They woke up almost at the same time, and at last Anthos was able to dress properly, in the clothes that had been provided to him at the castle: a cream-colored linen shirt, a black corduroy vest, black trousers, and high-quality brown leather boots. He washed up, as did the warrior, and they headed to the dining hall, where breakfast was already served.

  The nobles' dining hall was spacious, featuring a long table made entirely of stone and a ceiling paneled in wood. It had three enormous windows facing outward, through which the mountains and a partially cloudy sky were visible. Seated at the table were Kalen, Begryn, Kisenthea, and Volrath.

  "Galfrido, Anthos, let me introduce you to Lord Volrath and Kisenthea, his apprentice," Kalen said, a piece of bread in his hand. "Though Galfrido, you already know Volrath."

  "It is a pleasure," Anthos said, giving a slight nod to both the elf and the young woman.

  "The pleasure is mine, Mr. Guide," said Volrath. "Though I understand you and Kisenthea have already met, haven't you?"

  "Yes, yesterday afternoon." Anthos and the girl exchanged glances, and she looked down, clearly blushing. "We met by chance in the inner cloister."

  "I see." The mage narrowed his eyes, staring at him with his light blue gaze as if trying to see something deeper, but then he returned to his normal expression. "Well, please, sit down and have something to eat."

  "It’s been a long time since I last saw you, Volrath," Galfrido said, grabbing a piece of bread roughly and immediately dunking it into a bowl of milk. "I didn't know you’d become the Mage of Trabarioth. I was surprised when I found out."

  "Do you not think my skills are up to the level of a royal mage?" Volrath asked wryly, a half-smile playing on his lips. "I didn't know you were such a connoisseur of magic."

  "No, it’s not that! It’s just... before, I saw you as a bit more of a rebel... a bit more... I don't know. Distant from the rules and norms of civilization."

  "Well, everyone evolves, my burly friend. Even someone with your intellect can improve a bit if they put their mind to it." They couldn't help but burst into laughter at that last cynical comment. For a second, Anthos and Kisenthea exchanged glances once more.

  "By the way, where is Drako?" Anthos asked.

  "He is safe and sound, which is what matters most," Volrath replied quickly, in a tone that left no room for further questions.

  Once they had finished breakfast, Oreigon—alias Fussy-pants—appeared to fetch them for the trial that was to take place in the main hall. Galfrido couldn't help but let out a chuckle when he saw him.

  "Well, duty calls," Volrath declared, standing up and dabbing the corner of his mouth with a blue napkin.

  "Aren't you going to be at the trial?" Kalen asked.

  "Certainly not... I don't meddle in the legal affairs of the nobility unless it is absolutely necessary. Besides, I still have to continue researching the monasteries or temples that used to house the Dragon Knights. Added to that, we have a defense to prepare with Kisenthea, don't we, girl?"

  "Of course, Lord Volrath." As she said this, she shot a fleeting glance at the guide, who gave her a half-smile. The young woman blushed even deeper.

  Begryn observed the scene and understood everything perfectly. She smiled, imagining that she and Kalen must often look the same way. For some reason, neither of them had taken the first step, yet they had been caught in a constant—and, as Galfrido would say, unhealthy—game of seduction for years.

  They finally arrived at the main hall and saw that Queen Audarin the Immortal was seated upon her throne. Behind her and to her right stood Sir Mikrilev, clad in his full armor and the habits of his order. Along the sides, framed by the hall’s columns, there was a vast number of nobles and courtiers, as well as knights and clerics. They could see knights of the Order of Bidernia, the Order of Damaroth, and the Order of the Executioners. There were also other, lesser orders they did not even recognize. At the center stood Lord Devan, clearly worn down by the journey and by the night he had spent in the dungeons.

  Anthos was filled with fury when he saw the bastard Count Dromak Valderan beside the queen, his black hair streaked with gray combed back, dressed in a green cloak held by golden pauldrons and adorned with gold details.

  As they entered, he glanced at them sidelong with the typical look of someone accustomed to seeing others as inferior beings. The guide could not help but think that it was he who had hired the Blood Claw to eradicate the refugees of the civil war in Rimdail, and that he had later offered those very lands to the wretched Devan so he would take care of the child. He felt an overwhelming urge to tear that vain head from his shoulders.

  “Bow before her royal greatness, Queen Audarin the Immortal,” Dromak said loudly once the queen gestured for him to begin.

  All those present performed a formal bow.

  “We hereby begin the trial presented by Sir kalen ’Fal of the Doknarian Order of Reidos, in accordance with the common protocol of the region of Dorlan for the kingdoms of Doknar, Trabarioth, and the Empire of Elbarie, as set forth in the Treaty of the Three Kingdoms,” the queen said. “Sir Kalen, please step forward.”

