Dismissed

Calvin gave a short bow before saying calmly "I have found what you sent me for, my lord." He looked over to Lia, then continued quietly, "Perhaps we could discuss it when you are not busy." Viper blinked. Busy? He wasn't busy. Nidia's sister was anything but important to him. She had come asking for employment and board...And however much he didn't want her around to remind him of the one woman who had left her blood on his hands, he owed her that much. Because despite what he had blamed her for and said those years ago, she still stuck beside him, and defended him and his honor. When he did nothing but turn her away, she still did everything she could for him, and her determination did not falter. And while he never would understand why, he couldn't let it go unnoticed, especially since she needed him so much now. So he said nothing about himself being busy, but he didn't send Ophelia away either.

"Wait just a moment, Calvin," he said gruffly, gesturing for him to enter. He took the envelope Calvin had been holding, then returned to his desk. Calvin stood by the door, and Ophelia stayed in her seat. Viper looked between the two. Calvin was one of the few people he ever talked to anymore. He had always proven to be a loyal servant and friend--with the word friend used loosely of course. But Ophelia was a sweet, almost naive young girl who obviously didn't know when to stay away from someone. She was almost exactly like Nidia, but she didn't have the fiery spirit to go with the kind heart. Perhaps it was best, for Richard couldn't handle having another Nidia in his house. He didn't even know why he was torturing himself like this considering allowing Lia to stay. He just...He needed to help her, because she was an innocent being dragged into this mess he had created for himself.

Viper had a feeling he knew what this letter was about and looked to Calvin who was still standing by the door. "Come in and shut the door behind you. It'll only take a minute. I need to speak to you and Miss Dohl about something." With his arms tucked behind his back formally, he made his way to his desk again, sitting down, and pulling the letter from it's envelope. He scanned it, unable to stop the amused smile from crossing his face.

"Greatest of afflictions? Laid at your feet? Beg you to come to our aid?!" The words seemed to get more and more ridiculous as he read on, and it only made him laugh bitterly. The old man who had written this was correct. They had been too ready to dismiss Richard and his men. Too soon had they forgotten everything he had done for them and their land in his prime. Too soon had everyone forgotten! And now...now that he was their only hope they begged for him to bring men and commit suicide at the very beaches on which their own men had failed. "They wish for my help?! HA! Surely they know that I no longer play their foolish games. I am not something they can scorn and then raise up on a pedestal when they wish for my help!" Bringing down his fist upon the hard wood of his desk, he stood, throwing the letter away from himself as if it burned to the touch. Surely Calvin had read it. Surely he had known about what the old man wanted. Why bring such filth into his home when he obviously knew that Viper would react in such a way?

"Calvin. When you are rested, return and tell them that they are far too late to be asking for my help. And take Miss Dohl here with you. She's your new assistant...Make use of her how you wish, but make sure she stays out of my sight," he ordered, taking a book from his desk and walking back over to the book shelf, his own silent way of dismissing them. 

[This chapter was written by a former co-author, Alex Kennedy, who is no longer with Ash and Kiki, and was edited by Ash Skyler and Kiki Rhodes for the purposes of this and future publications.]