Chapter 20 – The Power of Sloane

Sloane made his way out of the prince’s wing of the palace. The prince was an enigma to Sloane. When he had informed his prince of the activities of the church, Prince James did not seem surprised or shocked in any way. Any other noble would be stunned, yet Prince James seemed to intuit the reasons for what the church was doing and convinced High Priest Cendrin to bring his spy network under Sloane’s command.

Everyone that has met the high priest knew he was shrewd and cunning. The man could steer any conversation in the direction he wanted and many fools who dared to openly go against the man found themselves publicly embarrassed one way or another. Sometimes that embarrassment came at the verbal sparring the high priest would win or later rumors being spread about the noble or merchant. It was this result that first clued Sloane into investigating the Church of Light in the first place.

When Sloane learned how vast the spy network was, he feared it might rival any of the underground organizations. However, the truth was even more unsettling as the church’s spy network made the others look like amateurs playing in a local pond of knowledge when the church ruled the ocean of information. Upon learning that the man wisely kept his mouth shut and told no one. Sadly, Sloane became convinced a few of the church’s operatives learned he knew something, so they began to leak the truth about Sloane’s past.

Sloane was not necessarily ashamed of his past, he had done what he had to as a poor orphan that grew up on the streets. To say his past was bloody and shady would be an understatement. The man had worked hard to overcome such things and eventually be accepted as a royal knight.

He was on the brink of being dishonorably discharged as he heard the talk and concerns of his superiors. Of course, it did not help Sloane’s case that he showed only the minimum required respect for some of his superiors, many coming from noble or wealthy merchant families too sheltered from the seedier parts of society. He would not be lectured by such men and women, which only drove him to being removed as a royal knight.

It was sheer luck that Sloane was selected for the mission to retrieve the prince. The kingdom was short on available knight and soldiers with tracking, removing tracks, and monster hunting for long periods in the wilderness. Sloane’s past had led him to possess all those needed skills, so his superiors begrudgingly agreed to him joining the mission. The very mission that changed Sloane’s perspective and life forever.

The first time he saw Prince James he felt a sense of danger. Everyone else seemed blind to it so Sloane had ignored the feeling until he saw the man’s eyes. And a man Prince James was, he may be young, but he seemed to carry a lifetime of knowledge and experience in those eyes.

Sloane, like everyone else, watched the prince carefully. Most seemed focused on learning what type of person Prince James was or could the curry favor with the man. Sure, Sloane watched for some of that, but mostly he noticed the way the man carried himself. There was a sureness to the prince’s movements, an aura of authority that you sometimes found with men and women who knew the truth about responsibility and were skilled enough to do the job well.

The first time Sloane met General Marcus, the king, and the queen, they all possessed such an aura. Yet their auras seemed like flickering candles compared to the blazing sun Prince James possessed. Most people did not know Sloane possessed the Discerning Eye talent.

Discerning Eye

Description: Grants the ability to see the true threat of a target. Can show you types of auras, threat level, and over time potential weaknesses in combat.

It allowed him to see the threat level, possible alignments, and as he grew in his use it could show him potential weaknesses in his opponents. The talent is how he even survived his younger years in the first place. His Discerning Eye was telling Sloane that the prince was the most dangerous being he had ever encountered in his entire lifetime both in comparison to any of the monsters, human and beast, he previously came across.

The first few hours after they retrieved the prince, Sloane was on edge, his muscles were sore from being tense and ready to react at a moment’s notice. Then he started to relax as he saw how kind and friendly Prince James was, Sloane began to doubt his senses and shifted to his normal level of readiness. That was until he witnessed the spare between Captain Spears and Prince James.

The fight between the captain and prince was like watching two juggernauts clashing. They kept increasing their speed and intensity of clashing blows. Sloane, like others present, thought it was a real treat to watch a master swordsman fight and at first everyone thought the captain was going easy on the prince based on how smoothly Prince James deflected Captain Spears’ attacks. Sloane saw it first; it was clear the prince was the one going easy on the captain. That brought all of Sloane’s heightened senses to full alert once again.

