PART 1

Rayman looked down at the papers on the table, “Who is posting these letters?” he asked.

“We don’t know yet but they are popping up everywhere in town,” Torstein said. “They all say the same thing.”

Picking one up, Rayman read it for the hundredth time, still unsure of the implication of it all.

“People of Vulkira, our beloved king Erik, has abandoned us in our darkest hour. Our king is nowhere to be found. Who will take his place? Who has stepped up to lead us when our king has not? Will we stay loyal to a king who casts us aside, who flees like a coward, leaving us to fend for ourselves. I am but a humble citizen, I pray those who read this will cast aside our once honorable king that has proven himself unworthy of the crown and replace him with one that leads us still, in our time of need. One that will unite us.”

“This-this is Jebbin’s work,” Torstein said.

“We cannot know that for sure,” Rayman said, still unable to accept Jebbin’s treachery without proof.

“You said he is coming to this meeting?” Torstein asked.

“Yes? What of it?” Rayman asked skeptically.

“He will plant the seed into your mind. That you should be king.” Torstein said, his voice slow. “If he is truly plotting against Erik, he will attempt to deceive us. Avert our attention elsewhere, away from these letters.”

“What if he averts our attention to important matters, Torstein?” Rayman shook his head. “That is not foolproof and you know it. Jebbin could be completely innocent of treason and still look guilty. Perhaps he is being framed. There are numerous options, Torstein. Try to think out of the box and not be so hellbent on exposing him. We have no evidence. Stop treating him like a criminal before we know the facts.”

“Perhaps you are right. But do not let your guard down, sir.” Torstein said. “I am convinced-”

Jebbin opened the door to the meeting room and glanced at the table. “Convinced of what?” he asked.

“I… I am convinced these letters are from citizens trying to divide us as a nation.” Torstein picked up where his sentence stopped. “Have you seen them?”

“I have. They are very troubling.” Jebbin said while stroking his chin. “It is most certainly an attempt to divide us, as you say.”

“Who do you think the letters refer to?” Torstein asked. His eyes were focused on Jebbin.

“Rayman, of course,” Jebbin said quickly. “There is no other that could lead us. King Erik wanted both Rayman and me to rule in his stead but Rayman is the obvious choice.”

“Does that really matter right now?” Rayman shot a look at Torstein.

“No. I suppose not. These letters are spreading and sterling up mixed feelings.” Jebbin explained. “Obviously the letter is false and is smearing our king’s name. We cannot allow this to happen. Finding the culprits should be our first priority. However, there is another matter I wish to discuss with Rayman in private.”

Torstein raised an eyebrow at Rayman, nodded, and walked out, leaving them alone.

“What do you wish to discuss?” Rayman asked the old man.

“Before we left Calchester, Erik spoke to me. He asked me to lead Vulkira while he was absent but he also wished for you to take my place and lead the people.” Jebbin began.

Rayman’s heart began to sink. Everything that Torstein had said came rushing back into his head.

“Erik… feared he would not return. So before he left he asked that if something would befall him, or worse, that he was to die, that you would take his place as king.” Jebbin said calmly. “I know these letters are the beginning to sow chaos but we must act. You must lead us in Erik’s absence.”

Rayman only stared in disbelief at what he was hearing.

“Rayman. Erik looked to you as a father figure and Shay as a mother. Out of everyone in Vulkira, he cared for you most. It is his wish that you become king if he was to die.” Jebbin said, his voice seeming sad. “Of course, it would be temporary but if you agree, I will step down as acting leader for you to take my place.”

“Stop there,” Rayman said, his voice cold and shaky. “Erik will return. He is our king. You best not forget that.” he said angrily.

Jebbin tilted his head in confusion, taken aback by his cold temper. “You do not wish to lead in his absence?”

“I do,” Rayman said. “But not yet. I trust your abilities to lead our people.”

Rayman forced himself to smile, “Forgive me. I loathe the thought of Erik not returning. I will think on what you have said.” his mood brightened.

“Of course,” Jebbin said. “I will leave you alone then.”

