[Arien]

This arrived for you,” said Blaine handing a letter to Acacia as soon as she had entered the front door. Acacia took the letter and turned it over.

“It arrived anonymously?” she said looking up at Blaine.

“Yes,” she said taking Acacia’s cloak when she handed it too her. She placed it on the rack next to the door and followed Acacia down the hallway. Acacia slid her index finger along the blank seal and opened the letter cautiously. She knew it would be from Jythralo, although she had not suspected he would reply to her letter so speedily.

“When did it arrive?” she asked looking back at Blaine.

“Why, just a few minutes before you arrived back.” Well it did make sense. After leaving Jurex, she had sent the letter by a trusted horseman. It would have taken little than 10 minutes to reach Jythralo. And then she had walked home, which had taken a bit of time. It made sense.

Acacia pulled the letter out of the envelope and started to climb the stairs to her bedroom. She unfolded it carefully and saw that it was written in his hand. She smiled, “ Thank you Blaine.” The girl nodded and left her on the stairs. Acacia folded the letter back and made for her room.

“So let us see what I need to do next,” She said seating herself on her bed. She unfolded the letter again and smoothed it out on her lap. Dim candlelight filled the room, but she could still see the writing.

Good, they fell easily. Now we attack Bassington’s estate. Take him and his staff captive; leave the women, servants and children. Kill the guards; there is no doubt that they will get in your way. I have an insider in Bassington's mansion. I cannot tell you her name because this might be intercepted but she will meet you in the Sea Dog Inn, where you three will coordinate the attack. Oh, and take any and all plunder for yourselves.

Acacia re- read the letter again and then threw it into the fire at the far end of her room. An insider? She had never been told about that before now, it was never even mentioned. She smiled; Jythralo was always one step ahead. Although she did feel a little bothered that he had not told her. She stood for a time watching it slowly burn and then she left her room. She collected her cloak from beside the door and quickly made her way to the kitchen.

“Blaine, I’m leaving again. Is the horse ready outside?”

“Its as you left it.” Acacia nodded and flung her coat around her shoulders. “When you will back?”

“I’m not sure, I may have other business to take care of, and I might stop of at the shore.” Acacia was silent for a moment, “But I will be back before sunrise.” Blaine nodded.

Acacia stepped out onto the terrace and walked round to the small stable. She mounted the black horse and rode off towards the tavern where Jurex was waiting.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_

“Yes?”

“I have the orders….” Acacia said, holding
tight on to the reins of her horse. It pulled slightly as it was getting weary of waiting. Acacia had known better than to go into the Inn and so she had waited outside for a competent individual to tell Jurex that she was waiting. It had taken long than she had thought, but he was here now.

“And?”

“And you will have to wait for them. It seems we have a new accomplice.” Jurex nodded, though he looked a little confused.

“We do?”

“Yes, a girl it seems. She is of Bassington’s staff. Jythralo placed her there, and now it is the time that we shall use her.”

“So where will she be?” He asked kicking the dirt on the ground idly.

“Sea Dog Inn. We go to meet her now, that is unless you are busy?”

“No, they have calmed down now. Shall we go then?” Jurex said lightly as he started to walk off in the direction of the Inn. Acacia tugged the reins of her horse, which followed obediently into the night.