I had two hours remaining before my meeting with the Council, a scant amount of time that felt like a fleeting moment in the grand scheme of the issues looming over our kingdom. The revivification law still weighed heavily on my mind, and with little hope of crafting a new revision in such a short time, I decided to check in on Théoden.
As I leaned back in my chair, taking a brief five-minute break, I felt Maria’s presence in the bond, her curiosity cutting through the mental haze. Bored already? I teased, a playful grin tugging at my lips.
Eh, I have nothing to do for two hours, she replied, the essence of her thoughts tinged with a hint of mischief.
Fair enough, I thought, knowing that business carried on as usual, even with her scrutinizing my every move. There were times when I sensed her disapproval, especially during those grim moments when I was faced with the aftermath of skirmishes or the unending paperwork that accompanied my duties. Yet, I never discouraged her from observing; I knew her inquisitive nature was a part of who she was.
“Hey, Captain?” Quinn’s voice chimed in, breaking my concentration as she stepped into my office, her demeanor bright despite the somber undertones of our recent discussions.
“What is it?” I asked, quickly stowing away the documents I had been working on. It seemed pointless to continue, given the upcoming meeting and the distractions swirling around me.
“Do I still need to be your spy in the castle?” she inquired, her eyes scanning the room as if assessing the atmosphere for any latent threats.
Quinn had been diligently reporting her findings over the past week, and her observations about Marcel had piqued my interest. She had informed me that he was splitting his time between our castle and Summer Crest, a curious pattern that suggested either clandestine dealings or genuine intentions to assume the responsibilities of kingship. The rumors surrounding his interactions with Crimson had also garnered our attention; Quinn had even mentioned strange sounds emanating from Marcel’s chambers, which had led us to speculate about their relationship.
“Yes, we can stop that for the time being. I see no threat right now other than the two that we know of,” I replied, trying to strike a balance between vigilance and trust.
“Thank you,” she said, relief washing over her features. “I don’t mind the extra work, but I’m starting to feel a bit worn out with my normal rounds plus the added rounds in the castle.”
I nodded, fully understanding her position. I hadn’t intended for the additional oversight to last indefinitely. “I do appreciate you doing that for me.”
“Anytime, Captain. I mean it,” she replied, her smile infectious as it lit up her face. “Ready for our next round?”
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“Always,” I said, enthusiasm bubbling beneath the surface as I rose from my chair. I equipped my bow and shield, strapping on the rest of my gear, and locked the door behind me as we stepped out into the world beyond.
The day was warm, the sun shining brilliantly against the backdrop of a clear blue sky. A gentle breeze wafted through the streets, a welcome reprieve against my naturally cool skin. As we navigated the bustling kingdom, the citizens were adorned in their summer attire—women in flowing sundresses, men sporting light shorts, and children running freely, their laughter echoing through the air. The streets buzzed with activity, making our runs a bit more challenging as we weaved through the throngs of people.
As we sprinted, the sun beat down relentlessly, beads of sweat accumulating beneath my armor, the heat turning my usually comfortable gear into a burden. This discomfort was precisely why we structured our patrols the way we did; it allowed us to manage the heat and maintain our vigilance without succumbing to fatigue.
Halfway through the kingdom, I paused to check in with Quinn. “Find anything yet?” I asked, my tone casual despite the weight of anticipation.
“Nothing to report on my end,” she replied, taking a swig from her water skin.
A wave of relief washed over me. A quiet day was a good day, or so I hoped it would remain. We made our way back to my office once the hour was up. As we entered, Quinn broke the silence with a contemplative look. “It’s been oddly quiet, don’t you think?” she mused, wiping her brow as she settled onto a chair.
“I had a fiend tied to a tree the other day,” I replied, my tone light but serious.
Her eyes widened in shock. “Tied to a tree?”
“Mhm. Apparently, it disobeyed Marcel’s orders,” I explained, recalling the bizarre situation with a mix of amusement and frustration.
“So he is handing you his bad seeds?” Quinn asked, a smirk creeping onto her lips.
“I guess so. It doesn't bother me. It keeps them off the streets,” I said with a shrug. The fiend had been a minor nuisance, but it was a reminder of the chaos that often lurked just beneath the surface of our kingdom.
“Fair point,” she acknowledged, capping her water skin as she stood up. “I’m going to take my lunch break now, if that’s alright?”
“That’s fine with me, Quinn. You know you don’t have to tell me when you take your break, right?” I added, a hint of amusement in my voice.
“I know,” she replied, her tone brightening as she headed for the door.
As she left, a flicker of concern crossed my mind. Quinn had seemed a bit off lately, her demeanor occasionally shadowed by something unspoken. I didn’t want to pry unless it became a more pressing issue, but the thought lingered in my mind like an itch I couldn’t scratch.
With Quinn gone, I returned to my desk, the silence pressing against me. Maria’s presence in the bond shifted once more, her focus sharpening as she prepared for her own Council meeting. I felt her anticipation and the subtle tension that accompanied it, a reminder that our lives were intertwined in ways I couldn’t ignore.
The minutes ticked by slowly as I stewed in my thoughts, the weight of the upcoming meeting pressing down on me. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something significant was about to unfold, and I needed to be prepared. I took a deep breath, focusing on the task ahead, ready to step into the fray once more.