Percy, Dalia and Nieren moved through the city as quickly as possible.

Their destination was the palace of the baron which was directly in the middle of the city. The two moons that shone down on the land gave everything a darker look to it, making the night even more ominous.

This was all due to the fact that there weren't any streetlights in this part of the city. Just torches lining every street corner until they came closer to the palace.

They rushed into the building, passing guards and knights. They found the throne room were Quinus, Zellin and some of Zellin's counsel as they discussed the new trade route with the Kingdom of Marn.

***

"Zellin, why would the Kingdom of Marn want to open a new trade route? My father isn't on good terms with them, and I would have to agree with him," Quinus asked the baron.

"I know your majesty. I find it peculiar that they wish to open trade routes through Ironside instead of reaching out to his majesty the King? But I wasn't sure if we wish to get access to their naval pairs? Or maybe they have a plan to get the purple slag?" Zellin asked, looking at the council members.

"We can't trust them not to enslave the dwarven people of Fiafyr. I don't like the smell of this. There is something fishy about these talks." Hajdah said as he looked at his council.

"Haah... I'll have my men look into it as soon as I can return to the capital." Quinus said, tucking a piece of hair behind his ear.

"Yes, Your Majesty. We will do what we can to investigate this matter." Zellin replied.

Quinus nodded his head, that's when the doors to the throne room opened up to Percy, Dalia and Nieren. They all had serious looks on their faces.

"What's wrong?" Hajdah asks, stepping away from the table.

"My Lord. We have a problem." Percy said as he looked to Quinus.

Quinus felt a terrible omen when looking at Percy and Dalia.

'Where's Rya? Is she alright?' Quinus thought to himself.

"Well, what is this problem?" Quinus asked, getting up from his seat.

"Lady Rya. She has been collared. My Lord." Percy said, with no emotion showing on his face.

The room went deathly silent as the whole room stood still.

Quinus had rage written all over his golden eyes as he processed what Percy had said. While the Baron and his counsel started to feel the raw power of Quin's mana leaking from his body that felt like the wrath of the gods.

"..."

"You're Ma~" Zellin stopped himself before he spoke the words 'your majesty'. After making eye contact with Quinus for a brief second.

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"..."

Quinus looked back to Percy.

"Who?" Quinus said, trying to keep his voice calm.

"It was the Black Roses my Lord." Percy said, looking down.

*Crunch!*

The chair closest to Quinus was destroyed by his mana. The rest of the chairs around the round table were knocked over.

Quinus tried reigning in his anger so as to not injure anyone else in the room.

'T-This is the toothless lion that all the nobles spoke of!? Prince Quinus could kill us all without batting a eye right now!' thought Boran Zellin.

"They must've followed us here. They captured Lady Rya and put a slave collar on her." Percy said, looking at the floor.

"Zellin... I request that you raise an army as soon as possible." Quinus said, through gritted teeth. "I want them dead. Do whatever it takes."

Zellin's heart dropped to his stomach hearing those words.

"Understood my Lord." Zellin said, bowing his head low.

"The mages guild will be summoned as well your Majesty." Hajdah said as he lowered his head and left the room.

The council members quickly left the room. Everyone except for Quinus, Percy, Dalia, Nieren and Zellin.

"Do you know where they took her?" Quinus asked his retainer.

"Word is they are hiding in a abandoned mine by Mount Galfrei, my Lord." Percy answered.

"Mount Galfrei? I'll send my troops there right aw~" Zellin stopped when Quinus raised one of his hands to halt the baron.

"Lady Dalia. Can you track them?" Quinus asked.

"Yes, I can. And I can find her, Beta." Dalia replied, her eyes filled with determination.

Quinus nodded and smiled.

"Very good. Who's this Lady?" he asked, gesturing to Nieren.

"Her name is Nieren. She was the one that witnessed Lady Rya's abduction, my Lord." Percy answered.

A grim expression crossed Quinus' face.

"So why didn't she stop them from capturing her?"

Nieren began to panic a little but summoned the courage to talk to the prince.

"I-I witnessed the Kings Slayer, your Majesty. I-I'm a great archer but I'm no match for him." Nieren said to Quinus with a sad look in his eyes.

It was at that moment that Quinus noticed her elven ears that were hidden under her hood.

'A wood elf? Haah… That explains her fear of the Kings Slayer.' Quinus thought as he knew about the history of the fall of the Wood Elven Empire.

"You're a wood elf?" Quinus asked, his voice sounding like it came out of a deep well.

Nieren nodded her head as hard as she could.

"H-How did you know?" Nieren asked, her cheeks flushing.

"I saw your ears, Lady Nieren. Can you help me find Rya? I've heard that most wood elf are excellent trackers." Quinus said, looking down at Nieren with a smile.

"Of course, your Majesty!" Nieren said with a nod.

"Thank you Lady Nieran. If you find her, I promise you that the Kings Slayer will be no more." Quinus said with a small bow of his head.

'H-He'll kill the Kings Slayer! I-I have to save her!' Nieren thought to herself.

He looked up to see Dalia standing in front of him, her eyes full of determination.

"Find her Lady Dalia." Quinus said before turning back to Percy.

"Send word to the rest of our forces once you locate the Black Roses. I’ll bring the forces we need to Mount Galfrei." Quinus ordered as he walked towards the door.

"Yes my Lord." Percy replied, following after Quinus.

Zillen was the only one left in the room.

'Prince Quinus is going to be a King that no one should reckon with. The boy's a sleeping giant! The nobles going against him will most likely beg for mercy when it's all said and done. I doubt even the Kings Slayer will be able to stand against him!' Zillen thought as he stared at the young prince before calling for his troops.