Chapter 251: Return to the Commonwealth

Looking at the paintings lining the walls of the Obsidian castle, William couldn’t help but feel amazed at the patriarchs of the Underwell family. Every one of them looked the same. Although their features changed as the years passed, each one had the same disassociated look in their eyes. Nothing was done to try and make them seem more than they were; each lacked any of the majesty expected of a noble family to wish to include in portraits.

"They have arrived, Your Grace." A servant seemed to appear out of nowhere and spoke to William. Turning to face him, the old man smiled and followed behind them. Walking into a room, Charles and Esmond sat silently, waiting for him. The servant quickly bowed, leaving the three, and Esmond unrolled the map of the Empire on the table.

"I need to ask once more. Is everything ready?" Esmond looked at the two, getting small nods in return. Happy with it, he placed his bony finger on the closet lands to the capital. "We can’t risk being out of sync and allowing the Church to escape. We will send word to every territory we must attack at once."

"Have we got the replacement ready?" Charles asked casually.

"His Majesty has begun on that front. While the people Issac prepared are ready, the people will be the main concern. His Majesty is using the Sisters and Gregor for that end." Nodding at William’s words, Charles leaned back in his chair and looked at the map.

"It is imperative that we do not miss a single part. So make sure that your orders reach the correct places." Esmond reinforced his warning, getting the two to groan, already knowing.

"Shall we begin?" William looked at the two. The two smiled, with Emsond getting up and walking over to one of his cupboards. Taking out a stack of paper, he put it on the map.

"I have enough carrier birds to spread the message to every part of the Empire." The three looked at one another with knowing eyes.

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Within the day, hundreds of disappearances, murders and accidents took place in Brookhaven and the lands surrounding it. It happened so quickly for the common people that many didn’t realise until it was over, and new preachers came in, spreading a new doctrine they had never heard.

It had become common for the people of the Empire by now. Even the most fervent supporters of Alfred knew his reign was built on a river of blood. For many, it was just another purge that could be added to the history books. For others, it was the final straw. Attacking the faith and implementing a new one that went against the teachings of Sol was a direct violation of his role as Blessed One.

The flames of rebellion were bright but quickly fizzled out. Leaders vanished in the middle of the night as a smear campaign led by the Sisters of Gaia started. Claims of the revolutionaries attacking them and the faith they supported were all it took for many to give up on their anger. To be known as someone who attacked the Sister was asking to be shunned by everyone you knew.

"It has begun, Your Majesty." One of Esmond’s people walked in and gave his report to Alfred, quickly leaving. Getting up from his desk, Alfred looked out at the city. From it, it was impossible to tell what was happening. The chaos that he had caused felt so small. Taking a drink from his drink, he lightly smiled and returned to work, not bothering about the outside situation until it required him.

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"Thank you. You may go." Marquees Piast said softly, taking a small drink from a servant. Looking at the clock, he sighed and closed his book, putting it back on the shelf. Getting up, he sluggishly walked to his bedroom. The halls were silent, and hovering his hand over the doorknob, he felt goosebumps all over his body. He couldn’t explain it, but he could tell something was wrong.

"Lena." Throwing the door open, he froze, seeing Horace casually sitting on a chair in the corner reading a book. Looking at his bed, he saw his wife with a blade to her throat. Her face had gone pale white in terror, and looking at Piast, her eyes shook in fear.

Piats wished to say something but didn’t, instead only able to watch as Horace happily read his book. Everything about the ordeal was strange, but Piast didn’t dare move or call for help, terrified of what would happen if he did. Turning the page, Horace put a bookmark in it and rested it on the small table beside him.

"Close the door, please, Marquess." Piast couldn’t help but feel terrified, with his eyes darting between Horace and Lena. He gently nodded and closed the door. Walking over to Horace, the man raised his hand, soon followed by whimpers from Lena as the blade dug slightly deeper into her throat, drawing blood.

"Jozef?" Piast asked in confusion. Looking at everything, he put the glass down and steadily raised his arms. "Let my wife go," he said.

"Forgive me, Marquess. Whilst we have had such great business with each other, I must insist this time." Horace smiled playfully at Piast, but it was obvious to him that he didn’t mean it. Hoarces’s eyes were still a pit of deep emptiness.

"What do you want?" Horace’s smile turned genuine hearing that.

"Access to the Dabrowski manor."

Squinting, Piast couldn’t help but feel suspicious. "Who do you actually work for?" It was obvious he wasn’t a member of the noble faction by now. If anyone in the faction threatened his wife, their family would be ruined.

"Forgive me, Piast. I didn’t wish to lie to you..."

"Stop. Tell me, and don’t even think of lying."

"Who is the one man who can take action within the Commonwealth and not be scared of repercussions? " Pisat’s eyes opened wide, and he chuckled helplessly.

"We’ve had Konrad’s agent with us the whole time." Horace just smiled, neither confirming nor denying. "Why do you need my help? I mean, you have the largest network in the Commonwealth."

"After the incident with the family heir, the Dabrowski family has cracked down on the spies in his land, specifically Konrads."

"And so you need someone outside of him to give you an in."

"This is why I like working with you." Horace chuckled, followed by Piast’s dry one.

"What do I get out of it?" Horace’s eyes darted to Lena, causing Piast to clench his fists. "If you dare."

"Of course not. This is just a precaution. I can’t promise anything, but you may be let off for your crimes so far. Don’t try and deny them. We have acted now because we can charge you with something."

Deeply exhaling, Piast stood in silence, his index finger twitching as he tried to think. Looking at his wife, he couldn’t see any way out. "Fine. But let my wife go."

"I can’t, "Horace replied quickly. "I need an assurance you don’t warn them. So until our work is done, she will stay with us." Horace reached into his blazer coat pocket and pulled out a small piece of paper. "You can find us here. When you have a way in, tell us. Until then, not a word, or you will not even find her body."

Looking over to the man holding Lena, Horace gave a small nod. The man pulled her up and covered her mouth. Walking to the window, he grabbed the rope they had used to claim in and tied it around her. Slowly lowering her to the ground, he quickly followed behind.

"Once more. I’m sorry about this, but we can take no more risks." Horace apologised sincerely before following behind and climbing out the window. The room felt empty without Lean, and Piast ground his teeth.

"Snowid." Growling the name, Piast looked at the glass he had put down and flung it across the room.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Horace stood back, watching as his men chained one of Lena’s hands to the wall. "I’m very sorry about this. I promise you that we shall treat you with care and respect. But until your husband follows through,h we can’t take any risks."

Lena looked at him in terror, unable to even cry anymore. Pulling the gag from her mouth, she quickly tried to bite at the man who did. He quickly pulled his hand up and raised it. "STOP!" Before he could hit her, Horace’s cold voice cut in. "She is valuable. Do not lay a hand on her unless necessary."

"You’re a bunch of monsters," Lena cried out in anger, but no one responded.

"A bucket for you over there. I will have someone change it for you each day and bring you your meals. In the meantime, please sleep. I hope the bed we provided is up to par. I assure you this is not permanent. It all depends on your husband."

Giving her a soft smile Horace turned his back and began to leave with all his men bar one. Turning to him his eyes went cold. "If you dare act without orders, I’ll see to it my father knows." The man striaghtened his back and nodded before taking a seat against the wall and watched Lena.