Betrayal

Jacklin looked at the letter on the ship with the Patrol Men.

His entry into this world was finally complete, and he no longer had to worry about getting killed by his Chamberlain. However, now he began to worry about someone from one the neighboring lowlands. Apparently, the Chamberlain was promised the position of Treasurer if he succeeded in sending 'Darius' one of their cleansing marrow formulas.

Of course, the past Jacklin, even though he trusted the Chamberlain, never allowed anyone but the scientists to see the designs. This was to keep the scientists from leaving their positions for other kingdoms. He never let the designs off the premises, but there was also word in the letter of a scientist who seemed to be a dissenter.

Obviously, Jacklin wasn't too thrilled by this news, but it seemed that the project plans had yet to be handed to this Darius. It seemed that once Jacklin was taken care of, the scientist would disclose the project information in exchange for the position of Head Scientist in the Green Earth Low Lands.

Jacklin put the letter in his pocket, and carefully wrapped up the pistol. Most of his country had yet to see anything more advanced than the traditional rifle, and it seemed the scientist must have given this pistol to Xavier. If he found where this pistol was missing form, he'd have his first clue to who this scientist was. However, most likely, he wouldn't have to worry about this dissenter anymore. If he was him, he'd already have begun fleeing towards this 'Darius'.

"Your Majesty… We're almost to the Terra Marta Low Lands… where your kingdom is sire… now, what would you like us to do with the wench who betrayed you?"

Jacklin thought about the girl who betrayed him, and realized he had to make an example out of her. Still, it didn't make sense that she should be punished heavily. In fact, he was leaning towards just docking her pay.

"Please dock her pay by three gold notes each week for the next four weeks," Jacklin said with a guilty tone, "also, please have her house checked for any more letters with this insignia… Don't let her go home until her house is fully examined."

The Patrol man was wearing a brown jerkin with a pair of high slacks that were labelled with two stars. He looked extremely miffed that the girl wasn't going to be punished more.

"Ar-Are you sir sire! Anyone who betrays you doesn't deserve such minor punishment." He crossed his arms as his ship got close to the Low Lands. They were only one mile away from the Terra Marta Low Lands, and there was floating bridges and building moving towards them. These buildings had large cannons with ramparts full of soldiers.

They were always under the threat of attack, and Jacklin was glad to see this city as well as answer the patrolman's question.

"She was forced to do it… I could tell when I saw her with the Chamberlain that she was coerced into the conspiracy plot. If I was to punish everyone who was forced into betraying me, I'd probably lose a great bunch of people."

"Yes, sire! I understand," He replied.

Jacklin smiled at him before he heard a creaking sound.

CRRZZZZ

The ship that seemed to be lighter than air docked against one of the highest defensive bridges of the town. The watchmen than guided Jacklin to the dock where he was let off with a shrug from his employee.

"Listen," Jacklin said, "Most of the men in the kingdom wouldn't dream of betraying me, and the few who do are usually very powerful and influential. You wouldn't be mad at a trapped boy that was coerced by a man would you?"

"But sire… she was a women with free will… She had a very high paying job, and betrayed you…"

Jacklin had sensed this man's lingering thoughts, but then he shook his head. "No, she didn't betray me… She was tricked. Once you find the letters in her house, everything should make sense. Now, I must go to my kingdom and clean out my royal cabinet. Thank you for the help."

"Sir!"

Jacklin smiled and then departed the ship. After getting off the dock, twenty or so guards picked him up with sweat dripping down there heads. With them, was one of his head scientists who was working on the project so desired by Darius.

Of course, he couldn't trust just anyone, but this scientist was well paid and also went to school with the previous him in the High Lands. They were bosom buddies in a way, and he was also a silk pants. The one good thing about him being so rich was that he was exceptionally hard to bribe!

He walked up and saluted Jacklin as the rest of the guards surrounded them. After this meetup, they began walking Darius and his scientist, Martin, towards the Rose Palace that was a few miles away. As they walked, they'd have some time to talk before he went to go check on the engineer's progress.

In this day and age, in their kingdom, they were roughly in a period like the Industrial Revolution on Earth. However, because of some of the longevity that cultivation brought, the first scientists were able to stay alive for over a hundred years. This lead them to bring steam engines, and gear technology to a level never reached on Earth.

Since the beginning of the Low Lands establishment, 500 years ago, the Low Land had been a place of wars with ever changing borders. However, as his teams technology advanced, more and more of his allies began to worry. This was, after all, the 10th assassination plot this month. Plus, considering they used a high-level contact, like the Chamberlain… it was most likely a last-ditch effort to acquire their new steam brought technology.

"Brother…." Martin said, "I checked the logs of the lab, and it appeared that Xavier, the Chamberlain, entered three times in the last four days. He apparently went to go try and examine the new dantian reconstruction machine… Luckily, we had a lot of security guards watching him and Luna meet. We're sure he never saw the actual machine, or the designs…"

"Ugh, I knew it would be the Reconstruction Machine…" Jacklin responded, "However, I was pretty sure Luna would be loyal… Did he meet with anyone else?"

Martin shook his head. "Nope, it appears that Luna was his only entry point to the facility. He appeared to be trying to woo her, however, we still don't know if she betrayed you."

Jacklin sighed and shrugged his shoulders. "She's a very smart lady… Hopefully, she was just trying to find a husband, and not something else."

Martin nodded his head, and then waved Jacklin into the Palace. "Well… luckily, the project is complete my King, and they failed."

This information immediately caused Jacklin to smile!

"Now… please follow me, my King… It's about time you see our latest experiment!"