It was hard to not eventually relax around the prince over time as they traveled. Prince James also treated Sloane with respect and as another traveling companion rather than the side-eyed looks he would get from others. Sloane found himself liking the young prince even with his Discerning Eye screaming caution into his mind.

Then the battle with the undead came. Sloane did his duty and jumped in as ordered to hold the line. He fought valiantly and with precision. Every stroke of his blades Sloane would remove a limb or decapitate an undead head. When he took out one undead it seemed like two more would take its place, but Sloane trusted in his skills and his fellow knights. Many of them may be sheltered from certain aspects of society, but every one of them knew how to fight and hold their own in battle.

The knights and soldiers were holding their own even against overwhelming numbers, then the undead trolls and ogre arrived. It took multiple knights to hold the larger undead brutes at bay putting more pressure on the kingdom’s soldiers to pick up the slack. The ogre knocked us aside like we were nothing. Sloane was able to dodge several blows and take out undead that made the mistake of getting too close to Sloane. Yet the undead ogre was remarkably fast for being so big.

When Sloane stepped in to save a soldier from being turned into bloody paste, the ogre’s tree trunk club clipped him. He recovered fast enough but once again pushed a fellow knight out of the way and got clipped again, this time sending him prone and dazed. The club was about to be brought down on Sloane’s prone form,

“Just great, I die saving a man who treated me like a jerk.” Was what Sloane remembered saying as he resigned himself to his fate.

As he watched the club seem to move in slow motion felt an intense heat pass over him as a bright ball of fire struck the undead ogre. The force of the blast pressed Sloane further into the ground as he closed his eyes to shield them from being flash fried. When he opened his eyes, Prince James was there picking up the remains of the ogre’s leg and using it to bat away any undead that approached.

Prince James locked eyes on Sloane for a moment, giving him a wink before he knocked undead left and right as he carved a path deeper into their forces. Sloane was not one to ignore second chances in life, especially as he was probably closer to his sixth or seventh chance at this point. Sloane did the only thing he could and got to his feet, helped some of his fellow soldiers up and those that could fight re-joined the battle.

The man had saved his life and the lives of many more that day. It was also when Sloane realized what his Discerning Eye was really trying to tell him, if he wanted to survive this world his best bet would be to serve such that man always. He wasn’t about to stop listening to his instincts now.

Then Prince James asked him to join his personal guard Sloane jumped at the chance. The prince offered Sloane to become his personal spy master and join his Party Link. Sloane had tried to argue against sharing a mental space with Prince James based on the not so savory things Sloane had done in his life, but the prince had zero hesitation.

“A man’s past is a part of him, but it is not the only part. We all have ugly parts of ourselves we try to deny, hide, or ignore, but at some point, we must re-integrate, or those parts will destroy us. I do not fear your past, I require your help in building a better future.” Prince James stated as he offered Sloane the Party Link.

Do you wish to join Party Link? Yes, or No?

Sloane never second guessed his choice after hearing Prince James’ sincere words. He felt more than heard his words and it is why he would defend this man against the machinations of those in the capital.

Shaking his head to clear it of his thoughts he refocused on his mission. Sloane was to slip into the head priest’s chambers inside the Church of Light in the capital. Knowing what he did about their capabilities he knew how to be extra cautious. They were not called the Church of Light for nothing. Many years ago, in a failed heist, Sloane learned several had such an affinity to Light Magic that they could use it to bend the light to hide operatives or create illusions.

‘They will not catch me like that again.’ Sloane thought as he slipped through the gap in a guard patrol as they passed by as they made their rounds.

As he slipped around another patrol, silently closing the head priest’s chamber doors Sloane thought, “This is way too easy.”

A light flashed as the door closed.

“You might as well drop your stealth Sloane. I imagine that is you, is it not?” High Priest Cendrin stated.

The high priest was sitting in a high back chair behind an elaborate solid oak desk. The man was writing furiously and did not bother to look up.

