It was already nightfall and Daminas was still looking out of the window, his elbows resting on the window sill since the afternoon. It had been three days and the King was still unconscious.
"It is I Kale." Kale came to view.
Daminas turned to him, he had dark circles under his eyes with eye bags and he seemed like he aged two years. "Well?" He raised a brow.
"Lord Vane is here." Kale reported.
Daminas was so shocked since it was five years since the King's brother visited last. Daminas can't help but widen his eyes in shocked. He cleared his throat and narrowed his eyes in suspicion. It can't be coincidence. It was already nightfall why didn't he send a letter that he would be visiting and he came at the King's lowest moment.
"Lets go." He walked out of the King's quarters with Kale when he saw Lord Trazin about to make his arriver announcement at the massive door.
"Lord Trazin." Daminas greeted bowing slightly.
"Lord Daminas." Trazin imitated him. "I'm here to present my monthly report to the king."
Daminas had been getting really suspicious of a lot of people and he wondered why Trazin wanted to bring his report late at night.
"Its nightfall." It wasn't a statement, he needed answers of why he showed up as he raised a brow.
Trazin cleared his voice. "I was only able to finish the report now and as his Majesty advisor Lord Daminas you should know I have to make my report before it gets too late since we will be taking on a new month tomorrow." He made himself clear.
"Hmmm." Daminas processed his explanation as he tried to come up with a suitable excuse. "His Majesty has come down with a slight illness and won't be able to see you at the moment." Daminas explained calmly. "He told me to review it with you by tomorrow." He lied smoothly.
Trazin seemed to be in thought since he had never reviewed his report with Daminas. "Very well, I wish his Majesty a quick recovery and I will see you tomorrow." He said and walked away.
Daminas could see how much weight he had gained since he became Lord of coins. He even heard he built five houses in the High town but it was accepted as a rumour and an investigation was never carried out since he had the privilege as the King's uncle and he seemed to be able to balance the accounting at the end of each month and Autumnshell never had to run a loss.
"Where is Lord Vane?" Daminas asked still watching Trazin till he dissapeared round the corner.
"In the throne room." Kale replied.
What was he doing in the throne room? Why wasn't he directed to the meeting hall?
"Stay by the door, nobody must enter." He told Kale and he nodded in understanding before stepping in to join the four guards by the door.
Daminas quickly walked in a fast pace to the throne room to see Vane staring at the throne as he trailed his fingers on the arm like he was mesmerized by it, he seemed to be in deep thought and didn't hear Daminas come in.
Daminas faked a cough. " Urh urh.... Lord Vane." Daminas bowed slightly. Vane turned to him as he raised his head, he could see Vane now had beards covering his cheeks and a moustache. He looked older and Daminas wondered why he hadn't shaved or is this a new style trending in the house of Trenor? His attire screamed lavish which made Daminas wondered how Duren or Goutra could have missed it since they didn't report about spotting him near Autumnshell.
"Lord Daminas how nice to see you again." His voice was deeper than what Daminas remembered.
"I'm also pleased to see you." Daminas replied and his mouth curved in a small smile.
Vane looked around as if expecting to see someone. "Where is my brother?"
"His Majesty is not in a state to welcome you Lord Vane, I will show you to your sleeping quarters and as soon as his Majesty is less busy in few days time he will see you." Daminas said politely.
"Why? Is he too busy reading reports." Vane grunted. "Or too busy taking care of Autumnshell?" Vane stated bluntly before turning to continue trailing his hands on the throne.
"His Majesty is not feeling so well and he is resting in his room." He explained.
Vane stopped as his eyes shot to Daminas "Let me see him." Before Daminas could say a word, Vane strode out, his sparking brown cape sweeping the floor. He went straight to the west wing walking fast before rounding the corners to the King's quarters.
Daminas wondered how he knew since the King moved three years ago from the east wing to the west wing.
The guards at the door blocked him from entering by crossing their spears.
