The Turquoise Queen by Pedro Urvi (animal farm read TXT) 📕

“Another of the significant things I’ve noticed recently, that is to say since the end of the war, is that I’m being watched. At first, I ascribed this to my nerves, as I always have to watch my back. Unfortunately, I have been able to establish that I’m being watched very closely inside the Camp. I usually go to the Library every day, as you know, because of my duties, or else to broaden my knowledge. The former I usually do during the day and the latter at night, since I have the key, thanks to my responsibilities. During the day one of the veteran Rangers, Vincent Uliskson, always follows me at a prudent distance. At first I failed to notice, because he keeps himself very well hidden, even in broad daylight, but I had been having the odd sense that I was being watched, and I was unable to shake it off. By one of life’s coincidences – sometimes these things do happen – one day when I was loaded with books I bumped into a third-year who was coming out of the Library, also carrying several books. I fell backwards and the books flew all over the place. I tried to stop one of them – Essays on failed monarchies – hitting the ground and ruining its leather cover. I twisted on the ground, seized it with one hand and rescued it. In that forced move I saw a pair of boots vanishing quickly behind one of the trees behind me, and was surprised by the movement. I got up slowly and stared at the tree while several third-years picked up the books. To my great surprise the boots never reappeared, but instead stayed hidden behind the tree. I waited for some time, but neither the boots nor the Ranger they belonged to came out from behind that tree. Coincidence? I don’t believe very much in coincidences. From that moment I started paying more attention and finally spotted Vincent. It was a difficult business, but gradually I was able to spot him. Of course, I’d already had my suspicions and was almost certain that he was following me, which helped.”

“Does this Vincent ring a bell?” Lasgol asked.

“Nope. He might only just have been sent to the Camp.”

“It wouldn’t be unusual. There’s been quite a turnover of staff, and even more with the war. Go on, please. I don’t like this.”

Nilsa nodded. “Then I got an even greater surprise. I was not only being watched during the day, but also at night. Another Ranger, Musker Isterton, also a veteran, is the one in charge of the night shift. I saw him from the Library window one night in a moment of distraction on his part. It was once again because I was watching in case Vincent was outside. I must admit, I’m not surprised that I’m being watched. I am the person I am and I bear the name I bear, and that’s not going to change, The war is over, but the West will regain its strength again in a not-too-distant future, which is beginning to make many illustrious people of our realm nervous.

“He means King Thoran and his brother Orten,” Nilsa explained, although Lasgol had already guessed.

“And half the Eastern nobles,” Lasgol added, “from Count Volgren onwards.”

“Also, Commander Sven and First Ranger Gatik.”

Lasgol nodded, and she went on reading: “Finally, there has been one last event, or rather tendency, which has drawn itself to my attention. Both Ivana and Haakon are getting more and more interested in my comings and goings. I find this strange, because never before have they taken any interest in yours truly, either for good or ill. They ask me too many questions, and they do it quite rudely.”

“You see? I told you my hunch was a good one!”

“We don’t know that there’s any connection.”

“They showed a strange interest in me, and now in Egil. How can there be no connection? Those two are after something.”

“Let me finish the letter,” Nilsa said, and went on. “The observation they are keeping on me, and the recent interest shown by Ivana and Haakon, must have something to do with the two greatest dangers which threaten us. The first and most obvious is that the interest is because of my name and the possibility that some day, I might seek the crown. That leads us to the usual suspects, and you all know who they are. It’s a very real possibility. The second – and less obvious – danger is to do with the Dark Rangers, although it seems to me less likely. I favor the first option, although we must be cautious, so I’m not ruling out the second, at least for the moment. It could also be both, since we have two Veteran Rangers and two Master Rangers involved in the situation, which makes things a great deal more complicated. I’ll continue to investigate these matters and keep you informed. Don’t worry, I’ll be very careful. I now take my leave, your close friend, Egil.”

“That worries me a lot,” Lasgol complained. “And I can’t go to help him.”

“Yes, it’s rather worrying, but for the moment they’re only watching him. They haven’t tried anything.”

“That doesn’t make me feel any easier. They might be waiting for the right moment to kill him.”

“I think they’re watching him to find out whether he’s planning anything, and as long as they have no proof, they won’t act.”

“Who do you think it might be?”

“I agree with you, it’s probably Thoran and his people. That’s what makes most sense.”

“Who else knows?”

“For now, just you and me. I haven’t seen the others. Milton arrived with the message only two nights ago.”

“That means it’s recent.”

“Take it easy, Lasgol. Egil knows how to take care of himself, and in the Camp it won’t