Chapter 784: The King's Hunt

Chapter 784: The King's Hunt

Alex was surprised at how easy getting an audience with the king had been.

When theyd finished viewing Uldars journal, the group had split up.

Isolde, Watcher Hill, Grimloch, Theresa, Brutus, Birger and Bjorgrund had gone to Greymoor, while Alex, Cedric, Drestra, Hart, Merzhin and Professor Jules, teleported straight to Ussex.

It was late in the day when they arrived at the castle, and their sudden appearance had caused quite an uproar. Guards and soldiers were scrambling, falling over themselves when all five Heroes materialised in the snowy courtyard.

Within minutes of Cedric announcing their need to speak with the king, they were being ushered into a meeting room in one of the highest towers of the castle. The Heroes and professor were quickly seated at a long table, and servants had hot wine in front of them while they waited.

The wait wasnt long.

Alex had finished only about a quarter of his goblet when the doors to the chamber had opened and a woman in fine black robes trimmed with golden filigree, had come through them. Announcing his majesty, King Athelstan Merciex, wielder of the divine right to rule from Uldar, Lord of Ussex, King of Thameland and ruler of Uldars earthly realm. Also announcing High Priest Tobias Jayprotector of Uldars divine will and leader of his churchand Court Wizard Errol of Ussex, master of mystic knowledge!

As the herald stepped aside, the three men made their way into the room.

Alex hadnt seen any of them since their meeting at Rockmoot many months before, and he found all three changed.

The court wizard was looking at Alex with curiosity, suspicion, and interest. His scorn for the former Foolwhich had been plain to see at the standing stonesseemed long gone, from what Alex could gather from his body language.

Tobias Jay, meanwhile, looked thinner. Older. More stressed and tired. He would quickly glance at the Heroes with an air of shame, but when his eyes fell on Alexwho he seemed to be actively trying to avoid making eye contact withhe would sheepishly look away.

King Athelstan simply seemed exhausted. He too looked older. The bags beneath his eyes were deeper. When he looked at the Heroes, he seemed to almost do so reluctantly.

His facial expression seemed to be shouting; What in the world is it now?

But there was no hostility in his demeanour, just dread.

The Heroes and Professor Jules immediately stood upDrestra was a little slower than the othersbowing to the king, high priest and court wizard as they made their way to seats across from them.

Welcome, King Athelstan said. A servant scurried over to pull his chair out for him, thenafter he was seatedthe sovereign gestured for his guests to do the same. Its been quite some time since we've seen each other.

Aye, your majesty, aye, Cedric said. Not since Rockmoot.

Errol visibly winced.

That was a tense time. King Athelstan gave them a weary look. A servant poured him a cup of wine. But all times are tense as of late. I take it you come bearing bad news?

The Heroes looked at each other.

Actually Alex began, drawing every eye in the room. We wanted to start, if you dont mind, with some questions for you.

The kings eyebrows rose. What sort of questions?

Uhmthey may not be suitable Alex glanced at the servants and guards standing against the walls. For all ears.

Athelstans eyebrows rose even higher. I see. Perhaps I might be able to guess what your questions are concerning. He looked at his guards and servants then. Please, leave us.

The guards nodded to the king, then looked at the Heroes, but none protested. Both they, and the servants quickly headed for the door, silently closing it behind them.

King Athelstan reassured the Heroes and professor. The walls in this room are cork lined; meaning that sound does not travel very far, so unless someone has concealed themselves directly outside these very high windows, then we may speak freely. Am I correct in assuming that you are about to refer to Councillor Kartikas concerns about individuals covertly working among our army, and within our kingdom?

The Heroes looked at each other in surprise.

Truly? The king looked at Cedric. This is not some vast exaggeration?

Aye, I wasn't there for all of it, the Chosen said. But, I was there for the fight at Uldars Rise, an I did see the First Apostles head on the floor wit me own two eyes a few days back.

Remarkable, the king mused. We must use this. Now that we know where the organisation comes from, and the names of those who were at its head, we might be able to use the information to smoke out the rest of the rats. We will need to discuss this further.

King Athelstan sighed deeply, smiling with relief. I must confess that I thought you were here to deliver more bad news, but instead, you have given us a great boon. I needed such good news, things have been growing too grimasof

He paused, studying the faces of his six visitors.

why do you all look as though someone has just died? he asked.

Merzhin made a choking sound.

Alex turned to his companions, each one nodded at him.

His eyes met the kings and held them. Your majesty, what we are about to tell youI dont have enough words to describe how earth shatteringly important it is to all of us. And how important it is that it does not leave this room unless we want it to. Are you sure no one can hear us, not even outside the door, or even in the hallway?

The king suddenly looked very tired again. These rooms are secure, my personal guard has assured me of that. Why?

Alex took a deep breath. My king, the place where we first fought the secret church is where Uldar ascended from the material world. By using the Travellers power, we were able to open the door to his sanctum.

One could have heard a fly cough.

A wild-eyed Tobias Jay suddenly leapt out of his chair. Do you mean this? After these many thousands of years, the path to Uldars sanctum has been found? Are you telling us that you have been therethat you have seen him?

Before anyone else could respond, Hart answered. Yes.

Now, the king and the court wizard were also on their feet.

Impossible! You mustyou kept this from us? Athelstan demanded. When?

More importantly, hope burned in the kings eyes. If this is trueand by Uldar, after saying yes, it had better bethen you must have spoken with him! What did he tell you? What instructions did he give you? What is he doing? How is he?

He's dead, said Hart.

Alex watched the three men closely. Hart, I was thinking we should tell the king alone.

Meh, the Champion said. Faster this way.

Its a lie, it must be! Tobias said. Why are you lying, Champion of Uldar?

I'm afraid he isnt, high priest, Professor Jules said. And in fact, it might be better She caught herself. listen, I don't expect you to simply believe us. Not out of hand. But we can prove what were saying is true. We would like you to come with us to the sanctumjust she paused, looking at the high priest and court wizard. just the three of you. No one else, no guards, no servants. Mr. Roth can teleport us there with ease.

This is preposterous! Tobias Jay shouted. Iwhat do you gain from this lie? What do you

We will go with you, King Athelstan broke in, his face ashen.

What? My king the court wizard started.

The monarch held up his hand. I do not want to hear it. What I do know is that Uldar has been silent for too long, and that any lie of such magnitude would be pointless. I trust the Heroes. Let us see what they have to show us.

He looked very, very tired indeed.