I announced our new orders to an extremely happy lot of soldiers.
" ...go and pack everything you need for the next couple of weeks, maybe for good. We leave before sundown. Also..Headley? Stay..the rest are dismissed! "
Poor people... they were so bored.
I was barely here and they had nothing to do. With Lovely the only family here their orders must've been.. dull.
Headley Pit was my captain and trusted friend.
" I need you to gather some man and empty the vaults..strip them clean." - I said to him.
He was confused but a good and loyal solider first.
" Yes lord, may I ask...
" Because..I have a feeling we won't be coming back. Go ..and make sure they left as bare as we found them. "
" Yes Lord. " - he saluted and went away.
With that done I need to..
" UNCLE!! "
Lovely Heleni Em came running and jumped on me.
" How was home? How was Mom? And Granny Julia? And..
" Calm yourself. Home is home..your mother misses you and granny sends her best. " - I said omitted some details.
" Aww..I miss them too. " - she said smiling.
Her happy expression broke my heart.
She learned to fight and fallen in love with a certain Rival of mine but never lost her world view which was similar to her mother's and grandparents.
Believed being an Em is as good as being important to this univerese and expected a matching treatment that came with it.
" Heleni listen.. I'm going on a mission given by Sakarai all my soliders coming with me. So you must pack up as well. "
" Where we going? I thought you said it's a mission.." - she was excited and confused at the same time.
" We're leaving for Emet village tonight..and..
" Lord Zephyr's village!? " - she cut me off suddenly.
She was hopeless but since she will live there for a week at least, I need her to understand how she is expected to behave.
" Listen to me .. you only stay for a week or so, but in the meantime you will avoid him. He is married now Heleni, and his wife is a jealous women..you been warned. "
" I'm done pursing him, it was just his looks and demeanour..attractive. But, I promise you uncle to behave. " - she crossed her heart looking serious.
" Good..go and pack yourself. Double check so you don't miss anything. " - I sighed with some relief and sent her to pack.
On my way inside, told head maid Isa the same, pack up the help and themselves, those unwilling to move are dismissed and payed.
Went to take a bath.
Let the hot water calm my mind. I was dreading today since wasn't sure how long it would take before it was done. It might be a few days or weeks of pointless tasks and frivolous parties with people, I hated on principal. My Seline..we get too..
" Lord Em ? "
I heard a timid voice through door . " What is it? "
" Lord Sakarai messenger arrived waiting for you in the in the hall. "
That was fast. As if the letter was already written before ever requested.
Dried myself quickly and dressed comfortably for the road.
Inside the feast hall was Miyke staring at a large portrait of Ciren.
" Lense..Is playing deliver boy your true talent? " - I asked didn't mask my disdain for him.
The little man turned around, walked towards me with a large smile. " I'm whatever my Lord requires Carlos, here is the letter and the sum of 500 silver. "
Gave me a letter with Mai seal in blue wax sealing it shut and pointed at a small bag which contained a little much.
" It's 100 silver for the training and 400 as thanks for this abrupt request. "
Put the letter aside. " Thanks..is that all? "
The tiny little potato was a newcomer and yet secured support not just from Mai but other nobles as well.
He had to be somebody .. despite his unassuming looks.
" No dear Carlos, wish you good..fortune with your mission. " - he said with a large smile.
Didn't like his smile...his demeanour, his familiarity insulted me. Would've cut him in half there .. but I can wait a few more months.
Once he twaddle out like a pigeon, I went and speed up the packing.
Needed to get on the road and ride home.
——
We been travelling through the night.
It didn't snow and the man were fresh enough the horses slow enough to make it there early enough to witness the sunrise.
Spent my time contemplating opening the letter, it was killing me not knowing. He probably won't be mad..
( SNORE..)
Lovely was snoring cuddled up with our head maid whom she got close in my absence. Her name was Isa Lambert and she reminded me of Gilly, just 30 years younger.
Honest, kind, and smart enough to take care of everything dispite my prolonged absence.
" You been staring at that letter Lord. Plan to open it? " - she asked cutting through the silence.
" I think not..it was said it's not for my eyes..by the way thank you for taking care of my niece, I'm sure whatever, I'm paying you is probably an insult. "
She caressed Lovely silky hair with a big smile.
" Nonsense, you pay more than any Insatel Lord and make no demands..unbecoming of a noble. " - she finished with her eyes became colder in an instant.
Servants often lived in fear of cruel or abusive Lord's, they couldn't escape. Mai himself had an entire harem of poor women destined to satisfy his twisted whims until they're disposed and replaced.
" Thank you..the curfew surprised me. How many have disappeared this winter? " - I asked.
The town of Malai shut its gates at nightfall and soliders roamed the street in small ten groups with swords at hand and fear in their eyes.
She looked distressed.
" The numbers are unknown but more and more missing persons reported and not to mention, those who have no one to report them missing..it's a terror being out at night. " - she said with familiar fear in her eyes.
Some psycho killer the locals named Night, roamed the city under the moonlight and the panic, the terror was palpable in the air.
Since November people who had no reason missing went poof .. vanished into thin air. More followed as the winter continued, some came from money too.
The culprit hasn't been caught and those in danger and mostly the poor belived it was a Child of Ehlite having his twisted fun with them.
" Well..all that's done. I'm positive you'll love Emet." - I said reassuring her.
" Lord Zephyr and his family were a delight and always wondered how people lived in the countryside. Myself, never left Malai. "
We chatted a little about her roots in the city, night went on and soon Isa eyes closed and her breathing became steady.
Ripped the letter open. Because my last restraint just closed her eyes.
" Serviam Elex. "