Lucy Wickshire 130 Chapter sixteen 7

In the City of Ekrom, a woman throws on a veil in the dead of night and makes her way to the other side of the city. Those who knew, understood this city was the land of treaty. In this city, both This-side and Other-side could live together. But even the word; together, could be defined in a great many ways. The city was divided into two classes. Rich and poor; Other-side and This-side, respectively. Those who lived rich were Other-side and those who lived poor side were This-side. The two were not allowed to cross into the other.

But this woman seemed to have done this before, as she made her way through the streets and into a tunnel that led to Other-side while avoiding the guards. At the other side of the tunnel, she climbed out to a side of the city with cleaner air and more luxurious buildings. She did not stop to take in the view but continued on to a small house in a dark corner and knocked a rhythmic six times.

The door opened and she walked in. Inside of the small house was lit, so she immediately saw the number of people in the room and their faces.

They were clan members of the Lantanier clan from Other-side. One of the men leading them; General Lamah, was a mid aged man with a single scar running from his left eye, across his lips and ending on his right chin, and with hairs that had started to grey. The second leader was the one they all revered and was much younger than the general. He was a young man, probably in his early thirties with dark brown hair, and sharply dressed in a dark coat. He was Linean, first son of the Lantanier clan head.

"Are you ready?" the woman asked.

"If not, would we ask you to come?" General Lamah asked coldly. The woman was not phased by his tone. She turned around and went back out the way she came. Motioning to them to follow her. She led them with ease into This-side.

When they had arrived This-side, she led them to a well furnished house and two men who were waiting at the door; sighed in relieve at the sight of her, before leading the men to settle in. The woman was left alone with General Lamah and Linean. In the well lit room, she took off her veil and placed it on a table as the two men made themselves comfortable, then she turned to meet them with clear and unfeeling eyes. If someone from Juhntt's social circle had seen this woman, they would recognise her easily; she was Mrs. Mclears. The two men that had led the guests to settle in were her sons, Tam and Lionel.

But these men did not know her. They but looked at her coldly as she turned to speak, "Passes have been made for you to easily pass the gates. Tomorrow before day break, you will leave the city." she said and Linean nodded.

"When you are ready to settle in, call for somebody." she said and walked away.

"Sit. I have not told you to leave." Linean said and she paused and turned to them.

"Anything you want to ask?" she asked, remaining standing.

"The second rate kingdom, Grui, how is the politics over there?" Linean asked.

"Grui is the second rate kingdom with the smallest economy amongst it's peers. They have an army, but lack of resources for training them; making them very weak in comparison to other second rate kingdoms. Their king Just died mysteriously and the crown prince disposed. The third prince, Lur, is now king. There are four main houses. They have somewhat of control over the crown in some way. King Lur has only managed to bring three of those houses to his side. The largest and last one, house of Jur, remains unmoved. I have already had this documented and given to you. The other details about each house is inside. I have arranged for your residence when you get there, is there any other thing you might need?" she asked with a blank expression. Only then did they dismiss her.

Seeing her walk away, they frowned.

"She does not ask why we need this information." General Lamah said.

"I heard she would do her job without care for what her clients do after they are settled in This-side. It's good, as long as she does as told; or else it will not end well for her." Linean said.

Chapter end