Before he can say another word, the king is interrupted by the return of Lambert. The knight enters through the door, moving towards his seat. He manoeuvres around the right side of the table and stands just to the right of the king. "I have completed your task your majesty, the carriage is awaiting Sir Orpheus's attendance just outside." He states in a respectful manner, giving a slight bow to his king.

"Thank you, Sir Lambert, please sit and we can continue the meeting." The king directs.

Lambert pulls out his chair and sits down next to his king. "Sir Lambert it's good to see you. I heard from the queen that you have been keeping lady Jennifera company, is that true?" Roderick asks with an inquisitive look. A slight chuckle can be heard in the background, Queen Lysia covers her mouth concealing her glee.

The king turns to the happy queen, clearly annoyed by her meddling, and she returns a mischievous smile. "Lord Roderick, I believe you have been misinformed; I have only escorted the lady home for her safety." Lambert replies, slightly confused as if he is unaware of those statements' double meaning. 

"Sir Lambert what are your intentions with lady Jennifera?" Lord Dandridge asks with a cheeky smile, placing his right elbow on the table and his chin cupped in his hand. 

"Now, now everyone, we are getting off track." King Artuiel interrupts with a stern but sincere voice. Everyone immediately desists and leans back on their respective chairs, ready to listen. "Now, we can begin. Recent events have revealed to me just how dire the internal conflict has risen. Lord Kencus betrayal, failed coup and the attack of my most trusted friend, within these very walls." The king’s expression turns cold and stern. "I have gathered you all here to deal with various issues that have arisen, in these turbulent times. First, I have been informed by Sir Tiephinne that the surviving soldiers we captured after the coup ware found dead. The result of some failed escape attempt on their part, please submit your report." He further explains, gesturing to Tiephinne. 

"The investigation of the bodies suggest that there may have been some sort of fight between the prisoners. One was badly injured; the injured prisoner somehow broke his fellow prisoner's neck and escaped the cell." Tiephinne explains her report, grasping a small rolled-up parchment. 

Orpheus listens intently, mentally contemplating. "Good they believed that little situation I constructed, also they won't be aware... That one of the very orchestrators of that little coup is sitting just to her right. Isn't that right Lord Dandridge, it is truly is a pleasure to meet you." Continuing his thought, he casts a brief pensive gaze at Lord Dandridge who is unaware of this. 

Tiephinne continues to give her report. Orpheus muses on the recent information before returning his concentration to her. "When the prisoner escaped, he attempted to attack the guards and was struck down before he could escape. With his death all information about any other conspirators died with him. The guards did mention he attempted to say something just before he died, they believe he was attempting to say Orpheus's name." Her gaze turns to him, suspicious, becoming stern and pensive. 

"Well, of course, the prisoner would say that. He was probably cursing Orpheus's name, to be a part of such a foolhardy coup is absolute idiocy. It is a shame that they both are dead I would have loved to know which noble was behind such a plot." Lord Dandridge interrupts as all their gazes point to him, finishing his sentence. 

"Well said Wiliam, Orpheus struck down that traitorous fiend Lord Kencus. His soldiers would definitely despise the very man who completed such a deed." Roderick chimes in, gesturing both his hands outward to accentuate his tone. 

"True my Lord's but they fought each other before one of them escaped, the circumstances are suspicious your majesties." Tiephinne turns to the king and queen, gesturing forward with her palm facing upwards and head cocked to the left. They both nod, thinking about everyone's words.

Susanna raises her head and offers an explanation. "I have a theory." She remarks. "I believe given the evidence, the most likely explanation for this event is that. One of the prisoners most likely wanted to escape rather than face interrogation and the other prisoner may have been willing to talk, so a fight ensued. One of them was severely injured, but somehow gained the upper hand and killed his attacker." Susanna explained this plausible yet entirely fabricated scenario with absolute ease. Her lies come forth fluently and with no sign of deception. "Furthermore, the man beaten was obviously the one who desired escape as he did so. But what is most concerning is how he was able to unlock his cell, that would suggest that someone unlocked it from the outside. Was the lock damaged at all?" She queried, directed at Tiephinne.  

The knight returns a concerned gaze, flashing a nearly imperceptible note of aggression.  "No, it was not broken. Are you accusing my men of attempting to aid in their failed escape!" She counters in a harsh tone, offended while Susanna still remains stoic and cold.  

"Now, now Sir Tiephinne I'm sure she didn't mean to accuse your men." King Artuiel chimes in noticing the potential dispute. 

"I apologise Sir Tiephinne, I didn't mean to insinuate." She apologises.

Orpheus watches his associate with keen eyes. His thoughts churn about her. "She was able to formulate the same explanation I had ready, word for word. I'm sure she does not possess the ability to hear inner thoughts, but I suppose I will have to test that later." Orpheus thinks to himself.

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"Whether or not they were assisted in their attempted escape remains to be seen, but I'm sure after a thorough investigation of the incident, the truth will come to light." Queen Lysia interjects, and everyone's tempers start to settle.

King Artuiel turns to Lambert to shift the topic. "Sir Lambert, you mentioned something about an encounter with an unregistered mage?" He queries his knight. 

"Yes, your majesty, during our pursuit of the assassin we discovered a drug den of sorts. I believe it was located in the Draven Slums.” He remarks as if that location was well known. “In this den we encountered a powerful mage. As of yet an unidentified affiliation. He could transport objects and himself similar to our Sir Orpheus." Lambert recounts the events to everyone present.

