Chapter Twelve... General Egremont.

The ball was quite the success, Rahl's guests were quite taken with Alienne. Rahl himself took great pleasure in denying them Alienne's gift, I knew that he would. He wants all the best things for himself, no one else will ever be allowed to borrow her. I watched as everyone in the room fell under a sort of spell as Alienne sang, I had to wonder what other kind of gifts she had. Rahl must know if she has special talents, he knows everything. He will not share what he knows with me unless it is absolutely necessary.

I like this time of day best, there are very few people about, just the servants. Rahl will not be up for some time yet, he likes to sleep in after the ruling class of D'Hara have been at the palace. He will take breakfast in his room as he usually does. I would have to see to the patrols in a little while but for now I had a special errand to run.

My last conversation with the Keeper had ended with me being given a task, I was to sew the seeds of the idea that someone was trying to kill Rahl. The organisation of it was left to me, the Keeper wants to push Alienne and Rahl together. I do not know for what reason, perhaps he wishes to destroy them both. The Keeper has quite the liking for tearing lovers apart, though Rahl has never really loved anyone, how this scheme can work I will never know.

I stopped by the gardens and picked up the plant that would help me in this task, a bit of research had given me all the information I needed. I intended to put the plant in Rahl's food, it would have to be done discreetly of course, no one could suspect me of being behind this. In small amounts this plant wouldn't kill anyone but it would make Rahl ill for a day or so. I would have to be careful to get the right amount as I wouldn't want Rahl to end up in a coma.

The Keeper has asked me to lie low for a little while, he doesn't want Rahl getting suspicious. I wish that it could all be over and done with, I do see the need for prudence and restraint though. A plan such as this cannot be hurried, a little scare might draw out whatever gifts Alienne has. I know there is a reason that Rahl has her here, it isn't just her singing no matter what he says. I turned to go back inside and saw a servant approaching me. 'General Egremont, Lord Rahl is asking for you.'

'I will be there presently.' I hid the plant inside my clothing and headed to Rahl's private quarters.

I knocked on the door and then entered. 'You wished to see me Lord Rahl?'

'Come in Egremont.' I did as I was asked and waited for Rahl to give me his orders.

'I wish to do some training today, see to it that the training arena is ready for my use.'

'Of course, Lord Rahl. Shall I have some of the soldiers attend to train with you?'

'No, I will not need them. I am giving Lady Alienne some instruction in the sword.'

'Is that wise?'

'Are you questioning me?'

'Of course not, I only mean to say that she may use what you teach her against you, it would be wise to think about this course of action before undertaking it.'

'Very well, see to it that the arena is prepared.'

'As you wish, the first patrols are leaving the palace now.'

'Excellent.'

'Is there anything else you need, Lord Rahl?'

'No, you may go. I will be along to the training room presently.' I bowed to Rahl and left to carry out his orders.

I truly think that lust has addled Rahl's mind, teaching the woman swordplay, I do not know what he is thinking. If he teaches her then there is nothing to stop her attacking the soldiers or Rahl himself, I think I will let him hang himself on his own noose. The training arena has been used by Rahl for years, he has high ideals for the soldiers and many of them have been watched over by Rahl while they're training. Rahl expects the best soldiers, he has been trained in the sword himself, it is why I cannot best him. I am a much older man and it is why I am resorting to more underhanded tactics.

I was still musing over the events of the morning when the familiar presence of the Keeper entered the room. 'General Egremont, is everything prepared, do you have an idea of what you are going to do?'

'I am going to slip a non-lethal dose of a poisonous plant into Rahl's food. I suspect that Alienne has a gift of magic, if she can heal or something similar then we will find out soon enough.'

'I don't think that I have to tell you not to get caught, if you do then nothing I can do will save you, Rahl will kill you and I will be most displeased.'

'I will not get caught, I have had years of training in being discreet.'

'Make sure that you use them. I will expect a full report when the job is done. Remember Egremont, I want to know everything that goes on in this palace. For instance, someone has been approached by the Creator, find out who it is and see to it that they are silenced. I have always known that she would try to undo my work.'

'Of course, I will report everything that I find out.' The Keeper disappeared and I was left on my own, there are times I regret agreeing to be his servant. Rahl might be a tyrant but he has ensured that my family is well cared for, without the wages he pays we would not have enough food to go around.

Alienne was being dragged into this and she has done nothing wrong, I do feel guilty and yet if I said no then it would be worse for me. I do not know what will happen to Rahl but I must take care of myself and my family. It must seem shallow to say that I am doing it for them but it is true. How could I know if I refused that the Keeper would not harm my family to make me do his bidding. I joined the then Lord Rahl in the first place for a similar reason, I knew of his ways of making people join the army. I joined without a fight when Rahl's father asked me to, like father like son has never been so accurate in this case.

I turned my attention to the preparation of the training arena, all the weapons that anyone could need were stored against one wall. There were swords in various sizes and crossbows and arrows. There were more specialist weapons for the more experienced soldiers, this place was under my care and I made sure that the weapons were kept in usable shape for those that needed training. This training arena was the pride of the D'Haran army.

I take great pride in the army, it is the reason why I have not let the numbers slide as much as I should have. I have spent years training them and making them what they are today, I fear that I am losing courage, I know what has to be done but I would rather Rahl feel the force of it than something I have put many years of my life into making a success. I think I do not have the stomach for revolution, with all the blood that will be spilled in overthrowing Rahl, I am not sure that it will be worth it.

I am conflicted, I see the power that I could have and yet is what I have to do worth it? I will keep on with the plan, at least I will have some information for the Keeper the next time that he talks to me. I walked back to the main throne room where Rahl would be waiting for me.

Rahl was wiping his hands on a cloth, a bowl was held by a servant, no doubt he was preparing himself for Alienne's arrival. 'My Lord, the training arena has been prepared for your use.'

'Good, see to it that I am not disturbed unless it is absolutely necessary.'

'I will do so Lord Rahl.'

'Excellent, it is imperative that Lady Alienne's training is not interrupted.' Rahl stood up and swept out of the room, his robes flowing out behind him. 'Come Egremont, I still have instructions for you.' I followed Rahl and he continued talking. 'Lady Alienne and I will take lunch in the antechamber outside of the training arena. Again, I do not wish to be disturbed unless it is absolutely necessary.'

'I shall relay your orders to the Mord'Sith too.'

'Excellent, they have their orders for the day so they should be occupied with the training of the new recruits.'

'I take it that your relationship with the Lady Alienne is progressing My Lord?'

'Indeed, I will be successful, I am certain of it.' It pleased me to hear this, the Keeper will be interested to know that Rahl and Alienne seem to be getting closer. 'If that is all then I will go and attend to the reports of the Captains from this morning.'

'Leave the reports in the throne room, I shall attend to them too when I am free.'

'Of course Lord Rahl.'

'You're free to go Egremont.' I lowered my head in a show of respect to Rahl and I left to deal with the army reports from the morning. I could do nothing until the time came for lunch and then I would know exactly what Alienne was hiding and what Rahl really knew about her.