Tale of Four

”Blessed is Life.” Lord Fletcher said before an altar, kneeling deeply. Behind him, numerous men and women wearing black funeral attire repeated after him, ”For life is joy. For life is sorrow. For life is all that matters.” Lord Fletcher said with worship, looking up at the small stone statue of a figure, unidentifiable as either a man or a woman, draped in a robe held up by their shoulders, in the left hand a sceptre, the right outstretched with a drop of blood falling. ”Life is our blessing. All its joys are our gift, and all its sorrows are our punishment.” Lord Fletcher bowed, placing his nose to the ground. ”To the ground we will return, and from it the cycle shall repeat.”

Lord Fletcher rose and turned. Looking at the men and women who rose with him, he placed his palms together. ”Blessed by blood, blessed by life, blessed is the Saint.”

”Blessed is the Saint.” The group replied, making Lord Fletcher nod in acknowledgement. Once finished, the group didn’t begin discussing their plan; instead, they all grabbed dusters, brooms and cloths. It was strange to observe from the outside, seeing them, knowing that the group had likely never cleaned for themselves in their life, yet everyone cleaned the entire room, making sure not a single speck of dirt remained, finally ending with lord Fletcher carefully wiping down the statue with a shaking hand.

When all was done, they took the cleaning tool outside the room and sat around the table in the centre of the room. Lord Fletcher took the head of the table; the rest followed when he sat. The women took their black veils off, placing them before them, finally revealing everyone’s faces. Lord Fletcher’s fervent eyes hardened the moment the final veil was removed, instantly.

”Thank you all for arriving as quickly as you did,” Lord Fletcher said in a cold tone, lacking any warmth. ”We have been tasked with an important mission, and for that we must not delay. 300 years ago, the Red Rebellion failed. This was no fault of our Lord’s; they had prepared everything necessary, but the execution was the problem. But failure is a lesson. Open war taught us our limits. We have no allies in Veston; none care for the True God and their followers. We are alone, and therefore we must work in the confines of this.”

The table nodded as Lord Fletcher looked at them, looking for an ounce of disloyalty or hesitation. Seeing nothing, he smiled, ”In this lesson we learnt the truth. Let them tear themselves apart. That being said, it is time to decide where to strike. Have we received the information on where they are?”

The man closest to Lord Fletcher, Simon Holmes, nodded and pulled a bundle of letters from a small bag at his side. Sliding them towards Lord Fletcher, he smiled, ”I think first we should discuss who will be impossible to target. Cleeve Cosmaton, Brandon Cosmaton, Anton Cosmaton, Elias Cosmaton and Cleeves’ twins.”

The table nodded, bar Lord Fletcher, ”Lord Carter, no, it’s his son now. He should have contacts in Oros. They may be more willing to slay those twins if they can find them.” Lord Fletcher rubbed the ring on his index finger for a moment before shaking his head. ”Forget it. It pains me, but they must be ignored. It’s a waste of resources, and if the reports are true, they hate their father and family and are likely never to return.”

”What of the rest mentioned?” Another spoke up, a woman in a long black dress with beautiful looks. Her eyes had a mournful look to them as if she never overcame the death of a loved one.

”Elias and Cleeve are to be ignored. Cleeve... we do not have the facilities to slay that man. As for Elias, within Everlight he is rather protected. Should we strike him, he shall be the last.” Lord Fletcher rubbed his ring again, ”Anton and Brandon. I shall speak to the queen regarding them. That leaves us with the rest.” Lord Fletcher looked to Simon, who produced a few letters.

”Reports claim Vincent has left Everlight. Based on the direction he was heading and the war situation, he is likely being sent to reinforce either Blackguard or Starlight Fort. Mary Cosmaton and her son have moved to Lord Wells’ land and have declared neutrality.” Lord Fletcher went to speak, but Simon stopped him. ”A report regarding that has arrived, however. They are preparing a wedding.”

