Dom jumped from the tree trunk with his heart pounding in his chest. He felt his hands start to tremble. It couldn't be true. The bird startled by the leap and flew away as fast as it could. Talking to animals? It can't be! Talking to animals? Nobody talks to animals! He was doomed. As soon as they realized his madness, it would be his head severed and raised for the whole square to applaud. He was doomed unless he hid this... ability? Curse? Did he really want to live a life like that? After days of facing this madness, ignoring the most absurd comments from animals, who seemed to understand the Ard Tajian language better than many children, he decided that the right thing to do would be to surrender to the King, the most impossible decisions, after all, were the monarch's responsibility. Dominique decided, one morning, to lay his marvelous double-sided axe on his bed and set off for the castle, determined to share that nightmare with his King.
Dom arrived at the castle still in the morning, requesting to report exclusively to the monarch, with very important matters regarding witchcraft. The guards decided to prioritize him over others who were also waiting to be attended to. When he entered the castle and reached the throne room, for the first time, he saw such a grand and magnificent space, as clear as day itself, with ceiling paintings that looked like dreams, it was beautiful. The hall could easily accommodate a hundred people, and in front, a few steps led to the immense throne of red leather and orange steel. There was Rufus, the Lord of Ard Taj, accompanied by his right-hand man, a southerner dressed in his great white armor, guarded by several soldiers who protected the entire room. Dominique walked through the immense hall to the first step, then knelt on one knee and lowered his head.
"My King, I need to make a serious confession to Your Highness," he decided to get straight to the point.
"My executioner, you have always served us with the most divine mastery. First and foremost, I want you to know that I am faithfully grateful for your services. Tell me, why have you come to me?" The King wore his delicate golden crown.
Dominique raised his head, staring fixedly at the monarch.
"For the past few days, I have been facing the greatest madness I have ever experienced in my life, and I cannot hide it from Your Highness," Dom noticed the King shifting in his throne, adjusting his posture, paying closer attention.