“The hero left town in the night!” Phillippe shouted in desperation as he gasped for breath.
There was a momentary pause followed by the shatter of the glass Quinn had been holding.
“What do you mean she left town in the night?” he demanded.
“Just before the peak of night, the hero exited her domicile and started walking towards the southern gate. Though it was closed for the night she told the guard she had received an emergency summons from a nearby village. The guard unknowingly allowed her to leave. She even waved at Vivette and I as she left. I had Vivette follow her, but she summoned a carriage from nowhere and rode off in it. Vivette said it did not even have horses, but she could not keep up with it on foot!”
“Why would she do this? Does she think we mean her harm?” asked Quinn.
“I am not certain, Your Highness. I examined her domicile after I sent Vivette after her. I did find a message from a merchant saying that there was a major accident in the mines in Baron Graywolf’s territory, so it is possible that she left for the territory.”
“Baron Graywolf’s territory is in the mountains! Near the border! She could leave the country!” Quinn started panicking, “And even worse, the Baron does not truly respect the Crown. If he gets his hands on her, I fear what might happen.”
“There is one more thing, Your Highness,” added Phillippe.
“What is it?”
“She left a letter.”
“A letter?”
Phillippe handed the letter to Wyen.
“It says: To the Crown,” said Wyen as he started opening it.
“Wait! Get Adelade!” said Quinn.
Phillippe rushed off and returned a few minutes later with Adelade.
“Phillippe said the hero ran off and left a letter?”
“Yes, I think you should hear it too. We were just about to read it.”
Wyen opened the letter and began to read.
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To the Interested Parties of the Crown,
My humblest of greetings to you. Though I do not know precisely which member of the royal family seeks my audience, I must profusely apologize for being unable to meet with you on the day you have requested. I received a message about a severe accident in a mining town in the mountains with many potential injuries. The oath that I took calls me to serve those of all classes of society to save people from suffering and illness. As such, I must promptly make my way to the town in question without delay.
I have heard that the Kingdom of Sengar has been making strides to improve public health of the people of the country, witnessing it for myself for some time as I have worked on my own in a similar endeavor. I both applaud and encourage the continued developments of such projects. When I return to your capital, I will continue my own work but will advise you should you ask.
Also, while I am certain you intended it as a safety net or perhaps to monitor my actions, it is quite unnerving to see two people constantly in the shadows following you. Magic shadows included. There are elements of my work that require secrecy between my patients and myself. I am certain the first prince for example might not like me discussing his ‘family jewels’ in a public venue or having such a discussion overheard. My apologies if that example is too crude for royal ears. I believe that you might be under the impression that I may be some sort of ‘hero’ like in your histories, but I can assure you I am not such a person.
Thank you for understanding my intentions. Perhaps we will speak in the future.
Doctor RH, M.D.
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Wyen set the letter down on Quinn’s desk before seating himself. The rest had migrated to their preferred positions as he had read the letter.
“Should we pursue her?” asked Fang, breaking the silence.
“As the Baron secretly does not support the Crown, we should. But my interpretation of this letter is that if we did, she would view it potentially as us attempting to obstruct this oath of hers. She clearly is a hero though, many of the past ones denied that fact before accepting it eventually,” stated Wyen.
“The concern about the Baron capturing and exploiting her overrides her concerns of obstruction. If he gets her, then he’ll be obscuring her oath,” Quinn stated, “We’re going. Officially, we’ll call it an inspection of the mines.”
“How many men should we bring? The Baron could attempt to assassinate you or revolt if he realizes what is going on,” Fang asked.
“Too many men will make it look like we are moving to seize his territory from him. We’ll send four squads to the mines with supplies to aid the hero. Meanwhile, we’ll take two squads with us and visit the Baron in person. Hopefully it will distract him from the hero’s presence,” replied Quinn, “Wyen, get a caravan ready to leave by tomorrow with the supplies and rations for the soldiers. Adelade, I ask that you come with us, so please prepare yourself as well.”
