Praetorian Rising, стр. 14
"He is making plans to head south," the man spoke up from behind him. He remained in his chair, back straight and features stern.
Langhorn nodded, giving Archimedes one last pet of attention before turning back toward his guest. "From where exactly?"
"That I cannot say," the man replied tersely as though surprised Langhorn would even ask. Langhorn hummed with an air of annoyance, but his face remained stoically blank of emotion as the man continued. "I can give you details of his movements and actions. I'm not able to tell you where the High King is located now. Few know. Therefore, few he could pinpoint to slaughter if word got out of his whereabouts."
Langhorn nodded but remained silent as he began to pace the length of his office, head down in contemplation as the fabric of his robes swished around his legs.
"You don't trust me," the man said, his voice low and sharp.
"Of course, I trust you," Langhorn snapped back. "That doesn't mean I don't second guess the information given to me. You think you have all the details? Do you honestly think the High King tells you everything?"
The man snorted loudly, his limbs jerking with a constant jitter as though he was anxious to be on his way. "No, of course not."
"Well then," Langhorn replied with a sardonic grin, "I can trust you and also not trust you are telling me everything."
The man nodded, though his thin lips pursed together in grim irritation. "He will be sending a portion of his Equestrian troops from Alpha Quarter by foot, but most will arrive by ATS."
"He's sending his air fleet?"
The man nodded silently.
"This is dire," Langhorn whispered.
Archimedes screeched from his perch as though in shock, to which Langhorn nodded as though in silent agreement with the bird.
"I don't know how much time we have, but I do know he is sending out a full battle line of Equestrian soldiers."
"Where?" Langhorn asked, hoping that the man wouldn't be able to give a definite answer.
"He plans on passing through Whiskey Wharf first in the effort to appear they are prepping for mass trade at the waterfront. The Equestrian units will hit Romeo next."
Langhorn's legs almost collapsed beneath him at the mention of his home village. "He's found the Sanctuary?"
The man nodded, his eyes downcast. "He knows. I'm certain he doesn't know where the other sanctuaries are located. Only that they exist, and they are the key to what he has been searching for."
Langhorn nodded, the billowing lengths of his robes swishing across the stone floor as he moved toward the towering piles of books laid out over his desk. He found the ink pot he was looking for and sat down to write the one message he hoped never to write.
"There is one more thing of note," the man said, almost as an afterthought though Langhorn knew better. The man's tone had shifted downward, leaving room for Langhorn's own interpretation.
"Oh?" Langhorn inquired politely as he scribbled out the words banging around in his head.
"Something Vesyon will most certainly want to be aware of," the man said lightly as though uncertain of how to unpack the thoughts spinning through the confinement of his mind.
"Spit it out," Langhorn said, growing impatient.
"The Praetorians within Aspera must remain on high alert. Camille's name, as well as others, have been whispered amongst many in the deeper corners of Aspera now that the rebellion has begun to expand. She isn't safe to wander, and neither is he."
Langhorn nodded, watching the man with intense curiosity as his gaze shifted anxiously about the room. "Noted," Langhorn finally replied, his pen hovering over the piece of parchment.
The man silently excused himself, disappearing through the open office door as though he'd never been there. Archimedes squawked, his feathers ruffling up in the way of conversation.
"I agree my dear friend," Langhorn responded to the puffed-up bird as he dipped his feathered pen in ink and made to write out his messages. He wrote three identical letters, sealed them with the White Wall crest against melted red wax, before turning to back to Archimedes now staring out the arched window.
"This needs to get to Vesyon right away. I’ll send these last two via raven," he explained his needs to Archimedes as he would any messenger. Even though the Count of White Wall preferred to send all messages via raven, Langhorn always sent his urgent letters via Archimedes. He'd never thought of the hawk as a pet, but more an extension of himself.
Archimedes cocked his head at Langhorn's request and shifted his weight to extend his leg toward the old man.
"If you are unable to find Vesyon," Langhorn began before Archimedes’ feathers ruffled in warning of a sharp bite. "Not that you won't find him dear friend! You are the best tracker in all Aspera; I have no doubts in you. But if a problem should arise, please go straight to Theo." With a sharp nod, Archimedes extended his leg more prominently, his feathers pulled against his body with his beak extended upwards in public preening of the offered compliment. Langhorn inwardly chuckled as he tied off the final note.
He watched the beautiful spread of wings as Archimedes took flight to the east. The words of his message played on an unending loop in his mind: He's found her. They know.
Chapter Five
Undiscovered Secrets
The morning of Fόmhair came quickly, causing Lunci to squirm with anticipation all through breakfast. After promising to bring home a sweet prize that night, Camille dashed out the front door with her bow slung over her shoulder and two hunting knives attached to either hip.
The sun peeked its shiny face over the eastern edges of the Iron Mountains, spreading light across the azure sky. Warmth did not accompany it, and Camille pulled on her fingerless gloves in quick, jerky motions. She jogged effortlessly through the ramshackle cabins and measly vegetable gardens toward the edge of town, where