Well Informed

It had been a few hours since we departed. The horses where galloping like crazy through the forest as he pushed ourselves and the horses, to their limits. I gritted my teeth, trying to quell the anxiety that was racing through my every nerve. Counting down the days to the ball, it was four days. Four days to get Jeremiah and Nathanial home safely, and four days to stop the attack on the day of the ball. That was another thing we still hadn't figured out. The chemicals that our researchers where analyzing, was still an unsolved mystery.

If I was lucky, maybe I could get all of my answers in one place. I could save my people, find the person in charge of the mercenaries, and then stop the mystery attack from happening. It was strange though, how deep the treason went within our walls. I told the General that when he sent the soliders back to the castle, to keep an eye on all of them. Everyone was starting to become a suspect. For crying out loud my favorite head maid was a traitor. Regardless of her reasons, she still went after my family, and in the end made the Kingdom suffer.

Clearly there was a traitor amongst my ranks as the prisoner not only escaped cleanly they night, but also managed to get a one over on my strongest warrior. Which I drilled the General about before I left. It was a masked man, identical to the one we saw that night at the mercenary camp. All cloaked in black, he was able to blend in with his surroundings and jump the General. According to him, his attacks where similiar to those of a Knights. Which leads me to believe that this is someone who went through our program before. The problem is, who? I have so many enemies because I am a female Knight. No man wants to feel belittled by a woman who ranked first in on of the toughest programs made for warriors.

"Your Majesty, let's rest a moment. These horses aren't built for such terrain, and at long intervals." Marquise called out over the thunder of hooves. He drew away my attention from my inner turmoil, and towards the horses who where panting so feverently, I thought they would collapse. I huffed in annoyance, but agreed. It would be wise to rest them while we could. There is no good use in a dead horse.

Thankfully, despite the sun being high in the sky, the canopy kept us shielded from the harmful and hot rays of the sun. The shadows kept us cooled as we settled down in a dense part of the forest. The trees where far apart, but their branches where so thick and long, they wove together, forming a sort of bearer. Even if it rained, we wouldn't see a single drop. I led my panting and limping horse over to a small stream and watched as it greedily lapped at the cold water. I knelt down beside it, splashing water on my face, trying to cool my body, and my thoughts.

"What's on your mind, Your Majesty?" Marquise said kneeling down beside me. A set of footsteps settled in behind me as well, a crowd developing behind me. I chuckled bitterly before standing and facing them. Brushing a hand through my hair, my stress became more apparent than it had before. I was now able to talk freely without the others over hearing.

"You are well aware this is a trap, right?" I asked blandly, casually stroking my horse's fur as it continued to huff next to me. It was a white horse with light brown colored spots. Much different than my black stallion that had always carried me into battle.

"What do you mean, trap?" Nicklos asked, his tone painfully fierce. I left him in the dark, and he was angry. I wasn't saying much, and it was frustrating those who were not involved in the begining. With a frustrated sigh, I told them everything. Starting from the plan with the prisoner, all the way to the letters I recieved from Jeremiah and Nathaniel. It was quiet as the processed this information. The eager edge in Seria's eyes, was now dull and quiet. I felt like I had tricked her, and now she was sealing her fate by my side.

"I couldn't say anything about this because I knew the General would do anything to either bring me home, or to joing us. He is already severly injured, and if my father where to know about this, he would surely lock me up and strip me of my title. As much as I hated bringing any more people into this, I know I can't exactly do this on my own. I won't say this isn't suicide, but what ever they are planning is happening in the Stratheom." I calmly murmured.

"If I go down, at least I will be at your side. There is no better place for a warrior than beside her commander's side." Seria spoke. It was grim, and her tone was very low, but I could tell she genuienly meant what she said. If I wasn't wrong, she was an orphan, and to her there was no where else for her to go. I gave her a sad half smile, appreciating what she said, and feeling guilty about getting her involved in this mess.

"It honestly sounds like after all this time, you where the intended target Alliah. Are you sure it's a good idea for you to continue?" Nicklos asked. His brows where knit together in concern. His dark blue eyes like two endless ocean's rocking back and forth together once comforted me, but now, I could only see betrayl.

"It was my fault for getting them involved in this mess, it's only right that I get them home safely. Jeremiah has been severly injured, and I have been told Maxwell is in no better shape. If what they said is true and Kaedan is hunting them, then they are running out of time. I have only heard stories about Kaedan, but he doesn't seem like the type to back down." My fists tightened in anguish, fearing for my comrades.

"I've had my fair share in dealing with Kaedan. He is ruthless, but he isn't as strong as everyone makes him out to be." Nicklos spoke bitterly, teeth clenched. When did he have to deal with Kaedan? It sounds like they have encountered each other a few times. With Stratheom not to far from his territory borders, I guess it isn't an odd phenomenon. But still, the way he spoke ill of him, made it sound deeper than that.

"What's your deal with Kaedan? Maybe it can help us."

"He is cocky. The title given to him by his peers had all but ran to his head. The stories about him are all fabricated by rumors that he created to make himself sound tough. I couldn't tell you how many times I have come across him, and he only cowers in fear. He picks on the weak to make him look strong, and any occurences that he has had with a tough bunch of people are mostly paid off in his favor. The guy is nothing but a coward. Although I can't say the same for the Vixen and Kalus." I was surprised by how well informed Nicklos was of Kaedan. It seems there was a lot I didn't know about him.

"You seem to know a lot about Kaedan." I said suspiciously. Nicklos only grinned as he crossed his arms over his chest. He almost looked cocky himself.

"I have more or less have had a fair share of fighting matches with these guys. I know that Kaedan is actually Kalus's little brother. The Vixen is the older sister to both. So if one is involved, than all three are. That's where things start to get really dangerous. Kalus is a very skilled warrior. His father before him was the King of the Mercenaries. But old age got the best of him and Kalus is now the crowned ruler of the rogue warriors. Laylia is cunning as she is greedy. As long as you have the coins, she is willing to turn even her own brothers against each other. Which is why Kalus and Kaedan are not on good terms. But they are still willing to work together if it comes down to it." The group had gone silent as we listened to Nicklos, drinking in the information.

"So what your saying is, if we pay of the Vixen, then we can sneak away unharmed?" Marquise asked skeptically. This too occured in my mind, but I felt like there was a big but coming. The grin on Nicklos's face faded, and his eyes settled upon mine.

"It's not impossible, but because of our close encounters in the past, she isn't going to do well around royalty, or Knights. Michael or Seria would have to walk in there alone, and hope that they don't get seduced by the mad woman." Seria moved uncomfortable on her feet, but nodded all the same.

"There is one more thing that will warn you about before we leave. All though there are three major crime lords in the city of Stratheom, there is a fourth one. She keeps a low profile and doesn't like to flaunt her powers, but I am almost certain that she is the main one involved in the mess you are in."

"How do you know so much?" Marquise and I glanced skeptically at each other. I know he said he had dealt a lot with them in the past, but it almost seems like he is too well informed.

"Well, because the three had a huge roll in the death of my father, and almost the collapse of my kingdom."