"Greetings, friend." Bistl rose from his incredibly comfortable armchair, and Killh knelt, as was the norm. "You don't have to kneel. We don't have such rules. Take your seat opposite me in the armchair, and let's not waste time on unnecessary gestures. "
The messenger was again taken aback, but without a single twitch, he stood and sat down.
"I expected the king's messenger to appear before me. I knew Misterel wouldn't have the courage to send anyone else. So you don't need to introduce yourself. For there is only one messenger of such refinement, such character, and with such an elaborate name." The messenger became one of the few who saw the smile on Bistl's face.
"What's this all about? The governor himself, who never behaves like this, is smiling at me, joking. Something stinks here. Something here doesn't sit well with me," Killh thought. "
Now that we've got the introduction out of the way, let's get straight to the point." You've undoubtedly come to inform me that I can come to the noble court in Milvatras to discuss further plans for the king.
"I don't know, Master Steward. I was only tasked with delivering a letter. I haven't received authorization to read its contents." The messenger pulled a rolled-up piece of paper from his belt and handed it to the knight. "Here it is.
" "Surely you can't tell me you don't know what this is about. Besides, I wouldn't believe you anyway. You certainly realize you're participating in a conspiracy. However, you might not know what it concerns, so read this letter. Read it aloud. I grant you permission.
" "Something abnormal is happening here. The contents of a confidential letter, which likely contains details about this entire affair, are to be known to an ordinary messenger. So what if it's a royal one? A messenger. This is abnormal!" Killh shouted in his mind.
"Read it. What are you waiting for? It's a waste of time."
The messenger wanted to throw the letter down and run from the hall, but curiosity got the better of him. “On the other hand, I will finally find out what this is all about. Everything will become clear.” He began to read.
“Master Mehron.
In accordance with our agreement, I am sending you, my friend, the most trusted messenger in the entire kingdom. I wish to inform you, my friend, that our Gracious King Glerion left Milvatras this morning. He went to the elven city to negotiate with that cunning race. Of course, he has already signed what he was supposed to sign. I hope that before his return, you will impress us, Master Mehron, with your presence. I would like, if possible, for Killh to return with you, my friend.
I bow to
Misterel ven Sorris
. “You have surely guessed by now what our plot is?” asked Bistl.
"Yes..." the messenger pondered for a moment. "It's about the king's signature, on some very important document for the kingdom, one he wouldn't have knowingly signed.
" "The moment you walked in, I knew I was dealing with an exceptionally clever individual." the knight flattered Killh. "Yes, it's about the signature. The signature on a document abolishing the king's descendant's right to inherit the scepter...
" "What?! This means the loss of power for the Fleym family. This means the end of the kingdom's dark days. This is a brilliantly conceived plan!" shouted Killh
. "A little quieter. This information must not reach unauthorized ears." the knight reassured the messenger. "I see that you, Master Killh, have maintained your presence of mind throughout and have noticed that Glerion's rule had tragic consequences."
"This is beyond my comprehension. The Knights Guild Governor is referring to a messenger with the title of Highness. Something is amiss here. I feel I've been entangled in this conspiracy by a very cunning method," the messenger carefully analyzed the facts
. "Yes, I've noticed. King Glerion's reign was simply one big failure. That's why you and the king's advisors probably decided, Highness Governor, that steps must be taken to prevent further Fleym rule. But at this point, stripping Santre of his potential power is pointless anyway. After all, King Glerion isn't old yet and won't die anytime soon. Hmmmm... I gather there's already a plan to get rid of Glerion.
" "You're convincing me, Highness Killhu, that I'm dealing with an exceptionally clever messenger." But what can I say, I won't be a messenger for long, but... - he interrupted the knight
- Since you've already started, Lord Mehron, then finish. I have a strange feeling that there are some plans for me that I know nothing about, and I should know. It's not normal for the guild governor to address a messenger as "Highness." - Killh voiced his thoughts aloud
- Yes... I'm sure now... - Bistl pondered - Get ready, Killh. If the title of Highness doesn't suit you, I'll call you by your first name now, but I assure you, you'll earn greater titles... Get ready. We're going to Milvatras. Time is running out.
