Hilda and Marnie advance through the narrow stone corridor that makes up the secret shortcut. Halfway through, the captain stops, looks over her shoulder at the girl, and breaks the silence by asking Marnie if she knows how to use [Obedient Doctrine].
"Huh, um, Sir Arrax claimed to have a control spell saved just in case the Dungeon Core went... went rogue. But he never taught it to us, he said it was highly unlikely for his creation to fail," the disciple replies, keeping a hand near her throat while trying by all means to avoid making eye contact with the decapitated head of her former teacher. "Perhaps there are notes about it in his room's archives... Do you want me to go and look?"
Hilda considers the idea for a few seconds, until she makes up her mind and says:
"Not for now."
Hilda resumes walking. Marnie hurries to keep up with the woman's brisk pace. She blinks repeatedly upon noticing a black line running down from Hilda's eyepatch without her seeming to notice.
"You have... You have something right there," she says in a very low voice, instantly regretting opening her mouth. She crosses her fingers, wishing Hilda hadn't heard her to avoid a likely reprimand for being nosy. But the woman looks at her, letting her know she did hear, and wipes a finger across her face, brushing away the black substance.
"It's nothing important. Let's keep moving," Hilda says.
...
"Renata!" Queen Gineber exclaims. Unable to contain the joy swelling in her heart, she rushes down the left staircase of the foyer, arriving in front of the messenger and melting into an embrace. After the hug, Gineber doesn't fully pull away, instead leaving her hands firmly on her relative's arms. "I awaited your arrival with longing. Please tell me you will stay with us for a while."
"I am sorry, sister. But I must depart as soon as I deliver the message to your husband," Renata replies with a bitter smile, covering her sister's fingers with her own hands in an attempt to convey calm.
Gineber lowers her face, but the very next second she looks up again, her eyes flashing, refusing to give up her disposition.
"Did father accept my demands? The dark elves breached these walls without warning and they could do so again any day now. Neither my children nor I are safe inside this dusty castle."
Renata's expression reflects no optimism.
"Father believes it is best for you to remain here for now."
Gineber steps back as if her sister's touch burned her, and turns her back on her.
"Remain here? Where I am miserable, but somewhat useful?!" The queen buries her face in her palms. "More than his daughter, I feel like one of his spies!"
Renata places a hand on Gineber's shoulder. Both sisters know that when Lord Bastion, their father, sets his mind on an idea, it is easier to build a mountain out of dirt clods than to make him change his mind.
Renata feels a gaze upon her. The Rider's attention soon shifts to a hunched figure watching them from above, standing on the balcony connecting to the staircase arches. Making eye contact, Marc begins to move.
"Lord Marc..." Renata murmurs.
Hearing the king mentioned, Gineber quickly straightens her back and fixes her face with her fingers. With a highly dignified attitude that turns her into an apparent statue of ice incapable of crying, she stands next to her sister, displaying an air of complicity, almost as if closing ranks against the man descending the stairs.
"Renata, long time no see," Marc says once he is in front of them. "I trust my father-in-law is in good health."
"I have fantastic news for you; my father is as healthy as a graceful stag." Renata flashes a smile of perfect, white teeth. "He will surely live for many more decades."
Marc nods, seeming neither happy nor sad about the prophecy of longevity. He asks Renata what her business is in the kingdom of Stoicus, although Marc already suspects the reasons and prefers not to ask how the council found out about the secret in the basement. Renata slips a hand between the folds of her armor's collar, the coins clinking, and pulls out a scroll tied with a scarlet ribbon, which she hands to Marc.
Marc gently pulls the ribbon on the scroll; it glows. After the imbued magic recognizes that the touch belongs to a man of authority, it yields, and Marc unrolls the contents. The king's eyes travel over the text, and Renata repeats it aloud so her sister is aware of the message.
"We will take your court mage and all his books and reports with us. It is imperative that this valuable knowledge be distributed and replicated, thus obeying the treaties of cooperation for the defense and exchange of knowledge among the 13 kingdoms."
Marc continues scanning the scroll with a neutral expression. Renata, uneasy at receiving no response, speaks again.
"The deadline to have the journey ready is one week; Lord Bastion will handle all preparations and security costs. As tradition dictates, your valiant and successful defense of the kingdom of Stoicus against the invaders from the Underdark will be duly rewarded with riches and magical artifacts, Lord Marc."
"There are only 6 seals," Marc comments without taking his eyes off the paper, specifically evaluating the circular marks at the bottom of the document.
Renata remains silent.
"With yours, there would be 7 seals, my dear," Gineber says. "More than enough to secure a minimum majority and turn the proposal into a mandate."
"The Sorcerer King didn't vote?" Marc ignores his wife and locks eyes with the messenger.
"The council of sorcerers assured that the Sorcerer King was far too busy with his studies." Renata's smile vanishes as she answers.
"And what is the opinion of the kings who opposed the proposal?"
"To conduct more experiments on the Dungeon Core, or simply destroy it." At this point, Renata displays a frown.
"I see..." Marc rolls up the scroll and hands it back to Renata. "It is evident this matter is delicate, and opinions are divided. I choose to be cautious; next time, inform the council that I require a clear stance from the Sorcerer King before fulfilling any demands."
"Are you certain of this course of action, Lord Marc...?"
"Quite certain."
Renata accepts the scroll, hugs her sister goodbye, gives Marc a half-bow, and exits the foyer to mount her pegasus and fly away. Marc watches the pegasus recede until it vanishes into the clouds, and when he steps back inside the castle, his wife is waiting for him with a look of utter contempt.
"If you wish to murder me with your decisions, it would be far more efficient to order your witch or your knights to plunge a dagger into me while I sleep."
"Murder you? What wild notions you come up with; you should visit the theater less," Marc replies while stroking his beard. "I am merely trying to do what is best for the realm, that is all. Your father's ambitions mean nothing to me."
"It is obvious you will never understand. Because unlike you, my dear, he is a true king," Gineber says, and walks away.