It
seems they want to send the tall man in posing as a half-elf. He is to offer
his services as a potion maker.”
Aubriana shook her head. “That won’t work. The
mages get their potions from the Sunswept Isles. King Tyrol pays a fortune for
it.” Her heart dropped, knowing that Tyrol would take no interest in such
information.
“King Efren seemed to think he had changed that.
He didn’t go into details, but he said their original supplier would not be
sending any more potions.”
“You’re certain of it?” Aubriana asked. She
wondered how Efren could have accomplished such a task. To her knowledge,
Ra’jhou had no relations with the Sunswept Isles.
“Yes, my lady.”
“So, this man will offer his services, and the
mages will be glad to have it,” the princess said, thinking out loud. “They’ll
accept him eagerly, and he will poison them.”
“I believe that is the plan, my lady,” Shala
replied.
“Efren must know this servant will be killed once
he’s discovered. The man must be expendable.” In her mind, she began to justify
what she was about to do.
“I didn’t hear anything like that,” Shala said.
“There was no mention of how the man was to return once the deed was done.” The
maid had not followed the men when their meeting was concluded. She feared
being discovered and having to explain why she was listening to their
conversation.
“They didn’t mention it because he won’t return.
They’ll know who is responsible for the poisoning, and they’ll kill him.”
Aubriana swallowed hard, wondering if this might truly endear her to the Na’zoran
king. This unknown man’s blood would not be on her hands, would it? He was
doomed either way. “I must compose a letter to Lady Bartin,” Aubriana said decidedly.
“It’s the king you must inform,” Shala replied.
“He won’t take a letter from me,” the princess
stated. “He will think it’s another plea for my son, and he will throw it
away.”
“How will we get the letter there?” Shala asked.
“Leave that to me,” Aubriana replied. “I still
have friends who will help as long as I meet their price.” Hurrying to her
dressing area, she stopped at a small wooden box and retrieved a golden
earring. “This should be more than enough,” she said.
Sitting at her writing desk, she took up her quill,
but no words came. Was there a chance Efren’s plan could succeed? If so, Ra’jhou
could likely win this war, and she might then be able to retrieve her son. No, she realized. Even without their mages, Na’zora’s army greatly outnumbers
Ra’jhou’s. I must do this. With a shaking hand, she wrote:
My dearest Lady Bartin,
I hope this letter finds you in good health. I
have arrived in my childhood home, but I find myself missing Na’zora with every
breath. I long to hold Rayne in my arms and tell him I love him. I hope he is
not sad over my departure. I would have him be happy each day, even if I am not
there to see it.
I have learned of a matter that might interest
King Tyrol, if you would be so kind as to relay a message. I trust that he is
wise enough to allow you to speak on my behalf. King Efren is sending a man
disguised as a potion maker. I know Na’zora has need of one. The man will
appear to be a half-elf and will arrive soon. Do not trust him. He intends to
poison the mages to eliminate them as a threat. He must be stopped. I hope the
king will listen to you, as this is a serious matter.
Sincerely,
Princess Aubriana of Na’zora
Aubriana shoved the letter away from her,
stretching her arms across the desk. Her heart pounded in her ears as she tried
to take deep breaths to calm her nerves. Was she doing the right thing? Would Tyrol
believe her? Did this letter make her a traitor against her own family?
Aubriana sighed. It was unclear which kingdom she should support. This place
felt like home, but her son was destined to rule Na’zora. Would it be so bad if
he ruled Ra’jhou as well? Only
seems they want to send the tall man in posing as a half-elf. He is to offer
his services as a potion maker.”
Aubriana shook her head. “That won’t work. The
mages get their potions from the Sunswept Isles. King Tyrol pays a fortune for
it.” Her heart dropped, knowing that Tyrol would take no interest in such
information.
“King Efren seemed to think he had changed that.
He didn’t go into details, but he said their original supplier would not be
sending any more potions.”
“You’re certain of it?” Aubriana asked. She
wondered how Efren could have accomplished such a task. To her knowledge,
Ra’jhou had no relations with the Sunswept Isles.
“Yes, my lady.”
“So, this man will offer his services, and the
mages will be glad to have it,” the princess said, thinking out loud. “They’ll
accept him eagerly, and he will poison them.”
“I believe that is the plan, my lady,” Shala
replied.
“Efren must know this servant will be killed once
he’s discovered. The man must be expendable.” In her mind, she began to justify
what she was about to do.
“I didn’t hear anything like that,” Shala said.
“There was no mention of how the man was to return once the deed was done.” The
maid had not followed the men when their meeting was concluded. She feared
being discovered and having to explain why she was listening to their
conversation.
“They didn’t mention it because he won’t return.
They’ll know who is responsible for the poisoning, and they’ll kill him.”
Aubriana swallowed hard, wondering if this might truly endear her to the Na’zoran
king. This unknown man’s blood would not be on her hands, would it? He was
doomed either way. “I must compose a letter to Lady Bartin,” Aubriana said decidedly.
“It’s the king you must inform,” Shala replied.
“He won’t take a letter from me,” the princess
stated. “He will think it’s another plea for my son, and he will throw it
away.”
“How will we get the letter there?” Shala asked.
“Leave that to me,” Aubriana replied. “I still
have friends who will help as long as I meet their price.” Hurrying to her
dressing area, she stopped at a small wooden box and retrieved a golden
earring. “This should be more than enough,” she said.
Sitting at her writing desk, she took up her quill,
but no words came. Was there a chance Efren’s plan could succeed? If so, Ra’jhou
could likely win this war, and she might then be able to retrieve her son. No, she realized. Even without their mages, Na’zora’s army greatly outnumbers
Ra’jhou’s. I must do this. With a shaking hand, she wrote:
My dearest Lady Bartin,
I hope this letter finds you in good health. I
have arrived in my childhood home, but I find myself missing Na’zora with every
breath. I long to hold Rayne in my arms and tell him I love him. I hope he is
not sad over my departure. I would have him be happy each day, even if I am not
there to see it.
I have learned of a matter that might interest
King Tyrol, if you would be so kind as to relay a message. I trust that he is
wise enough to allow you to speak on my behalf. King Efren is sending a man
disguised as a potion maker. I know Na’zora has need of one. The man will
appear to be a half-elf and will arrive soon. Do not trust him. He intends to
poison the mages to eliminate them as a threat. He must be stopped. I hope the
king will listen to you, as this is a serious matter.
Sincerely,
Princess Aubriana of Na’zora
Aubriana shoved the letter away from her,
stretching her arms across the desk. Her heart pounded in her ears as she tried
to take deep breaths to calm her nerves. Was she doing the right thing? Would Tyrol
believe her? Did this letter make her a traitor against her own family?
Aubriana sighed. It was unclear which kingdom she should support. This place
felt like home, but her son was destined to rule Na’zora. Would it be so bad if
he ruled Ra’jhou as well? Only
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