>>5237615The next few weeks are a blur as you and the Order work to secure your new home. The bodies of the attempted assassins are recovered and studied. They were poorly equipped and found to be known locals in Barathon town. There was no indication they were paid, so you are forced to assume that the bastards that almost took Alys from you were fanatics of the Better World. They were an assortment of menial laborers, petty criminals, and one veteran of the Imperial levy who had spent some time begging on the streets after gambling himself out of house and home. Unfortunates, then. This makes sense to you, the ideology would appeal to those who do not fit in the world of the Empire. As a precaution, Order members going beyond the walls have orders to remain in groups. Hopefully that dissuades other wannabe assassins.
You spend time overseeing the transition, though you find there is little for you to do other than occasionally sign off on some request from the scholars, scribes, or even the townsfolk. For the first time in years, you have free time, at least as long as it takes Alys to heal and her letters to return. Your mornings are in the training ring in the courtyard, Friedrich and Domlech common partners along with the braver of the sworn knights. You have Domlech fight others as well, no telling when it might come in handy to see how an Ard Negh fights. Afternoons you start a habit of taking meals to Alys in the infirmary. She shines every time you do it, though you get the occasional scowl from a healer that you do your best to ignore. This is almost certainly getting rumors started, but finally you think you are beyond caring.
Evenings are reserved for correspondence. Your report to the Emperor comes first of course, you update on your early decisions and describe happenings on the road to Barathon. Nervously, you include a personal letter to him to request Alys' hand. It's technically his call as head of house, though you predict he will have no issue with it. Alys, as she chose to become, was never expected to marry. His response is predictably swift. Your report is accepted and he finds your plans for an information network acceptable. The Imperial seal is unbroken and the missive carried by a member of the Emperor's household, so you consider the message secure. If he is concerned about Alys' wounding he deigns not to note it. Just as you did, he includes a more personal correspondence with the official message. It's not long.
My Lord Captain-General,
Your heart is as open as your mind dense. Why do you think I sent her with you?
I will not be attending. I am sure you would prefer a smaller ceremony, and there is much to do.
Emperor Alkaign I Athimur
