"So you couldn't get anything out of him." Grand Prince Alexei said with a soft smile, staring deep into his son's eyes.
"Unfortunately not father, but it obvious who sent him. This is our chance, Father. Those heathens are in the middle of a civil war right now. The North is undefended and Ali has left." Ivan said giddly.
"You think I don't know that. But the boy in the south is moving as well. We invade now and there will be a dispute with him. I don't mind war with the heathen, but attacking someone who the Pope named as a 'Blessed One' is a different matter." Alexie returned to his documents. Ivan sat thinking about how to convince his father. He was someone who hated annoying the church if it was unnecessary and rarely budged on the stance.
"Then let's make a deal with him. Giving him the entirety of the Sultanate is letting him have his own Empire in the West and become a threat to us." His words got his father's attention who stopped writing and looked at him. "Let us meet on the Tears of Gaia. It is sacrilegious to spill blood for both us and the heathens. He would be more than willing to meet with us somewhere he feels safe and the heathens can't attack us there."
"And then what? Propose a marriage to his son. He's a cripple Ivan. He won't birth an heir in the future." Alexei spoke with disdain. Before he could return to his work Ivan spoke up.
"Of course not. If he had a healthy son I would propose it in a heartbeat but no. I'm talking about a partition of land. We get the North and him the South. We create a border on the great river. I'm sure he would welcome the support of us and those pagans in the forest."
Alexei put his pen down, cupping his hands. He thought on the matter. "It could work, but the pagans won't join us. After being forced to stop our war all those years ago, your sister cut contact with us. It seems she has become a degenerate of the forest after living with them for so long. Send a messenger and see how things go." Ivan smiled leaving his father alone after having confirmation.
"One more thing." Alexei stopped Ivan just before he could leave. "Do you know who sent you the warning?"
"Not a clue father, I guess it must be someone close to the Sultan, however." Hearing his son's words he waved him off to carry out his plan. Alone, Alexie stood up, going to his bookshelf. Pulling out a special book he opened it giving him information on all the council members of the current Sultanate. He crossed out Aswad's name, knowing the man captured was him. His eyes lingered on Adrian. "I don't like being used." Muttering to himself, his finger tapped on the man's name.
"So they have begun to move." In front of Adrian was one of Mansa's men. The name gave a deep nod. "I'll send word to the Sultan"
"Pardon me. But the General ordered that I bring word to him directly after coming to you." The man said in a stern tone. The two guards placed on Adrian looked at him.
"Okay. Speak to Yusuf on where to find them. He is in charge of all the conveys heading their way." The man bowed leaving. Adrian had a calm smile on his face but internally he was plotting. He had heard the news of Nasr's recent defeat, and for him to receive the news of the Kingdom moving would result in Harun winning the war too quickly or a white peace. He didn't expect such a sudden end, expecting any battle between the two to drag out.
Moving to his office he called for one of his personal assistants. "See to it that the man that had arrived in palace be well fed before he leaves for the Sultan. We can't have him stopping on his journey with such important news." The man gave a bow, scurrying off. The guards watching Adrian gave the order no mind.
It was dark by the time the soldier left. An hour into his journey, a rare tiredness came over him. He didn't understand where it had come from, having had a nap and a large meal before he had left. Sensing something was wrong he sped up his horse, trying to reach the closest town ahead. He fought to stay awake but quickly succumbed to the drowsiness. His body fell to the side, being dragged along by his horse falling off soon after.
Three riders wearing dark robes followed behind soon after. Looking at each other they had been told that their target would either be asleep or drowsy. Such an easy job was always appreciated. The leader of the three bent over, cutting the man's throat. Two of them grabbed the body whilst the third cleaned the scene. Throwing his corpse over their horse and leading the spare horse away, they left the scene, as if nothing happened, heading back towards the Capital.
Adrian sat alone at night drinking wine. The guards had finally left him alone for the night and it was time he could finally unwind. He looked out the window with his mask finally off. Looking at the city below an evil grin spread wide across his face. It was a great feeling for him to finally know that his dream was about to come true.