“I have multiple wards in this room. You tripped none of them, which is impressive unto itself... which is why I put that light spell on the door when it closes. Normally that is enough to knock out any stealth, your skill and affinity must be exceptional high.” Head Priest Cendrin explained, still not bothering to look up.

Sighing, Sloane pulled out one of the chairs in front of the desk and plopped in as he dropped his stealth. “Impressive spell, but yes my affinity is quite high, and I have had some past experiences dealing with the Church of Light.”

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That statement got the head priest to stop writing and look up. “Oh interesting. It would appear the rumors I have heard might just be true.” Cendrin said the last bit with a cold smile on his face.

“Please, your people are the ones that started those rumors. I am sure you already know the nature of my previous involvement with your organization.” Sloane answered coldly.

Cendrin’s smile dropped yet the priest seemed to subtly relax. “Well, I did not become head priest simply on my good looks. Our prince trusts you enough to put you in charge of his information gathering efforts. For now, that is enough for me.”

Waving his hands down to the various papers the head priest was writing. “Do you know what these are?”

Not interested in playing word games with an expert at it, Sloane decided to just cut through the back and forth. “Not a clue, or better yet, let us just get to the point where you just tell me.”

Cendrin’s eyebrow rose slightly before a more genuine smile appeared on his face. “Fair enough. I can appreciate the directness. Too many in this city talk in circles, I have developed a bad habit of guiding a conversation where I require it.”

Sloane gave the head priest a look and gestured with his hand for the man to get on with it.

“Very well. I deserved that.” Cendrin stated before gesturing at the papers again. “They are orders to further spread the prophecy and our prince’s exploits. These others are instructions to begin to coordinate the information channels through both you and me.”

Cendrin poured some wax on a parchment and pushed magic into the document as he pressed his personal seal down on the wax. Once he finished, he passed the letter to Sloane.

“What was that?!” Sloane asked as he felt his own magic get drawn out of him as it connected with the letter.

“It is a magic writ instructing any in the church to follow your word or the prince’s as if they were my own. As you will be the keeper of the writ your magic was required to bind the document and yourself.” Cendrin explained.

Sloane narrowed his eyes as he replied coldly. “Bind me in what way priest?!”

Cendrin waved away his concerns. “It is nothing so nefarious spymaster. It merely does not allow you to use the document without acting on behalf of our prince or myself. I may trust Prince James’ judgment, but I will still help protect him as best I can. What I am turning over to you is the best kept secret of my order.”

The tension in the room evaporated as Sloane nodded. “Very well priest. It is a fair precaution. Prince James has instructed me to tell you to he wants a few experts in illusion magic to be present at the ball. I will meet each of them prior.”

“That is easy enough to arrange. Inform his majesty it shall be done. Anything else?” Cendrin asked.

“Anything you might have on the necromancer currently residing in our dungeons? I hear a few of your priests have gone to take his confession.” Sloane said before leaning back in the chair once again.

“Let me summon my leads and the agents who I have assigned to that task.” Cendrin replied.

The head priest tapped on an orb on his desk. A few moments passed before a voice could be heard coming from the orb. “What is it you require your eminence?”

High Priest Cendrin put his hand on the orb and answered. “Summon my leads. I have someone to introduce them to and instructions for them to take.”

“It is late in the evening, your eminence.” The person on the other side of the orb replied.

Cendrin raised an eyebrow. “And? What of it?”

The voice on the other side quickly replied, “J-just that it will take them extra time to make themselves presentable your eminence. Please forgive any importance… I merely wanted to prepare you for any possible delays.”

“That is fine. Convey the level of importance and I’m sure they will hasten their steps.” Cendrin replied before cutting off his magic to the orb.

About twenty minutes later several men dressed in priest robes, leathers, or chain mail were standing around the head priest’s conference table. They bowed before Cendrin before he waved them to take their seats. Once they were all settled, the head priest began the meeting.

“I am glad you all were able to make it on such short notice. I wanted to introduce all of you to our new spymaster.” Head Priest Cendrin stated without any preamble.