Wyen and Adelade nodded and departed to prepare.
“Phillippe, prepare my Shadow unit and move out immediately to Graywolf’s territory. Have Vivette lead several to guard the hero from the shadows. You’ll watch my back at the Baron’s estate.”
“Your Highness,” Phillippe replied and melted into the shadows.
“It’s been a while since I’ve had to swing my sword, Fang. Let’s hope I don’t have to. Maybe we can expose his disloyalty and replace him without issue?”
“Do you truly believe that he will Quinn?”
“No. Let’s go spar.”
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The trip from the capital of Sengar, Vetreas, to the capital of Baron Greywolf’s territory was a five day journey on foot. Since most of the soldiers were carrying on to the mining town, it would be another day. In total, there were seven wagons, six with foodstuffs and water, and the remaining one of medical supplies. The medical supplies included things like cloth and thread noted in reports as being used by the hero in various treatments, tonics, and potions. A carriage that was also to travel with the caravan made a total of eight vehicles.
“It is unfortunate that we won’t get there any sooner than five days. The Baron will have at least three days to learn about the hero before we can interfere,” said Wyen as the carriage rumbled along the road.
“Why do you say at least three?” Adelade inquired.
“Well, it’s perhaps generous to say that the hero has a two day head start on us. But I have been thinking about the hero’s carriage. It was faster than a Shadow on foot. Of course, we would be likewise faster in this carriage if we were not moving with the footsoldiers. But I wonder if the magic of the hero made her carriage even faster than ours. It was said not to have horses after all.”
“Ah,” she replied before turning to Quinn, “What?”
Quinn was staring at her again. Since she was not about the castle, she had donned some light leather armor which emphasized her shape in order to properly fit her. Although she had a traveling wizard-like robe and cloak on, these did little to hide her figure in the carriage.
Both Quinn and Wyen were likewise geared, through they both had swords resting within reach. Quinn also had his more protective chainmail armor with them, but it was currently stashed in the luggage atop the carriage.
“What about a position as my primary mistress?”
“Not interested in the slightest.”’’
“Come on! You’ll be great for it!”
“No.”
“Quinn, I think you should ride for a while. You’re making Lady Ghele very uncomfortable with your talk,” Wyen insisted as he nearly shoved Quinn out.
A vacant horse was walking next to the carriage to serve as Quinn’s steed should he want to ride, which he mounted without stopping travel. After handing Quinn his sword, Wyen slammed the carriage door shut.
“Not to mention myself,” muttered Wyen.
Adelade laughed.
“Thank you, Wyen. I admit it is difficult to bear his insistences at times. If only my presence wasn’t necessary.”
“Please remember, I have to deal with it every time Adelade. I know he’s an innovator, and will make a good king when the time comes. I just hope that whoever becomes queen can properly rein him in.”
“So I just have to hold out until then?”
“I should be able to focus my attentions on my desires then, yes,” Wyen replied with a smile.
The two in the carriage sat in silence staring at each other with smiles on their faces for a while afterwards.
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In Gray Den, the capital of the Graywolf territory, a messenger rushed down the hall of the Graywolf estate and knocked on the door to Baron Graywolf’s private office.
“Enter.”
The messenger opened the door, entered and shut the door. Dropping to one knee, the messenger spoke.
“Baron, I bring two important messages for you.”
“Well? What are they?”
“First sire, it’s about the mining town where there was a collapse last week. It seems that a stranger arrived two days ago and began helping the injured.”
“So?”
“Well, the stranger is rumored to be the hero that was in the capital.”
“What? The hero is here in my territory?” the Baron shouted.
“Yes sire, it seems so.”
