Chapter 166
All the Pieces Co Together
The hardy footsteps could be heard well away from the doors, stomping like the hooves of a warhorse. Both the woman and Sylas turned toward the doors, the latter far more relaxed than the forr. Even if she was confident in her abilities, it appeared as though she still held that much respect toward the Commander of what Sylas ca to learn was a tiny fortress-town mixture. He, however, was mostly curiouswho could elicit such a reaction from what, by all accounts, was a beyond headstrong woman?
The door opened so ten seconds later and through ca a bull of a mansix-seven, eight feet at least, having to bend a good deal just to squeeze into the room. He wore lax clothes, just having tossed on a simple shirt and a pair of leather pants. In fact, he didnt look much different than Sylas himself, all things considered. The main difference stemd from the height, as the man had so good three-four inches on Sylas, but Sylas fra was a bit broader and better-defined.
The man sported one of those chiseled, squared jaws that made it seem as though he could cut glass with the thing, paired up with a two-days old beard and facial structure capable of eliciting quite a few 'woos' within the right audiences. Vanessa yelped quietly and retreated into the corner, bowing toward the man fully.
"Greetings, Commander," the man, however, ignored her, his gaze falling on Sylas. The pair of eerily silver eyes were clear, void of all emotions, making it impossible for Sylas to be able to read him.
Leave us, he commanded in a deep, booming voice. The woman didnt even protest with her gait, instead speeding out of the room and closing the doors behind her. How did you kill him?
Kill who? Sylas asked.
Its too late in the night to be talking like won, the man said, sitting down. Man to man, face to face. Nobody was coming from the deep north, not with him as the gatekeeper anyway. If you have the ability to kill him, you have the ability to kill us. So, why pretend?
its funny? Sylas grinned. Mighty strange, for everyone to know theres soone like him there, what with the dearest Prince inhabiting the far north.
It really was like that, huh? the man mumbled, reclining back in the chair and sighing. There were rumors and whispers, saying that the Prince still lives. Seed convenient, however, that he was hod in the northernmost castle, just beyond that thing. You still haven't answered how did you kill him?
You seem mighty strong yourself, Sylas said. Why didnt you give it a shot?
You are still chattering. Haah. Fine, I suppose. We can forgo honesty. At least tell what youre doing here.
reconnaissance, Sylas replied. Soon enough, the north will march south, toward the capital, the mans brows shot up in shock as his eyes widened. And I am simply seeing what will await us.
the man fell silent, rubbing his chin in contemplation. The civil war is inevitable?
If not civil, another would happen, and another, Sylas said. You cant have been that blind to the realities of this Kingdom. If it were a horse-driven carriage, by now, the horses are dead, the carriage is moving uncontrollably, and it will soon careen off a cliff. The Prince rely wants to stand in front of the carriage and stop it, before the whole thing goes up in flas. Then again, chances are the Prince will go down with it, and the true war for the Kingdom will break out anyway.
The Prince will need support, the man said. Might can only take him so far.
And the Prince will get that support, Sylas said. You neednt worry. Question is, who will be deserving of providing that support? You asked how I killed Abe, he added, smiling faintly. But thats the wrong question. How do you kill soone, anyway? You simply do. The correct question is: why? Why kill him?
... why kill him? the man asked, leaning further in, his eyes finally giving in to the sliver of emotion.
Because he was a fuckin psycho, Sylas shrugged indifferently. And because n like that... cannot be controlled. They are too strong--either they succeed on their own, or they kill everyone trying. Tell your story, however. Honestly, in my current state, if we went all out, you would be able to kill . And though that sounds boastful, its kind of a miracle. Save for Abe and the king, youre the strongest person I t.
You t the King? the man arched his brows. Face to face?
Aye.
A mighty honor. He rarely ets a soul these days.
Why would he? Sylas shrugged. He has no allies, everyone wants the piece of his land, and he had to banish the one he wanted to mantle the King because the Kingdom was boiling. Would you et people if you were in his shoes?
... the King wanted Prince Valen to inherit the throne?
Your story, Sylas smiled.
... there isnt much to it, the man began after a monts silence. I was born into the Order of the Royal Knights and finished my service seven years ago. As a reward and because I didnt wish to extend my service, I was given a villa here and told to oversee the place.
And I spent most of my life just fiddling about in the shadows, training, Sylas said. Until one day I got tired and was rewarded with being sent north with the Prince. See? I can bullshit too.
My story really is that simple, though," the man smiled bitterly. "The reason I was 'rewarded' this place was simply because I was the most decorated Knight of the Order. I have won the most duels, fought in the most battles, and was considered the potential Inheritor of the Chalice--which would have made the Supre Head of the Royal Army. I had no such ambitions, however, and instead retired."
And you just so happen to retire in a place that would be the Princes first, true stop? Sylas asked, wanting to scream. That cunts really laid out the entire story, hasnt he?
What do you an? the man asked, frowning.
The last ti I talked with the king, he told that the only way the whole truth would be revealed... was if there was an army upon the capital, headed by Prince Valen himself. He, however, said it with such indifference that it begged the question: why was he acting as though it was a foregone conclusion? Im strong--but Im not undo-the-army strong. Well, not yet, anyway. And Valen is a charming young lad, but hes no King.
You think... the King planted here purposefully? the man mumbled. Impossible. Not only was this place gifted to by the Queen, but I retired seven years ago. Prince Valen, back then, was relatively well-liked, and there were no inclinations to what would transpire.
There never are unless you know where to look, Sylas said. Or unless you know the entire story. The more I hear about the Queen, the more I realize that shes likely acting in the Kings place. The whole Kingdom, it seems, believes they hate each other, and shes trying to carve out as much influence for herself to secure the throne for her son and further propel her family, but the whole thing... stinks. The pieces all fit just too nicely with one another. I thought this for a while, and now there is you.
...
For starters, youre strong, Sylas said. But beyond that... you are reasonable. Do you have the faintest idea how fuckin rare that shit is?
Pff...
You walked into this room, looked in the eyes, and asked a straightforward question. There was no pretense, no empty flattery, no million tangents to hide the intentions. Its quite literally unprecedented. Soone like you... never, ever, under no circumstances, ought to be found here. And neither should soone like Vanessa. Im guessing shes either got a huge lady boner for you and she followed you here, or she swore so kind of an oath and you spared her life.
... a bit of both, I suppose, the man grinned faintly.
The Prince is not alone, Sylas said. And its not just . Though, to understand it, youll have to see it. Co with north.
And abandon my post? the man arched his brows. I dont even know your na, yet.
Its Sylas.
I dont know your intentions, Sylas.
To make Prince Valen a King no matter what the personal or the cosmic cost.
I dont know your fears.
To be stuck in this world for all eternity.
... we ride at dawn, the man said, extending his arm over the table. My na is Avaneau. Friends call Av.
Av, Sylas nodded. Im surprised you have horses can that withstand you.
...
...
Youre a bit of a jester, arent you?
A bit? Youre underselling .
Maybe I should just off your head and bring it to the Queen. I have a feeling she would reward handsoly.
She would literally ask you who the fuck is that and how dare you kill such a handso man? Off with your head!.
...
...
Pfft...
I got you.
Dammit. We ride at dawn.
Bring Vanessa with you.
You havent started fancying her, have you? Av asked before leaving.
Im a man taken, Im afraid. What I fancy is her potential.
... see you, Sylas.
Sleep well, Av.
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