“What makes this one so worthy of such a title? He…” One of the men dressed in leathers began to ask before he found both his hands stuck to the table. Two throwing daggers were embedded in the man’s leather gloves, one blade in each. The man did not even see Sloane move.

“Ha, ha, ha! Careful Andrew, it looks as if this one has teeth.” A large man in chain mail boasted in laughter.

“Indeed. He is clearly capable. Besides you were never going to get the job Andrew.” One of the men in priestly robes stated.

The man who sat to the head priest’s left slammed his staff on the floor to get everyone’s attention. “Enough! You are in front of his eminence!”

A round of apologies could be heard across the table.

“As you can see, Sloane is very capable and has powers you may not be even aware of.” Cendrin stated.

Several eyes rose as they recognized the name. Before another round of protests could start Cendrin interjected. “Sloane has been appointed as Prince James’ personal spymaster. I have agreed to the prince’s request to integrate and combine our efforts.”

The boisterous paladin that made fun of the one called Andrew spoke up. “Then you believe the prophecy to be true, your eminence?”

Cendrin nodded. “I do. He was able to steer the conversation in the direction he wanted.”

Several eyebrows rose, as they all knew how skilled the head priest was in controlling a conversation.

“Now that is resolved, for now, let us turn our talks on the matter of the necromancer. Andrew, what have you discovered?” Cendrin said.

Andrew had just removed the blades from his gloves. In order to free himself, he had to take his hands out. It took some effort to pull the blades from the table, demonstrating the amount of force Sloane was able to use. The man’s face blanched when he heard his name.

“My apologies, your eminence. I have uncovered very little. The man knew nothing of his employer and was paid through an intermediary. I have still not tracked down that broker. I will need more time.”

Sloane turned cold eyes on the man named Andrew. “Turn over your contacts. I will take over the investigation from here.”

Andrew began to protest. “How dare…”

“Do it Andrew! That is an order!” Head Priest Cendrin cut off the man.

Andrew slumped and just nodded.

Sloane rose from his seat. He bowed his head to Cendrin. “I will take my leave.” Turning to the rest of the assembly. “I will meet with each of you individually in due time. His majesty has recalled me, and I must take my leave.”

In truth Prince James had been listening in as Sloane shared his senses with his prince. James had picked up the same thing Sloane had.

“Your Discerning Eye is most impressive Sloane. The aura of that Andrew reeks. He is hiding something. Get him alone and find out the truth.” Prince James instructed.

“My thoughts exactly my prince! It shall be done!” Sloane replied through Party Link.

Sloane activated his Stealth and vanished before everyone in the room, snatching his two blades that Andrew left on the table. He had a job to do and no time like the present, time to find out what he could about Andrew.

Sloane had done his research on Andrew in the middle of his other duties over the last few days. The man was officially a hunter and messenger for the Church of Light but unofficially he was one of their top investigators. Which is why both Prince James and Sloane had a hard time believing the man found nothing about the necromancer.

Prince James had instructed Sloane to not press the issue until after the ball. They both were busy enough learning everything the Church of Light had on the various nobles and influential families of the kingdom. It was an overwhelming amount of intel to absorb. Sloane, who was skilled at parsing information was struggling to keep up and was not surprised to find the prince having no problem assimilating it all. It was one more reason Sloane found to serve the man who saved his life in more than one way.

What Sloane was able to get was a lead on the intermediary that gave the necromancer his assignment. When Prince James shared the image with Sloane, even though the person was hidden, he instantly recognized the ring the man wore. It belonged to a merchant who specialized as an information broker. Many in the underground knew of him and he was known for having flexible morals. In other words, the man was loyal to the highest bidder.

Sloane was on top of the merchant’s home preparing to slip in unnoticed.

‘I’ve got to do something. All this information assimilation and no action is driving me nuts and I know it is bothering Prince James, he just hides it better than I do.’ Sloane thought before he dropped down right behind a guard.

With a quick choke hold from behind the guard collapsed unconscious. Sloane dragged him behind a bush, setting him down out of sight. The whole exchange took mere moments, and the guard never even had a chance to make a sound. This was one of Sloane’s specialties, infiltration.

