23 | Slip of the Tongue

LUCAS TOLD ISHMAEL HOW Aaron was exposed and then trapped. Long story short, there is a staff that maintains the Governor General's estate. They were subsequently fed with information, including of the Governor General's itinerary.

  When it was Aaron's turn, only then did the itinerary get taken advantage of, leading to his capture. While the entrapment plan took months, it was simple but meticulously executed.

  Ishmael frowned. "Aaron Tolosa. He's one of the leaders of the RMA," revealed Ishmael. "It seems our agreement to keep each other's identity a secret backfired."

  Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Our?"

  "I'm one of the six leaders of the RMA," said Ishmael before ordering his sorcerers to leave.

  After seeing this, Lucas said, "As a leader, how would you know I'm not lying? I've also expected more resistance from you. Why are you cooperating?"

  "The Governor General's office wouldn't be able to do anything against the Imperial Decree. And if you're against us, you would not have thinned out the guards. You were expecting us. It's the only reason I haven't attacked you yet."

  Ishmael added, "And I know you, Lucas Morgan. Of your reputation."

  Lucas was not surprised. RMA has an expansive intelligence network that rivals the AIS. At least here in Alardice. "Aaron's escape on the same day as Isaac's execution. Do you think it's a coincidence?"

  "No. If I were Aaron's ally, I'd free him. He's a valuable asset as a High. But also, freeing him would prevent the Aramdales from using him as a scapegoat to delay or stop Isaac's execution."

  "Yes. We were going to do that," said Lucas. "If the RMA's been infiltrated. Why not tell me who the other leaders are?"

  Ishmael shook his head. "We're no fools, Lucas. Isaac may trust you. But I do not. Once I've found out the dirt, you will know," he said. "But what I can tell you is the name of Aaron's daughter – Analisa Tolosa."

  Lucas lifted an eyebrow. "Not Aaron's location?"

  "He wouldn't talk even if you find him. And I don't know where he is."

  "You want me to kidnap his daughter?"

  Ishmael said, "Kidnap? No. Just pretend you did. Even if he thinks you're bluffing, no father would gamble the life of his daughter for a hunch."

  "And you? What do you plan to do now?"

  "Call for a meeting... If there are indeed traitors within the RMA. Then they should expect us to call for an emergency meeting, or at least, they will be the ones calling for a meeting. But it's better I call it first to avert any suspicions."

  "Why would they call for a meeting?"

  Ishmael began, "It's a gut feeling. That something will happen after Isaac's death." He looked at the sky, squinting his eyes against the sunlight. "The Crestmores dying. The rumours against the RMA. The false evidence..."

  Lucas nodded in agreement. "It all culminates in Isaac's soon-to-be execution. But on the surface, this only benefits the clergy and the peninsulars."

  "On the surface. Yes. But what does Isaac's death truly symbolize, Lucas?"

  Lucas thought for a while. He suspects the RMA would retaliate in force. Then he shook off the thought. "I don't know," he admitted.

  "You were thinking that the RMA would go to war to avenge Isaac, no? Because we've been quiet for a while?" Ishmael let out a light chuckle.

  "Previously, yes," Lucas said with a smile. Sure, the clergy and the peninsulars would want the RMA to go to war because it would prove they were behind the Crestmores' death. At least, that's the narrative. "But the likely move after this is for the RMA to attempt to clear its name from all of the accusations."

  Ishmael nodded. "Which a certain hidden power will be expecting us to do. So, instead, they will do something to force us to fight. As for how... that I don't know yet. But I know it will be after Isaac's death."

  "You'll wait..." Lucas guessed.

  Ishmael shook his head. "I'll prepare for war," Ishmael said.

  "Against who?"

  "Your emblem already proves there is a hidden enemy out there. And worse, they've infiltrated the RMA. That's who," said Ishmael. "Isn't Theodore doing the same thing? He's expecting war to happen, but not against the RMA. Which is why he approached the nobility."

  Lucas did not disagree. While Theodore did not openly declare war, his action of making alliances with the nobility meant he had chosen a side – an obvious gesture that he would not rest, no matter what, until he brought to justice those responsible for the Crestmores' deaths.

  "It's the same idea. Isaac's execution a year after the Crestmore's death? The false rumours spread against the RMA? That's not a coincidence. Something foul is at play, and whatever their plan is should culminate in Isaac's death. And I'm glad the Governor General is no fool and realizes that. There must be a reason he was sent here."

  Lucas narrowed his eyes at Ishmael's words. Was Ishmael referring to the timeline of Theodore's appointment as the Governor General? "What do you mean?" he asked.

  Ishmael smiled and vaguely said, "The Emperor is a good individual. He wouldn't order the death of somebody pushing for something that would fill his coffers. The Emperor's incapability to change Isaac's fate is a tell-tale of a disturbance in Atharia. There is a reason he sent Theodore here."

  "How would you know that?"

  "You'll soon know. For now, let's see if we can stop a war," Ishmael said and offered his hand for a shake.

  Lucas slowly reached out and took the proferred hand.

⁂

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(The second day of the Battle of Edares...)

  At this point, Kalis have already revealed themselves as the rebels. Then in the RMA chamber, Ishmael awaited the rest of the leaders with Miriam and Dr. Elizabeth.

  "How was your trip, Dr. Elizabeth," Miriam asked.

  "Tiresome," said Elizabeth as she wiped her glasses with a cloth. "After this debacle. There is a bigger mission I need both of your help with."

  Ishmael leaned back in his chair, casting a glare upon Elizabeth. "Isaac is dead, and you're talking about a mission?"

