A knock rings out on the Capital’s Master at Arms, door…
“Enter.” The man yells as he reads over paperwork on his desk.
A young unassuming man enters.
“Ah, Gerwin, do you have something for me?”
The young man with his slumped shoulders holds out a letter to the knight.
“This is an official decree from the King’s Council for you Ser Robert.“
Ser Robert rolls his eyes “I am on the Council, why wasn’t I told of the session?”
“I think it was an informal meeting between a few members, Ser.”
Again, Gerwin holds out the letter.
“Spare me the ceremony, what does it say?” says Ser Robert.
Basically, the Prince, the third one…”
“The Fin?”
“Yes, he has an upcoming pilgrimage on behalf of the crown to Meego and hasn’t returned from his hunting trip north of the Capital. You are to send out a party to retrieve him.”
“When is he due to return? I thought the Meego trip was still months away.” The knight asks.
“I’m not sure, the Councilmen didn’t say. They are concerned that he needs to be back in the Capital as soon as possible.”
“Fine, I will send out a scouting party. This is work is beneath me, Gerwin, I swear it is…” The middle age knight complains absentmindedly.
“No this is an important mission.” Gerwin states as he looks around the outside hallway before he shuts the door.
Ser Robert drops the papers in his hands on his desk and leans forward. He loves these rare moments when he gets a special mission.
“This mission was handed down from the Great Nocturn. The Council’s mission is a front to the Covenant’s mission. The information that I am about to give you is for you and our recruits only. The common soldiers must not know the truth.”
“Understood.”
Gerwin sits down before Ser Robert’s desk and leans in with a smile on his face.
“Prince Aero ran from this mission.”
“No.” Robert says in disbelief.
“He did. Seems the brave knight is afraid of what the future holds for him.”
“More like he’s afraid of those filthy sand charmers.”
Both men enjoy a laugh together.
“I wouldn’t be too keen on taking a Meego dagger to the heart either.” Gerwin states blissfully.
“I think they go for the neck…” Ser Robert responds.
“I thought it was the heart, doesn’t matter it’s not my problem.”
“Where did he run of to?”
Gerwin looks at the knight and raises his eyebrows “this is good.”
“Where?”
“The Forbidden Cave of Brintz.”
Ser Robert stands up in shock “No way.”
“He left a note in his room a couple weeks ago and no one has seen him since. The problem is, the Covenant has worked hard to put him on this mission, if he isn’t on it then we would have to send John Henry. We would have a hard time turning to David.”
“Last I heard, John Henry was leading the trip to Meego anyway.”
“The second born has been primarily the son to go on the trip, and John Henry was originally going to go, but Marco was able to recruit him. A royal in the Covenant! So, the question is- which son is a bigger threat to us? The Royally trained wimp or the famous Prince knight who is beginning to get a following in the kingdom.”
“David is no threat, but Aero could become a hero in the kingdom that would have to be dealt with.”
“Not if the daughters of Meego do the job for us.” States Gerwin.
Again, both men share a laugh.
“The Covenant’s orders are to find proof that the Prince is in the area. Hopefully, he is hunting in the area and can be recovered. If he hasn’t been found by the deadline, the Covenant will send out a special force to enter the cave to confirm his death.”
“Do you really think there is a beast in the cave?” Ser Robert asks.
“No, it’s a story parents tell kids to scare them. A bedtime story that has become a legend.”
“I agree. Please tell the Covenant that I am always at their service and will carry out their orders to the letter. I will do everything in my power to find the Prince and bring him in.” Ser Robert proclaims.
“We know, that’s why you were selected. The mission is important to the Covenant’s plans, a hefty reward will be given for returning the Prince.”
Ser Robert promises his best effort and sees Gerwin out. He has work to do…
Relics of the Old Age 