The following morning a messenger from Lazemus came with another wooden box, inside of which were ten gold coins. This was the same value as bringing in two living gnoll shamans, which felt like inadequate compensation for the trouble he’d got us into considering the situation.

“We need information,” I said to everyone over breakfast. We couldn’t dive head first into this power struggle without knowing where we stood.

“Should we seek out Lazemus?” Anna asked.

Lucas shook his head, “No, let’s not seek him out on our own accord. Plus, I don’t fully trust the information he would give us.”

“We should subject everything he says to careful scrutiny. Everything that comes out of his mouth will be in order to benefit his cause. We need to know our angle in this struggle. Why did he seek us out?” I posed the question to everyone.

Gnoll shamans surely couldn’t be the difference between his prince becoming king or him and his prince being killed once his rival took power. Also, where was the king in this picture? We didn’t know enough.

“I met someone while purchasing the carts,” Lucas said. “He seemed to be a crafty individual, maybe I can find something out from him.” I could always count on Lucas’ intelligence and expertise. He seemed to be naturally gifted in this role.

“Only if you feel confident,” I said, “the rest of us should lay low for a few days.”

“Do you think there’s a target on our back already?” Jessica asked me.

“It’s possible,” I said, “Edward wouldn’t be so bold to act upon us inside a military barracks, not when Lazemus is surely keeping an eye on us. As soon as we leave the safety of these walls though, that would be a different story.”

“Lazemus would have no recourse if we were to vanish in a puff of smoke,” Alan said.

“Let’s give it a day or two,” I said. “Lazemus may come see us to figure out why we haven’t gone out for more gnoll shamans. In the meantime we are best staying out of the battle between the two factions.” I turned to Lucas. “That goes for you as well. There’s no need to take any risk by leaving the barracks.”

“I can do it.” Lucas said with hardened resolve. “And the sooner I go, the better. If we’ve made an enemy out of Edward we need to know what is in store.” Once he made that point, it made sense to me, just letting Lucas go and slip through the cracks would probably be okay.

“What about the rest of us then?” Maria asked.

“Sit tight and wait for good news,” I shrugged. At the risk of us all becoming terribly bored, it really made sense to me. Let the two factions fight it out without bringing us into their feud. And hope that Lucas could come through with more information.

“I’m going,” Lucas announced before rushing out and into the morning sunset.

“I’m already familiar with everyone who comes and goes to the barracks,” Jessica said. “I’ll keep watch from the courtyard.” Richard and Alan went for a shower while Maria and Anna both opted to get some more sleep. I followed Jessica out into the courtyard.

Not a single soldier was practicing when we stepped outside. A table off to the corner was our only place to sit as we perched and waited for Lucas’ return.

“Lazemus gives me a dangerous feeling,” Jessica said, “he’s not trustworthy.”

“I know, but he’s the lesser of two evils right now,” I said, “we take his comments with a grain of salt, but for now we have to go along with him.” She gave a nod of understanding as we watched the sun slowly rise into the sky.

Several hours passed without my being at all bored. There was no need to fill the air with noise when Jessica was beside me. She rested her head on my shoulder as we sat and waited patiently. This was one of the only times I still felt human.

It was close to lunch time when Lucas finally made his reappearance. “He’s back,” Jessica said well before he had reappeared in the courtyard, “but something is wrong.”

“Wrong?” I asked, confused before looking at the gate. Lucas staggered through the gate a moment later. There was blood on his face and he was holding his side while barely being able to walk.

“Are you okay?” Jessica and I immediately rushed to his side and supported him. “I’ll get Thomas!” Jessica disappeared into the barracks in a flash.

I suddenly felt my blood boiling. “What happened?”

Lucas coughed, “I got the information.” He forced through a bloody smile. “but I got jumped.”

“Edward?” I almost couldn’t stop myself from shouting.

“I don’t know if it was on his order, but it was one of the guards from that day, no doubt.” There was always the possibility the guard was acting alone, but it still pissed me off no end.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Thomas came a moment later and started to cast Heal. Alan and the rest were directly behind him. Anna carried a bowl of water and began to tend to the wounds on Lucas’ face while allowing him to get the blood out of his mouth.

“I’m okay everyone.” Lucas brushed off their doting hands and sat up straight. “I think you’ll all want to know what I found out.”

He groaned when he sat but began narrating what he learned, “Besides the two princes, there was also a princess,” Lucas began, “in fact, she was the most loved child of the king, but she met an unfortunate end.” He paused.

“Whether this is true or not, the rumor was she was brutally murdered, but what is known for certain is that she is gone. Whether dead or captive, she has made no appearance before the king in many months. The king himself also remains cooped up in his room and refuses any visitors.

“Because of her disappearance, the two princes have begun a power struggle for the throne. The whole situation sounds dubious, and foul play is in the air. Some say her maid killed the princess and fled, and others say one of the princes killed her and dispatched her maid.” Without speaking to Lazemus, we couldn’t confirm the actual situation.

“How do the gnolls tie into this?” I asked.

“That… I don’t know.” Lucas confessed, “However, there have been others recruited to gather shamans before as well, but nothing has come of it.” Regardless of how I wrapped my head around it, I couldn’t figure out that angle of this situation.

