Vol.0 Ch.137 Getting a n in Motion


    <span ss="userText">Once Sir Dous and his knights entered the Queen''s Chamber<span ss="aiText">. Rianna told him everything and he was <span ss="userText">ufortable that he let three assassins<span ss="aiText"> break through his security.


    <span ss="aiText">"So, you''re saying the assassins were vampires <span ss="editText">and were hired from <span ss="aiText">the Kingdom of Marn?" Sir Dous asked.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">It''s a high likelihood, Sir Dous. But far more concerning is the fact that the Duke hired an assassin as well. We are lucky that she has a sense of honorpared to those three<span ss="aiText">. And that she''s on our side now." Lady Nelumbo said as she gestured towards Wina.


    <span ss="aiText">Sir Dous looked at the young girl with an appreciative gaze.


    <span ss="aiText">"Is this true Miss Wina?"


    <span ss="userText">"Lady Wina. Sir Dous," Queen Rianna<span ss="aiText"> corrected him.


    <span ss="aiText">"It''s alright. And yes, it is true." Wina confirmed.


    <span ss="aiText">Sir Dous rubbed his beard.


    <span ss="aiText">"Hmmm... <span ss="userText">How do you want to break this news to His Majesty, my Queen?"<span ss="aiText"> Sir Dous asked.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">I do not know the best course of<span ss="aiText"> action<span ss="editText">,<span ss="aiText"> Sir Dous. But if he knew of this assassination attempt. H<span ss="editText">e <span ss="userText">would be furious but he would want more proof than Lady Wina''s word that she was hired by his brother." Queen Rianna<span ss="aiText"> said.


    <span ss="userText">Wina thought for a moment before she came up with an idea, "We could gather up all the moles and tell them that an assassination attempt on the Prince has failed?"


    <span ss="userText">Mathew raised his eyebrow<span ss="aiText"> at the idea.


    <span ss="aiText">"They would panic and then one of them would most likely try and get word out to the Duke."


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">We could have the King watch from one of the hidden rooms. Once they are confronted, I would expect <span ss="userText">one of them would crack. And out the Duke," Sir Dous<span ss="aiText"> suggested.


    <span ss="aiText">"Yes, but <span ss="userText">what if they don''t crack once we<span ss="aiText"> confront them?" Nelumbo added.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">Then I can appear in my Assassin''s<span ss="aiText"> gear. <span ss="userText">There is one that I believe will lose his facade<span ss="aiText"> once he sees me," Wina said.


    <span ss="aiText">Everyone gave her a curious look.


    <span ss="aiText">"How do you know there <span ss="editText">are<span ss="aiText"> mole<span ss="editText">s<span ss="aiText"> that <span ss="editText">are<span ss="aiText"> connected with the <span ss="editText">Duke<span ss="aiText">?" <span ss="editText">Sir Dous <span ss="aiText">asked.


    <span ss="userText">"Because I had to report to them monthly on why it was taking me so long to kill the prince. And this one footman thinks he could do better<span ss="aiText"> than I," Wina answered.


    <span ss="userText">"I never knew we had such traitors in our<span ss="aiText"> ranks," <span ss="userText">said one of Sir Dous''s Knights. As he looked like he was going to spit in disgust<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="userText">The Queen, on the other hand, loved Wina''s idea, but they needed to do a few more things to<span ss="aiText"> make sure this would work.


    <span ss="aiText">"I like this n... We can''t have any leaks. <span ss="userText">And we need to get the heads of my husband''s council on board. Are they still on the pce grounds?<span ss="aiText"> Or have they retired for the night?" The Queen asked Sir Dous.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="editText">Lord Brice is still at the party while <span ss="aiText">Lord Gawain is still in his study, my Queen." <span ss="editText">One knight<span ss="aiText"> responded.


    <span ss="userText">"And I''ll get General Kane as well, my Queen," Lady Nelumbo added.


    <span ss="aiText">"Good, have someone fetch <span ss="editText">them<span ss="aiText">."