King Artuiel flashes a concerned expression, his eyebrows curl, frowning. "Indeed concerning... Well, we will deal with this through the proper channels and inform the Atrasal Society of this. Now as for the other matter. Dandridge, how is our shipments of grain and wheat, are we ready for transportation to the republic?" King Artuiel's gaze turns to Lord Dandridge, directing his question to him.

Dandridge looking preoccupied quickly lifts his gaze to the king to respond with a mild cough. "Yes, your majesty the shipments are ready, but the trade routes have become more and more treacherous, I believe we need additional guards to escort the shipments." He explains.

"I agree and additional guards will be provided. But the situation may be direr than it appears, Lord Roderick." The king nods in agreement before turning his gaze to Lord Roderick. 

"After the goblin army attacked Burdershire under the orders of a sorcerer calling himself Mavrath, his majesty ordered me to send my best men to scout the remaining goblin forces that Sir Orpheus defeated. Your majesty they have regrouped, they have become bolder and are now staging attacks on our trade routes, killing the men and stealing the shipments. It's possible that this, Marvrath is reorganising them for another attack." Roderick gives his long-winded explanation of past events; his gaze begins to dart back and forth between everyone present.

During his report, everyone was listening with different levels of concern, Orpheus's right eyebrow rose slightly, and the subject piques his interest. 

"Unlikely to be Marvrath as he is sitting right here. But what's really concerning is the level of activity from the goblins this early hmm. Perhaps there's someone new taking the reins." Orpheus thinks to himself, feigning interest in the conversation. 

"Indeed this, Mavrath could potentially be resurfacing for another attack. Lord Roderick continue your surveillance of the goblins movements and I suggest we prepare for the worst. Orpheus what can you tell us of this, Mavrath?" King Artuiel leans back on his chair, turning his gaze to Orpheus.

"Well, I believe him to be a powerful mage the likes of which I have never seen before. His command of that many goblins is proof of his power and influence over lesser minds. But the most concerning quality is that. Well, that attack... It seemed like just the beginning, so I would suggest caution in the coming days." Recounting the false narrative to the members of the council. His words evoke subtle changes in their expressions.

"I see, thank you Orpheus for this useful information. Lord Roderick, I suggest you double your efforts, we must find this Mavrath before the next attack!" King Artuiel nods to Orpheus, thanking him before turning his gaze to Roderick, delivering his additional commands."Now that has been attended to, we have another matter to discuss." Turning the topic away, the king’s gaze darts back and forth between everyone present. "The matter of Lord Kencus betrayal and attempt to seize the throne. Now I am confident that everyone present is loyal to the crown. Recent events would suggest that relationships between the crown and the nobles have deteriorated far more than I initially suspected. So, the queen and I have decided to throw a gala, to improve our relations with the noble houses." His gaze continues to shift between everyone, focussing on the two nobles present. 

Lord Dandridge smiles, clearly eager to agree with the proposal. "An excellent suggestion your majesty, current events have made everyone on edge but a royal gala in honour of solidarity may ease some tension. I fully support this, your majesty." He quickly speaks up with the initiative. 

The king nods. "Thank you, Lord Dandridge for your support, now meeting adjourned gentlemen and ladies!" He comments in a commanding voice, his palms falling flat on the table. The act prompted everyone to rise from their seats, except for the king, queen and their knights. "Orpheus, Susanna please remain I wish to discuss something with you both." He requests in a rush.

"Your majesty." Lord Roderick and Dandridge both politely speak, bowing slightly before leaving the room. 

"Orpheus, as you may have suspected this gala, is not just about mending relationships. To root out potential co-conspirators amongst the noble lords. I suggested this course of action to my husband and..." Queen Lysia speaks with a soft tone, turning her gaze to her husband, hesitant to continue.

"Orpheus, we would have extended you an invitation but given the fact that you killed Lord Kencus. He was a traitor to be sure, but he had great standing amongst the other lords so..." King Artuiel attempts to explain his position. 

Before he can finish, Orpheus chimes in. "It is fine your majesty; I understand completely. May I suggest that my advisor Susanna attend in my stead. It would be a travesty to let those wonderful gowns that the Queen procured, go to waste." Interrupting the king, he gestures to Susanna. She turns her gaze to him, her nose crinkling and eyebrows curving. Confused at this sudden turn of events. 

"A wonderful suggestion!" Queen Lysia chimes in with a strong smile and joyful demeanour. Her eyes glisten as she turns to Susanna.

The king nods, satisfied with the situation. "Well, that settles it." He states finally with a slight smile. Rising to his feet, prompting the others to do the same. Orpheus's eyes turn to the parchment in Sir Tiephinne's left hand.

The king and queen soon depart the council room with their knights behind them. "Meeting adjourned, for now. Orpheus, I believe the carriage you requested is waiting outside." King Artuiel speaks directly to him as they all begin to leave the council room.

Sir Lambert moves forward, opening the two doors and waits, ready for his liege to exit. They both pass the now-standing Orpheus and Susanna, nodding as they exit the room, with Tiephinne behind them. Immediately after they all exit; Orpheus and Susanna move through the doorway. Sir Lambert shuts it behind them and they make their way down the hall. The king and queen move to the right and are accompanied by four guards.