Baron Graywolf was a man in his early thirties. He sported a large, bushy mustache that partially obscured his mouth. Though he had grown somewhat heavyset over the last few years, he was still a capable swordsman. However, the overpowering greed that he exuded had guided him into making numerous shady and illegal deals. His wit kept these less than desirable bits of information hidden from the Crown, but he knew the Crown suspected him of activity.
As a mere baron, he had little power to resist the Crown that took eighty percent of the ores mined in the mines. He had recently been working to secure a larger profit for himself by opening a secret mine and selling all the ores mined there across the national border. With a hero under his thumb though, he could potentially renegotiate his territory’s royal deals, earning more. Or he could even break free of the kingdom and create his own little kingdom. A vile smile spread across his face.
“I must have the hero come here immediately! Send a group of my troops to bring the hero here at once!” he ordered as he leapt to his feet.
“Um, sire?”
“What?”
“The other message?”
“What is it? Spit it out!”
“The crown prince and his entourage will be arriving in two days to inspect the mines.”
“HE WHAT?” screamed the baron at the top of his lungs.
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The baron collapsed back into his chair. There was no way that the arrival of the hero and the prince’s surprise visit were not connected. Which meant the prince was already aware the hero was here. How had he not heard that the hero was here before? If his people brought the hero back tomorrow, he would have less than a day before the prince swooped in to steal the hero back to the capital. Unless he made the hero disappear.
“Yes, that’s it. Send the troops to fetch the hero. Take the hero to the new mine and keep them there no matter what until I send for you,” the baron ordered.
The messenger rushed off to carry out the baron’s order. The baron opened a drawer of his desk and pulled out an expensive cigar. This was something to celebrate. He would soon have the hero and more power over the Crown than he had ever had.
If only the baron had noticed the invisible Shadow in the shadows.
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Vivette and the fellow Shadows Phillippe had put under her command arrived at the mining town the same day that the baron was finding out about the hero’s presence. Most small towns and villages like this one did not have names, so calling it the mining town was the only reference that could be had.
For the purposes of the Shadows, the town’s size worked in their benefit. Vivitte left three under her command at the town to keep watch while keeping the last with her. Together, they were watching over the scene at the mines, where the hero was currently working to assist the continued recovery effort at the collapsed mine.
The collapse itself was not the most extreme, in the fact that there had yet to be any deaths despite nearly two weeks having passed, but the conditions of the collapse had made the recovery difficult. The mineshaft in question had only about a twenty meter length collapse, but that section had trapped about three quarters of the town’s miners on the far side. The sections of rock were large enough that air was still flowing, and the trapped miners had just enough provisions with them that they had survived thus far, but that time was growing very short. The trapped miners could do little to aid in their own rescue, as any material they removed had nowhere to go, which left the remaining miners who were not trapped to excavate the section on their own.
Vivette, who had already been noticed by the hero, could only shake her head as she listened to the message being passed on. Phillippe had heard the Baron’s plan to forcibly move the hero to a secret mine he had established, in an attempt to hide her from the prince who had yet to arrive. She would have to make contact with the hero and convince her to leave before the Baron’s men arrived.
A tent near the mine had been set up as an aide station by the hero, and she spent most of her time within it. Vivette slipped in through the front flap, seeing the hero sitting in a chair, tending to a cauldron with something boiling within. The fire beneath the cauldron remained burning, but was not consuming the firewood in the manner a fire should. Though the fire and the contents interested Vivette, she forced her attention to the hero, who had turned her gaze. Vivette, after all, was not hiding herself at the moment.
“How may I help you?” asked the hero.
“I am here to protect you. The Baron is sending men to take you away, I must escort you to safety at the prince’s command.”
The hero frowned.
“I was quite clear in my letter, was I not?” replied the hero.
“I know not of any letter. I received my orders and will carry them out.”
“And I will not comply.”
Vivette paused. She truly knew nothing of the letter the hero had left and, to her, it was unthinkable to deny the prince’s ruling.
“Why?” Vivette asked, which was very out of character for her.
