尝è蝉别-尘补箩别蝉迟é

Part 19

Sneaking into the man's study at night had been a piece of cake. As Krogan stealthily riffled to the paperwork he pondered why Drago had such lax security.

This morning the man had left his residence on horseback and was making his way to the residence the Dowager Regent currently occupied. Krogan only knew that there was some bad blood between the Prince's grandmother and the Advisor but he didn't know the extent of it. Grimmel never cared to elaborate on that and Krogan didn't pry. In his line of work knowing too much could get someone's head separated from their body.

Krogan had tied up his horse in the surrounding forest and made his way on foot. He watched from a high tree branch as Drago tried to get an audience with the Dowager Regent. The man was denied again and again yet he would not budge well into the evening. Krogan was quite bored on his branch but he perked up when the knights guarding the residence finally admitted the advisor to enter. He had long since memorized the guard rotations so sneaking in was no problem at all. He landed in the garden and by luck he saw the Dowager Regent enjoying tea in the gazebo. Drago was being led to the location by a knight. Now all Krogan had to do was get closer to the pair to overhear their conversation.

".....-y have you come here, Drago? You know I loathe to see your face,"

"Your Majesty please. I beg you to hear me out. I know that I have wronged you in the past but this is important," Krogan could hear Drago state as he bowed to the Dowager. The former Queen could be observed as giving Drago a rather unpleasant glare.

The Dowager Regent sighed and put down her teacup. She turned towards the proud man that for once kept his head bowed.

"I will hear you out, but don't think I will help you." Theodora stated with a harsh glare.

"Thank you, your Majesty." Drago said while giving the woman a sad but admiring look. "This matter does not just concern your son and grandson but also the state of this kingdom. I fear that they have been compromised."

The Dowager Regent said nothing, nor did she betray her unease on her countenance, so Drago continued. "The Crown Prince is cunning but he is also a lover of blood sports and a hedonist. The Imperial treasury has been depleted due to this and the Prince has been consuming the Opium drug merchants from the east have recently brought. Not only has it dulled his mind and reasoning but it has made him more volatile."

Drago noted that Theodora gripped the armrest of her chair fiercely, yet he continued. "The King's location is also uncertain. Forgive me your Majesty but the Prince has replaced his own father with a puppet and I can't ascertain the King's current whereabouts. King Quintas's disappearance has been thoroughly covered up. The Prince, as young as he is, has brought people into the palace that have blindsided me. Forgive me for my incompetence,"

"So what you're saying is... My son is missing and my grandson, who is becoming increasingly erratic, is behind the plot," Theodora pursed her lips for a moment. "I only came back to the Capital on Evelyn's wishes but this state of events is rather worrisome." She then looked Drago dead in the eye and asked "What was my grandson's latest scheme?"

"Your Highness, while keeping Lady Arkas close he chose to pursue Lady Anderson who had the Hofferson diamond mine as her dowry. But when Marchioness Hofferson claimed her title the dowry of her stepsister changed. The engagement was subsequently broken off three days ago." Drago announced. "Furthermore I feel that he may set his sights on Lady Hofferson next."

"And you don't approve?" Theodora asked next.

"Marchioness Hofferson is too shrewd a woman. She would never accept the Crown prince's advances especially with the dowry situation being known. Yet with the Prince, I fear, will pursue her relentlessly just so he can refill this Kingdom's coffers." Drago stated. "There is also something the Prince is keeping a secret within the Colosseum and I fear that it might be the downfall of our kingdom."

Krogan's eyes widened when he listened to the rest of the conversation. When Drago finally did leave the rogue was resolute. The advisor could not keep living, not with what he had heard.

But Krogan had to strike quickly, while Drago was still on the forest path. There were no witnesses here and while foul play might be suspected he'd do what it took to secure his benefactor's safety.

From the bushes Krogan struck, an arrow to the horse Drago was riding to ensure that the man had difficulty to escape. As the horse crumbled from the arrow to its leg, he leapt out of the bushes, his daggers aloft as he aimed for the advisor that had been thrown off the thrashing horse.

Krogan had expected Drago to be armed but for the man to parry his dagger strikes.... That took the rogue by surprise.

"YOU!" Drago growled surprised and angry as he stood up and held his double-bladed sword in front of him.

"ME!" Krogan stated as he lunged for Drago again. His first dagger getting stopped by the sword but his second nicking Drago in the neck.

"Do you know who you are attacking!" Drago growled.

"Of course, nothing personal.... That was the case until you decided you needed to poison the Prince." Krogan smirked as Drago's eyes widened upon hearing that.

"Don't think you will leave here alive!" The man then shouted as he lunged for Krogan this time. No one would know of his plans. No one....

Neither Krogan nor Drago were easy targets. Both men had experience in combat so their fight went on for some time. Slices to the neck and torso, getting stabbed in the leg.... Nearly losing an ear... The fight only stopped once one of them had sliced the other's neck open. Blood spurted on the sand and grass as a heavy body fell, grasping at their neck, trying to stem the flow.

The other person, injured yet still being able to move, fled the scene.

Later that evening, at the estate Griselda was occupying on the Palace grounds, the disgruntled woman returned from her gathering. She threw her hat on the bed and stomped over to the mahogany vanity near her balcony. She let her frustrations of the day out on the pearl earrings she was taking off.

'How dare that man!' Her mind shouted. She wanted to shout as well but that would just attract the attention of the maids. The day had been utterly frustrating and she would only blame the Prince for causing the situation.

"M...M.... Lady...." A weak voice could be heard causing Griselda to stop and stand still. She had been in the middle of reaching for her pearl necklace when she heard the voice. It sounded strangled and she slowly turned to her balcony.... Drawing one of the lace curtains back. What she saw made her gasp. There was blood strewn on top of the marble balustrade and also on the floor. There the rogue that often teased her lay in a puddle of blood, clutching a wound to his abdomen.

"H....Help me..." Krogan managed to utter before everything went black.

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AN: (Holds onto squirming Porg)

Vala: "I had to rewrite this chapter almost four times,"

Harry: "What does the Porg have to do with that?"

Vala: "Nothing..... I'm just holding him and mentally weighing him,"

Harry: "NO EATING THE PORG!"

(Porg meeps)