The Captain sighed and sat back, rubbing his eyes.

  “I can’t believe this, a cult. In my city.” He said, after a long pause. “I knew this would happen eventually. But right now? During the wedding?”

  “Honestly we’re lucky Shaynen was able to make the guy believe we were one of them.” Mayhem said, “Otherwise we probably wouldn’t have made it here to tell you.” Shaynen mumbled and slumped over. Feeling sick all over again.

  “And how did you manage to do that?” The captain asked, eyeing Shaynen warily.

  “He realized that we met one on the road and used their secret passcode on us.” Jiit said. “With that, he just turned it around and we were able to slide by.” Shaynen gagged before running to the potted plant and throwing up again.

  “He has a weak constitution.” Thunder said as an excuse. “Hasn’t been on the road for long.”

  “I see…” The captain said slowly. He tapped his fingers on the table thoughtfully, looking between each of the party members. “Why don’t you lot take a rest in the guardhouse? Freshen up? Get some food? I want to wait for word from Maplewood before moving. If you are telling the truth then any action or change in action will alert the members and who knows what they might do then. I don’t want to move too fast.”

  “Thank you, that would be wise.” Jiit said. “Though if you are looking for council, I believe a few of us have ideas on where we go from here.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.” The captain said sourly. “Thais will take you to the bunkhouse.” The second guard at the door nodded.

  “Follow me,” she said and led them out of the makeshift office and down the long hallways. Taking them to a room that was equipped with six beds instead of only four.

  “The mess hall is down the hall, big double doors. The wash rooms are adjoined. Don’t break anything.” Thais said, then she stepped outside the private room and stood watch outside the door.

  “So we’re in custody, but with privilege.” Kilek said as he found a bed and laid on it.

  “The mayor of Maplewood with send a swift correspondence and then we’ll be back to work.” Jiit said, picking a bed for himself. “Might as well enjoy the rest while we have it. Who knows when we’ll get to again.”

  “Why don’t you go wash up? You’re still looking pretty green.” Mayhem said, Shaynen nodded. Heading into the adjoined bathroom.

  “How long will it take to get that letter?” Thunder asked. “I’m itching to get this settled.”

  “It’s not far, with a fast horse you could make it in a few hours. Maybe a day.” Jiit shrugged. “I’m sure the guards have fast horses. We’ll probably get back to it tomorrow.”

  “Ugh,” Thunder rolled her eyes and found a bed to flop on.

  They were awoken the next day by a guard telling them they were requested to see the Captain. They pulled themselves together and dragged themselves to a new room. The Captains office. With actual decoration and chairs.

  “Good morning, the response from Maplewood came in this morning.” The Captain said as the party filed in. “Not only does it corroborate everything you’ve said but also given me some additional details regarding the aftermath.”

  “Is everything alright?” Shaynen asked.

  “Yes, they have requested more guards but in the absence of men to spare they’ve made a militia to keep the remnants of the cult out.” The Captain said. “The mayor spoke very highly of you lot.”

  “That is good,” Kilek said.

  “I have been thinking all night on what to do with this.” The Captain said. “And I think I have a plan, but we will have to inform the royal family. I have requested and audience with them. So if you all could go scrub up and at least try and look professional and decent that would be appreciated. I’ll send for you when we are to meet the royal family.”

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  “Does that mean we don’t need to know the plan you have in mind?” Jiit asked.

  “For now.” The Captain said. “I want to think on it a bit longer first.” The party went back to their room and worked to try making themselves presentable. Shaynen pulled off the white cloth he wore and his holy symbol and just held them.

  “Toss ‘em. We can find you something new later.” Thunder said. Shaynen nodded and slowly dropped them onto the bed he’d claimed. He tried to walk away but couldn’t take a single step. Instead turning back around and picking them back up to put in his bag. Thunder put her hand on his shoulder.

  “It’s okay to let the past go.” She said, “and it’s okay to let it go in your own time.” Shaynen nodded slowly and swallowed hard. He still couldn’t believe it. It didn’t seem real. It couldn’t be.

