Chapter 605: Empires Invasion [23] (1/2)
Stumped by the sudden '-shut up,' Undre's posture slumped a little, ”-I was only worried,” came a subtle mumble.
”I know, I apologize,” said Igna, ”-where's my phone.”
”Over on the desk,” he pointed. ”My lord,” stood idly, ”-there's an important matter to discuss.”
”Take a seat then.”
”Thank you.”
Bedroom, study, office, the full package in a circular tower. The minimalist approach was more convenient than overbearing establishments. The minute hand passed the 12-hour mark, time read 8:00. The duo sat before a projection, ”-my lord, Éclair has reported the sudden involvement of a spy. We found clothes and scattered belongings on an earlier patrol. The guards question how vestments and items came to be. The person seemed to have teleported away.”
”My doing,” said he snacking on fruits, ”-it was late, didn't have much strength to painfully kill the lass. Her name's June of the Nisel tribe, a mother of one of the plague victims.”
”I beg your pardon. Was she killed?”
”Yes,” proudly sat back, ”-should I ignore an assassination attempt?”
”N-n-no, tis not the matter. Why couldn't she have been captured?”
”Waste of time,” the fruit bowl emptied, ”-Undre, my patience's running a little dry.”
Brief shakes of the head, ”-construction is ready to begin. Vanesa's cave has been placed under close watch. There are reports of tremendous power wandering the woods.”
”Right. I'll see to their willful dismissal,” the door opened.
”My lord,” catching his hand, ”-I hope you don't slaughter the refugees…”
”Impudence,” he pulled, ”-Undre,” the aura grew, ”-don't overstep thy station. This is an order. I'm sure there are more competent stewards at the ready if a certain someone met his demise,” the handle creaked, ”-you really think me a monster…” the door shut, '-I guess I am.'
'Why did I have to stand up to the baron,' a facepalm echoed, '-I'm so stupid. Calm down, no need to get worked up… HOW CAN I BE CALM. June was one of my best friends, HOW DARE HE KILL HER!' *DRING* '-who is it now?
”Hello?”
”Hello, Éclair speaking.”
'Nice, the loyal butler,' he sneered, ”-how can this worthless steward be of assistance?”
”Launch an investigation on the Nisel Tribe attack. I've compiled a list of suspects. There's strong evidence of a potential civil uprising.”
”I know,” gritted he, ”-Baron Igna doesn't seem to realize the people are angry at the sudden changes. What is he thinking, allowing a place for refugees, a safe place for foreigners, it's unacceptable.”
”Keep the malice in check,” returned Éclair, ”-do as was said. The Baron's saved this pitiable town from the savagery of the previous lord. Would it be better to disfigure the townsfolk?”
”No, no, I understand. I'll forward what information we have on the Nisel Tribe.”
”Good day, Steward Undre.”
”Good day, Éclair.”
*Beep,* '-enough is enough. Things have to move along,' a sinister grin beckoned greater trouble.
Out onto the northern gate, '-I see,' multiple key points scrolled, '-good job, Éclair. The traitor is indeed one among us. The little assassination attempt yesterday was botched. I realized it after killing the mother who acted the part. The killing intent I sensed must have been her special ability. What's done is done,' he leaped off the walls headfirst, *Crack,* '-her death should bring call for a change of plans.'
”Lord Baron,” saluted the scarce guards.
”Good morning, how was the night.”
”Nothing interesting happened sire,” returned one, ”-same ol', same ol'.”
Horse-drawn carts clopped, ”-ello Toen, how's guard life treating ya?”
He desperately tried to signal, '-be silent.'
”What's the matter,” laughed the old man, ”-Cat got your tongue?” a metal bottle flung over, ”-have a swig of grandpa's lucky drink.” Embarrassment emanated off the poor boy's face, the adjacent guard could but contain his laughter. ”-Who's this pretty girl?”
”Grandfather, that will be enough of fooling around. Get going already.”
”What… forget it. I want to know who this lovely young girl is.”
”Igna Haggard, Baron of Glenda. Nice to make your acquaintance, old man.”
”Oh-ho-ho,” bushy faced hidden under a sports cap, ”-tell my son I'm dead.”
”Grandpa…”
”Listen, Toen,” the hat came off,”-I've disrespected a noble of the Empire. They'll surely execute an Ardanian…”
”Old man, you misunderstand. Glenda's under the Blood-King's faction. No one will be executed on my watch.”
”Oh… HA-HA-HA-HA, you're a funny one. Give me a moment,” he pulled on a ragged sack, ”-let see here… FOUND IT, HA-HA-HA-HA.” Igna frowned.
”It's a little dusty,” whatever object he pulled was soon cleaned by a dustier piece of cloth, ”-catch.”
'A bottle of liquor?'
”Courtesy of my old man, the best booze in the whole of Arda. Consider it a gift for being hilarious.”
'Old man's Scrum,' the eyes narrowed, '-brewed in Squindale.'
”Oh, I get it,” paused the old man, ”-the name, it's funny. Get it, Scrum. Rhymes with rum and c-”
”THAT WILL BE ENOUGH!” fired a female voice leaping off the wagon, ”-I apologize dearly for my grandfather.”
”There's no need for concern,” returned he, ”-I'm sure to thoroughly enjoy the taste of an old man's scrum.”
”AHAHAHAHA, SEE, THE BARON GETS IT!”
”My lord, let me apologize on my grandfather's behalf,” the guard knelt, ”-he's being disrespectful.”