    <span ss="aiText">"Yes, my Queen," Nelumbo bowed and turned around<span ss="userText">, and walked out of the Queen''s study with two other knights<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="aiText">"And Sir Dous... You know what has to be done, correct?" The Queen said.


    <span ss="aiText">Sir Dous nodded.


    <span ss="aiText">"Yes, my Queen.<span ss="editText"> We will locate all nine of those moles Lady Wina told us about. <span ss="aiText">And I will see to <span ss="userText">it personally." Sir Dous said<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="userText">The Queen smiled and nodded.


    <span ss="userText">That''s when they heard a sounding from Mathew''s direction as he fell over.


    <span ss="userText">"Gah!" Mathew gasped in pain as his body could no longer take the stress of standing up after using his Lightning Rider ability<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="aiText">Wina and Sir Dous rushed to him and knelt down beside him.


    <span ss="aiText">"Mathew!" Wina said with worry in her voice.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">Ah! Haha... Aw... I think using my lightning while the toxin was in my system has w<span ss="aiText">reaked havoc on my body and I''m paying the price... I thought I had a few more hours before my body was going to tell me to stop," Mathewughed as his body was in a lot of pain.


    <span ss="aiText">"My Queen! <span ss="editText">Sir Mathew needs to rest. He''s down for the count<span ss="aiText">." Sir Dous said as he lifted the young man with one arm over his shoulders.


    <span ss="userText">"Ah... Ssssss! Dammit, my body is screaming at me... I''m not dying, Dous... I''m just paying the price for getting pushed into a corner. Just give me a day of rest and I''ll be good as new<span ss="aiText">," Mathew <span ss="editText">tried to <span ss="aiText"ugh.


    <span ss="userText">"Don''t push yourself, Mathew... I can''t bear to watch something bad happen to you," Wina said with<span ss="aiText"> worry.


    <span ss="userText">Mathew smiled at her, "I''m not going anywhere, princess<span ss="aiText">. I have too much to live for. And the most important thing is right here."


    <span ss="aiText">"Mathew..." Wina blushed<span ss="userText"> and her heart skipped a beat when Mathew looked at her and gave her a wink.


    <span ss="aiText">"Your Majesty, we should <span ss="editText">take him to the medical ward and have the doctor <span ss="aiText">examine him," Sir Dous said.


    <span ss="userText">"Take him there quickly and quietly. We can''t let the moles know that Mathew is down. They will know something is up<span ss="aiText"> and leave," The Queen said.


    <span ss="aiText">"Yes, your Majesty."


    <span ss="aiText">Sir Dous left the Queen''s study with a few knights following behind him.


    <span ss="aiText">''Mathew... Why do you have to make me feel this way?''


    <span ss="aiText">Wina shook her head and got back on her feet.


    <span ss="aiText">''No! Focus! This is the most important thing to happen in the kingdom... Well<span ss="editText">,<span ss="aiText"> at least for tonight,''


    <span ss="aiText">Wina thought.


    <span ss="aiText">"So, <span ss="editText">Lady<span ss="aiText"> Wina... <span ss="userText">Can you get Miss Rose in here? I need my maids to help me and watch over the prince before we can start the show<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="aiText">"Of course, your Majesty," Wina bowed and went out the door.


    <span ss="aiText">"Now we just <span ss="editText">need my husband to join us. When the time is right<span ss="aiText">," The Queen said as she sat down in a chair next to her desk.


    <span ss="userText">***


    <span ss="userText">General Kane was sitting at a table with one of his Colonels drinking wine as most of the partygoers had left<span ss="aiText"> the ballroom.


    <span ss="aiText">"So, I told him! That if you don''t stop being an ass to your wife. I would kick the shit out of you." The Colonel was telling a story about his daughter''s wedding.


    <span ss="userText">"If only that would work<span ss="aiText">," Kane chuckled.


