Westfield: 279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LLdiW3Dch
“Sir, you seem distracted.”
I turned to look at William sitting upon his horse, his concerned expression darting around my face. I waved his apprehension away, returning to surveying the path before us. Twenty soldiers rode behind us, as well as some ten archers in the trees. Our resident knight faction, the Silent Stags rode around us. Their leader Garrett was a silent, conservative man with a talent in strategy and intelligence. His faction was also one of the few who believed in a set of values rather than blindly following the ruling of the king.
“What is it you search for?” William asked curiously, “the pack will be at the meeting point.” He frowned, watching me, “but they’re not who you are looking for, are they.”
I turned away from his accusing stare, feeling slightly foolish. I wanted to know how Madelaine would disguise herself. Of course, I could have invited her to be by my side. But I wanted to know what she would do. She had not been seen since the night before the meeting, neither had her servant or the young captain Hamish. Was she disguised as a soldier behind me? Was she hiding in the trees? I even had my soldiers ride without their helmets on as we travelled through the city, putting them on by the city gates. The people had celebrated our appearance as we rode, and now amongst the trees, I wondered where she could be hiding.
“What troubles you William?” I asked, “everything shall go according to plan. Guests will be arriving soon. We must sort this trouble out swiftly and effectively.”
“Your interest in the lady is becoming an obsession.” He replied flatly, “if you could marry her sooner you would.”
“Is interest in my future wife wrong?”
“When placed above common sense.” He sighed, watching the road, “I hope she is who she says she is.”
“You worry too much.”
“You used to worry about that kind of thing as well.” He reminded me, “For good reason.”
We entered the chosen clearing, a single man waiting for us sitting on a log before a small fire. He wore a large curling hat with colourful feathers sprouting from it, his jacket the same bright green.
“He is a pirate then.” William said with a small amount of wonder, “there are many rumours surrounding this man – I am oddly glad this one is at least true.”
I rose a hand for a halt and dismounted, giving the reins to William. He sighed and clicked his fingers, a man racing to take both our reins as he followed me out of earshot of our men.
I turned to see an odd expression on William’s face as he watched the man. At my look he composed himself. “Just some déjà vu,” he said with some amusement, “a certain lady met me in a similar way. But she had tea.”
The man looked up at us, his hands holding a small carving knife and an intricate wooden dancer. His face was weathered, two scars running through his right eyebrow. His other eye was hidden by a slightly tattered patch. As he smiled, he revealed yellowed teeth and two sharpened canines.
“Well, ain’t it the lord of the castle himself!” The captain crowed, smiling. He slipped the knife and carving into his pocket, tipping his hat in our direction.
He looked behind us, whistling to himself, “you brought some party guests then.”
“We came for information.” William said softly, “we have no interest in capturing you.”
Captain grinned, “oh, what a relief! Here I thought I’d have to hop off into the bushes after our little talk! But where are my manners? I am known as Captain – no need to add a name to the title. Too many enemies you see – less name means less to keep track of.”
Despite myself I found myself liking the rogue, reminding me of simpler times and wayward seas. I had no doubt he could sail. “Tomas Westfield – lord of Westfield.”
“Bit strange having the same last name as your city isn’t it?”
“I inherited the title.”
He gave me a long look, “Not interested in fancy inherited swords or somethin’?”
William’s sword appeared before the captain, eyeing him, “I inherited one of those.”
Captain seemed unfazed by the sword pointing at his vitals, rather nodded his head side to side, “aye – fancy cutter it is too.”
I gave William a look who shrugged and sheathed his sword, though a slight smile hovered around his lips.
“I hear you’re working for some interesting people.” I said, “interested in making a new deal?”
For a moment Captain seemed to lose some bravado before he returned my gaze. I could see a trace of something in his intelligent grey eye, something that hardened warriors feared.
“I am.” He finally said, “though, had I not been given new information before your coming I would have left you dead in this field. You have mighty resources Lord Westfield.”
I frowned, “even with my soldiers?”
Captain looked uncomfortable, but shrugged his shoulders, “you need to remember that numbers can also be a strategical error.” I sensed an invisible hand behind his, forcing him to play cards he would normally have kept hidden.
“Now!” He remarked like a dog shaking wet fur, “The deal! What do you propose?”
“Lord Mickal wishes to assassinate me – using you as a diversion and information cartel to do it. I know this. He specialises in weapons, so I must assume he had granted you access to new technology. I propose instead we leak his weapons to the black market – you can even have the profits from it.”
Captain frowned thoughtfully, stroking his chin. “This would undermine his profits, make me rich and get your revenge without ever having to be connected. Why need you? I could simply do this without your help. Besides this,” he sighed, “double crossing is bad for business.”
“How old is the lord’s son?” William asked me. I shared a long look with him, both understanding the question within the question. Killing Mickal would solve all our problems.
I looked curiously at the man, “tell me Captain, how long do your contracts last?”
“Depends.” He shrugged, “this one until your wedding day. He pays me by the fortnight.”
“And should he not be able to pay?”
“The contract is no longer valid.”
I nodded, considering. Captain watched me with an amused smile, taking the carving out of his pocket.
“Nobles and their plots – never an end to them. Crooks and thieves look to fill their stomachs. You look to cut them open and spill guts. Never trust a man with money and means.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” A voice behind Captain said, light footsteps padding closer like a large cat. She wore a thief’s jacket; twin daggers resting at hip height, a quiver and bow on her back. I knew she was using a tone that I would recognise through the cloth mask and cloak covering her hair and face.
At her presence Captain’s face turned bone white, his carving forgotten in his hands. I glanced at William, seeing a hand hovering by his sword.
“I wouldn’t William, I am quite the shot.” She said smugly, watching a surprised jolt run through his features. To emphasise her point she drew and shot so fast I missed the arrow, hearing it thud into a tree by our left. It had flashed past Will, real fear blinking in his eyes.
“Now, after my discussion with Captain here – this is what I can tell you. The contract has been severed – there is no money coming. How? Best not to worry your pretty heads, it has been dealt with.” I could almost see her grin. Madelaine – for surely it was, looked down at Captain who recoiled from her look. Her voice was deeper, and her stance was different – but I knew her tone, knew the way she moved, as though she was forever dancing with every step she took.
She clicked her fingers and a figure dropped by her feet, offering her sheets of parchment. Glancing at it, I could clearly see the mapped out plans for swords, shields, and siege weapons. She handed them to Captain who bowed before her, taking the offered paper.
“For your time and flexibility.” Madelaine purred over his head.
She nodded to me, then turned and melted into the trees behind us. Before she left, I caught sight of her sleeve, a black swan with a blood red eye detailed into place on the fabric. Captain turned to watch her, turning back with naked fear and awe in his face. As though the devil himself had decided to spare him.
What, or rather who was I dealing with?
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