  “At your command, Your Majesty.” As he said this, the knight, clad in his armor and habits, bowed his head and advanced down the aisle formed by people and columns until he stood about five meters from the steps of the throne, as established by protocol. “I hereby accuse, under penalty of amputation for perjury, Lord Devan of Oppengraf, Warden of the Watchtower and the Bridge of a Thousand Roses, of attempted murder and conspiracy.”

  “On what do you base your accusation, Sir Kalen?” asked Dromak Valderan.

  "The accused attempted to poison us," Kalen began. "Subsequently, he ordered his men to kill us on the spot. I wish to clarify that I absolve his captain and his guards of all guilt, as Lord Devan conspired by lying to them as well, claiming we were enemy spies. His men were merely performing their duty."

  "How did you realize you were going to be poisoned?" Dromak asked.

  "Our guide, Anthos, was suspicious from the start, and when the wine was served, he noticed something was wrong."

  "Mr. Anthos, what exactly did you notice was wrong?"

  "Well..." Anthos started, feeling the weight of gazes that seemed to pierce through his skin, flesh, bone, and spirit. The Queen watched him intently, not saying a word, her eyes narrowed. "Many of his stories and conversations contradicted each other. Once I realized he was lying to us, I didn't think it wise to drink his wine. I know that poison is a weapon for liars and cowards."

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  At that moment, a general murmur broke out across the hall. Anthos had no idea if what he’d said was right or wrong; he was completely out of his depth regarding protocol.

  "Silence!" Count Dromak shouted. "Thank you for enlightening us with your vast wisdom, Mr. Anthos." As he said this, the room erupted in laughter. The guide stared at the floor, gritting his teeth, knowing that the son of a bitch was mocking him. "Step forward, Lord Devan of Oppengraf. Lord Devan... What is your defense against such accusations?"

  "Count Dromak, my Queen... in my belief that I was doing the right thing and that these gentlemen were spies, I took the action I deemed appropriate. I did not lie to my guard; I simply told them what I believed, and they agreed."

  "If that’s the case, why did you receive us with open arms and wait for us?" Anthos blurted out, unable to remain silent, outraged by such blatant gall. "What kind of idiot lets spies into his fortress?"

  Again, a murmur swept through the crowd. Kalen thought he caught a faint smile on the Queen's face, but it lasted only a second.

  "Silence!" Dromak looked over those present with immense authority. "What else, Lord Devan?"

  "Well, this man here. This... Anthos, he tortured me," Devan said, pointing to the spot where his ear used to be. "He severed my ear and showed it to me in a mocking fashion."

  "Is that true?" Dromak asked Anthos.

  "Well, he had a spare one," Anthos replied. At the sheer wit of his remark, Galfrido couldn't help but laugh thunderously, as did several others present. Lord Devan turned red with rage, while Kalen shook his head, looking at the floor.

  "This is no stage for jesters, and I presume you are not serving as a one, Mr. Anthos. Simply limit yourself to answering what you are asked."

  The guide looked down, smirking.

  "And why do you say they tortured you, Lord Devan?" Kalen noticed a certain look of complicity passed between the Count and the Lord.

  "I suppose... for pleasure..." It was clear to the knight that Count Dromak had Devan under threat to tell such a lie. Lord Devan knew perfectly well why Anthos had tortured him.

  "I do not believe it was for pleasure, my Queen," Dromak asserted. "It is clear that Lord Devan acted wrongly; he tried to solve what he considered a problem in a way that goes against the values of Trabarioth, and he was mistaken. This provoked the wrath of the accusers, who tortured him to take revenge for what happened and brought him here so that justice could be served. A simple case."

  An eternal moment passed as the crowd began to whisper. The adventurers saw Dromak lean in and whisper something into the Queen's ear. Anthos, standing before the Queen, didn't quite understand what was happening, but he wasn't about to stand idly by. He began to approach Kalen.

  As soon as he stepped forward, two guards crossed their halberds in front of him, blocking his path.

  "My Queen, I have something to say regarding the reasons why Lord Devan tried to poison us." The Queen watched him with narrowed eyes. Kalen stepped closer and began to speak to him in a low voice.

  "Anthos, now is not the time to accuse Dromak. He has too much power in the castle, and it’s a bad idea to have him as an enemy on the eve of the attack. Drako is already safe with Volrath. We will deal with Dromak later, with a proper strategy."

  "It’s the right thing to do, Kalen. I’m taking responsibility for my actions."

