"I need to speak with your Blade alone, General." Their voices were distant yet clear. Common focus on meditation. "She's meditating right now. Can this wait?"
"No," Instantly I recognized the authoritative voice, of which belonged to the Heir. "My sincere apologies, for how I spoke your Majesty. Ena!" I stood with a sigh and walked over to them, bowing low to the Heir.
"And what did I do to deserve this honor of standing in front of you, face to face, your majesty?" He put a hand to his chest, "The honor is mine, Rubeus Blade. Come," He said walking a distance away from Masaru. I did so, and awaited for whatever else he had to say. "I came to thank you personally, for your swift action and quick thinking. I expect nothing less from a former Kosdor." I winced from the word former. You're still nothing. "Give this," he said, pulling out a scroll with a red ribbon from a small satchel, "to the General." I bowed, taking it from him, "Yes, your Majesty."
"Don't disappoint." Then he left as quickly as he came. Almost right afterward, Masaru came up from behind me and snatched the scroll. With a swift movement, he removed the ribbon, and began to read aloud.
"General of the Rubeus Clan, you have been called to the Imperial Palace to discuss matters related to the previous attempt on the Imperial Family's life.. We expect to see you and your beautiful Blade-"
"There's no way they called me that," I said, peering over to look at the writing. "They did, see?" I yanked the scroll from him, but saw no such description of me. "Kidding! But they should have added it," he said as he yanked the scroll back, grinning. As expected, despite my fight against it, blushing rose to my cheeks. What's the point of hiding it anymore?49Please respect copyright.PENANAkN5yIO1hTI
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I oddly felt weak around him, yet stronger. Safer. And the smell of him was intoxicating. Like a musky sweet campfire on a winter night. "Well then."
"What," I asked.
"The Assassin you caught is refusing to talk, unless he speaks with you. And of course if this assassin is foreign... War will ensue." He cursed under his breath, stress written all over his face. "Continue meditation. However, keep in mind, we leave soon."
***
Guards lined the hall, standing there as if they were statues. The Captain of the Royal Guard lead I and Masaru down the cold hall, towards a cell. "Has he said why he wants to speak to The Blade?" The Captain shook his head, "No. Nothing." Masaru looked at me, and raised a brow.
"She has nothing to do with it Masaru."
Masaru sighed, seeming to relax from Eranar's words. We finally reached the cell. The Captain swiftly opened it and we stepped through into a cold room only lit by candle light and a small barred window.49Please respect copyright.PENANAuQ0QDOCH0h
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The assassin sat in a wooden chair, tied to it. He's clean shaven, bald on the head. Dark eyes. "Talk," Masaru ordered him. He looked up at Masaru and glared, "Not with the captain around." Masaru nodded to the Captain, and he left, shutting the door. Not that it would matter. He'd be listening in. "Who do you-"
"Shut up General. I'll only speak with her," He looked to me, grinning. I rolled my eyes, "Who sent you?"
"Yunta." A country not to far from ours. I crossed my arms, glancing at Masaru. He motioned me to continue. "Your name?"
"Jaron Re."
"Why were you sent after the imperial family?" He stayed silent. "Answer!" Still nothing. Masaru put his hand, now in flames, next to the assassins face. "Answer her." The Assassin gulped shaking his head he looked at me, then quickly looked down, over and over. "Wait," I said. Masaru backed off, and the assassin mouthed, Boot. Masaru took off the mans boots, studying it. As if he knew what it was, he fiddled with the bottom. The heal suddenly popped off, a folded piece of paper falling to the ground. I picked it up and opened it, another piece of paper falling to the ground. I handed the second to Masaru, to look over it while. I looked at the first. "It's a hit list," I scanned the names noting that every last one of them were nobles, ranking from highest to lowest. A few were crossed off.49Please respect copyright.PENANAnzngxaDkAA
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"If you look at it with a light source behind it, you'll see the Yunta imperial seal at the bottom."49Please respect copyright.PENANAX6mwoDNAJJ
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I held it up close to the candle light, and sure enough the seal was there.
Masaru stuffed the slip of paper into his pocket, putting a finger to his lips. I only nodded.
"It will be discussed later, Ena."
Masaru opened the door. And motioned me to give the paper to the Captain. He skimmed over it. "A Hit list?" I nodded, "It has the Yunta Imperial seal."
He cursed to himself, pressing the bridge of his nose. "I'll bring this to His Majesty."
"Thank you," Masaru said. "We'll be returning to my estate then for now. I'll see you around Cain."
"Blessings be with you, General, Blade."
"To you as well."
***
Masaru was instantly tense and fury written all over his face once we stepped through the front door. We went to his office, allowing me to walk in first. The door was carefully shut, but I think that terrified me more than if he had slammed it. He had rage but it was calm... And him being calm, is deadly.
"What's the matter?" He held up his hand, and motioned me to sit down. I did so, my heart beating faster. Did I do something wrong?
He pulled out the piece of paper I handed to him earlier and flicked it at me, "care to explain why you're not to be touched?"
I looked at the paper, and read
'The Rubeus Blade is to be left untouched, unharmed, at all costs even if it costs you your life.'
"I-"
"Are you working with them?"
I shook my head, "No! I would never!"
"Eranar?"
"She's telling the truth, Masaru. I sense no ill intent, nor disloyalty to you or the Empire."
Masaru began to pace, looking deep in thought. He came to a sudden stop in front of me, snatching the paper, and immediately burning it. "Tell no one of this, am I clear?"
"But why? Shouldn't-"
"You'll instantly get labeled as a traitor and questioned extensively if anyone else finds out about that note. You'll be ruined mentally and physically. And even if it's proven you're not guilty of treason, you'll never be the same again. I believe you. You're not working with Yunta, but everyone else won't be as trusting. I can't see you go through such hells the Emperor will have done." I nodded, a new found fear entering my body, "thank you for believing me."
He helped me up from the floor and gave a small sweet smile, "please don't make a fool of me okay? Go get some rest. Sleep as long as you can."
I smiled back, fighting the odd fuzziness in my head he made me feel. "I won't, I promise. And be careful what you wish for, I might just sleep for two days straight." He rolled his eyes, making me giggle. I walked away, ready to crash on my bed, however he quickly stopped me. His hand on my shoulder. I turned to face him, "Is something the matter?"
"I- well-" he began to turn red, withdrawing his hand. He's so calm and collected when he strives to be. But now he's a nervous wreck. I imagine his smooth flirting, is a cover up for just how much I fluster him. "Nevermind. My apologies."
"Watching this is painful," Eranar grumbled.
Masaru sighed, "go rest."
I rubbed my arm, almost disappointed he didn't continue with whatever he wanted to say or do. "Have a good evening, Masaru."
"You as well, Ena," he said as I shut the door behind me, my heart ready to burst.49Please respect copyright.PENANAnVQI1RFHn8