The Decoder - Chapter 15

Avery

3 days later.

The last time Avery remembered the feeling of pure fear was when he thought he was about to die at his elder brother’s hands. If his brother wasn’t stopped, and had Sir Alcoft not saved him, God knows if Avery would still be alive today. Now, after eleven years since the incident, the sight of Edith clutching a cutter in her palm and blood trickling endlessly to the ground followed by her sudden fainting shortly after Dr. Maia had pulled her away from the scene, had evoked that very same fear once more, pure, raw and terrible fear. He was worried sick, to the point Dr. Maia had to assured him several times that she will be fine.

Avery knew the wound was not as severed as a gunshot wound or a severed limb, but he couldn’t help feeling anxious and fear, fear of Edith not regaining her consciousness, fear that he might lose her forever. He was not ready to lose her not did he wanted to let her go. No, he will never let go of his childhood best friend who had taught him the life of a commoner and the taste of freedom from royal expectations that was expected of him as the second son.

Leaning himself against a lamp post, Avery watched from a distance at the trio, Caden, Merille and Edith who were perched over wrought-iron fences surrounding the compounds of the Philemony Orchestra. Faint music poured out from the building and Avery was aware that there was a performance taking place in the ancient and grand white domed manor. It was said the manor once belonged to a family of musicians who had founded the Philemony Orchestra who often performed to the royals hundred years ago, travelling around the world spreading their affinity for music.

While on his night patrol duty, he had come across the trio who had been leaning over the fences for almost thirty minutes now. He wondered how they had managed to leave the Militia, but it was the 5th day of the week, and Caden probably got permission for the both of them. Avery checked his pocket watch and found that he still had two hours before his meeting with Agent A at the park. It had been a few days since he last heard from Agent A when High Commander Ekker had called Avery to his office that afternoon.

“I have decided on a plan to teach the Hathagian royals for their arrogance.” High Commander Ekker said behind his immaculate mahogany desk, free of all the papers and documents that often piled his desk. Avery did not speak but waited for the High Commander to continue.

“We will not spare the Hathagian refugees as originally planned. Kill everyone of them.” He said with a tone devoid of emotions, ice cold and hard.

“What?” Avery couldn’t contain his surprise, his stomach turning ice cold at the High Commander’s words.

“Kill everyone of them. This will be your assignment with Lucien.” The High Commander repeated.

“But, is it necessary?” Avery couldn’t believe his ears. The Hathagian refugees were innocents and unfortunately and unwillingly, became victims in the feud between Rayard and Hathage. They did not ask for this neither do they deserve to die. Not to mention, it will further deepen the feud. He knew his brother will not let go of this easily.

“As I said, it’s to teach the Hathagian royals for their arrogance. To show them who is in charge.”

“But—"

“No more ‘buts’. Do your job as instructed. That is, if you still wish to achieve that ‘promotion’ you seek for. You are to meet with Agent A tonight to devise a plan. She is aware of this.” The High Commander’s voice was nothing but steel. At times, Avery felt as though he was talking to a robot. It’s difficult to imagine he had been good friends with his father, Lord Sykes and Edith’s father, Sir Alcoft. And, it’s hard to believe both of his good friends were no longer around. Both had been killed. The memory of his father’s body slumped on his throne; a knife thrust deep in his chest. No, stop it, Avery told himself.

One reminder about the ‘promotion’, Avery knew his place. He will see to his new assignment and he will accomplish it, no matter how much he detested it deep down.

“Yes, Sir.”

A laughter from Caden broke his reverie and Avery focused his gaze on the trio again. He was holding Edith’s hand and she pulled him for a hug. Caden’s other free hand was entwined with Merille’s. They cheered in delight and Avery felt a certain emotion roiling within him. Jealousy, he thought. Though Caden was a close friend of Edith’s, he didn’t like other man touching her. He had a sudden fierce tendency to approach the trio and tear Edith away from Caden. Be sensible, Avery. She does not belong to you, Avery reminded himself, tethering on rationality. And how he would very much like to change that “she does not belong to you” to a new status, if he could.

Avery had been spending time with the trio for weeks now, but he could never enter their tight circle and he secretly envied them for it. A friendship bond that was as tight as glue. His close friendship with Lucien was close to a brotherhood and the bond was just as tough. However, there were times he longed he could enter the trio’s circle, to understand them better, to be accepted, to be a part of their activities, to be with Edith and be a part of her life. He had longed to be a part of something, longed to be accepted wherever he went.

