Uncertainty filled his mind. Stricken with disbelief, Decimus found himself reading the same letter over and over for nearly an hour. Sweat seemed to constantly roll down his back. If this mysterious sender from House Avarus could be trusted, he would force the king to see reason.

His thoughts were interrupted by a sudden knock on the chamber door. “Come in.” He organized his papers, and set aside two letters sealed with his family’s emblem.

“You had a job for me?”

Decimus greeted him with a hug. “Indeed. You’re the only one I can trust for this.”

“Is it about your investigation?”

He returned to his desk to grab the letter he’d studied for the past hour. “My whole life has almost been consumed by this accursed investigation.” He pulled up an extra chair, and motioned for his friend to sit. “I have received an anonymous letter which could very well be the final proof I need to petition the king to action.”

The man took a seat. “And you want me to meet with this mystery man?”

He shook his head. “Your role in this will be far from the usual, my dear Aurelian.” He reached over to grab the two letters he set aside. “I want you to travel south, and await my arrival in the port of Admare. You shall travel there with these two letters.”

Aurelian accepted the letters. “What are these for?”

He took a deep breath, letting it out with a sigh. “I’ve always placed more trust in you than any other man I’ve hired. Above that of even my own kin at times.” He shifted in his chair. “This mission may be the death of me.”

His friend’s eyes went wide. “What is the meaning of such words? What sort of enemies have you made?”

“I’ve discovered things of this conspiracy, which I’ve spent the last year uncovering, that make me certain of its great power. Some foreign, potentially supernatural, power has taken hold over the highest authorities in the land. Yet, King Titus is blind to the wolves at his door. These conspirators would keep it that way, as his support is of little use to them.”

“So you think they know of your presence, and would kill you now?”

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

He nodded. “They’re a vicious bunch. Crafty, too. I know they hide in the shadow of at least one noble house. Though I don’t know which one.”

“What does it matter which house they hide in? Surely King Titus would be able to discern that for himself.”

He chuckled. “Titus has never been a man of action. Not unless he absolutely had to. If I can’t point him, with proof, to exactly where the problem is, he’ll dismiss it as rabble-rousing.”

“So this mystery man will provide that proof?”

He nodded. “I can only hope this letter isn’t a cleverly disguised trap. Alas, I am left with no choice but to walk into it.”

His friend peered down at the letters in his hand. “So what do you profit from marching to your death?”

He stood from his chair, and went to face the window by his desk. “You are my backup plan. One of the letters I have given you is a copy of my will. The other is a letter to deliver to the royal family of Mahjur.”

His friend stood up from his chair, and joined him by the window. “I don’t understand.”

“This mission is no longer about me. It is about saving my homeland from the powers of darkness. If I were to send anyone else but myself to meet with this person, it would needlessly risk extra lives and this operation.” He wiped sweat from his forehead. “If I do not make it to Admare in three weeks’ time from when you arrive, assume that I am dead. Flee to Mahjur, and deliver the letter.”

“How will you pay me for this mission if you’re dead?”

He reached over to a coin purse, which barely could contain the coins stuffed into it, and gave it to Aurelian. “This is your upfront payment. The rest shall be given to you when the mission is done. If I am dead before the mission can be completed, a good friend of mine shall be given my entire estate. Your share of it shall be relinquished to you when you have fulfilled your end of the agreement.”

“And you trust this friend that much?”

He glanced back at Aurelian with a curious look. “I trust you that much, don’t I?” Turning back to the window, he took a moment to admire the early morning sky’s brilliant hues of orange and red. “Though you have worked with me frequently over the years, on things concerning this investigation, I’ve tried to keep you hidden from the conspirators. If I were the one fleeing to Mahjur, they would no doubt have numerous ways to prevent me from ever reaching the shores. It would be foolish to paint such a target on our last option.”

Aurelian felt a slight churning in his stomach. Not even the prospect of gold could dull his feelings. “I don’t like this. This is more than dangerous. It seems foolish.”

“If you knew the things about them that I do, you’d realize that leaving them alone isn’t an option. Certainly not with how entangled I’ve become in their affairs.”

His friend nodded, and began walking to the door.

“Just remember, this mission is more important than you can ever know.”

Aurelian nodded as he left.

Decimus returned to his desk, and began drafting more copies of his will. Many doubts raced through his mind. Could someone from House Avarus be trusted? Sure, it’s a house of prestige and wealth. But when the enemy lurks in the highest places, such attributes only further reasonable suspicion.