Percy, Dalia, and Nieren moved through the city as quickly as possible.
Their destination was the palace of the baron, which was directly in the middle of the city. The two moons that shone down on the land gave everything a darker look to it, making the night even more ominous.
This was all due to the fact that there weren't any streetlights in this part of the city. Just torches lined every street corner until they came closer to the palace.
They rushed into the building, passing guards and knights. They found the throne room where Quinus, Zellin, and some of Zellin's counsel were discussing the new trade route with the Kingdom of Marn.
***
"Zellin, can you explain to me why the Kingdom of Marn would be interested in opening a new trade route?" Quinus inquired, his brow furrowing in concern as he sat across from the baron, the weight of their precarious political situation evident in his tone. "My father has had a long-standing enmity with them, and I find it difficult to see any benefit in this venture."
"I understand your concerns, Your Highness," Zellin replied, leaning forward in his chair, his fingers steepled in thought. "It does strike me as unusual that they would prefer to establish trade routes through Ironside rather than directly approaching His Majesty, the King. However, I can't help but wonder if we might derive some advantage by gaining access to their naval ports along the northern seas, which lead to the expansive Yoden Ocean. Viscount William Lysander has been charging exorbitant tariffs on all goods from other domains wishing to use his ports. This could be a strategic opportunity for us to explore—unless, of course, their intentions are more nefarious, perhaps involving the acquisition of all the purple slag from my domain?"
As Zellin glanced toward the other members of the council, an uneasy silence hung in the air, tense with the implications of their discussion.
"We must tread carefully," Hajdah interjected, his voice laced with skepticism. "We cannot trust the Kingdom of Marn—they have a history that suggests they may resort to enslaving the dwarven population of Fiafyr for their own gain. There's something distinctly off about these negotiations; it smells of treachery."
Quinus grimaced, the weight of the news settling heavily on his shoulders. The mention of William Lysander sent a ripple of dread through him—William was not only his uncle but also one of the Duke's most crucial allies. He monopolized the eastern coastline of Fiafyr, holding dominion over the two primary port cities that served as the lifeblood of the kingdom's trade routes. Faced with this situation, Quinus recalled that there was little they could do to sway the Viscount from his oppressive tariffs. Only one major lord could conceivably place William in a tight spot—Baron Alistair Dravenhart. As the regent of the Veridian Enclave, located south of the Silverhaven Domain along the shores of the Azure Sea, Alistair wielded significant power. However, he had always remained loyal to the Duke, ensuring that none of his ports could compete with the lucrative trade established by William, thus tightening his grip on all maritime commerce.
With a heavy sigh, Quinus brushed a loose strand of hair behind his ear, the gesture a telltale sign of his growing frustration. "I see. Well, I'll need to instruct my men to investigate this matter thoroughly as soon as I return to the capital," he resolved, determination creeping back into his voice amidst his disquiet.
"Yes, Your Highness. We will do what we can to investigate this matter," Zellin replied.
Quinus nodded his head. That's when the doors to the throne room opened up to Percy, Dalia, and Nieren. They all had serious looks on their faces.
"What's wrong?" Hajdah asks, stepping away from the table.
"My Lord. We have a problem." Percy said as he looked to Quinus.
Quinus felt a terrible omen when looking at Percy and Dalia.
'Where's Rya? Is she alright?' Quinus thought to himself.
"Well, what is this problem?" Quinus asked, getting up from his seat.
"Lady Rya. She has been collared. My Lord." Percy said, with no emotion showing on his face.
The room went deathly silent as the whole room stood still.
Quinus had rage written all over his golden eyes as he processed what Percy had said. While the Baron and his counsel started to feel the raw power of Quin's mana leaking from his body, it felt like the wrath of the gods.
"..."
"You're Ma—" Zellin stopped himself before he spoke the words 'your majesty'. After making eye contact with Quinus for a brief second.
"..."
Quinus looked back at Percy.
"Who?" Quinus said, trying to keep his voice calm.
"It was the Black Roses, my Lord," Percy said, looking down.
*Crunch!*
The chair closest to Quinus was destroyed by his mana. The rest of the chairs around the round table were knocked over.
Quinus tried reigning in his anger so as not to injure anyone else in the room.
'T-This is the toothless lion that all the nobles spoke of!? Prince Quinus could kill us all without batting an eye right now!' thought Baron Zellin.
"They must've followed us here. They captured Lady Rya and put a slave collar on her." Percy said, looking at the floor.
"Zellin... I request that you raise an army as soon as possible." Quinus said through gritted teeth. "I want them dead. Do whatever it takes."
Zellin's heart dropped to his stomach hearing those words.
"Understood, my Lord," Zellin said, bowing his head low.
"The mages' guild will be summoned as well, Your Highness," Hajdah said as he lowered his head and left the room.
The council members quickly left the room. Everyone except for Quinus, Percy, Dalia, Nieren, and Zellin.
"Do you know where they took her?" Quinus asked his retainer.
"Word is they are hiding in an abandoned mine by Mount Galfrei, my Lord," Percy answered.
"Mount Galfrei? I'll send my troops there right awa—" Zellin stopped when Quinus raised one of his hands to halt the baron.
"Lady Dalia. Can you track them?" Quinus asked.
"Yes, I can. And I can find her, Beta." Dalia replied, her eyes filled with determination.
Quinus nodded and smiled.
"Very good. Who's this Lady?" he asked, gesturing to Nieren.
"Her name is Nieren. She was the one who witnessed Lady Rya's abduction, my Lord." Percy answered.
A grim expression crossed Quinus' face.
"So why didn't she stop them from capturing her?"
Nieren began to panic a little but summoned the courage to talk to the prince.
"I-I witnessed the Kings Slayer, Your Highness. I-I'm a great archer, but I'm no match for him." Nieren said to Quinus with a sad look in her eyes.
It was at that moment that Quinus noticed her elven ears that were hidden under her hood.
'A wood elf? Haah… That explains her fear of the Kings Slayer.' Quinus thought as he knew about the history of the fall of the Wood Elven Empire.
"You're a wood elf?" Quinus asked, his voice sounding like it came out of a deep well.
Nieren nodded her head as hard as she could.
"H-How did you know?" Nieren asked, her cheeks flushing.
"I saw your ears, Lady Nieren. Can you help me find Rya? I've heard that most wood elves are excellent trackers." Quinus said, looking down at Nieren with a smile.
"Of course, Your Highness!" Nieren said with a nod.
"Thank you, Lady Nieren. If you find her, I promise you that the Kings Slayer will be no more." Quinus said with a small bow of his head.
'H-He'll kill the Kings Slayer! I-I have to save her!' Nieren thought to herself.
He looked up to see Dalia standing in front of him, her eyes full of determination.
"Find her, Lady Dalia," Quinus said before turning back to Percy.
"Send word to the rest of our forces once you locate the Black Roses. I'll bring the forces we need to Mount Galfrei." Quinus ordered as he walked towards the door.
"Yes, my Lord," Percy replied, following after Quinus.
Zellin was the only one left in the room.
'Prince Quinus is going to be a King that no one should reckon with. The boy's a sleeping giant! The nobles going against him will most likely beg for mercy when it's all said and done. I doubt even the Kings Slayer will be able to stand against him!' Zellin thought as he stared at the young prince before calling for his troops.