“We are in danger, though.” Lucas said. “They know we are here, whether Edward has issued them to act upon his behalf or that guard holds a grudge for his humiliation, we are considered to be on the side of Lazemus and the Red Prince and we are targets.”

“How about we give Lazemus three days while Lucas recovers,” I proposed. “If he doesn’t come, we leave the barracks in the night and kill anyone in our way as we go look for him.” I still felt my blood burning over the attack on Lucas, “Would you recognize the guards that jumped you in a lineup?” I asked.

“Ninety-percent confident,” Lucas replied. I nodded and then gathered everyone to return to their rooms and allow Lucas to rest. Even though he was healed and his life was safe, the aftereffects still left him in pain. He would be bedridden at least two days.

“If the opportunity arises, we will make them pay,” I said. I presumed the only reason they hadn’t outright killed Lucas was because of their fear of Lazemus. That thought led me to believe Edward hadn’t issued the order. They were poking a hornet’s nest and were about to find out.

“Keep an eye on each other.” I said. “Relax for a few days.” All we could do was wait to see what Lazemus would make of the situation.

That wait finally ended three days later, when I was nearly bored out of my mind. An entire guard escort came to our barracks. “Orders from Lazemus to escort you to his quarter.” Men on horses wielding long spears lined the street, at least a dozen of them. There was a cart for us to ride, and we all jumped in without hesitation.

“Took him long enough, tsk.” Maria hissed. It really had taken Lazemus quite a while to get in touch with us. Fortunately, Lucas was in decent condition now. Besides the bruising of his skin, you couldn’t tell he had been badly beat up just a few days prior.

“Be on alert.” I warned everyone. It was a leisurely ride, at least an hour north of our current location. His quarter was along the west wall and occupied quite a large chunk of land. A towering mansion rose in the distance and we steadily made our way towards it.

Guards patrolled on horses while gardeners rushed here and there. The raw smell of fresh cut grass was heavy in the air. Butterflies fluttered from bush to flower, many I’d never seen before. It was a rainbow of color and a sight for sore eyes.

If I didn’t know a bloody war was happening between Edward and Lazemus, I’d feel this sight was quite beautiful. But there was a dark storm brewing under this colorful scenery, and I’d not be fooled by its appearance.

“He’s quite rich, isn’t he?” Anna asked.

“He’s a marquis after all.” Thomas said. If I recalled the documentaries I’d watched properly, a marquis was one of the—if not the highest-ranking—most important officials in a kingdom like this. Lazemus was no small fry, which made him dangerous and fitted with what I’d seen in terms of him being ambitious.

“He should pay us more.” Maria groaned. Lately all she could think about was the money we could make. Anna and her seemed to bond on that front. I knew Anna liked nice things, but it seemed Maria was also going down that same route.

The guys were much quieter about it all. Alan and Richard both talked less and less, and I wasn’t sure if that just came with the territory of being a tank. Something about fighting with your life in constant danger changed you,

I understood that at least, and it didn’t help that there were also passives working against us, too. Working against us might not be the right words to use, because it was all pushing us towards survival.

Jessica and I seemed to find an equilibrium, at least somewhat. I noticed it in myself, even when I wanted revenge for Lucas. My ability to jump to an extreme conclusion came easily, too easily. I was able to be rational about it though, I wasn’t overly impulsive just yet.

“I’m the manor’s keeper.” A white-robed man approached on foot and beckoned us out of our carriage. “Lazemus is waiting for you all at the hall; I’ll lead the way.” He turned and walked ahead at a leisurely pace.

We followed behind on a finely crafted stone path. Bushes, perfectly cubed, rested on either side and rose into the sky, a maze of life that provided a great amount of privacy for anyone spending time here.

It was a short walk and in just a few minutes we found ourselves face to face with a staircase leading us up at least one floor. A magnificently crafted mansion with stained glass windows and tall towers stood just in front of us.

“He’s waiting just in the hall.” And then the man moved to the left and bowed while extending his left arm, as if beckoning us in.

An assortment of delicious smells rushed at us the moment the door opened. An entire feast laid out first for our eyes and then no doubt our stomachs. “Welcome!” Lazemus shouted while standing up. A golden goblet adorned with gems gripped tightly in his right hand. “Come, sit, eat!”

Maids came from the sides and pulled out chairs for us to sit, and then bowed and backed away without the slightest change in expression. Alan was the first to find a seat, and before the rest could sit, already had a piece of chicken in his hands.

“It’s not poisoned!” Lazemus said jokingly, “the rest of you, come sit.” I was expecting some sort of positive welcome, but this was too much. The table must have been twenty feet long, and could easily serve forty people.

“I don’t sense any danger from my Sixth Sense.” I whispered to Jessica before taking a seat. Her hesitation disappeared as she took a seat beside me. Everyone else settled in and began to eat..

Maria grumbled through a half-full mouth, “This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pay us more.” I ate slowly while waiting for Lazemus to speak, it was him who called us here after all.

“I heard that you had a run in with some of Edward’s men,” he began.