228 Side Story Chapter The king wore a wicked smile. “In the end, the Duke of Croyso will have no choice but to hope for mercy. Even if he somehow does come up with a way to extricate himself, we would lose nothing. Watching the man flounder will be amusing indeed.” “I had no idea you disliked him so much, Your Majesty.” “Oh, I have nothing against the gold he brings in, but I cannot say the same for the constant disputes he stirs.” The king flopped back onto his seat with a sigh. “It is the third time this year the duke’s belligerence toward Dristan has almost led to all-out war. His wings need a little clipping. I intend to make the most of this opportunity to rein him in.” Riftan bit back a sardonic laugh at the king playing politics while a monster terrible enough to make the world tremble was on the verge of awakening. Were power games the only things these rulers ever thought about? Feeling disgusted, Riftan said, “May I ask why you are making me privy to this?” “To investigate the Lexos Mountains, you will have to travel through Croyso lands. I do not want to give the duke any opportunity to worm his way out. I need you to make sure this never reaches his ears.” The news of the dragon had been disclosed during the Assembly of the Seven Kingdoms, so Riftan was certain no amount of precaution on his part would be able to stop it from getting to the duke. Still, he kept his doubts to himself as he rose to his feet. “As you command, Your Majesty,” he said, nodding. “I did not give you leave to rise yet,” King Reuben quipped, his face sullen. Riftan ducked into a reverential bow. “I should like to change out of these soaked clothes, Your Majesty. Do I have your leave?” King Reuben’s chin quivered as though he were about to bellow in anger. After a moment, he waved his hand. “Very well. I have said my piece, so you may go.” Bobbing his head once, Riftan grabbed his robe from the wall and stepped out of the room. The rain was pelting down heavier than before. I suppose we can use the rain as an excuse to dawdle for a day or two. After peering up at the overcast sky through the corridor window, Riftan trudged away. It appeared he would have to suffer through another dreary winter this year. *** Thick mist shrouded the dense forest. Dark mountains rose like castle spires, towering above the trees. Riftan’s steed, Talon, irritably stomped his hooves as a chill wind lashed at them from all sides. Riftan patted the horse as he surveyed the surroundings. Crows sat like vultures along the branches of the bare trees, waiting for food, and the few circling above almost seemed pleased by the presence of the intruders. Riftan was looking up at the creatures when a cleric interrupted. “I suggest we go back,” the cleric said with a sullen expression. “I doubt we will make it much further. We will be upon the barrier soon.” “We can’t go back. If this path is not viable, we will find another.” “That would be pointless. Might I remind you that we have been going in circles for the last four days? The enchantment is much too strong for my power alone to find a path into the mountain.” Though he was loath to admit it, Riftan knew the cleric was right. They had combed over the same area multiple times. Despite their best efforts to navigate the forest using the position of the sun as their guide, they somehow always found themselves riding in the opposite direction. Riftan turned to Remus Baldo and Elliot Charon. Though they had yet to voice a word of complaint, over half a month in the wilderness interspersed with frequent monster battles had no doubt left the pair drained. Eventually, Riftan exhaled and steered his horse around. “Fine. We’ll return to the village for now.” The cleric stretched his arms overhead and murmured a prayer of thanks. Ignoring his reaction, Riftan spurred his horse on. Fortunately, the magic preventing them from entering the mountains did not hinder them from leaving. They managed to emerge from the forest in half a day and ride to a small, walled city in the foothills. Elliot, who had said nothing until that point, finally broke his silence. “What do you intend to do now?” “To wait for the other scout party to join us. They may have additional news,” Riftan replied flatly as he led his horse toward the city gate. Though they had been in the southeastern region for three weeks now, the only thing they had learned was that the Misty Forest surrounding the Lexos Mountains had a powerful enchantment upon it. The least they could do was to find a way through. After showing his identification to the sentry, Riftan rode into the city and acquired rooms at an establishment called the Traveler’s Inn. Though it was a loud, dingy lodging, there was no better place to gather information than the watering hole of thirty mercenaries. Taking the corner table in the dining area, Riftan listened to the conversations as he filled himself with food fit for swine. Though the chatter was mostly cursing, boasting, or lewd jokes, occasionally, there were useful tidbits about which types of monsters were appearing with increasing frequency in certain areas. Sipping his tepid beer, he had been observing the mercenaries’ antics for some time