Dragon’s Breath -
Chapter nineteen
Standing at the office door, I feel a thrill of graffitied excitement as I knock on the door.
"Come in." Gregory's voice calls out.
Walking in I see Evalene standing in front of his desk, talking in a hushed voice.
"My king please reconsider, this is our son's future," Evalene pleads.
For the first time ever, I see actual rage on Gregory's face.
"EVALENE! I have had enough of this conversation! I have other business to attend to, Leave now," He says in a brassy voice, slamming his hand down on his desk. The queen jumps in fright. She bows then scurries out of the room. As she passes by me, she lifts her chin and scowls.
I quietly pull a chair over to the desk and sit down.
"I'm sorry you had to hear that," Gregory says with a sigh, running a hand down his face.
Seeing Gregory like this is a bit refreshing it shows that he too is a living being at feels things as well. He's not cold and unemotional or constantly angry.
"Now my dear, was there something you needed to tell?" He asks.
"Yes, there is, one moment please." I pull open my drawstring shirt reaching into my bra.
"Nora, what in God's name are you doing?" Gregory shouts in alarm.
"I'm pulling out the papers," I say as I pull the folded papers from my bra. After fixing my shirt I unfold the journal pages.
"I found the missing journal pages in Gwen's room, I got to say I'll have to applaud her for being the stupidest criminal I've ever come across. Instead of getting rid of all evidence, she kept it," I laugh.
Gregory shakes his head, "I am quite disappointed as well. I thought my granddaughter would have been smarter."
I laugh and hand him the papers. Setting them down, he stands up, heading to the door. I watch him curiously.
"Before we read these I am going to call over Daniel," he tells me.
"Alright," I say with a nod.
He opens the door and calls for a maid to bring Daniel, then once more resumes his seat. After a few moments, Daniel comes rushing into the room panting.
"What's wrong? Did something happen? The maid told me it was urgent," Daniel panics.
"Come sit down Daniel, Nora has found the missing journal pages," Gregory says, motioning him closer. Daniel relaxes and pulls a chair up next to mine.
"Really? That was fast where did you find them?" Daniel questions.
With a smirk, I lean back in my chair.
"Gwen was stupid enough to keep the pages in her room rather than get rid of them," I mock.
Daniel laughs, "It might have been stupid on her part but it sure saved us a lot of trouble."
"Sure did," I agree with a laugh.
Smoothing out the papers, Gregory begins to read them aloud,
Summer, Day 32, year 1,547
Today in training, I notice my men acting strangely. They all avoided me and talked amongst each other in hushed voices. There was none of the usual laughter; they seemed worried yet excited, about what I'm not truly sure.
When the day came to an end and everyone was readying to go home, I heard one of the boys, Blaine, talking about how he was excited for them to meet with some high paying client. I can't help but wonder what mess my boys could have gotten into for them to not come to me about a matter concerning money. I have often told them many a time that people with power will approach them to try and get them to do their dirty work but, to never accept. For now, I will wait to see if the situation gets worse, hopefully, I am over-thinking. - Ian Bratz
Summer, Day 33, year 1,547
When I got to the training grounds to begin the morning routine and assign jobs, I found that all the boys had arrived early today. They were all quite and standing around restlessly. I couldn't help but worry about what could possibly have them all worked up. When I had reached them, one of the boys came forward and spoke to me. He told me how a man who worked for duke Evergreen's daughter approached them offering a job. When I asked what kind of job, my men seemed to get more restless. They told him that if I wanted information on the task that I should go with them to a meeting they were having with the man in the evening. Being curious, I agreed.
When evening arrived, I followed my men to a local tavern where the meeting was to be held. After waiting for quite some time a hooded girl with a large man came to our table. With them, they brought large amounts of gold. The girl, who I found out to be Gwen Evergreen, talked of the task she wanted us to do. She told us that in two days dragon ambassadors from the Perilous horde living near us were coming to talk a term of peace with our king. The lady Gwen spoke of her disapproval of the dragons and said that we must stop them from coming that they would destroy us all. But I never once believed in her words. My men, on the other hand, ate up everything she said.
When the meeting was over I told my men that I did not wish to be apart of her plan, that it was treason, that they should stay away. But greed blinded them, they only thought of the money they would receive from doing the job. - Ian Bratz
Summer, Day 34, year 1,547
I am beginning to grow anxious, my men are still hooked on going through with their suicidal plan to kill the dragons. I can't seem to talk them out of it, but I also fear for my life. Gwen has placed a watchful eye on us. I do not know what to do or who I should turn to. What person would believe that the beloved granddaughter of the king would plan to kill the dragon ambassadors? With all that is happening, if I refuse, my life may be cut short. - Ian Bratz
Summer, Day 35, year 1,547
Today is the day my men plan to head into dragon territory to kill the ambassadors. I tried everything within my power to stop them if I can stop them before it's too late. Then we can go back to life as it was and never speak of this treachery again. - Ian Bratz
Summer, Day 36, year 1,547
Yesterday, when I attempted to stop my men. They all beat me unconscious. I awoke today still on the training grounds with my men nowhere in sight. I am consumed with the guilt of not being able to stop my own men. How will I ever face my superiors again? I am ashamed of myself; I should no longer be allowed to call myself a commander of king Gregory's army. I have no idea what to do with myself, should I tell someone? Or would I be killed before I could, at this point my best bet is to resign and never speak of this again? - Ian Bratz
Summer, Day 37, year 1,547
Today I retired from my post as a commander. So many were surprised by my sudden recognition asking why I would leave such a job when I am doing so well. Of course, I told no one the truth, they all believe I left due to illness. Though this is no physical sickness, one could call it a sickness of the mind. I've become so paranoid I can't take a step without looking over my shoulder.
It is also today that there was news of my men's bodies being found in the dragon's territory. I wish they would have listened to me, even I knew they wouldn't live through this job. Lady Gwen had to get rid of all evidence, nothing could be left. My men are but sacrificial pawns on her chessboard.
Though I am still alive I cannot help but wonder for how long, how long will it be until I am to die as well. - Ian Bratz
Gregory finishes reading the pages of the journal. Sitting here, I soak in all the new information. I knew Gwen was a twisted individual, but I never expected her to stoop so low as to kill so many for personal gain. Just how many more will die by her hand before she's finally stopped?
"Well, I guess this is all the information we need to use against her," I say quietly.
Gregory holds a hand up to me.
"Yes, this does tell us a lot, but we cannot act rashly. You said that you have the blacksmith Flavius gathering information for you, correct?" Gregory asks.
"Yes," I answer quickly.
"We will wait for word from him before we make a move," Gregory says.
"But your majesty, that could take days," Daniel says.
"Then we will wait," Gregory states leaving no room for arguments.
"In the meantime Daniel, I would like you to assign some men to keep watch on Gwen," Greg orders.
"Yes, your majesty." Daniel nods.
Standing I take the journal pages off Gregory's desk then I put my chair back in front of the fireplace.
"I am going to return the journal pages to where I found them so Gwen does not get suspicious. Goodbye," I say.
"Goodbye, my dear," Gregory says warmly to me.
I leave the office and head towards Gwen's room. When I get there, I knock on the door, but I receive no response. Quickly, I push the door open, scanning the inside. When I find that she's not here, I go in and place the journal pages back under her pillow. I just hope that she didn't realize they were ever gone, to begin with. Heading into my room, I throw myself onto my bed trying to relax. Everything happened so fast today I'm still having a hard time processing it all.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter don’t forget to like and comment.- Ray
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