Idelle growled deep in her throat, slamming him against the bricks again. "Shut up, Rogerick."

"Would be a shame if I also told Drystan where to find you. Might cause even more trouble than the pretty new queen learning your deep dark secret."

Idelle drew in a breath. He had her cornered, though she hated to admit it. Not that she would admit it to a slithering little mealworm like him. "Do you think I care about what they find out about me? I have bigger things to worry about here. Like who you're delivering to!"

Rogerick shrunk down, staring at her in the eyes with pure hatred. "I'm not saying a word!" Even when she made a move to draw her sword, he merely sniffed and narrowed his eyes. "I think you're bluffing about not caring who finds out about you. So, I'll trade you my silence on just who Idelle is for my silence on just who my client is."

Idelle glared at him, but she knew he had her stuck. While she wanted to just tell him to screw himself and drag him over to Torran and make him spill all his secrets, she also knew that it would probably just cause more trouble if he did. She was in this position based majorly on trust, and should that trust be toppled, she didn't know what would happen to the Guard or Aelga.

So, she pushed Rogerick away from her and pointed down the hall. "You're getting away this time, but I don't want to see your face here ever again," she snarled. He didn't waste any time scuttling away, but she saw the small smirk on his face. He knew he had the upper hand, and she also knew he would never leave a lucrative business just because she told him to. He had a strategy that wasn't going to be ruined by her orders.

But as he turned the corner and disappeared, Idelle looked down at her own strategy cupped in her palm. A little glass vial with a scarlet cork in the top, filled with a pale pink liquid that glistened in the light. She had taken it from Rogerick's pocket when she'd pinned him against the wall and distracted him by holding him up by the collar. When she'd fished it out, she'd felt plenty more bottles, which meant he probably wouldn't miss it or realize that she had it.

She quickly slid it into her own pocket and started back to the barracks as quickly as she could walk without looking like she was on a mission. She had to be sure that neither Rogerick nor his client knew that she was onto their scheme, because right now she had a huge clue as to what the client was planning. Whatever was in the vial would let Idelle know what secret schemes were hiding in the castle. She may even be able to figure out if it was Yseult or Reynard, or perhaps both, who were in contact with Rogerick.

When she reached the barracks, she had someone fetch Sabena, and waited for her in her private room. As Captain, she had the biggest room, though the extra space was mostly used for her desk and books that she used to study tactics and drills. With Sir Hewe dead, she had been forced to stay on, and she knew she had to be the best if she wanted to keep Aelga safe.

She sat on the wooden chair at the desk, pressing a hand to her chest. Her heart was beating fast at the thought of Rogerick's threats. It was the reason she wanted to disappear into the trenches, so that people like Rogerick could not find her, but that had all changed once she had seen just how much Aelga and Torran needed her. How much she needed them. She was the Captain now, and it was time she stopped wishing to be somewhere else. The castle was her new home, and she would defend it.

When Sabena showed up a few minutes later, Idelle closed the door behind her and quickly gave her a rundown of Rogerick and what she thought he had planned. She pulled out the vial filled with the pearly liquid and handed it over to Sabena after wrapping it carefully in fabric and slipping it into a padded pouch.

"I'm sending you to have someone I know test what this potion is made for. She's well versed in these sort of things, and she'll be able to test the ingredients and the magic in order to let you know its purpose."

Sabena nodded, but her face scrunched in confusion as she slipped the pouch and its contents into her pocket. Thankfully, she must have seen the desperation in Idelle's face, and she didn't ask too many questions. She seemed content enough to know the basics, and Idelle almost wanted to hug her for not trying to uncover more.

"I need you to go as quickly as you can," Idelle said, taking her arm and leading her to the door. "It's imperative that we find out what Rogerick is selling so that I know if it is something that might harm Aelga." She then told her where her contact was located and Sabena raised an eyebrow.

"It will take me a few days," she said.

Idelle took her hand, pressing it firmly between her own. "Take my horse Ffion. He is lightning fast and will get you there the quickest that is possible. And Sabena." Here she paused, her heart hammering against her chest. "I'm putting all my trust in you."

Sabena placed her hand on the doorknob, but nodded her understanding. "Of course. I'll be back before you know it."

And then she was gone, taking the vial and Idelle's secrets along with her.