Chapter 42

Marquess Monter let out a grunt as he looked again at the message in front of him. He sat while leaning forward over his desk, one hand scratching the rough beard over his chin as he thought.

Nile sitting nearby saw his expression and frowned, “Are they not coming?”

“They’re coming…” Marquess Monter said slowly, giving the message one last look before sitting back.

“That’s great!” Nile said grabbing the parchment of the desk, grinning as he looked over it himself. “Why aren’t you happier? This is the chance we’ve been waiting for! Those idiots would never believe that they were walking to their own deaths. After how hard it’s been to pin them down, finally they just serve themselves up on a platter!” Nile let out a laugh

“I wonder…” Monter whispered to himself.

“What?”

“Nothing…” Monter replied with a sigh, “So you want to try attacking them again here?”

Nile turned to Monter in disbelief, “Of course! Wasn’t that the whole point of inviting them? We won’t get another chance like this.

“And how do you intend to make the result of this attack any different from the previous ones?”

“ I think you mean how do we…” Growled Nile, You’re in far too deep to try and get out of this now Marquess. The time of you sitting in the back is over. We need to kill them now or we’re both going to get dragged into a long and bloody war.”

The Marquess sat undisturbed by Nile’s threats, looking at him silently.

The look reminded Nile who he was talking to. Putting on a pleading smile, Nile changed tactics, “Look, I know this hasn’t gone exactly like we both had wished. But we have gone too far to hesitate now! We kill them here, take the throne from my father and in months we’ll be marching on Lutel to avenge both our families.”

Nile stepped closer to the man putting his hands on the desk and giving him a serious look. “I will prove that you did not choose wrong.”

Marquess Monter let out a sigh and waved Nile away, “Alright fine, I’ll have my men move for you. I only have the two new shard users though so you’ll have to make good use of them. And be careful of the godchild.”

“Of course!” Nile said looking slightly relieved, "They won’t get away this time.”

Nile gave some more vague reassurances before making his exit and heading off to go plan for the ambush tomorrow.

Marquess Monter sat back in his chair, closing his eyes momentarily as he breathed deeply. “Choose wrong huh?” He whispered to himself, opening his eyes to look out the windows towards the spiraling Castle nearby. He snorted and turned back to the work piling up on his desk…

“These clothes are too tight!” Complained Tirr as they made their way towards Marquess Monter’s Estate. He was dressed up in nobles garments for boys his age, fit with gold lining and fancy gems. He tugged ceaselessly at the stuffy clothes as he complained.

The nearby Claire let out a giggle, “I think you look quite dashing Sir” She said sarcastically.

“Did we really have to wear these clothes?” Asked Maria hesitantly as she looked down at the black and white maid uniform she had been forced into. Jill stood beside her dressed similarly, making it difficult to speak up without being insulting.

“Of course, Marquess Monter is going to be watching us very closely, the attendance list had to be carefully prepared, meaning there had to be a good reason for everyone of us to actually be here. My sister and I for obvious reasons each with an attendant. And our guest Tirr with you as his maid. We couldn't even sneak Garm in.”

“I get that but why the clothing?”

“No noble would let you into their home dressed in anything less!” Claire let out with a laugh.

“Whatever…” Said Tirr, finally giving up after giving his collar one last tug. So is this going to work out?”

Claus’s face turned serious, “It should, My men are in position and they don’t seem to be the wiser. It's hard to tell with Marquess Monter though.”

“So we finish this and it's over right?”

“Yes, we live through this and this whole mess is done. Our brother will be held to trial and executed along with the Marquess. After that, I’ll be able to talk with my father about letting you inspect the Shard.” They continued traveling moving through the city until the Marquess large mansion came into view.

“There’s the gate, be ready.”

They moved quickly up the gate where a guard stood waiting. “Prince Claus and Princess Claire to see the Marquess.” Claus announced clearly.

The guard quickly opened the gate for them, and more guards greeted them as they entered. They left behind their own escort as they entered the grounds and moved with the Marquess men. “The Marquess is waiting for you in the back gardens your Highnesses.”

“Good. Then lead the way. “ Claus said cheerfully following along as the guards led them through the estate and out towards the back. They entered the home and moved briskly through the entryway towards the doors to the back.

As they moved the guards barely spoke and Tirr noticed the tension as they clenched their fists. He raised his own focus as they walked, preparing for anything as they moved into the back gardens and its pathway.

The garden was simpler then Claus’s estate, yet in no way less cared for. Hedges lining the walls and paths and trees sprinkled about created plenty of hiding places. There in the distance, they could see a figure waiting for them in a pavilion in the center of the garden. As they moved along the path through the well cared for lawn and manicured trees. A voice suddenly called out to stop them. “That’s as far as you’ll go…”

Nile stood up from the pavilion, a smile on his face as he turned towards his siblings.