All the Dust that Falls

Chapter 191: Teas and Treason

"Dear. I think you’re overthinking this."

Mary eyed Bee with concern from across her desk. The words made Bee flinch. Had she been overthinking this? Maybe, maybe not. It seemed like something worth putting thought into though. This was a huge decision.

She looked away from the motherly woman sitting across from her and scanned the barren storage closet that she was now using as an office. Bee couldn't help but feel slightly silly bothering such a busy woman with her petty concerns. But Mary had always been willing to talk. It was about time she took her up on the offer. Luckily, she didn’t mind taking an hour out of her day to listen to Bee’s worries.

Was it petty though? This decision didn’t just affect her, but everyone in the castle. This was a choice that could decide her role here moving forward. Up until now, when everyone had sought direction, Bee had simply tried to help as best she could. It wasn't really that she’d insisted on it. Eventually she started asking people to help with things as they slowly gathered in the castle with her and Void. And they had accepted that. Even when they put together a more formal organization for the castle, they came to her for everything major. Even though she was just acting on Void’s behalf.

Now? She was a leader in name and deed. They had accepted each and every one of her decisions with some questioning and arguing, but it had largely been her that had the final say. The only time when that wasn’t the case was when Void was around. But even Void had never once insisted that she change her plans or any of the other organizational decisions she had made, only guided her through suggestions and cryptic teachings.

Had Void even influenced her decisions? It seemed that her master didn't want to take direct interaction with the organization, even if it was willing to fight for them and protect them. Instead, Void wanted to lead through teaching, mostly by helping to raise the children and giving cryptic, wise advice. Truly, it was typical of the stories she had read about ancient masters and beings with wisdom beyond human comprehension.

After a long silence, she sighed. "I suppose I am."

"Good, dear. I’m glad that you realize it.” Mary smiled kindly at her. “All of us support you, no matter what you decide. No class will ever change that.

Now, if you don't mind, I’m sure we both have things to get to." This was the first time Mary had ever dismissed her, even in a gentle way. It made Bee realize just how much of the woman’s time she had taken from the woman she had put in charge of caring for the castle.

It was one thing for Bee to give her a job, but it was another thing entirely to get in the way of her carrying it out. In fact, Bee had plenty of things she needed to see to herself.

Bee tipped her teacup back and finished the rest of the lukewarm brew. "Thanks for taking the time, Mary. Really."

"Oh, I don't mind at all, honey. It's a pleasure to have you, as always. I’d invite you to stay longer, but we want to make sure everyone has clothes for this winter."

Bee nodded and left the office. She supposed she really did overthink this. This choice, either one of her class options, wouldn't change her life path much. They were both dedicated to Void and would mostly give her different skills. Just because she chose one didn't mean she couldn't fulfill the burdens of the other.

It really came down to a judgment call of what she thought would be more important. Would the possible combat or personal abilities of a companion be worth more than the organizational skills she would likely get as High Priestess?

Frowning, she made her decision and felt her awareness expand throughout the castle.

---

Arthur kept his back straight, moving fluidly with the rocking motion of the horse underneath him. As much as he wanted to slump his shoulders in exhaustion, his men needed to see that he was still strong. This had been a long campaign. Sure, he had been in harder and in longer campaigns than this, but he wasn't a young man anymore. The weeks spent riding around chasing down hordes of zombies had started to take their toll.

In some ways, sieges and large-scale battles were much easier because he didn't have to run around so much. He could just sit and think and direct the troops. But having to constantly get from place to place was really taxing. But at last, the walls of Caleb were finally coming into view.

He just needed to finish his mission, and then he could go home and see his family again. Then everything would be better. The walls in the gate still stood strong, repaired from Lord Void's efforts, and from the hill he could see that serious progress had been made inside the city.

By the time winter was over, the refugees he had sent with Miss Bee would be able to return home. Getting them here was a separate matter. But that wasn't the only thing that had changed since he had last seen the city.

Outside of the walls sprawled a large camp. Not one of citizens or refugees, though. The rows of tents were laid out with military precision. He even recognized the flags flying over the formation.

It seemed the King had finally listened to him and sent the reinforcements he had requested so many times. It was a pity they were too late to do anything. Still, perhaps they were helping with the rebuilding effort. At least they could keep the area safe from any undead stragglers.

Before he could advance further toward the city, a figure stepped out of the forest, blocking the path.

At first, the vanguard kept riding forth, an officer shouting for the man to move out of the way. But after several ignored warnings, the vanguard was forced to halt and send out a couple of soldiers to forcibly remove him. It was dangerous to pause a military caravan, especially when they were surrounded by woods. They could be ambushed and hit in vulnerable areas while they were strung out on the trail.