Brushing away those thoughts, he glanced at his pocket watch again. Though there was still time, he decided it was about time to make his way to the park. He needed to divert his mind. Forcing himself to turn away from the cheerful trio, he strolled to the park and paced about while waiting for Agent A.

After an hour, a feathery feminine voice greeted him.

“Good evening, Mr. Kainz.”

“Good evening, Agent A.” Avery turned and gave a small smile.

“The plans have changed. None of the Hathagian refugees are to be spared.” The lady pulled back her hood.

“Yes, I’m aware.”

“And, we are to discuss the plan to execute this assignment.”

“I have given it a thought with my officer. There are a few alternatives.” Avery said and he started explaining his plans which involved the Hathagian refugees being ushered out of Kyron House to Falborg Forest. There, they will execute their plan.

“And when will this plan be executed?” Agent A asked.

“Tomorrow night, after the armory arrives from Hathage, which is slated to arrive tomorrow afternoon.”

“Excellent. Do you need any assistance from my end?”

“Thank you for the offer, but I have my men to execute this plan.”

“Then I should see you again tomorrow night.” Agent A smiled, a cold and full of mischiefs kind of smile. Avery glanced away and focused his gaze on a nearby bush.

“Yes.”

Suddenly, there was the sound of a twig snapped and a slight rustling in one of the nearby bushes, close to the pathway that leads to the City Square. Both Avery and Agent A turned their heads at the source of the voice, eyes widened.

“I should take my leave now.” Agent A hastily pulled her hood over her head and retreated into the darkness, out of sight like a specter.

Avery wasted no time in approaching the suspicious bush. As he neared, a figure of a lady dashed out of the bush, which he assumed was her hiding spot. She ran as fast as she could, heading towards the City Square, never once looking back. Avery immediately gave chase, trained as a soldier, he was much faster and agile on his feet. He could not allow the lady to escape, not after eavesdropping on their conversation.

As he neared the lady, he threw himself forward at her, knocking her to the cold cobblestoned ground, his arms encircled her slim waist tightly, not allowing her escape. She tried to wriggle out of his grasp, but he was upon her now. He released his hold on her waist and in one swift motion, he turned her on her back, so he could see her face, his gloved hands gripped her wrists in an iron grip.

“Edith?” He choked out, utterly shocked. Of all people, he did not expect her to be the lady who had been eavesdropping. The last he saw her, she was with Caden and Merille. Avery glanced about, looking for Caden and Merille, but they were nowhere in sight. How had she come about to the park?

“Please let go of me.” Edith said in a pained voice, her eyes wide with fear. She looked so vulnerable beneath him and he realised he had been gripping her wrist so tightly. Avery immediately loosened his grip but did not release her. He did not think she would try to run away again, but if she did, she had to know it was futile.

“You will not attempt escape?” Avery asked.

“No.”

He released her, sitting on his heels and pulled her into a sitting position. Edith scooted backwards to put a little space between them while she tried to catch her breath. Avery waited. Too many questions swarming in his mind. Questions from the night he had spotted her at Kyron House, questions about the man he had seen her speaking to at Eder Street and questions as to how she came to know of the Hathagian refugees.

“You heard everything?” Avery asked after a moment. The night air was cold, and a cold breeze blew against them. He noticed Edith shivered a little and he wanted to pull her into his embrace to give her warmth, but the questions have gone unanswered for too long. He needed to face her.

Edith did not answer as she focused her gaze on the ground. He took the silence as an answer.

“How did you come to know about the Hathagian refugees?” He asked.

“Will you really execute that plan?” Edith asked and looked up at him, dodging his question.

“Answer my question, Edith.” Avery said sternly, there was a hardness to his deep voice.

“I came to know them through the lady you just spoke to, about six months ago.” Edith said, her voice hardening a notch.

“You know the lady?”

“Yes.”

“And you have been seeing to their needs? Protecting them from the Militia?” Avery guessed.

“Yes.”

“And who is that man you spoke to? The man you left Kyron House with.” Avery asked, silently hoping the man was not her lover.

“You followed me? You have been keeping watch.” Edith narrowed her eyes at him.

“Answer the question.”

“He is the late His Majesty, Lord Sykes’s righthand-man and my father’s friend. I spoke to him to know more about my father.”

