The feline locked eyes with Dom and, in a swift move, leaped and jumped onto Rufus's lap. The King paled. This, after all, was true. His executioner was a wizard!
"Executioner, what is your name?" The question came from the monarch himself, who absentmindedly scratched the cat's head.
"Dominique, my King."
"Dom, you won't be burned. We have other plans for you," Rufus affirmed, with a certain gleam in his eyes and a peculiar smile on his face.
And after that, Dom's life changed in every possible way. He was removed from his position, and his small shack was dismantled. But this was just to erase all traces of the executioner's identity. For a few days, Dom stayed in one of the castle's rooms. Meals were served daily, four times a day, but his freedom was consumed: he wasn't allowed to leave that room without the King's specific orders. From his window, Dom could see a good part of the forest that bathed the back of the fortress. He had to wait for seven days until the Lord of Ard Taj himself appeared. Without prior notice, on the morning of one day, Rufus entered the room. The King wore his usual black leather and his long dark cape.
"Dominique, it's time for clarifications!" The King pulled a chair and sat down near Dom, who also sat, but on the immense bed that had been provided. "Your old life, as you were told by the servants, is over. We've covered all your tracks up to this point and spread the rumor that you were killed by a wolf while gathering firewood in the forest."
Dom nodded in agreement; indeed, this had already been told to him by the people who brought him food or cleaned the room.
"My King, please tell me what my next steps will be."
And his request was granted. Rufus decided that it would be best for the kingdom, after all, to have an ace up his sleeve for whatever problem might arise. The wizard could be useful in controlling animals in attack or defense, preventing wild animals from attacking the army on their expeditions or the people in their day-to-day lives, but only if truly necessary. For now, the best course of action would be to keep Dom away from everyone so that he could learn as much as possible about his gift on his own, to act masterfully when needed. Rufus arranged an old cabin deep in Ard Makina, a space where the executioner could cultivate his own crops and hunt while learning more about magic. As dangerous as it might be to let that wizard roam free, the monarch was uncertain about what should be done in that case, aside from taking him to the stake.
Everything that was proposed was indeed done. Dominique had no family; he could simply disappear in the blink of an eye, and no one would notice his absence. That same morning, the clothes he had been given were stored in large wooden chests, along with supplies and basic tools like knives and utensils. A team with a guide and three soldiers was prepared, along with a large cart, to accompany the executioner to his destination. Everyone had been instructed about the mission's confidentiality. Nothing could deviate from the plans.