Page 23 of The Last Knight

Phillippe joined Gunther for dinner. The one thing he enjoyed since becoming ruler was the delicious meals. This night, there were thinly sliced beef in gravy, red potatoes and roasted vegetables, accompanied by steaming buttered rolls.

Meliot had brought livestock and other necessities from the other realm so that he could eat as if he were still there. The one and only thing he was grateful to Meliot for.

“How was Meliot’s relationship with the generals?” Gunther asked as he cut into the meat.

The scribe chewed his food before replying. “I would say they tolerated each other. Meliot rarely agreed to anything the generals proposed, often preferring to oversee the warriors himself. Battle plans were his and, as you know, he personally oversaw any questioning and punishment of prisoners.”

“It would seem the generals would relish a ruler who gives them more freedom.” Gunther speared meat and potatoes onto his fork, eating the bite with relish.

“Torants are not the kind to relish anything,” Phillippe replied, matter-of-factly. “Quite the opposite. They thrive in disagreements and chaos.”

Gunther nodded. “So I have noted.”

“They plot to kill you,” Phillippe said in a light tone, as if it was non-consequential. Then again in that realm, it was probably the norm. He already knew the Torants had planned Meliot’s demise regularly.

“I am not surprised,” Gunther replied. “How successful do you suppose they will be?”

Phillippe shrugged. “As long as you are so powerful, it will prove difficult. I tell you because if you die, then I will be of no use to the Torants. They only tolerate me because Meliot protected me and now, you seem to as well.”

The scribe could prove useful, Gunther thought. However, he wasn’t foolish enough to confide in the man or trust him fully. For all he knew, Phillippe could be turned to betray him if tortured by the Torants. It was best to let the man think he trusted him.

“If you know this, why not ask to be returned to the other realm?”

The man shrugged. “You remain quite powerful. There is little that can destroy you. For now.”

For now.

Gunther decided to table the subject of his demise for the moment. “Did Meliot have any plans for the Yorian Realm? I didn’t see anything in the tomes you provided.”

“If he did, he never told me or had anything recorded. I was banned from the room whenever Indros was here. No one except Meliot’s and Indros’ personal guards remained with them.”

Interesting. Meliot’s personal guards were killed the same day that Meliot was dispatched.

“Why do you suppose that was?”

Phillippe placed his silverware down carefully. “Because they both plotted to destroy one another while pretending to be working towards a union. After one of Indros’ meetings, I entered the room preparing for the briefing to the generals. It was just Meliot and I. His guard was down. He blurted that Indros thought him a complete idiot, that he knew the other ruler’s plans to conquer this realm.”

Gunther wondered why Indros had not taken advantage of Meliot’s weakened powers to strike. “Indros was more powerful than Meliot in the end.”

“Yes, he was. But Meliot used up all his strength, making a show of power during the visits, even if it left him weakened for days after.”

“Were the generals aware of his weakness?”

Phillippe shrugged. “I do not think so. Meliot was a master of deception. His powers came and went. When strong he sent for the generals.”

They ate in silence for a long moment.

“Can you travel to our native realm?” Gunther asked a startled Phillippe, whose eyes widened as he lifted his left wrist. A magically conjured band around it was so tight, it was embedded into the man’s skin.

“I cannot,” Phillippe replied. “I am not sure that, even without this, I know how.”

Gunther studied the bracelet for a moment, then removed it, the object disappearing, leaving a visible indentation in Phillippe’s wrist.

“No need for that,” Gunther said. “If you wish to return, you can. I prefer not to keep captives from our realm against their will.”

“There is nothing for me there,” Phillippe stated, his eyes locked to his arm. “Where would I go?”

Gunther shrugged. “Decide and I will help you get established. The darkness is gaining power in me. Soon I will not be inclined to generosity.”