Chapter 28
Arcturious looked down at the masses from his window. He sighed upon seeing the large number of tents and crowds of people lining up for the meager rations they offered.
It’s only been weeks since they had begun secretly rescuing the denizens of their land from the kingdom’s army. Yet, they were already depleting their resources, as the numbers of refugees continued to grow.
He gritted his teeth, clenching his fist in such a manner his gloves squeak. It was happening again; the kingdom was culling its populace for a reason only the king and his lackeys know of.
Even he, the duke, had no knowledge of why they were doing this.
And no matter how much he ponders on it, trying to piece out every possibility, nothing would come up that could garner such atrocity.
“My lord, what bothers you?”
Dallor bows down to his master, but the Duke seemed too enthralled in his own thoughts he barely notice him enter. His steps, even if it was careful and slow, caused the floors to creak, thus finally getting the attention he wished.
Arcturious was quick to straighten himself, putting on a straight, though keeping his gaze outside.
“I don’t get it. Why is the king doing this?”
He utters the minute he sensed his servant had come close enough for him to be heard. No matter how much he contemplates on all that was happening, he could never find the right explanation why the ruler of the land would order such unnecessary actions.
“His majesty has his reason.”
Dallor states, though he looks like he was listening, his sights remained eyeing the pitcher of wine that stayed untouched on the duke’s table.
“I doubt it’s the food supply, since we had no issues with production and trade. There isn’t any rebellion going on, but I’m certain if this continues, the possibility is there. Overpopulation is highly unlikely, considering they were gathering slaves to bring back to the capital. But then, there’s really no need for such things, as the slave traders aren’t lacking in them. So why?”
Arcturious spoke of all the possibilities plaguing his mind. Yet none of them convince him to believe it on his own.
“Why bother yourself with such trivial matters, my lord? You’re already doing enough for these peasants.”
Dallor scoffs, now standing beside his liege. He winces upon looking at the same deploring sight.
It did not help that the room they were in was also putting a bitterness in his taste, seeing the chipped walls, broken floors, and dusty tapestry.
“I just can’t understand it.”
Again, the duke heaved a sigh.
His attention remained solely focused on the people who were begging for alms, some with children and babes in their arms.
Even if he wanted to increase the rations, his treasury was nearly gone. He’d already resorted as far as decreasing the staff of his household, along with selling what measly items they could spare.
“If that is the case, why not focus on those men over there?”
Dallor was keen to shift his liege’s sight to the three individuals who remained discreetly standing like statues on the walls. All of them kept their cloaked on, staying within the shadows, away from the mass and prying eyes.
“What about them?”
Arcturious frowned, noticing how the one leading the group stared up. He was sure they were too far to be seen from there. But there remains the chill running down his spine, just seeing how that straight face mask looks in their direction.
“Are you certain we can trust them?”
Dallor smirked, throwing a meaningful gaze at his liege. He knew his master’s own shortcomings, considering he was young.
“I was the one who invited them here.”
Arcturious swallowed hard, turning to his adviser with a firm expression, though his skin turned pale.
“Yes, well, it’s just that their story doesn’t add up.”
Dallor shakes his head, recollecting the introduction given to them by the three.
“They say they are travelers, but they are also looking for slaves here in our land. Are they not aware of our laws here?”
Arcturious raised a brow, now realizing the oddity of the tale they received.
“The kingdom is quite strict in their human trade. I doubt they would not know about it. So It does not make sense that they are searching for their family here, unless they are also from the settlements. Which comes to the question, why are they hiding?”
Dallor smirks, now piecing out some pieces together.
“I am not following.”
That somehow places another notion on Arcturious mind.
The laws of not allowing slaves from other land only applied to their kingdom, and nowhere else. And he was uncertain if it was the same in other realms.
“My lord, you were asking a while ago why the king would destroy the villages of sovereignty. What if this was all an elaborate ploy to flush out some criminals in hiding?”
This was the story that Dallor came up with, having intricately considered all the scenarios in his head.
“Why would the king waste so much efforts for three individuals?”
That got Arcturious frowning.
“Maybe because they are powerful enough to challenging him?”
Dallor finally blurts out after a few moments of silence.
“Are there such people?”
The duke nearly laughs out loud.
With the vast armies under the king’s control, along with the strongest warriors at his disposal. Such a thing can be impossible, especially with only three men.
“There are the heroes.”
The adviser was keen to point out the obvious.
“They are from another world.”
Arcturious threw a mocking smirk at the fellow.
Dallor nodded with a grin on his face, but then raised a hand in a lecturing gesture.
“Then what about the legends of old? They were from our lands.”
He says with a tone of mix interest and knowledge.
That put a frown on the duke, swallowing hard from the sudden lump that formed inside his throat. If that were true, then this will only add up to his crimes.
And worst, this was one of treason, which he was certain shall cause him his life.
“Are there still any who can reach their levels?”
Arcturious tried to reason, aware that those people of old were few and lived in a world different from theirs.
“From what I’ve heard, there are knights in the kingdom who can achieve it, given some time.”
Dallor brushed his chin, grinning upon that certain knowledge being boasted by the king. But he knew it was nothing but a farce to strike terror among the kingdom’s enemies.
“So you are saying they are the reason for all of this?”
Arcturious closed his eyes, stealing himself in order to keep his composure from this revelation.
Though fear has struck its claws unto him, he could no longer turn back from all of this. He knew he had to take responsibility for his actions, and since he had already committed a crime, he may as well continue doing so by satisfying his curiosity.
“It’s a possibility, considering they appear during the same time the armies began their culling.”
Dallor wave a hand, gesturing to the window.
It hadn’t been that long, and with the sudden emergence of the group. Such a thing could be possible.
“What do you think should we do then?”
Arcturious took in a deep breath.
His mind now raced, trying to plan of ways to mediate the problems that would arise because of all this.
“It is best we watch over them. Keep an eye on their actions, see what it is that they are truly after.”
Dallor gave a curtsy, lowering his head in order to hide the widening of his smirk from his liege. He did not think such an opportunity would appear at such a right time. So he did not want to waste it.
Duke Arcturious turned silent for a moment, gathering as much courage as he can, while praying to his late father for any kind of guidance.
“Do it. But do not do anything uncalled for.”
He says after a deep breath.
Even if he did not wish to do so, he couldn’t think of any other way to be certain of their predicament. Also, he did not want to add any more enemies, especially since he’d already made some during these past weeks.
With that, the adviser Dallor gave a bow before taking his leave with a wide grin on his face, holding on to his chuckle that wanted to escape.
Unbeknownst to the two, several sets of eyes and ears were listening in on the conversation, hidden among the crevices. Unnoticed because of their peculiar rocky form, so small they mixed perfectly with the stone walls.