Chapter III: Listing Leads

     "He what?" Mumbled the queen before shouting, her brows knitted, "Bring me to him!"

     "Suicide? I guess it seems like the only option after killing a king." Muttered the defense minister.

     "Cowardly."

     "We're out of leads." Gasped Gabrielle

     With the assassin gone, we only have the royal family of Veurs left and a theorised enemy as leads. We would have to hunt them in a subtle manner, keeping a low profile. Otherwise we would alarm the The Houlei Kingdom if the theory happens to be correct. Whatever plan we could muster would be shut down or compromised.

❍•✥•❂

     "Was anything left in the cell?" Queen Rhae questioned the guards around her as the group walked towards the castle's clinic.

     "Nothing, Your Majesty." Responded the guard beside her.

     "Triple check the bed, urinal, floors, ceilings, and door. I want everything checked. Not just visually, check it physically as well as with magic." Her Majesty tutted, "Bring in the court mage." She then ordered.

     As we arrived at the clinic, the physician was analysing what we assume is the assassin's neck.

     "This is he?" I asked the physician, just to be sure.

     "Yes, the assassin ripped into his own neck with his bare hands. There are traces of numbing on the injury as well as on his left shoulder." The physician pointed to a portion of his shoulder.

     The skin on his left shoulder was skinned off, the surface peeled completely. Horrifying at first if you thought it had been done for disciplinary or punishment purposes but I remembered Houlei's possible involvement. The citizens of Houlei Kingdom are marked with a kingdom's symbol, which varies depending on which part of the kingdom you're from.

     "He was Houleian?" The queen questioned.

     I checked his features knowing the Houleians varied greatly. There wasn't any way to be a hundred percent sure he was from the west kingdom but it was a good start. We're at war with the north and the west was a suspect, and now we have a western assassin dead through suicide in the castle's clinic. Best note that the fact the assassin is Houleian isn't certain yet but it's still something.

     "He's of small build and has bronze hair. He could be from Noamé." I suggested.

     Noamé is a large town in the southern part of Houlei Kingdom. It could just be where he's from or where he was raised though. We need identification on him. He could be a mercenary.

     "Or not," I muttered, "The skin seemed peeled recently. Within the week? He could have been in contact with Houlei around four days ago with how the wound looks, skinned to make sure he wouldn't be traced back. Then again the fact he's newly cut is a suspicion to begin with. He'd have to be a new assassin to be cut recently, and I don't see why they would send a new recruit to kill the king."

     "Thank you, Ray, update me with information when you have any." The queen began walking out of the clinic, everyone who came here with her, following. "You," she touched a knights shoulder, stay with the assassin and our physician. What are the chances the assassin is a mercenary?" Her Majesty asked the group.

     "It's not impossible, Your Majesty." Another knight responded, "However, chances are low."

     "It might explain the shoulder, but then that brings us back to why the north would hire an assassin in the first place." Carlos, the international affairs minister spoke.

     "To win the war?" The defense minister answered.

     "Killing the king here wouldn't mean they won." Carlos pondered, "It does make us weak though."

     "This meeting is adjourned, I want everyone to think of multiple possibilities and present me with the most reasonable one in two days or sooner. For now, go back to your families or duties." Her Majesty called.

     Her consideration was admired and thanked for as the ministers left one by one, but we still had to deal with multiple issues.

     "We can make assumptions on the knowledge we currently have but—"

     "Nothing is certain for now, we just need to wait for more information. The guards are working on it and so is the royal council, let them handle it. For now check the security of the kingdom, I'll spend time with the children and clarify the situation to them." Her Majesty cut me off.

     "Yes, Your Majesty." I bowed and left to do as she asked.

❍•✥•❂

   I reached the main gate I saw Malachi's reigns held by a guard. I nodded to him, thanking him with my helmet secure on my head as I hoisted myself onto my horse.

     "Send word to the gates, Protocol D:4." I ordered the guard before focusing on my horse, "Come," I cued to run, "We're making rounds." I spoke to Malachi.

     My horse trotted and quickly brought up his pace. We first headed to the west border and checked the  perimeter as well as security and guards. Making sure they took their turns. I told them about the suspicions regarding the west kingdom. I then asked how soon they got the message via bird.

     "About 30 minutes, Commander Lyathro."

     "Alright, thank you, Sir Renald." I patted his shoulder, "Now that I've checked with the west gate I'll go to the south then the east. Send a party to check the north gate then east so we meet at the same time. I want troops throughout the Kingdom 24/7, a consistent amount and flow. If you send 20 troops of 5 at 3 P.M. I want the same amount putting in the same effort, and being just as alert at 3 A.M., do you understand?"

     "Yes, Commander Lyathro." Sir Renald responded then got to work, informing the rest.

     I went down the ladder and onto Malachi, making my way to the south gate, informing them of the situation and giving the same commands. This should be good enough for now.