Killh rose from his chair, and Bistl rose right behind him. The personal audience was over, but the messenger was analyzing it, already mounted and galloping at the knight's side. Towards the capital of the kingdom...
*
When Bistl and Killh entered Misterel's chamber, they noticed that everyone was already there. In the corner, Zondel ven Soyt sat sprawled in an armchair, and right next to him, Merion ven Sontre. The bank manager and the craftsman were whispering to each other. Misterel wasn't in the main room. He had just gone to his private "liquor store," to supply the assembled guests with the finest quality liquors available in the kingdom. The other councilors were also seated in armchairs scattered around the room. They were all deep in conversation, but as one, they jumped at the sight of the king's messenger.
"Oh, fuck..." the young councilor stopped himself at the last moment. "Now we're all hanging."
Killh realized how dangerous this intrigue was.
"My friend. What has stirred such emotion in you?" Misterel joked, entering from a side room. "Ah... I see." It is Master Bistl ven Helt who has already arrived.
"Yes, I have. I have arrived with the king's messenger, Killh vun Morth. And fear not, friends. Killh is on our side," said the knight. "Nothing threatens you. You will not be hanged on the gallows or burned at the stake, as you have just imagined. No. He is not the king's spy. I repeat: He is with us. I request that he be added to our "group" of conspirators."
Silence fell on the chamber. None of the councilors dared to speak. Zondel and Merion did not express their opinion either. However, a certain glint could be seen in Misterel's eye. The chief councilor had the same intention as Bistl. He did not say anything about him to the man himself, as he hoped the knight would come to the same conclusions as he had and take the initiative. He hadn't miscalculated...
"Well then... they've dragged me into this mess, and now there's no turning back. Especially since Bistl himself is my protector. Unbelievable. I wonder what else will happen?" Killh asked himself. "
In that case, my friend, allow me to introduce everyone present here," Misterel said to the messenger.
*
"Now that the official part is over, let's move on to the less formal part. I'd also like you, my friend, to take your seat next to Bistl," Misterel said to Killh.
The messenger took his seat, and the craftsman looked at him meaningfully.
"I have one more question for you, my friend. Since you came here with Killh, he surely knows everything he needs to know. Am I right?
" "Of course, Misterel. He just doesn't know what we're planning to do with the king.
" "Excellent. So...
" "Excellent, right? Excellent?! The young councilor rose from his seat. "What's so great about that?! Am I to understand that it was known for a long time that the messenger would join our ranks?! Right?"
"Calm down, my friend. Yes, I had modest plans for Killh, but I didn't reveal them because I hadn't made a final decision." Misterel took control of the situation.
"And today, the matter has clarified itself. It was I, my dear friends, who made the decision. The moment Killh appeared in my chamber, I knew immediately that he was the man we needed. Right away. For he is one of a kind." The knight raised his voice. "A messenger, yet a thinker. A thinker, but with a straight mind. We need someone like that. Someone who won't go around the bend, but will go straight. Regardless of the circumstances. Regardless of whether it hurts anyone. Regardless of what others think. This is a man who can change the fate of the kingdom, who can save Milvette from destruction.
" "You speak as if you wanted to make him king, my friend." "The nervous one spoke in a calmer voice, and a twinkle appeared in Misterel's eye again.
"It's not him, it's a friend, or perhaps Master Killh." Bistl intervened. "And don't think you're a better candidate, my friend, just because you're one of Glerion's advisors. Don't think that way."
Silence fell again in the chamber. It slowly became obvious that no one from Glerion's closest circle would become the new king.