  "Watch your tongue, Ishmael. I want justice for Isaac as much as you do," said Elizabeth, meeting Ishmael's glare with her own. Then her eyes softened. "So, if Aaron is a mole. You believe either Alzona or Victoria are moles too?"

  "Perhaps both," said Ishmael. "We'll find out after this."

  Then the door opened, and Sir Alzona came in first, followed by Aaron, then followed by Victoria later on.

⁂

After his conversation with Lucas, Ishmael's approach to the meeting was: If I'm a spy of Kalis, how would I act?

  At first, he didn't know. At least until Miriam suggested that they hide and wait, with Alzona suspiciously shifting the topic, seemingly blaming him for failing to free Isaac.

  Thus, in response to Alzona pointing the blame at him, he lied and said, "Fix your tone, Sir Alzona. They had more. The fort was heavily guarded. Did you truly believe we could have freed him?"

  It was, in fact, not heavily guarded. Theodore thinned out the guards, which allowed him to speak to Isaac and Lucas.

  No one questioned him. So, he decided to push for an allegiance with Kalis – pretended to, at least. Surprisingly, he was met with disagreement.

  Victoria said, "That doesn’t add up, Ishmael. Have you forgotten Isaac's warning before? That a hidden power may be responsible for the Crestmores' assassination? The obvious must be stated that the Order of Kalis is this power. If he's right, you're telling us to work together with the murderers of the Crestmores and Isaac... who is now framing us.”

  'With the murderers of the Crestmores and Isaac?' Ishmael thought and smiled inwardly. No one said anything about an unknown power responsible for both Isaac and the Crestmores' death. While the clergy and the peninsulars did push for Isaac's execution, it was to blame Isaac and the RMA for the Crestmores' death.

  Ishmael thought Victoria got too excited and had a slip of the tongue. 'So, she's also a mole... trying to avert suspicions,' he thought, but still planned to make sure he was truly right.

  After more back and forths, Ishmael pretended not to notice Victoria's slip and kept urging for an alliance with Kalis. On the other hand, Victoria disagreed and pushed for a peaceful approach. But Ishmael already suspected she was just disagreeing on the surface.

  Thus, he finally addressed her in a more straightforward manner, using her own slip of the tongue to ensure she did not notice. "Must I really spell it out for you? The Crestmores… Isaac… they’ve all been killed by the Atharian clergy and the peninsulars. If we take that to the Imperial Court, do you think they will believe us?”

  "If we fight it strong enough. Then surely they will believe us. Dr. Elizabeth is also back. Surely, her words will hold merit," said Victoria and looked at Elizabeth.

  'She's still pretending... we all know Elizabeth can't do anything,' Ishmael thought, but did confirm Victoria did not notice. If she truly wanted the RMA to fight with peace, she would've suspected him. She would've asked for evidence of the clergy's and the peninsulars' involvement with the Crestmores' deaths. But she did not.

  This confirmed to him that Victoria's a traitor.

  'Her words don't match her actions,' Ishmael thought before subtly nodding to Miriam. The sly fox, unsurprisingly, did get the signal.

  Lady Miriam said, "Perhaps we, indeed, may have a chance. Atharia is also in turmoil right now. It has grown too big to be able to control all its colonies properly."

  'Good one, Miriam,' Ishmael thought.

  Soon, Aaron, that traitor, stupidly enough, said that Isaac's and the Crestmores' deaths were proof the clergy and the peninsulars wanted war. For some reason, Alzona did not question those words, and Victoria still didn't notice.

  Ishmael hid a glance at Alzona, beginning to suspect him. No, he already suspected him. Of the remaining six leaders of the RMA, he only trusted Miriam and Elizabeth. However, he could not be sure if Alzona's a traitor. It could be that the oil magnate was just truly convinced of his act.

  At this point, Ishmael's also already convinced the Order of Kalis assassinated the Crestmores. But how could Kalis have afforded Sicarius? He should worry about that later.

  The table then agreed to integrate with Kalis, and Ishmael looked at Victoria, whose lips curved into a thin smile. A truly genuine smile. She said, “If this is how it should be. Then alongside you all... I will also fight."

  'Soon, Victoria. I'll wipe that smile off your face,' he thought.

⁂

(The third night of the Battle of Edares...)

Vincent captured Bishop Angelo.

  Theodore found out about Alzona's involvement with Kalis with Vincent's help.

  Lucas captured Aaron and found out about the rest of Kalis' plans.

  Theodore also enlisted the help of Grand Sorcerer Virgil Hall, the president of the Hall East Buros Company, to capture the Scions of Kalis, which Virgil was so happy to do. He would gain a third of the Kalis' armaments.

  Ishmael also sent a missive for the Circle of Idras stationed in Alardice to help intercept the Scions sailing to Cevalon, Elyra, and Ivemire.

⁂

(The fourth night of the Battle of Edares... and the present)

  Lucas said, "As we speak, Lord Manawis, Commander Davis, Brigadier General Louis Fletcher, and the rest of the Civil Guards. They've already located all the Kalis hideouts in the city. We'll fully reclaim the city by morning."

  "Victoria Avelyn. Patrick Alzona. Eldon Plundell," said Theodore before gazing at Kalis' four lieutenants, including their names as well. "...All of you are under arrest for treason against the Atharian Crown."

  Victoria suddenly burst into laughter. She acknowledged this was the end for her – and her Order of Kalis. She then looked outside her mansion's window and saw the fighting had stopped. No more sounds of guns. But only the quiet aftermath of her short-lived revolution.

⁂

END OF ARC