Meet & Plan

Venator continued eating a piece of bread from the table, holding a cup in the other. Feeling enough energy to return for him to be able to walk and see clearly without issue.

The night was calm and almost quiet, filled with the chatter of civilians huddling with each other and guards patrolling around carrying torches. Venator looked out at the city, staring off at the destroyed walls and buildings, destroyed either by him or the enemy.

"Venator," The General walked back to Venator, having entered inside the castle.

"The King wishes to speak to you." The General led Venator passed the crowds of people, heavily armored guards stood in front of the small gate with more walking on the castle's walls.

"This man is with me, the king has requested to see him." He spoke.

The two soldiers stepped aside, letting the General and Venator enter inside. Lines of bushes stood on the sides of a short cobblestone path. More soldiers in gold & jewel adorned armor walked around, their weapons also decorated as a show of wealth and power.

A large decorated wooden gate stood closed in front of them.

The General pushed it open, inside a hall of weapons, armor, artifacts and a long carpet awaited them.

Venator looked at the different artifacts hanging on walls or pedestals, all on full display.

"The king is higher up the castle."

Venator and the General walked around, heading up flights of stairs and more hallways, seeing more armaments hanging around and soldiers patrolling different sections of the castle.

As they walked further, they found one door in particular, one guarded by four more guards standing with swords in hand.

The two approached them.

"The King has requested me to bring him to meet." The General explained.

A pair of soldiers escorted them inside.

A hall of large panes of decorated glass depicting battlefields and a row of soldiers on the left and right, their armor was similar to the guard outside but now bearing a stripe of red on their helmets.

"Ah, the mage that you unlawfully spared." The king sat on a throne on the other end of the room, speaking with disgust and annoyance in his voice.

"He has shown his want to help us in fighting, he has singlehandedly wiped out nearly the entire enemy. Even from outside the walls he has destroyed their siege weapons. I've seen it with my own two eyes."

"It does not matter," The king slammed his hand on the armrest, "Have you forgotten what has become of Korina and Juliuma? Two of our largest cities, destroyed by a group of mages, fighting for the enemy. This cannot go unpunished. And look what you have done, spared a mage that may or may not destroy us when he has the chance." The old king spoke, anger rose in his voice as he continued.

"That was but decades ago, we drove out any remaining mages because of that, and now were hellbent on continuing this slaughter."

"Were not taking any chances on any more destroyed cities."

"And look what happened!" He yelled louder, the king looked shock, raising his arm slowly to signal the soldiers.

The rows of guards approached forward, raising their spears and swords, pointing at the two as they looked around in shock and fear.

"You must reconsider my liege, it has been a decade and this one has stepped forward when our realm and kingdom had little to no mage activity, most sought to flee but he stayed and even fought. If it were not for this mage, we would have been wiped out, and the recent victories we have gained would have not happened." The General began pleading, trying to stay professional.

Venator stood silently, having heard everything the General and King have said.

"That may be true, but it is better to die by the sword than be helped by a mage's hand." The king retorted.

"If the mage goes against us, you may have my head, and shame my legacy." The General pleaded once more.

The guards walked closer to them, their weapons still aimed at them.

After a few seconds, the King raised his hand, ordering the guards to stop. Surrounding the two, the guards stopped, standing by with their weapons.

"Very well, I'll reconsider. But i will have to provide a compromise."

They waited eagerly for the king to continue speaking.

"Despite what he has done to help us, we should not fully trust a mage. For now he is to stay a distance away from our army in marches and combat. You are to continue staying alongside him when not in combat, if he runs back you are to push him back or kill him, or die in the process. " The King paused to think, unfinished with his demands.

"Lastly, he is to be chained and bound when not in combat." He finished listing his demands.

Venator and the General were shocked at the demands.

"Deepest apologies Venator, but it's either this or execution." The General whispered. Venator already made up his mind, to finish the god's task.

"Very well. I accept." Venator quickly replied, the king looked amused.

"So he is willing to help, despite such a heavy amount of demands. Very well." The king snapped his fingers.

"General, bring him down to the royal cells and find some chains to tie him with, you will be escorted by a few of my guards."

A group of guards stayed while the rest returned to their positions.

"Thank you for your mercy my Lord." The General thanked.

The two left, escorted by a group of guards with the General at the front.

"Apologies again Venator, if I had tried to plead for a different demand the King would most likely kill both of us." The General said, with remorse in his voice.

"It's alright. Thank you greatly for convincing on my behalf."

They continued walking, descending down more stairs until they were below the ground.

They arrived at a metal door, protected by a few other guards. Upon seeing them, they opened it. Inside there were cells all around, metal doors with no opening to the outside separated them from the criminals inside.