Chapter 14
The late night was a peaceful one. And so were the streets, when Baron Jean de Ludvig was taking a stroll through town. There was no moonlight this night to shed light on the roads on which he and the guards escorting him were walking on, and the only thing that could be heard was foot steps and armor clanking. While walking, the baron looked sometimes at the houses and their barely visible lights coming from burning candles. Normaly even at this hour there still would be people outside walking and drinking, but the baron knew that no one would be out at this hour now, due to the baron's "work". He stopped in front of an inn and looked at it like it was some old shack. He entered it along with the guards and saw tables were siting hooded men.
- Stay here. – the baron ordered his guards and they sat on one of the free tables. After which he aproached the innkeeper.
- What'd ya want? – the innkeeper asked roodley whithout even looking at the baron.
- The special room please. – the baron said not minding the keeper's rudeness.
The innkeeper looked at the baron, after which he got up and gestured towards the baron to follow him. The baron did so, and followed him into a room which was filled in with goods of all kinds, from foods and wine to opium. The innkeeper closed the door after the baron entered he pulled a knife from under his clothes. De Ludvig turned when he heard the noise of steel and looked at the innkeeper with a raised brow and put his hand on his sword's hilt.
- Now, now. Don't get so jumpy. – the innkeeper said annoyed – The blade is more dull than a ship's brain. Can't even cut a damn potato with it.
- Next time a warning would be rather welcome. – the baron said releasing his sword's hilt – Someone more jumpy than me might even swing his sword before you even open your mouth.
- Damn nobles. – the innkeeper said while he rolled his eyes.
After that he knelt and stuck the knife between the boards on the floor, and started to move it until a silent click was heard. The boards sprang up and revealed stairs leading to an underground floor which was engulft almost in complete darkness, had it not been for a single torch at the end of the stairs.
- Down ya go. – the innkeeper said.
The baron did not waste time and started to descend on the stairs. When he reached the end before him was a short corridor, again only visible do to the torche's light, and at the end of the corridor a single wooden door. The baron opened the door which made a squeeking sound revelealing his presence to the people inside. They turned towards from were the sound came from. They all sat on a large table like the one in the council chambers in the castle. The man in the centre rose up and spoke.
- A pleasure that you arrived on time baron de Ludvig. – the man spoke welcoming him in the room.
- So sorry if i kept you all waiting. – Jean said apologetically – I needed to rest a bit after the king's council meeting ended.
- Very well. – the man said and sat in his chair inviting de Ludvig to take a sit in the last remaining free chair. – Are the preparations ready.
- Yes. – one of the men said – The soldiers are ready to carry out your orders Oliver.
- And what of the common folk? – Oliver asked.
- When the coup begins we shall have their suport. – another one of the men said – Whispers have been going around that Oliver Crommwel is one of the four users of Void magic. That you are the rightful ruler of Albion, and that the royal family are imposters seeing as that there has not been a Void mage born in several hundred years.
- Then the stage is set. – Oliver said pleased, then he turned his attention to the baron – And what news do you bring us from the castle?
- I believe everyone present has heard that queen Marianne de Tristain has arrived in Albion? – everyone noded in agreement – It appears that with her arrival she might have brought a small obstacle.
- What kind of obstacle? – one of the men asked. Jean also saw that Oliver Commwel did not were this was going.
- Except that the queen arrived with on of her elite forces, the Firearms squadron, she has brought also a young nobleman.
- Yes I have heard of the Firearms squadron. – Oliver said – They might be trouble if we underestimate them, but why do you fear a young noble?
- There is something about that young man when I saw him. Espcially his eyes. They have some strange shape and are blood red.
- And? – someone of the other attendants asked – So what if he has red eyes. He is only one man.
- That may be, – the baron said – but i do not want to risk it. The presence he has around him and that piercing look he gave me, tells me that he will be one if not our bigest problems during the whole coup.
- Are you so certain? – Oliver asked.
- Yes. – Jean replied. – I have a really nasty feeling in my gut about him. We should dispose of him as quickly as possible.
- Very well then. – Oliver said – The information you have provided us with until now has been crucial. We shall not take this young noble's case lightly. Assassins will be send to deal with him immediately. – he assured everyone in the room – Now then, after seven days with the start of the new moon cycle, we shall begin our movement to throw down the royal family, signaling a new begining for Albion. I shall also send a word to Christopher to place his men in positions and begin his attack when the time comes. For the freedom of Albion. – he said almost like a chant.
- For the freedom of Albion. – everyone repeated after him.
Baron Jean de Ludvig had a bad feeling about all of this. When everyone started to leave the room from diffrent exits that were barely visible in the room, Oliver gestured at Jean to stay. The baron did so and waited for everyone to leave until only he and Oliver remained.
- Is there something more? – Jean asked.
- Yes. I am curious why you had that sudden fright of that young noble.
- As I said, he is going to be trouble.
- Any particular reason more that his presence and his eyes? – Oliver asked with his hands clenched together.
- That is it. –the baron said – Despite the fact of those two reasons, i have seen them only in the presence of a particular kind of people. – the baron made a grimace with his face – And by that I mean expirienced assassins, soldiers and anyone who has seen combat and blood, and who are mostly elders now. The amount of people i have seen with this eyes and presence at his age are so few that i can count them on my fingers.
Oliver stood silent and gave an understanding look at the baron why he was troubled by that young man with the red eyes.
- Then we shall be extra carefull with him. – Oliver said – I shall send my best men to deal with him. Let us hope that it will be enough. You are dismissed.
Jean bowed down and headed towards the door he entered.
When he returned to the castle, now with his guards who had left him, the baron strolled troguh the courtyard of the castle when he saw a shadow moving in the distance. At first it was a little blury but when he got closer he recognised the shape of the young noble that came along with the queen of Tristain.
- It's a very plesant night for a walk don't you think. – Jean called the young noble who turned to his dirrection.
- Yes it is. – the young noble replied – It clears the mind.
- I believe so too. –the baron said with a smile – It must be quite refreshing after the trip you had from Tristain. – the young man only nodded in response – Might i ask your name young man.
- Itachi Uchiha. – the young man said.
- A pleasure. – the baron said after which he turned his back and started walking towards the gates leading inside the castle.
- Aren't you going to introduce yourself? – Itachi said with a bit of irritation.
- There is no need. I believe the queen has told you about me when you left the council chambers? – the baron said.
- How are you soo sure? – Itachi asked with grimace on his face.
- Because of the way she looked at me and the way she exited the room, i am sertain that you have had questions. – the baron said a bit smug.
- Yes she did. – Itachi replied with an equal tone – And the things she said about you were not really possitive. I can understand why you had to move to Albion. The rummors about you in Tristain must be quite the song for your years eh? – Itachi said with complacency when he saw the baron's face react.
- The joys of being a nobility. – the baron replied irritated that such a nobody would challenge him like that. – I wish you a good night young man. – Jean said and continued on his way. "The sooner we get rid of you the better!" he thought.