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Grains of Sand - Conclusion
Quintus matched Gratian’s slow and painful descent to the pillows strewn about the atrium.
“Where are the legionnaires?” asked Quintus.
“They still have not arrived,” said Gratian. “But I am confident they will be here any day now. What have you discovered?”
“We found the underground fortress,” said Quintus. His face was puckered and scarred from the Spawn’s attack. “We managed to clear it out. The wagons are there for your retrieval, although some of them were…damaged.”
“I see. And you’re sure it was House Otrecto?”
“Yes. Here’s your proof.” Quintus flipped one of the rings he had found to Gratian. “You can identify the bodies when the legionnaires arrive.”
“I sent watchmen to the office of the Otrecto representatives here after I received your note, but there was no one to be found. It looked like they left in a hurry.”
“I’m sure they did,” said Quintus.
“Well, House Otrecto’s involvement is treasonous. You’ll be happy to know that the val’Dellenovs stripped them of their lands and titles. Several ranking members of House Otrecto were executed or imprisoned.”
“I take no pleasure in their misery,” said Quintus. He looked tired.
“That’s not what I meant.” Gratian placed a rolled up scroll with the val’Dellenov seal on it before Quintus. “Governor Elana val’Dellenov of Panari assigned you a tract of Otrecto’s seized lands. You now have your farmland.” He pushed a small chest forward. “I assume the imperials will satisfy the rest of your companions.”
Quintus took both without comment.
“And finally…did you find the box?”
“I did,” said Quintus. He placed the box down and slid it towards Gratian across the floor.
Gratian smiled and carefully picked up the box. He didn’t say anything else.
Quintus started to rise when Gratian interrupted him. “It’s amazing that a house would stoop to banditry to undermine its competitors.”
The legionnaire, slowly, painfully rose to his feet. “It was not simple banditry.”
“Oh?” asked Gratian. “What other motive could they have for stealing grain?”
“An army travels on its stomach.” Quintus turned his back on Gratian. He paused at the exit. “They were preparing for war.”
“War? That’s ridiculous.” Quintus could feel Gratian’s gaze burning into his back. “What war?”
“Let’s hope we never find out,” said Quintus. Then he limped out of the val’s home.
Quintus matched Gratian’s slow and painful descent to the pillows strewn about the atrium.
“Where are the legionnaires?” asked Quintus.
“They still have not arrived,” said Gratian. “But I am confident they will be here any day now. What have you discovered?”
“We found the underground fortress,” said Quintus. His face was puckered and scarred from the Spawn’s attack. “We managed to clear it out. The wagons are there for your retrieval, although some of them were…damaged.”
“I see. And you’re sure it was House Otrecto?”
“Yes. Here’s your proof.” Quintus flipped one of the rings he had found to Gratian. “You can identify the bodies when the legionnaires arrive.”
“I sent watchmen to the office of the Otrecto representatives here after I received your note, but there was no one to be found. It looked like they left in a hurry.”
“I’m sure they did,” said Quintus.
“Well, House Otrecto’s involvement is treasonous. You’ll be happy to know that the val’Dellenovs stripped them of their lands and titles. Several ranking members of House Otrecto were executed or imprisoned.”
“I take no pleasure in their misery,” said Quintus. He looked tired.
“That’s not what I meant.” Gratian placed a rolled up scroll with the val’Dellenov seal on it before Quintus. “Governor Elana val’Dellenov of Panari assigned you a tract of Otrecto’s seized lands. You now have your farmland.” He pushed a small chest forward. “I assume the imperials will satisfy the rest of your companions.”
Quintus took both without comment.
“And finally…did you find the box?”
“I did,” said Quintus. He placed the box down and slid it towards Gratian across the floor.
Gratian smiled and carefully picked up the box. He didn’t say anything else.
Quintus started to rise when Gratian interrupted him. “It’s amazing that a house would stoop to banditry to undermine its competitors.”
The legionnaire, slowly, painfully rose to his feet. “It was not simple banditry.”
“Oh?” asked Gratian. “What other motive could they have for stealing grain?”
“An army travels on its stomach.” Quintus turned his back on Gratian. He paused at the exit. “They were preparing for war.”
“War? That’s ridiculous.” Quintus could feel Gratian’s gaze burning into his back. “What war?”
“Let’s hope we never find out,” said Quintus. Then he limped out of the val’s home.