Evergreen, 4th of Budrise, year 179 BN

Benjamin didn't know where to begin, what should he say? He always assumed he would yell at his father, demand the truth about what happened. But, he felt nothing at the moment. While Kirk wasn't his father, the man was his uncle and knew full well the ongoings of what occurred in the past. Ever since that incident, he ignored this side of his family and they never went out of their way to keep in touch with him. Not that he expected any of that to happen in the first place.

He wasn't meant to be in the spotlight, he was meant to be a tool that could be used and tossed aside as they needed.

"I'm fine," Benjamin finally muttered, his voice laced with a detachment honed over years of distancing himself from this part of his family. "And no, I haven't heard from him. I don’t plan to, either." His gaze, steadfast and challenging, met Lord Kirk's.

Kirk’s smile carried a trace of amusement. "So, you haven't heard then," he mused, seemingly unfazed by Benjamin's standoffish demeanor.

"No, I haven’t. And frankly, I couldn't care less about the pretense of your concern. What do you want from me, Kirk?" Benjamin’s patience was thinning; he was all too familiar with the dance of words, the veiled truths and manipulations that had characterized their interactions in the past.

Kirk’s expression softened, if only slightly. "It’s been a decade since you left, Benjamin. Despite everything, I thought it time we reconnected. You were never far from my thoughts, even if the circumstances... complicated our relationship."

Benjamin scoffed, arms crossed defensively. "And why should any of that matter now? You’ve kept tabs on me, haven't you? Always aware, always watching from a distance." Benjamin asked, but he already knew the answer.

There was hardly anything that could happen within the city that the lord was not aware of.

"It's true, I’ve kept informed. Your shift from monster hunting to working alongside Richard piqued my curiosity," Kirk admitted, leaning forward. "What changed? Richard must offer something unique for you to align with him."

"Retirement from one life led me to another," Benjamin replied tersely, uncrossing his arms. "Richard offered work when I needed it, and paid well enough. That’s all there is to it. You didn't keep me back just to know what I was doing, so why don't you be honest for once and tell me what you want."

He was tired of this, and it irritated him to be in his uncle's presence for as long as he was.

Kirk sighed, a genuine weariness in his posture. "If you insist on cutting to the chase, then let’s. Your journey with Richard, and the incidents along the way—I need to know if anything was omitted from the report. The details could be crucial."

Benjamin retold the story of when they left Evergreen, to their arrival in Disceroa. The encounter with Ben, Mitch, and the merchant Rodger. How they left Disceroa and headed to Valewater only to come across the raiders, the battle that ensued, and finally Ben's betrayal.

Lord Kirk rubbed his chin. "I see, and what do you make of it? The scroll the man Ben took, you think it's important?"

Benjamin rubbed the back of his neck. "No clue, but probably not. Considering the value of the scrying stone, that scroll is worth nothing. You know how those scrying stones work, it has the true information that the unnamed person wanted to be delivered. Knowing the current situation, I assume their plan was to start a conflict with Valewater and Evergreen. But, that's not my problem."

"Indeed, you may be right. For now, continue your work with Richard. His plans could very well be what Evergreen needs to thrive once more," Kirk finally said. "Let me worry about the broader implications."

"Is that all?" Benjamin asked.

"One last thing," Kirk added, his tone carrying a rare softness. "Your father... he’s ill. The priests doubt he’ll see next spring."

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"I’ve made my peace with that part of my life. His wellbeing is no concern of mine." Benjamin said as he turned to leave.

Lord Kirk watched silently as Benjamin’s retreating figure disappeared from view, the weight of their exchanged words lingering in the air. In his hand, the scrying stone felt heavier, a symbol of the potential storm on the horizon. Rising from his seat, he made his way to the study, his mind racing with plans and contingencies.

Upon entering the study, a room suffused with the golden glow of late morning sun filtering through heavy drapes, he found Aiden. The aide was hunched over a massive oak desk cluttered with scrolls and parchments, a quill in mid-dance. Aiden looked up, sensing the gravity of Lord Kirk's mood, and immediately rose to his feet.

"The discussions with Benjamin have concluded, then?" Aiden inquired, the undertone of his voice seeking more than just confirmation.

