Meeting One
I sat with my head cast down at the Tavern table that we sat at yesterday. It was quieter than yesterday thankfully. I don't think that my headache would have successfully made it through another loud crowd. It was still early in the day, so the residents where working or too modest to drink during the day. The only ones that had seemed to show up so far, where mercenaries looking for work. Of course this Kingdom could really offer nothing for fighting work, because they had been sieged of course by Drakos. If they where to go against the assassin forces, there surely would be a retaliation as punishment and that meant the Princess'sl life would be in further danger.
Of course Silvus could just be in as much danger as the eldest Princess. It was a façade created by Drakos so he could have complete control over the situations. There was always another plan without fail. If they couldn't keep the people under wraps using one Princess, he would surely use both, or even the Kingdom dwellers to get what he wanted. Like I said before, it wasn't like him to hold hostages. Something dark was at play and I wanted to find out what.
"Do you want to talk about this morning?" Sebastion asked coolly. He was putting on the 'big brother' act again. He felt obligated to talk about my feelings because we where family. Of course I never felt obligated to always give him a response. This was one of those times because honestly this was between Drake and myself. I just wanted to keep my distance for now and hope that down the road we can patch up from our fight and continue on with our lives.
"Sebastion, I love you but please stay out of this. It's not uncommon for couples to squabble. I am sure with time it will pass and we will be ok again." My hand twitched up to summon and drink, but I quickly slammed it back down on the table. I wouldn't drink because I needed to keep a level head. I would keep telling myself that until we left the tavern.
"Alright, I just figured I'd ask. It's not like you to get upset so easily, I was just worried." Sebastion offered as a peace offering and I sighed. It's true that since Drake entered our lives I had let my guard down more around everyone. I suppose I should really work on building those walls up so next time this occurs, maybe it won't hurt as much. I should change the topic to something else other than me. That is what it always seems to be about as of late, and I really hated being the center of attention.
"So how was your night with Maya?" I asked with a wicked grin. Sebastion let out a hearty chuckle. It was good to hear him genuinely laugh again, and it warmed my heart.
"I'm surprised you couldn't hear. I mean I know you are a heavy sleeper, but she was no silent angel." I gagged playfully and he laughed again. As much as I was glad that he patched things up between him and Maya, I really didn't want to listen to my brother talk about his love life either.
"You could have just said 'We had a great night'. Poor Maya must be so sore." I joked and punched him lightly in the arm. "You better not make her job more difficult than it already is Sebastion. If she gets caught because you aren't gentle, I will personally see to your funeral." I muttered under my breath. Sebastion scoffed at my remark and rolled his eyes.
"Oh please, I was really too drunk to do any real damage to her last night. In fact she practically rolled out of bed like nothing had happened. I won't lie and say it didn't hurt my feelings just a little bit." Even through the mask, you could tell he was pouting. I giggled at his response, enjoying his child like behavior for once. Even though it was an adult topic, I caught a glimpse of Sebastion's child like behavior from the past. It was a little nostalgic and I found myself smiling even more with his small disappointed grimace.
"Oh don't worry my dear, there is plenty of time to improve." We both jumped in surprise as Maya's sudden appearance behind Sebastion. We where so lost in conversation that neither one of us noticed her or the others walk through the door. Maya chuckled and leaned down to press a kiss upon Sebastion's head. He had other plans though. With a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, he placed his hands on her hips and pulled her down on top of him and into a straddle. Maya couldn't help but giggle at his enthusiasm before placing her lips on his forehead once again. Her long hair bounced off her back as she slowly pulled his mask down and they locked their lips together, sucking noises coming from their heated and passionate embrace.
I shook my head in discomfort, but didn't want to dishearten their public display of affection. After all it had been five years since they seen each other. So casually and awkwardly I stared at the table. Was this how Drake and I acted when we first started? No we had been more modest in our public displays. A quick peck here and there, but never once did we make out other then behind close doors. Drake was leagues more mature than Sebastion would ever be. I guess that was his charm after all. I heard Jaden clear his throat, impatience evident. Sebastion broke away from Maya and passed a swift glare in his direction. Displeased he broke up their show.
"Your sister may be lenient with your affections but the rest of us would like to keep that behind closed doors. Now let's get this meeting started, we have a bit of information to share." He pulled out a wooden chair from next to me and plopped down heavily. He looked even more tired that yesterday. Almost as if he hadn't slept at all. I pursed together my lips at my friend. His health had now become my concern, but we could discuss such things after he gave his report.
