GAME OF CAT AND MOUSE


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After Verrick handed off the letter to Elize, he sighed. Favor done, now he could get back to cleaning up the mess of last night. He paused after turning the corner to lean against the wall to think of his next move. He pulled the documents that Josie had had out of his pants pocket and unfolded them. He knew exactly what was written on them, as it was Verrick’s idea to have the servant pass along false information just incase the man gave him the slip. With Eva now renewing her chase of him, it would seem fitting to head her now.

Folding it once more, he turned and made his way to the way to the main courtyard. Surely by this time, Eva Gallard would have made it back to the castle. In which, with her new ‘evidence’ would surely try to make a case to the king...while the head of the Inquisitors, Superior Jennal was scheduled to meet with the king soon after his meal with his children. This would mean he would have some time to distract her enough to throw doubts in her theory.  Eva was one who wouldn’t wait to jump onto something...feeling that her own sense of ‘justice’ needed to be dealt out immediately, he was sure she would visit him immediately. Verrick would make sure catch her on her way up.

Eva finally made it to the castle, with curses on her lips. She asked one of the servants about Jenall, but apparently he was still on a meeting with the king. No matter what information she acquired, she would never dare to interrupt any of the king’s meetings. Maybe it was for the best, at least she could rest for a bit. Her whole body was aching, spikes of pain shooting from her crippled knee up to her spine, her arm tired from leaning against the cane.

[color=9e0039]“Stupid way up here,”[/color] she mumbled to herself, her good mood gone. She sat on a bench in one of the hallways to rest a bit. [color=9e0039]“Go get me some water,”[/color] she growled on Garret. He bowed slightly to her and left. [i]Great, now I am being mean to one of the few people I actually trust,[/i] she thought. But she knew Garret wouldn’t mind. He was used to all sides of her. She leaned against the wall behind her, enjoying the touch of the cold marble and watching people walking around. Eva wondered which of them are actually loyal to the throne, and which of them are traitors.

Verrick walked slowly, but sure enough eventually he spotted Eva’s faithful servant...Garret. Bumbling about looking for something. Surely something for Inquisitor Eva, he thought. He changed his course and while Garret was solely focused on the task of hand, would not have noticed him slip by and go towards the direction he came from.

After a minute of walking, he came upon Eva, sitting on a bench in the hall resting her leg. He paused in the shadows for a moment, actually studying the woman. For years this woman had her aim trained upon Verrick and the Woodsman. He honestly did not understand what tipped her towards this route in the first place. But from what he gathered while keeping tabs on her is that she loved uncovering secrets...which the Woodman, was just chalk full of.  Perhaps she was trying to make her career by bringing down one of the Woodsman.

As he looked at her leg, he genuinely felt sorry for the lady for having such a crippling wound. Perhaps if she didn’t receive that wound so many years ago, that led her on the path to become an inquisitor. She might have been a very influential Lady of the court with her beauty and brains. Yes, he learned as much as he could about Lady Eva. As one should against an enemy.

Walking over silently to her bench, his footsteps quiet against the stone floor. He came to a stop just to her left, and turned his back to the wall and leaned against it as he then asked.[color=007236] “Out for a morning stroll? I hardly see you this tired in the morning…” [/color] His tone light and almost friendly, but still in his usual gruff voice.

Eva didn’t even notice him at first. You have to give these Woodsmen one thing, they know how be sneaky. He came to her almost as they were longtime friends, just casually meeting for a chat. She decided to ignore his hint that he had been watching her. The House of Questions was one of the safest places in the city, and anyone who would be caught spying around it would soon get much closer look at it than he would wish.
 
All right, if this is how he wants to play it. It was probably for the best to be on friendly terms out here in the public. [color=9e0039]“Woodsman O’Connor,”[/color] she smiled, knowing he is really secretive about his identity, [color=9e0039]“I didn’t expect you would be up so early. I imagine last night must have been very exhausting.”[/color]

Verrick glanced at Eva when she mentioned his last name. Her smile to those who didn’t know her was sure to be sweet and kind, but to him it was full of smug and sarcasm. She tested out the waters, knowing full well she had no proof he was there at the Tavern late at night. But to just see if she could trip him up. He shrugged his shoulders. [color=007236]Every night, is exhausting for a Woodsman, yet there is so much to do, and see in the mornings we are always up early.”[/color] He said casually. [color=007236]For instance, seeing your beautiful smile this early in the day is worth the lack of sleep.[/color] He added, bowing his head to her ever so slightly.