“Bring Torstein back in on your way out,” Rayman said as the old man exited the room.

He heard mumbling from outside and Torstein entered a moment later, looking curious.

“What did he say?” he whispered.

“I’m afraid… you might be right, Torstein.” Rayman sighed in his chair. “He wants me to take his place as acting leader.”

Torstein’s jaw twitched but he said nothing for some time. He looked hurt and saddened that he was actually right.

“What would you have me do?” Torstein said. “I am loyal to king Erik till the day I die and I will do anything to protect his crown.”

“I am glad you are here. Without you, I never would have uncovered a plot against Erik. But there is one more thing I want you to do. To make sure… without a shadow of a doubt that Jebbin is a traitor. I must be sure before I act.”

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

“What is it?” Torstein asked.

“I want, personally. No one else.” Rayman said slowly. “While Jebbin is out, I want you to go to his room and look for any evidence that may incriminate him.”

“It will be done,” Torstein said. “As much as I think I am right about Jebbin. Having solid proof would put both our minds at ease.”

“Yes. It would.” Rayman rubbed his temples.

PART 2

Torstein quietly stalked the halls of the stone castle, his footsteps, silent. Coming to a stop at Jebbin’s quarters, he pulled the handle, which was locked. He silently cursed then bent down, pulling his tools from his pocket. Quickly, Torstein lockpicked the door and entered without a sound.

Jebbin had just left for a stroll into town. Some business with buying cattle from the neighboring villages and towns. He would have plenty of time to search his room before he returned.

Torstein gradually made his way around the room, searching in drawers, cabinets, and finally under his bed, finding nothing. However, he did see paper and fresh ink on his desk, raising his suspicions.

Carefully searching every inch of the table, Torstein found himself empty-handed, finding nothing. His frustration grew, yet at the same time, he wished he would find nothing. Perhaps he had gotten it all wrong. “Maybe Jebbin is the same old man he always was. Logical, strategic, and loyal.” he thought.

After ten more minutes of searching, Torstein was ready to give up. His time was running out and he knew Jebbin could come back any minute but he had a lookout around the corner to alert him of anyone approaching the door. If Jebbin was coming back, his lookout would walk by the door and tap on it twice.

He decided to check under the bed again when his foot slightly slid backward, the rug under him sliding under his foot. Turning around he saw the stones beneath the rug looked unearthed as if someone had moved them and put them back in place.

Quickly moving the rug aside, Torstein felt the stones. They were loose and he pulled them out from the floor with ease. To his surprise and yet unsurprise, he looked down at a bundle of cloth, tied by a thin strip of leather.

Reaching down, Torstein snatched up the bundle and untied the leather strap, opening the contents. Unfolding the rolled up paper, he scanned the texts and his eyes went wide. First, dread and sorrow washed over him but was quickly replaced by rage.

Torstein had all he needed now. Folding the paper back up, Torstein re-tied the letter into the cloth and tucked it beneath his coat, and walked out the door.

PART 3

“What is the meaning of this? Being pulled off the street like a common thug.” Jebbin said, his voice shaky with annoyance. “Rayman? Why have you brought me here?”

“Silence!” Torstein yelled at the old man.

Rayman sat behind a large desk, his elbow bent onto the surface, his hands clasped together. He gazed at the old man without a word.

“I am the acting king.” Jebbin shrugged off the arms of two guards holding him. “I demand to know why you are treating me with such disrespect. Surely… Rayman, you have a good explanation for this?”

Rayman nodded his head and Torstein tossed a bundle of cloth onto the desk before them. “Do you know what that is?” Rayman whispered.

Jebbin glanced at the both of them then down at the bundle. “No. Should I? What is it?”

“Lying is pointless Jebbin!” Torstein shouted again. “You’ve been caught. Admit it!”

Jebbin’s general look of confusion and unease turned to shock and bewilderment. “I-I don’t know what you think you’ve found b-but I assure you, I have done nothing wrong.”

Rayman held up a hand to Torstein before he could respond, his cold and calculated stare bore into Jebbin’s eyes. “Open it,” he said calmly.

