The Royal Deal Chapter 221

Chapter 221

Chapter 221

“Thankfully, she wasn’t hurt,” Gen assured him. “I made sure she was taken care of so that she could travel to sowhere far off and settle into a new life.”

“Search the area and kill any other chasers or those who have been working with them. Make sure to do it quietly, but do not leave a single person who could harm her alive,” Alexcent ordered.

“Yes, sir.” Gen would make sure he handled it personally and would not chance giving the command to soone else. Alexcent was determined to eradicate any evidence that could lead back to him or Belice. Gen whistled into the darkness and a dozen shadows, the n they could trust who ca with them, followed him into the night.

Alexcent took a deep breath, preparing himself for the next steps, then got on his horse and rode to his target.

Gen and his band of killers made quick work of the chasers that were in the area. As they completed the burial of the bodies, a thought occurred to him. He isn’t…? How did I not see his intentions?

“I have to go after the duke,” Gen told the n around him. “Finish burying the evidence. Make sure you leave no trace. Then return to the castle.”

The n assured him everything would be completed fully. Gen quickly mounted his horse and went after the Duke. He hoped that he wasn’t too late.

***

Alexcent reigned in his horse in front of the Grand Temple. Tying his steed to a tree, he drew his sword and entered the concourse of the temple proper. The priests within looked up in surprise at the intrusion. The closest priest gaped at the sight of a drawn weapon.

“Duke Skad!” he shouted in anger. “You are in a holy space. You can’t bring a weapon in here!”

“Silence,” Alexcent growled. “Fetch Celios.”

“What are your intentions with the High Priest?” the man enquired.

“That is none of your business.” Alexcent glared at the man.

“None of our business! Even if you’re royal blood, your orders an nothing here. This temple bows only to the Goddess!” The priest was not threatened at all by Alexcent’s demands.

“Is that so? Then I’ll find him myself.” Alexcent moved to enter the inner chambers of the temple. He pushed aside the priests who tried to block him, strode down a corridor, and entered the prayer hall. It was empty. Another door led from the chamber to the offices and living quarters. As Alexcent was about to pass through, the door opened from the inside and Caron stepped through.

“Duke Skad! Stop!” Caron shouted.

“Who are you?” Alexcent asked.

“I’m the deputy priest. Why are you acting like this, entering the temple as if it was a battle field?”

“I don’t need you, deputy priest. Bring Celios!”

“What do you want with the Grand Priest?” Caron demanded of him.

“I will give you one guess.” Alexcent held up the sword he was holding. The tip glinted red from the blood of the last man he had killed.

“Tell what the high priest has done,” Caron said, trying to calm the situation.

“Or I could just kill you all, one by one, until you bring Celios,” Alexcent threatened. “It would be pretty convenient. You would not have to move the bodies very far for the ritual of submitting them to beco God’s Guardians.”

“Sir!” Caron’s face bleached of all colour.

“Go find him. You must know where he’s hiding. Now!”

Caron could not see any other option. “Co with . I’ll show you to his chamber.”

“If you try to help him escape, I will burn this temple to the ground,” Alexcent warned the priest.

Caon paused at that statent. “You can’t,” he pleaded. ”The Goddess Frosty sleeps here in the World Tree.”

“I’m very precise. I would never do anything to harm the World Tree.” Fire glared in Alexcent’s eyes. Caron could tell that he was serious about destroying everything but the World Tree.

Alexcent followed Caron down several halls to the living quarters. They stopped at a door on which Caron knocked. “Celios! It’s Caron.” His voice wavered with nervousness. From inside, there was only silence.

“I’ll let us in.” Caron found a key on a ring at his belt and unlocked the door. The chamber inside was vacant. “Celios,” Caron called.

“It figures he has a secret passage.” Caron turned at the sound of Alexcent’s voice to see the huge painting of the World Tree opened outwards. Behind was a stone passage leading into darkness. “Where does it lead?”

“Under the outer wall of the temple,” Caron admitted.

“Here is your High Priest. A man who leaves his fellow priests in danger and runs away. Think on that.” Alexcent patted Caron’s shoulder, then headed to the chamber window. Opening it, he lept to the ground outside.

Caron ran to the window, but saw no sign of the duke, as if he had vanished in thin air. He had no idea what was going on, but felt it best to return to the concourse to assure the other priests that everything was all right. The other priests had once again huddled against a wall, as the duke had made his way to the front entrance and was once again blocking their exit. I thought he was after Celios, Caron thought. Why is he back here?

Caron didn’t hide his confusion and approached him. Either way, he thought it would be best to lead the duke out.

“My Lord. As you clearly saw, Celios isn’t in the Grand Temple. Please stop threatening us and leave.” Caron demanded.

“Are you sure that you had no help with Celios’ escape?” Alexcent asked.

“I don’t know anything about this. Please!”

“There was no way that I would be tricked by such a simple ruse,” Alexcent assured him.

“I don’t know what you an?” Caron said, confused.