“Who will provide medical attention to those trapped in the mine? Though surely each family will try, what about carbon dioxide poisoning? There isn’t enough ventilation, so I’m quite surprised that none have died yet, but I have heard some of the miners are suffering from delirium.”
“Poisoning? There is poison in the mine?”
The hero rubbed her temple, “Not the mine itself, but the place they are trapped in simply because they are trapped there.”
“So once they are out they will be fine?”
“It will help, yes. But dehydration, starvation, and vitamin deficiencies from two weeks being trapped. Not to mention the respiratory issues they likely have since you don’t have proper mask equipment…”
As the hero continued talking about the health of the miners, Vivette’s head was spinning at the knowledge that was beyond her. This woman truly was a hero.
“We must move you, Hero,” Vivette said, dropping to a knee.
The hero stopped her rambling at Vivette’s interruption.
“I am no hero. Just a doctor.”
The hero known as Doctor.
“Very well. Doctor, we must go. You will be taken by a corrupt noble if you do not.”
“Then it shall be. I must remain close to my patients. Let me ask you something, if I were to gain any insights about this noble, would you be able to use them?”
This proposal was unexpected. The reason the prince had so much trouble rooting out corrupt nobility such as the Baron was because he lacked evidence. Sure as a royal he could simply strip a noble of their position on a whim, but if he did, the loyal nobles might turn against him, creating greater unrest or even a civil war. Thus, in order to settle things calmly, evidence would be needed.
Vivette nodded.
“Then it is simple. I must be captured.”
The next morning, Baron Graywolf received another message:
We await your orders with the hero.
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Even though Gray Den existed in a relatively remote region of the country, there was no way that Baron Graywolf could show anything less than the best possible hospitality to the crown prince. As such, though limited in number, a presentation of the Baron estate’s staff and guard was organized as a greeting for the carriage that pulled up to the estate.
Fang, who was riding a horse independently, dismounted and handed the reins to a nearby attendant, taking a position next to the door of the carriage.
“His Highness, Prince Quinn Sengar has arrived with his entourage!” Fang called out for all present.
The driver of the carriage opened the door and moved aside. Quinn stepped out of the carriage first, taking a moment to survey the lineup presented to him and the estate of the Graywolf house. When functioning in such an official capacity as this, he was quite capable of maintaining his composure. However, after nearly a week of travel, with only Adelade’s unyielding presence to sate his absurd behaviors, his gaze lingered just a moment too long on the assortment of maids that served Graywolf. It was a gaze that the Baron, from his position at the top of the stairs leading inside, made astute note of. A sly grin escaped onto the Baron’s face, but was hidden by his mustache, before he recomposed himself.
Adelade and Wyen stepped out shortly after Quinn, and with Fang falling in step behind Quinn, the four approached the estate.
“Your Highness, that you would travel yourself to my humble territory brings me great joy,” the Baron pompously stated, “Please, come and take rest within my home from your long journey from the capital. When you are ready, we can discuss what matters bring you here!”
“Your offer shall be accepted, Baron Graywolf,” replied Quinn, “I have come with support for your territory, which I have heard suffered a recent tragedy at a mine. I have sent the soldiers and supplies ahead, that they might aid your personnel in whatever recovery efforts are surely being made.”
Quinn already knew that the Baron had not sent any sort of personnel to aid in the recovery efforts, thanks to his Shadow operatives. The Baron showed no reaction to something that was likely to be quickly found out very quickly being shoved in his face, a fact that Quinn mentally commended the Baron for.
“Your benevolent aid is most welcome, Your Highness. My head butler shall of course be your attendant during your stay here. Please ask of him anything you might require. Though we are quite far from the capital, we shall strive to provide as best as we can.”
The butler in question stepped forward and dropped to a knee before Quinn. He was probably somewhere in his thirties, quite young to be a head butler, but did possess an air of sophistication and competence that would match those in more prosperous regions and cities.
