Chapter 3: Council
Outside of his room, Dolin took in his surroundings.
The castle corridors were spacious and sported dim lighting by iron torches.
Servants moved throughout the hallway, some carrying scrolls or supplies, and other trays of food and drink. Soldiers in shiny armor stood guard at a few of the intersections.
Dolin was currently following the young servant that had come by his door. He did not know the way to the council room, so he had asked the servant to lead the way prior.
As they walked, Dolin quietly took in his surroundings.
The corridors had many branching paths, forming a confusing network of hallways and staircases. Windows lined the out walls of the castle, allowing faint rays of light to spill across the carpeted stone floor.
Just like in the slums, he began to mentally map out the area. He needed to familiarize himself with the directions, not as an escape plan like when in the slums, but to actually get to the places he was required to be.
Left… staircase… right… corridor…
Now, if he needed to return, he would not need a servant to lead the way.
The servant slowed his approach as they came upon a pair of tall wooden double doors reinforced with sturdy iron bands.
Two guards stood on either side.
The servant bowed before departing and the guards straightened.
"Lord Aelius."
This is going to take some time to get used to!
He had discovered his name was 'Aelius' in the notebook, and it would take some time to get used to not being called 'Dolin'.
Dolin nodded in response and the guards pushed open the doors.
What greeted him was a massive circular chamber. A wide stone table was protruding from the center of the room covered in maps, markers, and scrolls.
What greeted him were a handful of people already present. Generals stood along the edges of the room, and three men wearing the same robes that matched his were at the stone table.
Strategists.
Dolin took a seat. He was nervous. Being in a new environment with knowledge only from a journal would make anybody absolutely terrified.
The first man was elderly, his white hair combed back over his head to hide his balding, not that it did a good job. His eyes were still sharp despite the wrinkles lining his face.
The man gave Dolin a polite nod.
"Lord Aelius."
Dolin returned the nod.
He already knew this man due to the journal he had gone through.
"Lord Renwick. It is good to see you."
The second strategist was much younger, with an arrogant and impatient look to him.
"You're late again, Aelius," the man said with an annoyed tone.
Dolin glanced at him, smiling briefly before looking away.
He already knew of Aelius's sour relationship with this man and it was better to ignore him rather than respond.
Then came the third strategist. This was the man that Aelius had mentioned in his notebook. The man had a dull inhuman look to him.
This man was Vedior, as mentioned in the notebook.
His thoughts traced back to the notebook.
Lord Vedior has been acting suspicious lately.
The odd looking man inclined his head slightly and smiled at him.
Dolin returned the gesture.
Before anyone could speak further, a voice boomed from the chamber.
"His Majesty Arrives!"
Everyone stood up, and Dolin followed, not wanting to look out of place.
The man was tall and broad-shouldered, fitting for a king. His presence filled the chamber with a great authority.
"You may sit."
The king rested his hands on the table, scouring over the maps.
"Reports from our scouts show increased activity near the western front."
One of the generals stepped forward.
"The creatures have been gathering near the West Ridge for weeks now, your majesty. Their numbers are growing and it has been a struggle to fend off."
Another officer added, "Our patrols are reporting unusual movements as well."
The king frowned.
"What of the strategists? What is your recommendation?"
The younger one spoke.
"We should reinforce the ridge and prepare a defensive formation. If they attack, we can break their advance."
Renwick shook his head.
"That assumes they will attack directly. If we wait too long in defense, their numbers may grow out of control."
A serious debate rose among the two while Dolin remained silent.
He watched Vedior.
The odd looking man spoke up, "Your majesty… I agree with Kerul. Perhaps caution would be wise."
He pointed to the general area of the west ridge on the map.
"Our information is incomplete. If we commit an offensive and fail… we would face catastrophic consequences."
Dolin leaned back in his chair slightly.
At first, the man's words sounded reasonable. Logical even.
But something about it felt wrong. It was as if something imperceivable was worming its way into his brain, making him want to listen to the man.
Dolin's eyes flickered between Vedior and the king.
The words were harmless, but the effect was unnatural.
The king's brow furrowed further.
Dolin's mind raced.
He glanced around the room. The generals shifted nervously. Renwick's eyes narrowed. Kerul, the young and impatient one, had a haughty grin on his face, gloating at the fact that Vedior had agreed with him.
The King broke the silence.
"Delay… or attack?" His voice was firm, but there was a tremor beneath it, as if he was cracking under an insurmountable pressure.
Vedior further went to solidify his statement.
"Delay. We must prepare and ensure victory without taking risks. You must not squander lives on uncertainty."
It was certainly interesting.
Dolin's eyes rested on both the king and Vedior.
The man's expression was calm and quiet, like a predator sizing up prey.
The king's eyes flickered.
He ran his hand along his jaw, exhaling slowly. The chamber fell silent, all eyes on the King, waiting for a final verdict.
"Very well. We shall prepare our defenses at West Ridge, but not engage recklessly. Maintain constant reconnaissance, I want daily reports."
Dolin felt odd. He couldn't quite put it into the words, but it was as if the subtle weight of Vedior's tone sort of puppeteered the way the King and even the others reacted. Even Renwick grew silent, only looking slightly frustrated after Vedior spoke.
Is it just caution, or something else.
The King dismissed the council with a nod.
"Very well. You are dismissed. Execute your orders carefully and keep me informed."
As the strategists rose, Dolin allowed his gaze to linger more on Vedior."
Damnation. There's just something about him that doesn't feel right.
If there was one thing he had learned about himself in the slums, it was that he was great at reading people.
People such as the thugs he had tricked into fighting to plunder their supplies.
He trusted his intuition, and it was giving him an uneasy feeling every time he looked at this man, Vedior.