The Ancient King

Act 12

The King sat comfortably on his throne, resting his head in the clasp of his strong hand.
He was younger than Merek; which only made Merek feel wiser and stronger than him.
Valorous led the way, his splashy cloak followed the rhythm of his steps.
Merek's own outfit consisted of a sensible green doublet, and a hat sat pleasantly on his head with a dark feather reaching off it.

"My King!" Valorous bowed.
"I bring you Merek Kawolskii of Dune Wvronikopf!"

"Ah finally! Lord Merek, we meet again!" The king held up his hand to welcome Merek further forwards.

"King Rodrick" Merek bowed.
"For what do you require me?"

"What do I require you for, what do you think?"
Merek gave a sigh and a thought. He had been here nearly an entire day, he'd been on the road for five days and yet he did not think of why the king may want him. So he guessed.

"You wish to know how I and my assignment is going?"

The king clapped. "Yes! How is it? Oh, and do forgive me how are you?"

"I fare well, as for the assignment we are planning a siege and-"

"A siege? So I fear it is true, this king is held up in some castle or town, which one is it?"

"A castle, may I ask a question?"

"Of course"

"Why don't you care about the people of Argentum?"
The room flooded with silence.
The king seemed irritated.

"What makes you think I don't?"

"There is no law there, bodies are pilled on the streets, no soldiers, no guards posted in villages"
Merek thought about his next words very carefully.
"It's like you want nothing to do with them?"

"I don't, there is scarcely any farming there due to the moor, the forest is all that it's good for. Wood. The silver is all gone, as I trust you know by now they mean nothing but they are my people, I care for them! Which is why you are there to get rid of this, so-called Ancient King!"

"But you don't care about them do you? Or else-"

"Merek!"
Cyrus walked into the great room.
"Ah Merek! You look dazzling in your new clothes! Oh, sorry if I'm interrupting something, do forgive me your humbleness!"

"Ah the Wizard of Dune Wvronikopf, you are not interrupting anything, Merek I want you to write an account of all the things that have happened out there, pull me up to date".

"You could have sent a raven with these words, or an envoy that's not just why I am here is it?"
The king smiled.

"No, of course not. You are the famed Merek of Dune Wvronikopf, a guest most lords and ladies would feel honoured to have, which is why I invite you as an honoured guest to my feast, Lords from all other countries will be here and they will have no idea you are here, only a mere murmur and word has flickered through the streets like an uncontrollable fire yet people still don't believe you have set foot here, so when they see you oh will it be a party!"

"People will see me as your guest, believe my King is united with you in some way, believing you are more powerful than you are?"