The dimly lit chamber of King Eldon's private quarters was a place where important decisions were made. The large oak table, scarred by countless deliberations, stood at the center of the room, and before it sat the King himself, an aura of authority surrounding him. Across from him, Arwin Falric, the rare space mage and strategist of Verdwryn, stood in quiet contemplation, his hands folded behind his back.
"I must say, Arwin," the King's voice broke the silence, his tone steady, "I'm intrigued by the boy's ideas. Michael. He certainly has... imagination. And courage."
Arwin's lips twitched in a rare smile, a glimmer of respect in his eyes. "Indeed, Your Majesty. I have to admit, I initially underestimated him. But he's proved himself time and again. His thinking is sharp, and his proposal to handle Count Varrik was nothing short of brilliant. If we use him wisely, I believe he could be one of our greatest assets."
The King leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled as he thought. "I agree. However, I find myself in a dilemma." His gaze flickered to a stack of documents on the table, papers detailing the ongoing war efforts, troop movements, and the constantly shifting tides of the battlefield. "He's done something that many would hesitate to even consider—he's turned the tide of our plans. But he's also walked a fine line. His actions are... dangerous. They could spark rebellion, unrest."
Arwin nodded. "I understand your concerns, Your Majesty. But if we kill Varrik now, we risk losing a valuable piece in our game. Michael's idea—to let him remain in power and use him—is far more sound. If we wait until the moment is right, we can crush both the Zeranthians and Varrik in one strike."
The King was quiet for a long moment, his eyes narrowing in thought. "Yes. But there is still the issue of Karth. If Karth survives, he may inform Veylor Iskan of Michael's knowledge of the betrayal."
Arwin smiled, an almost predatory glint in his eyes. "That is an easy fix, Your Majesty. Even if Veylor knows, we can simply remove the threat. Michael's death, while unfortunate, would ignite the people. It would rally them. The Zeranthians will never see it coming. And we can set the perfect trap."
The King's gaze flickered to Arwin, measuring him, before he nodded slowly. "You make a compelling case. The boy certainly has the right instincts." He leaned forward, his fingers tapping the table. "Very well. But there is the matter of how we reward him. He deserves more than just a simple promotion. A reward commensurate with his efforts."
Arwin raised an eyebrow. "And what do you have in mind, Your Majesty?"
The King's expression grew pensive. "A simple military promotion might not suffice. It would be too easy. His contributions deserve more. Tell me, Arwin, where is Michael from?"
Arwin looked thoughtful, his mind calculating. "He's from a small village called Dawnfield, near the northern border of the Kingdom of Talaris. It's a relatively underdeveloped area, far from the heart of the kingdom. His family is poor, but they are hardy folk, with a deep connection to the land. Michael has the same grit and resilience as his people."
The King's lips quirked slightly. "Dawnfield, you say? Near Talaris, that's a strategic location, but the land is untapped. It's the perfect place for someone like him. I believe Michael could do more than just fight a war. He could help develop that area, transform it into something more than the quiet, forgotten village it is now."
He leaned forward, his gaze sharp. "In fact, I've been looking for someone who could take charge of that region and oversee its growth. I want to make Dawnfield more than just a border town. It could become a thriving, important settlement. With Michael's leadership and your guidance, I think it could be the future of that part of the kingdom."
Arwin's eyes glimmered with understanding. "So, you plan to make him a Baron?"
The King nodded, his voice firm. "Indeed. Michael will be granted the title of Baron of Dawnfield. Along with that, he will have the resources to begin improving the area. I will ensure that he has the authority to reshape the land, develop trade, and build stronger ties with Talaris, rather than leaving it vulnerable."
Arwin's expression softened slightly, impressed by the King's forward thinking. "It's a wise move, Your Majesty. He'll have both the responsibility and the means to prove his worth, while also securing the border."
The King made a swift decision. "And, of course, I'll provide him with a monetary reward as well. One thousand gold coins. However, the payment will only be made once the war has concluded. I cannot risk it before then."
Arwin's eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly masked it with a nod. "A generous reward indeed."
The King smiled, his eyes hardening with resolve. "He deserves it. But I must also ensure he remains out of the public eye. We can't afford to have too many people know the truth about his survival. His 'death' must be convincing."
Arwin's voice took on a measured tone. "I have an idea for that. There is a special squad of elite mages, the ones who undertake the most dangerous missions. They are all powerful, but they tend to be... blunt instruments. What they lack is a sharp mind, a strategist. Michael could fill that role perfectly. He won't compare with them in brute strength—he's only level 3, while most of them are at level 5 or 6—but his intellect and tactical acumen will be invaluable."
The King's gaze shifted to the side, mulling over the idea. "That's a good plan. Place him in that squad. It'll keep him out of sight and give him a chance to prove his worth. And when the time comes, we can play his death off as a tragic loss in battle."
Arwin nodded. "Exactly. Michael will be a shadow, working behind the scenes. The squad will benefit from his strategic mind, and we'll ensure his survival."
The King leaned back, his fingers steepled once more. "This is a delicate matter, Arwin. We can't afford any mistakes. Michael's death must appear real, and the squabbling within the court must remain under control. His title and reward will be a way to honor him for now, but the future remains uncertain."
Arwin gave a short bow. "I understand, Your Majesty. I'll handle everything. Michael will be placed where he can do the most good, and we'll make sure the Zeranthians believe he's dead."
The King's expression softened just slightly. "One more thing. I want Michael to know that his actions have not gone unnoticed. His bravery, his intellect—they are the foundation of our future. I will inform him of his title and the reward in due time, but for now, we must remain vigilant."
As Arwin left the King's chambers to make the necessary preparations, the King remained seated, deep in thought. Michael's reward was set, but there was something about the young man that continued to linger in his mind. His courage, his cunning—it all made the King wonder if Michael might become something far greater than just a tool in their war effort.
For now, though, there was work to be done. The war must be won, and the kingdom's future secured.
And Michael, Baron of Dawnfield, would play his part.