bookpower Chapter 234 Two Factions
Chapter 234 Two Factions
"I don't want it. There, that should make it easy." Corva said plainly, trying to suppress the tears threatening to fall. "Now, go."
"It isn't that simple. We know you possess no interest in presenting a claim to the throne. The reason we have decided to visit is that we want to gather your support for our sister, Lethaya." One of her other sisters said. "She is a much better candidate than Ayalla."
"Why should I care?" Corva questioned. As long as she could do her own work, what did it matter who sat on the throne? All that mattered was her work and that her mother would soon be gone from this world... What did succession matter...
"Ayalla would turn our country into Haedda. She would have us close our borders and cease trade with other countries. Aedrider prides itself on our technology. It was at Mother's and Lethaya's request that we attend the tournament in Arcadios... You enjoyed that right?"
"I did..."
"You wish to see your inventions in the hands of others, yes? Then by supporting our sister..."
"Leave... All of you. Get out!"
"Corva..."
"I said, get out!"
Corva's scream echoed throughout the manor and left shocked and saddened faces among her guests who quickly nodded and left the premises. She found herself alone in a beautiful room filled with fine furniture she never used and gorgeous art she never looked at.
The very building she lived in and called home was a gift from her mother. The freedom she enjoyed was a gift as well. Everyone knew that Corva had no chance at being queen. Nor did she have any interest. It was her mother who recognized that first and opened her eyes to an alternative path... one of an artisan.
"Mother..."
Snow found herself yawning again from lack of sleep. It was still daytime and was normally when she would still be asleep. However, night would come in a few hours and she would absolutely need to stay awake through it. Deciding that a few hours was better than none, she quickly searched for an inn to rent for the next few nights.
As a place with many tall buildings and one with which she was completely unfamiliar with the layout, Snow found herself lost on a few occasions. She carefully avoided alley's with little or no light, which made navigating the sprawl more difficult. Many of the 'helpful' shortcuts she was provided by local residents included paths she refused to take.
Without Yue with her...there was no way she could brave the darkened alleyways of the city. All of her resolve would be needed for her investigation. The whispers could wait to assault her until then.
The sun began to set by the time she found a suitable place. Her time with natural daylight had been wasted by her lack of foresight into investigating the layout of the capital. The place she chose seemed to be rather expensive, but it was worth it. The more expensive places supplied light crystals instead of lamps and fireplaces.
The inside of her chosen base of operations was a warm and inviting bar with a kind woman behind it. The woman greeted her with a smile and offered meals and a drink. Snow declined and requested only a room.
"That will end up being ten gold coins a night, dear."
"How much for extra light stones?"
"Extra? Do you have children with you?"
"I do not. I simply need extra light crystals."
The proprietor looked at her strangely but offered her three extra stones for a price of one gold per crystal per night. Snow readily agreed and took the crystals to her room. She strategically placed them around the room to eliminate as many shadows as possible.
She also made sure to purchase extra blankets for the room. One was to fold and stuff beneath the door to block the light from leaving and shadows from entering. The other blocked the single window when she draped it over the curtain rod.
"This should help. No shadows... no whispers... no shadows... no whispers." Snow gently chanted this mantra as she tried to fall asleep. Her plan to investigate security was placed on hold for a day, but she needed to sleep.