Once again, Ean stood in the throne room with knocking knees. This time out of excitement to demonstrate he had lived up to the king's faith in him.

"Follow me," the king instructed. "The King's Council is meeting and I want you to present your findings."

Ean's armpits grew damp with sweat as he trailed behind the king. Speaking to the king alone was nerve-wracking enough. The thought of briefing a room full of royal staff members was terrifying. His stomach twisted with anxiety. What if he had missed something crucial? What if the information was inaccurate or incomplete? Why had he agreed to a quest he was woefully unprepared for? He fought back against his self-doubt. Because no one else could and the consequences for not trying were too dire.

They entered an adjoining conference room. His eyes widened at the sight of the long table and the men and women in regal attire who filled the room. He felt conspicuously underdressed.

An attendant led Ean to a chair opposite the king. Everyone stood behind their seats, their eyes on the king. Ean tried to calm his nerves, but his pulse pounded in his ears, and his palms grew sweaty.

Finally, the king was seated, and the room fell silent.

"Our first order of business today is a report from our new spymaster," the king announced, his voice echoing off the walls. "Until the death of his former master is solved, I decree that no one is to mention or acknowledge the existence of his replacement." He waited for the nods and grunts of acknowledgement of everyone assembled before continuing. "Spymaster, your report."

Ean's pulse quickened. Why did he have to remind everyone that my life might be in danger right before I speak?

His voice trembling, Ean began. "Your majesty, I, uh, took the, uh, encoded message fragment you gave me and found the missing piece. The complete deciphered message, umm states that… It says Brindle is preparing for war!"

A collective gasp swept through the room.

"I knew it," the Commander of Military Affairs exclaimed, his voice tinged with grim satisfaction. "We've seen increased activity in their military camp in Brindle East."

The Chancellor of the Treasury scoffed. "You say that at least once a month. I hope our new spymaster has more than a single message and rumors to support such a bold claim."

"I agree with my esteemed colleague," added the Minister of Foreign Relations. "This kid's inexperience is as likely to start the war he believes he's preventing."

Ean gritted his teeth as a flush of heat rose to his cheeks, a mixture of embarrassment and indignation coursing through him. He clenched his fists beneath the table, his nails biting into his palms as he fought the urge to defend his work. Did they not understand the challenges he'd overcome and that he was doing his best? Before he could speak, the king raised a hand, silencing the room with a single gesture.

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The king's gaze settled on Ean, his expression unreadable. "He is nearly the same age as I," he said, a hint of challenge in his tone as he turned to the Minister of Foreign Relations. "Do you have some reservations about me you'd like to share? No?"

The king continued, "With only a week of training, this kid has deciphered two messages none of us would be able to. He has my full faith and confidence."

The Minister of Foreign Relations cleared his throat, drawing the king's fierce attention. "That said, while I thank you for your report, spymaster," he said, his words laced with a hint of condescension, "in the future, please provide confirmation."

Ean nodded, overcome by a surge of determination. "Your highness, I have also received confirmation through the spy network. Initial reports indicate they have already infiltrated Argonia West."

The king's eyes narrowed as he glared at the Minister of Foreign Relations. "Do we know when they will attack, spymaster?"

"Possibly within the next two weeks," Ean replied, his voice steady.

The king stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Argonia West is heavily wooded. That is where they attacked from during the last war. Seems too obvious a move by the Emperor of Brindle." He leaned forward, fixing Ean with a piercing gaze. "Has your spy in Argonia West confirmed the presence of Brindle soldiers?"

Ean hesitated before answering, "I will travel to Argonia West to contact them, sire."

The Minister of the Interior spoke up then, his tone cautious. "I also have my reservations about the spymaster's experience. However, rumors of war have been swirling around the court for days. Now we have this report." He paused, considering his words carefully. "As a precaution, I will restrict travel between regions. Though it will affect our commerce."

Ean watched as the king motioned for an attendant. The attendant handed a parchment from a folio to the king. The king scribbled his signature and passed the parchment back. The attendant then stamped the royal seal on the document and walked it to Ean.

"This travel pass with the king's seal will get you through the checkpoints," he said.

Travel Pass-Argonia West added to inventory

QUEST COMPLETED: Q-006 Inform the king of impending attack

REWARD: +1 XP (5/6)

QUEST ACCEPTED: Q-007 Gather intelligence on potential foreign activity in Argonia West

Ean bowed his head. The king had publicly vouched for him, gambling his own reputation on his faith in Ean. He would not fail, no matter the cost. His voice was strong and sure as it echoed off the walls. "Sire, you can rely on me to find out if Brindle forces are in Argonia West."

The king nodded. "Be careful but be quick. If a war is coming and Brindle has already massed troops in our borders, every hour counts."

CODEX ENTRIES CREATED: Chancellor of the Treasury, Commander of Military Affairs, Minister of Foreign Relations, Minister of the Interior, Argonia West, Emperor of Brindle

Ean took his cue and hurried to the bookshop. He encrypted the message 'The kingdom requires your service' using the Caesar Cipher. Using the trick he'd learned from his local spy, he made six pinpricks along one side of the parchment. He then slipped it into his satchel, said goodbye to Samuel, and set off for his trip to Argonia West with trepidation.

Secret_Message-02 Added to Inventory

SKILL UPGRADED: Caesar Cipher +1 (3/3)

QUEST ACCEPTED: Q-008 Deliver Secret_Message-02 to dead drop in Argonia West

= = = SKILL LEVEL UP: Caesar Cipher II = = =