  "Let him through," Kalen said, stepping up beside Anthos. Anthos looked at him with admiration, and the paladin gave him a firm nod. "Well?"

  "This man, Lord Devan, didn’t act because he thought we were assassins or enemy spies. This man acted on orders from within Trabarioth."

  At that moment, the murmuring exploded into an uproar. Most of those present were shouting at the two companions standing before the Queen, primarily accusing Anthos of being a liar and hurling insults in every direction.

  "Silence!" Dromak bellowed. "Boy, that is a very grave accusation. Do you understand what happens when you accuse a member of the court and your explanations lack foundation?"

  "Of course I know..." Anthos said, having to choke back an insult. "As I was saying, this man acted under the orders of someone in Trabarioth. He was to kill the child traveling with us to this city, and to make sure of it, he decided to poison us."

  "What? What child? Who? What is he talking about?" These were just some of the questions echoing through the crowd, and it was then they realized that most were unaware of Drako or the prophecy. The Queen put her head in her hands, then looked back at Anthos and Kalen.

  "And what proof do you have?" Her eyes looked weary now, imagining that the outcome was going to be bad for everyone—for her and for the kingdom.

  "I have here in my possession this letter, received by Lord Devan, with clear and explicit orders to kill the child who was with us... clear orders issued by this man."

  When he pointed at Count Dromak Valderan, the guards had to restrain several courtiers who wanted to rush forward to strike him. Anthos began to receive insults, screams, and glares of pure hatred. Galfrido and Begryn stepped forward, moving into position to repel any aggression that might come their way.

  "This wasn't the time..." Kalen said in a whisper, shaking his head.

  "Kalen, I can't rest knowing there are still people here plotting Drako's death," he stated. "This is exactly the right time."

  "Whatever happens, I'm with you. We'll go after him."

  "Boy... you have made a grave mistake," Dromak said in a low voice, heavy with hatred.

  "You’re the one who made the mistake, you damned son of a bitch," Anthos shot back.

  "Anthos, give me the letter," the Queen commanded. The guide stepped forward and handed it to a guard, who quickly delivered it to her.

  Audarin began to read, her jaw clenched tight. It was evident that this trial had taken a turn she had never expected. When she finished reading, she crumpled the letter in her fist and put her hand to her head, looking clearly distraught. A deathly silence fell over the room, the kind where the tension could be cut with a knife. Finally, she spoke.

  "Is this true, Count Dromak?" she asked in a low voice. Kalen and Anthos had to strain to hear her.

  "My Queen," the Count said, his eyes glazing over. "I am surprised you would even ask such a thing. This is an obvious conspiracy between these... people and Lord Devan. I don't know what kind of machinations they have in mind or why they would do something like this, but I would never give an order of that nature without consulting you."

  "This is your signature, Dromak. And your seal."

  "Many people in this court know my signature and could forge it to perfection. That letter proves nothing beyond false, baseless accusations against me. I don't know what kind of plans these people and Lord Devan have, but it is beyond my understanding. Was he perhaps aspiring to my position? And once he was there, would he grant titles to this rabble?"

  "Do you think he would allow himself to be tortured... and even mutilated, just to make his story more believable?"

  "We have seen people do worse things for much less. It wouldn't surprise me."

  "My Queen," Sir Kalen 'Fal interjected. "I give you my knightly word of honor. My companion here tells the truth. Lord Devan himself confessed to having received those orders and to having conspired within the castle with Count Dromak."

  "You are a knight; I thought you weren't permitted to lie," the Count remarked, beginning to lose his patience. "Is that all the word of a Knight of Reidos is worth?" He spat the phrase, playing on the rivalries between the various knightly orders present to garner support. The paladin shot him a look that could kill.

  "Enough!" Audarin finally exclaimed. "Anthos, take the letter. You will keep it in your custody until tomorrow, when we resume the trial with these new accusations. I shall ask Volrath to verify its authenticity, so you must deliver it to him in person. No one else is to have contact with this letter, do you understand? Good. Count Dromak Valderan, you may rest easy, for if your word holds the truth, it will be your accusers' heads that roll. However, Count Valderan, you must remain under guard in your quarters until we begin the next session."

  Those present understood that, because this was a person the Queen held in high regard, she wanted to exhaust every last possibility of verifying the letter before proceeding with the charge. Surely, in any other case or with any other person, such evidence would have been sufficient—but not for Count Dromak Valderan, Royal Advisor and the Queen’s own mentor. The proof had to be undeniable, leaving not a shred of doubt, or the trial could vanish into thin air. The Count knew this, and so did Lord Devan.

  Anthos glanced back and noticed Devan looking at him with a pleased expression, a smirk spreading across his wrinkled face.