The Ancient World Order

Chapter 27: Alden Mandos of The Empire

Inspecting the secret hallway, Alden couldn't believe the size of it. Wide enough to fit seven men, shoulder by shoulder. At the walls, there were bookshelves, old statues, barrels and even weapons. One of the men had said they thought it could have been an old armoury, before the great renovation of the palace. Alden agreed, it felt more like a room than a hallway. Judging by the sheer size of the Imperial Palace, it was easy to imagine the massive palace hosts several secret rooms like this one. The layout of the bottom floor had always appeared to be strange. Feeling like walking in a giant maze, it must have been designed to confuse and mislead any intruder. To the contrary, anyone familiar with it could quickly manoeuvre, taking shortcuts through the walls. Lacking windows and openings towards the rest of the palace hallways, the secret room was pitch black. If it weren't for two of Alden's men carrying torches, no light was getting through. According to the spies in Sir Heim's employ, this was one of the places Marseile had used for his meetings with Victoria Morg.

After their quick inspection, Alden and Sir Heim concluded this was the perfect place to ambush Marseile. Seven men would be more than enough, as Marseile usually snuck around alone. Yesterday evening, they had gotten words that Brad Ambeder had taken Atorn. By now, the news would have reached the entire Capital and Marseile would walk right into their trap.

It was now or never. There was no other time, Wilfred had urged Alden. They would simultaneously take out their two biggest threats, the Templar Magnicar and the Morgs. Wilfred would arrest Aldus and Victoria at court, at the same time as Alden and Sir Heim would capture Marseile.

Alden could feel his heart beating faster than he had ever felt before, he was so sweaty; the nervousness made a noise through his stomach. It was all or nothing. He didn't dare to think what would happen if they failed. Deep breaths, breath! He reminded himself. He went through the plan once more, as he had done hundreds of times by now.

Sir Heim and three men are standing in the dark hallway, waiting for Marseile to enter. They have sent a forged letter from the Empress, demanding a meeting with him there, before the council meeting. As Atorn has been taken, they needed to plan their next course of action. As he would enter, Sir Heim and his men would knock him out as soon as the opportunity presented itself. Alden and two other men would wait around the corner. Coming up from behind as he entered the secret hallway, through the hidden door behind the ancient statue of the Titan Piavieer, cutting off any chance of escape, if it came to that. Once knocked out, they would keep him there until night, then they would transport him down to the dungeons as the palace was empty. He remembered it, word by word, just as his father had said it the night before. Nothing could go wrong, too much depended on.

However, something was wrong. The court had convened and there was no sign of Marseile. Alden looked at the man next to him, a veteran scout, Kalven was his name. He had taken up the business as a mercenary spymaster after the War of Brothers. Spymaster Didrick had even vouched for him personally. Wilfred didn't like the fact that they had to involve Didrick in their plot. But as they had few friends in Avenheim, there was no other choice.

"Still no report from your other agents?" Alden whispered to Kalven.

Kalven shook his head in response. He had placed two men at every possible route towards the throne room. In case Marseile took another way, they would be aware of it. Wilfred had instructed the palace guards to stay clear of the area. Alden had protested at first, saying it would raise too much suspicion. Wilfred had just waved it off. "The Imperators are men that blindly follow any order. They don't question anything."

As time passed, the frustration grew on Alden. It doesn't make any sense! Marseile would be the first to march in to demand Brad's head. In addition, would he also ignore the Empress request?