Did he truly think that he can fool her with flattery? Or was it possible he really meant that? It was a very long time since anyone has given her an honest compliment. But she would be foolish to believe this man anything he said. [color=9e0039]“Well I am sure watching an ex-fiancé flirt with this rich handsome earl must have been devastating.”[/color] She was actually being honest there, but he didn’t need to know. She knew what it felt like to watch a man she was supposed to marry end up with another girl. [color=9e0039]“But a man in king’s service should know better than to start bar fights.”[/color]

Verrick glanced at Eva as she mentioned his ex-Fiance. He gritted his teeth at the thought of it, and while it clearly could have been taken as a sincere statement, with her marriage that fell through years ago as well. He felt it more of a jab at him for finding more of his past. He looked away and then said softly, [color=007236]“Admittedly, not my finest moments last night. But despite what you may have heard...I didn’t start a bar fight. That earl knocked out a suspected traitor that I was tracking to a meeting. I admit, him flirting with my ex, did not help the situation.”[/color] He said matter of factly.

Eva thought about what he said, it sounded surprisingly honest. So the Woodsmen were after the same traitor as she was, almost destroying her work in the process. King should have disbanded that party of fools long time ago. [color=9e0039]“Do you not realize that your reckless involvement in this entire situation has caused a problem? There is now an important piece of information missing, that could jeopardize the kingdom. Even such a bunch of amateurs like the Woodsmen should be concerned about that. If they don’t want to become labeled as traitors,”[/color] she added.

Verrick almost smiled, just a ghost of a hint of one on his lips. He wouldn’t have called his involvement reckless...despite the missing the fact that the wallet had the document.  [color=007236]”My reckless involvement? If my mark wasn’t kidnapped and tortured, I would have had the person paying for the intelligence already.”[/color] He sat down, with no invitation next to her.  [color=007236]”Calling us amateurs is just down right rude. There is a reason we have been an integrated part of the courts for over three hundred years.” [/color]

He gave a small smile now as he pulled out the documents from his cloak. Offering it to  her.  [color=007236]” If you only had come to me in the beginning...I would have told you I’ve been working on this for a while now, and that if the info had somehow been passed onto who ever was buying it. It would have been completely useless. Because it was of my complete fabrication.”[/color]
 
Eva shook her head when he blabbered about the courts. Purely an old custom, nothing more. [color=9e0039]“Well thanks to the kidnapping and torture, I actually have the person paying for the intelligence,”[/color] she said with a self-satisfied smile. [color=9e0039]“I could have hardly come to you directly, as no one has been informed about your actions.”[/color] There was supposed to be a deal about cooperation between the Woodsmen and the inquisition, widely ignored by both sides. [color=9e0039]“I don’t like when someone is making fools out of the inquisition. You think you are so smart, mocking me when I can’t take you out directly, but you are forgetting about your… weaker sides,”[/color] she said with a distinct threat in her voice.

Verrick caught the threat, and knew who it was directed at. His hidden hand touched the hilt of a blade on his hip, but relaxed upon it. He sighed and added, [color=007236]“That is what the Woodsman are here for. Intelligence, Sort of like a library...you want information, you come to the librarian to guide you. I would have told you.”[/color] Trying to drop it on her plate. He got up, leaving the fake document on the bench as she did not take it from him.

He looked directly at her now, [color=007236]“You should think on your own words, perhaps there is a reason why you can’t take me out directly.”[/color] He turned to walk away,  [color=007236]” Often the weak sides, are the most protected…Not that I need to anymore. Anna...”[/color] He gritted his teeth as he hesitated.  [color=007236]”She made her choice… and after last night she decided she needs to get away with her new...Prince charming.”[/color]
 
Eva didn’t try to hide her surprise. Was he actually offering her his help? She shook her head and took the document. Knowing that it’s fake made it useless to her, but it could cause problems if an uninformed person got to it. When he talked about Anna, she could see sadness hidden deep beneath the anger. He still loved her. For a moment she almost felt sorry for him, enough to not threaten him any further. At least for now. [color=9e0039]“Good things come to those who wait, Woodsman,”[/color] she said. [color=9e0039]“And… thank you,”[/color] she added quietly, but still knowing he can hear her. These people could hear everything.