Chapter 28: Loyalties

Tilda was trying not to think about anything as she stood in the office of the notorious Arquix tyrant. She was not thinking about what she was going to tell the Duke. Not about how stupid this was. Not about the fact that this moment might be her last. Why was she doing this again? Integrity? Honor? She tried not to think about how stupid those concepts were.

Delrik sat nonchalantly at his desk across from the maid. He might have had his feet propped up if he had cared any less. Felux stood nearby the maid, looking uncommonly tense.

The maid bowed and said, "I found out about the curse."

Delrik's casual pretense shattered as he narrowed his eyes and leaned forward. He wasn't sure he had heard correctly as the atmosphere grew serious. He asked, "What curse?"

Tilda said, "The curse. The reason you need holy water."

It would have been better if he hadn't heard correctly. "How?" He said.

Tilda said, "I found out."

Delrik's eyes glanced at Felux who stood unmoving, almost challengingly. Had Felux told the maid? Not likely.

Delrik sniggered, "Someone told you?"

"I found out," Tilda repeated. She wouldn't let Delrik know that it was Cosaria who told her. She worried he would punish Cosaria for it. 

"Who was it?" Delrik demanded.

"I found out." 

Tilda glanced up and matched the intensity in Delrik's eyes. She would not back down, nor would she tell. He could make whatever assumptions he wanted.

Clenching his teeth, Delrik leaned back in his chair. Could it have been Cosaria? It was the only plausible choice. He would have to look into the matter further.

"I see. Why are you telling me this?"

Tilda said, "You deserve to know who has your information. If you should have me executed, I will accept my fate."

Felux took a step forward saying, "But I won't."

Delrik lifted a shocked eyebrow at Felux's sudden interference. Felux rarely ever interfered in Delrik's personal business. Addressing Felux, Delrik asked, "What are you talking about? It is my decision."

"Aye, and it'd be a bad one. This maid's proven to be loyal and trustworthy."

Maybe it was Felux who told her. Whatever the case, Felux trusted this maid. 

Delrik said, "You think she's proven herself?"

"Aye. She's Cosaria's personal maid and she's protected the lady on a number of occasions."

Delrik contemplated this claim. Leaning back he voiced, "You're saying she's more useful alive than dead."

Felux said, "Don't be putting words in my mouth Sir."

Stroking his chin, Delrik glowered at Felux, who had no problem returning the scowl. Delrik wasn't certain the last time he had felt such push back on any subject. 

Delrik pondered, Maybe I could use that maid to get closer to Lady Cosaria. Though she seems to have some kind of odd effect on Felux.

Delrik announced his verdict, "For now. For now I'll keep her alive. I shall consider the matter further and decide my verdict later." 

She could be a useful pawn but I need to know whose side she's on. Who does she work for really? I'll need to test her myself. If she fails then Felux can't argue my decision to have her killed, Delrik thought. 

Without further ado, Tilda left with Felux following. In the hallway, Tilda's strength gave out and she leaned against the wall, clutching her heart. She was shaking all over.

She felt like she had just had an out of body experience, as if she were watching someone else be brave in her body. It didn't feel real.

Felux commented, "That went worse than I'd have thought." He wasn't expecting Delrik to extend open harms, but he had thought Delrik trusted more in Felux's judgment. Still, it could have been much worse.

Tilda grabbed Felux's arms as she said, "I'm so glad you were there." 

Frustrations melting, Felux pulled Tilda into a hug. She was safe, that's what mattered. 

༻✧༺

Under extreme secrecy, Delrik had called Sutter to his office. Sutter was an elite information gatherer. Delrik had called on his services for a number of important issues. Sutter, however, was a lowlife thief with morals that only applied when they suited him. He was known for his dirty tactics. He was perfect for the mission Delrik had in mind. 

Delrik said, "Lady Cosaria's maid needs to be tested. Her name is Tilda Attaway. She knows a secret of mine that I think you would be highly interested in finding out."

Sutter pulled back his hood to reveal his cryptic hazel eyes and shaggy windblown strawberry blonde hair. He would have been handsome if not for his arrogant sneer. 

Sutter said, "Secrets are my specialty."

Delrik said, "If you can get her to concede, not only will you discover the secret, you will also be greatly rewarded."

Smiling, Sutter said, "Consider it done."

Sutter bowed as Delrik said, "One last thing."

Eager to start his assignment, Sutter stopped and turned back. 

Delrik tapped his fingers on his desk, saying, "Don't let Felux know what you're doing." 

