Ror stood outside the door to his parents’ mansion. Their private chambers each adjoined the massive dwelling that was their home. He could feel the vibrations of their voices through the stone door, but it was thick enough that he could not tell what they said. They sounded in good spirits, which suited his purpose, so he struck the gong on the pedestal to the right of the doors. The guards all bowed in unison when the door opened and Grar beckoned Ror inside.

His mother was seated on a stone couch in front of the fire pit in the center of their common room. “Come sit with us,” she said. When he was younger, Ror would often squeeze between them and spend hours on that couch conversing. It was rather comical for him to try and fit his wide frame between them now. After much laughter and some very specific position, the three managed a measure of comfort.

“Is Balvor excited?” he asked. His father grumbled, but his mother smiled.

“Very,” she said, “and Idana even more so.”

“Neither is excited as Sally,” his father said.

“He should be,” said Ror. “I promised him a coat of mannarim rings as bride price.”

The expression of shock and wrath on his father’s face was thoroughly satisfying, and remained for some time even as Ror and his mother laughed.

“Nothing would surprise me now,” his father said. “He’s likely dreaming of a mannarim throne and gates for his castle.”

“Oh Ror,” said his mother, “your plate is being made.”

“I ate already.”

“No, you dunderwhelp. Your plate mail. Your father commissioned helms for you and Halfur, but Urum’s men made tremendous progress and were able to craft you both full suits.”

“What about the two of you?”

Grar smiled. “Us, Lobuhl, and Gund as well. My other brother can wait.”

“I’d like for Neri to have one,” Ror said.

“I would too,” said Halfi. “That poor boy risked so much in the Coldwood.”

“I’d like for all our warriors to both wear and wield mannarim,” said Grar, “but it takes time to smelt and shape. I’m amazed Urum was able to produce as much as he has. I’ve tasked him to make us weapons, but I imagine you won’t be wanting one. I seems pointless to make smashing weapons from it.”

“I’d like a dirk perhaps,” said Ror.

“A dirk would be good,” his mother said. “It would cut through the other kins’ chainmail like cheese cloth.”

“You’ll be swinging that hammer of yours soon enough,” his father said. “A quarter million goblins, Gund said. That’s not an army, it’s a population. And they have exploding rams for the eastern gates. Should make for a good row at least.”

“Ridzak insists we take them more seriously.”

“Is that where you were this morning? Meeting with him? Balvor could have used your support. He only had Halfur and Salimod to take his side, and they were both silent as the grave.”

“Ridzak’s been helping his people recover from the centaur hunt. I was with Buri.”

The fire in the pit crackled and spat as a log split in two. Halfi shifted in the narrow space of the couch that was left to her. Ror sat still as a stone, and Grar pressed his hands together, cracking each knuckle in turn.

“How was the tour of Ormazum?” his mother asked. “Did the Gace children enjoy the city? Yselde tells me Cara’s taken quite a liking…”

“You had your reasons for sending him to the Underguard,” Ror said, “and I didn’t come here to challenge that decision. You told me, Father, that you’ll be naming your heir, and that your choice will be based on edicts that Halfur and I make. I’m prepared to make mine.”

Grar did his best not to fall off the cramped couch as he turned to face Ror. “I’m listening,” the King said. Halfi turned as well. She seemed armed and ready for a confrontation.

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“Buri sent for me,” Ror said, “and told me something I found deeply disturbing.”

“Be cautious what you believe from him,” said Grar.

“Did he become a liar while he was away, Dad? Because I don’t recall him being one before.”

“Ror,” said his mother, “no one can live as he has unchanged, and he’s only just returned to us. Your father knows your quality and doesn’t want your edict to be wasted. Perhaps you should spend some more time with him before…”

“There is no time,” Ror said loudly, “not for the man Buri spoke of. He could be dead now.”

His father stood slowly and went to a stone table with drinks and food on it. He filled three mugs from a flagon and offered them to Ror and his mother. Halfi turned the mug away, but Ror sniffed at it. It was a warm liquor, strong with both alcohol and spice. Ror took the mug and sipped heartily. He felt a faint softening of his mood. “This must be strong,” he said.

