Chapter 41

Tirr chewed lazily on another cookie as he lay on a couch within Claus’s study, his head resting in Maria’s lap as they waited for Claus to show up. He had rushed off to make preparations after they had arrived, leaving his guests to eat dinner alone before having them brought here.

As Doron and Count Vilea shared war stories and Claire and Maria spoke about growing up in the capital, Claus finally entered carrying a stack of paperwork with him before collapsing back on his chair exhausted. He took a moment to compose himself, rubbing his temple before looking up at them with a tired smile. “ We’re ready…”

“Ready for what?” Tirr asked annoyed, “All we’ve done is sit here.”

“I apologize for the wait, but it was important that I made sure everything was in order so that the plan goes as smoothly as possible.”

“What plan Claus? What does this have to do with the Marquess?” Claire asked suspiciously.

“Everything, because the Marquess is the one hiding Nile.” Claus replied seriously. Claire took a sharp breath as her face paled at the answer. Around the room, expressions grew grim.

“Great then let's go get them both.” Tirr declared, confused by the reactions.

“What do you know about Marquess Monter?” Claus asked.

“He’s the second most powerful man in the Kingdom.,” Doron replied seriously. “Cousin to the King and helped him lead the armies as Grand Marshal in the last war against Luitel”

“No…” Count Vilea said standing up, “There is no way Monter would help Nile. He’s never cared about politics”

“That’s what I thought as well,” Claus sighed, “He’s always said he’ll side with whoever my Father chooses and has kept away from picking sides. Or so I thought until Claire’s warning came through.” He looked at his sister for a moment before continuing.

“There is no way Nile should have had the courage to try something so big. And he’s not that stupid either. Both our factions were relatively similar in size and strength. There was no guarantee of who would come out ahead if it came to a civil war, and with Father’s and Monter’s forces there to keep the peace, making a move like this would be suicide...”

“Uness things weren’t actually so even…” Claire whispered as it dawned on her. “Unless he knew he had enough strength to take out both of us and father.”

“I couldn't believe it at first, but when the idea hit me it wouldn’t go away, Monter has the information network and military strength to give Nile a leg up on anyone. I finally did some digging of my own and found proof, mostly by chance.”

“Why though? My Father always said that Monter was a straight military man, especially since the wars with Lutel started. He spends almost all his time at the Border…” Count Vilea asked, visibly upset.

“I don’t know, maybe to use my brother as a puppet once he was on the throne? As much as I’d like to there isn’t any time to find out.”

“What do you mean?” Claire’s concern written over her face.

“Nile’s forces are moving,” Claus replied seriously. “Most of Monter’s forces, including the 2nd Knight Order, are at the border. But I’ve been getting reports of troop movements from other followers in Nile’s faction and at the border. They’re heading towards the Capital, under the guise of training exercises.”

“They’re planning to break the Crown prince out…” Doron spoke, teeth clenched.

“Most likely yes, if they can get Nile out of here and join up with Monter’s forces it won’t matter what my Father does. We’ll have a full-on Civil War on our hands. There's no telling where some of the military will side, considering Monter’s popularity after the last war. It will tear the kingdom apart.”

“So we don’t let him leave the Capital,” Tirr said simply. “We catch him here and wait for the King to hang him.”

“Yes, we can’t let him get away, Once everything he’s done is revealed publicly he’ll have a much harder time getting enough support for a war.”

“Then let's go get him, you said you had a plan right? Are we breaking into this Monter’s place?” Tirr stood, ready to leave.

“We don’t have to, we were invited to come over tomorrow morning.” Claus replied with a laugh, showing off one of the messages from his pile. “Before we even went to go speak with father I sent Monter a message detailing what Nile had done and asked for his help in finding him. He’s invited my sister and I to go speak with him about it tomorrow.”

Claus gave a laugh at all the surprised expressions, “It’ll be a trap, of course, me and my sister together right in the heart of enemy territory without even realizing it? How could they pass up a chance like that.”

“At which point we’ll spring our own trap huh?” Claire asked grinning.

What if Monter knows that you found out Nile is there?” Asked Arnold. “He’ll know that you’ll try something.”

“Even if Monter suspects we may know, and I’ve done everything I can to keep it from him, he still has to set his trap and just hope it beats ours. My men are watching the place covertly so Nile isn’t going to be snuck away anytime soon and once my father gets involved there won’t be any option other than war. He needs this chance to take us out too much to not try.”

“And if his trap is better?” Asked Doron “He controls the 2nd Knight order right? What if he has some of the Shard users with him?”

“Then we die.” Said Claus frankly. “But that’s why I’m counting on you…” he said looking at Tirr with a smile.

“We’ll bring you with us and a small escort. He won’t be able to refuse without giving the whole thing up and admitting he knows who you are. So just this one last time, help me protect my Sister….”