Total pages in book: 157
Estimated words: 156907 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 785(@200wpm)___ 628(@250wpm)___ 523(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 156907 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 785(@200wpm)___ 628(@250wpm)___ 523(@300wpm)
“Perhaps, some other time, I will…see to you in the dark,” Fenn offered.
“I would wish this,” Tedrey lied.
Fenn gave him a tolerant smile.
“Go, my Drey,” he bid.
Tedrey tried not to appear like he was rushing as he did just that.
And he did the same as he made his way through the streets of Fire City to the home of Nyx and Lorenz.
He also did this knowing he was followed.
Lorenz and Faunus (and Saturn) had drilled into him a variety of skills regarding how to observe without appearing to be observing, how to sense someone was watching when they wished to appear not to be doing so…
And how to know when he was being followed.
He did not breathe easy until he smelled the honeysuckle that grew abundantly at the side of Lorenz and Nyx’s manor.
Nyx greeted him as he walked through the back door.
She then proceeded to pretend she was not waiting anxiously for him to arrive, for Nyx very much did not like the danger he was putting himself in, and she did this by saying, “I’m off to spend some time with Zosime.”
“She’s off to cuddle and coo at Guard’s new daughter, whom she has become obsessed with, and even though she wants one of her own, she seems to have forgotten she needs to be in her husband’s bed to make one,” Lorenz, who’d appeared down the hall, noted.
Nyx shot him a killing look, and it was Tedrey hiding his anxiousness, for it seemed from the moment he started his role as a spy, there was growing discord between them.
She then kissed Tedrey’s cheek, slid beyond him and out the door, closing it soundly behind her without a farewell to her husband.
Tedrey looked to Lorenz.
“If I’m—” he began.
Lorenz shook his head and interrupted him. “It is not the first time I’ve done something that vexes her. I will be at her side the entirety of my life. Thus, I suspect it will not be the last.” He tipped his head to the doorway at his side. “Come, let us have wine.”
He then disappeared into the parlor.
Tedrey followed him.
There was already a carafe of wine laid out along with some bowls of olives and almonds.
Lorenz poured and they settled before Tedrey shared, “I have some things to report.”
Lorenz leveled his eyes on Tedrey before he said in a quiet voice, “We are friends, and as such, I must remind you that you do not need to buy my attention or regard by providing information practically the moment you enter my house. We can chat, as friends, before you do what you perceive as your duty.”
“I know, however—”
“With recent events, it has become even more clear with the lengths to which these insurgents are willing to go that you take a grave risk with what you’re doing.”
Ah.
The reason why Nyx was vexed with Lorenz.
From the beginning, she did not like Tedrey was intent on doing what he was doing.
However, now…
“This is my choice, Lorenz,” he reminded his friend.
Lorenz sighed before he nodded that Tedrey proceed.
“They have a treasury,” Tedrey announced.
There was a slight titch in Lorenz’s eyebrows, but other than that, only the charged feel of the room betrayed his keenness for this information.
“Fenn and one of the soldiers of The Rising were arguing. It was mentioned,” Tedrey told him. “Fenn seems open about discussions in front of me. However, he covered this quickly and did not allow it to be discussed. That said, not only was it mentioned, it was noted that they might no longer have access to it and something about not being able to recruit if they could not pay.”
“The Dellish coin,” Lorenz murmured.
“Sorry?” Tedrey asked.
Lorenz took a drink of his wine before he sat back in his chair and stated, “Carrington. The traitor counsellor to Wilmer. He’s been stealing from their coffers for decades. They could not trace where that currency went. Carrington is likely now dead. If he’s hidden it, and not shared its whereabouts, The Rising will not have access to it.”
Tedrey nodded.
“And any crusade such as this needs funding,” Lorenz continued. “Not to mention, for the most part, soldiers expect to be paid. Since learning Carrington was embezzling, we suspected it was for these reasons.”
“Of course,” Tedrey muttered.
“This is good, Teddy,” Lorenz noted. “I can send communication to True. He can focus efforts. This mention means there’s coin left. If he finds it before they do, he can return it to his realm’s reserves. He can then start his reign with a success that will be popular and make him appear crafty, wise, resourceful and strong. Not to mention, not having coin, especially the vastness of what they had, will significantly weaken their cause.”
Tedrey felt a thrill at this, a thrill that settled as warmth in his stomach.
He did not know Prince…no, King True. But Tedrey was Dellish from birth, and he was surprised that it meant something to him that his country and its ruler could grow stronger in some part because of what Tedrey had learned.