An interruption in the night...

The farmers are ushered out of the royal chambers, their moods seemingly lifted by your commitment to their plight. However, the rest of your court seems to have an uncomfortable air about them. You can't discern exactly what it is, but you decide you have set in course what you want to accomplish, and they'll just have to agree with it.

Lord Gilbert stands and breaks the uncomfortable silence. "Well, eh... that seems to have been enough business covered for today. Come, your majesty, let us adjourn to your private chambers, so that you may reflect on your decisions in peace. You are all dismissed." As you exit the chambers, you can hear the instant the remainder of the court thinks you're out of earshot. You can't make out what they're saying, but the tone of Count Erwin's voice does not sound favorable. Just before the door closes, you hear Lady Vessa seem to offer a counterpoint. "No matter", you think to yourself as you follow Lord Gilbert down the hall, "They're in for a surprise if they think I'm going to let this kingdom stagnate to oblivion."

After putting away your formal attire, Lord Gilbert hands your royal robes while you change behind a screen. "Gilbert," you casually question as you slide the robe on, "You may have more of an insight than any other single member of my court as to both my characteristics and those of the court. What are your thoughts on the matter?"

Although the young king is correct, Lord Gilbert still isn't sure where his place is now that Bryce is officially king. "Permission to speak freely, your highness?"

"Of course, Gilbert. I've known you all my life. The day I cannot trust you is the day this kingdom falls."

This answer fills Gilbert with relief. "Your highness, you honor me. Yes, I must admit that your decrees were not... orthodox, per se. However, personally, as one who has watched you grow from an innocent infant to the man I see before me today, I'm rather proud of the commitments you have displayed. Your father proved himself to be a shrewd diplomat and was excellent with the power of word, and I'm certain that he would be proud of your actions this very day."

Your robe comfortably adorned, you've begun pouring yourself a snifter of fine liqueur. You sit and continue to listen to Gilbert's words. "That having been said, the members of your royal court seem to have a rift of opinion. I received the impression that Lady Vessa was genuinely moved by your forethought and concern on the matter. She has always been one with nature and humanitarianism. I seemed to see her giving you looks of great admiration..." You think of Lady Vessa, wishing you had caught her giving you the aforementioned admiring stare. She was one of your very first adolescent crushes. Even though she was reportedly over 250 years old, she had the appearance of a woman of around 25-35, depending on the day. Being of partial elven heritage, looking younger than her actual age was to be expected, but she seemed to be pushing the limits for someone not of pure elf blood. Some thought the age-defying reports were either propaganda spread from the royalty to exhibit their power as a nation, or a harmless childhood rumor spread for entertainment. Strangely enough, it was never brought up, as if all your advisers knew to be professional and not mention it. You used to sneak into the secret passageways that bordered the royal baths and peek on Lady Vessa, and you always got a strange feeling that she knew you were watching, that she liked it...

Lord Gilbert brings you back to reality from your thoughts. "On the other hand, Count Erwin and Sir Garret... well, they have usually held much more conservative opinions. Not to mention that you may have indirectly undermined Count Erwin as he was about to condemn those subjects to the dungeons, and embarrassed Sir Garret by failing to defend the competence of his military ****." Gilbert bends down as if he thinks someone could possibly be listening in "For what it's worth, your majesty, I relished in seeing them knocked down a peg" and gives a hushed chuckle.

"However, your majesty," Gilbert continues, his tone changing, "I do have some slight concern about your safety... I have known from a young age that you were a young man in preferrence of physical action. In your history lessons, you only became engaged with depictions of war or heroism, never your diction lessons. I witnessed you sneak away whenever possible and conduct swordfights with imaginary foes. My point being, you have been groomed for diplomacy and negotiation, not **** and action. I find myself partially to blame... I was merely adhering to the wishes of your father, but in retrospect, I wish I had fostered the interests you displayed... I hope you will forgive me."

"Lord Gilbert, thank you for being candid. You continue to be my greatest aide, more than I could reasonably ask. I bid you a good evening. Please lock my chamber as you leave, I will need focus and rest."

"My pleasure, your majesty." Lord Gilbert shows himself out, and gently closes the door. You decide you should probably get some research done. You begin pulling tomes off the bookshelves that adorn your private chambers, searching for any clues as to what the beasts Horace described could possibly be. After a couple of hours, you've still found nothing. Reading has never been one of your favorite activities, and as the candles begin to grow dim, so does your mental function. You fall asleep at your desk, on a book about legendary creatures.

Several hours later, you're startled awake by a loud thunk from near the window. Groggily regaining your consciousness, you can vaguely make out the silouette of... Something in the moonlight. As you slowly inch yourself towards your bedside sword, you issue a demand, "Who's there? By order of the king, show yourself!"