"This is where she found it," Al said, then mumbled, "supposedly."

Ida shot him a warning look. They were standing in Leon's office in the castle, surrounding a table in the center of the room where a map of the kingdom was spread. Leon had marked the exact spot where Summer had found the artifact.

"We might be able to find out how it ended up there," Wolfe, a new member of the royal guard, said, "if we can trace back the possible paths it had taken. Rivers generally have set passages and directions, at least I think so."

"How?" Holloway said.

"A geographer will help," Wolfe said, "I know a capable one. She works in the court so there will be no issue of confidentiality."

"Do it," Leon said, scratching the back of his neck, "coordinate with her, I want to know as soon as she finds anything of interest."

"Yes, highness," Wolf said.

"What of the northerner's involvement?" Holloway asked. "There are now multiple accounts of their possible connection."

"We will not make any official announcements," Leon said, "the relations are already strained between the two kingdoms."

Peace was a precarious commodity on the border, there was no need for spilled blood. Yet.

"We should also keep in mind the possibility of a double cross," Ida said, "the strain between the northerners and us is not a secret. A third party may be pulling the strings, hiring bandits in the name of northerners to implicate them. It's far-fetched, but it's still possible."

It was far-fetched. Crossing Springwood and Snowridge at the same time was a death wish. A mistake only an idiot would make. But the world had no shortage of idiots.

"If only we knew who's hiring mercenaries to retrieve the artifact," Holloway said. There was a beat of silence as everyone thought of a way. It was Leon who finally spoke up.

"Do we still have Conan The Ripper in custody?"

The Ripper was a bandit who had been captured years ago. The man had founded a group of outlaws called The Rippers.

The Rippers had been active for two years. They started off with a few members, doing petty crimes like small thefts and small-scale vandalism. By the end of their second year, their numbers had expanded and their crimes evolved to kidnapping, extortion, arson and even instances of contract killings that involved high ranking people across the kingdoms.

Conan, their leader, was apprehended after being on the run from authorities for years. If anyone would know of an underground contract involving a matter of kingdom security, it would be Conan.

"Yes," Holloway replied, "he has been in prison for months, his final trial had been put off many times because they kept finding new evidence that incriminated him in more crimes."

"Good," Leon scratched the back of his neck again. For some reason it kept prickling. "I want him alive. He will be able to get us more information about anyone hiring professionals to retrieve the artifact."

"He's in prison," Wolf said with a frown, "I don't think he will know much about anything."

"That's why I want him out for a while," Leon leaned on the table and fixed Holloway with his gaze, "make a deal with him, whatever you need to make him cooperate. He will be ostensibly free to the rest of the world, available for any paying job. He has the right connections, it will only be a matter of time before he finds out about a contract on the artifact retrieval.

"Have him on a tight leash, captain. Whatever information he discovers, I want to know immediately. Can you do that?"

Holloway stood straighter, "yes, your highness."

Now it would only be a matter of time before they had all the details about who was hiring to retrieve the artifact.

After discussing further details, the meeting ended. Only Ida and Al stayed behind. Ida's parents were diplomats. She was the perfect person to assign the next assignment to.

"Ida, have your parents ever been in the Northern court?"

"No," she frowned, "not many diplomats travel between the two countries. Why?"

"I want to inquire about a certain lady Mauve," he said, referring to the woman who was, possibly, Summer's mother.

Ida nodded, "I've been thinking about that. I think it will be easier to expose Summer to the court's diplomats.

"Since she apparently holds a striking resemblance to this lady Mauve. If anyone has ever met the lady, seeing Summer might make them come forward."

Al nodded, "it will be quicker that way."

Leon chewed on Ida's suggestion. For some reason he didn't know, he didn't want Summer out in the open. But Ida's proposal was the best option they had at the moment.

*** ***

Leon was summoned to his brother's study the next morning. The queen, Serene, sat in a sunny spot reading a book while Victor was busy behind his desk when Leon was admitted.

"Little brother, have a seat," Victor said without glancing up, "I'll be with you in a moment."

Serene's welcoming smile brightened her entire face, she patted the settee next to her. "Leon, how are you doing this morning?"

Leon bowed before taking a seat. "Good. How are you?"

"Better now that I have company," she said, casting an amused glance at Victor as she poured tea into a dainty teacup. "I have been horribly ignored this morning."

Victor grunted something and Leon smiled, accepting the tea.

Leon had a soft spot for his sister-in-law. Of slight build, pale skin and dark eyes and hair, many would say she looked plain for a queen. Her slanted eyes and fine bone structure were a common trait to people of her home country. But her bearing always exuded elegance and confidence. She also had a heart of gold, kind and warm to balance his brother's often cold and haughty air.

