Wilfred seated himself and rested his head with the support of his palm. "Well, you mean not all of them have revealed themselves." He said with a silent voice.

"Well, just a little longer." Alden said as he approached his father, seating himself beside him. "Once you are Chancellor, you have Imperial authority. You are free to investigate as you please."

"Or that was the very idea from the first beginning!" Miranda said, amazed that they had never thought about it before. "There is one person who can deny you.... The man that names you Imperial Chancellor. As Chancellor, he got a close eye on you. You are the extension of the Emperor himself. Now, more than ever, you must follow his every command. Even if it goes against the interests of your own house. Will you protest... Well sadly that won't be an option, you are kind of his hostage here."