when four stocky knights entered the inn. Riftan’s eyes followed the men as they glanced about the room before making their way to his table. “Are you Sir Riftan of the Remdragon Knights?” said the oldest knight of the group. Riftan swept a wary gaze over him. His neat garment and quality armor spoke to a noble background. “What business do you have with me?” “We heard talk of a group of supposed knights roaming the southern border. We’ve come to investigate. I must admit, I had not expected the commander of the Remdragon Knights himself.” The knight took the adjacent seat without bothering to ask for permission. “Might I ask what the king’s vassal is doing in these parts? This is the Duke of Croyso’s territory. You cannot wander around as you please without His Grace’s permission.” Remus Baldo, who had been absorbed in his drink, abruptly cut in. “You have yet to identify yourselves.” The man flinched, and he looked annoyed as he introduced himself. “I am Jared Bayern, the Duke of Croyso’s vassal and the knight in charge of this city.” “I apologize for not informing you of our arrival, but we are not here to cause trouble,” Riftan said curtly. As a gesture of goodwill, he placed a tankard in front of the man. Bayern glanced down at the dark ale before eyeing Riftan with suspicion. “There are rumors that you have been venturing close to the Misty Forest. What on earth are you scheming?” “That is a harsh statement indeed. I’m simply here to acquire extra funds,” Riftan replied nonchalantly before ordering more food from a passing server. “Extra funds?” Jared Bayern asked with a bemused expression. “Yes, through monster hunting. I brought my men here as soon as I heard about the sightings of profitable monsters in this area, but they proved false. Over the past few weeks, the only creatures we’ve come across are werewolves and the undead. I’ve suffered untold losses because of it.” Contempt flashed across Bayern’s face. “I did hear you and your men roam the southern regions hunting monsters… How curious that you would come all the way east to do the same.” “Well, the destitute can’t afford to be picky,” Riftan said flatly without a hint of shame, then emptied his tankard. Bayern shook his head with a dispirited expression as he watched Riftan down his drink. “Please remember your station. You are now the king’s vassal. How much longer will you continue to tarnish His Majesty’s honor by carrying on with these mercenary antics?” At the man’s reproof, Elliot’s hand flew to the hilt of his sword. Riftan lightly kicked his comrade’s boot and said indifferently, “I’ll keep that in mind.” As if sensing the sudden hostility in the air, Bayern cleared his throat. “In any case, if you will rise with me, I should like to invite you to my castle.” “Thank you for the offer, but I’m afraid I must decline. Some of my men have yet to return.” “I shall instruct my men to bring them to the castle upon their return. Come now, do not refuse. I cannot have the king’s most favored knight staying in such squalor.” Riftan allowed his annoyance to show as he emphasized each word of his next sentence. “As I said, I will decline. As I am here for personal reasons, I have no intention of taking advantage of the duke’s hospitality.” ... The knight’s face grew troubled at Riftan’s adamant refusal. It was clear there was some other reason the man was inviting Riftan to stay. “If you have a request,” Riftan said with a sigh, “you may make it here. I will do my best to fulfill it, within reason. I have been an interloper on your land after all.” “It… is a simple matter.” Bayern hesitantly took a swig of ale from the tankard in front of him, and his face crumpled in disgust as though it were the most abhorrent thing he had ever tasted. He hastily pulled out a handkerchief and began wiping his mouth. “If it is not too much trouble,” Bayern said, his voice muffled by the cloth, “would you kindly convey my gifts to the duke on your way back? They are to congratulate him on his daughter’s betrothal.” With a tankard still clutched in his hand, Riftan became stone-still. His heart plummeted to the floor. Staring down at the empty vessel with a faraway look, he said slowly, “Betrothal?” “Word has it, there have been talks of marriage between the duke’s house and the royal family. Hence, I would like to offer a small, congratulatory gift to my liege.” “Which one?” “Pardon?” Riftan slowly exhaled. “Which of the duke’s daughters is betrothed?” Bayern must have thought Riftan was asking out of simple curiosity, as the man shrugged and replied, “What does it matter? It will result in the unification of the two houses.” ... Riftan suppressed the urge to grab the knight by the collar and browbeat him until he answered. The prattling nobles at the banquet had said it would be difficult for Maximilian Croyso to marry into the royal family because of her frail constitution. The betrothed was most likely her younger sister. But, if it was not… “Would you grant my request?” Riftan swallowed the obscenities that rose in his throat. Though he felt as if he had been plunged into a pit of fire, he managed a calm reply. “Very well. I will stop at Croyso Castle on the return journey.”