“You asked to see me, Councilor?” Jules’s voice sounded through the door. “I apologize that your welcome was not what it should have been. We received no word of your coming and to be honest, it took us by surprise.” Jules’s voice sounded strained.
“Do not worry, Captain,” Younn replied, his voice big without being loud. “You’ve only been at your post here a few months. My aim is not to criticize you.”
Sol could feel the tension disperse in the other room during the comfortable silence that followed.
“What can I do for you, Councilor?” Jules asked, his voice far more relaxed.
“I would like my presence to be attributed to the Festival of Goldenreign, as my real purpose here is more ... delicate.”
Sol stopped breathing. He needed to hear every word that was about to be said.
The latch on the door squeaked and Sol’s heart skipped a beat as the door shook. Did they know he had followed them?
“You trust your men, here?” Younn asked in a very quiet voice.
“Yes, Councilor,” Jules responded. He kept his voice quiet. “Should I not? Have you discovered a traitor in our ranks?”
“I meant your men guarding the door,” Younn responded. He paused. “My information is not for anyone’s hearing.”
“Oh.” Jules said. “I did not post a guard. One moment.”
Sol heard the door open and Jules called loudly down the hall.
Moments later, two soldiers flanked the door. The one on Sol’s side sat down on the bench right above him.
Sol froze, listening as intently as he could.
“Should I be concerned about a traitor in your ranks?” Younn questioned. “Why would you ask such a question unless you were concerned about it?”
Sol could imagine the intimidating glare Younn was likely directing at Jules.
“No,” Jules responded, his voice sounding strained once again. “The fort transitioned to my care more smoothly than I could have hoped. It is the greatest honor and best assignment I have ever received. Please, tell me how I can serve you.”
Sol wanted to take back his wasted pity. Jules was a servant of the enemy, no matter how charming he seemed otherwise.
“You received a special shipment from Chendas a few weeks ago, did you not?” Younn asked after another evaluating pause.
“Yes, Councilor,” Jules responded quickly and emphatically. “The greatest care has been seen to it, and all of His Majesty’s orders regarding it have been dutifully followed. Would you care to see it?”
Sol felt his skin prickle in anticipation.
“Yes, but quickly. I have other matters to attend to,” Younn replied.
Sol had a feeling that he was the other matter Younn was referring to. “I would urge you to increase the defensive measures you have taken.”
That was going to make Sol’s task more difficult.
“Increase the defensive measures?” Jules asked. “Do you have reason to believe it is unsafe, here in the strongest fort of the five kingdoms?” His voice may have held a touch of a challenge in it.
“Captain,” Younn responded. “I will speak with you frankly. Iseldis has chosen not to align itself with our king, you may not have heard this news. The royal family is currently confined to their palace while our forces control every entry and exit into Iseldis from the Chendas border to the sea.”
“That is grave news indeed,” Jules responded. “They have made a poor choice. Except, their Princess Philomena is here in Falqri as we speak, she is staying as a guest in my home. I did not realize the situation had turned so dire.”
“It would be an unanswerable crime if His Majesty’s possession fell to the enemy’s hand while Princess Philomena is here inyourfort, Captain.”
Even Sol could hear the veiled threat in the man’s words.
“I, and my men, have committed to guarding it with our lives, Councilor.”