"I see you've fallen silent, friends. Unnecessarily. Completely unnecessarily. I understand your dilemmas," Misterel announced. "Each of you thought he would be the new king, but I decided from the very beginning that it couldn't be one of us. I didn't know then, however, that a candidate would be found so quickly. But he was found faster than I thought. I also believe that Killh vun Morth should be the new king. I'm not telling you, my friends, to make this very important decision today. I suggest we give Killh a chance." I therefore determine that he takes my place. This way, he is responsible for getting rid of the king as quickly as possible. Do you agree to this solution, friends?
The assembled were unconvinced, but they realized that Bistl supported the plan, and therefore they must support it as well.
"We agree," the knight said on behalf of the entire "group," and no one protested. "We agree.
" "Then let us drink, friends. Let us not skimp on the exquisite beverages today," said Misterel.
Everyone raised their filled goblets and, still hesitant, tipped them. Soon, all doubts would be dispelled
...
The king learned of everything. Everything became clear. He deposed his son. His signature and seal proved to be absolutely genuine and unforged. The new law spread throughout the kingdom. It was first announced in the main square in Milvatras, and from there it spread. For the first time in many years, anger erupted in Glerion. He recalled all his advisors and promised them a slow, agonizing death. However, he could not fulfill this promise, as the case went to the High Court of the Kingdom of Milvette. The court was held in the main square of the capital, and anyone who wanted could witness this one, massive masquerade with their own eyes. Glerion, of course, achieved nothing; he only worsened his situation. As planned, the archjudge was paid. Five purses, each containing 200 yunces, were enough to grant Glerion a two-month reprieve. Meanwhile, the king's advisors, who had been reinstated, were to take over the kingdom. The king remained at the manor, holed up in his luxurious chambers, with his wife. However, Milia ven Fleyma wasn't always with her husband. She was often away...
*
"King. The messenger from Vorningen has arrived," announced the servant.
Glerion didn't reply. He sat thoughtfully in an armchair and sipped the fiery-red liquid. Lately, he'd done nothing else. Because what else was he supposed to do? His wife was gone, his son was studying at the temple school, and he sat with his arms folded. He didn't even follow the actions of his advisors, who held power from the shoulder. He sat and thought. About nothing in particular. He didn't know what.
"King. The messenger," repeated the servant.
"Ah... yes... let him in..." Glerion came to his senses. "I'll take him here."
A man with a thick beard entered the chamber. A messenger, but a different one. The servant left the chamber.
"Sit down," he gestured to the king's chair.
Brand knelt down and sat down. He seemed somewhat uneasy. He pulled a letter from his belt and handed it to the king. Glerion unrolled the paper. "This is your last moment..." he read aloud and sank to the floor, the dagger buried in his chest....
*
I, Misterel ven Sorris, along with all the advisors of Our Gracious, Sovereign, and Irrepressible King, wish to announce that Glerion ven Fleym is dead. He has departed to the realm of the Divine and will not return. The kingdom's medics have determined that the king was murdered. Most likely by a dagger. I express my hope that the assassin will be found and end his miserable life at the stake, and that the smoke of his burning body will become a tribute to Our Répressible King.
*
"We must announce as soon as possible that Killh is the new king. Brand will eventually give in and speak," said Bistl. "Everything will come to light. However, if he had begun speaking during Killh's reign, it would have been perceived as a vile insult to the king, and he would have been burned at the stake. For murder and for hurling insults at Killh..."
*
The Council of Indicators, in accordance with current law, has already chosen a new king. We deliberated on this matter for a long time, but we finally reached an agreement. I, Misterel ven Sorris, as the highest councilor, solemnly declare that from this day forward, until his death, the Kingdom of Milvette will be ruled by Killh vun Morth. From this day forward, he also takes on a new name and a new title. Our new king, named Killh ven Menthe, takes power in the kingdom."
*
The news spread throughout the kingdom. Messengers delivered letters to all the cities and towns in Milvette. This news also reached the Torture Chamber. One of the most respected assassins, Brand, realized his mistake. For the first time, he had been tricked like a child. For the first time, the Torture Chamber was also stained with the blood of a suicide...
Brak komentarzy:
Prześlij komentarz