"I'm happy to be of use, my queen. Perhaps you're with the wrong brother," Leon said, he very rarely had the chance to tease his brother, it was always the other way around. But poking at Serene worked like magic.

Victor scowled and stood up, "if you don't stop flirting with my wife, Leon, you will find yourself dangling in a gibbet."

"How very barbaric of you, dear," Serene said with pursed lips, the gleam in her eyes betraying mirth.

"Gibbets have not been used in decades, your majesty," Leon said. "Besides, I doubt you would find one big enough for me."

"I'm sure the smithy will be eager to custom size one for you." Victor sat in the chair in front of them. The king steepled his hands together and leaned back, fixing his brother with an icy blue gaze. "The yearly assembly of lords is in four weeks."

Leon frowned, surprised it was already time for it. The lords of the kingdom gathered once a year in the castle to discuss matters pertaining to the well governing of their respective districts.

The kingdom was divided into fifty districts, each district was governed by a body of lords. There usually was an opening ceremony and a cloture ceremony for the assembly. Leon did not like politics, did not like the insidious games and the affected shows of subservience most politicians played in their quest for more power and wealth, so he often steered clear of any related events.

"Who will be your partner for the opening ball?" Victor asked.

Leon's entire body stiffened. "Why do I have to bring a partner? The past few years I've attended on my own."

"It is time, Leon," Victor said. "The queen and I have had many subtle inquisitions about whether you would be taking a partner to the ball this year."

"I won't," Leon said curtly, the vise around his heart tightening, cutting air to his lungs. He took a sip, but the tea tasted bitter. The teacup clattered when he set it down.

"Leon, it's been three years," Victor said softly.

Leon simply stared at his brother. "So what? I should forget already?"

Victor opened his mouth, but Serene spoke before he could, "we just want you to be happy, Leon. you don't have to keep punishing yourself."

Leon rose and walked to the window. He didn't see the greenery of the woods or the distant shimmering of the lake. His mind kept replaying the day he had heard of his wife's demise. As soon as the door to those memories opened, he slammed it shut. He couldn't deal with the guilt right then and there. At night, when he put his head on a pillow, there would be no escaping it and the nightmares that came afterward. Somehow, his son always ended up dead alongside his wife in his dreams.

He looked back to his brother, not failing to see the worry etched in the lines of his familiar face. Leon did not care about taking a lady to a ball. Except that he hadn't shown interest in any woman since his wife's death. He may not like politics, but he knew how the games were played.

If he took someone to the ball, it would open the gate to speculations and assumptions about who might be the next princess. A position of considerable power that many would covet.

"Who's been asking?" Leon asked.

Victor sighed out loud, accepting the cup of tea his wife handed him with a smile. "General Bordrick's wife and daughter have been bothering my wife for the past few weeks. Ever since your return, in fact."

Serene looked at him with a warm smile. "She has been in the castle for a social call several times since your return. You haven't had the chance to meet her or her daughter, I suppose."

"No." Leon barely held in a wince. The last thing he wanted was to deal with general Bordrick. His feelings must have shown on his face, however.

"There are other ladies who will be delighted to be your company for the ball," Serene said. "Should I arrange meetings?"

"Please don't."

"Leon, you know that sooner or later you would have to take someone. There are many available ladies in the kingdom and outside that will solve pending issues or secure shaky alliances."

"Not now, Victor." Leon looked out the window again. His mother would be here before the ball, and she would certainly have her own say on the matter. He would have to endure her opinions, he didn't need Victor helping her out. "Serene, I will notify you on my choice of a partner for the ball."

"Very well," Serene said.

"Leon," Victor began, but Serene shook her head at him. Leon was grateful.

He made his escape, knowing full well what his brother had to say. Being a member of the royal family had many perks, but the obligations that came with it were often heavy. Simple rights that normal people took for granted were forbidden, like choosing a spouse.

That was a duty Leon had to fulfill once again, sooner or later.

*** ***

"If you were afraid of heights, you should have said so."

Summer looked up at the kid sitting on a branch and hugging the tree trunk. His wide eyes were locked on the ground.

The branch he sat on was thick enough, and he was light, so there was no risk of him falling. However, he'd forgotten to mention his fear of height when she taught him how to climb the tree this early morning.

Summer sighed, "alright kid, stay there. I'm coming up."

He shook his head wildly, a determined glint in his gaze. Stubborn.

"Well, you can't just stay there forever," Summer said.

