Grand Plans

The halls of the palace remained quiet. The old place used to be buoyant with life and color, but it seemed that it was drained after the seize. Lots of men and women of Hallor were imprisoned, some were killed. It was a dark time for everyone. Harod who was thankfully saved by Duke Eiman was not feeling any grateful at all. When King Jean's soldiers marched down the city, the Duke himself sat down on the King's chair with a boisterous laugh. He was the traitor. All these time he was the most obedient, he was planning to stab the King at the back.

With a tensing meal between the king adviser and the Duke. "Eiman. Why? Of all people, I never expected it to be you." Harod said grimly. Thinking of all the times the court has spent together. When the late King provides feasts for everyone. It was sad to think that half of those people have sided with Eiman all the while gaining trust from King Hary.

"That's the trick old man. Of course I would be a good follower. No one noticed right? Even you." The Duke was smiling mischievously at him. "All the while, I have gained half of this palace to King Jean's side! I am such a master at this game." Harod was stewing inside. Although those who have turned are not so important people individually, their numbers are great, especially now that the strong forces on the adviser's side were now sitting inside the dungeons.

But there's something bothering the old man. He could be, as what people say, the leader now since he is the only one with a huge ranking besides the missing royalties. He has a significant role to probably overthrow the opposing reign, but here he is. "You know I will never side with you. Why am I free? Why did you not lock me as well? Killed me when you had the chance." The Duke's laugh was mocking, Eiman was standing on high horse. "Because you know where it is. The stone."

Harod tensed when he heard what the other said. He knows about the stone; a knowledge they buried with the Queen. How did he know? How did he know Harod knows? Eiman possibly have been digging way deeper from before. It makes sense now as to why they were seized. The legend of stones have spread since the dawn of time and many had attempted to gather all five. Some of those who tried failed, some where never heard of again.

Hallor has been keeping one of the stones for the longest time, but not anymore. And it made Harod smile inside with relief. The Duke will never find it in the Kingdom.

"I do not know where it is. I don't even know what stone you are talking about!"

"Lies! You are the closest one to the King! He tells you everything!"

"Why don't you try to look for it in the treasury? Those are where he puts his riches don't he?" The old man said.

The Duke did not answer, and evidently, it says it wasn't there.

Because it is with the Princess.

--

Nightfall came when Harod finished his talk with the Duke. It wasn't a very engaging conversation, for the part of the old adviser. His only advantage was the loud mouth and arrogance of the said traitor. Eiman was telling him close to everything which was incredibly not intelligent of the Duke.

Harod walked briskly towards the dungeon. The guards who once wore the crest of the roaring beast are now wearing venomous snakes, blocked his way. "You may not pass."

"I will only talk with your old leader who you disobeyed. You can accompany me if you want." Harod taunted the ex-soldiers of the kingdom. In shame, the guards let him pass. The old man walked briskly towards the cell of one of his most trusted ally, Leiram: The Commander of Hallor Knights. There he was inside, slumped on the floor, stewing in anger and helplessness. "Leiram." The adviser called the young man. He may be about the same as Prince Ernest's age. He, the Prince and the Princess grew up together somehow.

Upon hearing the voice of the old man, the commander scrambled towards the bars that separates him from the outside."Harod! What are you doing in here?"

"I came to see if you are doing fine."

"Of course I am, Sir."

Harod knew the young man is hurting as much as everybody else. Some of his family died and his team betrayed him. Most of all, the advisor feels that Leiram blames himslef for not protecting the Kingdom as he should. "I apologize I couldn't help you child."

"I am not asking you for any more help. Vouching for my life as it is has been a great help Sir. I owe you my today and the remaining tomorrows."