Faust could do that here. The Kingdom of Roltan was, by far, safer than the Kingdom of Alios for him at the moment. “I can do that. I did help your plan along here, I think.”
“How so?”
“Lord Clare made me the patron of the Guild of Masters. He is sending in some of his people to lie low in Alios already. I confirmed he’s a king candidate, too.”
A proud look crossed Konrad’s face, and Faust’s chest swelled with glee.
“You achieved more than I hoped,” Konrad said. “I had only hoped to gain favor with King Roland for a chance to speak with Lord Clare. They have been holding on to valuable information for far too long.”
“King Roland is making Lord Clare return to the castle to be the court historian again.”
Konrad frowned. “I will see what I can do later. I will not be meeting with them. I am coming to collect you and Rene, and that is it. You must leave your escort. I am aware you hired someone outside my choosing.”
Faust’s heart sank. “He has done his job well.”
“Spend your time with the mercenary wisely, Faust. You cannot take him with you.”
“But—”
“Everything has been blamed on the Kingdom of Windilum. He will be killed on sight.”
Faust bit his lip.
“It will work out, Faust, just not right now.”
Faust nodded. Konrad had never been wrong. He had to trust his word.
“We should not contact each other until I reach Roltan. There are many I do not wish to know what you are truly capable of yet.”
“Understood,” Faust whispered. He observed his brother, and he swore he saw a bandage peeking out from underneath his tunic. “Are you safe?”
“I am.” Konrad smoothed out his hair. “Stay safe, Faust.”
“You too,” Faust said. The water faded into a mist as Konrad ended his side of the connection. Warmth touched Faust’s senses once he dropped his concentration. He stood and left his hiding place. He wandered down a nearby hallway away from Ignas’s warmth and waited.
Ignas rounded the corner with a yawn. “There you are.”
“What brought the mighty bear from his slumber?”
Ignas pulled Faust into his arms. “It was cold without you.”
Faust laughed. “Well, then let us go get you warm. But I think we are landing soon, anyway. We will be on the ground you love so much.”
The Volliare creaked as the incline changed, and Ignas held Faust tight.
“Come on, you handsome lug. Let us settle in our room until we land.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Faust caught Ignas’s wandering hand with a small glare, but Ignas grinned and slid closer to Faust instead.
“I can see why you insisted on a different carriage from Sir Rene.” Terrence chuckled. “If you’re too handsy, you may lose your hand.” Terrence patted the dagger strapped to his thigh.
“Going to protect my honor?” Faust inquired.
Terrence winked.
“I think I’ve already claimed his honor.”
Faust smacked Ignas’s chest, heat burning his ears in his embarrassment. They did not need to bring up private matters in front of a prestigious guild leader.
“My estate is just up ahead,” Terrence said. “I must retrieve some important documents before we make way to Whitrose. They mustn’t fall into the wrong hands.”
A hard rap hit the top of the carriage.
Ignas slid to the door, opened it, and balanced on the side. “What is it?”
“There was trouble at the estate,” Samuel said.
Terrence threw the curtain back and stared.
Faust eyed the beautiful mansion on the plateau. It was built with wood, grey bricks, and covered with light paint. The windows were plentiful, giving the home an inviting feeling, but a section of the windows was broken and the vegetation a mess. Whoever broke in meant to cause damage.
“We’ll go ahead and check. Please wait in the carriages,” Samuel said. He signaled the other carriage to halt and barked instructions to his men.
Faust sifted through the magic in the air with a careful swipe of the natural magic. There was an abundance of earth magic, and it wasn’t a simple stone user, but a Servant of Power. “Were there any sightings of green last night?”
Ignas closed the door and sat with Faust again.
Terrence tilted his head in thought. “Yoan remarked there were strange streaks of green in the sky last night.”
“Is the contract with you?” Faust pressed.
Terrence patted his chest. “It has not left my person. I have not been home since my journey to Akarvine. I had to be certain I would be safe out here, and it appears my suspicions were correct.”
Faust nodded. Terrence was cunning; he foresaw the move Emoris would pull and reacted. “Was that why you kept your shop in an illusion?”
“It is. I am proficient at keeping myself hidden when needed,” Terrence said. “Since Lord Forney was removed from Akarvine a few years back, I can only theorize it was Lord Acker that was here.”
Faust hoped it was just Panos Acker that Lathil had brought with him. If Relan, his Blessed, was with him, they’d be in for a horrendous fight, but Faust doubted Lathil would leave Limorous unprotected. They could deal with a Servant of Power as long as Lathil didn’t join the fight. Faust leaned back and stretched his senses. Panos hadn’t left the border, and another much stronger power resided close to Panos. That had to be Lathil. Faust moved farther out and felt a Servant of Power in Limorous and, bless Alimphis, he also felt Relan in Limorous as well. “It was Panos, but Lathil is with him,” Faust said.
“That is troublesome,” Terrence said.
A rap hit the side of the carriage in warning. Samuel stuck his head inside. “The mansion is safe, but there is quite a bit of damage. Whoever broke in was searching for something.” Samuel eyed Terrence. “Does it have to do with your trip to Akarvine?”
Terrence nodded.
“Then this trip will be short,” Samuel said. “You will gather what you need, and we will secure lodging elsewhere. My men will keep watch while you go inside.”
“I was thinking much the same thing.” Terrence shuffled out of the carriage with a helping hand from Samuel.
Ignas stepped out next and moved back with his arms open.
Faust shook his head but fell into Ignas’s waiting arms. He glanced over as Rene, Zara, and Yoan piled out of the second carriage. The walk inside was ominous when the heavy wooden doors opened with a loud creak. There was earth magic everywhere, but it consolidated more on the second floor.
“Yoan,” Terrence said. “Please gather our important documents.”
“Yes, Father.” Yoan frowned.
Terrence put a hand on Yoan’s shoulder. “It will be fine.” Terrence turned to Rene. “May I request your help with my son’s task, Sir Rene?”
Rene tipped his head in agreement.
Yoan smiled and led Rene through a long hallway to the left.
“I will patrol outside with Zara,” Ignas said. “I trust you will be safe with Lord Clare?”
Faust nodded. “Between you and the Verdine Knights, I think we are quite safe.” He admired his mercenary’s back until Ignas was out of sight.