An urgent meeting was called at the palace. The fire that had swept through Stone Valley had thrown the kingdom into confusion. No one could explain why anyone would target the commoners' district, and rumours spread through Valtheris faster than the flames ever had. Every noble was placed on high alert.
After the meeting, Duncan, Skender and Marion rode to the Royal Tax Office in the Noble District, only to discover that its head had been posted to the Commoners' District for the relief efforts.
"Then that's where we're going," Duncan said.
The three men rode to Stone Valley. As they approached the tax office, Duncan's eyes landed on a familiar figure leaving the building.
Alora.
She held a small pouch tightly in her hands before disappearing into the crowded street.
"Perhaps she came to pay her taxes," Duncan murmured to himself before following the others inside.
The office was unusually quiet. A clerk asked them to wait while Lord Zayn Thornfield was informed of their arrival. As Duncan wandered around the room, his attention was drawn to a large record book lying open on a nearby desk.
Curious, he glanced through the pages.
His eyes suddenly froze.
Name: Alora Monroe, Irene Monroe, William Monroe
Tax Paid: Twenty Silver Coins
Place of Origin: Zafarya
Duncan frowned. Zafarya...?
His heart skipped a beat. Alora... wasn't born in Valtheris? Before he could read further, footsteps echoed through the office.
"Good afternoon, my Lords... Your Grace," Lord Zayn Thornfield greeted as he entered.
The four men exchanged greetings before Zayn noticed the seriousness on their faces.
"I assume this isn't a social visit," he said with a faint smile. "Please, come to my office."
Once inside, refreshments were served, but no one touched them.
Duncan wasted no time. "You knew Chief Zion."
Zayn nodded slowly.
"I did. He approached several of us with investment opportunities. Gold... silver... promises of enormous profits." He paused before reaching into a drawer. "He even gave me a silver ring, claiming it was genuine."
Without a word, Duncan removed the ring from his pocket and placed it on the table.
"Like this one?"
Zayn examined it and sighed.
"Exactly like this."
"So he deceived all of us," Marion muttered.
"But why?" Skender asked. "Why hand everyone the same fake ring?"
Silence filled the room.
Zayn lowered his gaze.
Duncan noticed the hesitation, "You can trust us," he said calmly. "Nothing you say leaves this room."
Marion nodded. "We've all made mistakes."
After a long silence, Zayn finally spoke.
"I was smuggling foreigners into Valtheris."
The room fell silent.
"What?" Marion exclaimed.
Skender stared at him in disbelief.
"Why would you do that?" Duncan asked.
"Because foreigners paid higher entry taxes. Every person I brought in meant more money... and more profit for me."
"Did it succeed?" Marion asked.
Zayn shook his head.
"No. Most of them couldn't adapt. Different language... different currency... different customs. Many left within months."
"And Chief Zion discovered your operation," Duncan concluded.
"Yes."
"And he used it against you," Skender added.
Zayn nodded.
"He promised not to expose me... if I allowed certain people to enter the kingdom without paying taxes or undergoing inspection."
Duncan leaned forward. "So he was bringing people into Valtheris."
"Yes."
"Who were they?"
"I don't know. I never asked. After his investment scheme collapsed, I wanted nothing more to do with him."
"Yet you saw someone."
"I did."
"Who?"
"Christopher Wilson."
The three men exchanged glances.
"That isn't a Valtheris name," Marion observed.
"No," Zayn admitted. "I never asked where he came from."
Duncan leaned back, "Every answer only creates another question."
Skender rose to his feet. "Thank you, Lord Thornfield. Your secret is safe with us. If anything unusual happens, send word immediately."
"You have my word," Zayn replied.
The three men left the office, during the journey home, none of them spoke. Chief Zion had manipulated Skender through greed, he had manipulated Marion through gambling, he had manipulated Zayn through smuggling.
"How many more nobles did he trap?" Duncan finally asked.
No one had an answer.
The fire had left Stone Valley in ruins. Homes had vanished overnight, businesses struggled to reopen, and many families had nowhere to sleep. Work at Benjamin's bakery slowed to a crawl, and wages were reduced. The money Duncan had once given Alora's family had long been exhausted, and Irene's treatment became harder to afford with each passing day.
Her condition worsened.
Unable to watch her mother continue working, Alora insisted Irene remain at home while she took on the extra shifts herself, it wasn't easy.
For the first time in her life, Alora realised she had become the sole provider for her family.
Ashbourne Mansion
Maya returned home after spending the afternoon with her friends. The moment she stepped inside, she noticed fresh flowers decorating the entrance hall and servants moving hurriedly through the mansion.
Before she could ask what was happening, one of her maids hurried over with a bright smile.
"Miss Maya..."
"Yes?"
"Mr Ashbourne has invited a gentleman to the mansion."
Maya frowned.
"What gentleman?"
The maid lowered her voice,"Your suitor."
Maya stood frozen.