"Do you swear to speak the truth and nothing but the truth?"
The messenger across from king Deren nodded nervously. He tried to speak but the words caught in his throat. All he could muster was a pathetic whimper.
No matter how kind, no one liked delivering bad news to a king
"You're free to write it down if speaking it is too much for you " Deren's voice came out kind but not soft, not betraying an once of weakness despite the kindness he was showing.
The messenger bowed and did as told before quickly excusing himself.
"Read it." Deren commanded his advisor, one of the few men not scared off by his status.
"As you wish, Your Majesty.
"It says: In the villages of Geha and Kahor, the peasants have stopped sending tributes to the crown. This trend is slowly spreading through the common people. In the most extreme cases, some of them have taken up arms and are rebelling.
"That is all it says."
His advisor spoke in a calm tone despite his king's visible frustration. He didn't fear the king's anger would be directed at him.
"This again?! That makes the seventh letter about these ridiculous revolts since Lord Gazon was made Duke. I didn't think him to be this incompetent." Deren struck the arm rest in anger.
"Bring in the others" He tried to calm himself, hoping his illegitimate son brought good news.
"As you wish." The advisor opened the door and let in the three knights.
Sylace spoke first.
"Your Majesty." He said with a bow, Hadrian and Gairon followed his example.
"Do you swear to speak the truth and nothing but the truth?" Deren trusted the knights, his words were a mere formality.
"Yes, your Majesty."
"Then speak."
Sylace began. He started with their encounter with the boogeyman and ended with Hadrian's transformation. From there, the strawman took over and described the changes he had undergone.
The king's expression changed many times throughout the tale, going from shock to fear to worry before ending with excitement.
"To resume, though you didn't get to explore much you did manage to learn more about the layout of the fortress and brought back a rather interesting power.
"Is that right?"
All three nodded at the advisor's resumé. The thin advisor glanced at his king, who was grinning from ear to ear.
"Rest assure that you have pleased the king, he was in a rather awful mood before your arrival."
"Halil speaks truth, your report has made my day!" He smiled at the knights, particularly at his son.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
"You did good." The king tapped his armrest casually, communicating through a language only he and the illegitimate son knew.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
"Thank you." Sylace responded, lightly tapping his scabbard against the ground.
The king couldn't publicly show favouritism for his illegitimate son.
Halil called everyone to attention with a clap.
"I am aware that you just completed one mission but I unfortunately have to give you another.
"The land under Duke Gazon's control seems to be rebelling against the crown. I would like you to see what these rebellions are about, if you would."
"It would be our honor, Lord Halil!"
The knights left the king's chambers and began preparing for their journey.
Deren watched them leave.
"There's something you're not telling me, Halil." The king's tone was low and dangerous.
Halil lips curled upwards.
"You are quite perceptive. Sorry, I was only checking that age hadn't dulled you abilities." He spoke to the king with great familiarity, as if they were equals.
"Duke Gazon's movements have been rather strange. He's started heading to the markets by himself instead of sending his servants, on top of buying strange things."
Deren didn't get mad at his advisor's action, instead only nodding slowly and saying:
"This whole situation reeks. Keep an eye on the Duke. If he moves I want to know, if he breaths I want to know, if he shits I want to know. Do not let that man out of your sight.
"I pray this isn't what I think it is."
The advisor nodded at his king's words, leaving the chamber with slow arrogant strides.
"As you wish."
He said, his lips still curled in in a smile.