Chapter 24, (Laurens Pov)
Lauren played with the hem of his dark brown robe, his head swimming with ideas. He was rudely awakened when the door to his office slammed opened. Two of the Bishop's chief guard dressed for battle stepped in, followed immediately by Bethanie of clan Fair Rune Tar. The woman's short dark hair tied behind her head. She was dressed in her dark black parade uniform with the symbol of the army on her left shoulder..
Lauren sighed inwardly, If she suspected him she would have come dressed like the High guards. Lauren smiled at Bethanie, forcing a jovial tone.
"Good morning Bethanie, how can I help you today?" asked Lauren, leaning back in his chair as though he didn't have a care in the world. Bethanie cracked a small smile and strode across the thick carpets to his desk. She waved the guards behind her out of earshot. That was good. This must be a sensitive matter then?
" I need to ask you a favour, Lauren." said Bethanie, placing her palms on the table.
" I am at your disposal. What can I do for you?" asked Lauren, feigning sincerity.
" Something distressing just happened. I was doing routine searches of merchants and traders throughout the city. I found the missing vessels in a warehouse." said Bethanie.
What! She found them? Laurens heart raced wildly as he forced himself to remain calm.
" That is perfect. Where did you find them?" asked Lauren, forcing a grin.
" That is why I need the favour. I found them in one warehouse belonging to clan fair rune Tar." whispered Bethanie. Laurens pulse quickened as once again excitement rose in his chest. Of all the officials, she was coming to him for help?
" Im not sure I can offer much help." replied Lauren.
"I know we have an unpleasant history, but I will owe you a favour if you help me clear this mess up. Please Lauren, if they slander my clan we might never return Lysaria home." said Bethanie.
" Of course Bethanie, you know I can keep a tight lip while we conduct the investigation." Replied Lauren shifting in his seat.
" Do you have any ideas on who might have done it?" asked Lauren.
" I am thinking it might be the clan without a representing bishop. It makes the most sense, as they would have the most to gain." said Bethanie thoughtfully. Lauren tensed as she hit it spot on. He would need to contact his accomplice and tell them to lie low for the time being.
" There are only two clans without members in the council. And one has no political ambition, they are much more focused on monetary gain." said Lauren. Lauren winced, he had to tell the truth in this case or Bethanie would suspect him. It was well known that Clan fair rune mar only cared about earning vessels.
" That only leaves one clan that might want to take this advantage." said Lauren.
" It could be a clan trying to get more seats in the council?" said Bethanie, pacing.
" Very true. What might a powerful clan gain? That is a risky move." said Lauren, sweat rolling down his back.
" It is the re-election for a speaker. If someone were to get two votes from their clan instead of one, they would almost surely win." said Bethanie.
Oh crap, light take him, stay calm! Lauren breathed deeply. She didn't know. How could she have guessed his plan?
"I will look into it, with my influence and with the badge of my office I can look into the books of each of the clans for dark dealings." replied Lauren, standing from his chair.
" Will you accompany me to the clan seat of clan Mar? I doubt its them, but better safe than sorry." said Bethanie.
"One moment, will you wait outside? I need to send one quick message before we depart." asked Lauren. Bethanie smiled at him, grinning as she shut the door, taking the guards with her.
Lauren wiped his sweaty hands on his robe, cursing and congratulating himself. He rushed to his book shelf searching for the right scroll. Ahh, there it was. He unrolled the scroll linked to his wife.
" Hello." said a familiar feminine voice
" Bethanie just showed up at my office." said Lauren.
"What! does she suspect us?" replied Sara.
" No, she asked for my help." said Lauren.
" I have little time, just listen. We are going to the seat of Clan fair Rune Mar to check their books. I do not think we will find anything. There is a problem, I think my accomplice is actually one of their officials. Move our plans ahead of schedule. Send the anonymous report to the city guard that you suspect Clan fair rune tar of stealing the vessels. It is the perfect time, Bethanie won't be there to diffuse the situation. I can stall by taking my time." said Lauren.
" I like it. If you somehow found evidence of the same blackmail on Bethanies allies, it would make her trust us a lot more? This way we can both make them look greedy and get in their good graces." said Sara calmly.
