Hooth's back hair stood on end. A single wrong move and his neck would feel the bite of cold steel. And even if the Castonians meant no harm, one would still find himself sweating when put in his situation.
"Keep your heads down" He growled and then his tone turned mellow "Please sirs"
The Castonians followed him through an old hole on the west wall. Smugglers' Crib they call this place. Basilisk root sellers and common smugglers use this route to avoid paying bribes to the city watch. The hole was small, able to fit a single man at a time. And it was more of a large crack. It was slow, the Csstonians numbered many after all. Two thousand heads they told him. And they are of the Rooster. Hooth had seen the marks on their arms, a rooster crowing at the sun. He could only feel pity to the poor souls who would fight such a force.
A couple thousand paces and they reached Magistrate Chen's house. The lamps were lit inside. The guards stood idle. But Hooth knew that thousands would die here tonight. Three people stood outside the gate- a young woman and two men in togas.
"We thank you for your service" A Castonian, probably an officer, told him as they hid behind an alley overlooking the house of Magistrate Chen.
"Well I didn't have a choice in the matter did I?"
"Either die or follow huh?" The Castonian nodded "Of course you chose follow. I know that pleasant things like honor and servitude doesn't appeal to you so let me just comfort you by saying that you'll find your pockets fat when serving the Union"
"Damn right" Hooth chuckled.
A man shifted in the dark. Wearing thin tunic and light boots he was one of Hooth's.
"We've spotted them" One-ear Kolm said "Six blocks, bout' four thousand at the very least"
"Ass licking whore, that's most of the city watch!" Hooth exclaimed
"Merely a mob" The Castonian officer said "Weapons at the ready!"
In one uniform clang, the Castonians presented their spears and halberds. The torch was lit and the royal guard the the gate nodded. The three people still outside were dragged to a secured location.
In a few moments, the enemies presented themselves. They filled the streets with lit torches on their hands. The ram was at the front. In five powerful strikes the iron gate of the house broke. They came pouring inside with shouts.
The huge garden accommodated them all. The house was then stormed.
"For the Union" The Castonian officer said lowly as he donned his helm.
**********
Bouvin wore his armor with pride. It was the same plates and doublet that his forefather wore. Some of the chains had been replaced and the plate had been repaired many times but it was still the same.
With the ancestral sword in hand, he burst inside the house. He thought that the royal guards would give them trouble but they just fled and left. So much for the famous royal guards of the Union. Cowards in shiny armor- that's all they are.
The lamps were still lit, hung on the walls. The candles stood melting on tables. But the house was empty. Three hundred royal guards were supposed to meet them and blood should have been spilled by now. But nobody was inside. Nobody except pure silence.
"Search every room. Make sure not to harm Magistrate Chen or any of his family"
His men scattered. This house was large- the largest in Haubern.
"You think they fled?" Herberk asked. The thin Magistrate looked weird on armor.
"Probably. I don't know" Bouvin began to fear.
"What if they knew?"
"Then woe to us" Bouvin didn't filter his words.
"We should flee" Herberk's voice trembled now.
"Stop it you wretched thing. It's too late to flee. The arrow had been loosed. All we can do now is to see this through. Dead or alive we will see this through. For the Republic"
Most of the men he tasked to search around returned with nothing. The lamps were burning in most rooms, they said. Stew was even being cooked in the kitchen.
"Dammit" Bouvin slammed his fist on the wall "Cowards. Damn cowards"
"Maybe it's time to go back? I'm scared"
Bouvin nodded. Things had been weird and the weirdness brought trepidation. Seeing this through doesn't mean finishing this tonight. They will scour the city and find the monarchs.
But when he was about to order a retreat, a horn blared at the distance.
**********
Avery was gasping. Magistrate Vedur and Servus Yave had worse states.
"Damn you Herberk" The Magistrate held a frown "Damn you more Bouvin!"
"You'll be safe here. Although your involvement is unplanned, the King and the Queen want you safe. I have requested several more guards to ensure your safety"
The hill they stood on was just a few hundred steps from Magistrate Chen's house. Avery could see thousands of city watch ram the small gate and penetrate into the garden. She would have died if not for the royal guard.
"You knew?" She asked.
"They knew" The guard's face was stern "We, guards, just follow"
"How?" The Magistrate asked.
The guard looked at the Magistrate as if debating if he should reveal information or not. "The gangs, all the gangs are under their control" The guard finally said after a long while of contemplation.
"Vanadian gold huh?"
"And Castonian reputation" the guard said.
Magistrate Vedur had a smile "I too, would have found that convincing"
"But what now Magistrate?" Servus Yave finally voiced.
"What now? What indeed. I'll tell you" Magistrate Vedur smiled bitterly "This just sealed it. This blunder just sealed the win of the Yea vote. I assume those men from the city watch would find themselves dead or in chains by morning. Also by morning, news of this would spread and the popularity of the monarchs would soar. It is a good story- saviors of the people who were attacked by the evil Magistrates. It is over for the Republic. Damn them. Damn Herberk and Bouvin" The Magistrate looked at Avery "What about you girl? Yea or Nay?"
Avery found it difficult to answer. If it was a few days ago, before her eyes had been opened to the imperfections of her beloved Republic, she would have said Nay without a single thought. But it was difficult now. She had been educated and she considers herself as smarter than most. She could see through all the Union's propaganda. But even without the said propaganda, her vote hanged on the Yea side.
"Yea" Avery lowered her head "Inkit will be destroyed if the current state of things continues. I've seen the dark side of the Republic and it is really dark. We need some changes. The monarchs are extending their hands to give us that chance"
"Well said. My own vote is still Nay. The Republic is sacred. But I can't do anything, can I? Well girl, let's watch the Republic fall together" Magistrate Vedur said.
A horn blared, deep and loud. The blast was followed by men in black armor encircling Magistrate Chen's house. It happened so fast that the city watch didn't have the time to react. There was no escape for them now.
"Oh look girl" Magistrate Vedur said "Now it begins"
**********
They were surrounded. Worst of all, the enemies were of the Rooster based on the flag and their brisk but disciplined movements. Many of the city watch were trembling. He couldn't blame them. He himself was afraid.
Two people erupted from the Castonians. Both of them wore togas.
"Pleasant evening Magistrate Chen" Bouvin looked at the other one "Magistrate Devik you sly weasel"
"We didn't come here to trade insults Magistrate Bouvin" Chen said
"I know. You are here for blood"
"Not that also. You have sinned against both the people and the monarchs. Killing guests is not a principle the Republic is built upon. You have broken the law and for that you must pay"
He had broken the law, Bouvin knew that. He knew the consequences of his actions even if he succeeded. His past nights had been sleepless.
But he had made up his mind. His ancestors, the past Magistrates of Inkit, had protected the Republic for so long. It would be beyond shameful if the Republic falls on his watch. He couldn't bear it.
He clutched the sword on his side. It was rumored to be the sword that made the killing blow to the tyrant of Inkit. Whether that tale had some truth or not, the sword had been a symbol of his family. He was a Magistrate of Inkit and protecting the Republic was his most sacred task. It trumped all and he would gladly sin for his duty.
He drew the blade, sharp as ever and with a good balance. The city watch can't defeat the Rooster, he knew that much. But he had a duty.
"We should surrender" Herberk said.
"That is right" Bouvin said, nodding "We should. Surrendering is the sane thing to do. Unfortunately Herberk, I am a Magistrate of Inkit" He raised the sword against the Castonians "Long live the Republic"