Lord Kirk gave a terse nod. "Yes, but our focus must shift to more pressing concerns." Placing the scrying stone on the table, he pushed it towards Aiden. "Examine its contents. You'll understand the urgency of our situation."

Aiden’s hesitation was brief, a momentary pause before his fingers wrapped around the scrying stone. As he activated it, light spilled forth, casting elongated shadows across the room. The text that scrolled in the air before him caused his eyebrows to knit together, his expression shifting from incredulity to dawning comprehension and then to concern.

"This... This is damning," Aiden finally spoke, his tone grave. Lord Kirk’s nod confirmed his fears.

"Indeed. The implications are severe. The distance between us and Valewater is far, but Lord Ike would be willing to send his forces here if this information reached him. Even if it did not turn out to be true, it would still give him a just cause to take action. With our forces busy dealing with Thornhill, we are currently weakened. This information will be known soon to all those surrounding us, which is why we need to quickly make Thornhill surrender." Lord Kirk stated.

Aiden, frustration evident, clenched his fist. "Who would dare orchestrate such a betrayal? The defeat at Dustwell was a heavy blow, yet if this information holds truth, the fault was not yours alone. There's a traitor amongst us, feeding our enemies." Aiden slammed his fist on the table. "This cannot go on without punishment."

Lord Kirk walked to the window with his hands behind his back. "Indeed, and it won't. To divulge key information they have to be in a high position, one of the councilmen in fact. They are the only ones with knowledge of my plans. As for who it is, there are five on my mind that could act against me given the chance to. But, they've been pretty tame thus far, or at least pretend to in public."

As the gravity of the situation settled between them, Aiden carefully placed the scrying stone back on the table. "What would you have me do?" he inquired, readiness tinting his voice.

"We'll need to verify the content of the scrying stone and strengthen our ties to Valewater. I don't like the way Lord Ike works, but I can use the information there," Lord Kirk glanced back at the scrying stone. "To my advantage. Peter II was the one to copy the information onto the scrying stone unless the person used his name. Doubtful considering the expense of the stone. He is fifth in line to Thornhill, the brother of Lord Terrel. I always saw him as useless, but it seems that he has been working from the shadows. I'd like to find him and squeeze out all the information he has to offer, but currently, his whereabouts are unknown."

"I can bring back some forces to strengthen our defenses if you so desire, as well as observe those five individuals you have in mind. As for Petter II, wouldn't he be in Disceroa?" Aiden suggested.

"He could be, but I consider that unlikely. Even if he is the unnamed person who asked for this to be delivered, he could have left the city long ago and be anywhere by now. No use in wasting manpower to search for him. However, I am curious about what Ben obtained."

"Ben my lord?" Aiden asked confused as he had not heard that name in the meeting Lord Kirk had not too long ago with Richard.

"Yes, I learned about him from Benjamin. Richard didn't mention him, probably seeing it as an insignificant detail. Along with the scrying stone, there was also a scroll in the box Richard was supposed to deliver. While the man didn't know what the scrying stone was, he saw the potential value in the scroll. Enough that warranted betraying Richard and the man named Mitch. I'd like to know what information he has." Lord Kirk said.

"Wouldn't he be difficult to find? It's been days, how would you even find him?"

"That is a problem, but from what Benjamin said he is traveling by foot. No food, no water. Unless he is skilled enough to live off the land, his first decision would be to find those things. Which means traveling to the closest village or city. Send for Julius, and fetch me those three men. Carl, Earl, and Big Oar. I only need one of them to identify Ben, the others can be rewarded for their services."

"I shall do so at once," Aiden said.

Lord Kirk turned to face Aiden. "Aiden, I want to know the names of the councilmen who are currently on the battlefield. Those who went themselves or sent one of their heirs. I'd also like to know the names of those that are still present within Evergreen and sent in a substitute in their stead without risking their heirs."

"It will be done."

Lord Kirk nodded. "On your way out, inform the chief that we will have a feast in a weeks time. That he should prepare as there will be fifty guests in attendance."

Aiden was silent but nodded his head. He did not even ask what the feast would be for, Lord Kirk knew and that was all that mattered. Besides, did his lord need a reason to celebrate?