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Archaos. She was staying in a room with
him and a few of the other attendants.
    A fire roared
in a large, stone hearth. The General was enjoying the comforts of staying in
the city overnight. His usual nights were spent on a cot, in a cold tent. He
welcomed the warmth of a fireplace, plush furniture, and bedding.
    Thandril had
found Saris there and told of what he discovered in the north.
    Saris stood by
the fireplace, glass of alcohol in hand, wrapped in a thick, fur robe. He had
found some unknown bottle of dark liqueur, hidden in the dead Baron’s office,
to accompany Thandril’s news of his enemies plot to kill him. The fire
flickered, impetuous shadows dancing across the walls. It was the only source
of light, and the harsh glow was daunting.
    The druid sat
in an overstuffed chair sipping at his own glass, “We need to move trusted men
into your personal guard. If Melidarius plans to kill you, he will send someone
to do it in the shadows, behind closed doors, not on the battlefield. They will
use deception and guile. I fear we need to be wary of a spy.”
    Saris looked
at him, “Do not worry, friend. I only trust you; everyone else is a suspect.
How else do you think I got this rank?” he laughed, “It certainly wasn’t this
ruggedly handsome face.”
    “I am General
of the Talurian army because I trust no one. I have never shared my thoughts,
feelings, or fears to anyone; because I know , the moment I do, someone
will take advantage—take an edge. I rotate my guard every week from random
companies. Moreover, their Captains can vouch for each of them. I’ve had
assassins try to kill me four times, no doubt sent from one or another of the
house leaders vying for my title.” Saris held out his fingers in an exaggerated
fashion, then swiped them away. “ But , every one of them I discovered and
personally dismembered, scattering their remains before the trueblood houses as
a warning.”
    Thandril
suppressed a grin toward his intoxicated master. “I know you can protect
yourself, but I would feel better if we doubled the guard tonight.”
    “Tonight?
Nobody even knows we are here.”
     
    *
* *
     
    A group of
Talurian soldiers moved through the empty street toward the city watch’s main
headquarters.
    “Corporal, why
do we have to be doing this in the middle of the night? We haven’t slept in three
days! Can the watchmen not keep a sleeping city under control?” asked one of
the soldiers.
    Rurik motioned
for his men to halt.
    His eyes were bloodshot
and ringed with dark circles. He had not slept since the funeral for Aamin. “You
all know very well that the city watch has been reduced to nothing. All
Hillsford had was a handful of local men, offering to act as a temporary
militia. Sergeant Linket wants us to check in with the different offices
throughout the city to make sure everything is going smoothly. I have now given
more information than any of you require to follow orders so, if everyone is
finished complaining about not getting their beauty sleep, let us continue.”
    Rurik scanned
the ragged group of soldiers, lusting for a complaint to explode upon. Nothing
came.
    He sighed.
“Let’s move.”
    Shortly after
his company finished escorting the General to Hillsford, Rurik was told by his
Captain that he and a small detachment of soldiers were going to stay in the
city under the command of Sergeant Linket while they marched back north.
    Klaric ran up
alongside Rurik. “How are you holding up?”
    “Not now.”
    He stopped and
pulled Rurik around, “Okay, you need to stop. We need to talk about what
happened. It’s alright to be upset, but killing yourself from exhaustion is not
a good way to grieve. You look horrible—”
    Rurik put his
hand up, cutting him off. “Klaric, if you ever touch your commanding officer
like that again…”
    “Commanding
officer?” Klaric contorted his face. “ Commanding officer? I’ve been your
friend for over twenty years, and now my ‘commanding officer’