by Ryan McCall
“Your Imperial Majesty,” she said as he exited.
“Thank you general. I believe your queen has good news she would like to discuss with you.” He walked away, leaving Ursa with a puzzled look on her face.
Chapter 33
“Is this everything?” asked Fiona Badenoch. Her midnight black hair went down to her chin and hugged her face. Her high cheekbones and oval eyes hinted at native Kordatian in her family tree. She was a senior agent for Imperial Intelligence and she specialized in conducting internal investigations and counter-espionage.
“Everything Imperial Branch gave me,” replied Director Nolan Talmach. Then he handed her another file. “This is everything they missed or didn’t think was relevant.”
She opened the file and her partner, junior agent Kendrick Jamieson, stepped into the office. His black spiky hair was done up in the latest style and his white shirt had a red stain near his right shoulder.
“Sorry, sorry,” he said, sitting down in the chair next to Fiona.
Nolan pulled out his pocket watch. “Five minutes late, Agent Jamieson. What was so important, you deemed it necessary to take care of before attending a top priority briefing?” The director had a peeve about tardiness.
“Sir I…I have no excuse. I lost track of time,” he shamefully answered.
“Having a late lunch?”
“Sir?”
“Well your shirt is stained with wine, I can only assume you had a late lunch.”
Kendrick grinned. He could always remain in a jolly mood, even when he was in trouble. It was one of the few traits that Fiona admired about him, that and his forensic skills.
“It is wine sir, but not from a meal. I was conducting an experiment and, well…I let it get out of control,” he said.
Nolan nodded and moved on. “As I was explaining to Agent Badenoch, the two of you will be investigating the assassination of Atoli Rossiv, the Galrian Foreign Minister.”
Kendrick sat back and rubbed his chin.
“Imperial Branch are stuck and the emperor has asked us to take over the investigation,” said Nolan. “The two of you need to go through the files as fast as you can and then head to the university. The courtyard remains sealed off, the guards are already aware of our involvement, so you will have full access. Questions?”
Fiona and Kendrick both replied, “No sir.”
“Good. As you are aware this is a delicate situation. You will report all of your progress directly to me. I want updates at the end of each day. We don’t have long to solve this. The Galrians have given the emperor till the end of the week to hand over a culprit or they will take their own action. We all know what that will mean.”
Both of them nodded.
“Agent Jamieson take the files and start studying them. There’s still something I need to discuss with Agent Badenoch.” Fiona leaned over and handed Kendrick the files, he tapped them against his head and gave a sloppy salute.
After he left, Nolan asked, “You are certain you want him working with you on this? I know he’s your partner. But for something like this, I can put another agent with you.”
“Sir, he may be odd,” said Fiona. “But he’s smart. He has one of the best set of eyes I’ve ever seen. He’s spotted clues that even I’ve missed. For this I wouldn’t want anyone else.”
“If you say so Agent Badenoch,” said Nolan, acquiescing to her judgment. “Work it fast and bring me something the emperor can use to placate the Galrians.”
“Yes sir,” she replied and left the director’s office.
She arrived at her desk opposite Kendrick and he said, “I can see why the watch had such trouble with this. It’s not much to go on.” He was flipping through the files.
“We’d best get moving,” she replied. This was one of the most urgent cases she had worked on and she didn’t want to get tied down in the office. Kendrick would end up rambling about his current fascination for the week. At least at the scene he would be actively moving forward.
The Imperial Intelligence building was located on the east side of the Government district, but fortunately there was a steam tram station nearby. The building was made of dark-grey stone and had an old-fashioned pillar design. It had previously been used by the Ministry of Security, but they had moved to a new building during the upgrades twenty years ago and the fast-growing intelligence organization had taken over the building. It had been a big step up from the small set of offices they had previously occupied.
Fiona and Kendrick stepped on to a tram and took seats near the back. “Give me the secondary file,” she asked. Kendrick handed it over.
“Don’t you want to see the first one?” he asked.
“I already know everything that’s in there. If you’d been following events you would as well.”
“I’ve been busy,” he said defensively.
“Yes, you always have a new experiment. Too bad they never turn out to be useful. We’re intelligence agents. If a high-level assassination takes place, we need to be prepared to investigate.”
“I’m building up a set of tools for future use, based on the cases we have worked. I can’t predict what cases we’ll be assigned before we get them.”
Fiona ended the conversation and looked through the file. There wasn’t much she didn’t already know. The watch had missed details about how the assassin had made their escape from the tower. One of the rooms on the top floor of the building had been smashed out, but the watch had taken the word of the students working there that the cause had been a lab experiment. That was where she wanted to start. The students had been questioned, but she wanted to do it herself.
The next issue was the dead elf on the south road. The timing and place was far too similar to be coincidental. Had there been more than one assassin? Had they come to blows?
Without knowing who the elf was, it was hard to tell. Kendrick could discern a clue from the scene or the dead elf. Fiona didn’t ask his opinion. He hated being asked to form an opinion without all the relevant data from a scene.