“Blastus brought it from the Araad,” his father replied. “Nandi had it made specially for us, to help us through the wedding. Now tell me what your edict is, and then answer my questions.”

“I want another man freed from the doomed.”

Grar almost spat out his liquor.

“Ror,” his mother put a hand on his shoulder, “Buri was a special case. He was sent for a somewhat different reason than is typical.”

“And I hope,” he continued, “that this other man is also not typical. He’s innocent of the crime we’re punishing him for.”

“Punishing?” His father emptied and refilled his mug. “Has the purpose of the Underguard changed without my knowledge? Because last I knew we were redeeming those lawbreakers.”

“Who is the man, son?” his mother asked.

“His name is Koll Ladhu.”

His father leaned back against the table and swished his liquor around in his mug. “I know of him. He sold armor in Ormazzum. He worked with some of our best smiths, including the Iron Maiden.”

“Whom he wed,” Ror continued, “after his first wife was killed on an expedition into the Shadow Sea.”

“And how do you know he’s innocent?” his mother asked.

“The sound in Buri’s voice,” Ror said. He knew neither of them would accept that answer, all the same his father’s response angered him. The King who had sent a boy guilty of no crime to the Underguard laughed and sputtered liquor as he drank. His mother tried to calm him, even to stop him from rising from the couch, but Ror stood, drained his mug and stood directly in front of his father. “This makes two innocent men you’ve sent to suffer,” his voice grew quiet and cold, almost like his brother’s, “I’m hoping Koll is where your count ends.”

Grar set his mug on the bench and stepped close to Ror. Were they of the same height their noses may have touched. Grar stood there a moment, looking down at his son, then drew in a deep breath and returned to the couch. Ror refilled his mug.

“I don’t know,” he said, “but I trust.”

“It's beyond me how you two can drink that stuff,” said Halfi, “it tastes like saliva mixed with steam. Ror, I’m going to speak plainly, so please hear me out. You’re eager to gain Buri’s approval, and that sort of desire can cloud a person’s judgement. That does not mean Buri is wrong about this merchant, or that you are wrong to trust him. It is however something we must consider, and it’s something you should be mindful of as well.”

“I question myself constantly,” said his father. “The greatest advantage I have as King over someone like Salimod is that I test my own motives on every decision I make for the realm. If I did not, many good things you enjoy would not be here. You yourself might not be here. When King Volibuhd first proposed I take his widowed wed-daughter as my own, I wanted to refuse. My motive was disgust for the man she was married to before, and how recently he was thought to be dead. When I looked critically at those feelings, I realised how worthy a woman your mother was and that I'd be a fool not to take her hand.”

“And when you learned Akihud was alive,” Ror asked, “what were your thoughts?”

“That by law and custom your mother was mine. She’d born no children by him and two by me. It took time for love to grow between us, it’s true, as I still mourned for Yevn, but she was a fine asset to the Kingdom from the start. Besides, had Akihud not returned to Nirmo, his late father and I would likely have continued our work to uplift their realm and our marriage would have strengthened her people’s response to my efforts. Think through your passions, son. Why do you want to respond to what Buri told you of this Ladhu fellow?”

“I can’t abide the mere thought of punishing an innocent man. Yet, I have no intention of freeing a guilty one. My edict then, is that Koll be brought to the citadel and kept under close guard while I arrange an inquest. If he’s found guilty, I’ll send him directly back to Valung and I’ll have some choice words for Buri.”

His parents both looked at each other. His mother nodded, and his father turned to him.

“As you speak,” said the King, “it will be done. The consequences are yours alone, and your response to them will sway my choice, as has your willingness to listen to our counsel.”

“I’m proud of you, son,” Halfi said. “You have much of the Red Mountains in you, even though you’ve never even looked upon them. I’m glad you’ve learned the wisdom to temper your strong feelings. I’m also proud of your love for justice. If there’s any way I can help with your inquest, let me know.”

Ror thought for a moment, then smiled. “I need Audun.”