    <span ss="aiText">"Ah, it''s not that simple when you have a stubborn son-inw... But when you have a strong-willed daughter. She does all the ass-kicking herself. Hells, she would kick mine if I ever tried to help her without her permission," The Colonel chuckled.


    <span ss="aiText">Just then the door swung open.


    <span ss="aiText">"Sir General Kane. My apologies for interrupting you. But I must speak with you."


    <span ss="aiText">"Lady Nelumbo<span ss="userText">? What brings you to this side of the pce? Does the Queen really need<span ss="aiText"> to see me that bad?" Kane asked with a hint of yfulness in his tone<span ss="userText"> as he was a little buzzed from the wine.


    <span ss="userText">Lady Nelumbo was annoyed by the general''sck of professionalism and walked up to him and whispered into his ear.


    <span ss="userText">The general was about to make another smart-assment until he heard her say.


    <span ss="userText">"There was a Code White in the Prince''s room. Three down not including the rats<span ss="aiText"> we know of," She whispered.


    <span ss="userText">General Kane''s domainer<span ss="aiText"> was back and his eyes were serious.


    <span ss="aiText">"I''m sorry Colonel, but it seems the Queen is calling me back to my duties. <span ss="userText">Make sure the men are sharp while I''m<span ss="aiText"> gone." Kane said as he stood up and <span ss="editText">nodded to<span ss="aiText"> the colonel.


    <span ss="aiText">The Colonel stood up and salute<span ss="editText">d his superior as he walked away<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="aiText">"Of course, General Kane. I will wait here for your return," The Colonel said<span ss="userText"> with a smile.


    <span ss="userText">***


    <span ss="userText">The General and the knights were walking down the hall to where his captain was stationed.


    <span ss="userText">"Give me the details, Lady Nelumbo."<span ss="aiText"> General Kane said.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">Three vampire assassins killed a guard, a squire, and a maid. And another squire is in the Ward after retrieving Sir Dous and his men. Sir Mathew said he had to use his abilities to take down his opponent."


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">And Sir Mathew is still standing after<span ss="aiText"> that? Impressive." General Kane said.


    <span ss="aiText">"Well, he <span ss="editText">didn''t look too good when he made it to the Queen''s chamber<span ss="aiText">," Lady Nelumbo stated.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">That doesn''t surprise me. How''s the prince?"


    <span ss="aiText">"He''s sleeping soundly and <span ss="userText">the Royal Wet Nurse was an assassin that was hired by the Duke,"<span ss="aiText"> Lady Nelumbo said as a matter of fact.


    <span ss="aiText">General Kane was a bit surprised but kept his stoic face<span ss="userText">, "So... ric was a fool after all... What happened to the assassin?"


    <span ss="userText">"She turned on her client and saved not only the prince. But the other squire and Sir Mathew. The Queen had the assassin be the prince''s Royal Guard. Her name is Wina."


    <span ss="aiText">"Hmmm... So, the Queen had a change of heart towards the girl. She must be something special. <span ss="userText">Has anyone reached out to Lord Brice yet?


    <span ss="aiText">"No, <span ss="editText">but we have reached out to <span ss="userText">Lord Gawain and he will speak to Lord Brice. Once he''s in the fold, I''m sure they will meet up with the King and bring His Majesty to the East Wing. <span ss="aiText">Sir Dous is looking for the rest of the moles in the pce as <span ss="userText">we speak,<span ss="aiText">" Nelumbo replied.


    <span ss="aiText">"So, that''s where we''re having this interrogation? That''s good, fewer eyes and ears. I<span ss="userText"> will have my captain<span ss="aiText"> and five of his best men join me." General Kane said.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">I need to return to the Queen. Is there anything else you need General?"


    <span ss="aiText">"No, mydy. Thank you.<span ss="editText"> We will wait for the King and then head to the east wing for the interrogation,<span ss="aiText">" General Kane said.