Sutter nodded and exited, trying to hide his smile. This was perfect. He never liked that goody-two shoes knight anyway. 

Delrik continued tapping his finger on the desk after Sutter departed. He was troubled by an odd sense of misconduct. He never doubted himself and this was obviously the correct course of action to take. Yet, somehow, something felt off.

He thought, And if Sutter actually succeeds in uncovering the secret, I'll just kill both him and the maid.

Delrik stood and went to the window. Even this thought did not shake his sense of uneasiness.

༻✧༺

Carrying a watermelon, Tilda was out in the market taking care of some of the castle errands. After a quick glance at her shopping list, she entered the sketchy part of town. It was a short cut and Tilda was eager to finish quickly.

As she passed a dark alley she glanced at a cloaked figure hiding in the shadow of a building. The figure spoke, saying, "The name is Tilda, isn't it?"

Tilda continued walking without stopping. She passed right past the creepy alley and the creepy cloaked figure. 

The cloaked figure came out of the alley way after her, a flash of strawberry blonde hair peeking out from the hood. 

The figure called, "Wait!"

Tilda stopped and turned back to the figure.

"Aren't you interested in what I have to say?" The cloaked figure said. There was a man's voice under there.

Tilda took a stalk of the cloaked personage: 

Wore a creepy cloak that hid his face.

Emerged from a dank alleyway.

Smelled like crap.

If he wasn't mentally insane, he was probably a murderer. Tilda kept walking. The cloaked man followed. 

He said, "What I have to say is important!"

Tilda walked faster.

He said, "It involves Lord Delrik's safety."

Tilda considered chucking the watermelon and making a run for it.

He said, "It could be dangerous to Lady Cosaria." 

She halted. If it were true, that could change things. Tilda scanned the nearby passerbyers as she slowly approached the cloaked man. She needed to gain control of the situation.

Leaning close to him, she whispered, "Not here. Meet me on the forest edge in two hours." 

The man's mind went completely blank as her closeness brought the scent of fresh grass and morning dew. She smelled like a spring meadow. Not only that, but her eyes were alarmingly intelligent and bright. Unlike any of the women he'd previously known. 

Holding his breath, he nodded and watched as Tilda carried her watermelon away. 

Sutter coughed as he tried to regain the blush touching his ears. What in the world? There was no way he was so completely attracted to such a common castle maid like that. She was plain. But her eyes. Those pools of chocolate wonder. No. There was no way. 

༻✧༺

Two hours later, the hooded man, Sutter, waited at the forest's edge. 

Suddenly, a rustle from the bushes and BAM! Sutter found himself face first being pushed into the ground as Kevler, one of the Aqruix knights, pinned him down. Kevler pulled off Sutter's hood.

Kevler said, "Sutter?"

"What are you doing, get off of me," Sutter growled as Kevler backed off. Just his luck to be stuck with this brainless lout. "Why did you attack me?"

Kevler shrugged, "I'm here to capture a man with dangerous information. For a second I thought you were him, sorry. Why are you here?" It was known around the castle that Sutter often did tasks for the Duke and the knights were instructed to leave him alone.

Sutter said, "None of your concern."

"Are you here to catch the information dealer too? I bet you would. You dealing in all the shady stuff and stuff." 

Kevler's stupidity was painful to Sutter. Rubbing his temple, Sutter asked, "Who told you about this, 'information dealer'?"

"Tilda, she's a maid," Kevler said, "I was on duty outside the manor and she asked me to capture the guy and have him interrogated." 

Slightly impressed, Sutter mumbled, "She set me up!"

Kevler nodded, "Oh, so it was just you." 

Sutter rolled his eyes, unimpressed.

Kevler said, "Sorry. I'll let her know it was a false alarm."

"Not necessary." Sutter was well aware that he had a good deal of authority among the Arquix knights. He even suspected that if anything were to happen to Felux, it would be Sutter who'd take his place."Do me a favor, don't report that you saw me here."

Kevler scratched his neck saying, "Uh, um. You got something to bribe me with?"

Kevler held out his hand as Sutter reached in his pocket. If that's how it would be, fine.

Sutter said, "I thought you knights didn't accept bribes."

"We don't. I'm just trying to find a reason to arrest you."

Sutter stopped as his face flushed red with anger. He stormed away as Kevler laughed. 

Muttering, Sutter said, "I can't believe I was almost duped by that dope." 