“Your Highness, please allow me to show you to the quarters we have prepared for you,” said the butler.
“Rise and take us there.”
The butler led the way through the halls to a special guest room known as the Royal Room. In Sengar, no matter how small a territory or insignificant a noble might be, they always had a Royal Room built into their estates. This was so that if any member of the royal family came calling, their quarters would be worthy of serving the royal. Here in Gray Den, the Royal Room was considerably small when compared to others, but still occupied approximately one eighth of the second floor.
“We hope that this room shall meet all of your expectations, Your Highness.”
“Indeed it shall. Leave us.”
With a deep bow, the butler closed the door to the Royal Room, leaving the four companions alone.
“Well this is not our quarters, so what is it?” asked Adelade, breaking the ice.
“You remember the report Phillippe sent this morning while we were still on the road?” Quinn asked.
“Yes. The Baron had his people move the hero to his secret mine? What of it?”
“It is the hero’s behavior,” said Wyen, “She would not allow us to move her to safety, but allowed the Baron to move her.”
“As a woman, does this make sense to you?” asked Quinn.
Adelade thought for a moment.
“Well, if she knew anything about you, I would say yes. However, I do not believe that is the case. Wyen does an excellent job on that front and others who know how important you have become can overlook your… proclivities.”
“You can say what you really want to,” said Wyen.
“Fine. Harassments.”
A look of genuine shock crossed Quinn’s face.
“Oh don’t pretend you don’t know,” sighed Wyen, “I’ve told you this repeatedly.”
“That’s not what I do!”
“Yes, it is. The fact that despite your intellect you haven’t realized it is a problem. How many of the maids did you glance at before I exited?” asked Wyen.
“Ugh…”
“And I’m certain that a noble as devious as Graywolf has been is likely to have noticed and try to make a move against you. It could even be his daughter he sends tonight.”
Quinn furrowed his brow as he contemplated the mess he had created. Though his intentions may not have been thus, having it spelled out by Adelade seemed to have a greater impact than all the times Wyen had. Coupled with the fact that Wyen’s logic was almost always spot on, he had unknowingly revealed the weak part of his hand he was attempting to play against the Baron.
“Whoever it is,” warned Wyen, “You must not give in.”
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Baron Graywolf sat at his desk in his private office.
“Congratulations. You are about to become the prince’s mistress.”
Though his words carried a message of celebration, the tone and true meaning were anything but. The young girl seated across from him had tears already leaking from her eyes.
“Please…,” she whispered.
Fury began to cross onto the Baron’s face. The girl was his eldest daughter, though she was merely fifteen, and had always been resistant towards her father’s schemes, when she knew of them. However, because of her position, she could not go against her father’s wishes either. Her older brother, the heir of the Graywolf house, and even her own mother were the opposite of her and went along with the Baron’s plans. The three desired power and influence beyond that of a mere barony and would do anything to get it. But this girl desired none of that, instead only desiring happiness and safety for both herself and her younger sister.
“You will do this and you will convince the prince to leave. Heh, if you do a good enough job he may even take you back to the capital. I’ll have no use for soiled goods afterwards. I’ll have no choice but to sell you off to some brothel in another country,” he sneered.
If that were to happen, then her sister would suffer just like she was. Maybe instead she could ask the prince to whisk them both away to the capital and burn the Graywolf house behind him.
“Yes, Father,” she choked through her tears.
There was only one avenue left for her as she saw it.
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Quinn was relaxing in the Royal Room. The Baron had pulled out his best attempts to ingratiate the prince towards his house. Quinn, of course, naturally made it seem as though the honeyed words impressed him. It was too easy to read the Baron’s power moves and plans. When Quinn had said he was commandeering the estate for the duration of the rescue operations at the mine, the Baron made only a slight hint of dissatisfaction.
