Chapter 79 - The Anisens’ Return to Ishelon

A Special Arc – A Doting Big Brother

Gustof and his family finally got used to living in Ishelon. They were glad that they met Zenia, and they were thankful to her family for sheltering them. None of his former comrades were able to trace them in Ishelon, and Gustof's new brothers in arms were protective of his family. They knew his story, and they all said that if their junior commander approved of him, there was no reason for them to deny him.

Gustof was confused, "You don't need the opinion of Commander Zander?"

Everyone laughed when they heard what Gustof said. One of them patted Gustof's back.

"It is best for you to find out for yourself."

The men left Gustof who was assigned to clean Zander's quarters in the military camp. They just told him to be very careful when handling the Commander's things. He hated it when his things were misplaced.

Zander's room was neat and tidy. There was nothing for him to do. He was about to leave the room when he noticed a painting hanging in an inconspicuous area. It seemed like a large painting, but he couldn't clearly see.

Gustof walked toward the location of the painting as if he was being drawn to the area. When he reached it, the painting was much bigger than he thought. It was a picture of a beautiful woman in a riding outfit. She was one of the most beautiful women that he had seen. 

Somehow, the woman looked familiar. It was not the woman's face that was familiar but her temperament and bearing. The woman on the painting had a dagger in a scabbard at her side. The hilt of the dagger was similar to the one that Zenia owned.

His eyes brightened and looked closely at the woman in the painting. It was Zenia Anisen! It did not occur to him that she could be such a lovely lady. It was incredible that the painter was able to capture her eyes that seemed to draw in the stars. The Commander truly doted on his sister so much.

Gustof smiled and was glad that he was able to come to Ishelon together with his family. He brushed off the dust on the painting and turned to leave.

If he looked a little more at the back of Zenia's painting, he would see that there was another painting of a person with the same face. It was a painting of a young man named Zekiah Anisen.

* * * * *

The rest of the Anisens finally reached Ishelon. Zander went ahead to the military camp, while Ovid accompanied his wife to their manor. 

"Welcome home, Madam and Master." The servants greeted the couple as soon as they reached the front door of their home.

Somita and Jena came rushing to the the main residence when they received the news of the arrival of the couple.

"You're home, Madam, Master," Jena curtsied as she greeted them while Somita slightly bowed her head.

Renaria pinched Jena's cheeks lightly, "Did you grow taller?"

Jena nodded her head and answered politely, "Uhuh, and I am fatter too!"

"Did you like your cottage?"

"Yes, I love it so much. The big brother who looked like the big brother I met before let us live in a cottage near the garden. Thank you so much, Madam."

"Thank you, Madam and Master, for your generosity. We promise to remain loyal to you forever." Somita was almost teary-eyed when she uttered the words.

Renaria patted her back and ordered the servants, "Make some preparations and we will dine together later."

The servants did not waste anymore time and started the preparations. Somita had decided to help and Renaria allowed it. Jena looked at her mother and knew that they were truly blessed to have met the big brother who saved them.

* * * * *

When Zander arrived in the military camp, the reports poured in. The ones who infiltrated the Ninth Prince's camp informed them that the masked assassins were also using Ishelon's sign language. They must quickly trace the traitors of Ishelon and prevent anything from reaching the ears of the Ninth Prince.

"Gustof!" Zander hollered and Gustof came quickly.

"Commander, here I am!" Gustof stood straight in front of Zander.

His new brothers in arms already warned him that they should go quickly whenever Zander called for them. 

"Do you know how to use sign language?"

Gustof just gave Zander a confused look.

"Commander, what is that language? I don't know how to use it."

"Did you notice how the men of the Ninth Prince use their hands to communicate with the other?"

Gustof fell silent as if trying to recall the events that happened during the time when he was still in the Ninth Prince's camp. Suddenly, his eyes brightened when he remembered the funny gestures that the Ninth Prince's men were making.

"I remember now! The Ninth Prince's men kept doing different gestures with their hands and we thought they looked funny. They seldom talk with each other and we hardly see them approach each other."

"Hmm, they were using sign language. The skill of communicating using your hands is known only to the people of Ishelon. We intend to keep it among ourselves, but it looks like some of our people already betrayed us."

"Commander, we need to trace those people immediately and silence them. My former master's men and the Ninth Prince's elite men are so strong and powerful."

"They are still not at par with our men. Rest assured that those ants will be crushed just like that when the actual combat begins." Zander flashed an eerie sneer that made Gustof shudder.

Zander asked Gustof about his former group and their plans. Gustof admitted that neither his former master nor the Ninth Prince let him join their meeting. Perhaps they felt that he would turn against them later or they did not really trust him from the very beginning. They just used him to accomplish their objectives.

As soon as Zander got the information from Gustof, he sent it over to Vaughn immediately along with his personal letter to his little sister.

* * * * *

Zenia was in Vaughn's study trying to memorize the names of the ministers and their roles. She was also studying the things that she needed to do and say when facing a minister in Tissuria. Vaughn personally taught her what she needed to know and was currently supervising her studies.

Redivo received the information that Zander sent and gave it to Vaughn. He also handed Zander's personal letter to Zenia. Vaughn saw it and glared at Redivo who just shrugged his shoulders.

"Oh, Big Brother's letter." Zenia looked so happy when she received the letter.

She was about to open it when she noticed that Vaughn was looking at her direction. She kept the letter in her pocket and walked over to Vaughn's desk.

"Your Highness, let's read the letter that Big Brother sent you."

Vaughn looked at her before opening the letter. He was really curious about the content of the letter that Zander gave his little sister. Somehow, he felt uncomfortable. 

[Your Highness,

Gustof met his former master, the masked man, in Venetia and then again in Tissuria later. The masked man was the one who taught him how to fight. He was just starting a family and needed to earn more money to raise his child. The combat skills that he learned from his master were truly useful. 

At the time, he thought of joining the Defense Department of Tissuria. He heard that the military men could get a lot of benefits and the salary was high. 

In a year, he and his wife could save enough money to buy a house and maybe put up a small business. They had everything planned if not for that fateful meeting with the Ninth Prince. He had no choice but joined Damien and his group.

When Gustof met his master again, he agreed to join forces with the Ninth Prince. Gustof had never seen his face even once. He was not certain of his identity, but he knew that his master wanted to take over Venetia. His master seemed to be younger than him, but his fighting skills were superb. It seemed like the Royal Family of Venetia did something to his family.

Unfortunately, Gustof did not have any information regarding his former master's residence or family. They only meet in Luna Inn whenever the masked man had to hand over a task to him.

Signed,

Zander Anisen]

"Well, although it's not much at least we know a bit more about the masked man and the Ninth Prince."

"Aren't you going to read your brother's letter to you?" Vaughn was beginning to lose his patience.

Zenia looked at him in disbelief, especially when he got close to her. He really wanted to know the content of Zander's letter.