  He took a long breath and forced it out of their mind. He was starting to feel nauseous again, and he didn’t want to throw up in front of the royal family.

  The Captain came to the room and looked over the party. Mayhem emerged from the washroom, toweling off her hair. The Captain sighed in disappointment.

  “Do you have any nicer attire?” He asked, then shook his head. “Nevermind, there’s no time. Let’s go, we have an audience with the royal family.” He led the party out of the guard’s barracks and toward the palace. The gates were heavily guarded but the guards stepped aside when the party, led by the captain, approached. They walked into the castle and into the main hall where a page came over.

  “Captain, what may we do for you?” The page asked.

  “We need to speak to the king and queen, we have an appointment.” The captain said. The page nodded.

  “Very well, I will show you to a room to wait for your summons.” The page said. They were led to a large study with a large diorama of the city built with carved figures that resembled townsfolk and guards. All around the study were detailed aerial maps of the different districts and neighborhoods.

  “This is a good place to meet the royals.” Jiit said, walking around and looking at every map. “We can make use of these.”

  “These are the basic ones that the royal family possesses. The war room has much better ones.” The captain said. He kept looking at the party, one by one, then he sighed. Covering his eyes with his hands. “I hope you sound smarter than you look.”

  “Is that necessary?” Thunder asked. “We’re adventurers, not nobles. What are you, or the royal family even, expecting?”

  “Yeah, wouldn’t it be stranger if we were decked out in niceties?” Mayhem agreed. “Like a knight in shining armor, it looks suspicious.”

  “Aren’t they supposed to have shining armor?” Shaynen asked. “Like. You’re supposed to take care of it so it shines. If it gets rusty or dented then it’s not gonna work right. Right?”

  “It’s a metaphor.” Mayhem said. Placing a hand on his shoulder. “It means something that seems too good to be true and you should be suspicious.”

  “Oh,” Shaynen said, nodding. Thinking about this and how it still didn’t really make sense. The door opened and a squire entered.

  “Presenting the royal family.” He announced, then stepping aside for a mess of royal guards first then the regal king and queen and followed by their very annoyed princess.

  “What is the meaning of all this?” She demanded, pushing her parents out of the way.

  “We have reason to believe a cult is targeting your wedding, your highness.” The captain said with a bow.

  “That’s quite a claim, I trust you have some evidence?” The King asked, he looked at the party. “Informants?”

  “That is correct, your majesty.” Jiit said, stepping forward. “Sparing you the story. We are investigating a cult known as The Black Antlers and have traced it here. We have found evidence they may have executed the explosion in the Alchemists’ district.”

  “You have evidence?” The king asked, “or have you seen it?”

  “Both, sir.” Jiit said. “We have evidence of the Black Antlers being here, and have encountered them ourselves within the Alchemist’s district.”

  “What?! This is unacceptable!” The princess wailed. “I want my wedding to be perfect! It can’t have any cult’s in it! Daddy, I want them all executed.”

  “Of course, my princess. I will have them all rounded up and dealt with before your big day.” The King said. Giving his daughter a few pats on the shoulder. “Captain, have the alchemist’s quarters searched top to bottom. Anyone in it should be put to death instantly.”

  “Wait, that sounds not right.” Shaynen said. Clenching his jaw hard when he realized he spoke aloud.

  “What do you suggest then?” The King asked, looking at Shaynen with harsh intensity.

  “Uuh..” Shaynen bit his lip hard. “I think we shouldn’t act rashly? Cause if we move too fast and without thinking it through we could throw the baby out with the bathwater and make the wedding remembered for the wrong reasons?”

  “Very well. You have twenty-four hours to come up with something better or we go with my plan.” The King said.

  “Give them twelve hours, daddy.” The princess said.

  “We have to be fair,” The queen said diplomatically. “If they have a better plan, let them try. It gives the people a chance to see how hard ruling is, my dearest.” The princess frowned hard and glared at the party.

  “Thank you, you are very kind.” The captain bowed.

  “Dismissed then.” The king said and the royal family left. Followed by the mess of guards and the squire.