    <span ss="aiText">Nelumbo bowed and walked in the opposite direction while the two other knights stood by the General.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="editText">Then I <span ss="aiText">shall <span ss="editText">send word to<span ss="aiText"> Lord Brice and tell him where you''ll be?" One of the<span ss="editText"> other<span ss="aiText"> knights said.


    <span ss="userText">"He should know where I''ll be<span ss="aiText">. But I need you to get five more knights ready from the southern barracks. Tell them it''s a Code Blue. They will understand." General Kane said.


    <span ss="aiText">The knights split up with one of them staying with the General while the other went south.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">ric... You''re a dead man..." The General whispered to himself as he waited in the hallway<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="userText">***


    <span ss="aiText">A few minutester <span ss="editText">in the main hall of the pce just outside the party.<span ss="userText"> It was almost midnight and there were a few nobles still lingering<span ss="aiText"> around talking to each other about the party.


    <span ss="aiText">Lord Brice and his wife were in the middle of a conversation with a <span ss="userText">Baron when Lord Gawain came in with a worried look on his face.


    <span ss="userText">"Huh? Lord Gawain? I thought you were done for the night<span ss="aiText">?" Baron <span ss="userText">Thaddeus Windermere <span ss="aiText">asked.


    <span ss="aiText">"Baron, I would like a word with Lord Brice in private. Would you excuse us?" Lord Gawain said.


    <span ss="aiText">"I-of course... Have a good night," The Baron was a little taken aback but bowed and left.


    <span ss="userText">"What''s the matter,<span ss="aiText"> Lord Gawain?" Lord Brice asked.


    <span ss="aiText">Lord Gawain stepped closer and spoke in a quiet voice.


    <span ss="aiText">"I received word that there was an attempt on the prince''s life."


    <span ss="userText">Lord Brice showed a bit of anger before he regained his calm.


    <span ss="userText">"Is the prince alright?<span ss="aiText"> Did you find the culprit?"


    <span ss="aiText">"The prince is safe and the attackers were killed.<span ss="editText"> And <span ss="userText">it''splicated.<span ss="aiText"> But <span ss="editText">the short answer is the King''s Brother hired an assassin<span ss="aiText">," Lord Gawain said.


    <span ss="aiText">"My... <span ss="userText">So, that bastard has<span ss="aiText"> finally made his move..."


    <span ss="aiText">"There''s more..."


    <span ss="aiText">"Tell me," Lord Brice said.


    <span ss="userText">Lord Gawain tells Lord Brice everything that has <span ss="userText">transpired up to now<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="aiText">"And now the Queen and the others are waiting for us <span ss="editText">to inform His Majesty and to <span ss="aiText">meet with them at the East Wing.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="editText">And you want me to inform the King? I guess I''m the one who always has to break the bad news to His Majesty... <span ss="aiText">Very well, we should get going."


    <span ss="aiText">Lord Brice took his wife''s hand an<span ss="userText">d kissed it.


    <span ss="userText">"It looks like duty calls<span ss="aiText"> my dear," Lord Brice smiled at his wife.


    <span ss="aiText">"Oh? And why am I not invited to this little meeting? Are we not on the same side, husband?" Lady <span ss="editText">Hana<span ss="aiText"> asked.


    <span ss="userText">"Unfortunately it''s about kingdom business. It might be a long night<span ss="aiText">, but I will inform you once it''s over."


    <span ss="aiText">Lady <span ss="editText">Hana<span ss="aiText"> sighed, "Alright, you can tell meter."


    <span ss="aiText">"Thank you, love."


    <span ss="aiText">Lord Brice bowed and kissed his wife on the lips.


    <span ss="aiText">"Come on, Lord Gawain."


    <span ss="aiText">"R-right," Lord Gawain and Lord Brice walked out of the hall and made their way towards the King''s <span ss="editText">throne room<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="aiText">"This is going to be a long night..."<span ss="userText"> Lord Brice muttered as he weaved his way around some of the staff and they were cleaning up<span ss="aiText"> the hall.


