Chuckle in the Darkness

The man's name was Shadow and he changed the way Leopold looked at the world that night.

It was too much. He thought that things like these exist only in imagination. He was wrong.

Shadow's hand materialized. It looked like a smoke before- completely hidden for those who lack perception. Now the smoke turned into a hand.

The light illumination of the three candles was enough to display the expressions of the people inside the room. Their eyes were all bulging. All four of them along with Shadow were sitting around a table. Henry was mumbling a prayer. Braun was frowning and shaking his head. Rupert was gripping the hilt of his sword. Leopold was looking at Shadow's face.

"You could kill anyone you like. Hide in the shadows and walk in the room of anyone while they are sleeping. Merchants, Nobles, Kings- you can end lives just like snuffing out a candle" Leopold said

"I probably could. In fact during the Castonian Civil War I offered King Timothy my services. He refused"

"To kill me I suppose?"

"Yes" Shadow nodded.

Rupert leaned forward.

"And it wouldn't have worked. I would have stopped you with my sword"

"Maybe" Shadow sighed "I am not a fighter. I can only hide myself in the shadows hence my name. But let us all be thankful that King Timothy refused my services. All the three of us are still alive"

Leopold felt thankful towards his son. Even though Rupert wasn't going to admit it- it was apparent that Shadow was powerful enough to assassinate him.

Timothy could have ended the civil war earlier. He could have become the King of all Castonia without having to go through hardships. Instead Timothy refused Shadow. His son gave him a chance to realize and correct his mistakes.

"Enough with that. You are powerful, we get it. So why are you here? You said that you are our friend" Braun said

"I am your friend. To be exact- I am King Timothy's friend. You are his loyal subjects which makes all of you my friend" Shadow said as he looked at them one by one.

Two soldiers entered the room. They were carrying five bowls. The two men laid the bowls on the table and exited the room with a salute and a bow.

The bowls were filled with steaming oatmeals. A wooden spoon was submerged in each of the oatmeals. They had eaten just before the attack but they had just secured a victory and the success calls for a celebration. He ordered the distribution of oatmeals for all the soldiers. A second dinner would surely raise their morale- at least that's what Timothy taught him.

Leopold dragged a bowl towards Shadow's front.

"Eat" Leopold gestured towards the bowl.

Leopold dragged another bowl towards his front. He dug a spoonful of the food and started eating.

Braun frowned. He glared at Leopold.

"Shouldn't we interrogate him first before eating?"

"Shadow is hungry Braun. Answers could wait. But a growling stomach? No. Let the shadowy man have his meal"

"It's alright" Shadow said "I could eat later"

"No foolish words tonight" Leopold pushed.

Shadow looked at the bowl. He scooped the spoon and ate.

Leopold smiled at the still grumpy Braun. He understands why Braun was upset. He himself was a little impatient for answers.

But Timothy once told him that patience could bear amazing fruits. Pushing Shadow for an answer would just alienate him. More can be gained from a friendly conversation compared to a brusque confrontation.

"So how is Earl Vernice? I suppose you've met him? Someone as powerful as you should be acquianted with the Earl of Anthapis" Leopold said

"I've met him just recently. I actually saved him from an enemy and he also saved me" Shadow put down the spoon "Thank you for the meal. I think I should tell you now of purpose of being here"

"Our ears shall be yours" Leopold said

Shadow told them of what happened. He told them how he and Vernice met. He also told them about the origin of the rebellion. Apparently an old man who could burn things with his hands is the one behind the noble uprising. His tongue was coated in silver and his wits were sharp. He was able to convice the nobles to hoard food. With the food, they have the power of life and death for the commoners. Since Timothy's army was away, the nobles were hoping that they could use the snow season to fortify their position.

Shadow also revealed that Ivan was included in this troublesome fuss- not that Leopold was surprised. Ivan had always been a little dull. He must have thought that the old man and this laughable uprising could give him the crown. Leopold could only hope that Ivan would grow his brain someday.

