Sir Lucan stood before the dark castle walls, the looming gates closed to him. It had been nearly an hour since the battle in the sewer, and he had yet to see a single soul pass the gate. The entire castle seemed to be in a lockdown.
As long as the King is safe, he thought selflessly. He glanced at Athena, who lay unconscious at his feet. Was he bringing her to her death? Yes, maybe, but isn't that what the witch deserves?
Galvan paced back and forth behind him, running his hands through his ear length blond hair. He seemed to be muttering under his breath, but Sir Lucan couldn't make out the words.
"Can you shut up for just a moment," Sir Lucan grumbled. "Can't hear myself think."
Galvan stopped and turned to Sir Lucan. "What did you just say to me, knight?"
"I-"
"No. I am the king's brother! I don't give a shit how strong you are or how much you've done to protect him. I despise people like you, acting all honorable because they kill for a living. There is no honor in killing innocents who merely have different views than you."
"So, what do you do for a living?" Sir Lucan asked. "You said it yourself: you're the king's brother. You could've been his right hand, using your position to make the world a better place. You could've helped to rule this kingdom. But you hide yourself away. Where, Galvan?"
"I farm. Fifty furlongs outside the city. I have a family, two little kids who see the world as peaceful. They find enjoyment in every new sunrise, every animal and bug and new food that they try. That's life. Not the hell that your "kingdoms" never fail to bring."
"You're raising them wrong then. One day they'll set foot into the real world. And they'll know…they've been lied to their whole lives. At least I realized the truth of this world early on. That's why I'm strong. That's why I've survived. Those children will never know what hit them when war does inevitably come. And they will not survive."
Galvan sneered. "They won't ever have to see war."
"Just because you live outside the capitol? War finds its way into every crevice, no matter where you hide. And from our current situation, it could be here any day. Your family is not safe."
"Why do you think I'm here? I came to say goodbye to my brother. He deserves that much, at least."
Sir Lucan fell quiet, choosing his next words carefully. "Where will you go?"
Galvan squinted at him suspiciously. "As if I would tell you. Somewhere overseas. That's the plan. Away from these awful houses that only seek to gain power."
They stood in silence for a moment, until Galvan spoke again. "Say, what were those things? Why didn't my sword work on them? Why are they here?"
"That's a lot of questions, m'lord. And I, unfortunately, do not have many answers. They're some kind of demons. I don't know why they're here. And as for your sword, it seems only my warhammer is able to kill them as of yet. Everything else fails. It has to do with what metal it's made of. Apparently, this weapon…used to belong to one of them. How it ended up in my hands, I've not the faintest idea."
"Well, you're going to need more like it," Galvan said. He stared impatiently at the gates, then strode up. He slammed his fist against the iron bars, causing them to rattle violently. Grabbing one of the bars, he began to shake. "Guards! Let us in! The attack is over!"
Sir Lucan fought the urge to sigh. "That's not gonna-"
The sound of a chain rattled from the inside, and the gate began to lift.
Galvan looked behind him at Sir Lucan, triumph playing across his face. "You were saying? Come on, I must say farewell to my brother."
*******
Sir Lucan felt something was off from the moment they stepped foot within the walls. The guards were not their usual, laid-back selves. Usually, on nights like this one, King Leandis let the men drink and slack off a little, as long as their posts remained well guarded. But now, every soldier had their eyes cast to the ground in shame, and they kept completely silent as Sir Lucan and Galvan made their way through the courtyard.
He adjusted his grip on Athena, who lay over his shoulders like a sack of potatoes, except somehow even lighter. The girl was skin and bones, Sir Lucan realized. She probably hadn't eaten in days.
It's what she deserves. Right? She summoned those demons. She's the reason for all of the commotion among the commoners. She does deserve death.
Yet no matter how much he tried to convince himself, he felt guilty bringing her to the King, who would likely have her killed on site.
Vylend, the Master of Coin, stumbled down the steps in front of them. His robes were rumpled and untucked, as if he'd just rolled out of bed. Large bags as dark as fresh bruises sat beneath his eyes, and he seemed to be shaking. "You two. The King does not wish for any intrusions. He's retired to his room and wishes to speak to no one. Not I, not Lady Elyse, and especially not you, Sir Lucan."
Sir Lucan sat Athena on the ground. "Why not? Go tell him I have brought a gift."
"Last I heard, you were a traitor. Killing innocents in the streets? I'm surprised he hasn't put you in chains already."
Galvan gave Sir Lucan a smile. "Loyalty. Honor. See what it gets you, knight?"
"I don't believe he wants to see you either, m'lord," Vylend said quietly.
Galvan raised his eyebrows. "I only wish to say goodbye to my brother. I'll be off soon, I'm sure my family misses me dearly."
Sir Lucan took a step forward. "Why has the king confined himself? What happened?"
Vylend grew quiet, looking down at his feet.
Galvan also stepped forward. "Speak, you balding pig. What's happened?"
"I…I don't know if it's true."
"Then what are the rumors," Sir Lucan pressed. "What did you hear?"
"The king's son…Prince Daelos…he's been murdered."