    <span ss="aiText">"Tell me about it... This is a huge mess... <span ss="userText">You know how he is about his older brother. He''s pitied him his entire life<span ss="aiText">," Lord Gawain said.


    <span ss="aiText">"Yes, the older brother syndrome... <span ss="editText">It''s the only thing holding back our King. I just pray that the Goddess will show him wisdom. And finally put Duke ric in his ce<span ss="aiText">," Lord Brice scoffed.


    <span ss="aiText">Lord Gawain was a little shocked.


    <span ss="aiText">"You want to see ric die? <span ss="userText">But the Prime Minister won''t allow it. He keeps saying that a civil war would break out if the Duke was<span ss="aiText"> killed," Lord Gawain said.


    <span ss="aiText">"The only reason <span ss="userText">Duval Wrightwood<span ss="aiText"> is still the Prime Minister is because of <span ss="userText">winning over Baroness Ysandra Fairchild and Baron Thaddeus Windermere. <span ss="aiText">Without them in his camp, he wouldn''t <span ss="userText">have had the majority of the major lords to maintain his<span ss="aiText"> position."<span ss="userText"> Brice said as<span ss="aiText"> he waved his hand and two knights opened the door.


    <span ss="userText">"I know! I know... I will find a way to get the Baroness and Baron back to His Majesty''s side. I just need time<span ss="aiText">."


    <span ss="aiText">"You may not have that time," Lord Brice said.


    <span ss="aiText">Lord Gawain stopped walking, "<span ss="userText">Impossible..."


    <span ss="userText">"I''ll tell you about itter but first we need to deal with the main problem at hand." Lord Brice said as they saw King Cyndre and Earl Nathaniel Valerian having a drink together<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="aiText">"Good evening, your Majesty, and Earl Valerian." Lord Brice said.


    <span ss="aiText">The three of them were sitting <span ss="editText">by <span ss="aiText">the balcony of the Throne Room.


    <span ss="aiText">"Ah, Lord Brice and Lord Gawain.<span ss="userText"> It usually isn''t good to see you thiste at night. Did some minor lords start arguing over<span ss="aiText"> somend dispute again?" King Cyndre said.


    <span ss="aiText">"It''s not about and dispute, Your Majesty. But I do have bad news," Lord Brice said.


    <span ss="aiText">King Cyndre and Earl Nathaniel both <span ss="userText">looked at each other for a second before<span ss="aiText"> King Cyndre gave Lord Brice a nod.


    <span ss="aiText">"Go ahead, Lord Brice," The King said.


    <span ss="aiText">"Your Highness... There was an attempt on Prince Quinus''s life tonight," Lord Brice said with a serious face.


    <span ss="aiText">Earl Valerian was the first to react.


    <span ss="aiText">"WHAT?!"


    <span ss="aiText">Earl Valerian stood up with a shocked expression and was about to say something when King Cyndre raised his hand.


    <span ss="aiText">"Easy, Nate...<span ss="userText"> It sounds like my son is fine...<span ss="aiText"> Am I correct, Lord Brice?" King Cyndre asked.


    <span ss="aiText">"Yes, your Majesty... He''s sleeping soundly <span ss="editText">with <span ss="aiText">the Queen<span ss="editText">. But three are dead because of the attack<span ss="aiText">," Lord Brice responded.


    <span ss="userText">They all could see the King''s throat<span ss="aiText"> twitch and his eyes narrowed as his jaw tightened.


    <span ss="aiText">"And... Who was responsible?" The King''s voice was a little shaky.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">It seems that the Kingdom of Marn is the possible<span ss="aiText"> suspect. But <span ss="userText">the assassins were vampires<span ss="aiText">... They were killed on the spot<span ss="userText">. Hopefully, they were only trying to make a name for themselves instead of the other possibility."


    <span ss="aiText">"What?! Vampires?! That''s impossible... Those bastards haven''t dared step foot on the maind of Agon for hundreds of years!"<span ss="userText"> Earl<span ss="aiText"> Valerian shouted.