This was one of the purposes of the vanguard. Arthur reminded himself that the gap between them and the main force would allow them to absorb any issues and not stop the soldiers in a precarious position. Stirring his horse to a canter, he went up to see what was going on. The young officer in charge of the vanguard was someone he had a little hope for, after all.

He wasn't the most competent of the nobles, but he didn't tend to lean on his family name too much. Arthur had decided he was going to get this young officer some experience and see if he could actually learn to lead one day. But in order for that to happen, Arthur needed to watch over this man fairly closely. It helped that he was just bored and looking for something else to do other than stare at trees. If he was truly, completely honest with himself.

The man was yelling something as he was dragged to the side of the road, and the vanguard continued moving. Arthur stopped to see the two guards holding the man's thin arms to his sides. But when the raggedly dressed man looked up and met Arthur's gaze, he couldn't help but pause at the look in his eyes.

The dirty vagabond that had caused the vanguard to stop had a strange look about him. He appeared as a wild man, eyes rolling about as he shouted. The man might have been crazy. But when their gazes met, something flashed in them, something Arthur couldn't quite describe.

The man immediately calmed. Ignoring the two men holding his arms, he attempted to bow while restrained.

"Lord Arthur. I bring news."

Arthur considered getting down from his horse as a polite gesture, but decided he didn't want to be any closer than he had to be to this man. "What is it?"

"The King's soldiers did not come to help us rebuild. They've come with a warrant for your head. My Lord."

Arthur and the two soldiers holding the man both froze. Arthur let his mind work as he tried to figure out the position. Why would the King want him arrested? There was nothing that Arthur had done that would have constituted treason. The worst thing he had ever been guilty of was slightly disobeying orders in order to win battles and gain more advantageous positions. And he'd always been forgiven for such things.

No reports should have made their way back to the King about anything, aside from a need for reinforcements. This entire campaign had been by the book, and the few nobles that had died hadn't done so until they were on the campaign out of the city. They wouldn't have had time to truly send a message and have the King march an army up here. None of the upstart nobles he had punished should have had the ear of the King himself anyway, even if they had even managed to get any reports of “mistreatment” that far.

Arthur swung down from his horse in a hurry. "Why? How do you know this?"

"Well, my Lord, they've been asking for you and showing everyone in the city the warrant for your arrest. Apparently, it had something to do with high treason and colluding with the enemy."

Arthur frowned, Colluding with the enemy? He wasn't sure how that could be. He certainly hadn’t colluded with the undead. That seemed unrealistic enough that no one else could imagine it either. But something occurred to him.

Could it have something to do with Lord Void? The more Arthur thought about it, the more he was convinced that it was right. The King and Harold had been convinced Lord Void had been the one to summon the undead. But Arthur knew different.

Arthur knew that Lord Void was an ally. Some of his reports even indicated as much. And if his reports had been taken seriously, then it could very much appear that Lord Void had perhaps possessed him or duped him, or that he had betrayed the country. But surely, they would have seen from the rest of his reports that allying with Void was at least necessary. And even Harold's report should have shown that the city was about to fall otherwise.

Yet it hadn't, and he continued to send messages to that effect. The King's Guard was here and should have shown them very clearly that he was in the right, that they had saved the city. If they didn’t believe his reports, then what of the eyewitnesses in the city? Did they suppose the whole city was charmed?.

This whole thing stunk of politics, and there was very little Arthur hated more than that. He stood silently, thinking. His next moves, all things considered, weren't necessarily for himself.

Arthur would be fine. He had no intention of turning himself in to a king with whom he had seemingly fallen out of favor. No, his real concerns were about his family. They were likely in their estate in the countryside. But if a warrant had been sent out for his arrest, it was likely the King moved against his family as well.

There were protocols for that. He had long since drilled his sons and his staff on them. They would have taken their children and gone into hiding at the first sign of trouble. It wouldn't be a permanent solution, but it should buy them some time.

His oldest son was in the military far away, and there was likely nothing he could do to shelter him. But at the same time, he doubted any suspicion would be cast on him. He was one of the King's most trusted captains, and Arthur was very proud of that. Besides, the news would take a long time to reach him, and there was no way they would meaningfully suspect him if the cause of Arthur’s “treason” was due to being charmed somehow.

Arthur looked at the dirty man before him. He’d need to confirm this news himself, send scouts ahead. But if it was true, then he and his men needed to tread carefully. First, he’d have to get a message to his family, but then perhaps a certain young priestess would be able to help them until he figured out what to do.