"How long to reach there?" Colt asked.
"We are almost there, my prince. We will reach in a day," Kyte answered.
They were already on their way to the bordering castle. Colt, Gilbert, and Kyte rode horses side by side, with Colt being in the middle. The army followed them.
"Is there any news from Logan?" Colt asked Kyte.
"No, my prince. I guess he is still occupied with his mission," Kyte answered.
Colt nodded.
***
Hammer was seated in his golden padded chair in his tent and had Varius and Hojo in his presence. Logan, too, was called there, but he had to wait outside until he was ordered to enter.
"Hojo had informed Varius about the treachery of those chiefs beforehand. So, his march to the healing tent in the night was no coincidence. He knew there was going to be someone in there trying to kill the king," he speculated, when he overheard some talking from the inside.
Hojo tried to explain the events of the night to the king. "My king, the original plan was to only distract the guards and sneak in. I deliberately knocked them out, so that they would know something was wrong. Someone had played a game with them. It might have had even acted as a shield to protect Commander Varius in case he had failed to catch him red-handed." He glanced at Varius, who stood beside him a few feet away. "Which did happen."
Varius frowned while he side-eyed him. "I was attacked by someone. I would have caught him if it had not happened," he explained.
"It only shows your incompetency," Hojo remarked. "What if our king had not regained consciousness at the time? The traitor could have changed his mind and harmed him. He could have choked him or stabbed him. What if it was too late?" He looked at the king and realized his words had offended him. "My king, pardon my insolence, but it is the truth."
"We would have known who had done it," Varius reasoned, but he realized he was wrong when he looked at the displeased face of King Hammer. He bowed his head down. "Pardon me, my king. I am at fault."
"They did not know I was a snitch. Chief Pantu could have decided to change his mind at the last moment, thinking no one could know who did it," Hojo said and looked at Hammer. "Also, my king, they had planned to get rid of the soldiers. It might have been too late until we had discovered the missing soldiers among thousands. It was good that Chief Nanka blundered, and I arrived there in time."
Tch. Varius clicked his tongue as he knew what the old man was doing.
Hammer raised his hand to demand silence, as it was his turn to speak now. They both bowed and sealed their mouth shut.
"Whatever happened. They were punished with their lives, but the main issue in the hand is the third accomplice of theirs. The one who attacked you, Varius. I want this person at all costs. Find him and bring him to me," King Hammer said.
"My king," Hojo spoke. "There was no third accomplice when we had planned it all. I do not know where this third man even comes from. I wonder if he is even related to our plan."
"The plan might have leaked by one of those two, or you might have been overheard by somebody," King Hammer speculated. "Someone who had a hidden agenda, but did not want to disclose themselves."
Something struck the mind of Varius, and he glanced at the entrance when he heard the words of Hammer. "My king," he said. "I will find that dastard soon and bring his head to you."
King Hammer nodded. "Do it before I decide to take yours in their place."
Varius bowed. "As you order, my king."
"Chief Hojo, you can leave," King Hammer said, making Hojo bow and take the exit. He signaled the guards at the entrance to send Logan in. "Send him in."
When Logan got inside, the aura the king possessed amazed him. He was grand like a hero, but had looks of a villain. He immediately bowed and took his place beside Varius. "I am delighted to be in your presence, my king," he said.
"Varius told me you were the who had sold Colt to that governor," Hammer said. "Is it true?"
"It is true, my king," he answered.
Hammer nodded with a straight face and stood up from his seat. He suddenly pulled out his sword and placed it on Logan's neck.
The bandit could not comprehend what was happening. "Huh?" He had his balls frozen at the place.
"It is because of you I had to assemble this large army and head on towards the castle," Hammer hissed. "Should I cut your head for this?"
"M-my k-king," Logan stammered. "I made a mistake. I ask for mercy." He fell on his knees and prostrated. "I would repay my mistake any way you want. Just do not take my life."
Varius looked at him and said, "My king, he has paid for what he had done. I had made sure of it."
Hammer glanced at him. "Since when did you get soft, Varius?"
Varius realized he was right. He had never intervened in the favor of someone in front of the king.
"Well, Varius, if you say so," King Hammer added. "Do you take his responsibility?"
"I do, my king," Varius replied.
"Then you can keep him as your pet. Make sure he experiences hell with you."
"I will, my king."
Logan quickly jumped up on his feet with his eyes in tears. "Thank you, my king, for having mercy on me. I will repay your debt with my services."
Hammer did not react, and turned to sit back in his chair before signaling him to leave. Logan bowed and exited the tent.
"Tell me," the king said to Varius, who was now alone in the tent with him. "Do you trust this man?"
"Not at all," Varius replied. "I suspect he is the who had attacked me then."
King Hammer nodded. "What else do you suspect?"
"That he might be a spy sent among us by the enemies. They must have thought we would let him in just because he had sold Colt to the governor of Wild."
King Hammer smirked. "If he is a spy, then we can use him in our favor."
Varius smirked as well when he understood what he meant. "Indeed, my king."
***
Dyna struggled to make a breakthrough for the conquest. The governor boosted the morale of his soldiers for them to defend the castle at all costs.
"Soldiers! Even if you die, do not let them enter the castle!" he shouted. "Let your carcass fight after you die, but defeat the enemy at all costs!"
Dyna watched her soldiers trying to break the gate, but their efforts were in vain. She knew there was no time, and the soldiers had already exhausted themselves. It was only a matter of time before she had to lift the siege. If only Gilbert arrived on time with the necessary manpower of their allies. A soldier arrived at the moment.
"We have received a message from Master Gilbert. He will be here tomorrow with the new guests."
Dyna smiled after she got the news. "Finally, you are here, old man." She eyed at the castle. "I will now make you fall. Just you wait."