༻✧༺

From an overhanging balcony, Delrik looked out upon the servant's gate. Sutter, dressed as a peddler, had come with a cart selling wares to the castle staff. He had been there all day as maids, servants, and even the page boys came by to examine the stock. Now, a little after midday, the interest slowed down till the customers were all but gone.

Tilda had been busy all day, just how she liked it. She had heard that a peddler came to the castle gate and she was curious. She thought she'd go check it out if she had time but it wasn't a priority. 

As she passed by the stall, the peddler called out, "Would you like to see my goods?"

He flashed her a dashing, if not arrogant, smile as he brushed back his shaggy strawberry blonde hair.

Tilda approached, asking, "Got any string?"

"Over here," Sutter said as he led Tilda to the secluded back end of the cart. 

In a low voice he said, "This isn't all I offer. I'd be willing to trade for secrets, if you happened to know any?"

Tilda took a step back as Sutter opened a drawer and flashed a bag of gold coins.

Tilda said, "You'd better knock that off or I'll have you kicked out." 

With that arrogant smile, the peddler took a step closer and said, "Come on, a quick witted maid like you, I bet you hear a few things around the way. I can offer you up to five bags of gold for intel on the Duke or Duchess."

"KNIGHTS! KNIGHTS!!! We have a spy in the manor!" Tilda said as she ran towards the manor. 

Sutter tackled Tilda. Pinning her down, he covered mouth. As the sound of armor approached, Tilda bit Sutter's hand. Sutter jumped up, realizing he was in a bad spot, he ran away just as the knights rounded the corner.

Tilda pointed to a corridor and said, "He went that way!" 

As the knights followed Tilda's directions they found that Delrik had already caught the spy.

Delrik told the knights, "I'll take care of this." 

The knights nodded and left, as Delrik released Sutter.

Delrik said, "I didn't realize you were so careless." 

Sutter grunted, "My job isn't done yet."

"Better wrap it up soon. I'm getting bored of this game."

Sutter grinded his teeth as Delrik sauntered away. 

༻✧༺

In one of the private corridors, only used by servants, Tilda met covertly with Felux.

She told him, "First, the creepy guy in the alley, then this peddler. I think someone is targeting me. Will you tail me today, just to make sure?"

Felux smiled, "Aye, t'would be a pleasure to escort such a lovely lady."

Tilda rolled her eyes, saying, "A secret escort if possible. I don't want them to know that I'm on to them."

Felux nodded.

༻✧༺

Leaning against a wall, in the shadow of a building, Felux watched from the outskirts as Tilda made her way through the courtyard.

Entertainers had arrived in town. There were dancers, singers and acrobats of all kinds in flashy costumes. As Tilda stopped to watch some of the dancers, she wished Felux was next to her. Then she could make some absurd comment and he would laugh. 

Under the mask of a long-nosed juggler, Sutter spotted Tilda. He thought, I'll get her this time.

Sutter approached Tilda and said with a wink, "Hello beautiful."

Tilda snorted and walked away.

The obnoxious entertainer asked, "Oh, come now. You don't find yourself beautiful?" 

Putting her hands on her hips, Tilda stopped and said, "Quite the contrary. I'm a stuck up beauty that doesn't waste my time with riff raff."

Sassy was she? The more he talked to this maid, the more Sutter liked her. He said, "I know I could show you a good time."

Tilda said, "I'm spoken for."

Sutter said, "He doesn't need to know." 

This guy couldn't take a hint and Tilda was done wasting her time. As she walked away the entertainer grabbed her hand. In a slight panic, Tilda jerked away.

She said, "Touch me again and I'll have my boyfriend throw you out of the duchy."

The man sneered, "As if he could.'

"Could he now?" Tilda said, "Tell me, have you heard of Felux Lothar, commander of the Arquix Knights?"

"Your boyfriend is Felux?" The man said, his pretenses dropped. That generic nice guy with unmatched respect and moral character. That's who she was into? How boring. 

Tilda said, "Aye."

As Sutter began to restrategize, Tilda began to study his mask. She noticed hazel eyes and, was that strawberry blonde hair hiding under his gaudy hat?

Tilda muttered, "Wait a minute."

Without warning, Tilda grabbed the mask and tore it off Sutter's face. Sutter recoiled back as Tilda pointed to him and called out to Felux, "That's him!"

Felux burst into action as Sutter ran and disappeared behind a corner. Following close after, Felux rounded the corner and threw a knife. It missed Sutter's head by inches as Sutter darted the other direction. Felux, the faster runner, quickly gained ground and tackled Sutter. 

Recognizing the fake entertainer, Felux stated, "Sutter."