Chapter 11

The light of the Teleportation spell faded, granting Wil a view of his mother’s gardens for the first time in nearly a decade.

He had left the estate for the Academy, and he had never been back since. Even on breaks, or holidays, he preferred to stay in the Capital rather than make the trek back. It wasn’t that he feared running into his father, the man was hardly here either, or if he was, he made a point of ignoring Wil most of the time.

It was a feeling of sadness that seemed to permeate the entire place. Perhaps it was just him, and the painful memories dredged up, but the estate always seemed to be cloaked in a shroud of melancholy. Even the guards and servants seemed eager to escape it, preferring to have homes in town and travel between, then stay here.

Although, that too could be attributed to the Earl. Shaking off his dark thoughts, he turned to his companion. Garman was just about to step forward, to lead him into the estate, when Wil stopped him.

“Go home. Your wife is probably worried. I can go it alone from here.” Wil instructed the large man.

“I was ordered to bring you back.” Garman argued, frowning.

“I won’t get lost. It’s better if you weren’t here for the next part.” Wil said, smiling at his friend and clapping him on the shoulder. “Go home.” Wil repeated. He was glad that Garman had settled down, raising a family with someone he loved. The man deserved it.

“Aright, Junior. But if you need me…” He said, before Wil interrupted him.

“I know where to find you.” Wil reassured him. He waited for Garman to leave, taking off towards the rear barracks, before Wil looked back at the large estate ahead of him. His father was a lower rank, he was only Rank 6 or 7 when Wil left, but he doubted his arrival had gone unnoticed.

‘Teleportation’ was a powerful spell, he was surprised the guards hadn’t come running to see who it was.

“Maybe I’m expected.” Wil mused, shaking his head.

Setting off, he took his time through the gardens, enjoying the blooming flowers and exotic plants. Someone had been tending the garden in his mother’s stead, and they had done it well. Everything was neat and orderly, somewhat different that his mother’s haphazard style of gardening.

From the gardens, the path stretched to the back doors of the estate, thrown wide open in the midday heat. The air smelled of the roses that lined the path, and great umbrella palm trees provided shade as Wil walked slowly towards the building.

Entering, he had only a moment to look around the hallway, when a familiar figure emerged from a side door.

Greaves had aged in the near decade since he had last seen him. His salt and pepper hair had turned nearly completely grey, and although he still looked fit and athletic, he had an odd sense of frailty about him, as if he were recovering from an illness.

‘Garman hadn’t mentioned anything about Greaves’ health on the trip, was this a recent development?’ Wil asked himself.

“Wil. It’s good to see you lad.” Greaves greeted him, enveloping the younger man in a hug. It took Wil by surprise, his old mentor was usually taciturn and serious, rarely showing affection.

“You as well. How have you been?” Wil asked, concern lacing his voice as he stepped out of the hug and looked the older man over.

“I’ve been poor, unfortunately. The last few months have been especially difficult.” Greaves confessed, ushing Wil out of the hallway and into a side room. Closing the door, he offered to young man a seat, before joining him.

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Wil responded carefully. It was obvious that Greaves had something important to discuss with him, waylaying him in the hallway and spiriting him away before seeing his father.

“Why am I here, Greaves? Why is my father determined to have me at a wedding for a sibling I despise?” Wil asked.

“Careful, Wil.” Greaves cautioned, gesturing for him to lower his voice. “Your sister is getting married, what better reason for you to come?” He said, his voice slightly raised. Greaves had a fake smile plastered on his face, while he eyed the door.

“Unfortunately, the Earl is visiting the Capital today, your brother and sister have joined him to tour the wedding venue. Alas, the time you spent in Aachen visiting your friend pushed your schedule for meeting him until tomorrow.” Greaves continued, and Wil couldn’t help but feel nervous at the man’s odd actions.

The illness, now this obvious act. What the hell was going on?

“Is that why the guards didn’t stop us when we teleported in? You were having me followed?”

“Of course, we did. Since you arrived in Illyria. You’ll have to wait for the Earl to return, but we’ve prepared your room, just as you left it.” Greaves assured him, looking slightly nervous. As if an afterthought, he pulled an envelop from out of his pocket.

“Here, a letter from your brother, I believe it should explain the details of your wedding duties.” Greaves said, stressing the last words as he handed Wil a sealed letter. With a nod, the older man stood and left, closing the door behind him once again.

“What the hell was that about?” Wil whispered, confused. Cracking the wax seal of two stags locking horns, he opened the letter. His confusion only mounted as he read.

Little Brother.

I hope this letter finds you in better fortunes than us.

I write this letter to apologize, it was my fault that you now find yourself dragged into this mess. I am the reason that Father has sent for you. I spread the rumors of his failings and weaknesses to the other nobles in order to shame him into bringing you home. I hope you will forgive me, but it was only due to our desperate need.

Things have changed in the time you have gone. I myself hadn’t seen it, not until it was much too late to intervene. It is all I can do now to prevent further upheaval, and why I need your help.

Tabitha, as you are no doubt aware, has always been dreadful, her acts of evil only disguised due to father’s efforts. But in the last several years, her actions have been more concealed, and purposeful. I fear she is colluding with powers beyond our understanding, but I am unable to prove my suspicions.

She has Father tightly in her grip, he refuses to hear anything that may harm her, or his reputation.

He has always been ambitious, but cautious, careful to never go too far, to incur the wrath of the other nobles, or the Emperor. That cautiousness has been replaced with reckless abandon in the last year, evidence of which can be seen in this marriage.

It was Father who pushed for this, to marry Tabitha to the third prince, someone who she has publicly criticized in the past. They have both been seen meeting in secret with people of ill repute, as well as strangers and travelers.

I believe they are involved with things that will spell not only the end of our House, but could do terrible damage to the Empire itself. Greaves himself shared my concerns, until father forbade him from interfering with his affairs.

He required a new oath from all of his retainers, restricting them to near slavery on pain of death. Greaves and several of our most loyal servants were beaten nearly to death simply for carrying information to me, helping in my investigation.

I push the boundaries of his oath simply by entrusting this letter to him to deliver, but I trust no one else.

Which is why I needed you here, Brother. With both of us working together, we can unravel this conspiracy before it is too late. What I have told you must not be repeated. Burn this letter, and do not discuss anything with Greaves or Kellerman, they have done enough.

Tread carefully, Wil. I will find a time and place for us to communicate more freely, but for now, we must not be seen as partners in solving this mystery.

Markus Brookmoor

Wil folded the letter, looking at it like it was a venomous serpent, before lighting it on fire with a spark of mana.

“Goddess above, what have I gotten involved in.” Wil whispered, watching the letter burn. When it nearly reached his fingers, he tossed it into the cold fireplace.

He sat there for a moment, thinking about the letter and what it meant for his family. Whatever his father and Tabitha were planning, it could bring him, and more importantly Serena, into danger. He couldn’t forget that Secundus had sent him home for a reason.

The smart thing to do would be to stay quiet, observe and take note of what they were doing. That would take time, weeks, and months, and he couldn’t guarantee he would find anything. It was what Markus would counsel, the wise move.

Or, he could seize the opportunity before him while they were gone to see what he secrets he could drag into the light.

“Sorry Markus, I never was good at following your advice.” Wil whispered.

Decision made, Wil stood, disappearing into mist with a single step.