If it wasn't for Niada, Ishar would have collapsed from boredom. They'd stayed in that tent for close to three hours with Commander Rehny arguing with King Gans in an extremely polite and censored way. At first it had been hard to understand the back and forth between the two men but repetition in their statements allowed Ishar some inkling as to what was being implied. In the end it all boiled down to one simple argument:

Rehny: King Vayin Vigon is coming and he's going to kill us all.

King Gans: I don't believe you and even if you're saying the truth I think you've been sent by Vayin Vigon to ensure his success at whatever it is he is coming to do.

Rehny: My role is to ensure the survival of the Talisi and to keep the Kolotian out of Vayin's hands.

King Gans: I don't believe you and even if you're saying the truth I think you've been sent by Vayin Vigon to ensure his success at whatever it is he is coming to do.

Rehny: I have come of my own volition.

King Gans: I don't believe you. Why should I?

Rehny: Because King Vayin Vigon is coming and he's going to kill us all.

On and on it went. King Gans had resumed his position on his throne and only the Guards surrounding Rehny stood upright, everyone else slumped under the weight of the monotonous argument.

Ishar found solace in Niada's presence beside him, it was the only thing that kept him from striding out of the tent. He wasn't sure whether he should hold her hand again, he'd enjoyed that more than he thought he would. He was certain of his feelings for her but a part of him was aware of the delusion that came with assuming she felt the same about him. Was the hand holding just a friendly gesture? She'd hinted at knowledge of his quest to save her which begged the question, was it just gratitude being shown? The truth of the matter is that they were strangers to each other. Sure, he'd spied on her numerous times but that holds no mirror to actually knowing her. Niada on the other hand knew nothing of him at all other than the fact that he used to herd sheep and now he uses his spare time to beat up Royals and ride a Telinete Rhino.

Mairek stood behind Princess Tari. Both of them maintained an air of civility in the presence of the monarch but Ishar could feel the restlessness coming from Mairek, as if he was aware of something important but was forbidden to speak of it. Princess Tari on the other hand glared daggers in Niada's direction and gave off an air of irritation. But when she looked at him, Ishar felt her resolve, he served a purpose in her book, one she hadn't written out despite his obvious taking to Niada.

Niada on the other hand gave off nervousness, she thought herself unworthy of being present. Ishar wanted to swoop her in his arms and march over to Gans's throne, kick off the King from his seat and place her in it. She belonged just as much as birds belonged to the sky and fish to the sea.

"... Ishar will explain to you the importance of action in this dire time, he will vouch for me and settle this matter of distrust. We have to act or we shall suffer the consequences of inaction!" Rehny said while pointing at Ishar. Ishar's eyes widened as he met Rehny's eyes, the Commander nodded and Ishar realized he was a pawn in another's game too.

All eyes turned to him, he spared a glance at Niada, it was time to set the foundation of what was to be if anything was to be between them. It was time to impress her with his eloquence and his natural diplomatic skills. Ishar turned to King Gans, "I vouch for Commander Rehny!" Ishar declared before turning to Rehny and giving him a wink. Exquisite diplomatic skills. He thought.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

King Gans cleared his throat, drawing Ishar's attention. "In what way do you vouch for him, Ishar?"

Ishar's eyes darted around the tent, searching for... He spotted Edda behind one of the large Guards stationed behind Rehny. She'd positioned herself in the least likely place she could draw attention to herself, she stood as still as the Guards and shook her head once Ishar met her large brown eyes. She was unwilling to speak before King Gans, why? He did not know. He'd been unconscious when Rehny had sacrificed himself for them and all he'd learned regarding the matter was from between her lips as they journeyed towards the Ganidan plain.

Ishar turned his attention to King Gans. The King patiently awaited a reply, his green eyes piercing from within slits. Ishar prodded his awareness in his direction and what he felt was something he was familiar with, fear. The King was afraid for himself and his people, he was between crossroads that all led to an inevitable end. Should he trust Rehny and put all of Talisi's fate on a Binorian's word? Should he dismiss Rehny and suffer for it once Vayin Vigon rides in on a tide of death? Such was the burden of leadership and a part of Ishar felt the importance of remembering it.

Ishar cleared his throat. "You're afraid." He started, King Gans shifted in his seat. "If Vayin is coming with all the Legions then those of us on the Ganidan plain will be highly outnumbered, a fact that spells certain doom. We will be at his mercy and he will not hesitate to put an end to us, especially me." Ishar stole a glance at Niada, her green eyes were on him, he could see that she clung to his every word, he could feel her hope. He turned back to King Gans. "I trust Rehny, but trust isn't the issue here. We need a plan to help us against Vayin Vigon, something that would turn the tide."

"And what would you suggest?" King Gans asked. His tone serious as he prod the depths of Ishar's intellect. Ishar was ready for such a question, he'd thought about it hard while standing there for the past three hours.

"The King of Binoria is the heart of Binoria's Legions, take him out and the Legions die." Ishar said and watched as King Gans nodded, urging him to go on. Now was the time to show his ingenuity that surprises even him.

"I suggest we build something like a giant spoon made of wood, place me into the spoon and angle me towards where King Vayin will be. Launch me in his direction with two swords in my hands and I shall take care of the King." Ishar said. King Gans slumped in his chair, all hope fading from him.

"You suggest we build a catapult, place you in it and launch you towards one with the same Jojoh Meena as you? And how will we even launch you onto his precise location if even such a thing was possible?" Princess Tari's tone was very condescending but Ishar ignored the tone. He'd known there'd be questions, every grand plan ought to be tested.

"Simple, we'll use mathematics." Ishar said.

"Mathematics?" Tari inquired.

"Yeah, just gather a lot of mathematicians and let them do the mathematics then we'll all be set to go." Ishar said. King Gans let out a loud sigh, Rehny rubbed at his eyebrows, Tari glared at him, Mairek was visibly grimacing and Edda had hidden herself completely behind the Guard. Niada looked very puzzled and within her was no hope.

Ishar shook his head from side to side, it appeared his ingenuity was hindered by their inability to grasp it. King Gans was in turmoil, chained to his duty and his people. Said chains wore him down and fear latched on to his every decision. Only one thing could be done. Something Tari had said nagged at him. Ishar started walking towards King Gans and as he did the King's eyes opened and regarded him with curiosity. He came to stand before the King. "I don't have the Jojoh Meena but what I have I can show you."

"What?"King Gans asked, confused.

"You're in a very difficult place, Talisi King, I can help ease such difficulty by showing you what can be done," Ishar allowed himself to plunge into the place where something was taken from him, "if you relinquish reason." The dark green leathered Guards on either side of King Gans reacted after seeing a change upon Ishar's face. They reached to pull out their swords but before the blades were fully unsheathed from their scabbards Ishar had already reached for the collar of the King's garments . He pulled at the collar and ripped open the clothes to reveal King Gans's bare chest.

"Wha-" King Gans started but stopped immediately Ishar placed his right hand onto the left of his chest, right over his heart.