He hesitated before stepping up to the desk to grab the item Torstein had thrown at him. Carefully, he untied the leather straps and three rolled letters were revealed to them, one nearly rolled off the table but Jebbin snatched it mid-air.

Crackling from the paper filled the room as Jebbin opened it up to read. The room was completely silent as he skimmed through the contents. His eyes grew wider and wider as he went down the page.

“Th-this can’t be,” Jebbin whispered. “I did not write this.”

“Your signature is on one and the other two are addressed to you,” Rayman said, his voice still cold as ice. “Each page speaks of treason.”

“No.” Jebbin set the letter down and reached for another. “I-I know how this looks but I swear this isn’t me.”

Torstein picked up the last one and started reading aloud.

“King Jebbin, everything is going according to plan. I have spread the letters across town for all to see. Rayman will see them soon, I’m sure. This is your time to plant the seed. If you convince him to take your place the people won’t resist him. Their love for him will blind them all, and that is when your time to strike is at its peak. No one will question you if you provide ample evidence, which I have planted. Under his mattress. You will find it.”

Torstein nonchalantly tossed the paper aside, “This goes on for quite a while. As do the other two letters.” he paused. “Should I read aloud the one you wrote?”

“No. Because it is not me who wrote it.” Jebbin, his face angry. “I am being framed.”

“Of course you are. Ironic isn’t it?” Torstein stepped around the table and lifted a ring into the air. “You tried to frame Rayman of treason. Funny how that backfired isn’t it?”

“That’s-” Jebbin started.

“Erik’s ring. One he bestows on his successors.” Rayman spoke up. “Tell me… how did you come to possess it?”

Jebbin’s jaw dropped, “I-I- He gave it to me. Before leaving Nolvis.”

“Hm.” Torstein huffed. “Likely story. Why wouldn’t you tell us about it then?”

“Because Erik asked me to do something for him… in case he didn’t make it back.” Jebbin tried to explain.

“What?” Rayman stood from his chair. “What did he ask you to do?”

“He-he said if something were to happen to him… that he wanted you to be king,” Jebbin confessed. “He spoke to me in his tent alone. Knowing you were the best option for Vulkira in the absence of his own bloodline.”

“Let us… for a moment, believe what you have said.” Torstein rolled his eyes. “Explain these letters. Your signature. Your handwriting. Your name.”

“I don’t know!” Jebbin pleaded. “I am being set up. That!” he pointed at the papers. “Was not me!”

Rayman sat back down, sighing heavily. “I’m sorry Jebbin. I hereby officially pronounce you as a traitor to your country. With treason, the penalty is death.” Rayman declared. “Take him away.”

The two guards from before grabbed Jebbin tightly by the arms and started dragging him from the room.

“Wait!” he yelled. “I didn’t do it. Please, you must believe me!” he looked frantic. “WAIT! Wait. Wait. Wait. I can prove my innocence!”

Rayman held up a hand, gesturing to them to wait, “Speak.”

“Send a letter to Queen Cara. If she doesn't reply, wait for Erik’s return to prove that I am telling the truth.” Jebbin said, his frail-looking body half hanging from the guard’s arms.

“Very well,” Rayman said.

With that, the guards dragged him off to the dungeons to await his judgment.

“This proves it,” Torstein said. “All this evidence cannot be denied.”

“Yes, but it doesn’t prove he was responsible for Halden and Astrid’s death.” Rayman sighed. “He might be a traitor but we can’t prove he was the one who killed them. Not yet.”

“It’s obvious.” Torstein paced the room. “Who else? We know they didn’t die of natural causes.”

“I don’t know.” Rayman huffed, annoyed by Torstein’s persistent questioning. “I don’t know who had a part in their deaths and might never know. Leave me.”

Torstein stopped in his tracks for the first time noticing Rayman’s stern mood. This whole thing was taking a heavier toll on him than he realized.

“Yes. Of course.” Torstein bowed. "Forgive me. I will wait outside."

“I need time to think,” Rayman whispered to himself as the general left the room.