[John's POV]

Atop the castle from where the view was always amazing. We all sat in a circle on the chairs provided to us by the servants in the castle.

The city lit up in the night and the avid market place was always covered with commotion.

This is some people’s dream city and it always managed to mesmerize people; I, on the other hand was in complete sorrow for the look that I get to see today might not be visible tomorrow.

As we all watched the city, the door behind us knocked.

“The King has summoned you.”

The servant said as he formally peeked inside and then walked off again.

“What does he mean summoned? Are we his knights or something? He invited us.”

Novah became furious on the servant’s remarks.

“Calm down,” I said as I got up and with me everyone did, “Let him play, either way he won’t have legs to tremble when the time comes.”

I walked towards the door. I was already ready for the occasion and already had planned on what to say and what to not.

I walked outside, down the hallway towards a giant chamber which was covered with curtains and pillars carved extrinsically.

I looked around in amaze as it was the first time of me coming here.

“Impressed?”

Came a voice which stood in front of me. It was Marvin who stood high on the ground in front of him with his throne behind.

He was accompanied by his little sister, sitting on his right and his clergies sitting on his left.

“Certainly, I—“ I tried to say something, but was cut by Zeig.

“Well, let’s get to the matters in hand.”

‘Tsk,’

Cut off by him felt like a stab wound to me. Every cell in my body screamed for me to settle the score, but I couldn’t, it was for the greater good.

“Yes, lets. “

I say as I call upon my Ravens. I lift my arm and then signal them to walk forward.

“Marvin, I have an offer to you.”

I said as I moved along towards the seat provided to me. It was in the corner of the courtroom, definitely to disgrace me.

I walked in front of the gentle audience and with arms spread in the air,

“I want you to secure me a route to the ‘Valley of Remembrance.’”

“What?”

Zeig from behind reacted in an uncanny way which was accepted by me as the place I suggested was something out of limits for everyone.

“You know right, John?”

Marvin spoke as he got up on his feet and walked towards me. It was meant to be daunting, but for me it was nonetheless comical.

“That place is forbidden to visit and even if it was I don’t condemn visiting it.”

He said and stood some feet away from me.

“Oh, did I say it wrong?” I replied, “I asked you to secure me a route—not visit it.”

“You know well, I cannot.”

“You can……or your Blood Knights can.”

I said which then caused a huge stir of emotions to flow through the room. Muffled voices could be heard, some were of shock and some were of panic.

Marvin stood quiet as well, but then the silence was broken by the very person I hated.

“Blood Knights are a separate unit on their own. Anything they do is their choice.”

Zeig said and then looked at Marvin who looked back towards Zeig and then turned back to walk away.

“Oh, I thought the Artium held their horses, but if they are not then it’s not worth wasting time here. I’d rather go speak with Edwin directly.”

I said and then turned around as well.

Marvin halted and then looked back at me.

“What do you mean by that?”

He asked.

‘Took the bait!’

I thought.

Marvin always wanted to be the best and always wanted to control stuff which he never was able to. Provoking him was the best thing I could do and it worked like charm.

“Nothing, I just thought you were in control of them.”

I said again in a provoking manner.

“What do you offer in bargain then?”

He asked which made the whole court silent for minutes.

I didn’t make any haste and I wanted them to recognize what Marvin was doing. Never a king will accept blame, but rather would push it on someone else, that’s how the world has always been. But, right now if provoked properly—Marvin would definitely take the complete responsibility which works better with me.

Zeig walked towards him and tried saying something in his ear, but he denied to listen.

“Say it, John. What do you offer?”

I looked at Novah for the signal. He walked towards me and said, “The news is here.”

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I smiled at him and continued smiling, I turned to look towards Marvin.

“I offer to resolve this.”

I said as the courtroom was pushed by force, helping a man to enter forcibly.

He looked like a regular knight who was out on patrol duty.

“My King, there’s a terrible news.”

The knight tried to speak, but some of the guards were pulling him back.

“Stop.”

