"Get out of my way," Galvan said, shouldering Vyland to the side. The man stumbled but managed to regain his footing.
The Master of Coin looked shocked but stepped out of Galvan's path.
Sir Lucan set Athena down. "Don't let her out of your sight." Then, he stepped past him, watching the stout man closely, unsure if he would try to stop him as well. Vylend made no such move, instead bowing his head to the ground in submission.
The two made their way down a corridor and started up a wide stone staircase that winded up to the second floor, where the king's quarters stood. Four knights stood outside the door in full armor, their swords already out as if they were preparing for an attack.
"Let us through," Galvan ordered, stepping toward the door.
Two of the guards stepped in front of the door, blocking his way. The other two assumed battle positions, their swords pointing toward Galvan.
Sir Lucan drew his warhammer and stepped forward. "You don't want to do that, boys."
"We have strict orders that no one is to be allowed in. The king is in mourning," one of the guards stammered.
"And we're ordering you to let us through. Do you want to die right here?" Sir Lucan asked. "I've already killed one too many today. I'd rather not add my own men to that list."
The door opened behind them, and a shadow appeared in the doorway. "Let them in," King Leandis mumbled.
The guards stepped aside, and Galvan and Sir Lucan stepped in. King Leandis shut the door behind them and made his way over to the window, where he was drinking from a bottle of wine. Another bottle lay on the floor, empty.
"What do you want?" The king asked, chugging from the bottle.
"I…heard about what happened to Daelos-" Galvan began.
"Don't! Don't speak his name," King Leandis said, his voice quivering. "I can't bear to hear that right now, brother."
"What, if I may ask, caused it?" Said Sir Lucan.
"That demon. That horrid…thing. You let one of them escape the sewers. It followed me and Sir Melior up to the surface."
"Has Sir Melior returned?" Galvan asked.
"Dead, if I had to guess. Not that I care. He failed in his job of keeping my family and I safe."
Sir Lucan knelt to the ground. "My king. I failed you as well. I am truly sorry for this. None of it should have happened."
"How could you have anticipated it, Sir Lucan?" King Leandis asked, taking another swig of wine. "Demons? A fortnight ago, I would've said you were insane for believing in such a thing. This is unprecedented. No matter how much I need to put the blame on someone, no one deserves it. Except those demons. They must pay for what they've done."
"They will, my King."
"My son," King Leandis said, a tear falling from his eye. "My only son. The future of my house, of our kingdom. He was such an innocent boy. The fear he felt in his last moments…why did it have to be him? Why not me?"
A beam of sunlight cut through the window, shining on the king's darkened face. After just a few hours, Sir Lucan was surprised to see how much older he looked.
"Brother," Galvan started. "I'm sorry for your loss. I truly am. But all this has shown me, I was right in my previous decision. I need to leave."
King Leandis's eyes widened. "What?"
"I'm taking my family away from here. I must keep them safe."
"But…but I'm your family. Galvan-"
"I'm sorry, Tyland. You lost a child today. Would you wish the same fate upon my children?"
Tyland. Sir Lucan had never heard the king's first name used in that way.
"Fine," King Leandis said, waving his brother off. "Abandon me, little brother. Abandon the man who's taken care of you for as long as you can remember. I was more of a parent than Mother and Father ever were to you. I raised you! And now you want to leave? In my darkest hour?"
"Tyland-"
"NO! Leave! I don't need you, Galvan. Get out. Ride out into the sunset with your family. You deserve a happy ending. After all, you're free to do so. No crown enslaves you. So go. Be free."
"I love you, Tyland," Galvan said, turning toward the door.
"Don't forget to write. Maybe…someday when this is all over and I finally have time, I'll visit."
Galvan closed the door behind him, and King Leandis thumped his head down on the table, a shaking hand clutched in a fist.
"You're dismissed, Sir Lucan," the king said, his voice devoid of emotion. "Let me drown in the comfort of my drink alone."
"I have news, my King."
"News? Other than the fact that my only heir is dead? Tell me, what could possibly be more important than that?"
Sir Lucan bowed his head in submission. "Not that it is more important, but I accomplished your order. After all, she is the cause of everything that's happened. Her actions resulted in the arrival of those demons."
King Leandis looked shocked. "The wench?"
"Yes. Athena."
The King stood from his chair, slightly stumbling. "Where is she? I'll have her head immediately."
"Wait, your Grace."
"Wait?" King Leandis mumbled. His eyes locked on Sir Lucan's, and he saw a fury burning behind them. "Wait? All I've done is wait! I've wanted her head for a week now. That woman disrespected me. And I don't doubt that she is connected to those demons! She must pay!"
"And she will," Sir Lucan said calmly. "But you must understand. When I caught her…she was summoning those…demons. She is connected to them. Without a doubt."
"So let me kill her! Step aside, Sir Lucan."
"She is valuable. I don't think ending her life now would bring us much good besides the short rush of bliss you'll get for avenging the prince."
"What…value? What could she possibly do for us?"
"Shed light on the origin of those demons. Tell us of her connection to them. And why she brought them to our city. Athena is guilty. Her actions have brought us great sorrow to be sure. But we need to know where these things are coming from before we end her life."
King Leandis finished off the bottle of wine. "So, we imprison her again. What, just so that she can escape once more?"
"I won't let that happen. I shall watch her. Day and night. I will ensure she doesn't move a muscle."
The King sighed, plopping down on the edge of his bed. "You're likely right. After all this…I just don't know what to do anymore. I don't know who to trust. I can trust you, Sir Lucan? Right?"
"I killed sixty men for you, my king. I would do twice as many if it came to it. Trust me with this. I will not let you down."