World Stage

"Peacekeeper meeting?"

I stand in the audience of Melior's king. After being fetched early in the morning, Peo and I were brought back to the usual throne room for an urgent meeting. The one leading discussions now has only two knights at his side.

"That is correct. I had meant to inform you yesterday. However, the situation did not allow it."

"I see. Does that make me your protector at this meeting?"

A vague recollection had mention of this meeting. All that I could glean from the context is that this meeting is between other kings. Whatever it is, it prompted the king to send an unprepared mission into the forests to fight creatures that far exceed our capabilities.

"That is not insignificant, but your role is primarily to represent Melior."

"We require more than yourself, Your Majesty?"

The old man in purple robes shakes his head. There are usually no stupid questions, but mine seems to somehow make the cut. He immediately reveals the crucial piece of common knowledge that I lack, something that makes my stomach turn slightly.

"It is customary for every nation's Blessed Knight to also be in attendance."

"Other…"

Duncan had previously mentioned that there were currently eight humans blessed by the goddess. Considering the gift that I was given, I can only imagine how powerful the others likely are. Not only that, but each Blessed Knight has a crown and army at their heels.

"I also request that the beast attend. Are you capable of keeping it under control?"

"But of course, Your Majesty. If I may, for what purpose is she required?"

Were it not for my position, an arrow or spear would have been aimed at my neck at the flick of a wrist. The old monarch doesn't seem pleased with my constant inquiries, but I'm allowed to keep my head. The patience offered to me is something to be thankful for.

"Despite our long history, Melior has never possessed a Blessed Knight. Our nation may have appeared weak in the past, but that shall no longer be the case."

"You intend to assert your control of the beastfolk population?"

"Indeed."

There is no reaction from Peo, but I have no way of imagining what goes on inside her head. I told her that she would be playing the pawn, but I can't imagine it feeling nice to be exploited in such a way by the man who ordered the death of her people.

"If you have nothing else, then be present when the sun is at its highest. My son will show you to the chamber."

King Aufrey folds his hands behind him and prepares to step down. However, a brief thought seems to stop him after only a single step. His rough voice once again is brought out to echo through the chamber.

"Young Clement, have you possibly seen Prudence?"

"Your advisor? I'm afraid not."

The words leave my mouth without even so much as a stutter. Neither my steady voice nor cold face betray the truth only Peo and I are aware of.

"Is he not within the walls of his library?"

"It would appear that Prudence has not been seen since two nights prior. To be absent for a single day is not unusual, but how could my trusted advisor not be present now?"

I can feel the age behind those blue eyes as he gazes to the now three empty spaces beside his throne. With the lack of frantic movements through the castle's stone walls, it would appear that any search for Prudence has come up short.

"With all due respect, Your Majesty. I would find it challenging to face my king after such a disastrous expedition. Perhaps he has simply left the castle?"

"That would not be impossible. However, I was not alerted by my guards upon his exit had he done so."

"I apologise that I can be of no use."

The king silently shakes his head, his grey beard swaying solemnly with each motion.

"You have no reason to apologise. His actions are no fault of yours, so focus on the task at hand."

"If that is your wish."

King Aufrey nods and retreats into the castle with his faceless general. The crown prince does not follow and instead joins me on the red carpet.

"Where could Prudence have gone…"

"Only the man himself likely knows."

Even I'm unaware of where the body ended up once it fell into the rocks below. The waves have likely already taken him somewhere far away where he can become scavenger food. A loss for Melior is the gain of some number of aquatic creatures.

"We lack the time to be concerned of his location at this moment."

Duncan shakes his head and begins leading me through the castle. Patrol after patrol passes us by, almost to the point that I've lost count of the number of soldiers. Every opening and every door has a handful of guards stationed with their spears at the ready.

"This is quite the important meeting, Clement. I likely need not say this, but mind your words."

Duncan fiddles with the handle of his sword restlessly as we walk through the maze of stone walls. There aren't many things that cause the prince such fear, political unrest seemingly among that list.

"We are fortunate that the meeting is within our own castle, but I cannot be freed of this anxiety. Should even one leader make a rash move, I fear these walls may meet their end."

This uncertainty hangs around not just Duncan, but over all knights I can see. Were I not aware of the occasion, I would have assumed that an unstoppable disaster was approaching. Not even the party of soldiers marching into a den of death were so uneasy.

"Duncan, I require a favour."

The prince turns back with one hand on the meeting room door. Stress has claimed much of his colour and my words will likely draw out even more. However, I cannot enter this room without preparation.

"I would like to aid in any way possible, but I'm afraid that I cannot provide assistance once the meeting has begun."

"Do not be concerned, I'm asking for this moment alone."

I only had so much time to browse through books from the library. During the period before the sun rose, I studied primarily history and law. Unfortunately, there is one area that was not present among the pages I had borrowed.

"Tell me about the other Blessed Knights."