Marvin said and then signalled the knight to speak.

The knight looked at us and then at his King. Marvin assured him to be at ease and speak regardless as it was clear to him that I already knew the update he was about to give.

“I was out on patrol on the route towards the west as the cart returning to us from Ventus was delaying by two hours or so. I found no trace of the carts, but I did find the soldiers.”

Marvin’s eyes opened up and he looked at Zeig for explanation.

“What happened to them?”

Zeig asked.

“They were all killed, brutally. Stocked up in a pile like they were haystack.”

“Killed?”

I asked him as it was pretty clear to me that Mortis would never kill someone for no reason.

‘Then someone is playing with me? Who’s it?’

Questions lingered my mind.

“Everyone, OUT!”

Marvin screamed fiercely. The courtroom was emptied in seconds, leaving only the Knight, Zeig and his sister with us.

“John, how did you know this? Did you do it?”

Situation was turning against me now.

“Don’t be a brute, Marvin. Like you I have my informants patrolling round the corner.”

I said which made sense to him as every King would always keep information of his surroundings and patrolling is the best option one can opt for.

“So?”

Marvin asked me.

It felt like he was tad bit convinced that I wasn’t involve in it, but still was suspicious.

“The time my squealer checked, they were just unconscious.”

I said with an affirmative voice to make it sound like truth.

“So, someone killed them after?”

“Probably.”

“Why would they do so?”

Now that was a question I would like to have an answer for as well, but out of everything I had to confirm with Mortis and Jin for whether or not they were involved in these killings.

“I don’t know, Marvin.”

I said with a tedious look and stepped forward to him.

Now, that it had become serious and I was gently trapped….I had only one way to clear my name out of this.

“I don’t know who did it, but I think I would find them out in no time.”

I relayed with the same affirmation before, “You just keep the end of your bargain true—what do you say?”

Even though the situation was tight. He had to do something and I expect he would understand that I will do this to clear out my name out this list. So, even though the situation was against me, it should still work out in my favour.

Marvin stood with a long face which was filled with thoughts and after seconds he turned around.

“You’ll get your answer by tomorrow.”

Marvin said as he lifted his hand up, “Till then, enjoy the Capital.”

He said to me and then looked at Zeig, “Get the soldiers family the compensation they deserve.”

He said and then walked away.

I looked at him and I do commend his effort for not fumbling whilst hearing the news. I was sure that him and Zeig were going to have a long chat and it sure had to take time, till then I had to confirm something.

“Do you think?”

Novah asked me.

“I do not, but we still need to…”

I replied and looked at Muriel.

“They’ll be here soon.”

He said.

I had asked Mortis and company to come here. So, given the time they need to arrive, they should be here just about now.

“Elena will be here too.”

Novah added.

“Good, then we’ll have our answers in no time.”

I replied and walked out of the courtroom.

[Zeig’s POV]

“Sire, you are accepting the bargain?”

I asked Marvin as he walked around the courtroom. His sister, Alisha was sitting on her unfazed by what was happening. She never really cared about anything and I even doubt that she listened to all that had been said. She was a quiet kid, but nonetheless she was uninterested in politics from the very beginning.

“I said ‘I will consider’ not accept.”

Marvin replied to me and then walked towards Alisha.

“You should go to your room.”

“Okay.”

Alisha replied to Marvin and walked out of the courtroom.

“Don’t consider it.”

I blatantly spoke out.

Marvin looked at me with a tinge of rage in his eyes.

“I thought you suggested things? Or are you thinking that you are above my rule?”

He asked me to which I just shook my head and replied with denial.

“Apologies for that, Sire.” I said and then walked forward, “But, I really think we shouldn’t trust him. Also what is this bargain? The Valley of Remembrance? Do we even know for sure that such a place exists?”

“We don’t and that is one of the main reasons that this bargain, even when accepted will just be a foolish myriad case.”

“But, you promised them the ‘The Blood knights’.”