After subduing and hiding a few more guards, Sloane slipped into the merchant’s bedroom. Skulking up to the sleeping man, Sloane unsheathed his dagger and brought it close to the merchant’s neck. Using Discerning Eye, Sloane discovered the man had a knife in his hand under his pillow. With agile fingers Sloane relieved the merchant of his dagger and secreted the blade into his sleeve.

Now with the merchant disarmed, Sloane put one hand over the man’s mouth and nose and the other hand holding the dagger close to his throat. “Wake up Seville, you pissant. I have questions for you.”

Seville the merchant awoke with a startled expression that quickly turned to horror as he felt the cold steel on his throat.

“That’s right. Give me any trouble and you won’t make it out of here alive. I will slit your throat faster than you can imagine and not lose a wink of sleep over it. Got it?” Sloane threatened.

Seville blinked furiously as his way of agreeing. Sloane removed his hand from Seville’s mouth but left the dagger up against the merchant’s throat.

“Wh-What do you want? I do not know who you are, but I assure you I will cooperate.” Seville croaked out.

“I know you will Seville. You would not dare cross me, now, would you?” Sloane said as he lowered his cowl to show Seville his face.

Seville’s eyes widened in shock and recognition. Of all the people that could invade his home the last person he ever wanted to see again was the very man holding a blade to his throat. He knew without a doubt now that this was no idle threat. “Th-the wolf of the underworld, the Shadow of Death ma-made manifest. Please spare me, I have made a point to never interfere with your interests, I swear it!” Seville sniveled out in fear.

“Ah but that is where you are wrong worm. You are interfering in my business. I am going to remove my blade but do not be a fool and think that you can do anything before I slit your throat. Understood?” Sloane said as he moved back to take a seat on a chair by the bed.

Seville sat up slowly worried one wrong move would end his life this night. “What can I do for the Shadow of Death?”

“You hired a necromancer to ambush the prince and his men. I was present and attacked by the necromancer’s army, which means you hired someone to kill me.” Sloane said coldly as he narrowed his eyes at Seville.

Realization dawned on Seville’s face, and he immediately dropped to his knees and prostrated himself before Sloane. “I-I swear oh great one. I would not have taken the job had I known you would be there. I-I would never be so foolish! Please spare this lowly worm!”

“That depends on a few things. How you answer the next few questions will determine how long you live. Understand?” Sloane stated with a sense of finality in his voice.

“Yes-Yes! I understand! Oh, thank you great one for giving me the chance to earn back my life!” Seville said.

“Who hired you?” Sloane asked.

Seville answered as quickly as he could. “It was Behat from the Feuhari delegation.”

“Did he say why they wanted the prince dead?” Sloane asked his follow up question.

“He said he was working with someone inside the capital, someone who would favor relations with his country. Behat seemed confident and I was promised no one would find out. They had the chief investigator in their employ. If it was discovered, I was to flee to his country if all else failed.” Seville replied.

“Interesting. Do you want to live to see the sunrise?” Sloane asked.

“Yes! Please, I will do anything you command!” Seville exclaimed.

“You are going to find out which investigator was assigned to this. I want it confirmed. Secondly, you work for me now. Anyone comes to you; I want to know about it. Lastly, you take no jobs against the prince or his people.” Sloane explained.

“Oh, thank you! Thank you, great Shadow of Death! I will do as you command!” Seville practically squealed out in relief.

“We will be in touch worm. Do not fail me.” Sloane said.

When Seville finally looked up Sloane was gone as if he was never there. The information merchant said several words of thanks and vowed not to do anything that would anger the horror of the underworld. Anyone who spent any time dealing with the seeder parts of the kingdom has heard of the wolf, more appropriately the Shadow of Death. The myth of a man took control of any underground enterprise he set his mind to and only the foolish and now dead crossed him. He did not know why the man wanted the prince protected but he would not question it, ever!

“I will make sure to pay Behat back for the trouble he has brought to my doorstep. This I vow!” Seville said before collapsing on his bed exhausted from the whole ordeal.