A knight's code of honor [BXB]

A KNIGHT'S CODE OF HONOR - 20 | ''More confident that we can achieve it.''

THE DAWN BROKE GENTLY over the palace, casting a soft golden light through the grand windows of Damian's study. The air was still, the quiet before the kingdom came to life. Damian stood by the window, his silhouette outlined against the light, lost in thought. The previous night's festivities had brought a much-needed respite, but the weight of the crown pressed heavily upon him once more.

Gabriel entered the study quietly, his eyes immediately drawn to Damian. The prince's posture was tense, his face a mask of deep contemplation. "Good morning, Your Highness," Gabriel greeted, his voice soft yet firm.

Damian turned, his expression brightening slightly at the sight of Gabriel. "Good morning, Gabriel. I trust you slept well?"

"As well as one can," Gabriel replied, a hint of a smile playing at his lips. "But I sense there's something on your mind. Something more than the usual burdens of the throne."

Damian sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "You're right. I received some troubling information late last night. It concerns the assassination plot against me."

Gabriel's demeanor instantly became more alert. "What did you learn?"

Damian gestured for Gabriel to sit, and they both took seats across from each other at a large, ornate desk. "I received a message from one of our spies within the enemy's ranks. It appears that the assassination attempts have been more coordinated than we initially thought. There are powerful figures within our own court aiding them."

Gabriel's eyes widened. "Within our own court? That's... disturbing. Do we know who these traitors are?"

Damian shook his head. "Not yet. But the spy mentioned that there's a meeting scheduled in three days. A gathering of those involved in the plot. If we can uncover the location and infiltrate it, we might be able to root out the traitors once and for all."

Gabriel leaned forward, his mind racing. "Do we have any leads on where this meeting might take place?"

Damian handed Gabriel a small, folded piece of parchment. "This was all the spy could provide. It's a clue, though a cryptic one."

Gabriel unfolded the parchment and read the words written in a hurried scrawl: "The shadows meet where the light is born." He frowned, turning the phrase over in his mind. "The shadows meet where the light is born... It sounds almost poetic, but there must be some significance to it."

Damian nodded. "I agree. I've been thinking about it all morning. The light is born... Could it be referring to the sunrise? A location where the sun rises first?"

Gabriel's eyes lit up with realization. "The eastern tower. It's the highest point in the palace and the first to catch the morning light. It makes sense that they would choose a place like that, hidden in plain sight."

Damian's expression grew determined. "Then that's where we'll be in three days. We'll have to be careful. If they suspect we're onto them, they might change their plans."

Gabriel nodded, the gravity of the situation settling in. "We'll need a strategy. We can't just barge in and hope for the best."

"Agreed," Damian said, his voice steady. "We'll need to gather our most trusted knights and prepare for every possible scenario. This could be our best chance to end the threat once and for all."

They spent the next few hours planning meticulously, going over every detail and potential contingency. Gabriel's strategic mind was in full force, suggesting various approaches and countermeasures. Damian listened intently, his respect for Gabriel's insight growing with each passing moment.

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, they took a brief respite. Gabriel poured them both a glass of wine, and they stood by the window, looking out over the bustling courtyard below.

"Do you ever wonder," Damian began, his voice thoughtful, "if we'll ever see a time when we won't have to deal with threats like this? When we can just... live in peace?"

Gabriel took a sip of his wine, his gaze distant. "I do. I think about it often. But I also believe that peace is something we have to fight for. It's not given freely, especially not to those who hold power. We have to earn it, day by day."

Damian nodded, his eyes meeting Gabriel's. "You're right. And with you by my side, I feel more confident that we can achieve it."