There was a gentle knock on the door of the room, which caused Quinn to tense up nervously. It seemed that the time Wyen and Adelade had mentioned was already upon him. Having seen the Baron’s eldest daughter at dinner, he did find her attractive. She had brown hair that fell down to about mid-back and was well proportioned overall. They were close in age, but she was not considered an adult yet, as sixteen was considered such in Sengar. It was not uncommon for nobility, especially daughters, to be engaged by even as young as twelve, but marriage was held off until at least sixteen. Despite these marriages being delayed, there were a number of heirs that had a tendency to be born just before or just after the official ceremony, so engagements tended to be viewed as something as good as being married.
“Enter.”
The door opened and the baron’s daughter entered along with two maids. While the maids remained in uniform, the daughter was wearing a rather revealing ensemble that left little to Quinn’s imagination. If anyone else were to see her in such an outfit, there would certainly be rumors of her immodesty and behavior attributed to her, whether true or not. The maids were likely also included to give Quinn options, as both were pleasing to the eye. Of course, to Quinn just about every woman was attractive so all three offerings held little difference to him.
“That is… quite the… dress you have there, Miss Felicia,” Quinn haltingly. He could feel the blood rushing to a certain area.
The baron’s daughter, Felicia, gave a small curtsy, which showed even more thigh. Her face was red with embarrassment, and likely shame, but she pressed on.
“Thank you for seeing me, Your Highness. I was hoping that we might have some tea together before bed.”
Neither maid carried any tea, so it was obvious what she was truly asking.
“Having tea alone would be much better.”
Both of the maids quickly extinguished the remaining candles and promptly left the room. A bit of moonlight that streamed through the window was the only light remaining.
“S-shall we?” Felicia asked timidly, moving to the bed.
Quinn stood up far too fast and knocked his knee against the desk. As he clutched it in the temporary, stunning pain, Felicia let out a small giggle. Quinn grinned as he made his way and sat next to her.
“While I admit you are a highly desirable young woman,” Quinn started, gulping down his raging desire with a lengthy pause and deep breath, “I will not do this.”
“W-what?”
He turned and smiled.
“I know that you are only here because of your father.”
“That’s only part of it!” Felicia cried out in surprise, “I have to do this or....”
“Let me guess, your sister?”
Felicia could only nod as tears began to flow again.
“I received the impression that both your mother and brother are aware of your father’s plans. I assure you, we know of them too. While it is true that we are here to aid in the rescue efforts at the mine, we also came to destroy the Graywolf resistance to the Crown.”
Felicia gasped as he said this. Destroying the resistance would mean the complete destruction of the Graywolf house. Even if they were to survive, both she and her sister would no longer be nobility. Quinn sensed her hesitation.
“If you and your sister truly have no involvement, then do not fear.”
Felicia sat in silent thought for a while.
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Felicia proceeded to tell Quinn of what crimes she knew her father, and to an extent her brother and mother, was involved in. The most notable one being related to the secret mine whose ores were being sold to foreign nations. However, her details revealed a few other crimes that had not been connected to the Baron.
“Interesting,” remarked Quinn.
“I admit I do not know everything. I have worked hard to not learn of his schemes and not be involved in them. My loyalty is still to the Crown.”
“Your loyalty is commendable and appreciated. It will be rewarded when the time comes.”
Felicia’s face reddened as he said this.
“The problem is now what to do about our current situation.”
“Um… I don’t mind anymore… Your Highness?” she said as she laid back onto the bed, gently taking his hand to pull him towards her.
Quinn leapt off the bed from his position next to Felicia in a panic, breaking the slight grip she had.
“We can’t!” he shouted, before glancing at the door. If they spoke too loudly, and someone overheard, then all of their plans might be for nothing.
“I mean, I’d like to. I’d really like to,” Quinn strained, “But I am... “
The door burst open unexpectedly, drawing both occupants’ attention. A wicked grin was plastered on Wyen’s face.
“We’ve got him.”