Family system

He decided to test the waters. Urging his horse closer, he moved silently along the edge of the road, using the dense tree line for cover. He pulled a small, dull crystal from his pocket as he approached. The crystal emitted a faint mana pulse; it was made to disrupt lesser enchantments without leaving obvious traces.

Aldric activated the crystal, sending a ripple of energy toward the carriage. The mana-powered lanterns flickered for a moment, but the carriage and its escort continued without waiting for a moment. Aldric observed, noting how the guards didn't glance toward the disruption.

"Interesting," he murmured, tucking the crystal away. "Let's see how long this play lasts."

Aldric continued tailoring the carriage, coming up with possibilities for the situation. The longer he followed, the more he noticed small irregularities. The guards never communicated with one another; their movements were almost too synchronized. The carriage's path was straight, sticking hard to the main road without deviation.

As the hours passed and dawn began to break, Aldric decided to take a more direct approach. He urged his horse closer, cutting through the trees to intercept the path ahead. Finding a safe point on a hill overlooking the road, he dismounted and crouched low, his eyes locked on the approaching carriage.

The carriage rolled steadily closer, the troop escort maintaining their formation. Aldric's suspicion reached its peak. This was no ordinary escort. It is a performance—a distraction meant to fool everyone in the capital.

"Commander Hana," Aldric murmured, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "You've outdone yourself. But you'll need to try harder to fool me."

He waited until the carriage passed his position before mounting his horse again. This time, he followed closer, watching for any signs of deviation from the main path or hesitation normally in the guards. As the carriage neared the outskirts of Meadowcross, Aldric decided it was time to confirm his suspicions.

He spurred his horse forward to close the distance quickly. Drawing a blade from his side, he slashed at a tree branch hanging low over the road, sending it crashing onto the path ahead of the carriage. The sudden obstruction stopped the carriage, and the guards moved into defensive positions.

Aldric dismounted and approached cautiously, his blade glinting faintly in the morning light. "Halt!" he barked. "Who leads this escort?"

One of the guards stepped forward, their face hidden by a hood. "Commander Hana's orders are to reach Meadowcross without delay. Stand aside."

Aldric's eyes narrowed as he studied the guard's posture and tone. There was no hesitation, no human movement. The guard was following a script, not acting like a normal person would.

"Take off your hood," Aldric ordered, his voice cold.

The guard hesitated for a moment before complying. Beneath the hood was a normal face devoid of any distinguishing features. Aldric's suspicions were confirmed. He knew every guard my face due to his job and didn't recognize this person.

"A decoy," he muttered, stepping back. His mind raced as he pieced together the deception. "So, she never left the capital after all."

Aldric mounted his horse and turned back toward the capital without another word. His expression was grim as he rode back.

Aldric galloped through the outskirts of Meadowcross, his mind spinning with the consequences of Hana's decoy. His instincts had been right—Commander Hana had never intended to leave the capital.

As his horse thundered down the worn dirt roads of the outer city leading back to the capital, the early morning light bathed the cobblestones in a warm glow. The city was beginning to wake, merchants preparing their stalls, and townsfolk bustling about their morning routines. The ordinary life of the outer city was a stark difference from the shady games being played in the inner city.

Aldric slowed his horse as he entered the crowded streets. He needed to avoid drawing attention, but his urgency to report to the Arbiters pressed heavily on him. He weaved through the narrow lanes, his sharp eyes scanning his surroundings. The crowds grew thicker as he approached the inner gates that led to the Arbiter's stronghold.

Suddenly, a figure stepped into the street ahead. The person's body was fully cloaked. The movement was subtle but intentional. Aldric's instincts flared as he pulled his horse to a halt. The cloaked figure moved closer, stepping into a patch of morning sunlight that illuminated their form.

The hood was drawn back, revealing Hana's features. Her piercing gaze locked onto Aldric, and a faint, knowing smile played on her lips.

"Commander Hana," Aldric said, his tone calm as he dismounted his horse. "What a surprise to see you here."

