"The ancient tower will fulfill its duty," the high elder of the Ancient Tower assured with a small, nigh snickerish smile.
His attitude wasn't that of a guest of a royal house but more of an expert showing his magnanimity by answering the royal summons in the first place.
"We will fulfill our duty, but first," Magnus raised his eyes on the king, "with your permission, I would like to see what really transpired."
The guards didn't dare to move in the presence of not only their king but also the powerful official from the ancient tower. But now, they froze in their spots, not courageous enough to even breathe.
From an outsider's perspective, it was a normal request. A wish to confirm the exact events as they happened.
But requesting this kind of permission meant challenging the word of the kingdom that provided the ancient tower with a report. It was one thing to do it through a formal request sent by a high-ranking messenger.
