"Leave me." Was all he could say.
Andon didn't move.
"I don't believe it either, Your Grace. But if people find out…"
He held up a hand.
"Keep it quiet. We'll find her - she's not dead. I just know it."
Andon bowed and left him.
One of the courtiers presented a letter to him through a guard stationed at the door.
The illegible script told him the source at a glance.
"Take it back."
"Yes, Your Grace." The guard responded and left with the letter.
The guard returned again with the letter after a while, claiming that another person had brought the same letter to the king's notice. He couldn't abide the thought that he was being compelled to have to give the impulsive man a hearing - which he didn't want to do. So he snatched the letter and opened it.
The content glared up at him. It was not from Jarren Straught; it was from the council - or rather, addressed from the council.