Avery knew the man had been very familiar. Now that Edith mentioned he was his father’s righthand-man, he remembered the man, Mr. Roan. He had been looking after his mother through her illness as well. He wondered what happened to him after his father’s death but asking Edith will reveal his connection to the Hathage royals. He did not wish for her to know about his past as it was not worth mentioning. He did not wish for her to look at him differently in the event he revealed it.

“You will not kill the refugees, will you?” Edith asked when Avery was silent. He averted his gaze and bit his lips, contemplating his answers, but he couldn’t find a suitable one.

“They are innocents, Avery. They are the victims of this feud that is happening between Rayard and Hathage.” Edith continued, her expression pleading.

“It is none of your concern, Edith.”

“If you kill them, it will worsen the relationship between Rayard and Hathage. It will only deepen the feud, and possibility of a war.” Edith grabbed his hands. She winced a little as she tightened her left grip. Avery was aware of the pain coming from her bandaged left palm, but he focused on the matter at hand. There was truth in her words, Avery couldn’t deny it. However, if he did not accomplish his assignment, he could imagine High Commander Ekker’s wrath and disappointment, and his promised ‘promotion’ will be tossed out of the window. All his hard work to achieve his goal for the past eight years gone to waste. Furthermore, he was no in position to go against High Commander Ekker’s commands.

“It’s late. Let’s get you back to the Militia.” Avery said and started to rise, but Edith held him.

“Avery. Don’t do this. You can’t be serious. You could let them escape alive.”

“When I’m assigned to an assignment, I’m dead serious.”

“If that’s the case, then I will be dead serious, too.” Edith challenged.

“What do you intend to do?” Avery eyed her. Suspicion began to bubble within him. Knowing Edith full well, she would do something if she was ‘dead serious’ on something, especially if it involved lives. His stomach knotted at the thought of it.

“None of your concern.” She released his hands, but he gripped her arms instead.

“Edith, I’m warning you. Don’t you ever try something reckless. Stay out of this. Please, don’t complicate things.” Avery said gruffly.

“Complicate things?” Edith shrugged out of his grip and rose to her feet abruptly, scowling at him.

“Where are your reasoning and rationality, Avery?”

“It is a command from the High Commander. I can’t possibly go against him! If I do, God knows what will happen to my position. Besides, even if I did not accomplish this assignment, someone else would.” Avery raised his voice; anger was beginning to take hold of him. He rose to his feet, standing tall before Edith and looking down at her.

“You could let them escape without the High Commander finding out about it.”

“If only it were that simple. The High Commander has spies everywhere to ensure the assignment is done.” And it was true. Avery knew the High Commander has spies or secret intelligent officers everywhere in Rayard. If any of his soldiers or Elites were to betray him behind his back, he will know. Avery was not dumb to against the High Commander, not when there was an ‘agreement’ between them and his engagement with Ira.

“But—"

“No, you don’t understand the politics and power play in the Militia, Edith. And you probably never will. Seeing how your father and uncle have sheltered you.” Avery retorted. His anger was getting the worse of him and he needed to step away before he truly lash out at her. There was no way Edith will understand the situation. She does not know the enormity of it, that he was certain.

“I can’t believe this is coming from you…The kindhearted boy I knew will never do this,” she glared at him.

“People change over the years. You can’t expect me to stay the same forever, Edith. Now, stop this and return to the Militia.” Avery said in a harsh tone. He was surprised at his own words and regretted it instantly once it came tumbling out of his mouth. It was too late to pull them back.

Edith stared at him for a long moment, agape, before she took a step back and brushed past him without another word. He had caught her expression as she left, and it held a mixture of emotions. Of the one he could be certain of was disappointment. He silently berated himself for being such an ass. He knew killing the Hathagian refugees was wrong and immoral. It went against his conscience. But, High Commander Ekker was ruthless. There was not much he could do. If he wasn’t the one to finish the job, there will be someone else more competent and heartless than him to do it.

Avery sighed heavily and rake a hand through his hair. He thought of ways to apologise to Edith, but he wondered if she would ever forgive him. Either way, he would need to see her, and he will ensure she does not do something reckless.

Mr. Roan’s name came to mind at that moment. Mr. Roan, who was his father’s righthand-man and the man who had looked after his mother during her illness. If he wanted to pay the man for his loyalty and kindness, now was the time to do so. Avery may not be able to save all the refugees, but he could save one life, unnoticed.

He needed to find Lucien.

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