章 18: Eveline
I took the boat across the Great Lake again to the Northern shore of Timberfell saving two days of riding in the snow. The weather had been calmer this time thankfully so it made it easier on my stomach. I couldn't even imagine crossing the ocean. As we neared the shore, I felt the presence of only two dark bloods- one being strangely familiar with how strong their presence is, but it didn't make sense for him to be so far from the capital. As long as I had known him, he had only left Reytor once.
I led a cautious Caspian off the ship and headed towards town. It struck me as odd that I didn't sense more dark bloods around. There was a small area of Timberfell called the Shambles that was much like Reytor had been when it had been divided just without the wall. I could already feel a headache coming on. It was either Sasha's brooding crush of a wayward prince or another strong Dark Blood. He had a knack for always finding trouble it seemed and being right in the thick of it. He had saved my life once so I guess he wasn't all bad.
Snow spiraled lazily in the soft wind around me as I followed the few travelers towards the gates where we were allowed in immediately. I headed straight towards the Shambles, but stopped short when I noticed they were burned down. There was nothing left except charred remains of the wooden structures and a few overturned stones from chimneys. What had happened here? A guard passed by me.
"What happened here?" I asked.
He stopped looking slightly panicked and averted his gaze right away.
"The Lord of the City had them run out by his Phoenix Guard, my lady," he said quietly.
The way he said it as if he didn't want to be over heard was troublesome.
"Phoenix Guard?"
He nodded. "His… his personal protectors of the city. Best not to ask troublesome questions. He doesn't like outsiders meddling in his business."
"Do you not know who I am?"
He shook his head.
"Swordsmaster Eveline? The first woman Guardian in several decades?"
He swept into a bow. "My apologies, Swordsmaster!"
"I need to speak with your commander at once. The only protectors should be the Guardians."
He gulped once again looking down at the ground.
"He's dead, my lady. The Lord did it as an act to have us fall in line. His new Guard outranks us."
I gritted my teeth.
"How long has this been going on? Has word been sent to the capital?"
"A half a fortnight or perhaps more and no… he has people watching any correspondence leaving the city. I don't know how well he will take your presence here, if I may be so bold."
I didn't like the sounds of this one bit. Timberfell was where we got most of our lumber supply. If the Lord decided to go rogue it could cause great problems for Christopher especially if other outlaying villages heard of it and sided with his beliefs on the new dark blood laws. There had been a lot of unrest when he had lifted all bans on dark bloods being seen as less than any other citizen. This may be his first test of power.
"I'm here to test his daughter as he requested."
Could that be a trap? What if he had lured me here as a means of crippling the capital or trying to bribe me or turn me away from Christopher's side? My eyes automatically fell on my wrist that held the blood traitor scar even though it was covered by my shirt.
"I hope for your safety," he said before rushing off.
I would rest for tonight at the local tavern before going to see the lord about this arising issue. I needed time to think and possibly seek out the only two dark bloods here for answers.
週次パワーステータス
-- 推薦
ランキング 
-- 推薦
チケット