He shook his head again. His hand shook when he pointed to himself then to the ground. So he wanted to get down on his own. Except that his entire body was shaking. She could let him try, but she was afraid he would get hurt. She didn't want him to be hurt. So she climbed up. She almost fell down when he made noises of protest, they were the first sounds she ever heard of him other than laughter. But she went up until she was level with him.

"Alright, I'm going to give you a piggyback ride down. Get on my back." before he could protest, she added, "remember, you promised that you'll listen to my orders. Now get on my back."

He hung onto her like a little monkey. She quickly climbed down the tree. He jumped to his feet as soon as hers touched the ground and stared down, his cheeks tinged red. Summer chewed on her bottom lip.

"Now, how are we going to get you over your fear?"

The kid looked up in surprise, his blue eyes catching a ray of sunlight sneaking in through the tree foliage.

Summer smiled. "What? You thought you wouldn't be learning to climb again. Tough luck. It's a good exercise and a survival skill. So what are we going to do about your fear?"

It took her a few minutes to come up with a solution. "We need a rope."

The kid cocked his head at her. She explained her suggestion, "the two of us will climb up. A rope will be attaching both our waists. I will sit on a branch while you try to get down the tree. Will you feel safer knowing I'll hold the rope to keep you from falling?"

The kid considered, then crouched down and wrote "I can try" on the ground. She appreciated his honesty.

After a promise to get a rope the next morning, the two of them parted ways. The kid ran back first as usual. She didn't know why he always preceded her to the castle. Maybe he was afraid he would get in trouble if he was seen with her?

She was also curious about how a kid knew about the tunnel system that connected rooms of the royal palace. He'd avoided replying when she asked after getting back from their nightly adventure three weeks ago. But when she told him how dangerous that knowledge was, and that he shouldn't be telling strangers about it, he looked like she insulted his intelligence and wrote that she was "a trustworthy friend".

It warmed her heart, and since knowing the course of the investigation was something she was too curious to let go, she decided to let the matter rest.

She went back to her room, her thoughts on the warm bath Lily would draw for her. As she entered her room, however, she hesitated. Something was off.

It only took her a moment to see it. Right there, on the bedside table, was a nondescript white envelope. Slowly, she closed the door behind her and scanned the room. Everything else looked normal.

Picking up the envelope, she discovered her name written in elegant black letters in the back.

A note from Lily? Or Ida? They were the first and only people who came to mind. But why would they leave her a note when they could talk to her whenever they wanted?

Summer cautiously opened the envelope. It had two sheets of paper. The first was a note that made her heart skip a beat.

Dearest Summer,

Be at the indicated place at noon tomorrow if you wish to meet your parents. The enclosed map contains directions. Come alone, otherwise the meeting might have to be rescheduled.

Looking forward to seeing you.

With love, your mother.

Summer read the letter once, twice, but the words still didn't change. The second paper in the envelope was a map of the capital with clear directions leading from the castle gates to a house deep in the marketplace.

Summer's mind was oddly blank for a few minutes, her eyes kept going back to the letter as if the words would somehow change or vanish.

Her mother. A note from her mother. Colt's words minutes before she ended his life echoed in her mind.

"you're her kid, aren't you? You must be her daughter, the resemblance is undeniable. I heard a long time ago she had a child."

"Lady Mauve."

Summer's hands shook. She dropped the note on the bed and fisted her hands, swallowing convulsively. What was she going to do? If the man was right and that lady was indeed her mother, it also meant that she was the enemy, involved in the theft of the artifact.

It meant that her mother was a criminal who had no qualms about killing innocents or hiring thugs who endangered a child's life without second thought.

Her mother!

Summer tried so hard to squash the flicker of hope that made her quiver in anticipation. It could be nothing but a joke. Or maybe a ploy to get her to leave the castle. But why would anyone bother with her? She was no one important.

There was also the issue of how exactly the note found its way this deep inside the castle, beyond several layers of security? If her mother was truly one of the enemy, this meant that someone inside the castle worked for her.

The only way to find out more was to go to the designated meeting place.

Summer was not an idiot, though. No matter how much she wanted to meet her mother, she couldn't discard the fact that the woman could be a wanted criminal. She had to let Leon know.

What if he didn't let her meet the woman who could be her mother, though? After all, catching the enemy would be Leon's top priority.

Summer chewed on her lip. She would go to the meeting place, and she would let Leon know. With a little delay that would give her a chance to meet the person who claimed to be her parent.

--- ---- ---

Hey guys! I'm finally back to this story!

I just finished HMM last week, so from today onwards, I'll be working on this story. 

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M.B.