The tram came to a stop at the university station and they alighted. A watch officer was there to greet them and lead them to each of the scenes. “Take us to the chemistry lab on the top floor first,” she asked him.
“Follow me,” he replied and led them through a tree-lined path towards the back of the university. They reached the science department and Fiona admired the stonework. This was one of the oldest parts of the university, dating back to its original founding in 1468.
They reached the lab after a steep stair climb. The watch officer unlocked it and let the two of them in.
“Thank you,” said Fiona. “We’ll take it from here.”
She watched Kendrick as he surveyed the room. She always let him take over on a scene like this; it was what he excelled at. He moved around the benches, carefully examining the glass and left over chemicals from the explosion. He then moved over to the broken window.
“Fiona, over here,” he said and she walked over. He had his head out the window and pointed upwards and to the left. “Up there.”
She put her head out as well to see where he was pointing. She could see the tower, where the assassin’s gun had been found.
“How difficult do you think it would be for someone to make their way down from that tower to here?” he asked.
Fiona thought for a moment. Most folks would slip and fall it they tried. “If someone with good reflexes was determined enough they could make it.”
“Uh-huh,” said Kendrick in agreement. “On top of that there’s this.” He broke off a shard of glass and showed it to her. There was the tiniest speck of red on one side of it, but it was a darker shade of red than the color of the chemical stains.
“Someone cut themselves on this glass,” she said.
“It’s not much. It could have come from the two students. But I suspect this is the route the assassin came. We need to question them.”
Kendrick was as good as ever. She wouldn’t have spotted t
he blood herself.
“I agree,” she said. She had already arranged for them to be waiting in the university chancellor’s office. They could go and visit them anytime. “Anything else?” she asked.
“Not that I can see. Once we’ve questioned them, we’ll see where it leads us. What about the dead Talfey?”
“There’s a temporary watch station on campus, his belongings and clothes are there. First, I want to go and see what the two witnesses have to say.”
Fiona knocked on the chancellor’s office and he let them in. The two male students were seated on a couch against the left wall. “This is Reese Galius and Michael O’Grady. Michael is the one whose experiment caused that mess in the lab,” said the chancellor. The way he said that, indicated he wasn’t happy with Michael.
“Could you please leave us?” asked Fiona. “It’s important we have privacy.” The man nodded and left, leaving the two agents with the students. Fiona looked at them. They didn’t look afraid or worried. “I’m aware the watch has already questioned the two of you and I’ve read their report. But I would like to hear it myself.”
Michael explained what he had been doing and how it had gone wrong. Fiona nodded, interjecting with the occasional question for clarification.
When he was finished, she asked, “And neither of you tried to stop the glass from falling or cleaned up afterwards?” They both shook their heads.
She smirked. “There’s something you’re not telling me. I’m no mere watch officer, I’m an Imperial Intelligence agent and I’ve had double agents try to match wits with me. Do you think you’ll succeed where they failed? You best tell me what it is, unless you want to see the inside of our interrogation rooms.”
They stared at her. Now they were afraid.
Michael spoke up, “Alright, we didn’t see much.” The other boy looked at him with a hint of anger, but he didn’t say anything to stop him. “The assassin came through the window right after the explosion. The two of us were hiding behind the benches. Whoever it was didn’t see us.”
Fiona still glared at them. “And why didn’t you tell the watch?”
“We were scared. We didn’t think it through clearly.” He then gave her a description of the person they had seen. Kendrick noted it all down in a pad.
“Alright, get out of my sight,” said Fiona. “I don’t think you’re involved, but the two of you have incredibly poor judgment. Next time you witness something, tell the truth.”
They stood up, nodding and left the room. Fiona looked over at Kendrick “That description…”
He held up his hand. “Don’t jump to conclusions, it’s too early. Let’s check the elf’s belongings first.”
The description the boy had given was familiar to both of them. The hooded grey cloak was a common outfit for the Arm of Assassins, a powerful organization based in Longhaven.
Fiona had been hoping it wouldn’t lead to them. They had been behind the most high-profile assassinations on the continent. No one had managed to catch one of their number in over a decade, when a Yarali highlord in Gorpura had been assassinated. If an Arm assassin was captured, they never let themselves be taken alive.
Her fears were confirmed when they examined the belongings of the elf. They were in a small tent the watch had set up in the university courtyard. Kendrick discovered several rubies in a hidden pocket of the elf’s clothes. The Arm used rubies as currency. There were as good as coins, but far easier to carry a greater value of wealth. He held the gems in his hand and Fiona’s nerves flared.
One final check was needed to confirm her suspicions. She pulled back the elf’s right eyelid. There it was, an intricate black tattoo on the inside, indicating his membership in the Arm.
“Fuck,” said Fiona. “Fuck the damned Creator for leading us to this.”
It was the Arm of Assassins. Imperial Intelligence had not had dealings with them. Though there were rumors about certain unofficial operations that used the Arm for missions. Fiona dismissed those as speculative rubbish.
“What do we do now?” he quietly asked.