Lord Fletcher scowled and nodded. The room fell silent as he contemplated, ”The Wells have been out of their home for a while. It means the Steward took charge. Do we know who this man is?” Simon nodded, ”Approach him. Gauge his loyalty to the family. If he can’t be bought, force him to comply by any means. Who here can play instruments?” A few raised their hands. ”Who of you can play numerous songs?” One man lowered their hands. Although it was only four, it was enough. ”Head to the Flatlands. Numerous artists will have headed to Hampton already for refuge. Take one of their identities. Wait until they begin searching for musicians and make yourself an option. Hire outside help if necessary, but keep a tight leash.”

”On the topic of Hampton.” Simon spoke up again, ”It has the largest concentration of Cosmatons. Ester, Ellie, Elsa and Robert. What are your orders regarding that?” Lord Fletcher thought for a moment and smiled to himself.

”We mustn’t rush. I shall talk to our lord once more and get her help. We can’t raise the alarm. Brandon is hateful, but it not to be underestimated. He will know soemthing is wrong if we strike at any of them, and in the slim chance we are successful, he will make any more actions impossible.” Lord Fletcher sighed, ”That leaves four.”

”Mabel Cosmaton is known to be a wild woman who is more man than woman.” A lady spoke up with a contemptuous tone, ”I assume she will go to the battlefield and kill herself. Must we worry about her?” Lord Fletcher shot the woman a hard glare for so flippantly brushing Mabel off. The woman quickly lowered her head and apologised.

”Do not assume things. We plan around them, but do not assume they will die alone.” Lord Fletcher warned. ”Wait and see. If she leaves Everlight, we will see what her actions are. If she takes to the field, wait and watch. Should she survive and prove herself, then it is a matter of finding men who hate following a woman to sort that for us; if not possible, we strike when her guard is down.” He stopped and turned to another man, ”Keep watch of her movements and inform me of anything, no matter how minor.” Turning away, he carried on, ”Regarding Matthew, leave him. We strike him when we strike Elias. He is a pathetic child known to cry for his mother still and struggle to wield a sword. We do not need to place much worry on him leaving Everlight, nor posing a large threat to our plans.”

”George and Tristan.” Simon said in a low voice, ”George is protected by the Clovers and this Tristan. I do not have any news regarding him, really. He has been a shadow inside the Palace. I had assumed he died alongside his father a decade ago, but it seems he was alive.”

”Leave George Cosmaton. The Clovers are making their gamble for the throne. Unfortunately, that means they will have the boy under the strictest protection of any Cosmaton. They cannot risk his life or all their plans fail. What do we know of Tristan?” Lord Fletcher looked around, hoping someone would speak.

”I have had a few reports from the servants we placed inside the Palace.” A man spoke up in a pristine black suit, ”They always told of a Cosmaton who spoke to his bird more than people. A loner, without any real friends or connection, but always there.”

”The bird. What is it?”

”A dove, my Lord.”

”Abilities, what are they?”

”Unknown. No one in my employment ever saw.” Lord Fletcher tapped his ring against the table, making a sound that echoed. ”Based on what they said, however, it is likely no one would notice if he went missing. He could be our first test at infiltrating Everlight and dealing with them.”

Lord Fletcher shook his head. ”Foul play will be noticed even if the person is obsolete. He needs to be dealt with alongside Elias and Matthew.” For a moment he closed his eyes and thought, ”Simon, you shall take charge of the Wells. I leave how and who to you. However, if that woman Edmund is marrying is with child, deal with it.” Simon nodded, ”Rosalia.” Lord Fletcher looked to the woman who had the most striking looks at the table, ”Deal with Vincent. A fickle man who cares for beauty will easily be approached by you.”

”I shall take charge of Hampton and plans regarding Brandon, Cleeve and Anton. When the Wells are dealt with, you all shall return to the Crownlands and infiltrate Everlight. Simon, take charge once more if I am occupied. Reports speak of growing discontent due to the heresy. This will be our chance.” Lord Fletcher rose. ”We are servants of the Saint and his blood. Remember his will and remember the wrongs.” Lord Fletcher placed his hands together, ”The Debt is Ours.”