Chapter 34
"Lies serpentined through the Kingdom as large beasts of deceit and treachery residing in lavish opulence, for the heart of men lacked not in schemes.
Yet revolts did not break forth against the deception, for the people could not see through the invisible facade of these beasts that stared into their faces even in open day."
~
The Secret Cell of the Under-Ground Dungeons,
Kingdom of Tristendyre,
The first Phrinight of the Second month,
XXI Year of Regency
Jaycob could not believe how easily he had offered his senses to the diversion. Of course, the concept of his grandfather that Imogen had listed was greatly consoling, but the Regent and the Eccleissor were swiftly approaching and he had failed to pay heed.
Scooping the unconscious old man over his shoulder, he rushed out the cell to cast the man in the corridors.
He would have to extract the needed information after the deceitful men of the State will have left.
Before returning to the hall of the Secret cell, Jaycob's grasp realised that the hammer that the man had used was not in the place where he had hurled it during the fit of struggle.
He clicked his lips in frustration, but there was naught that he could accomplish in that regard.
It was understood that there was a person that had secretly treaded the alley and had confiscated the weapon, but not Joab, for he was in the vigilant custody of Jaycob, within the room.
Thus, it was inevitable that this fainted man who was the single fount to information in his game of finding the source to these dark operations would be seized from his possession, if left in the night of the passageway.
However, it could not be avoided, for Jaycob could not endanger his chances with the Regent by having him know that he had embezzled this secret man.
Further, his robes were taken possession of, and thus, Jaycob would need to return them with the unconscious Mister Joab if so found. With a heavy sigh heaved, the tall Archer left the slumbering old man in the corridor and returned.
He entered the secretive prison chambers to see Imogen seated demurely in the cell of his late grandfather. Jaycob stood, leaning against the wall, crossing arms against his chest.
His eyes were still burning and he hoped they bore no embers for that would be greatly obvious. He quickly adjusted his mask before the Regents stepped into the room from the door whence they had left.
"Sire", Jaycob acknowledged.
His charisma in feigning respect had mastered such posh finesse that it was nearly frightening to his own perception from how truthful it sounded.
"Has the body been buried?" asked the Regent.
To such, the Archer nodded with respectful aura, "Dutifully, your grace."
Devland seemed specifically irritable although his disposition towards the Regent bore no evidences thereof.
"Blindfold her eyes", said Jehoram and Jaycob nodded.
The Arch Eccleissor stepped forward, however, in motion that spoke Jaycob to subside. "I will do the task", said he like the masked Archer could not be trusted.
Once the damsel's eyes were seals without vision, Devland commenced the honour of leading her to the dorm of the Princess' residence in the Imperial Castle.
Jaycob watched wistfully, for there was a great way in the journey, containing mysteries he longed to know of.
The Regent cleared the rasps of his throat and the Head Archer immediately inclined his attention.
"There are no more prisoners for secrecy. You may seal this containment in permanence. Bring me the keys when you are finished", ordered Jehoram.
"Of course, Sire", the olive-haired man responded. "Must I commence my sojourn to Hyll-Decanta in the dawn of the morrow? The Treaty is near completion and thereby, the Princess can be retrieved secretly."
The Regent's disposition tensed visibly. "There is no urgent need for such at this moment. You are far too keen in attending to this specific business. Fare farther and find Sable Duvessa. This old man was to have known, but he has made no mention. If you find the Princess, there is no need for you to appear before Vericus; I can arrange for such with another", the man huffed, seeming greatly frustrated.
"Pardon the intrusion, Your Grace, but it would distort the business of my pretence loyalty to the King of Hyll-Decanta if a replaced envoy is sent", Jaycob reasoned, unable to make sense of the man's contradiction in his own spelt commands.
"I have the better judgement in such matter. Merely do as you are told. It is I that you serve by fealty, not Hyll-Decanta", the Regent finished, evidently infuriated.
"Your wishes are my service, Your Majesty", Jaycob bowed.
"And do not forget, Mercedes is still priced possession. It will not bruise my grace if you do retrieve her, but you needn't meet the King thereof", said he exiting the chambers. "Mind that you faithfully do bring me the keys."
Jaycob stared, feeling snuffed.
There was ill contempt in the man's airs like he had already yielded to Devland's schemes.
