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It also helped because Artemis wasn’t alone, Lord Balrus just brought news of the frequent letters sent by Lord Leoric to Whitebridge. He was sure the letters were exchanged between the Lord and the Taelins who took refuge in Lord Masley’s Manor in Whitebridge. How he came to know about things across the Silent Sea was something Artemis was never going to ask, after all it was Lord Balrus and he knew things no local men did.

When Artemis was told about this, his reaction was, “Are you sure it’s the Taelins my Lord?” he asked.

“I’m positive Your Grace”

“What could they be talking about? Do you think Leoric is trying something stupid? I am dying to have his head, I just need one fault preferably a treason and there I’ll have it”

“I wouldn’t be so much excited for his head Your Grace. There is much we can get from the Lord. My rodents have accompanied the rider to Whitebridge as we speak, they shall come back with news as to what they are planning”

Artemis sighed and then he patted Lord Balrus’s shoulder before going out. He didn’t say a thing, that’s because he trusted the Lord to do the right thing no matter what. Responsibilities awaited them back in the main palace and it was still afternoon, a palanquin carried Artemis and Lord Balrus and took them to the main palace. Along the way they discussed their coffers, the city’s arrangements and construction of roads in the streets which had dust and muddy roads.

Artemis had no idea that by the time he will reach the main palace, a guest will be waiting for him. It turned out to be Lord Cregan Lawsend, the man he flew to the North for although he was never sure if he was worth it. But then he had to do what he did to slow down the biggest war to come, Aurora called it the war to end all wars.

.....

Lord Cregan Lawsend adorned himself with dazzling city’s silks and perfume. It has been three weeks now since the Wrath of Artodo and Artemis had even forgot about the Lord. He thought maybe Cregan had disappeared into the unknown to lick his wounds, preferably broke and begging the wealthy lords for even a bit of gold or silver — but the way he appeared to be, this wasn’t a broke man or a beggar.

First of all he was accompanied to the capital with one thousand men in his house blue colors and sigil. His clothes were expensive just like his previously taste in expensive lifestyle, this could only mean he wasn’t broke as Artemis expected him. And believe me you, Artemis was struck with wonderment.

“My Lord?” Artemis showed his amazement in seeing Lord Cregan in the capital.

Lord Cregan knelt down on one knee immediately before Artemis. “Your Grace” he said softly.

“Lord Cregan... I am delighted to see you alive and well”

“All thanks to you, Your Grace”

Artemis smiled “You may rise”

When Cregan rised up, he was then face to face with Artemis and they couldn’t help themselves but smile at each other. Artemis excused Lord Balrus and Lord Angun claiming he needed time alone with Lord Cregan. Reluctantly, Lord Balrus left the council chamber but he wished he could stay and hear every word spoken by these two men who seemed to be nothing but trouble to the realm.

The doors were barred and Artemis offered Cregan a chair “Let’s sit my Lord” and Cregan adjusted his fur cloak and sat down close to Artemis.

“I told my wife that you must be rotting in some dusty village somewhere with nothing on your name after I burned all of Aryan’s men and some of yours. Yet here you are, dazzled in silks and scents” said Artemis.

“First of all I would like to express my gratitude to you, my dear friend for helping me in time of need. If you hadn’t show up, then I would be a dead man now”

“Things I do for friends my Lord. Especially friends who do as I ask...” Artemis paused and looked at the door with unease of whether someone was eavesdropping their conversation.

“I poisoned Gandalf and slit his son’s throat just like how you asked Your Grace. And I took the blame for it, her sister knows it’s me”

“That’s good my Lord, and for that I saved you. You and I have saved one another, and dare I say this is a begining of a good friendship”

“Indeed it is Your Grace”

“So, which city have you sacked this time?” asked Artemis with a smirk.

This was practically a joke and it was met with laughter from both of them. “It isn’t a city Your Grace, but an island far across the Dead Sea. It’s called Lydia, full of ancient treasures and it’s warm too” replied Cregan and he seemed to be genuine happy there.

“Aren’t you worried that she may follow you there?”

“She is defeated and worn out by now. Winter is on its way and the last thing she needs is a war while her coffers are empty. Even if she wanted to come and fight me, she can’t”

“But she still can...”

“Believe me Your Grace, she cannot. Unless if she wants to starve her people and herself too, she will lick her wounds now and this should give me a great time to prepare my army. That fire devastated her and took all that she held dear. If there’s any proper time to attack Raven and take the Silver throne, I would say it’s now” Cregan said this as a joke or a figure of speech, but it caught up to Artemis’s attention.

Not because Artemis wanted Prophis, no. But its because he was suspicious of why Lord Leoric was exchanging letters with the Taelins, he asked himself, “Is he planning to back them up and attack Raven?” these were words he had in his mouth but he never said them out loud.

Lord Cregan Lawsend stayed in Blackmount for over a week and this time it wasn’t discreetly. He met with Aurora and just like everyone else, he was mesmerized by her silver hairs and he admitted his wife was beautiful — but the Queen of Maldonia was the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid his eyes upon. He attended the feasts and tournaments which Artemis threw on his name, and he was even introduced at court as Lord of Lydia.

This was done intentionally by Artemis to hurt Aryan because he knew her spies were all over the capital. He wanted her to know that he burned her men to save Cregan and for that he wasn’t regretting anything.

As expected Aryan broke a chair while she was fumed with rage the moment a letter was brought to her explaining the close friendship between Artemis and Lord Cregan Lawsend, a man who poisoned her brother. She screamed, “He gets to feast and laugh while my brother is mouldering in his grave. I need his head, right now!” to her Queensguards, but during times like these even Tyriol thought the Queen had gone mad.

Sir Thomas quipped in “Let’s try to calm down for now, Your Grace” he said.

“I don’t need calmness Lord Hand. I need revenge”

“You will get your revenge when the winter passes, not now or anytime soon”

“So what am I supposed to do then? Hibernate in my chambers while my enemies flourish in silks and satins with their apple polishers?” Aryan inquired still holding the letter.

There was a silent in the room, no one spoke back against an angry Aryan. Just few weeks ago it was her decision to lay low and recover from her defeat, yet now she was inclining that she wanted to go to war. Thomas must have thought the Squires had problems which no one could fix and their wrath knew no bounds.

After she vented Aryan dropped the letter on the table and she was forced to sit back on her chair. She exhaled softly, slowly she was coming to a point of relaxation and Olivia reached out to smooth her hand. “It’s alright, everything will be alright” she said to her.

“Will it?” Aryan wept softly as she wasn’t usually the weak one in the room one. Her circle showed that she can be weak and there was no shame in that.