54 Shadows Reach (1/2)

The king stepped up the final steps from the dungeon into the main entrance. ”Can someone please explain to me why I was in the dungeon?” He waited for one of the hundred knights following from the stairwell to respond.

Nathan cleared his throat nervously as he found a spot by a wall in which to stand. ”M-my lord,” he began nervously. ”Not myself or any of my guard knew that it was you within the fifty first cell.” He finished silently.

The king could stomach many things in the long life he had, but one thing he had never had time for was excuses. How could they truly do their job if they don't check the cells? He thought, completely annoyed.

”So what you're saying is,” the king paced the beginning of the double stairway as he focused his attention on Nathan. ”Not only have you not seen me within the last fourteen years, but even if you did, you wouldn't even know it was me?” He looked questioningly at the captain of the guard. ”How exactly did I get my food if you weren't allowed to come to my cell?” William raised an eyebrow at the nervous man.

”In your absence, Advisor Aremesis has been announcing your decrees, sire.” Nathan tried not to look the king in the eye, which seemed to irritate William even more. ”He has been at every briefing, every dinner and has shown us the leadership you couldn't provide at the time.” As the captain of the guard continued his explanation, the Crimson King became even more irritated.

Out of the corner of his eye, Jonathan saw many other knights bid their heads in approval. Here they stand in front of their crowned king, Jonathan thought irritatedly. And they point their fingers accusingly at him? Jonathan felt something off in the atmosphere. As Nathan spoke, it seemed as though he was rousing the knights to his side.

”Who is this Aremesis I keep hearing about?” William interrupted Nathan's rantings. ”The name of Advisor has been vacant for quite a few generations, if anyone were to have filled that role, it would be Jonathan.” He pointed at the earth sage.

Nathan looked as if he were about to explode. ”What do you mean there is no advisor?” he guffawed at the king. ”If there wasn't an advisor, who would be running the kingdom in your stead?” he gave William a questioning glance.

”Running the kingdom?” William roared at Nathan. ”Is that what it was called?” his eyebrow was raised as he looked upon the other knights. ”Increased taxes? Slavery, poverty?” the king was inches away from Nathan, each word uttered was another finger to the captain's chest. ”That's not running a kingdom Nathan, that's destroying it!”

”Wait,” Jonathan looked at William in surprise. ”You mean to tell me there hasn't been a high advisor in Ebonhart this whole time?” He waited for his friend to confirm, yet he only got a nod which was enough to send chills down his spine.

”Of course not!” William roared. ”An advisor is not someone appointed, it is someone who shows themselves to be worthy with an aura as pure as their intentions!”

Jonathan's eyes went wide as he looked at the hundred strong men. ”Has anyone ever seen High Advisor Aremesis?” Most of the men looked at each other with questioning expressions. ”You all have eaten with the man, you've had briefings as well, can anyone tell me what he looks like?”

The knights fell silent. Jonathan looked from one man to another and noticed the same blank expression on all of their faces. All of them but one.

Nathan stepped forward from the wall. His eyes narrowed into slits as he moved towards Jonathan. ”I don't care who you are to the king, I won't tolerate such insolence towards our advisor.” He stopped only feet from the earth sage.

Jonathan could almost see the darkness within the man's eyes. If I were to out him here though, Jonathan thought as he saw a self righteous smirk adorned on Nathan's face. He would gain the support of the knights, I'm not sure even the king could touch him.

Jonathan rolled his eyes at the captain of the guard, playing along with the man's theatrics. Looking at the remainder of the men, he noticed that most of them were confused by the question. ”Have any of you truly met the man? I mean no disrespect, but if the king himself is confused,” He pointed at William. ”Then I'd say it's a valid question.”

Jonathan had to play on the knights memories, but had to do it in such a way to not involve Nathan. Whatever hold he may have on them, it was only when he spoke.

Anthony, the young knight Jonathan had questioned earlier was the first to speak. ”I have never once seen him,” He started as Nathan glared daggers at him. ”I've heard him though, whenever we had briefings in the war room.” He said as Jonathan tapped on the railing of one of the stairwells.

”You've heard him, but never seen him?” Jonathan asked the young knight.

”No sir, every time I tried,” Anthony tried to avoid the captain's dark glare. ”I always had a sickening feeling in my gut, like I shouldn't try to make eye contact.”

Jonathan noticed the way Anthony was trying to keep his eyes away from Nathan, just as he was describing.

”Why would you never look at the man giving you orders?” Jonathan asked simply. ”In what world do you not convey respect to your superiors by looking at them as they are speaking to you?” He looked Anthony in the eye. ”What are you doing right now to prove my point?”

Anthony could feel goose bumps forming on his arms. ”Now that I think of it, I never truly had a reason to look at him. He would have most of the information we needed on a board, he was always off to the right. I could never truly see his face, nor would I try to.”

”My king,” Jonathan looked over to William. ”Could I have a word with you for a moment?” He didn't wait for a response from the king before he walked up the stairwell he had been standing in front of.

William gave off a weary sigh before following his old friend. He walked up the stairs to the second floor where Jonathan waited. ”I'm not the only one who feels that something is off I hope.” William said in a hushed tone.

”Not at all,” Jonathan said as he leaned up against the stairwell. ”I think I have most of it figured out, but I need to ask a favor of you.” he said as he allowed his deep hazel eyes to connect with William's sky blue.