The Power of Nodding

He guessed that the spies knew something he did not, and maybe they were trying to secure his position on the fortress. So he searched his memory and observed how an officer reacted to the soldier when saluted. He tried to remember how they behaved and what they said.

Some said dismiss, some just left. But Moriarty chose the safest one, to just simply nod. He thought that this would be the easiest and least suspicious way to acknowledge them and if he was wrong he would still have a chance to try again.

He nodded to the crowd without expecting anything but he was surprised by how well it worked, he also nodded to the serving counter as some of them stopped scooping their food to prepare themselves to salute him. He saw that they all relaxed and resumed their activities after his nod.

'Huh, so nodding was a universal language?' Moriarty decided to use nodding if he was in a difficult situation. He thought that it was a useful and simple gesture that could convey many meanings.

'Phew… that was a different kind of scare to experience.' He felt relieved that he had managed to get out of the tense situation without causing any trouble or suspicion. He hoped that he would not have to deal with any more salutes or stares today.

He was unsure whether to thank the spies for their help. It seemed like an unwanted and needless interference that he had never requested. Besides, they were already gone, so what was the point of dwelling on it?

'Shush, forget it. Food first.' He pushed aside the issue and resolved to handle it later. He chose to concentrate on his hunger rather than his irritation.

They had not recognized him earlier, as they were too busy with their own roles. One had faked being knocked out while the other had rehearsed his lines diligently. Moreover, the cell was dim and gloomy.

He grabbed his food from the counter and settled on the most serene and refined table he could find. He ignored everything else.

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A hidden room behind a bookshelf in the quartermaster's office hosted a secret meeting. Only a few trusted people knew about this well-guarded secret. It was where they made the most important and confidential decisions about the fortress and its operations.

The bookshelf concealed a door to a folded space, a separate dimension created by powerful magic. The door was a complex and ingenious device that used various spells and mechanisms to ensure its security and functionality.

The door could be accessed from different parts of the fortress, depending on the password and the method that the user knew. Only those who had the permission and the knowledge could open the passage to the room. The door had multiple layers of protection, such as encryption, authentication, detection, and countermeasures. Anyone who tried to force their way in or tamper with the door would have faced dire consequences.

The room was spacious and luxurious, with a high ceiling and a large fireplace that gave warmth and comfort. The walls were decorated with paintings of famous battles and heroes that inspired courage and loyalty, as well as maps of the kingdom and its enemies that showed the current situation and the future plans. The maps were enchanted to change according to the latest information and events, providing a real-time and accurate overview of the current battlefield.

A thick carpet covered the floor and muffled any sound that could leak out of the room. The room had no windows, but magic lamps lit it well enough for reading and writing. The lamps were also enchanted to adjust their brightness and color according to the mood and preference of the user, creating a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere.

The room's most prominent feature was a long oval table made of mahogany wood, which was polished and smooth. The table had thirteen seats, each with a nameplate and a coat of arms of the captain who occupied it.

The captains, who were the leaders of the different units and divisions of the fortress, occupied twelve seats. They were responsible for managing their respective fields of expertise, such as combat, intelligence, logistics, engineering, magic, etc.

The warden, who was the supreme leader of the fortress and had the final say in all matters, occupied the thirteenth seat. He had the authority and responsibility to oversee the entire fortress and its operations. He also had the power and influence to negotiate and cooperate with other allies and factions.

The table was wide enough to accommodate various documents, maps, and reports that the captains had brought to the meetings to share their information and opinions. The table also had a magic crystal ball in the center, which could project images and sounds from other places or people. The crystal ball was a valuable and versatile tool that could be used for communication, surveillance, reconnaissance, or entertainment. It could also be used to cast spells or manipulate objects remotely.

More than twelve captains served in the fortress, but only twelve of them had the title to command at a time for strategic reasons. The other captains either acted as lieutenants or commanders, whatever they preferred or suited their skills. They could also take over the seat of a titled captain if they were absent or incapacitated.

The warden and his captains discussed their plans and strategies for defending the fortress and attacking the enemy in the secret room. They made decisions that affected the fate of the fortress there. They also kept their secrets and intrigues there, which could be beneficial or harmful to their cause. The secret room was a place of trust and loyalty, but also of suspicion and betrayal.

But a lady sat on the warden's seat of authority instead of him. And the warden stood right beside her, showing his respect and obedience.

The lady's name was Leinaida, but she preferred to be called Madam by everyone who worked under her. She was not a captain or a soldier, but somehow had an invisible authority over the fortress.