Hana folded her arms; her expression was unreadable, but her eyes were brimming with confidence. "Aldric," she replied smoothly. "I might say the same. What brings you to the outer city in such a hurry?"

Aldric's hand instinctively hovered near the hilt of his blade. "You already know the answer, Commander. Your decoy may have fooled others, but not me."

Hana tilted her head slightly, her smile widening. "Ah, so you've figured it out. Impressive. I always knew you were one of the more... smarter operatives."

"You've overplayed your hand, Hana," Aldric said, his tone darkening. "The Arbiters will know of your play soon enough."

Hana stepped closer, her movements silent and calm. The bustling crowd around them seemed oblivious to the tense confrontation. "Tell me, Aldric," she began, her voice low and steady. "What do you truly think of the Arbiters? Do you believe they're worthy of your loyalty?"

Aldric's eyes narrowed. "What are you playing at?"

"I'm not playing," Hana replied, her tone sharpened. "You're an intelligent man. You've seen their greed, their incompetence. You know as well as I do that their rule is a mockery of justice and leadership."

Aldric's grip on his blade tightened. "And yet, here you stand, feigning loyalty while orchestrating chaos behind their backs."

Hana's gaze softened slightly, but her voice remained firm. "What I'm doing isn't for personal gain. It's for the people who suffer under their tyranny. The Arbiters' time is running out, Aldric. You can either continue to serve them blindly or open your eyes to the truth."

For a moment, silence hung heavy between them. Aldric's mind raced. Hana's words struck a chord, but his duty and instincts warred within him.

"I don't trust you," Aldric said, his voice cold. "But I'll hear your truth."

Hana's smile returned, this time tinged with a hint of satisfaction. "Good. I thought you might say that. Follow me."

She turned and began weaving through the crowd, her movements comfortable and unhurried. Aldric hesitated for only a moment before following her. His blade remained within reach, but his curiosity outweighed his caution. Whatever game Hana was playing, he intended to uncover it.

Hana led him to a quiet alleyway, far removed from the bustling streets. Once they were alone, she faced him, her expression serious. "You're not just a pawn, Aldric. You're a man of reason and intelligence. You've seen how they treat their people and hoard power and wealth while the world crumbles around them."

Aldric crossed his arms, his gaze unwavering. "And what's your solution, Commander? Rebellion? Chaos?"

"Change," Hana replied firmly. "The Arbiters have grown complacent and corrupt. They've forgotten their duty to protect and serve. It's time for a new order that values strength, wisdom, and compassion for others."

Aldric studied her intently, searching for any sign of deceit. He found none.

"Do you truly believe you can bring them down?" he asked, his voice laced with skepticism.

Hana's smile returned, and it was full of confidence. "With or without your help, Aldric, I will. But with you, the road will be far smoother." Explore more stories at My Virtual Library Empire

Aldric's mind went into overdrive as he considered her words. He had always prided himself on his loyalty to the Arbiter Council, but deep down, he knew the truth of Hana's claims. The question now was whether he would act on that truth—or continue to play the loyal servant.

"I'll think about it," he said, his tone guarded. "But don't mistake my curiosity for allegiance."

"That's all I ask," Hana replied, her gaze steady. "When the time comes, I hope you'll make the right choice."

With that, she turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Aldric alone in the alleyway.

Hana slipped through the shadows of the bustling outer city, her cloak blending with the dim alleys. Her talk with Aldric had gone as planned, but her mind was restless. His response lingered in her thoughts, a potential tipping point in her intricate game against the Arbiters.

She ducked into a quiet corner of the city, where the crowd's hum faded to a distant murmur. Moving the hood of her cloak, she leaned against the cool stone wall and activated Clara with a subtle tap on her wristband.

"Clara," Hana murmured, her tone calm but edged with curiosity. "You heard everything. What's your assessment of Aldric?"

Clara's soothing voice responded, and the holographic interface on her wristband flickered to life. "Based on his body language, speech patterns, and the context of your conversation, I estimate a 65% chance that Aldric is seriously considering your offer."

Hana tilted her head, considering the analysis. "Only 65%? What's holding him back?"