The carriage was now heading towards the noble and high standing district. Sono sat in the carriage thinking of ways he might be able to get back the ministers or most likely the queen. He wasn't dumb enough to fall for assassins, especially since where he lived was protected by multiple groups of trained soldiers. Who patrolled the district day and night in large quantities. Not only were they just regular soldiers but to guard the district you had to be at least at the pro-level. There were also some senior level masters mixed in since it was a relatively easy yet high paying job.
After making it to the outside of the gates, Sono had went to the soldiers barracks that was connected to the huge wall that separated the rest of the city from the very influential and rich. Everyone in this part of the city either had noble power, was a rich merchant or had money from other things. Even in this part of the district the rich was separated from the even richer. This is also where Sono was located actually securing what looked like a small castle. When he first got back with his new adopted daughter he had found a letter telling him if he wanted to know what happened to wait for a couple of days then go to the barracks.
He arrived with the soldiers outside of the entrance giving a strong salute. "Hey there sir, you checking in on status or are you looking for someone?
"Just status as of now soldier."
"Well we're all sorry for your loss and hope things get better."
Sono started to walk in just before he heard a chuckle from the guard he just spoke to. He stopped for a second and then kept walking. A lot of these guards were not men from the regular army. These were men who had connections to get the easier jobs such as this. Even though they served as guards some of these men might make more than a well off merchant and lacked the resolve and the mentality of a real soldier. Which also meant lack of respect towards Sono and other higher military leaders. Some actually hated them and wished for them to die to take their position.
The barracks inside was beautifully designed almost looking more like a very small castle than just a place for soldiers to stay. They even had a small tavern in the place for the soldiers to drink. This is where you would see the slackers at even when they were on duty. Luckily this was only about half the force. The other half were the sincere soldiers who were usually peasants before and very hard workers. Of course the only reason they were able to get in this position was Sono. So they worked diligently and hard for him. Sometimes when Sono saw this he would hand pick them to be in his company of soldiers he commanded over. Even though it was a pay dive and higher death rate not a single one of them said no. While the other generals preferred to show favor to the rich and powerful. So of course his soldiers were claimed to be the best in the kingdom, while their was stronger generals than him their soldiers under them weren't that great.
When General Sono walked into the room some the soldiers got up from the tables quick and decisively. While other stood up sloppily without a care even if they were sober. The ones saluting could be said to be his followers while the others who stood up and nothing more were those he knew were the enemy.
"Jackle follow me for a bit I have an idea for a better protection formation for your troupe."
"Of course sir it be an honor."
They made it to a small room off to the right of his quarters.
Of course some men who were in this room were not some of the trustworthy men he had brought in.
"Gentlemen I need the room for a conversation to better your fellow soldier."
Even though they showed disdain for him they wouldn't openly disobey the man known as the queen's wolf. They gathered the cards, drinks, food and other small things before leaving the room. This was drilled into them to keep the space cleanly or their would be consequences so before they left they did this. Sono stood still with the soldier at the side of him watching the men go purposefully slow so he would need to stand still. He had a lot more persuasion than the higher ups but he would not use it crazily knowing the more he did the easier it would be to argue against him. So even though the ones with backers showed disrespect here he wouldn't needlessly attack them unless it was needed.
They finally left the room after cleaning it for about 10 minutes.
The solider by his side stood at the door then locked it. After that he put a white substance on the floor in front of the crack of the door.
"The room is now secure sir."
"Good. You sent me a letter saying you know what happened."
The soldier looked at him nervously with a hint of remorse. " Permission to speak sir?"
"Of course."
"I believe your wife and child were killed by the soldiers here... My reason for this was because my troupe were supposed to patrol your section in town before it was switched to noble Natku. I was suspicious so I sent two men to watch over their squad in secret. Neither men came back while the soldiers who patrolled did. It seemed like three of their men came back with cuts and burns that would seem from one of my men's magic.
"Who gave the order for you to stay back."
The soldier looked at Sono and with the expression of fear he said, "direct orders from doja the minister sir, with a writ of warning sealed by the queen's seal.
Sono stared off in the distance while the soldier looked at him with panic thinking it was his fault.
"If only I would've still patrolled with my troupe even if we loss our jobs or life it would be worth it. If you are mad sir I directly ask you to take my life instead of punishment for the others."
Jackle bowed with all the power he could muster. Soon enough he felt an ominous aura.
"I don't want such a thing. I do not blame you or your troupe this only lies with her highness decision. Who all have you told about this."
"No one sir the only ones who would have such an idea of what happened did not return they were also directly under me and I would trust them with my life of course."
Sono took out what seemed to be a heavy filled small pouch of coins. "Take this and give it to the family members of the missing soldiers. Do not tell anyone about this matter and keep your head down from now on."
"What do you plan to do sir?"
"I plan to do my job for now and that is all but soldier if one day I was to stand up what would you do?"
"It's undeniable sir that their are a lot of men who would throw away their life at your request no matter how scary. I will definitely be one of those men and I know many under me that are the same." The man looked at Sono with respect and admiration.
"I hope you are right Jackle you may go back to your duties." Jackle quickly cleaned up the powder and left right after closing the door tightly. Sono remained in the room sitting with his hands folded thinking of a plan for revenge. "I must wait for the perfect moment to seek it then I will act."