Jaycob knew that the Regent may not trust him, but there was no need for such sworn disgrace regarding the matter, be-cause the Archer was not infidel to the government in this specific event.
In all these years of service, Jaycob had enjoyed undivided favour: all his cards were trumps, all his endeavours were victory, all his drinks were wine, all his falls ended on all fours as a feline, there wasn't a single taint to his name, his scars never saw light and sight, his every coin was gold or diamond, even his status of orphanage served him more profit that his family name and he stood to everyone's awe.
But this moment, everything of his life was collapsing: both personal, with his grandfather parted and in employment.
There was a strange feeling of darkness enshrouding his being when he realised that he was defeated by the prophecy that enslaved his psyche.
He considered the means he could use to win back and strive forth for esteem. The thoughts of the secret organisation beyond him poured into his mind and he needed to investigate.
Just then, he thought of old Mister Joab Xavier who was his sole means to uncovering the mystery.
Jaycob rushed out the door to find the man gone.
~
Lady Minerva's Chambers,
The Physician's Wing of the Imperial Castle,
Kingdom of Tristendyre,
The first Phrinight of the Second month,
XXI Year of Regency
Crescence had just left after collecting a great deal of Imogen's raiment. The maiden's desires seemed lofty, covetously cherry-picking a handsome share of gowns and skirts and sleeves and accessories and gloves and knits.
However, Lady Minerva had assorted a specific number of apparels for the needy, since that would have been her bygone apprentice's burning wish.
It wasn't long before she had packed them in neat parcels.
Once the broad and satin ribbons were bound to arrest the cases from opening, she inspected the array of packages strewed before her: round hat boxes decked with neatly folded garments and some shoes and glass bottles bearing jewellery and laces.
The woman had desired to gift them to the penurious immediately, for this was the day of Imogen's death and she wished for this day to be the day many of the underprivileged would be caused smiles on her behalf till her soul rested peacefully.
Lady Minerva looked through the latticed window, as she calmly loosened the bun at the nape of her neck, to see the rains growing slow.
Taking specific care to clip the pin that was key to her casket on the lapel of her blouse, she redid her upsweep in a more prim and tight fashion and allowed no loose strands of hair to stray.
Finally, she took the pin and gazed at it for a moment: bronze metallic body that seemed to be of curious make and glass in the shape of wings extending on either side thereof, emerald hues at the part where the wings connected to the pin.
The woman heaved a melancholic sigh and tucked it under her up-do. This key should have seen its place in Imogen's hand.
As the rains were calming their rage, she decided to visit the village of Lyrishveil, near Hazenvale, and disburse the presents there, for there was an orphanage that housed the destitute and much other persons with low income.
It was a rather poverty-stricken village built recently and such village placed at the rim of the Kingdom was not a stone construction as the rest part of Tristendyre.
In regular scene, the Kingdom saw far too many Dragon Raids and thus, was constructed in gravel and stone for such mineral would be defensive and difficult to inflame.
However, only after the era of regency was born, this village began to unravel into its own body of land and the inmates thereof came hard to cordiality with their neighbouring towns and cities.
The houses and buildings of the place were constructed cheaper in wood and bricks and the horticulture in the precincts was far richer.
It was probable that they were not architected in stone, for the reason of gestation expenditure and there was no imperative necessity, be-cause Dragons only alighted at the capital of St. Erdengaur and never farther that there to the skirts of the Kingdom, since over two decades then.
More so, the rise of Lyrishveil was a wonderful event for it testified the growth and spread of their Nation. Lady Minerva had drawn all the windows of the room open earlier, although it was cold, be-cause the silence of the room was suffocating to bear.
She sent for a young lad by name Aldric to carry her goods to the carriage she had arranged and to further assist her during the journey in distribution of clothes.
The Physician was attired presentably with fine satins of black with long layers of skirts collected in smocking and embedded with silver.
Her sleeves were full and her peplums were modest, yet the colour of shadows ranged the entire of her clothes save the silvers, for she appeared in mourning after apprentice's demise.
Strapping the belts into the oval ring of her waist, she cast a final glance out the window before latching it.
The sombre attire and weather were not pleasant.
As the woman proceeded, she heard the screech and flapping of the wings of a great bird approaching.
Wondering if it was Noctyn, the Royal Physician peered down to see a large messenger bird, carrying news from a foreign country.
~