The Royal Palace of Gabrall

The king groans, then asks his advisers  "Why are there only four people here?"

"Because everyone else was in the army."

"One of them is a 15 year old farm-boy"

"He snuck past the guards, so we figured he was good enough considering the low turnout."

“How did he get past the guards?”

“Apparently he just walked in and know one noticed him.”

“How?”

“Apparently not even he knows.”

"Ok... What about the catkin?  I thought they never came this far north?"

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

"Apparently her people sent her as an advanced scout, to see how long they have until 'Leon"s folly' is knocking on their doors"

"This is the first time I've been happy catkin don't make kingdoms, at least we don't need to worry about them invading us. So why is she joining the party?”

“she refuses to tell us.”

“ok... Moving on, please tell me the suspicious person in a cloak is a mage.”

“He is, but we don't know where he came from.”

“That's probably better than no mage. Moving on to the solder, I'm surprised we had one free enough to make it here.”

"He isn't a solder. We don't actually know where he came from, but he claims to be a retired hero."

"Ummm, ok, lets just get this started" the king says before standing.  "You are the hero's party, bla bla bal, wealth and fame, bla bla bla, we are all going to die, bla bla bla, eternal respect.  any questions?"

"I don't want wealth, i just want the demon kings library." (mage)

"I would really like to avoid any fame.  Can we skip that part?" (ex hero)

"Could you be any less motivated?" (catkin)

"Are you the real king? i mean you don't seem grand enough." (farm-boy)

... (advisers)

"Ok, why not, nope, and yes i am, now if you excuse me i have a migraine to deal with." the king grumbles before leaving the thrown room while his advisers usher the new 'heros' out of the castle.