Free The Invisible Hands - Part 1: Gambit by Andrew Ashling

risks. There are few enough of us left as it is.”
    Rullio looked him in the eyes, his face serious and sincere.
    “I will, my friend, I will. And thank you for your concern. Don't worry about a thing. It will all work out. You'll see.”
    Ehandar waited until Rullio had crossed the road and was well on his way to the Northern Highway. Then he turned his horse and rode back. After the first bend he halted. In less than a minute Gorth appeared out of the woods that bordered the road. He was on foot and led his horse by the reins. The prince dismounted as well. He took a canvas folder tied together with leather straps, and a purse out of one of his saddlebags.
    “He's on his way then?” Gorth asked.
    “Yes,” Ehandar answered. “Slowly but certainly. You know our Rullio. He won't dally, but he won't make haste either.”
    “And if a handsome lad catches his eyes, he will take his time and try to make up for it later by slightly increasing his pace,” Gorth added, grinning.
    “He decided not to hire a horse from the Merchant Guild which would have allowed him to frequently change it for a rested one in any 7
Guild Post. He didn't see the need, he said. That means he's planning
    to travel at a leisurely pace, in easy stages.”
    “Luckily, I did hire one of the Merchant Guild,” Gorth replied, patting his horse. “They've got fine steeds, the Guild.”
    Ehandar handed him the folder.
    “There are letters in there. General ones to prove you are acting on my behalf and specific ones for my notary and my bankers. You have access to all my funds. Whatever you need paid for, just pay it. Don't be stingy, don't haggle, don't think twice. We need to rebuild from zero.”
    “You don't trust our friend?”
    Ehandar sighed. He handed Gorth the purse.
    “Travel money… It's not that. I just want us to have independent, reliable intelligence. My brother is far too cavalier. He and our friend don't seem to like each other very much. I warned him Rullio is… vulnerable. He made light of it all.”
    “And you want to make sure?”
    “Precisely. It doesn't reflect on Rullio. I just want to double-check.
    And avoid mistakes are being made, or misunderstandings occurring.”
    “I see.”
    “I'm doing what Rullio himself proposed. I'm trying to regroup.
    That begins with sound information.”
    “And what our friend doesn't know, he can't inadvertently let slip out to Father.”
    “OK,” Gorth said, “first I'll investigate what remains of the old network at Ormidon.”
    “Network?” Ehandar scoffed. “I had exactly one royal scribe in my pay and even so it was sheer luck that he was involved in writing the 7
secret charter Father gave the late general Tarngord. A higher up clerk was taken ill at the time. The others… they hardly count.”
    He made a dismissive gesture.
    “I'll investigate them anyway.”
    “Be extremely careful, Gorth. I have no idea how effective the use of my name will be. I wasn't exactly popular, or thought of as influential to begin with.”
    “I plan not so much using your name as your money, Ehandar.
    Money is plenty influential and even more popular. People literally can't seem to get enough of it,” Gorth joked encouragingly.
    Ehandar wrested his ring off of his finger and handed it over.
    “Here, to make extra sure you are believed.”
    “Ehandar, your seal…” Gorth said, reluctant to accept it.
    The prince pressed the little golden object into his hand.
    “You're one of the few people I would trust with it.”
    “Besides, I had gotten used to the idea of it being gone forever.”
    Gorth was visibly touched.
    “Right,” he said decisively, to break the tension. “I'll try to get us a skeleton network in Ormidon. Do you want me to go to Nira after that?”
    “I want you back here as soon as possible, Gorth. But I'll leave the decision to you. If you think it's necessary, by all means go to Fort Nira. On the other hand, the problems, in the form of troops, are coming to Ormidon.