“Blood Knights are a part of our regiment, but they have been given the extensive right to be on their own. Although that doesn’t really prove their loyalty towards me and this will be the perfect opportunity to do so.”

He stood adamant on giving John the chance to investigate this case which was filled with suspicions, but Marvin was a kind of person who will never listen to anyone, but himself.

“Sire, I think we should speak to the ‘Elder’ about this.”

I said which made Marvin temper out.

“The Elder doesn’t know anything about running a Kingdom. They are just scavengers feeding on to our people so they could just live more than others.”

“Sire, we do the—“

“Zeig, mind your words. Measure them carefully. I have never once succumbed to any of those methods before and never will. I have no expectations to live more than what has been given to us.”

Marvin said and then walked close to me.

“Understand this; John is now in a tough spot. He is the prime suspect and will need to clear his name out. Doing this, will keep him busy and won’t let him do anything funny, while also I can keep a close watch on him.”

He said and then came close to my right ear, “And if you can’t accept that either, then let me remind you that I am the King and you are just a mere pet that I saved once out of pity.”

He said and walked away.

‘Pet?’

‘Pity?’

Words just circled my mind and made me go mad.

‘This idiot thinks he is better than me?’

He was a nobody and I let him become what he is today.

Marvin was a made up King from the day he was born.

But, I gave up things. I sacrificed lives for it and not just one or two……more than twenty lives. I still remember the screams and he dare says that I am just a pet.

‘I’ll have to meet the Elder.’

I think and resolved it in my mind, because now it felt like high time to initiate the plan I had always worked on.

[Mortis’ POV]

“We’re finally here.”

Maria exclaimed as she saw the board indicating the entrance for the Trade Capital, Artium.

“This is it.” Maria continued, “No more running, we’ll get a cart next time.”

“No more running, huh?”

Mikhail commented as he walked forward towards us, “I think our scope of work will never allow that.”

He said which sounded a little out of frustration, but I knew that it would always be hard to cope up with what we are made to do.

“Yeah, yeah.”

Maria reacted in an irritated way.

As we stepped up, we heard a big growl. I tried scanning everywhere to find the source of the sound. But, as I did, a hand blocked my vision.

“It was me,” Maria said with embarrassment lucid on her face, “I am hungry.”

She said and then tried to avoid looking at us.

I looked at Mikhail who looked keen on teasing Maria, but at the same time scared because when hurt Maria can be a nuisance.

“Anyone know a place to eat?”

Krial asked so we could cut the time.

Avon raised his hand and answered the question.

“Yes,”

“You have been here?”

“I was a traveller of sorts. So, I have been to many places.” Avon replied and then walked in front, “This way.” He said and then pointed towards a road.

We started following him and looked around the city. I had only heard buts from Ishi about Artium, but up close the city was massive and everyone seemed well verse with trades and stuff.

There were shops everywhere, architecture was beautiful. We were all flabbergasted by the looks of the city, until Krial broke the spell over us.

“Had John mentioned anywhere to meet?”

He asked to which we tried remembering the sheet of the paper stuck to the tree, but we couldn’t remember.

As we thought, footsteps were heard and voice followed it.

“No, he didn’t.”

Said the voice.

I looked at it and was not surprised at all as I was expecting John to emerge from somewhere.

“He should’ve mentioned it. He is such an idiot. It could’ve helped him spend leisurely waiting for you all rather than standing at the entrance like new-born homeless.”

John continued in a sarcastic tone.

“What’s wrong with being homeless?”

Naomi questioned him from behind.

John looked at her and smiled mockingly, “Because, I am a King.”

“That doesn’t answer the question.”

They went back and forth for some time, until John put his hand on his forehead and just decided to ignore her.

“Anyways, as you are here first….”

He said and then stepped in front of me.

“I want to ask you something, can I?”

He looked me in the eyes. No one is able to look into my eyes directly, but for some reason he could and for him it was just a walk in the park.

‘Guess, he doesn’t fear death.’

I thought and nodded to him to ask his question.

“What happened there, really?”