AUTHOR'S POV
"Right…", King Desmun waved at the man holding Ottis back, nodding. "Let him pass General Nizar, I would like to hear what this man has to say. The rest of you, back to your chambers", the ladies in the sitting room immediately left at the command of the King.
King Desmun sat comfortably on the soft lounge surrounded with too many square, and cylindrical pillows, pulling out a piece of paper that he has been keeping close to his heart. "Call Princess Eirah". Prior to Ottis' arrival, a letter was sent by Stellan through the princess, entailing the request for a private conclave.
Looking closely, Ottis thought Atrius had a great resemblance with his father. Sunken eyes, high crooked nose and medium built frame. While he lock his eyes on the King, he allowed General Nizar to freely take all of his weapons. They took Ottis' one sword, six daggers, one bow and seven arrows, and two dirks before paving the way for him to the king. As he walk through the valley of his apparent death, Ottis stood before the King with his head held high. 'Here we go', he thought.
"Is this another one of your King's tricks?", General Nizar unsheathed his swords giving off a certain gentleness on his face but with a very sharp gaze.
"No, he does not know any of this. It was written in the letter sent to Your Highness", Ottis firmly said, as he remain tall before King Desmun. "As said, we do not support King Galen's decision on war".
"Very unlikely for the great paladins to cause treason", General Nizar grunted in disbelief.
"You. Do you have an idea what was written in this letter?", King Desmun asked, lifting the paper up.
"No", Ottis never knew what was actually written there, however, he knew what his purpose is… and that is to stop the war. "But our holy warriors are decided to propose a ceasefire… and we shall find ways to give you Atrius alive", Ottis uttered. King Desmun's face lightened at the name of his beloved son that he longs for. Amongst all his children, he have only favored Atrius for many reasons.
Atrius is the only surviving son he have left. All the sons that he bore with his concubines have radically perished from several reasons - accidents, undisclosed sickness and sudden disappearance without any trace. When he found out that he bore another son with one of his concubines, King Desmun didn't had second thoughts to send his son somewhere safe. With all of his sons dead, he refused to get another funeral of one of his descendants of the crown. Heartbreakingly, he let his concubine leave with his son for Greco and watch him grow at a distance. By the time that Atrius have come of age, it was only then that he introduced himself as his father. He brought him back to Vierme and taught him the ways of his people, crowning him as his successor. Unfortunately, Atrius declined the position and suddenly left for Nether to become a knight. From then, he has been supportive of his son with a hope that he'll come back for the throne that was always been destined to Atrius.
"Ha! That's absurd. And how would you even do that? That king of yours is too hungry for blood. He wanted war! You don't even have conceete plans to let Prince Atrius out", General Khaled exclaimed with his hands on waist. He has always been a talker without rational thinking, that he blurt out the most practical reasons during conversations. King Desmun remained silent as he listen intently while the two exchange their heated thoughts.
"Atrius is a friend of the Princess of Nether, and my close comrade too. No one desires a war, much more deaths amongst the people whom the princess adores", Ottis stared at the King without batting an eye.
"Princess? ", King Desmun creased his brows in wonder who the princess of Nether Ottis just mentioned. He believes King Silvius only have one son, who has been a real pain ever since he seated on the throne.
"The true heir of King Silvius and Beatrice of Caluso, Princess Helena.", Ottis revealed with a clear voice. "Atrius, and the Princess happened to have fought side by side in many conflicts in Nether", he said.
"He did?", King Desmun felt a certain warmth in his chest that lighted his pride as a father. "Is he that close to the princess?", he asked.
"I believe they are closer than any of us. They were together longer and more often during the times in Brandenburg and even after that", Ottis explained.
"Does this princess had anything to do why Prince Atrius is amongst the wanted felon in your kingdom?", General Khaled crossed his arms on his chest, glaring at Ottis with a hardened jaw.
"We were framed. For obvious reasons, the Princess is of high importance in our kingdom. The palace will do whatever it takes to reel us in. Atrius happened to be one of the few people who's helping Princess Helena escape the grasp of King Galen", Ottis is starting to get weary of convincing these two. King Desmund and the general were both invested, yet wary of Nether's true intentions.
"My son… did he ever tell why he didn't want to take the crown of Vierme?", the King asked, picking up his goblet of wine and sipped a little.
"I'm sure you can ask him that.. but what I can tell, Atrius treasured his royal roots and leaving Vierme is something he regrets", Ottis never knew why Atrius left Vierme too. It was a very sensitive topic that hits the nerves. Regardless, Atrius wore all the royal clothing sent to him, valuing everything piece by piece.
"I thought so", King Desmun never knew why Atrius suddenly left. He had hunches of what caused it within the palace, but never acknowledged it… refusing to believe what he sees for the love of family.
"Have the heat of Vierme toasted the nut inside your head? The more I hear it, the more absurd it sounds!", General Khaled scoffed. "Don't you believe this kind of crap, Your Royal Highness. We are being played".
"As you know, knight. We never heard of such existence of a Princess", the King put his goblet down, resting his hands together on his lap.
"King Desmun, with all due respect, how can we trust this convict of Nether? This good-for-nothing! Why would the paladins sent this crap when they can persobally come here and reveal their sincerity?", General continued to oppose. "This is a trap. They shall attack while we are vulnerable".
Ottis cringed at the General's raging thoughts on how his character is judged only for the wrong decisions he made. He deeply sighed with his eyes closed, gathering all the patience he have left. "I won't deny that allegation. I made mistakes in the past that I'm not proud of. However, being alongside with the princess is something I'll always choose in any lifetime", he said as he glare back at the General. "The paladins' movements are being watched. Our calculated plans won't flourish if we lose any of them. King Galen has a sorceress on his side, and is a powerful one. Why would you think a dark healer would freely roam our lands?", he said that kept King Desmun position himself at the edge of his seat. "The war is in favor to us. And that is inevitable, as each of you have already known… whether you are properly dressed for battle or not".
"Why you...!", General Khaled lost his wits, as he drew one sword and directly lunge at Ottis.
"That's why I'm telling you now… to ceasefire", Ottis didn't flinch at the scimitar drawn to his neck. His eyes dared the furious general to bury his blade on his skin with a proud smirk. "For your Prince Atrius, and mine, for Princess Helena", he closed his eyes and waited to be beheaded in the hands of the general.