Power.
CHAPTERSEVEN
Forrest had been an adult for many years, and grown up considerably having to raise a child alone, but he felt like an infant embarking on his first adventure entering this room. Tension gripped him. Nerves knotted his belly. Emotions were not something he was known for, but right now he felt a raft of them.
Only a single candle gave off light. A man sat at a scarred wooden table. He rose as they approached.
“I am pleased to see you here, Mr. Howarth.”
He was tall, with a solid build. The light was not good, but Forrest thought dark haired, with gray at the temples.
“I am Geraint, and on behalf of your king, we are honored to have you join Alexius.”
Forrest bowed. “It is my honor to do so.” He shot Gabe a look. He nodded, as if to say he’d said the right thing.
“Here is your cloak.” Geraint held out the garment, and Forrest took it.
It almost felt surreal. As if he was dreaming or performing in a pantomime. Was he really about to join Alexius?Yes. He wanted this, he realized.
“Put it on,” Geraint ordered him.
Forrest had been dressing himself for years, but the simple act seemed herculean. Yet, he managed it.
“Raise your hand.”
He did.
“I pledge to serve my king and no other from this day forth. I will undertake my duties with honor and secrecy, and above all else uphold the memory of those who walked in my shoes before.”
A shiver traversed his spine as Forrest repeated the words solemnly.
“Veritas scutumtibi erit,” Geraint finished. They all repeated the words, the deep voices echoing ominously around the walls.
“Take your place.”
As he had no idea where that place was, Michael waved for him to stand between himself, and Nathan. Gabe sat and put his hands on the table before him. The ring that now had a significance it had not previously carried was clear for them all to see.
“We have had word.”
“He always starts with that,” Zach said.
“Our king has a close friend in India; his name is Khatri. He has five daughters. The two eldest came to London, as one has been unwell for some time. The king and he correspond, and it was organized that she would come here to visit our monarch’s physician to see if anything further could be done for her health. The young ladies, and their entourage arrived, and the king had them settled in Carlton House. The eldest decided to go walking with her maid, and has not been seen since,” Geraint said.
“How long ago was this?” Gabe asked.
“Two weeks. The king has had people searching for the girl, but the only information we have on her is from the maid who was with her. She said she was knocked to the ground, and when she regained her feet, it was in time to see Miss Khatri being forced into a carriage. It rolled away before she could do anything further.”
“And there has been no ransom note or indication she is being held for the express purpose of exhorting money?” Gabe asked.
“No, nothing. The king has sent word to his friend in India, but of course it will take many months for a letter to reach him,” Geraint said.
“So she left the king’s protection with a maid and no guards.”
Forrest had wanted to pose this question, but Zach beat him to it.
“From what I have learned of Miss Khatri, she is quite strong willed.”
“And so felt she did not need protection?”
