The bird of Providence part 3

The older man replied coolly, " But Calista islands are not big enough to matter to Godric. His next move is most probably a raid on Odeyan, because rumours say that the bird of Providence has been hunted down in that city. Perhaps by one of King Asymon's courtiers."

Carlos suddenly blurted out, " All this war nonsense for only a bird?"

Both men stared at him wide-eyed. This was the very first time they had noticed his presence in the room. For a few moments, there was such a grave silence among them that Carlos could hear the wind howl through the holes in the windows and the wooden ceiling.

Finally the knight gracefully broke the silnce, "Yes. Godric Beautelle, the usurper of the throne of Caliga Island and Clayfort Reef, is looking for a very rare and valuable bird, Mr. Blacksmith."

"Carlos!"

The fashionable-looking older man let out a happy laughter and said, " My dear boy, the last time I saw you, you were barely seventeen. Now look at you! Such a strapping young man you have become! An unmistakable resemblance of your father's youth. I was the captain of your father's ship back then, if you remember: the Moonlight. The fastest elven-made ship in the fleet of Lurarfield. Do you remember, my boy?"

" Of course I remember. Captain Christoph Davison, am I right?" Carlos smiled politely as he shook the captain's hand.

Then, looking longingly at where the young woman had been standing, he added in a lighter tone, " I'll never forget that year."

The captain followed his eyes and quietly asked," How long has it been since you last saw each other?"

" Three years at least. Has she been seeing..."

"No, not that I know of."

Christophe chuckled mischievously and continued," Amary is hard to pin down. No one can enter her life without a fight, I tell you. She's been travelling a lot with me lately, but always alone. I'd say she's changed a lot since you last saw her..."

"Mr. Davison, if you please. This young man wants to know more about the bird of Providence, I presume." said the handsome knight, impatiently.

"Oh, yes. Of course he does. Allow me to leave you to it then." Said christophe, smiling politely as he walked toward the door.

He tapped Carlos gently on the shoulder on his way out and said, " I hardly ever believe in coincidences. However, I'm very happy to see you here, my boy."

When the door closed behind the captain, the knight gestured Carlos to sit with him at the round table.

"Brother Marin has informed me about your occupation and status at the court of Lunarfield." He said as he leafed through his documents.

" I should hope so," Carlos replied." I was the head of the City Guard before the attack, but now, a refugee in like everyone else.

The knight's eyes widened in the shock of the news.

"The castle has fallen?" He mumbled.

" Unfortunately, yes. Gerard Miller, the king of Cranewood, took over the entire city last night."

"How is that pissible? The castle of Crescent city has been undefeatable for over three hundred years. How can it be conquered in one night?"

"The answer would be "dragon", sir. A fierce, northern Speardrake they took down our watchtowers in less than five minutes."

"But why? I don't recall any incidents where Lunarfield and Cranewood disagreed on anything."

"Miller has apparently, allied with Godric's fleet to take over the Ancient Islands of the North. "

"Yes, I knew about the fleet but not that Millet is now one of the traitor allies."

Carlos hesitated for a moment and then, asked," May I ask how you knew about Godric's treachery?"

"Of course. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Richard Rivers of Sparrownest. I am the high commander of Odeyan's City Guard and a member of the Council of Silvermoon Knights. By the ruling of the council, I've come here to assess the condition of the refugees. The Council was the first to know about the usurper king's conquest of the North."