Lost Ones - A False King

Chapter 14 - Unexpected Visitors

It is the first week of August.
People feel a great sense of relief as they experience the first raindrops on their faces. The air becomes noticeably fresher, and the plants are able to bloom again. After the past sunny and humid days, the rain is a welcome change for both people and nature.
Most shops are closed today. Work is only being done indoors, as strong thunderstorms are forecasted for the evening. Most people are at home or taking refuge in taverns and inns, while the rain continues to pour outside. As a result, only a few soldiers patrol the streets. Children playing with balls or splashing in puddles are being sent home.
Meanwhile, there is a lot of activity going on in the castle.

Exactly one week after the dinner with the Brymbach brothers, King Edmur had his birthday.
Today, two days later, he is celebrating his 43rd birthday with friends from all over the world. However, this year's celebration is more modest compared to the last two years, when the festivities turned the castle into a multi-day party venue. Back then, the rooms were packed, mostly with influential people from Londe and Saharka. The music was loud, the atmosphere lively, and the servants exhausted. It took days to clean up all the remnants of the celebration.
The only servant who enjoyed those hectic days was Recaprio, one of the most talented chefs in the world.
While the other staff were on the verge of burnout, he was thrilled to finally be challenged. With skillful hands, he prepared exquisite dishes, always wearing a satisfied smile, much like today's guests, who can't get enough of his food.
After dinner, Edmur, his wife, and their friends enjoy the evening in the king's chamber.
Rain taps against the balcony door, through whose glass one can see the city over the white-painted balustrade.

In the room there is a chimney, also painted white, featuring a bust of Edmur on its ledge. A large, square mirror hangs above it. Directly adjacent is Edmur and Joane's bedroom. On the opposite side of the mirror hangs an equally large portrait of Edmur, painted at the start of his reign. The painting shows him sitting on a white horse, his head turned toward the viewer, giving the impression that the portrait is admiring itself in the mirror.

The rest of the décor in the king's chamber is equally befitting of his rank.

Gilded vases stand in the corners, intricately decorated wall sconces adorn the walls, and a handcrafted pendulum clock shows a little past ten. The lavish furniture, including two sofas, chairs, stools, and an oval table, sits atop an elegant rug in the center of the room.
Most of the guests are part of Edmur's close circle of friends.
Among them are Thelwill Odburgh and Reagan Crewick from Londe. They have been Edmur's best friends since school days.

Unlike Edmur, Thelwill and Reagan didn't have their influential positions handed to them on a silver platter—they worked hard to earn them. However, they never resented Edmur or spoke ill of him for it.
Thelwill Odburgh is a tall, lanky man, whose intelligence wouldn't be apparent at first glance. It is no coincidence that he has been the port director of Londe for many years. He has powerful friends all over the world, and these include not just people who earn their money through honest work. His influence across the globe is significantly large, as he oversees the only trimodal and largest logistics hub in the North.

It was ten years ago. Thelwill had just celebrated his appointment as the head of the port of Londe. Despite his new responsibilities, he made time to invite Edmur.
They spent the day enjoying the view of the harbor from a hill, talking, and drinking. Thelwill used his connections to strike a deal with Edmur, which proved to be extremely beneficial for the export and import of various resources from Rilgohin.

Sitting next to him is Reagan Crewick, who is just as tall as Edmur but far more muscular. His most striking feature are his unmistakable crossed eyes. Yet, one should never underestimate him or get on his bad side, as his methods are known for their brute force.