"So we went one step further and decided that it would be best to split up into two groups. One for the morning shifts, and one for the afternoon. It would make blending in easier if we weren't constantly seen together. So any additional information won't be given until tomorrow afternoon." It sounded like a solid plan, but something in his eyes said there was a big but coming. "With us being in odd numbers, I decided to let Maya stay by your sides just in case we find something huge and it can't wait for the afternoon meeting. This will work as a great way to receive and send messages if we are in a bind. Maya and I have already discussed a meeting spot to meet up at everyday." I mean it would prove very useful in the event that Drake decides to lock me up for disobeying his orders. After all I snuck out again despite him protesting that I shouldn't come here alone. I could only imagine the consequences I would receive after this meeting.
"Very well, but change it often in case someone picks up on them. The last thing we need is for them to figure out a pattern and then ambush you. Keep it sporadic to keep them off your scent." Jaden nodded in agreement. His eyes narrowed and he leaned back in his chair. They seemed to be staring off into the distance, lingering. Suspicious, I followed his gaze to the door of the tavern and nervously swallowed. Nicklos had walked through the door and was scanning the empty tables and chairs until his eyes landed upon our small group. Of all people he sent, it had to be that bastard. I grimaced as he made his way slowly over to us, almost as if he where dragging his feet.
"All be damned you are alive after all. I didn't want to believe it at first, but here you are." Despite the jab, there wasn't an once of friendliness in Jaden's tone. Maya bristled and stiffened as well at the approach, her eyes narrowing with every step he got closer. Nicklos seemed unaffected by their rough treatment and sat down across from Jaden and I.
"If I had it my way, I wouldn't be here either. Don't try and play nice with me because your leader is here Jaden. I know you resent me and as you should. I was given strict instructions to drag both of them back so quickly say what you have to say and then leave." Nicklos stated blandly. By his wording, I was to assume Drake told him to just drag us back regardless of what was transpiring. He was giving me a bit of freedom because he knew that they would be informative and possibly helpful. Jaden scoffed at his remark and then nodded once.
"Very well. Like I said yesterday we would spend today and study their patterns before we just delved into actually prying for information. You won't like what I have to say either." Jaden laid his eyes upon me, stressing his words. "It appears those zombie men are here and they are the ones looting the caves. I mean these bastards can carry crate upon crates of gold and Iron. They aren't even breaking a single sweat. Mindless is definitely something I would call them." Jaden muttered under his breath. I could tell he was distressed upon what he saw. It indeed wasn't good if they where already housing their mindless zombies and setting them to work. But the question was, what for?
"If you even got near them, these big guards would come up and start hounding questions and get real testy too. They dressed like us, but they didn't act like us. no symbol or signet either. They where unmarked soldiers." Maya chimed in with a clipped and cool tone.
"If there was one thing that stood out to me the most, it was that they all wore these silver rings with some kind of inscription in graved in the metal. It wasn't a language I had ever seen before, so trying to translate it was impossible. But they seem highly dangerous, I feel like if we where to get close again, it would be our last." Jaden visibly shuttered, his eyes swimming with unease as he slumped further in his chair. Nicklos and I shared a worried glance. It seemed that there was a little more than torture at play with these men.
Obviously magic wasn't dead. I mean even our ear pieces we shared with Argus where made of pure magic. I wondered if some how, these men where controlling the minds of these beaten men. They must be using the rings as a way of enslavement so they had no option but to follow orders from Drakos. Where there really magic users who would turn to him and use their powers for evil. Even after Drakos's grandfather Malfathicus had tried to kill them all? This wasn't something we could discuss with the other assassins, not right now any way. If they where to find out they could use magic, if that was indeed what was happening, then they would leave before we had enough information. I wouldn't blame them for leaving, this was all over my head as well and I was still learning as I continued with this group of people.
"Thank you Jaden, I appreciate your findings. Now go rest and we will talk again tomorrow. Please rest well and I mean it." I squeezed his shoulder before standing. Sebastion followed suite, quietly sharing confused glances between Nicklos and I. Jaden nodded groggily as he pushed back his chair and stood. I watched him maneuver around the chairs and tables until he was out the door. With a heavy sigh Nicklos rose from the table, clearly unhappy with us, and the recent discovery.
"You have severely pissed off Drake this afternoon my lady. I hope you are ready to face his wrath." I rolled my eyes and shoved my way past him. There wasn't anything Drake could do to me that could hurt me worse than yesterday.
"What more can be done to me in this lifetime Nicklos? How much more suffering could I really receive that hasn't already been done? His Majesty does not scare me, and I will face the consequences with my head held high." I threw over my shoulder as I pushed past the chairs and table that sat scattered about the tavern. In order to avoid being caught again in the future, I would need another means of space for meetings. This one was compromised. I would have to have Maya scout out another area when she would meet up with Jaden tomorrow.