    <span ss="userText">The King was silent as he<span ss="aiText"> took a deep breath and rxed a little.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">I feel there''s something more you''re not telling me,"<span ss="aiText"> The King said.


    <span ss="aiText">"Yes, there is more. <span ss="userText">A lot more but I warn you. You''re not going to enjoy this, Your Majesty," Lord Brice<span ss="aiText"> said with a <span ss="userText">serious tone<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="aiText">"Go on," The King said.


    <span ss="aiText">Lord Brice and Lord Gawain looked at each other.


    <span ss="aiText">Lord Brice sighed, "<span ss="userText">It turns out that the Royal Wet Nurse is a hired assassin. And she was hired to kill your son. But the strange thing is, she turned on her employer and protected the Prince. If it wasn''t for her six people would have died, including the Prince... Her Majesty has tested her loyalty by using her family''s ability and she bears the sigil of your house, My King<span ss="aiText">. It seems her story was true and she''s not a threat. She is currently guarding the prince and the queen."


    <span ss="aiText">"How interesting... It''s like the god<span ss="editText">dess<span ss="aiText"> wanted her to be there..." <span ss="userText">Earl<span ss="aiText"> Valerian said as he sat down.


    <span ss="userText">King Cyndre wasn''t rxed though<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="aiText">"Is that all?"


    <span ss="aiText">"Not quite.<span ss="editText">.. I know this is going to be hard to swallow. But, <span ss="editText">i<span ss="aiText">t appears that your brother is responsible for hiring <span ss="editText">the assassin that became the Royal Wet Nurse<span ss="aiText">," Lord Brice said.


    <span ss="aiText">The King was stunned for a second.


    <span ss="aiText">"WHAT?!<span ss="userText"> SHE''S LYING!" yelled the King.


    <span ss="userText">Lord Brice, Lord Gawian, and Earl Nathanial all cringed at the same<span ss="aiText"> time.


    <span ss="aiText">"I can understand your <span ss="editText">doubts<span ss="aiText">, Your Highness. But <span ss="userText">the now-loyal-assassin has given us info about servants loyal to the Duke who<span ss="aiText"> are being rounded up at the East Wing. It''s best if we talk about this with the others. And now isn''t the time to be yelling Your Highness. It''s the dead of night and most of the nobles are still here." Lord Brice said.


    <span ss="aiText">King Cyndre was a bit embarrassed as he calmed down.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">I will not believe my brother would stoop to such a low to kill his own nephew<span ss="aiText">... What are the odds of the assassin bing the Royal Wet Nurse anyway? It''s just too convenient," The King said.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">I wish I shared your<span ss="aiText"> faith in your brother, Your Highness... But <span ss="userText">he''s been working really hard to get the loyalty of the minor lords to his side. He may say he loves this Kingdom but<span ss="aiText"> his actions suggest otherwise<span ss="editText">,<span ss="aiText">" <span ss="userText">Earl<span ss="aiText"> Valerian said to his friend.


    <span ss="aiText">"Enough... We need to get the facts straight. And my brother will answer for his actions.<span ss="editText"> If they are true. You said my wife is in the East Wing waiting to <span ss="userText">interrogate these suspected moles? Then I will be the one to say if it''s true or not,<span ss="aiText">" King Cyndre said as he got up and headed out of the throne room.


    <span ss="userText">"Can Ie along?" Earl<span ss="aiText"> Valerian asked.


    <span ss="aiText">"Yes, I think you''ll need to see the truth with your own eyes," King Cyndre said as a knight opened the doors.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="editText">It''s going to be a long night... Isn''t it<span ss="aiText">," Lord Gawain said<span ss="userText"> with a pained look<span ss="aiText"> on his face.


    <span ss="aiText">"Just keep a calm head. If this does escte, it will get very bloody and very fast," Lord Brice said.


    <span ss="aiText">Lord Gawain nodded.


    <span ss="aiText">"Let''s go."


    <span ss="aiText">Lord Brice and the others followed behind the King and Earl.