“We report everything to the director,” she replied. “And then we book passage on the fastest ship to Longhaven.”
“Ship? Won’t it be easier to go by train?”
“It is,” she replied. “But it’s also easier to be detected and easier to be held up by a delay on the rails. A ship will be better. We can get into Longhaven unnoticed that way.” She swore again. She did not want to go to Longhaven.
The city was infamous for its crime and corruption. It still functioned as a city, but word was that the mayor was bought and paid for by the largest criminal enterprises of the city, including the Arm. Fiona was not looking forward to reporting all this to Director Talmach.
Chapter 34
It was five minutes after nine o’clock when the knock on his door occurred. Lawrence was waiting in his chambers with anticipation. He opened it and his personal guard, Captain Flint McLaren said, “Queen Clara of Estara to see you, Your Imperial Majesty.”
“Thank you, captain.” He stepped back and let the queen enter. Flint had served as his personal guard since he had been a child. He could be trusted not to utter a word of this to anyone.
Clara closed the door behind her and pulled back the green hood of her robe, revealing her gorgeous face. He took her in his arms and kissed her.
“How did you get past your ever watchful general?”
“She is not the only one who guards me. There are others who are loyal, but less intrusive. Besides Ursa has business to attend to, she may soon be back in command of an army.”
Lawrence smiled. “So, she was pleased to hear about my gift?”
Clara nodded. “Yes. My entire council was pleased. If I take back my throne, you will always have friends in Estara, Lawrence.
“Don’t say if, say when,” he told her, “When you take back your throne.”
The right corner of Clara’s lips twitched in a slight smile. “That’s not why I came here anyway.” She pushed him back until his legs touched his bed. She looked at it. “So this is what the emperor’s bed looks like. It’s elaborate.”
His bed took up most of the room. The base was a polished and intricately designed wood, with sigils of the Alkos Imperial Lion over it. It had red and black bedding and a huge head rest. Red curtains hung above, pulled back at the moment.
Lawrence put his hand on the bed. “Custom designed by my grandfather. He liked to sleep comfortably. Though the amount of alcohol he had most nights was usually enough for that.”
“Enough talk,” said Clara and she kissed him.
She planted small kisses on his cheek and made her way to his neck, the kisses there causing him to shiver delightfully. He wrapped his arms around her, his hands making their way down and feeling her firm behind. She gave out a small moan and this encouraged him further. He roamed his hands all over her as they kissed. She pulled at his shirt and one of her hands wandered underneath, rubbing his chest.
She soon pulled the fabric off, while at the same time his hands had slipped into her robe and were gently touching her breasts. She pushed him back onto the bed and he let himself fall, still embracing each her.
Her hands were all over his bare chest, lightly scratching it. She let her robe slip off the side of the bed and was now only wearing light pants and blouse. He unbuttoned the blouse and let it hang for a moment before pushing it away.
After several minutes of this, they were eventually naked and made their way into the bed sheets. Lawrence was on top and he looked down at the beautiful queen below him. He smiled and gave her another long kiss before he entered her.
After they were finished Lawrence let his head drop to the pillow, while Clara purred contentedly. Lawrence had been with women before, but they had been councilors or ministers daughters looking to curry favor. While those times had not been unpleasant, they paled in comparison to this. He had deep feelings for Clara and it had enhanced the sex.
Clara
moved over, draping her body parallel to his and resting her head on his shoulder.
“We cannot linger too long,” she said. “As nice as this feels. If I could, I would stay here with you forever.”
“And what is so urgent you have to leave so soon?” he asked, basking in the feel of her body next to his.
“You know why. People will start to ask questions if I am gone too long.”
He sighed. “I know, I know.” He moved his right hand to stroke her head, his fingers moving between the tussled locks of her hair. “Is an emperor not allowed to fantasize?”
“Of course. As wonderful as this was, we both know it can never happen again. We have respective duties to our nations.”
Lawrence nodded. “I will never forget the memory of this night. Not as long as I live.” He savored every moment of being here with her.
“Nor I,” she said. “I am glad we have this. Even if we cannot be together as husband and wife, no one can ever take this away from us.”
“Stay here a while longer,” said Lawrence. “I want to enjoy every second I have with you.” Clara murmured in agreement and relaxed, pressing herself against him as much as she could.
They finally let go of each other as despairing as it was. After they were dressed and Clara was fixing her hair they talked. “Do you truly believe the Galrians will treat with you after what has happened?” she asked.
“I hope so. If I have something to offer them. If not…” He shrugged. “War between Alkos and Galria will not be limited. Ever since Cyrus the First united them, the continent has been on powder keg. So many alliances and treaties between all the nations, if war comes, it will be bloody and long. And if the Talfey and Zefey enter…I dread to think where it will end.”
She walked over to him, lifted his head up to look him in the eyes.
“It will end with Alkos standing, proud and strong, with the strength of Emperor Lawrence McRath the Second. From Haltoria, I will wait to see you take charge as the emperor I know you can be.”