" Perhaps for the best. There is no telling how they will spin this in the council. Its better to look like allies and take them down without them knowing who is the real enemy." said Lauren closing the scroll, sauntering confidently to the door.
He schooled his expression, tucking his long white hair behind his ears. Before exiting the door. With Bethanie in the lead, Lauren followed the woman. Her sword swaying at her side as she strode confidently towards the merchant quarter.
The change from the regular city to the merchant's quarter was quite obvious. Lauren speed walked to keep up with the long legged Bethanie. They passed dozens of purple-haired angels, the purple hair a symbol that they were a part of the Clan Fair Rune Mar.
Lauren and Bethanie walked through the crowd past many shops looking for warehouses. They walked until they reached the storage area. Warehouses lined the road, all shaped like a square box. Lauren sniffed, turning towards the blatantly plain buildings, no class.
Bethanie turned towards a random warehouse and walked up the drive, gesturing Lauren towards the door. Lauren swallows hard. No telling where the rest of the vessels were stored. He would need to be extremely unlucky to run into the vessels so early. He raised his hand, striking the dark wood of the door.
The doors opened inwards and a man with long purple hair stood in the open door frowning at them.
" What can I do for you today?" asked the man. Lauren gestured to the emblem on his chest. The mans eyes grew wide as he saw the symbol.
" I am an official of the city, it is in my purview to check all warehouses and businesses." said Lauren, smiling at the man.
" Of course, come on in." said the man, fidgeting nervously.
Walking through the building, Lauren checked every box and sac. Making sure to take his time. When everything was searched, Lauren and Bethanie left the building towards the next warehouse. Lauren sighed to himself. He just needed to take his time and appear very committed.
They were walking towards a warehouse just as the doors opened and an essence powered cart hovered out. The warehouse was across the street. But Bethanie turned from the next warehouse and crossed the cobblestone path. On the front of the cart was a man with shoulder length purple hair. Laurens heart skipped a beat as the man's familiar face came into view. Bethanie made her way towards the man, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. She raised her hand, gesturing the man to stop.
Light, take him. This couldn't be happening! Lauren hoped the man could remain calm as Bethanie stopped beside the cart. Noiselessly, the wooden cart settled to the ground.
" Good day, sir. I only want to take a few minutes of your time." said Bethanie.
" Of course, what can I do for you?" asked the man, his hands shaking.
" I just want to verify the contents of your cart." replied Bethanie.
The man visibly swallowed and unlatched the back of his cart. Laurens heart skipped a beat. He dug his fingers into his palms as he stare at the cart full of vessels. What an absolute idiot. Filled to the top were boxes with the army label on the side. On the cart, the man scrambled back to the driver's seat, reaching for the controls.
Bethanie drew her strait sword, the air growing heavy. The pressure forcing Lauren to stumble to one knee. The man on the cart had it much worse as he received the brunt of her attention. Bethanie sauntered up to the cart and lept up, landing gracefully next to the man.
" You are going to be coming with me!" said Bethanie, reaching down and grasping the man's shirt. Lauren caught himself retreating. This wasn't a complete waste. No! ne could still salvage this failure. The man in front of him glanced from Bethanie to him. Lauren hushed the man, placing his finger to his lips. Stepping forwards Lauren reached for the man and pulled his arms behind his back.
" I got him Bethanie. Do you want to drive the cart back to the army headquarters?" asked Lauren.
" Thank you Lauren, I appreciate all of your help." Replied Bethanie as she walked carefully to the controls. The essence cart rose smoothly and drifted down the road.
" Be quiet and say nothing." hissed Lauren over the wind. The cart cruised rapidly along the road, wind blowing through his cloths.
"I cannot believe you left them in the army labeled boxes." hissed Lauren.
" I did not think you would help them search?" said the man.
" I thought I could divert them. Whatever you do, stay quiet. If you hold your tongue and say you were delivering the vessels to the council, it will not be so bad. You might convince them of your innocence. " said Lauren. The man stares wide eyed at Lauren, his hands shaking.
" Just get me out of there as fast as you can. If you hold up your end, I won't say a word." said the man, relaxing his tense grip.
Lauren kept his grip firm as now and then Bethanie would glance back. Laurens muscles burned, but finally he could relax slightly. As they pulled to a stop outside of the army headquarters.