章 30: Matter's Unresolved
Marquise and I turned around, surprised to find that the General's son came walking down the hallway. His pace was brisk and stiff. I watched his face, his brows pressed down in an angry frown as he stormed towards us. It was amazing to see how much he looked like his father. The brown hair, the stern eyes, and the sharp set of his cheeks and jaw. It was like staring at a young version of my most trusted and beloved friend.
"Aren't you on probabtion for sneaking out the last time." I wouldn't endanger him. The General would never forgive me if something happene to him. But the determination on his face told me that he wasn't going to follow orders anyway. He really was like his dad. Micheal knelt before me, his hand over his chest.
"My father greatly respects you, your Majesty. Tonight, I couldn't do anything to keep him safe, so please let me come along in my father's name." I felt touched that he would offer himself up just to save his father. He was also a skilled warrior on the training field. I had no doubts he could handle himself if he needed too. This could be my chance to test him too, to see if he had what to took to be a Knight. If he was anything like his father, I wanted him to replace him.
"Very well Micheal. It would be wise to have another set of hands. Prepare yourself at once. We leave immediately." Micheal rose from his kneel and bowed before quickly stalking away. With a deep sigh, I once again commanded the Guard to watch over the General, and also made my way back towards my room. I ordered Marquise to have the castle locked down before we left. That way, if anyone still lingered, they could be dealt with accordingly. I wasn't sure how long it was going to be until I made it back, but what I did know for sure, was that I wasn't coming back until things where dealt with.
Thanks to my deal with my father, I had free reign to do as I pleased, and that meant leaving the castle for long periods of time. What worried me the most, was that if I left the castle, the mercenaries would take this chance to try and over throw the castle. I had to put faith in my people that they would subdue any outcome that came their way. Just like I had to trust that Nathanial and Jeremiah would be okay while we caught up.
What didn't settle well with me, was how convientent this all seemed to be. The General has never messed up before, and he could even hold his own against five men. So why is it that he was seriously injured now? In order to let his guard down that much to be attacked, he had to know the person well. Even trusted him. If he knew that person well, then so didn't I. The more I stopped to think about it, the more confused I started to become.
"Alliah!" Nicklos's shout came from behind me, but my steps didn't faulter. Right now I didn't have time, nor the patience to deal with his sob story. Truth be told, I didn't want to talk to him either. I can't believe that he played with my feelings the way he did. Make me feel wanted, cared for, and all so he could rip it away for my younger sister.
"Alliah, stop." Nicklos demanded as a hand wrapped around my arm, bringing me to an abrupt stop. I swatted his hand away, feeling repulsed at his touch. The same touch that use to comfort me in my darkest moments. The same person who helped me get by my Knight training, and made me feel like I could actually achieve something.
"I have nothing to say to you, so save your pretty words for Illia. That's what you do best." I hissed through my teeth before turning away from him. But he couldn't take no for an answer. I could feel his pain as he grabbed me from behind, pinning both arms behind me back, as he slammed me against him. I struggled against him, pulling every which way to get lose. But he was firm as he continued to hold me tightly to him.
"Alliah, please can you just listen to me for a moment. I know you are upset, I know you feel hurt. I never wanted to hurt you. But there was a reason for the choices I made. Can you give me just a minute to explain." The pleading in his tone, almost crumpled my resolve. Never once since the moment I met him, had I ever heard him beg. It was pulling at the small amount of feelings I still had for him. But I couldn't listen to his words, I had to find the mercenaries base.
"Nicklos, right now, I have more pressing matters to deal with. You can explain to me when I get back. I can't wait around any longer or more people are going to get hurt. So wait for me." I spoke in hushed words. My heart was still breaking inside, and it was hard to control my pain and uncertainty. I had trusted him completely, even forgave him once without explaination. He took that for granted and tossed me to the side. For my sister no less. This was not something that I would so easily forgive.
"I'll let you go on one condition Alliah." There was the faintest break in his voice as he spoke. My resfusal hurting him. I felt a small pain in my chest as I waited for him to go on. "I will accompany you. We don't have to discuss anything about Illia and myself, but I want to make sure you are able to make it home safely. That's all I ask." I paused for a moment, not exactly sure if his pressence was a good idea. I really wanted to use this time and reflect on my choices.
Although I really didn't want to deal with him at this moment, he he was a skilled warrior, and that might be a good advantage for us. But that would further the predicament of not having a very good defense for the castle. I pursed my lips, agonizing over the options laid before me. If we where to get ambushed on uncertain grounds, then that would mean almost certain death for a the few men that I have. With how well thought out this plan of theirs was, I highly doubt they don't have one already set up.
Their main focus may be to even divide and conquer. If they successfully seperate us, who would be their main target? There where so many possibilities and so many uncertain answers. It was hard to make one successful decision.
"I don't know if it would benefit me in you coming with us. Not because I don't trust you right now, but because if the Kingdom is attacked in my stead. General Bregus is already badly wounded which leaves me with one less Knight. These mercenaries are no laughing matter. They are cunning and merciless. I can't have the Kingdom unguarded." I firmly believed that they would seperate the forces, and attack the weaker one. My father was getting old, there would be know way he could battle successfully.
Nicklos unwrapped his arms from around me, letting me go. I turned to face him, staring at his complexed face. He seemed to be battling between logic, and his need to be near me. With a small sigh, I placed a hand on his shoulder. I would try and offer reassurance so as not to worry him.
"Marquise will be with me, and he is a skilled Knight. General Bregus's son is also a skilled warrior. Jeremiah and Nathanial are my most skilled scouts and they are already out there. I can't delay this finding them any further. Please understand that this is what I think is best for my Kingdom." I also think that if he would go, he would subconsiously try and make things right between us. I don't want distractions. This needs to go as smoothly as possible.
He pressed his lips firmly together, but nodded his head once. He was reluctant to let me go. His eyes warily looked upon my face as we stood silent. I couldn't bring myself to talk with him further, because right now I didn't want to hear his explanations. I wanted him to suffer a little more. The pain I was feeling now, was betrayl. Before it was just neglect of communication, but he sought out my sister and talked to her behind me back. That hurt more than anything else.
"I will be leaving now. Until my return, I really want you to reflect on yourself. If your answer is not satisfactory, I will be canceling the engagement. Their are still plenty of men here that I can unite with, it doesnt' have to be you." He flinched, but nodded. With a firm nod, I turned away from him, no longer wanting to be in his presence. I just hoped for his sake, he had a very good reason for his decisions. Maybe some time apart would also help me to forgive him. But something tells me, I wouldn't have a whole lot of time to think about it either.
Everything about these events, seems overly suspicious and almost too well planned out. It wasn't a coincidence that the prisoner escaped, and now I had to not only find my prisoner, but also the mole.
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