185 Chapter One Hundred and Eighty-Five – Special Delivery (1/2)

”A message delivery?” Errant's brow furrowed. ”You aren't a page, you are a squire. Why was such a simple task given to you?”

Estemar's brown eyes flickered with annoyance, that was quickly buried under his discipline. ”I do not know. They only told me that it was urgent. I was merely stopping to inform you of my whereabouts.”

”May I see the letter?” Errant asked calmly. Estemar looked at him strangely, then shrugged and drew it out of the vest under his tabard.

Estemar took it from him, and stared at it, his silver eyes glittering. Estemar, about to say something, fell silent, because he could clearly see the corners of Errant's lips turning down.

Errant's eyes finally rose to Estemar's, a hardness in them the young Prince had not seen before. ”You are without armor or weapon, yes?” he asked calmly.

”That is correct...” It somehow sounded ominous, now that Errant had mentioned it...

Errant passed the letter back. ”They are watching. Go about things as if you are leaving soon. I will be at the statue of Saint Miyata. I will be going with you.”

Estemar nodded shortly, seeing a hard light in Errant's eyes. He had great trust in this Heavenbound son of the Gilderalz, and now it seemed that something was happening. Errant hurried away, and Estemar resumed his course to the stables... but not moving as quickly as he might have.

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Errant was indeed waiting by the towering statue of the Ranger Marshal of Aethra, one of the great hunters of criminals of the Empire; riding back and forth the length of it to bring wrongdoers to justice, she had been a true heroine of the masses and Sainted by all five major Good Churches. Her statue had thus endured here for over five centuries, unable to be moved off and replaced by those eager to take her prime place on the Promenade to the Palace.

Errant was not mounted, but he did have a Disk next to him, loaded with what Estemar instantly saw was his own armor and weapons. He met Errant's eyes as he gestured, murmuring a soft prayer to Mithar, and the pieces of his Armor began to rise and move into position slowly, one by one. Straps tightened, pieces locked together, buckles were hitched, strings knotted, and in less than five breaths he was mailed and plated properly. He slung his shield at the side of his saddle, and his sword opposite.

”Glamer it,” Errant ordered shortly, and Estemar brushed the finally made plate. It shimmered and seemed to reform into a tabard and cloak. His Sword and Shield were still obvious, but him being armored was not.

”What is going on?” Estemar asked, as Errant pushed up the Disk, and the squire touched it to take control, afore Errant hopped lightly atop it to float at his side as he snapped the reins again. The young bay he was riding trotted smoothly into motion.

”You have not refined the Eyes enough. There was murderous intent floating around that letter. It was written with killing in mind.”

Estemar didn't pale, instead thinking of the implications. ”I have been sold out? By the Order?” he asked calmly.

”It is perhaps not the time to mention this, but you know the death of that scribe in the records, and those two workers in the kitchens?”

Errant had brought them up before, so Estemar nodded shortly. ”The one was overindulging on proscribed drugs, I believe? And the last two were crushed under wine barrels being unloaded.”

”I killed them.” Estemar blinked. ”It was a test, to see how well they would cover up the details, and the details were all firmly suppressed. The three were doppelgangers.”

Estemar's cheek twitched. ”It is not my first time dealing with shapechangers... although the last time was wererats and a vampire.”

”That dance you were telling me about?” Errant's eyes were steady. ”Your foes are thorough. They managed to get you assigned as a squire to another one.”

Estemar inhaled sharply. ”Sir Zigfried? Are you certain?”

”His chambers reek of killing intent. He wears an empowered tchazty stone to conceal his aura, but it does not cloak the residual,” Errant told him calmly.

Estemar was thoughtful, thinking of the implications. ”I was assigned him by the Grand Maester himself. How high does this corruption go?” he asked softly.

”The Grand Maester has also been slain and replaced,” Errant told him softly.

Estemar almost reined in, and his eyes grew wide. A single stare told him Errant was deadly serious. ”Have you told anyone else?”

”The Inquisition knows. I informed them over two months ago, and they have been watching his dealings closely. Some of my excursions outside the Halls have been in service to the Church, pressing closer into the matters of those he is dealing with.” He glanced at Estemar. ”It seems they are going to take this opportunity to deal with you.”

Estemar padded his side pouch, where the letter now rested. ”An ambush, then? Daring of them, in the Sixth Circle...”

”We can be sure that things have been carefully arranged so that there is no help nearby. I believe an assassination attempt is more likely, with mercenaries on standby to make you difficult, if not impossible, to revive.”

”Of course.” Estemar took it right in stride. ”So, what are your plans?”

”Do you have problem acting as bait?” Errant asked.