Idiots, Leopold thought. All of them-idiots. Even if the nobles were able to muster tens of thousands of serfs and thousands of mercenaries, they cannot win. The few hundred mounted soldiers under him were just the vanguard of a larger force. Loyal nobles in the East still exist and they are sending a punitive force in the name of the King and the Queen. The garrisons were also loyal to Timothy. Furthermore, Anthapis under Earl Vernice could threaten them from another side.

"He wants chaos" It was Braun who talked. The Baron's bowl remained untouched. He lifted his head to look at Shadow "Why? Why is he doing this? And who are you for that matter? That old man and you are the same. What is your aim?"

Shadow's face diaplayed displeasure.

"That man and I are not of the same. Our goals are different. I have comrades and he has his"

"But both of you can do extraordinary things"

"That is right"

"Tell us more. Who are you? Who are these comrades you are talking about? Reveal these things to us or we will treat you as our enemy" Braun said, apparently agitated. The Baron was clenching his fist.

"Alas, I cannot reveal more than that" Shadow's eyes hopped from person to person "I still don't trust all of you. One of you could be working for them"

"That is alright Shadow. Distrust is a common thing between people who have just met" Leopold said cocking his head and looking towards Braun. Braun was smart but he was terrible in dealing with people. During Braun's frequent visit in the past to other Kingdoms to forge relations, the Baron would often resort to intimidation rather than sweet talking. And now Braun was doing the same thing.

Timothy also taught Leopold that talking with people is like choosing the right key for a lock. Every person has his own key. In the case of Shadow, intimidation would not work.

"Leave him Braun. If his lips are sealed then who are we to force them open? If he doesn't trust us yet then we can't make him trust us by threatening him. Isn't that right Henry?"

"Yes" The knight nodded

Leopold intertwined his fingers and raised an eyebrow towards Shadow.

"Just tell us what you can. I suppose Earl Vernice would like to coordinate with us?"

"He does. Anthapis still flies the royal flag. The Earl is loyal to the King. When I left Anthapis, the city was clouded in an air of war. The city guards were roused. The serfs were armed. The civilians were drafted. But the armies of the nobles and your other son is marching towards the city. My plan was to meet with you and offer my services for you to take Ront and Straso. It would take long but that's the only way"

Shadow shook his head. A happy grin erupted from him.

"But I underestimated you. Marching through the plains in the snow season? The nobles and even that man would never see it coming"

"Aye" Leopold smiled but his expression bore sadness "But we lost many during the march. I even almost lost my life. Rupert here lost four fingers and an ear"

"Such is life" Shadow bowed "But because of your losses the the supply line of the nobles has been cut. They will starve and we now hold the initiative. Your losses just saved the people of Anthapis"

Even so, Leopold stil felt sorry for the people he lost. He knew that it was irrational of him to feel this way but he does.

"Not yet. Anthapis is still not saved. We first need to defeat the nobles. Any ideas?" Leopold swung his look at the people inside the room.

Two persons smiled- Shadow and Braun. Both of them blurted the same words simultaneously.

"Another rebellion"

**********

Ivan was a little irritated at Helios. The old man dragged him in the middle of the night towards a big tree. It was cold. He was drowsy. It was also dark. He wanted the comfort of his tent.

"So what is it?" Ivan asked. He leaned against the tree and yawned.

"You are worthless" Helios said

Ivan's drowsiness was thawed.

"I am what?"

"Worthless" Helios said "But now I suddenly realized that you are the best card that I have. So even though it hurts my pride to work with you, I have no choice"

Ivan straightened his body. He raised a finger towards Helios. He opened his mouth but words didn't come out.

"I will tell you everything Ivan. I will reveal the secrets of the world to you. But first, a demonstration"

Helios opened his palm. It started as a spark and then it grew into a flame. A flame soon burned on top of Helios' palm.

Ivan stumbled. His butt fell on the snow. His body shook.

Helios smiled at him.

"Do not be afraid Ivan. Starting today, you will be our friend"