"Lord Vane, his Majesty cannot receive a guest at the moment." Kale explained as he stepped in front of the spears to block him.
"Let me in you swine!" Vane yelled as he shoot a glare at Kale.
"I am sorry Lord Vane but that would not be possible, his Majesty is not in a state to receive a guest." Kale apologized for his rude behavior.
"Lord Vane...." Daminas finally caught up with him, he was slightly out of breath. Vane was much taller than him and younger, his long legs could reach anywhere with a few steps.
"Tell them to let me in!" Vane yelled cutting Daminas short as he turned to glare at him.
Daminas took a deep breath. "Let him in." he told Kale and Kale gave him a 'hope you know what you are doing' look. Kale doesn't want Vane to see the King in his current state.
The guards opened the door and Vane barged in walking pass the meeting hall till he got to the chamber. Xanxier could be spotted on the bed, He was lying close to the edges of the bed. His eyes closed like he was only taking a nap.
"Brother..." Vane walked toward the bed. Daminas stood beside Vane while Kale stood two steps back behind Vane. Looking alert. "Brother?..." Vane frowned when he noticed Xanxier's forehead looked pale and his hands at his side were also pale like it lost its colour.
"He can't hear you." Daminas finally muttered folding his hands behind him.
"Why?" Vane turned to him. "What happened to him?"
"He was poisoned." Daminas decided to tell the truth. He wouldn't want Vane to cause a ruckus.
Vane frowned. "Poison?"
Daminas tried to read as much of his body language, to know if Vane was genuinely concerned for faking it.
"The last food he ate was poisoned and we are doing everything in our power to catch the culprit but it isn't a deadly poison since he will wake up soon" Daminas explained his eyes fixed on him.
"Not deadly? Can't you see he can't hear me and you said it's not deadly Daminas!" He took Xanxier hands, it was a little cold. "Since when?"
"Three days ago." Daminas replied.
"How could you let this happen to him? Are you even doing your work right Guide Daminas?" Vane demanded as he glared at Daminas like he was ready to chew his head off.
Daminas took a deep breath. It could all be an act. "Why are you here?" One of the qualities Xanxier loved that he possessed was the ability to remain calm and not get angry.
Vane shot him a dirty look "Maybe I'm in time to stop you from your evil agenda." He mocked and rubbed Xanxier hand slowly blowing hot air to it before placing it in its previous position.
"Evil agenda?" Daminas was clearly confused.
"Your dirty work of executing my brother." Vane snapped like he was talking to someone stupid.
"Lord Vane!" Daminas slightly raised his voice. "And what would I gain from that? since I have no claim to the throne!"
"Hmmmmm." he narrowed his eyes and eye Daminas from head to toe. "Who knows what is going on in that thick skull of yours."
Kale took a deep breath since the situation feels like Vane finally obtained the opportunity to condemn Daminas.
"I was your father's friend, I love the King as if he were my own and I took care of him right from when he was a child."
"Tsk tsk tsk... sure you did while I get all wrapped up in my mother's skirt." He seethed.
"Roles are different, you are the heir to house of Trenor." Daminas reminded him.
Vane stretched his hand which Daminas caught as soon as he realised what he wanted to do. "I don't even know what he looks like." He said withdrawing his hand.
"We should respect his Majesty decision since he doesnt want his veil removed." Daminas quickly said and glanced at Kale whose hand was on the hilt of his sword.
"I hope he wakes up soon." He turned away from Xanxier. "I shall retire to bed, I brought many gifts and Daminas if he doesn't wake up soon I will owe you accountable since it seems you are too old to do your work right, I know serving the King can be tiring."
"Is that a threat Lord Vane?"
"It is a warning, enjoy your room for the main time you wouldn't want to know when it will turn to a hard cold floor in a dark cell with mice walking about." He didn't wait for Daminas reply before he strode up of the room.
"Lord Daminas?"
"I am fine, just go and guard the door." He told Kale before slouching on the edge of the bed as a cold sweat broke out on his forehead.