Chapter 40

Tirr let out a yawn as he laid back on a cushioned sofa within his assigned quarters, Garm sleeping happily on his lap. He lazily reached over and picked up one of the cookies that had been left by the servants, eating it hungrily as he enjoyed the feeling of luxury for the first time since waking up. Maria and Doron sat nearby, trying to follow Tirr’s example and enjoy the comfort they found themselves in.

The servants had prepared private baths for each of them almost as soon as they had walked through the door of the estate. Tirr had spent an hour in the bathtub, enjoying the cleansing warmth until it slowly dissipated. Maria had given him a stern look for staying in or so long but had said nothing after having enjoyed her own so much.

After the baths, they had found fresh clothes already fitted for them, ready to be put on. After being forced into the new clothes by the servants they had been left to this room with refreshments and snacks, told simply to relax for the time being.

Tirr was reaching for another cookie when the door finally opened, revealing Claire once again dressed as the princess she was. Her fiery red hair was tied up neatly with a golden pin her dress framed her athletic figure carefully.

She gave an easy smile upon finding their lounging figures and clapped her hands together. “Enough rest for now, we’ve got more work to do if we want to see that bastard pay!”

“Are we going after him then?” Asked Tirr, sitting up straight as he chewed.

“Soon, first we need to go through my father. Can’t be running around the capital spilling blood without his say so.”

“Your Father… The King?” Maria asked feeling faint.

“Only father I have, unfortunately,” Claire said jokingly.

Maria and Doron shared a look, both silently vowing to try and restrain Tirr as much as possible. Tirr missed the hidden message as he nodded to Claire and stood up, taking one more cookie.

They quickly joined with Claus and his escort before heading towards the nearby Castle. Tirr rode along on Garm with Maria behind him, taking in the sights and ignoring the stares of frightened and curious people as they passed by.

“I’m surprised that the horses can stand to walk alongside such a frightening Beast,” Claus said as he rode up next to them. Garm’s back straightened proudly as the prince spoke.

“He gets along with all animals and Beasts, it’s part of his blood.”

Claus nodded, not really understanding but continued talking. “I really can’t thank you enough for everything you have done for my sister. I do hope I can count on you a little longer, I have an idea of where Nile is hiding and it's going to be tough to get to him even with the King’s permission.”

“You want my help, right? I don’t mind, I’d like to personally kill the man responsible for so much trouble….”

“We can’t kill him!” Claus cut in troubled, “If we kill him the nobles under him will just turn him into a martyr among the people. A ruler such as yourself should understand how fickle the public can be. We might just end up in a full-on civil war. We need to arrest him alive, discredit him among the nobility and the people first.”

“Fine, you can handle all of that as long as he pays in the end for the harm he’s caused.”

“Of course, that I can swear to you.” Clause nodded solemnly.

They soon arrived at the Castle gates and were greeted politely by the guards as they entered. On the other side was a group led by a man that calmy waited for them to approach.

“Knight Commander Owen. Thank you for coming to greet us.” Claus said happily as he greeted the older man.

“Of course your Highness, his majesty asked me to meet you himself. It seems you come with some important news.” The Knight commander turned towards Claire saluting her as well. “ Its good to see you've returned safely your highness, we had heard some bad rumors”

“The truth is probably worse Owen” Claire replied seriously.

“You being here means we’ve been spared the worst your Highness.” He turned back to Claus, “His majesty has asked to bring you to him immediately”, he spared just a quick glance at the large wolf that had turned into a small pup as the group dismounted, before turning around and leading the way inside.

The group followed along now joined by the escort of the 1st Knight Order. They were soon guided to a large throne room where more knights stood at the ready and a large man with long and unkempt red hair sat imposingly as he watched them file in.

“You better have a good reason for trying to claim my own son wants me dead…” King Torn said lazily as he sat on his throne looking down at them.

“Its good to see you too father,” Claire replied smiling, ignoring the awkward atmosphere of the room.

The King sighed before continuing, “What was that warning about? Another prank on your brother?”

“No Father, it's true. Nile has lost it. He tried to have me killed and was after both your life and Claus’s.” Anger rose in Claire's voice as she continued.

“Nile heard a rumor about a Shard in the village where his knight patrol disappeared. They were originally sent there to investigate and take the shard, burning the village down before they left. He wanted to use the shard to take over the country. When that failed and I was sent to investigate he had his knight order try again, this time trying to silence me as well. My maid Kerri was killed in the attack and if not for some good help and luck I wouldn’t be here today either.” She gave a sad smile to where Tir and his followers stood silently

“He has gone far past what can be allowed of even Royalty and must be punished!” Claire said decisively.

“These are some very serious allegations, Claire, I’m sure you have some proof?”

“I have witnesses from the village itself here as well as my own personal testimony. I’m sure others can be found regarding the whereabouts of the 3rd Knight order. More than enough to have Nile brought in under arrest.”

Torn nodded, turning towards Tirr, Maria, and Doron. He looked directly at the Tirr’s childlike appearance. “And these are your witnesses?” He said with some doubt.

“Yes Father, This is Tirr and his followers. They were the source of the rumors that Nile acted on. They have an ability like that of the shards. It was thanks to their help that I’m alive.”

“An ability like the Shards…” The King answered thinking to himself. He looked back at Tirr. “Can you swear to the truth of what my daughter has said?”

“Of course, some of my villagers were killed, this Nile has to be punished!” Tirr replied angrily

The King blinked, “I’ll decide who gets punished in my kingdom.”

Tirr tried to start again but a firm hand closed on his shoulder stopping him. He turned to see Doron shaking his head. Tirr swallowed his anger as he turned back to the King.

“That said any village in this kingdom is my village and its people, my people. These charges are serious and Nile’s disappearance doesn’t add any help to his innocence. I’ll have the 1st Knight Order start a search to place him under arrest.”

“If I may Father,” Claus spoke up, “I have some ideas of where Nile might be hiding, but ask if you can allow my men to handle the arrest?”

“And why would I allow that?” King Torn asked seriously

I worry that if word gets out that the 1st Knight Order is moving directly for him too soon he may be able to move and hide again. Finding him again may prove difficult.”

“Are you saying there’s a leak in my Knight Order?” Commander Owen asked angrily.

“Even if your men are able to keep it quiet the servants will notice once they start to move, who knows what ears may lead directly back to Nile.”

“Fine,” the King waved the angry Owen down. “But this is an arrest, Claus. Nile will be put to trial and if something happens to him before that you'll be the one to pay.”

“I understand father.”

“In the meantime, Claire, prepare full written statements for yourself and your witnesses for me to look over. Once Nile is in custody the 1st knight order will set about gathering more evidence and witnesses.”

“Yes, Father!” Claire said with a bow.

“For now you’re dismissed…” The King took one last look at Tirr before getting up and leaving, guided out by his guards. They were guided out quickly as well as Claus rushed back towards his estate to prepare.

“So you do know where he is right?” Tirr asked, wanting to quickly capture the man responsible for his village’s suffering.

“Yes,” Claus said with a smile., We’re going to pay a visit to a certain Marquess.