Rinis continued as if nothing smelled and moved onto the next page. Again he signed and cried large tears of confusion as he continued down the path laid out for him.
Rinis moved onto the next one, but he balked freezing in place.
“Prince Monto will sign.” Rinis said in flat voice, her face showed no emotion as she plainly commanded him. She grabbed his hand again and they struggled to place his hand onto the board.
“Prince Monto will sign.” Rinis said again. They all watched as he stared stuck at her and complied.
She released him and returned the sign orders with the board to the officer who smiled gratuitously and quickly stepped back to where Princess Ruegin stood along the back wall by the door.
“Well, that was dramatic.” Marcos said. He motioned for the guards to move in. “Bring farmer Noggill to a liaison officer who can take him back to his family.”
The three criminals sat back in repose. The prince was in a trance. Rinis had around come to the prince’s side mimicking the princess’ Hjordis and looked satisfied.
“Is their any information you all have that could perhaps spare your lives and get you out of the country?” Marcos asked. He stepped forward to them for the first time.
A cacophony of voices rang up as they spouted some of the worst conspiracies he’d heard. They didn’t know names so Marcos could tell thing were hurried jumbles of non-sense. Besides no one leaves men like these alive after a conspiracy, and if they did live they would’ve been smarter and likely better paid.
“Interesting. Please take a moment to quiet yourselves and meditate.” Marcos said bored of the noise.
After a moment, he turned slightly. “Rinis have the prince execute the three. Beheadings are the most humane.” He said and stepped back to watch.
Rinis touched the prince forward. He was by now catatonic and drooling slightly. His wet pants squished as he took three steps forward. She stepped to his right and with soft fingertips she raised his arm, bent his elbow, and turned his wrist. The sword was raised and the razor edge was dropped. Marcos and even Kaarthen were surprised at the results.
She had pushed and pulled the prince’s body like a rag doll but could only sever Garen’s neck partially. The cut was definitely mortal. The blood from his neck splattered the prince and other two men and painted the wall. After a moment, the body keeled over and sagged in the ropes oozing out blood.
Marcos snickered from behind them. “That won’t do Prince. Guards, have these men present themselves face down, this is too complicated.” Marcos ordered. The guards stepped in daintily around the soiled prince and used the head thumper on the other two men to get them to go with the flow for the last time.
Rinis corrected and two cuts later, they had slaughtered the whole lot. Rinis it seemed was an excellent puppetmaster herself.
“Excellent. Rinis take the prince out the side gate we will meet you out in front of the complex.”
Marcos ordered. He joined the Princess in giving wondering looks at the retreating Prince but was happy for the silence whether Prince Carthin’s mind was broken or not.
“Officer, I have messages to send to Mavvus.” Marcos said turning to the shaken officer.
“Yes, of course. You can write it with this.” He replied pulling the execution papers out from the board and sliding in fresh sheets from a slit in the bottom.
He scribbled orders for an audit of all information on Sellis. The audit would alert Leethon of his intent and get the military into gear. The King is old and at sixty he wouldn’t do more than ride out to the border. He would be required to lead any action, but for now, they had to begin the planning and make recon.
He wrote another note to Augussi for a quick hunt on any knowledge or rumor coming out of the west in regards to Sellis, the ‘Guilds’, any kind information on leadership, the activity of their Royals, and a standby order for safe houses from Leethon to Sellis. He was glad the girls didn’t need too much extra consideration. He wouldn’t go to all the safe houses but his gear wasn’t always as durable as he was. He would find out over the next two weeks if the prince could come along.
The princess made a request for a carriage to come to the Manor to pick her up. Despite her happiness with the events, it was early in the day still. Several stocks would be in that evening and at least one needed to be completed. Menthino needed much to be done for a proper harvest.
Marcos left the office and joined the others outside. The princess was staring at the prince with an ear to ear grin. With simple orders, the prince was moved back to the mansion and brought to the door. The gray maid stopped the little troupe when she saw the dirty prince at the door and quietly mentioned a fountain for dirty things.
“Rinis take the prince around to the right of the building to the fountain. Strip him of anything dirty and have him washed. If the clothes do not come clean, hang them. Bring in the prince once he is clean, and bathe him properly.” Marcos said and stepped in past the maid. Princess Ruegin followed with her Hjordis and they went up to find the rest of the party.
In the lounge, Princess Ruegin stepped in with her relation of events.
She chattered quick and excitedly. “That idiot lost his marbles. He was all pissy when he came in and made his orders like the fucking Emperor himself. Lord Panthi showed him. He had the boy communicate the execution and carry it out. Monto shat himself signing the order. SHAT HIMSELF!” Princess Ruegin paused at the hilarity and covered her eyes. “His bodyguard had to swing his hand like a puppet-master. He’s out there being washed in the fountain like an invalid vagrant. Look!” She said opening a window and holding the curtain for them to see. “He hasn’t spoken since. The idiot’s mind broke.” She laughed. “I hope it stays broken. The law says an incapacitated noble can’t get married.” She continued jovially.
She was likely at that moment the happiest person in Cardin. “It’s still early but I’ll return and want to celebrate tonight.” She said clutching her hands to her breast and looking around the room at them. Tears watered her eyes as she smiled at each of them in turn. Her eyes finally stopped on Marcos. “Oh thank you lord Panthi! Even if this doesn’t stay, I have witnesses that say he may have nerves that would be a liability. No one wants frayed nerves in their children. If stress turns out to be a cause I’ll never get married I just know it.” She said burying her face in his chest.
On Marcos’ other side Princess Nossin mimicked her sister. After a moment, she looked up at him and an odd blank grin came to her face.
The grey maid came along and hustled Princess Ruegin out for her carriage. Princess Nossin stayed locked onto him as he moved over to comfortable seat and sat.
Despite her Hjordis’ sudden coughing fit, Princess Nossin sat in his lap and cuddled into him. Marcos didn’t do anything improper, he simply hugged Princess Nossin and rubbed her back paternally. They sat just like that for quite a while as the princess dozed.