Chapter 20 : Mission
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“The Captain Knight in charge of the Ruhenheim Agoge has been murdered last night.” The king explains, his face stony and unyielding.

Deimos eyes widened. A Captain Knight is a high-ranking position that commands a hundred Knights and has a thousand soldiers under its command. They are the important individuals in the kingdom’s military. To be a Captain Knight is to be strong and smart enough to survive through the crucible of war.

“Any suspects?” Deimos asks. The Inner Circle squirms. They are the men and women of the highest authority that holds the kingdom together.

“None, we have yet to dispatch a Hound.” Anglius says. An looming unease grips Deimos at the mention of the Hounds. Their real name is the State Investigation Agency, they are the one that checks the power of the Knights and weakness is non-existent when you are up against the best warriors in the kingdom.

“You want me to solve it as the Duke?” Deimos guesses, Ruhenheim Island is one of his newly acquired domains. The King pauses as if surprised and admits “Yes, as their Duke it would be expected of you.”

“We have the entire area on lock-down. The sensitivity of this event limits you to bring less than two squads. You do not want to alienate the people by being seen as heavy handed.”

“The Governor has been already notified of your coming.” Axcus says. The old Knight have been distant lately after the embarrassment caused by his daughter. Deimos wants to tell him that he doesn't hold his former mentor accountable but never had the chance to say so. 

"We shall have a Hound accompany you, my prince." A man with horse-like face says.

“Then, I will need the preliminary reports. I know you already made a preliminary investigation.” Deimos replies as he tries to remember the who that man is.

“Dormarch, give the Duke the preliminary report.” The King asks.

Ah,so this is Urtros Barghest. Deimos looks at the Dormarch of the Hounds. His body is like a greyhound, long ribs and thin waist.

“By your command, my King.” Urtos says in a high-pitched voice akin to a hyena, eyes manic. The Dormarch is a mysterious man. He rose from obscurity within the lowest ranks of the Hounds. They say that the Dormarch knows every dirty secret in the kingdom and Deimos wonders has Urtros sniffed from his incident. 

“Also, you have to bring someone with you.” Anglius says, shifting in his throne.

“Who?” Deimos cocks his head.

“Hermesia.”

“No, absolutely not.” Deimos says in disbelief at what the king is asking of him. Deimos looks at Acxus who seems uncomfortable at the notion.

“Take this opportunity to mend fences. I know you are also at fault so the two of you must meet in the middle.” The king explains as he looks towards Acxus , “Our family and House Condor have been close for generation. They have served us loyally and I will not allow any seed of mistrust between us.”

“All right but I have one request.” Deimos says. The King nods and waits request.

“It is for your ears only.” Deimos eyes the Inner Circle. They grumbled but the king silence them with a look. Deimos watches them glare at him as they pass him. Acxus nods at Deimos, relieve that he would forgive his daughter's folly. 

Deimos talks to the king about his request. The king frowns as his request goes on.

“I see.” The King agrees.

“Then I shall take my leave, Father.”

“One last thing, take Anastasia and Apollonia with you. They might be able to help.” The King grins.

 

Deimos, he studied the preliminary reports while his men are preparing for the voyage. The Captain Knight’s body was already chopped to pieces when they found him deep in the woods, there were multiple lacerations in the abdomen, and it seems the private parts were burn. They were two more bodies of locals chopped to pieces. And at least five other people are missing.

“Janus, assemble seventeen men. They will be coming with me. I need you to stay here to hold the fort.” Deimos says to his grim vice-captain.

“Who should I call, my lord?”

“Anyone you think that is fit for this task. Is Serana here?”

“Apologies, my lord. We couldn’t locate her anywhere.” Janus says, mouth tight. He doesn’t like the willful Serana because he is responsible for the discipline of the army.

“Let her be.” Deimos says. Serana is mercurial but he makes an exception for her as she is one of Deimos’s effective weapon. “Make that eighteen men then.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“I shall return after this business is done.” Deimos says. He was about to go back to reading the reports when he heard commotion outside of his office. Deimos and Janus quickly walked outside to see what is happening.

“Forgive me, my lady. Lord Deimos has strict orders not to let anyone through no matter who they say they are.” William pleads. The young soldier is one of the new recruits of the Blood Sharks, eighteen summers old.  Deimos thought of rejecting him as William might be a bad fit for his army, as they are morally flexible, but he took a chance as William is talented warrior of impeccable skills and one of the best scouts.

“Do you know who we are, boy?” Hermesia crosses her arms. She sizes up William noting the boyish innocent face, the tall frame, and the muscles at the seams of his armor. She bits her lip and asks “What is your name, soldier?”

“William, my lady.” The young soldier says nervously, sweat forming on his forehead as he looks toward the princess Apollonia and Anastasia with each their own Shield Maiden. They have come prepared with their luggage and protection for the voyage as well as appropriate clothing meant for movement.

“You wouldn’t make for an exception for us, beautiful ladies, wont you, William? I would be very grateful if you less us through.” Hermesia touches his chin and William shrinks at the touch.

“I would appreciate if you stop teasing my soldiers, Hermesia.” Deimos rescues the young lad.

“Deimos, glad you finally joined us.” Anastasia growled at him first and Hermesia says “Where are our lodges?”

“Unfortunately, we won’t be taking the Argus.”

“What do you mean?” Apollonia says curiously as she steps intimately close to Deimos, “All of my ships are under repair and it will take another week to finish.”  Deimos replies as he tries hard not to feel awkward.

“The King’s men notified us that there is another ship that will take us to Ruhenheim Island, my lady.” Janus answers, seeing the subtle look of distress in his master’s face.

“I see. Janus, get the ladies to the lounge and give them some refreshments. I have some errand to do first and we will all go.”

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